Rainkit's eyes gently fluttered open as the moring sun poked through the nursery walls. She perked her ears to hear a loud shriek followed by a giggle coming from the outside. Rainkit rolled her eyes, did anyone else in ThunderClan actually sleep. She walked outside to find the the other kits tussling in the soft, see covered grass.

"Well, well, well," said Badgerkit walking up to Rainkit with a smirk,"featherbrain finally awakens!"

Even though he stood almost a head talked then her, Rainkit was not planning to back down so easily"I'm not a featherbrain, Badgerkit!" grunted Rainkit in retort.

"Are we sure," said Badgerkit, smirking still as if he enjoyed this, " How about being a badgerbrain, huh?" Badgerkit smirked a wide grin, thinking he had won.

"I'm pretty sure the award for Badgerbrain goes to you Badgerkit." Silverkit walked out of the nursery and stood beside Rainkit. "Why else would Flamewhisker name you Badgerkit, it's the only name that really suits you." The fluffy tom was taken abake by his younger sister's comment, this amused Rainkit. Badgerkit grunted and walked away in frustration, fuming from head to tail. Silverkit and Rainkit giggles didn't end towards the fluffy tom. Rainkit didn't care about Badgerkits stupid comments, with Silverkit around they always backfired.

"Are you excited!" said Silverkit happily.

"For what?" asked Rainkit. She was still dazed from her sleep and was having trouble remembering her schedule for the day. What was she forgetting? Were the warriors playing moss ball today? Did a new queen move into the nursery? What could Silverkit be so excited about. Silverkit seemed to notice her absent mindedness because she told her anyway.

"Didn't you remember! It's our Apprentice ceremony today!"

She had completely forgot! How could she forget something so important! Maybe she really was a featherbrain.

"Don't worry about Badgerkit," said Scorchkit, walking up to Rainkit and Silverkit, "I think he had some thorns in his nest last night, or at least he's acting like it." Rainkit smiled, her brother always knew how to make her smile. Well, most of the time. Ever since the battle he seemed more jumpy. "Oh well," she thought.

"So whens the ceremony?" Rainkit asked, she gently swished her long silver tail across the soft meadow grass, anticipation building in her paws. She studied the camp as she awaited an answer.

"I'm almost positive I heard Owlstar say that it would take place after the Dawn patrol returns." said Scorchkit, by the expression in his face he seemed almost positive, so she complied he must be telling the truth.

"That's not long from now," said Rainkit. She quickly studied the movement of the sun, the Dawn patrol must have at least been gone for an hour. They would most likely be back in the next 15 minutes or so.

"Well I'm going to go see Mintcloud before the ceremony starts," said Scorchkit, "she'll probably want to groom me anyway, bye guys! "

"Bye Scorchkit!"said Silverkit, her eyes lovestruck. Rainkit sighed, how could she already tell that this would not only cause problems between her and Silverkit, but other she cats as well.

"Yeah, I'm going with Scorchkit," said Rainkit carefully setting her paws down in front of her before breaking into a full strut, "See you later Silverkit!"

As Rainkit approached the nursery she caught Ambersplash staring at her from across the camp. She looked all around her to see if any other cat was around. Was there a mistake? Rainkit the frantically checked her pelt and paws for anything strange. Did she do something wrong. She looked up to meet Ambersplash's gaze and walked of to find her mother and brother.

"Rainkit, there you are, it's your turn." Mintcloud grabbed and started grooming her fur. Rainkit sighed, "Last time," she thought, "Then I can groom myself."

A few moments later, Rainkit saw the Dawn patrol emerging from the camp entrance. They all carried at least two pieces of prey, enough for the occasion. Among them was her father Brackennose, and his apprentice, Harepaw. Rainkit despratley wanted to detach from her mother to greet them, and fidgeted her paws in desparation. With a final lick Mintcloud sighed and looked at her daughter, "You are free to go." She said, smiling. Rainkit nodded in thanks and dashed of to join her brother and father in the camp clearing.

Brackenose's smile widened as Rainkit approached. "I'm so proud of you both, you'll do fantastic!" He said grinning. Harepaw then missed and said, "I'm sure you'll both be fine, and I already told Brackennose that I'll help you both, sound ok?" Rainkit nodded polietly in thanks, and nudged Scorchkit to do the same. Rainkit studied Harepaw, like Badgerkit, he was talked than her, and even a bit taller than Badgerkit. He seemed quite strong,busy nimble on his legs by the way he balanced. Her father was very fond of Harepaw, he talked about what a great apprentice he was almost as much as he talked about them. Rainkit watched as Owlstar carefully climbed on to HighLedge to gather the cats.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highledge."

Rainkit and Scorchkit missed in goodbye to their father as they joined the other lots beside the ledge. Rainkit's paws trembled in both excitment and anxiety. She was so nervous her mouth was dry. Silverkit silently whispered "You excited!" Rainkit smiled "Of course!" Rainkit smiled at her friend before turning back to face Highledge.

"We are gathered here today to embrace with open paws the welcoming of 5 new apprentices. They have fairly waited their 6 moons and are ready for the responsibilities of being a ThunderClan apprentice." At this time Owlstar features for the kits to come. With Badgerkit in lead, the kits stepped on to Highledge. "Baderkit," shakily, Badgerkit stepped forward, inches away from Owlstar. "From this moment forward until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Baderpaw, your mentor will be Redpelt!" Badgerpaw vowed in respect as his clanmates called his new name. "Silverkit," the silver she cat stepped forward, chest puffed out in pride, "From this moment forward until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Silverpaw, your mentor will be Mapleshine." Silverpaws from was almost as wise as her face as her clanmates cheered. "Nutkit," the small kit slowly stepped forward, "From this moment forward until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Nutpaw, your mentor will be Clouddust." Clouddust, shocked, came up to meet her new apprentice, followed by Redpelt and Mapleshine.

"Rainkit, Scorchkit, come here please." Reluctlantly, the pair stepped forward, Rainkit's legs felt like quicksand as she stood next to Scorchkit on Highledge.

"From this moment forward until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Rainpaw and Scorchpaw. Your mentors will be Duskcloud and Bumbleclaw."  As loud as the crashing of the river the clan cheered on the new apprentices. But as Rainkit celebrated with her parents, she once again caught Owlstar and Ambersplash staring at her and Scorchkit. As she looked at her brother, she saw he to was looking at Owlstar and Ambersplash. The two then looked at each other in silent recognition of the event and froze.