Skyleaf's Tale (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 2

        "Skykit, wake up! The apprentice ceremony is going to start soon!" Skykit woke to find himself being vigorously licked by his mother while Ravenclaw, his father, stood licking Cloudkit.

        Skykit shied away from Froststorm, whose blue eyes were full of pride. "Our two little kits, growing up to become a medicine cat and a warrior!" 

        Cloudkit shifted his paws back and forth. Excitement shone in his green eyes, and he padded up to sit beside Skykit. "Finally! We become apprentices! This is going to be so exciting!" They waited there for what seemed like a moon, as cats gathered in the clearing. 

        Finally, Petalstar padded out from the rock den that she slept in. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather together for a clan meeting." Her voice rang strongly around the clearing. Skykit and Cloudkit rushed forward, with their parents following.

        Seeing as they were some of the first cats to appear, Skykit felt a little embarrassed, but shook the feeling away. I should be excited! I finally get to become an apprentice! Skykit waited for the other cats in the clan appear.

        Skykit caught a glimpse of amber fur, and spotted Lightpaw bounding over to sit next to Skykit. "It's so much fun as an apprentice," she meowed. "You get to explore the territory, hunt prey, hear elder's stories..."

        Lightpaw stopped talking as Petalstar started to speak. "I've called you all here for a very important ceremony," Petalstar started. "Skykit and Cloudkit have become six moons old, and it is time for them to become apprentices."

        Skykit almost leaped toward where Petalstar was speaking, her brown tabby pelt shining in the late Greenleaf sun. "Come forward," she beckoned the kits. Skykit almost ran to the front of the clearing, and once again felt embarrassed.

        After Cloudkit came up, Skykit started to feel a bit nervous about this. He had almost forgotten what to do, and his mind was working to remember it. What will happen if I forget what to do in front of all these cats?

        Cloudkit looked confident enough, at least. "Skykit," Petalstar meowed. "From this moment on until you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Skypaw." 

        Already cats were yowling his new name. "Skypaw! Skypaw! Skypaw!" Skypaw was feeling really self-conscious now, and ducked his head in embarrassment.

        "StarClan, I ask you to guide this new apprentice, and share with him all that you may know," Petalstar continued. She sounded as if she had said this so many times that she didn't even need to think to know what to say. "Set his paws on the path that you wish him to follow, and help him to know what to do and what is right."

        Even though it was almost sunhigh, Skypaw thought that he could see a few stars shimmering in the sky. "Silverfog, you will be Skypaw's mentor." Skypaw's belly lurched. Silverfog? Oh, no. Although Silverfog was usually calm, he could get very angry. Skypaw had learned that the hard way when he had interrupted his hunting two times. In a row, he added to himself.

        Silverfog, on the other hand, looked delighted, his blue eyes gleaming as Petalstar continued: "You have served your clan well, and your courage along with your loyalty are outstanding. I know that you will pass on these valuable qualities onto Skypaw."

        Skypaw had forgotten to be scared now, and walked toward Silverfog to touch noses with him. That time was just an accident, his eyes seemed to say. You didn't know better then. But Skypaw could remember his fury. The clan had been short of prey then, also.

        Remembering just in time that Cloudkit also had to be apprenticed, Skypaw stayed where he was. "As well as a kit being made an apprentice warrior, we have a kit becoming an apprentice medicine cat. Come forward."

        Cloudkit had backed away a little bit. It's nothing to be afraid of! Then Skypaw remembered that just a few moments ago, he had felt the same way. "Cloudkit. From this moment on until you receive your medicine cat name, you shall be known as Cloudpaw." 

        Yowls rang from the clearing."Cloudpaw! Cloudpaw! Cloudpaw!"

        "StarClan, I ask you to guide this apprentice, and share with him all that you know. Share with him the knowledge of the medicine cats, and help him to become the best that he can be." Cloudpaw's eyes seemed to fill with stars.

        "Bushsong, you are the medicine cat, and therefore he is your apprentice. I know that you will pass on to him many, many things, maybe even things that you don't know now." The eyes passed an unsaid message, and they touched noses." 

        "Skypaw! Cloudpaw! Skypaw! Cloudpaw!"

                                                           ***

        "So what do we do first?" Skypaw asked Silverfog. 

        The gray tom didn't seem to hear him, but still said, "We can do battle training first. Follow me." Skypaw did as he was told. This is going to be fun! I wonder what Cloudpaw's doing.... Skypaw searched for his brother but didn't find him. He shrugged. Oh well.