Ghosts of the Clans

Chapter 5

"Antkit, you will now be called Antpaw. Harespring will be your mentor. He is a new warrior, but I trust that he will be able to mentor you well." Onestar proclaimed. Antpaw touched noses with the brown-and-white tom and wished, Flytail, I wish you were here to see me!

"Antpaw, Antpaw!" the whole Clan cheered. Leafpaw was standing beside his own mentor, Weaselfur, and his glossy dark ginger pelt was rippling along his spine. Was he really happy that Antpaw was an apprentice at last? Or did his brother still think that Antpaw was a tiny kit, mewling in the nursery? Antpaw let out a huff. I will show the other apprentices that I can be a fearsome warrior!

After a tour of the WindClan territory, the sun was already setting. After Harespring dismissed him, Antpaw went over to the fresh-kill pile and picked out a mouse before glancing around, deciding where to sit. Leafpaw was sharing a plump rabbit with Heatherpaw and Breezepaw, and the three cats were chatting amiably. But they definitely wouldn't want Antpaw with them. Willowclaw was on the dusk patrol with Robinwing and Owlwhisker.

Letting out a small sigh, Antpaw was about to eat alone in a corner when Gorsetail's kits barrelled out. "Gorsetail's let us eat outside today!" squealed Thistlekit excitedly. Antpaw's amber eyes lit up and he offered, "You can have this mouse, you three. I'll take a sparrow."

"Thanks, Antpaw! You're the best!" purred Swallowkit as she and her littermates settled down and bit into the warm flesh. Giving her ear a lick, Antpaw took the sparrow and devoured it hungrily, finishing it in a few bites. He then watched as the kits finished their food and began washing their tiny paws, licking them clean.

Just then, Gorsetail stood up from where she had been sharing prey with Emberfoot and called, "Kits! Time to go back to the nursery!" Sedgekit and Thistlekit obeyed without complaint, but Swallowkit stayed back. "Thanks again for the mouse. It was really tasty," she purred, touching her nose to Antpaw's cheek before haring away after her littermates.

"Well, well. Tommorrow we're going to hunt, so long as you aren't going to be moony over a kit," an amused voice came behind him. Antpaw spun around to face Harespring, his face burning. "I'm not moony over Swallowkit!" he denied. His mentor didn't say anything, but the teasing glint in his bright blue eyes told Antpaw exactly what he was thinking.

That night, Thistleclaw visited Antpaw in his dreams again.

"You lost your father, didn't you?" the mangy tom didn't wait for Antpaw's reply. Instead, he told him, "Well, I can change you from clumsy to a warrior as skilled as Flytail! Imagine the look on the other apprentices' faces! So, what do you think?"

His head whirling with all the possibilities, Antpaw envisioned himself as a big, strong warrior, well-respected and popular among Clanmates, Heatherpaw, Breezepaw and Leafpaw looking up to him. I would have so much power!

"Yes, I do."