Gilafang's Resentment (Book 4)

Chapter 3

Gilakit stepped outside with a yawn, stretching. He had grown quite a bit since Yewpaw's death, and today was his apprentice ceremony. He suddenly realized the reality of the day, and whipped around to shake his sister awake.

"Sunsetkit! Sunsetkit, guess what today is?!" He cried in her ear, his eyes gleaming with excitement and his tail fluffed up.

Sunsetkit rubbed her eyes for a second, confused. "Gilakit, I was sleeping you big lump!" She mumbled, then she stared at him, her mouth slowly opening wide with excitement. "Apprentices!!!!" They exclaimed together.

Gilakit squealed with excitement. Moving forward, he licked her forehead. "I'll wash you until you shine!" He boasted, washing it vigorously. Sunsetkit laughed and smiled.

"So will I!"

*****

"Gilakit, Sunsetkit!" Morningstar's calls came from out in the testing clearing. Lemurtail finished licking their heads and ushered them out, a worried smile on her face.

"Be careful, loves," she said gently. Lemurtail had become like their second mother, when she moved into the nursery three moons ago expecting Brokenjaw's kits. Gilakit squirmed away and nodded.

"I promise I will," he said to Lemurtail before looking at his sister seriously. Sweat was beading at her brow and her tail was shaking slightly.

He put his paw on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Sunsetkit. I'll go easy on you. I promise to let you win, okay?" He said gently, trying to soothe her. Gilakit himself was nervous, not for himself, but for his sister. I will protect her. He promised himself, setting his strong jaw. I won't let Morningstar touch her.

As he neared his mother, Lemurtail stopped following them, as it was the rule that no cat except Morningstar could watch the fight. Gilakit gulped as he pushed through the concealing bushes and into the scuffled dirt clearing where his mother sat.

"Gilakit, Sunsetkit, you have reached your sixth moon and are ready to have your first apprentice test. If you fail, you will have to wait another three moons as a prisoner before getting another chance, this time against me. If you fail that test, you will be executed. Do you both understand what is at stake?" She began. Both kits nodded, and she continued. "Then we will begin the rules. One: You must use your claws. Pain activates adrenaline, and adrenaline activates instinct to fight. Two: You cannot do anything but your very best. If it is found out that you skimped out, both cats in the fight will be executed. So you had better hope for your own sake that everyone does their best. That is all. Each of you, stand opposite to each other and wait for my signal."

Gilakit nodded ever so slightly to Sunsetkit before moving to his place. Morningstar was eyeing her daughter hungrily. She thinks I'll win so she can kill her! I don't think so! Gilakit growled in his mind with disgust. I'll show her!

Gilakit crouched opposite to his sister, taking a deep breath.

"One." His mother began counting. I will protect her. "Two." I won't let Morningstar touch her. "Begin." I am stronger than her.

He leaped at his sister, claws out. He swiped at her cheek gently, but enough to draw blood. Hearing her cry of surprise, he winced. I'm so sorry! He screamed in his mind. Sunsetkit seemed to understand and swiped at his flanks, drawing blood. He barely felt it, throwing his weight on top of her and pinning her, clawing at the sides of her shoulders, even though he knew it was correct to claw at her belly with his hind paws.

Sunsetkit kicked his belly as hard as she could, and Gilakit took the chance to fake his imbalance, wobbling on his hind paws before falling backwards, letting Sunsetkit pin him. She bit his ear, tearing out a chunk. Blood ran down his face from the wound, but Gilakit didn't notice. All his attention was trained on his act.

Gilakit struggled under his sisters grasp, and managed to wriggle a front paw out from her grasp. He used it to bat at her face, trying to unbalance her. He ignored the urge to kick her belly, knowing it was the better choice. I have to let her win! He told himself again as he felt her sister's claws on his chest. She reached down to thrust her nose into his throat as if to kill him, signifying her the winner.

Sunsetkit released him and helped him to his paws before they turned to Morningstar, who was staring angrily at Gilakit. He flinched, closing his eyes and waiting for her wrath, but she just sighed. After a moment, he heard her take in a breath to speak.

"It was a um... Tie..." She said, a flash of annoyance in her tone as she stared straight at Gilakit. "You will both be apprenticed tonight." Gilakit felt a surge of pride. I did it! I defied her! He cried with triumph to himself, grinning. He looked at Sunsetkit excitedly.

She had the same look of disbelief and triumph on her face as she stared at Gilakit. "We're gonna be apprentices!" She cried, and Gilakit purred with joy, wanting to cry out to the world his happiness. We did it.