"We're actually going outside of the nursery! I bet we're the youngest kits to exit the nursery!!" exclaimed Shadekit.

         I'm so excited!! I can't believe it, I'll get to meet the leader and deputy! Creamkit was bubbling with excitement, unlike her littermates, she kept quiet though. Not wanting to seem immature in front of all her clanmates. She didn't want to look like a lost kit, just exiting the nursery.

         Salmonkit then pointed out, "We're only getting to go outside because Birchpelt is kitting. Honeyshade probably won't let us explore."

         "Way to burst our bubble, Salmonkit!" grumbled Shadekit.

         Salmonkit quickly added, "Maybe, she will if we behave?"

         The littermates marched behind their mother, into the clearing filled with cats. It was near sun-fall, so most of the warriors were returning form their patrols. Wow! So many cats, I wonder who will be my mentor? Thoughts filled up Creamkit's mind, as she zoned out of Honeyshade's guidelines and rules.

         "Creamkit? Creamkit? Are you listening?" snapped Honeyshade.

         "Wha--wha- what?" mumbled the tan kit.

         The queen sighed and repeated, "Since you're already out of the nursery, you might as well explore the rest of the camp. Just make sure not to get under other cats' paws."

         Creamkit jumped with joy as she processed her mother's words. She would finally get to talk with Comfreyheart again. Salmonkit and Creamkit followed Shadekit's lead into the middle of camp, where cats were slowly starting to notice the kit's entrance.

         A young she cat bounded up to them and started talking very fast,"Hi! You must be Honeyshade's kits! I'm Rainpaw, I can show you all around!"

          "I think we can figure the camp out by ourselves!" snorted Shadekit.

          Salmonkit murmured, "It would be good to have a cat who already knows the place, so we won't get into trouble..."

          "What do you think, Creamkit?" asked her sister.

          Creamkit stuttered and then replied, "I-I--I'm going with Shadekit!" I don't want to look like a coward, so I'm gonna go wth Shadekit!

          Rainpaw chuckled, "Well, I'll go with Salmonkit, while you two can go on your own. Just make sure to not bother Ripplepelt, he can be a real grouch sometimes."

        The two she kits nodded, and Shadekit exclaimed, "I bet we'll explore the camp faster than Salmonkit! Come on Creamkit, you made the right choice."

         The she kits bounded up to the center of the clearing, where large pile of fish were placed. Some mice and frogs were scattered throughout the pile here and there. It looked pretty big thanks to the bounty of New-leaf.

         "I think this is the fresh-kill pile," said Creamkit.

         "Wow! It's really big. Streamclan is the best clan ever!" Shadekit declared.

          A small black tom laughed, "Ha, we like to think so. But other clans will say different."

         "Who are you?" asked Shadekit. He's really small for a grown cat, thought Creamkit.

         The tom replied, "I'm Blackstorm, one of the elders. I suspect this is your first time out of the nursery?" The two kits nodded, and the elder continued. "Now come with me, young ones, Ill show you our den." That sound fun! Maybe the elders know where Comfreyheart's den is.

         Shadekit interjected before Creamkit could respond, "Thanks for the offer, but we'd like to explore on our own."

         Creamkit whispered, "But, Shadekit! What Blackstorm tells us things that Salmonkit doesn't know?" This caught Shadekit's ear, and without a second doubt, Shadekit agreed. Shadekit's really easy to convince if have the correct reason!The kits followed Blackstorm to a hollowed out log. It was covered with moss and plants, making it a comfy place for the cranky elders. 

         "Who are these two?" rasped an old tom. "They better not mess up my moss!"

         "They're Honeyshade's kits'. The tan one is Creamkit, the grey one with tan stripes is Shadekit. As you already know, the one that came before is their littermate, Salmonkit." purred Blackstorm.

         Before anyone could say anything else, Shadekit interrupted, "Wait a second! Salmonkit was here before us!?"

         "Yes, is that a problem?" asked Blackstorm.

         "Of course, that's a problem!" fumed Shadekit.

         The elders looked confused, so Creamkit explained, "You see, we're having a race of who can explore the camp the fastest. Shadekit's just mad that Salmonkit was here before us."

          A black tom cat chuckled, "Kits will be kits."

         "Well, I suppose you'll be on your way then." mewed Blackstorm. "Try going to the apprentice's den next. It's the hollow in the hill just a few pawsteps away from here. Next to it should be another hollow, which is the Warriors den."

         Creamkit gave a grateful flick of a tail, while Shadekit grumbled a forceful good-bye. The two kits bounded over to the apprentice's den which was, as Blackstorm said, a small hill, with a dug out entrance into it. Next to it was another hollow, supposedly the warrior's den. The she-cats barged into the apprentice's den which seemed empty. Shadekit and Creamkit were sad to see no-cat in the den. All the apprentices are probably training or on a patrol. Hopefully they come back soon. I really want to meet them.

         Shadekit began exiting the nursery when Creamkit stopped her. "Stop!" she called. "Can we take a rest, my paws ache." Shadekit didn't argue, as she plopped herself down on a fluffy moss bed.

         "Wow, this moss is really bouncy!" she purred as she bounced around in the nest. Creamkit jumped in the bed that she was in.  Wow! Shadekit's right, the moss is really fluffy and bouncy. It won't hurt to have a little fun, right? The kits bounced around until the moss scattered apart, leaving the bed not as fluffy as before. Oops! Maybe the apprentices won't notice? Shadekit and Creamkit tried to pack the moss together again.

         Shadekit mewed, "Maybe the apprentices won't notice? Lets just go to the warrior's den before anyone sees us." The two kits examined the camp for any incoming cats. Most of the cats were all sharing prey, and took no notice of Shadekit and Creamkit. The she-cat silently stalked out of the den, not looking where they were going, they bumped into another cat.

         "Watch it," he hissed. After the tom realized they were kits he spoke in a softer voice, "Oh, sorry about that. What were you two doing in the apprentice's den anyway? Kits belong in the nursery!"

         Shadekit and Creamkit exchanged worried glances. The grey kit finally spoke up in a quivering voice, "Well, um, you see... We were just looking for Rainpaw and our littermate. The elders... um, told us that they would be in the apprentice's den."

         The tom gave them a wary stare before stepping into the warrior's den. Creamkit exhaled a sigh of relief and followed him in.

         "Hello?" beckoned Creamkit at two of the warriors, sharing tongues.

         A brown and orange tortoiseshell purred, "Hi there! I'm Blossomfur, and this is Lavenderfur," Blossomfur flicked her tail over to the black cat with unusual purple eyes sitting next to her. "You must be Honeyshade's kits. Are you wondering where your brother is?"

         "Not exactly, but we would like to know where he is," answered Shadekit.

         This time Lavenderfur spoke, "Your brother, Salmonkit was just here a while ago with Rainpaw. I think she was giving him a tour. They're now headed over to the leaders den."

         "Where's the leader's den?" asked Creamkit.

         "If you cross to the other side of the nursery, then you should be able to see two, big, hollowed out bushes. The one to the side is the leader's den, while the other one is the medicine cat's den." informed Lavenderfur. "It's quite a long walk, so why don't you explore it another day? It's already sun-fall, I'm sure Birchpelt's kitting is done by now."

         "But-b-but--" argued Shadekit, though she was loudly interrupted by the call of their mother.

         Honeyshade was standing outside of the den, calling for the kits,

         "Shadekit! Creamkit! Come back to the nursery!"

          Shadekit started whining, "But-but mother!"

          Honeyshade snapped back, "No, buts missy. You'll put your flank in the nursery now, or no more exploring tomorrow!" Creamkit and Shadekit hadn't ever seen their mother so angry.

         "Fine.....", mumbled Shadekit in a defeated tone.

Picture of the camp:

In my opinion that was a really long chapter, but it's actually only a 1254 words. *sighs* What did you think about Shadekit and Creamkit's actions in the Apprentice's Den? Any suggestions for character development? This wasn't my best chapter, but it was something. I'm trying not to rush the story, because I want the book to be at least 25 chapters. I thinking about 2 or 3 books in the arc. It depends on my interests, time, and schedule. There will be novellas coming out soon about some of the other side characters. If you have an OC that you would like me to add then put it down below in the comments. I tried my best with the picture, I'm sorry if it isn't that good :( Well, bye for now!! 

~ Shade