The First Light [Warrior Cat Fan-Fiction]

Chapter 1

Graykit sprang awake, excitement making her gray fur stand on end. Today they were going to be apprentices! Her littermates were already awake, grins plastered on their faces and her mother, Hollytail, was pushing her way through the moss screen that draped from the roof of the cave, concealing the nursery. Sandclaw's litter peeked out from their own nest, their eyes as wide as moons.

"Are you ready?" Hollytail purred, approaching Graykit last. "Sootstar is on the ledge and has already called the meeting," she added, dipping her head to smooth the fur on Graykit's head.

Sootstar's voice floated through the nursery screen. "Today is a good day for LightningClan. Four kits will be six moons old, and it is time for them to become apprentices."

Graykit felt a push from behind and glanced over to see Hollytail nudging her along with her muzzle. "Go along, your brothers and sister are already out there," she whispered. Graykit shook out her fur and padded out of the nursery behind her siblings, determination etched on her features. Her sister, Breezekit, had just settled down beneath the ledge, curling her tail around her paws. Graykit padded over to sit beside her, and gazed up at the ledge where Sootstar was perched.

"Buzzardkit, please step forward."

One of Graykit's brothers, a brown and black tom with white paws, got to his feet and step forward, his tail waving back and forth with excitement.

"Buzzardkit," Sootstar began, "you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Buzzardpaw." Sootstar paused for a moment, gazing down at the crowd. "Hawktooth, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Liontail, and you have shown yourself to be strong and patient. I hope you will pass on all you know to Buzzardpaw."

A large ginger tom emerged from the throng of cats beneath the ledge and approached Buzzardpaw. Gingerly, the two touched noses, and moved to sit back with their Clanmates.

"Spiderkit," Sootstar continued, "you too have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Spiderpaw. Mudnose, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Icyfoot, and you have shown yourself to be even-tempered and determined. I hope you will pass on all you know to Spiderpaw."

Graykit's other brother, a brown tom with a black underbelly, turned to face his new mentor as he exited their gathered Clanmates. Mudnose brushed his muzzle against Spiderpaw's, and the pair withdrew from beneath the ledge.

"Graykit!"

Graykit could feel her paws buzzing with excitement but kept her restraint so as to not make a fool of herself as she slowly got to her paws and stepped forward slightly.

"You have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Graypaw." Sootstar paused again, before announcing, "I will be your mentor." Graypaw dipped her head, acknowledging that the ceremony was not yet over, and Sootstar could not leave his post.

Surprised meows broke out over the crowd at his announcement, but they died down as quickly as they emerged, and Graypaw padded over to her new denmate, Fawnpaw.

"Breezekit," Sootstar meowed, "you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed, however you have chosen a different path. From this day on, until you receive your full name, you will be known as Breezepaw." Sootstar paused for a moment, gazing down at the crowd. "Grasspelt, you have told me you wish to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Swallowbreeze, and you have shown yourself to be kind and understanding. I hope you will pass on all you know to Breezepaw."