Warriors: A New Beginning #2: Midnight Rising

Chapter 3

"Why can't we be apprentices too?" Silkkit asked. "It's not fair that Flowerkit and Vinekit become apprentices and not us."

"Well, we're a moon younger than them," Midnightkit pointed out. It had been a couple of moons since she had treated Silkkit after the deathberry incident. Silkkit was now much better.

Today Speckledfur's kits were being made apprentices. Midnightkit shivered with excitement at the thought that she would be training in a moon.

Training to be a medicine cat.

"The ceremony will be soon!" Wheatwing reminded them between licks as she washed them.

"It's almost as if it were our apprentice ceremony!" Silkkit whispered.

"Flowerkit and Vinekit are kin to her, I think," Midnightkit whispered back. Which means I'm kin with Flowerkit? Whoo. At least she won't have time to annoy me once she's an apprentice.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath Highrock for a Clan meeting!"

Midnightkit spotted Flamestar on Highrock. She started toward it but suddenly, a cat brushed past her swiftly.

"You won't be an apprentice before I become a warrior," the cat hissed. "Kittypet."

Midnightkit growled softly. Flowerkit.

"Come on," Wheatwing ushered them.

Midnightkit trudged over to Highrock beside Silkkit. When she got near Flowerkit, the tortoiseshell she-cat flashed her a smug smile.

Yeah, I know you're becoming an apprentice, Midnightkit thought irritably. I know.

"This is exciting," Silkkit whispered. "We'll get a preview of what will happen when we become warrior apprentices."

"Silkkit..." Midnightkit hadn't told her sister about what she wanted yet. "I want to be a medicine cat."

"Not a warrior?" Silkkit gazed at Midnightkit. "Why?'

"I... I love herbs. Mintleaf says I have a good memory for them. And I love the idea of healing cats." Words spilled out Midnightkit's mouth. "I'm sorry that we can't train together. It's just what—"

"It's fine!" Silkkit grinned. "Midnightkit, it's obvious you want to be a medicine cat. You talk about herbs every day. And really, I don't mind. It's what you want!"

"Thanks." Midnnightkit flashed a small smile.

"Cats of ThunderClan."

Flamestar's voice made Midnightkit snap her head back to Highrock.

"Today it is time to appoint two new apprentices," the ThunderClan leader continued. "Vinekit, Flowerkit, come forward."

The two kits padded forward.

"Vinekit, you have reached your sixth moon," Flamestar mewed. "Your training starts now, and your name now shall be known as Vinepaw. Briarblaze, you will be his mentor." The brown tom stepped forward, gratitude flashing in his amber eyes.

"Ashheart has taught you to be a strong warrior," Flamestar told him. "Pass these qualities down to Vinepaw."

Briarblaze dipped his head and touched noses with the newly-named Vinepaw.

"Now, Flowerkit," Flamestar meowed. "You have strength and compassion.

Compassion? Midnightkit didn't believe a thing.

"I assume that is why you have chosen a different path.

A different path, so what... wait, a different path? Midnightkit's eyes widened and she hoped that what she was thinking was not happening.