Warriors: Awakening Past Book 1: Whispering Breeze

Chapter 4

Birchlily, sitting with her kits, groomed them. After washing Honeykit, the brown queen let out a sigh.
"It's an awful shame Petalkit has to wait longer for her ceremony because of her leg."
Honeykit nodded, looking at her paws. Her and her littermates did everything together, so becoming apprentices was hard to do without Petalkit. Although, Honeykit thought to herself, I especially won't do things with them after today.
Honeykit recalled Leafpaw explaining that they wouldn't all go on the same patrols or be together all the time like their kithood. And if Honeykit was to become Reedpelt's apprentice, she would spend the least amount of time with her littermates.
No, Honeykit puffed up with pride. I'm going to serve my clan the best- medicine cat or warrior.
Hawkkit, Lakekit, and Honeykit had begged that Petalkit became an apprentice with them. But Dawnstar said he couldn't allow it , the clan was already low on apprentices, the last thing they needed was to risk losing another.
Birchlily looked up with pride. "Now, when the Clan is gathered, you want to walk up in a line- calmly. Once you get to the front, you stand in front of the Sun Tree and.."
Honeykit had lost intrest in her mother's speech. She was too excited to even speak- which was definitely reaching her limits. I'm going to work so hard, learn so much.
The next thing Honeykit knew Dawnstar was on the High Branch and howled out his greeting.
"Everyone, gather here." He said gently but loudly. Dawnstar was always very soft-spoken, calm leader.
The clan gathered around the Sun Tree. The great big Oakwood tree blossomed with newleaf buds, and was beautiful scenery. Stormstrike and Reedpelt sat near the trunk, while Dawnstar stood by the edge of a strong branch. The ginger leader hopped down as Honeykit, Hawkkit and Lakekit came to the front of the tree.
"Lakekit, Hawkkit, Honeykit and Petalkit have reached their sixth moon." Dawnstar said after the clan silenced. "Unfortunately, Petalkit will not become an apprentice just yet. We can't risk her getting hurt with an injured leg."
Petalkit, who was standing my the medicine cat den and had Mintfur supporting her up, nodded in agreement, but her eyes flashed with sadness.
"But SunClan is in need of apprentices," Dawnstar continued. "And time goes on. Come here, Lakekit and Hawkkit."
Honeykit watched as her littermates moved forward to stand with the leader. Fur ruffled as the ginger tom spoke again, Lakekit looked very nervous.
"Lakekit and Hawkkit are very valuable cats. I think they are prepared for what lies ahead. From this day forward, until you complete your apprenticeship, you will known as Lakepaw and Hawkpaw."
The clan chanted the new apprentice's names, Petalkit's voice above all. Raising his tail, Dawnstar silenced the clan again, then he turned his tail to the crowd. His gaze landed upon his dusky golden daughter.
"Sandynose," Dawnstar began. "As a valuable warrior, I believe you are ready for your first apprentice. I trust that you will aid Lakepaw an train her as well as you were trained."
Sandynose came forward, eyes gleaming. "Yes, Dawnstar." She turned to Lakepaw. "You will be a great warrior."
Dawnstar then turned to the crowd again. "Thrushflight."
The golden tabby looked shocked but overjoyed. He scrabbled to the front.
"You may be a younger warrior," Dawnstar continued but throughout your apprenticeship, and now, you show how loyal and strong you are. I trust that you will teach Hawkpaw the same."
Thrushflight nodded awkwardly. "I w-will." He touched noses with Hawkpaw. "I really will."
Thrushflight and Hawkpaw stepped over to the side as Honeykit moved forward.
"Honeykit," Dawnstar said, nodding to the medicine cat, Reedpelt came forward. "
It's really happening! Honeykit could barely stop herself from cheering.
"You informed me it was in your intrest to become the medicine cat. I think you can do it. But you must remember you can't live the life of a warrior. You must serve your clan the best, and you can't have a mate or kits, we'll rely on you for the faith and to deliver messages from StarClan, and also you will be healing and working with clanmates. But, I believe Reedpelt, as you know, is growing old." Dawnstar turned to the elderly medicine cat. The gray tabby nodded in agreement.
"But as he is aged, he is wise. He will be an excellent mentor to Honeykit. From this day forward, until your training is complete, you will be called Honeypaw."
"Honeypaw! Honeypaw!" The clan chanted with affection. Honeypaw's eyes gleaming with excitement, she touched noses with Reedpelt.