It was a cold morning, and a frosty tang hung in the air.
Moonkit shivered and fluffed out her black and white pelt, trying to stay warm.
Her mother, Brightdawn, padded over to help her groom down the spikes of fur.
"As soon as Rainstar gets back from his hunting patrol," Her mother was saying. "the ceremony will start."
Moonkit bounced with excitement. "And I will be a medicine cat apprentice!" She squeaked.
"Why on earth would you want to be a medicine cat apprentice when you can be a Warrior?" Her brother shook his head.
"First reason," She began. "is no fighting- "
"No fighting?!" Brownkit mewed. "That's outrageous!"
"- no being killed by other clan warriors, and- "
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath Blazeclan stone for a clan meeting!" Rainstar's yowl rang through the frosty air.
Moonkit perked her ears, looking at her mother hopefully.
"Go on." Brightdawn encouraged.
She didn't have to be told twice.
She and Brownkit scampered out of the den, racing each other to the centre of the clearing.
The camp was a clearing in the middle of a forest. It was nice and big.
At the middle was a rock pile, and dens surrounded it.
"These kits, Brownkit, Mistkit and Moonkit," The leader started. "have reached their sixth moon, and are ready to be apprenticed. Brownkit, step forward."
Moonkit's brother raised his tail and stepped in front of her.
"Brownkit, do you promise to uphold the Warrior code and protect and defend this clan even at the cost of your life?"
"Yes!- I mean I do." Brownkit affirmed.
"Then by the power of Starclan, I give you your apprentice name. Brownkit, from this day forwards, until you receive your Warrior name, you will be known as Brownpaw."
"Brownpaw! Brownpaw!" Moonkit joined in with the chanting.
"Your mentor will be Yellowfoot."
Brownpaw padded calmly over to touch the yellow tom's nose.
"Mistkit, do you promise to uphold the Warrior code and protect and defend this clan even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Mistkit bounced.
"Then by the power of Starclan, I give you your apprentice name. Mistkit, from this day forwards, until you receive your Warrior name, you will be known as Mistpaw. Your mentor will be Splashbloom."
"Mistpaw! Mistpaw!"
"Moonkit, step forward please."
Moonkit took a step, but before Rainstar could continue, there was a yowl outside.
"Attack!"