Nightstar's Prophecy

Chapter Three

The next seven days were much less eventful for Nightkit. She mostly played with Spiderkit, pretending to be the rogues she had helped fight just a few days before. Ravenkit avoided them both, tagging into Goldensong’s den almost every day, learning more about herbs. She always returned smelling weird, although Nightkit never told her. She supposed she would be a medicine cat apprentice, but she was happy for her sister. Ravenkit always seemed to be happy when she got to go to Goldensong’s den.

However, the day for her apprentice ceremony was finally upon her, and she was excited. She allowed her mother to groom her what felt like forever, and then waited for her brother to get done with his own. She forced herself not to bounce around too much, for she wanted to keep her pelt nice and shiny for the ceremony.

“Will all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here under the Highledge?” She heard Froststar’s deep voice echo through the cave, and she felt nerves go through her as she looked at her mother, who nodded to her. She padded out into the main cave clearing with Spiderkit and Ravenkit and sat down with her parents. Froststar was sitting on the ledge above his den, looking down at everyone.

“It is time for three kits to receive their apprentice names. I call upon my warrior ancestors in StarClan to look upon us now. Spiderkit, Nightkit, step forward.”

Spiderkit and Nightkit looked at each other before walking forward, staring up at Froststar and shivering in anticipation.

“Spiderkit, Nightkit, you have both reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you both to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you have both received your warrior names, you will be known as Spiderpaw and Nightpaw. Spiderpaw, your mentor will be Grayleaf.” Froststar looked at the pale calico cat down below. Grayleaf smiled and rose to her paws, heading over to Spiderpaw.

“Grayleaf, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Wavesong, and you have shown yourself to be strong and sturdy in battle. I expect you to pass on all you know to Spiderpaw.” Grayleaf smiled and nodded, padding forward to touch noses with Spiderpaw.

“Nightpaw, your mentor will be Boulderfur.” Nightpaw looked over at the strong warrior. She knew Spiderpaw had wanted him as a mentor, but she was getting him instead. She had already fought by Boulderfur’s side before, she was excited to train under his shoulder now.

“Boulderfur, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Thistlestrike, and you have shown yourself to be an exceptional fighter and a loyal warrior. I expect you to pass on all you know to Nightpaw.”

Nightpaw’s breath was shaky as she padded up to Boulderfur and touched noses with him. He smiled down at her.

“I look forward to training you, apprentice.” He said softly. She smiled up at him.

Goldensong padded forward.

“Cats of CliffClan, as you know, I will not be around forever. So it’s time I took an apprentice. I have chosen a cat who has shown exceptional interest in herbs and a talent to learn. Your next medicine cat will be Ravenkit.”

Ravenkit looked up at Goldenkit and smiled, curling her tail happily.

“Ravenkit, do you accept the post of apprentice to Goldensong?” Froststar asked.

“I do.” Ravenkit said softly.

“Then, until you earn your full name, you will be known as Ravenpaw, and you will travel at the next half-moon to the Mooncave to be accepted by StarClan before the other medicine cats. The goodwishes of all of CliffClan will go with you.”