Dawnstar's Trouble {COMPLETE}

Chapter 2

The sun was shining bright in the clear blue sky. No clouds covered it's vast appearance, just the sun. SunClan's camp was covered by the beautiful glow of the sun, bringing energy to almost every cat in the Clan. That energy didn't reach the nursery, where Dawnkit sat in the shadows. She hung her head low, trying to fight back the storm of thoughts that clawed at her mind.

"Dawnkit." Dawnkit lifted her head with a jump, she saw her mother standing a few lengths away from her. Her green eyes were filled with so many emotions, joy and pride, but there was a hanging shadow grief and sorrow. "It's time, you don't want to keep the Clan waiting." Dawnkit reluctantly stood up, she couldn't shake the sadness that clung to her pelt. Windflight rasped her tongue over Dawnkit's ears, pulling her close. "Don't feel so down, today is a proud day." Dawnkit choked back crying out in sadness. "Willowkit will be happy you're becoming an apprentice today."

Willowkit's dying face flashed in Dawnkit's mind, something she hadn't been able to get rid of since the day her sister died. Promise me you'll be leader. Willowkit's words echoed in her mind. Dawnkit looked up at Windflight. "Willowkit should be out there with us." Dawnkit's voice was quiet, only her mother could hear the pain in her mew.

"Yes, she should..." Windflight let out a quiet sigh. "But, Willowkit is here with you, always. She may not become an apprentice or warrior, but she'll always be with us. I promise." Dawnkit looked at her mother once more, before swallowing her pain and mustering up the courage to leave the nursery, something she hadn't done since Willowkit's death.

At the nursery entrance sat Turtlekit, his green eyes were cast towards the ground. Even from where she stood, Dawnkit could see the sadness in them. Dawnkit approached her brother. "Are you ready?" She couldn't force herself to sound excited.

Turtlekit met her gaze and gave a quick nod, after a moment a small laugh escaped him. "Come on, we can't be sad about this. Willowkit would want us to be happy today, we have to be the best apprentices we can be. For her."

For the first time in a while, Dawnkit felt her spirits lift. She helf her brother's gaze. "For her." She echoed and the two of them stepped out of the nursery into the sunlight. SunClan was already starting to gather, and Dawnkit's eyes looked towards the SunTree where SunClan's leader sat.

Flowerstar sat tall over the Clan, the sunlight shimmering on her gray pelt. When she spotted the two kits, she opened her mouth. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the SunTree for a Clan meeting!" Her call rang out through the trees, sending chills down Dawnkit's spine. Nerves crept up her body, but she forced them down. For Willowkit. She told herself and pushed forward. Turtlekit was by her side and she could feel Windflight walking behind them.

Dawnkit gazed into the crowd where she saw Blazeheart sitting proudly near the front, his amber eyes shining bright. Dawnkit felt a warmth from her father as he watched them, he never doubted them for a moment. Dawnkit held her head high and approached the rest of the Clan. Windflight sat beside Blazeheart, their tails intertwining and Dawnkit and Turtlekit made their way to the center of the ground. Tigertail sat at the base of the SunTree as Flowerstar looked down at them, her green eyes intense, but also calming and welcoming.

"Today is a proud day for SunClan," Flowerstar began speaking, Dawnkit could feel Turtlekit tense beside her. "By naming apprentices we show that SunClan will remain strong." Flowerstar's gaze focused in on them. "Turtlekit and Dawnkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. Turtlekit," Turtlekit stiffened and looked up at the leader. "From this day forward until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as Turtlepaw. Your mentor will be Rainears," From the crowd stepped Rainears, a she-cat with shiny black fur and white ears. Her blue eyes sparkled. "Rainears, I know you are ready to take on an apprentice for you have shown yourself to be patience yet strong, I trust that you will pass on all you known to young Turtlepaw." Rainears stepped forward and faced Turtlepaw, the two of them touched noses and then returned to the crowd, leaving Dawnkit alone.