Sparrowkit woke up to the sound of mewling and paws in his face. Sparrowkit shook his head. Ever since Sparkkit and Lilykit had been born to Sunpelt, the nursery had become so crowded. And it didn't help that their father, Hareleap, visited every day. Speaking of which, Sparrowkit could see him coming now. He decided this was a good time to leave.

He got up with a grunt and looked down on all the sprawled legs of cats. He had to tiptoe around them like thorns. He knew they wouldn't like being woken up. He soon got through the maze of cats and sat down outside the nursery just as Hareleap arrived.

Hareleap dipped his head "Good morning Sparrowkit. Are Sparkkit and Lilykit in there?"
Where else would they be? Sparrowkit thought to himself. He nodded at the warrior. Hareleap smiled at him and walked into the nursery, ducking his head.

Sparrowkit sighed. It was annoying that the nursery was so crowded, but part of him envied Sparkkit and Lilykit. Hareleap would visit every day, even if they weren't old enough to leave the nursery yet.

Sparrowkit never knew who his father was. He knew he looked like his mother, but his sister Batkit had black fur. His eyes began searching the camp for suspects. Stormheart had black fur. But he shuddered at the huge tom. He's too scary! Surely it's not him? He looked around again until his eyes fell onto Badgerstep. He had black stripes. Maybe.

His attention was averted from looking around when he heard a noise behind him. He turned around and it was Batkit and Dustbreeze. "What are you looking at?" Batkit asked him "Nothing." Sparrowkit replied quickly.

Dustbreeze then, without warning, picked up Sparrowkit gently by his scruff and plopped him down in front of her. She began to groom him. "Mom! I can groom myself!" Sparrowkit protested, trying to squirm away.

Dustbreeze groomed him a little more and finally, after what felt like an eternity, let him go.

Dustbreeze looked down at both of them, her face beaming with love and pride. "You both look so beautiful. Today is a very important day."

Sparrowkit tilted his head to the side. Why was today so important? He then heard Batkit gasp and he turned around to see what she saw. Hawkstar was climbing onto the highledge!

"Today's our ceremony!" Batkit squeaked excitedly. She began running around in circles while Sparrowkit stood there smiling, taking it all in.

"All cats old enough to run the moor, gather for a Clan meeting!" Hawkstar yowled, his voice booming. Sparrowkit wondered if one day he would be respected like that. "Today we have a very special day," Hawkstar continued "two kits will become apprentices. Batkit, step forward!"

Batkit seemed taken aback, like she didn't expect to be called. But she didn't let it affect her and she stepped forward, looking up at Hawkstar.

"From this moment on, until you've received your warrior name, you will be known as Batpaw. Mudpool!" He called to the small, brown she cat. "You will mentor Batpaw. Teach her your honesty and good hunting skills." Batpaw bounded over to her mentor and touched noses.

"Sparrowkit, come forward." He yowled. Sparrowkit felt nervous and his legs shook, but he managed to take a step. "From this moment on, until you've received your warrior name, you will be known as Sparrowpaw. Stormheart!"

Sparrowpaw gulped. Stormheart! He was so tough and scary! He didn't hear the rest of what Hawkstar said because he was shaking as he walked over and touched noses with his mentor.

The Clan chanted their names, but he didn't really hear it.

"You must take this very seriously if you want to be an asset to your Clan. I expect you to be focused and do what I tell you. We will begin training tomorrow." Stormheart instructed. He flicked his tail and walked away.

Sparrowpaw felt small and weak compared to his mentor. He was intimidating, but he would not let him down.