Battlecats - The Path to the Trees

Chapter 10

The day had finally come. Gingerkit could feel another excited tingle run straight from her nose to the tip of her tail. Today was the day she and Goldenkit became battlekits! Two phases, which felt like seasons to Gingerkit, had finally passed. She had been pacing all morning long, awaiting the call of Lion Spirit to bring the pod together for their ceremony. Just a day before she had seen more hunting patrols come in and out from the podgrounds in preparation for the ceremonial feast afterward.

Scorchbird sat in their nest, giving Goldenkit a few comforting licks now and again to ease his nerves. "It's alright Goldenkit," their mother soothed. "You'll do great out there, I guarantee that. You two are the best litter of kits a mother could ever have."

Gingerkit peeked outside the den. It appeared as if cats were starting to gather, without Lion Spirit's call. "There are already cats gathering!" Gingerkit squealed excitedly, bouncing on her white paws.

"We have to wait for Lion Spirit's call," her mother reminded. "It won't be long if cats are already starting to gather."

"I know mama," Gingerkit meowed, glancing back at her mother. She peered outside of the den once more. "I just can't wait!"

After what felt like ages, Lion Spirit's call echoed around the clearing for all WebPod cats to gather. Gingerkit did all she could to contain her excitement. Scorchbird made her way to the entrance of the den, looking back at her two kits proudly. "Now, you will walk out like sensible battlekits and make your way to the front of the gathering, after that, you'll wait for Lion Spirit."

Gingerkit nodded, inhaling deeply, steeling herself for the eyes of all her podmates to be on her and her brother. Goldenkit made his way to her side, his fur brushing up against hers, trembling slightly. She gave her brother a reassuring look before they followed their mother out of the suckle den and out into the clearing.

All eyes were on the two of them, just like Gingerkit had thought. Gingerkit held her head and tail high, walking regally behind Scorchbird as they made their way through the throng of cats. Goldenkit followed closely behind her, his head lowered slightly and casting nervous glances around him.

Once they reached the head of the crowd, Gingerkit and Goldenkit sat in their respective places while Scorchbird made her way back into the crowd to watch. Gingerkit gazed up at the boulders that made Lion Spirit's den and his large frame atop it.

"Cats of WebPod," Lion Spirit meowed loudly, casting his voice to be heard across the clearing. "We have, yet again, another special ceremony to perform for two kits to rise and become battlekits." Lion Spirit looked down upon Gingerkit and Goldenkit and Gingerkit gazed back unflinchingly.

The WebPod chief made his way down the boulders and stopped in front of the crowd. "Gingerkit and Goldenkit are now of age to become battlekits and as such I must grant them their new names and mentors while the eye of our Ancestor, Discovery, is above us."

He approached Gingerkit first, his large frame blocking the sun from behind him. "Gingerkit, do you promise to uphold the Values of the Ancestors and to train hard to become a fully realized battlecat?" Gingerkit kneaded the ground with her claws, nodding quickly. "Yes Lion Spirit! At all costs!"

Lion Spirit smiled then nodded, leaning in close to touch noses with Gingerkit. "Then by the Ancestor of the Sun, I grant you your new name. From this day forward, until you've received your battlecat name, you will be known as Gingerpaw." Lion Spirit stepped back and waved his tail. Fallenheart stepped forward from his spot in front of the chief's den and approached Gingerpaw.

"Gingerpaw, your mentor will be Fallenheart. I have taken a long time to decide who will mentor you and I believe Fallenheart is the best cat to train you. You are a special cat Gingerpaw. Train well under our understudy."