The Choice

Chapter 3

"All cats old enough to leave camp gather around for a ceremony!" Graystar yowled.  

Though Hawkkit was only five moons old, not old enough to attend the ceremony, he and his siblings watched from just outside the nursery. His denmates, however, had been allowed to watch the ceremony, as it was for their older sister. 

"Vixenpaw is now of the age to be a warrior. She has trained long and hard with Skytail, and earlier this morning excelled on her assesment. Vixenpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life."

"I do." The russet she-cat purred. 

"From today forward, Vixenpaw shall be known as Vixengaze. Starclan honors your tenacity and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Sageclan."

"Vixengaze! Vixengaze!" The clan chanted.

The dark russet she-cat smiled, looking almost embarrassed under all of the attention. Boltkit, Patchkit, Lionkit, and Orangekit cheered loudly, and so did Thistlepool and Silverstreak. Hawkkit looked at his sister with a grin, and he knew both of them were thinking of when this would happen to them. 

Vixengaze's mentor, Skytail, pressed his nose to her cheek, "You were a great apprentice, and will be an even better warrior," He purred. 

"We'll miss you in the den!" Sleetpaw called out, Rowanpaw nodding in agreement. 

Graystar jumped off of the tree stump where he held meetings, "Don't forget, you must hold a silent vigil and protect the camp during the night."

"Of course! I won't let you down, Greystar."

"Yeah, and we can join her! We'll keep the clan safe with our fierce battle moves!" Orangekit mewed, pawing at the air as if it were an enemy.

"Not a chance." Thistlepool purred, grabbing her gently by her scruff. 

"But why not! I'm the fiercest cat in the whole clan!" Orangekit complained as she was carried back to the nursery.

A chuckle swept through the clan, and Silverstreak quickly apologized to Graystar before shuffling the rest of her kits towards the nursery as well. Inside, Orangekit challenged her siblings to mock fights, just to prove she was the strongest, though the smallest. Sandkit rolled his eyes at this, but Flurrykit giggled as the small ginger kit tackled and chewed on her siblings. Thistlepool watched over them, separating them if their play-fighting got too rough. Silverstreak had left to speak to Vixengaze some more. 

"Hawkkit! Don't you agree that I'm the strongest!" Orangekit asked, puffing out her chest from her perch on top of Patchkit. 

"Of course you are!" He purred. 

Pleased, Orangekit went back to baring her teeth at her brother. 

Hawkkit watched as Orangekit was stripped of her perch by Lionkit, who tackled her. Getting a little bored, Hawkkit trotted out of the nursery and towards the fresh-kill pile. He scanned over the prey, a shrew catching his eye. He took it over to a small rock only a little larger than him, laying down to eat. Only recently had his mother allowed him to eat by himself and pick his own prey, so he still felt a bit awkward being alone. 

"May I join you?"

Hawkkit looked up to see the elder Sheepwhisker holding a small mouse in her jaws. 

"Sure!" Hawkkit had always like the puffy white elder, though Bramblethorn's stories were better. 

"You'll be an apprentice in a moon. Are you excited?" Sheepwhisker rasped, sitting next to him and setting her meal down. 

"Yeah, but after today I'm a bit nervous," Hawkkit mumbled through a bite of prey. 

"Talk or eat." The old cat purred, taking a bite of her own prey.

Swallowing, she asked, "Do you have any hopes for your mentor?"

"I don't know.. you were a mentor once. Would any of your apprentices be good?"

"I did mentor Graystar and Morningdew. Graystar is a kind cat, but he has his duties to attend to. Morningdew may be a good choice, though. He likes young cats and has had a mentor before."

"Wait, you mentored Graystar? The Graystar!" Hawkkit squeaked. 

"I did. He was always such a well behaved apprentice, scolding the others when they did something wrong. It was actually a little funny how serious he was, but he was always a great cat and you could always tell he'd do great things," Sheepwhisker purred in amusement. 

Hawkkit giggled a little bit. He finished up his prey, and bounced up, "That's really cool!"

"It was cool," The fluffy white elder purred, "However, don't be too worried. All of the warriors in this clan are intelligent and would love to mentor you." 

Hawkkit shuffled his paws, feeling embarrassed, "If you say so.."

The two finished their meals and Sheepwhisker stood, looking down at the kit, "Time for me to head to my den. Enjoy your day, Hawkkit."

"I will! Tell Bramblethorn hello for me." He purred before heading off to his own den. 

'If she weren't an elder I'd hope for her as a mentor!'