|Shadows Born|--A Warriors Fanfic--|

Chapter 12- Worms?!

Blackkit stood taller.

"--Blackkit, from this moment on, until you get your warrior name, you will be known as Blackpaw." Pinestar's meow rang through the camp. "Your mentor will be Rainshadow, I trust him to teach you confidence and loyalty." He finished.

Blackpaw eyes were wide, would his new mentor really teach him loyalty? And confidence? What does that even mean? he asked himself. Blackpaw glanced at the dark gray tabby that sat in the back. Rainshadow usually never spoke, he was a solitary and cold tomcat. But he did get Pebblepaw to stop teasing me... Blackpaw jumped up to touch noses with his new mentor.

"I hope to make you proud." He whispered.

"I know you will." Rainshadow whispered back.

"Pebblepaw! Blackpaw!" The Clan cats chanted, their meows rising to Silverpelt.

As the gathered cats left, Pebblepaw and Blackpaw lingered. Their two mentors sat next to each other, staring at the newly-named apprentices.

"Get some rest, tomorrow sun-up, we train!" Pounceflight, a tan she-cat with white paws, patches, and ears, smiled. She was Rainshadow's mate, which they were nothing alike, and she was Pebblepaw's mentor.

"Driftpaw and Robinpaw will show you your nests. Go on." Rainshadow's deep, stormy-like voice added.

Blackpaw nodded, his black paws carring him through the fallen tree and to the Apprentice den. Pebblepaw was a tail-length behind him.

"Oh! Hi, Blackpaw and Pepplepaw." Greeted Driftpaw, his gray-brown pelt next to Robinpaw, a red-brown apprentice. "Your nests are over here," he pointed a claw to two empty nests farther in the den.

"Thanks, Driftpaw." Pebblepaw lay in the nest closest to Robinpaw's.

Blackpaw himself chose a nest, closer to Driftpaw's. He sighed, lying in the cold moss. I'm finally an apprentice! But what if I fail? Blackpaw wondered, his thoughts racing. I won't fail! I'll be the best apprentice ever! Determination flooded Blackpaw, as he hazily blinked, sleep came to him.

"Wake up, sleepybird!" An unfamiliar high voice shook the tom. There stood Pounceflight, trying to get the black apprentice up.

"Sorry!" Blackpaw jumped out of his nest. "Did I miss training?"

"No," Pounceflight scoffed, her eyes rolling, "but the others are waiting for us."

Blackpaw nodded and raced after Pounceflight as she left. At the very entrance of the fallen tree, Pebblepaw and Rainshadow sat, waiting.

"Finally!" Pebblepaw's meow was impatient.

"Patience, Pebblepaw." Shouldered Rainshadow. "Do not look down on your kin. A true warrior knows that."

Pebblepaw dipped her head for a long moment, a small apology escaped her mouth. "Sorry..."

"Since we're all here, let's start." Interrupted Pounceflight. "Me and Pebblepaw will explore the Pointed Rocks and the shore. Rainshadow and Blackpaw will do the Worm Cave."

Rainshadow nodded, his tabby tail flicked at Blackpaw. Soon after Blackpaw followed the warrior out of camp.

"Woah..." Blackpaw stared breathlessly at the tall trees and rocks that surrounded GlacierClan camp. I remember this place! I met Brightstar here, what a strange day that was. Recalled Blackpaw.

"Our territory is far more wonderful than the other Clan's." Rainshadow sighed, his paws walking over a pile of stones.

"I agree, it's so beautiful." Blackpaw nodded.

Rainshadow let out a mrrow of laughter. "Wait till you see the Worm Cave." He led Blackpaw to a rocky slope, soon the tomcat's reached a narrow tunnel on the other side of camp. "Here we go, for the following step we go underground," Rainshadow started to enter the cave.

Blackpaw gulped, what could be down there? Worms? I've never seen worms in the Fresh-kill pile though. Hesitantly, Blackpaw followed his new mentor.

"Follow the sound of dripping water and be careful of the stoney walls." Rainshadow explained.

"Yes, Rainshadow." Blackpaw meowed carefully. After a few brief minutes of crawling through the tunnel, the apprentice-and-mentor caught a breath-taking sight. The cave was smaller than camp, but seemed larger since it was completely bare. There were a many stalactites on the hanging from the ceiling and built on the floor of the cold, stony ground, occasionally a few drops of murky water would fall from the top stalactites and land in already formed pools of murky water that reflected light. Glowing things stood on the ceiling of the cave, making the light. "Wha... what are those things?" He asked in shock.

"Glowing worms." Rainshadow sat down. "That's how this cave got its name. It's also really useful for herb finding."

Silence entered as the tomcats relaxed in the view. What would Rainshadow teach me next? I hope it's hunting! I want it to catch something before Pebblepaw!

"Alright, let's go," Rainshadow stood up at last. "We'll see your smelling and stalking skills now, come." He slowly walked out.

Blackpaw took one last look at the Worm Cave, and he swore he saw a large cat's shadow on the walls. Ignoring it and feeling nervous, Blackpaw followed Rainshadow out.

"Hey, Blackpaw!" Driftpaw meowed. He and Robinpaw were finishing their own separate meals near the tree that stood next to the Apprentice den.

Blackpaw padded to his denmates, his own jaws carrying prey. He sat down next to them.

"What did you do on your first day as an apprentice?" Driftpaw gulped down his thrush.

Blackpaw excitedly explained his travels to the Worm Cave and explored the Great Pine. "--And then Rainshadow was super impressed when I caught that squirrel." He finished his story and his lemming.

Robinpaw finally spoke. "A squirrel?"

Driftpaw gasped, "lucky! They're so rare in our territory."

Blackpaw's pelt felt hot with embarrassment. "Thanks."

"Apprentices," Specklebird, a speckled tan-brown tomcat and Robinpaw's mentor, walked up to the apprentice toms. "You should get some rest. You three are on the dawn patrol." The senior warrior meowed.

"Yes, Specklebird." The apprentices echoed. The tom's walked into their den and each into their own nests.

Blackpaw sighed, his back against the moss and feather nest. Wonders came in about what might happen tomorrow. Specklebird said I'd be going on the dawn patrol. I wonder what's that like? Blackpaw sighed deeply and rolled of onto his back. Another though came to him:

Who as that shadow in the Worm Cave?

Blackpaw left more nervous and scared when he thought he saw the same shadow on the bracken walls.