Windclan's Hope

Chapter 12

It had been two moons since Turtleheart had announced his leadership. Stempaw padded into camp. "Hey, Stempaw. Redcall and I think you should do Briarfang's kits ceremony today." Turtleheart called. Stempaw froze. "What? Me?" He turned. "Yes, come, we are deciding on their mentors." He sighed and followed.
Once they'd decided their mentor's Stempaw leapt onto Tall rock. "Let all cats gather to hear my words!" He announced. The clan gathered. Stempaw watched as Briarfang and Sheepfur stood next to each other, their eyes glittering with pride. "Whitekit, Leafkit, Cloudkit, and Eaglekit. You are six moons and ready for your apprentice names. Whitepaw, your mentor will be Rabbitstrike. Leafpaw, your mentor will be Owlfeather. Cloudpaw, your mentor will be Whiteclaw. Eaglepaw, your mentor will be Birchwing." He announced. "Train your apprentices with all your knowledge, share your wisdom and bravery with them." He mewed and dismissed the clan. Whiteclaw called Doveface, Ratfur and Sheepfur together for a patrol. Stempaw turned as he saw Turtleheart approaching with a smile. "You did well! You have good leadership." She purred. "I was trembling." He admitted. "So? You still talked in front of the clan as a ten moon old apprentice. That takes skill." Ivypaw padded up, carrying herbs. "Lilyfrost is going to kit soon. We need raspberry leaves." She added. "Ill gather some with you." Stempaw flicked his tail. Ivypaw nodded and led the way out of camp.
"Ratfur is mad you didn't give him an apprentice." Ivypaw stretched in the Newleaf sun. "His greed for power worries me. He wont get an apprentice if he acts this way all the time." Stempaw replied, a frown forming. "You sound like Bramblestar already." Ivypaw purred. Stempaw shrugged. "Grab those leaves gently." A shriek sounded from camp. "Guess i called it. I'll take these, and find a stick that won't break when bitten. Hurry!" Ivypaw darted back to camp.
Stempaw watched as Birdnose paced outside the nursery. It was almost sunset and the queen had kitted for a while now. "Two toms so far!" Ivypaw yowled. "One more kit to come." After the kitting was over, Birdnose padded into the nursery. There had been two toms and a she-cat in the litter. Ivypaw carried the extra herbs back to the medicine den. "Did she name them?" Stempaw fell in step. "You should see them. Clan leaders normally see the new kits." She replied. Stempaw turned and headed to the nursery. Turtleheart allowed him in.
He sat down in front of the queen and her mate. "This is Newtkit, Pinekit and she is Goosekit." Lilyfrost purred and pointed to her kits. Birdnose smiled, looking at his kits proudly.
Stempaw watched as the clan met their new clanmates. The sun was falling and there was barely any freshkill that day. "Whiteclaw, take Ratfur, Sheepfur and Briarfang hunting along with Squirrelpaw please." He approached the tom. "Will do, Stempaw." He mewed and rounded up the cats before leaving camp. He padded to the apprentice den, seeing Redcall stagger into his den. "Turtleheart?" He turned. "Yes, Stempaw?" She looked up from her herbs. "Can I take my warrior assessment tomorrow? Just to see if I pass? Redcall should be able to retire soon, he doesnt deserve this." Stempaw mewed. "That is what will make you a good leader. Yes, I will have Sheepfur and Doveface assess you in the morning. Go rest." Stempaw nodded and padded into his nest.