Foampaw's tragedy

CHAPTER TWO

The two sat down in the midst of the swarming Clan gathering beneath their leader, his stance nervous and shaky as always. Foamkit's father used to be clan leader, but he was retired and Redstar still goes to him for advice. Foamkit didn't have much respect for him, but she never said anything in fear of getting in trouble. She glanced at Otterkit, who was at her side and desperately giving herself chest licks. Before Foamkit knew it, she was pulled back and was getting groomed as well.

"Ah! Stopppp!!" Foamkit squealed, getting pulled away from Otterkit.

"Sush, I can't believe you didn't let me groom you before the ceremony. Unbelievable." Moonshine growled. "Your fur looks horrible! Would it hurt you to use your tongue for once in your life?"

Foamkit's fur prickled with guilt as she was nudged back towards Otterkit, now with the rest of the kits as well, wide eyed and ready to receive their new names. Foamkit glanced back at Moonshine, her mother's eyes turned to slits as she whispered something along the lines of 'that's as good as it's gonna get..'

Foamkit tried to shake off the feeling of dread erupting from her chest and sat next to Otterkit, their pelts brushing.

"Are you alright, Foamkit?" Otterkit mewed once she was finally done licking herself.

"I'm fine." Foamkit forced herself to purr as the commotion died down and everyone was in the clearing. The ceremony was about to start.

The leader looked down at the cats, his nervous gaze drifting through all of the cats until it landed on the small group of kits in the middle.

"Uh, ok, so.. Then.. er.. Right. Lots of kits have come of age to become apprentices. Otterkit, Snapkit, Voidkit, Bloodkit, and Foamkit, step up, please."

Foamkit's pelt pricked with anxiety and terror as she stepped forward, she looked to her side to see her brother, Bloodkit, his eyes filled with.. Excitement? For the first time, Foamkit couldn't tell. She could usually read her littermate very well, but this time was.. Different.

"It's probably fine." She thought as the leader slowly stuttered through each kit's ceremony, obviously struggling to remember the words before finally looking at Foamkit.

"Ok, Foamkit, you have reached the age of six moons... signaling that it's time for you to become an apprentice! Are you willing to learn the Warrior Code by heart and let it guide your every pawstep?"

"Yes." Foamkit tried not to tremble with nervousness.

"Then by the power of starclan, I give you the new name Foampaw. I have thought long and hard about who your mentor would be, and I think the best choice would be Cinderheat. Both of you, please step forward."

Foamkit and Cinderheat stepped forward and briefly touched noses, Foamkit was relieved- Not only was Cinderheat a hunter, but she was pretty kind, and brought Foamkit and her littermate fresh-kill a lot.

Before Foampaw could even let out a Mrrow of surprise, she was bombarded with cats, all purring the same name, Foampaw. Otterpaw nuzzled her face with her nose, and her mentor's yellow eyes burned with excitement.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.