Willowpaw's Trip (Warriors Fanfic)

Chapter Two

"For StarClan's sake, Willowkit, wake up!"

Willowkit's eyes popped open and she immediately hopped up. "What? What is it?"

"Our apprentice ceremony!" Cedarkit squealed. "Swiftstar decided to do it early."

"I can't believe it," Rowankit added happily, bouncing on his haunches. "We're going to be apprentices at sunhigh!"

Willowkit stood up and slowly padded to the entrance of the nursery. The sun was just about to rise, and Swiftstar was even starting to leap to the top of the Lightning Rock. Robinwing followed the white and gray tom to the top of the rock and mewed something, to which Swiftstar replied with a whisker-twitch of anticipation. Out of humorous thought, Willowkit snorted and padded nonchalantly to the fresh-kill pile in the middle of the clearing.

"What are you doing, little kit?" Robinwing called from the top of the huge rock pillar.

"Waiting for you to call the clan," Willowkit replied knowingly. "When will you, Swiftstar?"

Swiftstar grinned and turned his muzzle to the sky. He yelled, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join underneath the Lightning Rock for a Clan meeting!"

The cats of LightningClan joined in a group around the Lightning Rock. Some, such as the pair of elders, huddled together at the entrances of their dens. Once every cat had gathered, Swiftstar began.

"Hawkkit, Rowankit, and Cedarkit," Swiftstar beckoned the siblings and their friend with a flick of his tail, and they instantly appeared before the leader of LightningClan. Willowkit watched, suddenly realizing why she wasn't chosen.

"This is a proud day for LightningClan," Swiftstar continued, his voice like a huge boom. "By naming apprentices, we show LightningClan will survive and remain strong. Hawkkit, Rowankit, and Cedarkit, from now on until you recieve your warrior names you will be known as Rowanpaw, Cedarpaw, and Hawkpaw. Sootstep, Brackenshadow, and Patchwhisker, you are ready for apprentices, and Sootstep will be Hawkpaw's mentor; Brackenshadow will be Rowanpaw's mentor; and Patchwhisker will be Cedarpaw's mentor. I know you will pass on all your strength and wisdom to Hawkpaw, Rowanpaw, and Cedarpaw, and teach them the skills that will make them brave warriors of LightningClan."

On cue and as tradition, the warriors touched noses with their signified apprentices. The clan chanted.

"Hawkpaw! Rowanpaw! Cedarpaw!"

"Hawkpaw! Rowanpaw! Cedarpaw!"

"Hawkpaw! Rowanpaw! Cedarpaw!"

Then Willowkit's ceremony began. Swiftstar called her name, and Yarrowstem appeared from her den and trotted over to Willowkit; the pair stepped forward so Yarrowstem was beside the Lightning Rock and facing the to-be apprentice.

"Cats of LightningClan," began the medicine cat, "as you know I will not be around forever. So it's time I took an apprentice. I have chosen a cat because of her amazing ability to care for patients and herbs. Your next medicine cat will be Willowpaw."

"Willowpaw, do you accept the post of apprentice to Yarrowstem?"

Willowpaw stared up at the leader, and then to her mentor. This was her fate, her destiny, her soul purpose, and she accepted it with open paws.

"Yes, Swiftstar," she announced proudly.

Yarrowstem spoke now. "Then at the half-moon you must travel to the Mothermouth to be accepted by StarClan before the other medicine cats."

"The good wishes of all LightningClan will go with you," Swiftstar assured.

Yarrowstem leaned forward and pressed her nose against Willowpaw's, and the younger she-cat did the same. It was final--Willowpaw was a medicine cat's apprentice.