"Ivykit, Lynxkit, comes forward." Sunshine meowed. The two kits padded towards the two leaders.

"Lynxkit, you have reached the age of five and a half moons and you are Duskfall's daughter so you are apprenticed early." She continued. "Sunnytail will be your mentor. We honour your loyalty and hope, and I hope you will pass on these qualities to Lynxpaw." The apprentice and mentor touched noses.

"Ivykit, you have reached the age of five and a half  moons and you  are Duskfall's daughter so you are apprenticed early. "She announced. She scanned the camp until her eyes rested on Oakfall, the deputy. "Oakfall will be your mentor. We honour your bravery and faith, and I hope you will pass on these qualities to Ivypaw." She finished.

Oakfall padded up to her, his gaze filled with warmth. Ivypaw purred. "You have never, and never will see an apprentice as good as me." Oakfall touched her nose with his.

"Lynxpaw! Ivypaw! Lynxpaw! Ivypaw!" The clan yowled their welcome and greetings fo the new apprentices. Lionpaw padded up to Ivypaw.

"Timberstripe said we are allowed to practise hunting together when your finished exploring!" He meowed excitingly. Ivykit smiled.

"Ivypaw! We have to go!" Oakfall yowled across the clearing.

"Well, see you later!" Ivykit waved her tail in goodbye before running off to Oakfall. He purred in amusement as they left the camp. They passed the river and swerved towards the Twolegplace. 

"Wait, where are we going?" She asked, blinking in confusion as they padded through the trees.

"We are going to SnakeStones." Oakfall swished his tail. "Or are you scared?" He teased. Ivypaw gulped. She had heard elders stories of the horrifying place. So many cats had died there.

Oakfall sensed her nerves. "We can just look at it, not actually go there. " he reassured her.

Sighing with relief, Ivypaw walked on.

After a few moments, they arrived at the stones.

"Woah..." Ivypaw blinked. 

There were stones layered out on a little patch of green, lush grass. She could hear the hisses of snakes and ladders, but ignored it. They towered up to the hight of a tree, using up lots of stones.

"That's not it." Oakfall purred. They padded on beside it and the reached a small, green area. Beautiful trees surrounded them, vines hanging down. 

Ivypaw gaped in astonishment. It was amazing. But so much danger... she thought.

As they left, a hiss sounded behind them. Ivypaw stiffened. Oakfall turned around  straight away then screeched, " RUN!" They both sprinted like hares as fast as they could out of Snakestones.

They ran and ran until the finally stopped at the Twolegplace. Both panting, they stood for a moment.  After what felt like moons, they both got their breath back.

"Well, we have to go back to camp now." He stated finally as they started trotting towards camp.

"Are we not going hunting?" Ivypaw mewoed her thoughts out loud.

Oakfall shook his head. "After you have some nice, juicy prey. He padded towards the prey heap and tossed a fat vole to her. Ivypaw settled down with it in her jaws as she started to devour it.

-----------------------------

"Are we going hunting yet?" Lionpaw asked Ivypaw  when she finished the morsel and was now grooming herself.

"I dont know." She mewed between licks. " Let's go ask now." They both stood up and padded towards their mentors who were sharing tongues.

They both stopped and looked at them. "Maybe tomorrow."  Timberstripe sighed.

Lionpaw let out a snort. "You promised!" He snarled angrily, then shut his mouth regretfully.

Timberstripe  scowled, "Fine.." he muttered as he stood up and stretched his legs and let out a massive yawn. Oakfall did the same. 

"Great!" Lionpaw mewoed excitedly. Ivypaw blinked and shuffled her paws. She couldn't wait to get moving.

Sorry if these chapters are short... I'll try making them longer!

Also, please check my Name That apprentice book out, I need names for Dragonpaw, Mistypaw  and Rosepaw! Comment your name ideas! Thanks!

~ Black Rose