THE DARK MATTER | Book One: Stained Trails

chapter four

CLOUDKIT HAD SPENT ALL MORNING GETTING GROOMED BY HER MOTHER to look as presentable as possible for her ceremony. She didn't mind her mother's cold tongue lapping at her fur to settle uneven bristles and loose strands. Oatkit had complained about his and ended up with still a loose hair or two by his ears, but Cloudkit adored the attention from her mother. Plus, she was adamant about looking perfect for her ceremony.

It had been two moons since Minnowshine had her kits. Poppykit, Sagekit, and Pebblekit were now old enough to move around and observe, as they were while they waited for Oatkit and Cloudkit's ceremony. Sagekit was nothing but an extra toe to Minnowshine, the darker silver tom glued to his mother's side at all times as he watched from afar. Pebblekit and Poppykit were all about socialization, the two bouncing around Oatkit as Daisyspring finished grooming Cloudkit.

"We can't wait to be apprentices with you two!" Pebblekit squeaked.

Oatkit looked mildly annoyed, but happy to gloat. "Well, you still have four moons, but by then we can show you so much of everything we've learned."

"Then in the far future, we'll all be strong warriors together," Cloudkit added with a puff of her chest fur.

"Who are you hoping your mentors will be?" Poppykit questioned with a curious twitch of her ears.

"I'm hoping for Berrytuft! She's deputy and one of my dad's good friends," Oatkit voiced.

"I don't really care who mine will be but Willowmist or her son, Stormyheart, would be nice," Cloudkit answered.

Daisyspring chuckled at the kits as she drew away from Cloudkit, finishing her daughter's grooming. "There, all set. Your father will be so proud of the both of you," Daisyspring purred. She then glanced to Minnowshine with a grimace. "And I can't wait to finally be back as a warrior."

"Stars, me too," Minnowshine agreed with a stifled laugh.

Cloudkit often forgot her mother was ever a warrior. She had told stories of her and Talonstar's apprenticeship and more, but not usually. Their mother tended to stray away from her own stories and told others, but the kits had no complaints - in fact, it was only know Cloudkit had realized that.

"May all cats gather before Highledge for a clan meeting!"

Talonstar's voice echoed into their den and stimulated a wave of excitement. Poppykit and Pebblekit were overjoyed with a little prance to show it whilst their mother and brother watched them with a grin. Daisyspring stood to her paws and guided Cloudkit and Oatkit towards the exit, the two almost stunned in place at the approach of their ceremony. Cloudkit felt his paws tingle with joy and electricity prickle at her fur as she padded outside, Oatkit falling into step with her.

Cats were gathered in the clearing faster than they had ever seen before. There was almost a perfect path made by them for Cloudkit and Oatkit to take the center, their clanmates watching them with wide, beaming eyes. They mumbled congratulations to Daisyspring as they followed behind them, the mother dipping her head to her acquaintances and purring a thanks back. Mudpaw and Mousepaw made their appearance amongst the crowd, shouting out about how they couldn't wait to have other apprentices with them as Doebounce shook her head at them both. Atop the highledge ahead stood Talonstar with Berrytuft close by his side, the powerful tabbies amber eyes plastered to both of his kit. Cloudkit grinned up at her father as her and Oatkit took their stand in the center of the clearing.

"We are gathered here today for my kits, Oatkit and Cloudkit, to become apprentices and learn the way of a warrior!" Talonstar's voice boomed across camp, a cheering following his announcement. It was more of a clamor than usual at a ceremony, Cloudkit's eyes round at the ruckus. Talonstar silenced them though after a moment with a flick of his tail, amber eyes staring down proudly at his kits. "Do the both of you believe you have what it takes to be a warrior?"