The Falling Sky

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Branchkit wriggled in excitement. It was finally his apprentice ceremony!

"Your fur's going everywhere," purred Greenkit, his sister. "Keep still!"

Branchkit ignored her and began to leap around, catching his fur in the nursery walls. Greenkit sighed, her fur already perfectly clean.

"Stop it!" pleaded his sister again. "You won't have any fur left in time for the ceremony! And what if Thornscratch sees..."

She was too late, and Branchkit barreled into his mother as she entered the nursery.

"What are you doing?" Snapped Thornscratch. "Oh mouse-dung, your fur is everywhere!" She began rapidly licking his fur into position with rough, furious strokes of her tongue.

Branchkit squealed, and ducked under her, before continuing to leap around in joy.

"It's my apprentice ceremony! It's my apprentice ceremony! It's my..." his meow was cut short, since Thornscratch had pinned him down, her claws sheathed. He wriggled out of her grasp, his fur now covered in the dust of the nursery floor and walls.

Thornscratch sighed, looking tired, and mewed, "Why don't you go bother your father instead?"

"Okay," Branchkit agreed brightly. "Let's go find Flamefur!" Cautiously, he peeked outside the nursery, and saw his father heading in the direction of the leaders den.

Branchkit bounded towards him "Attack the ShadowClan warrior!" he yowled loudly, leaping onto Flamefur's back. His father tried to shake him off, but Branchkit held on tight, digging his claws into Flamefur's fiery pelt.

The strong tom twisted from side to side, causing his son to squeal and fall to the ground. "You put up a good fight there," commented his father. "You'll make a fine warrior one day! You just need to work on your balance."

Branchkit nodded cheerfully, and tensed his legs, ready to leap up onto his father's back and try again, but Flamefur stopped him with a flick of his tail.

"You need to prepare yourself for your apprentice ceremony," explained the deputy kindly. "And stop stressing your mother out by leaping around everywhere like a rabbit," he cast an amused glance down at his son.

"But those are my warrior leaps," protested Branchkit indignantly.

Flamefur flicked him lightly with his tail. "Don't worry, soon you'll have a real warrior to teach you, but until then, I'd wait,"

Listening to his father's advice, Branchkit hurried back to the nursery where Thornscratch resumed her furious licking. Out of the corner of his eye, Branchkit noticed Smallstar padding towards Flamefur. Branchkit strained his ears to listen to their conversation, twisting in his mother's firm grasp so he could see better.

"Smallstar," the deputy dipped his head to the leader.

"Flamefur, I was wondering about Greenkit's mentor, does she want to be a medicine cat?"

Flamefur nodded, "She does."

They were talking about Greenkit's mentor! Maybe they would mention his as well!

"I mean... so soon after the death of Birchpaw?" Birchpaw had been Foxear's previous apprentice. A badger had killed him before he had the chance to receive his medicine cat name. He had also been Smallstar's only kit, since Smallstar's mate, Nightleaf, had died giving birth to her first litter, of which Birchpaw had been the only survivor.

Branchkit felt a rare jolt of sadness. He could barely remember Birchpaw, who had died when he was very young, but the few memories he had of him were good ones. Birchpaw has been a gentle, warm hearted cat, and had played nursery games with Branchkit for hours while his parents took a break and went out hunting together.

Flamefur raised his head to answer, and Branchkit pricked his ears again, shuffling forwards.

"Do what you think is best, Smallstar, I have faith in your decision." Flamefur sighed.

"Thank you for your trust in me, I'll do my best to make the right choice for Greenkit."

Branchkit turned away, and ignoring the protests of his mother, padded deeper into the den. He was disappointed that they hadn't mentioned who his mentor would be. Thornscratch soon managed to hold him still for long enough to put his fur in the right place, while he excitedly talked with Greenkit about their mentors.

Branchkit didn't tell Greenkit that Smallstar hadn't decided who her mentor was - instead he chatted eagerly about the warriors, wondering who his mentors would be, but Greenkit remained unusually quiet. Worried, Branchkit was about to ask her what was on her mind when he heard the anticipated call.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the highledge." Smallstar's call echoed across the clearing.

Excited murmurs passed like a ripple through the Clan. Everyone knew what Smallstar was about to do. Branchkit leaped to his paws. He looked at Greenkit, and saw his own excitement reflected in his littermate's eyes. Finally, they were going to become apprentices!

Okay, that's all for now! I have more ready, but I need to edit it first! Thanks SO much for reading this, I am really grateful. I'll probably be a couple of weeks before the next update, but I might hurry up a bit if I have a bunch of votes and comments *wink wink*. Thanks again! Purple, out!

~Purple