Warriors: Troubled Blood

Chapter 3

Three moons passed as normal, besides Lightkit's leg healing slower than expected. She endured Ferretkit, Featherkit and Silverkit's teasing until they became paws, and everything was calm for a while. It would be her apprentice ceremony on this day if Squirrelwish gave her the all clear.

"Fox dung!" Lightkit hissed.

"Sorry dear, I just had to check where it hurt. It looks like it's healed a bit, so I'll give you some dandelions and you should be okay." The ginger tabby let the white kit lay down as she strode into the back of the den, returning with a bunch of small yellow flowers hanging from her jaws. "Here, eat. Then go and find your siblings," Lightkit purred and did as told.

"Thank you Squirrelwish," she dipped her head and limped away, out of the medicine den. She'd nearly doubled in size since the little stunt she'd pulled as a kit, and had now developed into what could be considered a small she cat. She limped over to the fresh kill pile, reaching down and picking up a mouse. I better eat up if I'm going to become an apprentice today... The little white molly feverishly picked away at her food, as her tail beat the ground and churned up dust. After she'd finished, she stood up and scanned the camp for her foster siblings. She knew that it was slowly becoming leaf fall, as she could see orange and yellow mingling with the green of the trees. The temperature was starting to drop too, she'd heard about how cold it could become on some days in leafbare. Finally spotting the white and grey shapes that were Daisykit and Slatekit, she bounced across the camp towards them. "Guys! Squirrelwish gave me the all clear for becoming an apprentice!" Lightkit chirped. Her voice had always been very chirpy - loud and bubbly, the opposite of timid.
"Brilliant," Daisykit purred. She was smaller than Lightkit, with a short, soft white pelt and pale blue eyes, and an incredibly quiet mew.
"I hope our mentors are really cool at fighting! We're going to be the biggest and bravest warriors!" Slatekit smirked, his chest puffed out. He had very thick fur and his father's turquoise eyes. His little tail swayed back and forth as he stood there.

The three babbled away for a few minutes, until a certain white she cat silenced every cat in the clearing. "Everyone old enough to hunt their own prey, gather underneath the sycamore tree!" Mallowstar ordered. She was proudly stood on the highest branch of a tree, one which overlooked the whole camp. "We have had an excellent greenleaf so far, and we have more to celebrate. Three kits have reached the age of six moons, which means that they will be made apprentice. I have chosen our most capable warriors to do the job," She grinned. Some of the warriors looked on in curiosity, and so did some of the apprentices. The rest were gossiping about how the den was going to feel cramped.

"Daisykit, if you would please step forward." The kit did as ordered, glaring up in awe at Mallowstar. "You have reached the age of six moons, and this means that you are ready to become an apprentice. From now on, you will be known as Daisypaw. Your mentor will be Barkstorm." She almost shivered, glancing over at the gruff brown tom and then back at the green eyed leader. My loyal deputy, I do not feel the need to give you the usual speech here. I understand you'll do amazingly." Barkstorm nodded to Mallowstar, and looked at Daisypaw with a smile. "Slatekit, I can see you are also very excited. You may step forward." The excited blue tom did as told. "You have also reached the age of six moons, and from now on will be known as Slatepaw. Your mentor will be myself." Mallowstar as a mentor?! and Daisypaw gets the deputy?!
Lightkit's jaw dropped. "Now, Lightkit, if you could step forward. I understand you'll encounter difficulty because of your paw," Her ears flattened at the thought of not being given her name. "...but I think you should be treated just the same as your siblings. From now on, you will be known as Lightpaw. Your mentor will be Darksnow." Lightpaw felt her heart lurch upwards. Her yellow gaze shifted to her new mentor. She was average height, fluffy, kind-looking, and she had a storm-gray pelt, almost black, with the occasional white spot. Her eyes looked like Hollynose's but darker. Speaking of Hollynose, she could see her mother excitedly watching the three of them. "I trust she will pass on all she has learned down to you. You may all get on with your duties." With that, she hopped down to the ground.