The hunting patrol returned to camp, dropping their catch on the pile. Skydapple and Brindlethorn immediately went to check on their kits. Frecklekit and Ashkit bounded up to their parents, but Stormkit was nowhere to be seen.
"Where is Stormkit?" Skydapple asked as she walked over to Willowbolt.
"He was being mean to Ashkit, and not listening to me, so I sent him into the nursery until you got back." Willowbolt said as she went into further detail about what Stormkit said.
"I will go in and have a talk to him." Brindlethorn said with a shake of his head.
Skydapple shook her head, "he will need to lose the attitude if he plans on ever being a warrior."
"Well, he is still young, hopefully he will learn as he is apprenticed." Willowbolt said as she watched Brindlethorn disappear into the nursery.
"...and that is what i think." Blackmouth was just finishing as she saw Brindlethorn walk in.
"Stormkit, may I speak with you outside?" Brindlethorn said in a stern tone.
Stormkit looked at his paws and followed his father outside. The two were talking for a long time before Stormkit had finally had enough.
"But that is not fair! You can't do that!" Stormkit wailed as he glared at his father.
"I can and I will! If you cannot act like a warrior then you will not be one!" Brindlethorn yowled right back.
Stormkit hissed and ran back into the nursery, Ashkit and Frecklekit following behind him. Skydapple and Brindlethorn went to a quiet corner to talk. Willowbolt sighed, hoping that her kits would be better behaved then that.
Jinxstar walked over to Willowbolt and bid her a good night before retiring to his den. Very soon, the rest of the clan did the same.
~THE NEXT DAY~
Flintshade was the first away, aware that Skydapple's kits were to be apprenticed today. He was very nervous about being given one, he did not believe that he would be a good mentor. He decided to head over to the nursery to talk to Blackmouth, try to get to know his new-found sister a bit better.
"Hello, Flintshade." Blackmouth said from the shadows by the nursery.
"You're awake?" Flintsahde jumped as he heard her voice, "And you are not with Hollowkit?"
She is sleeping soundly, I decided to get some fresh air before she wakes up. How can I help you?" Blackmouth said, almost as if she knew why he was there already.
"Well, I am just a little worried. Jinxstar said that I was going to be able to mentor Stormkit, and I am not sure I will be a good enough cat for the job." Flintshade sighed as he sat next to her.
"You are getting an apprentice already? But, I was hoping that you could mentor Hollowkit, you won't be done with Stormkit's training when she becomes an apprentice." Blackmouth said in a worried tone, "I fear that none of the other clan members will understand her like you do. I am worried that they might skimp on her training because of her being a rogue's kit. Or be too hard on her and never let her become a warrior." Blackmouth sounded convincingly upset at the thought.
"Jinxstar would never let that happen, after all, the entire clan used to be rogues, loners, or kitty-pets. There is no way that he would allow that to happen in his clan." Flintshade said, "But, if you want I can ask him if I can wait and mentor her. I am sure that Tanagerpelt or Velvetrabbit would be happy to be Stormkit's mentor."
"Oh, please, would you?" Blackmouth's eyes lit up as he spoke, "That would be the best, brother."
Flintshade felt a warm feeling deep inside him at her calling him brother. He had never had time to know his family, and now he was given a chance at a new one. Flintshade nodded and went to find Jinxstar to talk to him.
Jinxstar was walking out of his den, looking around to see how much of his clan had woken up. Willowbolt was carefully walking out of the nursery, her large belly looking like it was about ready to pop. He hoped that she would at least be able to wait until after the ceremony. Skydapple was already out of the nursery, fidgeting over her kits. She was licking all of the furiously, trying to make them look presentable for their ceremony. Brindlethorn was looking on with pride and embarrassment as his kits tried to get away from their mother. Barkclaw was waiting beneath the perch next to Blackberry, who was watching Willowbolt very closely.
"Jinxstar, can I talk to you?" Flintshade called to him as he walked out into the pale morning light.
"Yes, what is the matter?" Jinxstar asked him, worried that something might have happened.
"I was wondering if you might wait to give me an apprentice? I would really liek to mentor Hollowkit. Blackmouth is worried about her and thinks that I would be the best mentor for her." Flintshade said, slightly embarrassed.
Jinxstat sat for a moment in deep thought, then smiled at Flintshade.
"Alright, I guess I can do that. But, do not ask for something like this again." Jinxstar warned as he turned away and jumped up onto his perch.
Flintshade smiled, thankful that he still had his ears. He joined Blackmouth by the nursery, whispering to her what Jinxstar said. Blackmouth's eyes sparkled as her plan started to fall into place.
"May all cats old enough to catch their own prey, join beneath the perch for a clan meeting!" He called out as he looked down at his clan.
Skydapple herded her kits towards the group, giving them a stern warning about being respectful.
"Today we give a great honor to some of the youngest in our clan. Today, Ashkit, Frecklekit, and Stormkit are old enough to be apprenticed. Blackberry, Barkclaw, and Tanagerpelt, please step forward." Jinxstar stated as he looked down at his clan.
After the ceremonies, Jinxstar organized patrols. Soon after the patrols left, Willowbolt started to kit. Jinxstar, although worried, knew that she was in the best possible paws with Blackberry.
[Blackberry and Ashpaw helping Willowbolt deliver her kits]
[Apprentice Ceremony - Tanagerpelt mentors Stormkit, Barkclaw mentors Frecklekit, and Blackberry mentors Ashkit]
[Blackberry and Ashpaw - herb hunting]
[Tanagerpelt/Stormpaw, Barkclaw/Frecklekit, Flintshade, Birchfeather - hunting]
[Jinxstar, Brindlethorn - patroling Thicketclan boarder]
[Skydapple, Velvetrabbit - patroling Pineclan boarder]
[Blackmouth and Hollowkit - in the nursery]