warriors: in the trees

chapter two, moon six

Floweringkit's throat rumbled with a purr. Watching as her curious clanmates poked their heads out of their dens, Floweringkit and her littermates patiently waited beneath the Low-Tree. To the left of her, the warrior's den rustled. Adderfur and Thunderleg emerged, sharing an intense argument, their pelts bristling with frustration. Floweringkit turned her ears to face the sparring warriors, attempting to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"You can't expect Applestar to issue an attack over nothing!" Thunderleg hissed, keeping his voice low as he and Adderfur crept to the center of the clearing.

Adderfur lashed his brown tail. "I should be able to expect Applestar to make good decisions!" His voice was lowered to a whisper, and Floweringkit strained to hear the rest of the spat. "And there is a great reason to invade JadeClan, now that they are weak with a new leader!"

New leader? Floweringkit questioned. She wished she had paid attention when the apprentices shared what they saw and heard on patrols. She would have a lot of catching up to do.

Floweringkit noticed a figure appear behind the entrance of Applestar's den. It was Ivylight- LavenderClan's deputy. She said nothing, silently leaping to the second-tallest branch on the Low Tree. The clan quieted, turning their attention away from their conversations and to the Low Tree. Floweringkit could sense new tension between her clanmates, but they forgot all about it when her leader's pale ginger pelt appeared, and he leaped to his spot above the clearing.

Applestar skipped the formal greeting, as most of the clan was already gathered beneath the fallen oak. "I have multiple things to share with you," he mewed. "One, I have decided not to continue with the attack plans on JadeClan."

Adderfur let out a disapproving hiss. Floweringkit could tell he was trying incredibly hard to keep his brown fur down. It would be stupid to challenge the leader's decision.

"What?" A lithe, brown tom beside Thunderleg and Adderfur shouted. Floweringkit recognized him as Owlhaze and stupid.

Even though Ivylight looked slightly unpleased with the announcement, she shot Owlhaze a silencing stare. He quieted fast, shrinking back to avoid consequences with Applestar.

"I understand," Applestar addressed, his meow firm, "that most of you will be upset. But now is just not the right time for LavenderClan." Floweringkit noticed Thrushkit visibly upset next to her. She pressed her gray tabby pelt against his gold fur.

"It's okay, Thrushkit," Floweringkit whispered. "Applestar called off the fight. And we're about to be apprentices!"

Most of the disapproving hisses and stares died down when Applestar spoke again. "But that is not the main point of this meeting. I am pleased to announce that Floweringkit, Briarkit, and Thrushkit have reached their sixth moon." Floweringkit felt pride as it overwhelmed her when Applestar said her name. Taking the lead, she and her siblings padded below the Low Tree, leaving their kit hoods behind.

"All three of you are ready to be apprenticed. Briarkit, Thrushkit, and Floweringkit, from this moment forward, until you receive your warrior names, you shall be known as Briarpaw, Thrushpaw, and Floweringpaw.

"Sunclaw," Applestar called. The gold tom looked up from his paws and locked eyes with the leader. "You have proven yourself to be a fierce and understanding warrior. I wish you mentor Brairpaw and pass on all you know to her.

"Thunderleg, I want you to instruct Thrushpaw in his apprenticeship. You are a proud and loyal warrior, and I expect you to teach Thrushpaw how to defend his clan in the best possible way." Thrushpaw and Briarpaw ran to touch noses with their mentors. Sunclaw purred as he greeted Briarpaw, while Thunderleg gave Thrushpaw a curt nod. Floweringpaw waited for her assigned mentor.

Applestar scanned the clearing for an instant before his eyes laid on the right mentor for Floweringpaw. "Adderfur," he announced. The battle-ready warrior's eyes lit up. "You are a very determined and protective warrior. I would like for you to mentor Floweringpaw. Pass on everything I have taught you to her."

Floweringpaw sensed Applestar's unease with assigning her his formal apprentice. Adderfur was a great warrior, but he had proven to be a smidge hostile too many times. Floweringpaw got to her paws to greet Adderfur. He rested a brown and black head on hers, then affectionately licked her forehead. She accepted his gesture, feeling nervous yet excited about her new mentor. Floweringpaw knew Adderfur would push her to her limits.

As the newly appointed apprentices settled again, Floweringpaw glanced at Briarpaw and Thrushpaw. Briarpaw seemed the most excited she'd ever been about her new mentor, Sunclaw, while Thrushpaw seemed slightly timid.

Adderfur sat beside Floweringpaw- his gaze fixed on Applestar as the leader continued addressing the clan. Another brown pelt- a lighter one- settled on the other side of Adderfur. Owlhaze leaned over to Flowerinpaw's mentor, loudly whispering, "Applestar should have led the attacking party immediately."

If Applestar noticed Owlhaze's comment, he didn't care. LavenderClan's leader closed the ceremony swiftly, letting Ivylight take his place to assign the evening patrols. Applestar returned to his den without another word.

Floweringpaw, Brairpaw, and Thrushpaw huddled together. "I'm so excited!" Floweringpaw mewed, her high-pitched voice ringing with anticipation.

"You get excited over everything," Briarpaw pointed out.

Floweringpaw playfully nudged her sister with her shoulder. "Well, I'm extra excited this time!" she giggled. Briarpaw let out a purr and Thrushpaw joined her, momentarily relieving himself of his anxiety.

Thunderleg padded over to the three apprentices. He didn't take notice of Adderfur and Owlhaze and nodded to Thrushpaw as a greeting.

"When do we start training?" Thrushpaw asked his mentor. Floweringpaw glanced to her own, about to ask the same. Adderfur and Thunderleg shared a quick agitated glance.

"Dawn," Thunderleg notified his apprentice before swiftly moving to the warrior's den. Flowerinpaw stared at Adderfur.

"Dawn," he agreed. "Get some rest," Adderfur pushed Floweringpaw away with his tail, turning to look at Ivylight up on the Low Tree.