✯ 𝐀 𝐑aven's 𝐅ear ✯

✵𝗣rologue

🕊️ // WARNING! This book has sensitive themes such as trauma, suicide mention, slight gore, death, and depression.
If you are uncomfortable with any of these topics, please don't read this book!

If you're staying, I hope you enjoy my writing. Constructive criticism is, of course, welcome.

______ ☀︎︎ ______

The moon had just began to rise, the top half of the thin crescent above the horizen.

Ravenkit had watched it, his soft emerald eyes illuminated by the light.

He then retreated back into the nursery, staring at a sleeping Robinwing.

He crouched beside her and loafed his body next to his mother's warm stomach, his right black ear twitching as a cricket had began its song within the nursery.

The other kits were fast asleep.

He couldn't rest. Tomorrow, he would become an Apprentice.

The very thought of it sent a shiver down his spine, spiking some fur atop his lower body.

He certainly wasn't ready. He could barely go three tail-lengths from the nursery.

'It will be alright, my son. You will grow used to training and conquer your fear. Someday, I know you'll make a fine Warrior.'

He pondered what his mother told him earlier today, when she first informed him that his ceremony was coming up.

He sighed, then lay his head atop his paws, closing his eyes after it took quite a while for sleep to catch him.

___

"Ravenkit, Dustkit, it's time to wake up." The gentle voice of Robinwing had awoke the young black cat. He gave a silent yawn, and stretched his long limbs.

"I hope you haven't forgotten about your apprenticeships!"

Dustkit, Ravenkit's brother, perked up and smiled widely. "Of course not!" He squeaked.

Almost on cue, the kits heard a familiar voice speak out. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around the Highrock for a clan meeting."

Bluestar.

Ravenkit sheepishly crept out of the nursery, Dustkit running out beside him. He wore a huge grin, and sat beside a pale orange kit Ravenkit forgot the name of.

The young black cat had took his place beside his mother, who groomed his short fur quickly.

"Today, we will be welcoming three new kits into the Apprentice's den. Dustkit, step forward. It is time for you to become an apprentice."

Ravenkit felt his legs begin to shake lightly. It was time! Almost, at least.

"From this day on, until you receive your Warrior name, you will be known as Dustpaw. Your mentor will be Redtail, I trust he will teach you his loyalty, honor, and battle skills."

Dustpaw, beaming with excitement, ran to his new mentor, eagerly touching noses with him. Redtail smiled at the younger cat.

"Sandkit, step forward."

The tan kit who had been sitting with Dustpaw earlier did as told, and almost tripped with eagerness. Her pelt was shining and tamed, thanks to her mother, who watched from beside the spot Sandkit was sitting.

"From this day on, until you receive your Warrior name, you will be known as Sandpaw. Your mentor will be Whitestorm. I trust he will teach you a life of loyalty and respect."

Sandpaw strode towards the large white tom, and touched noses with him. They both wore calm, yet excited, smiles.

"Ravenkit,"

He felt his tail fluff at the sound of his name, and he temporarily locked eyes with his leader.

That certainly didn't comfort him, until he noticed a softness in her eyes as she calmly beckoned him forward with both her tail and words.

'She must know I'm terrified..'

"Step forward."

With a gentle, encouraging nudge from Robinwing, Ravenkit did as told.

"From this day on, until you receive your Warrior name, you will be known as Ravenpaw."

He smiled lightly. He did feel a sense of pride at his new name.

"Your mentor will be Tigerclaw. I'm sure he will pass onto you his immense strength and loyalty."

Bluestar gave a small smile at every new Apprentice, then retreated back into her cave, taking a second to speak with her deputy.

Ravenpaw then glanced at his new mentor, and nervously approached the large tabby.

Tigerclaw touched noses with Ravenpaw, the little black tom blinking at the action and flinching slightly.

Ravenpaw looked up at his mentor, head high and staring down almost menacingly, the sun outlining him.

Then he noticed something.

A detail within the blazing amber meeting his own green gaze.

A spark of evil, that made the Apprentice's eyes widen with alarm.

As quickly as he noticed it, it vanished. The Warrior now looked normal and tough.

But the newly apprenticed cat didn't forget what he saw. . .

The sadistic, ambitious glint that shone brightly, even if only a second.