Embarrassing Love (For Spooky_Love_Raven's Contest)

Prologue

The world was black around Lifekit. Her mom, Mouseshine, groomed her head and pulled her closer. Lifekit squealed with delight and decided to drink some milk. After suckling for a bit, Mouseshine pricked her ears at the sound of a cat's voice.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highstone for a clan meeting."

Lifekit turned her head towards the sound, curious about what was happening. Mouseshine scooped up her kits and brought them into the grassy clearing. Vinestar, the leader of Lifeclan, stood on a stone that jutted out of the ground.

Lifekit, Deerkit, and Russetkit squeaked when they heard paw steps around them. The new sound flooded their ears and made them feel uneasy. When the clan finally settled down, Vinestar began to speak.

"As always, Lifeclan needs more warriors to help our newly formed clan grow. Flamekit, Lilykit, please step forward." Two young cats, one a fiery tom and the other a calico she cat, eagerly bounced up to Clanrock, their eyes shining.

"Flamekit, Lilykit, you have waited many moons for your apprenticeship. It is time for you to start your training. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?" Vinestar asked.

Flamekit quickly meowed, "I do!"

"I do." Lilykit mewed more hesitantly.

"Then by the powers of Starclan I grant you your new names. Flamekit, until you complete your warrior training you will be known as Flamepaw. Sharpnose, you have yet to receive an apprentice. I trust that you will teach Flamepaw your courage and loyalty."

The black tom touched Flamepaw lightly on the nose and stepped back.

"Lilykit, until you complete your warrior training you will be known as Lilypaw. Swiftstep, you mentored Tumblefire well. I hope that you will pass on the same skills to Lilypaw."

Lilypaw padded over to Swiftstep to touch noses, but missed and accidentally hit her in the eye. She pulled back when her mentor flinched. Then they attempted to touch noses again and succeeded. Lilypaw sighed with relief when she didn't mess up again. They stepped back and looked to their leader.

"Flamepaw! Lilypaw!" the clan cheered loudly. Flamepaw and Lilypaw had the same, excited expressions.

"Clan dismissed." Vinestar yowled and leaped off of Clanrock. He quickly disappeared into his den.

Suddenly, Lifekit stirred and blinked her eyes open for the first time. She gasped at the amazing sights that surrounded her. The forest filled her vision, making her want to plunge back into the familiar darkness. Right before she closed her eyes again, her gaze locked on Flamepaw. His orange pelt glowed in the sunlight and seemed to make Lifekit want to keep her eyes open.