Edited ✔️ by JackMccannon

A small body above the awoken kit wriggled with excitement, with a white pelt that shone brilliantly in the sun. His happiness beamed towards Icekit, and he realized it was his brother, Dewkit. Icekit batted his littermate away, slowly getting up, aware that his pelt was ruffled.

Dewkit bounced up and down. "Today is the day Brightstar will appoint us to be apprentices!" he meowed with excitement, nudging Icekit until he was fully awake.

The gray soon-to-be-apprentice's heart skipped a beat at the mention of that. However, he was still half asleep to display his excitement toward the fact that he would soon be a step closer to becoming a warrior. "I've nearly forgotten," Icekit admitted, yawning. "I had a terrible dream. I was going to die, and then a cat saved me." He sighed of relief as he realized it was just a dream. He stretched luxuriously, yawning once more before he looked around, spotting his mother racing up toward his side to rasp his fur with her bristled tongue.

Dewkit sighed and looked outside. "I had a weird dream, too. And I was being chased, but suddenly—"

"Yeah, that's the dream!" Icekit's meow was so loud that it woke Ripplefur. The plump queen's eyes jolted open and she jumped. Her belly was full with kits, which were due soon enough.

"Keep still," his mother, Featherbreeze scolded. "And look, you woke Ripplefur!" She sighed as she continued licking Icekit's pelt. "I want you to look perfect when you are apprenticed. It will be something to remember, so you must make a good memory!"

Icekit groaned, nodding his head dramatically. "Yes, yes, I know," he grumbled. He looked up to the top of the rocky den. The shade was as dark as the setting in his dream, which sent chills up his spine.

It was only a dream, the kit thought, looking unsurely between his mother and brother. After all, he was back in his happy Clan life, nearing a moment that will be one he will never forget—his own apprenticeship ceremony.

Dewkit sat at the mouth of the den and glanced over his shoulder. "There are cats gathering around the Moonrock already," he reported as his voice quivered with anticipation. "Featherbreeze, can we go now?"

Featherbreeze shook her head. "It's not time yet," she told her kits. "We need to wait until Brightstar announces that the ceremony will begin. Then the whole Clan will be called together."

Icekit twisted away from his mother's tongue as Ripplefur chuckled from the back of the den. "It won't be long now," she gently reassured Icekit and Dewkit. She curled once more protectively around her own stomach, but kept her head up as she watched both of the kits.

"You're coming, right?" Icekit asked Ripplefur, who seemed to be slowly falling back asleep. "You said it won't be long. If you fall asleep again, you will miss it!" He ran up to the queen and gently batted her with his paws.

Ripplefur let out a deep purr. "Of course I'm coming. I would never miss something so important." She gave Icekit a soft and reassuring smile, and he smiled back as his brother dropped by his side, curious as to what they were talking about.

Featherbreeze returned over Icekit and began to lick him again, getting out all of the moss that clung to his pelt, and she even smoothed down his fur. He allowed her to do so, because after all, he wished to look presentable in front of the Clan. Dewkit already looked clean, however, and his pelt was handsome especially in the sun. Before the two kits knew it, a voice boomed over the Clan.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, join beneath the Moonrock for a Clan meeting!" Brightstar called. She stood tall at he top of her den. All cats who weren't in the clearing already left their meals and slowly exited their dens, chattering amongst themselves about who would become new mentors.

Both Dewkit and Icekit bounced with excitement. "It's time!" Dewkit squeaked. Just before they left the den, Featherbreeze stopped them.

"Oh, no!" she ordered. "You two are becoming apprentices. No bouncing around like little kits! Hold your chins up high and walk sensibly. You must make a good impression."

Icekit rolled his eyes. "Yeah, understood," he muttered. Featherbreeze nodded of approval, and then Dewkit ran up beside him. "Let's go, then!" Icekit eagerly said.

Dewkit gave an eager nod, and side by side, the two kits walked out of the nursery den for the last time. They looked around, eyes filled with excitement and fear. At the front of the crowd of cats, Icekit could see his father, Sparrowheart, standing under the Moonrock. His chin was held high as well as he watched his sons file into the clearing. Icekit also spotted his old denmates Sweetpaw, Dawnpaw and Volepaw, who all stood side-by-side.

Icekit felt proud that all these cats were watching him.

I'm going to be an apprentice! he excitedly recalled yet again. What a grand day!

"I've called you all together for the most important steps in becoming a warrior," Brightstar began. "Icekit and Dewkit have reached their sixth moon, and it's time for them to become apprentices." She looked down to where the two brothers stood. "Come forward."

Icekit and Dewkit trotted in the middle of the big circle that the Clan formed around them. Then, they looked back up to Brightstar. Her blue eyes shone with pride as she gazed over her thriving Clan and the two young kits.

"Icekit, from this day forward until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Icepaw," Brightstar meowed.

"Icepaw! Icepaw!" The Clan chanted. Icepaw's new name rang in his ears, making his entire pelt prick with excitement. He stood a bit taller, basking in the attention.

"StarClan," Brightstar went on, and she turned her gaze towards the greenleaf sky. "Guide this new apprentice so he will make the right choices on becoming a warrior."

Icepaw thought about the StarClan cats that watched him, and he looked up to the sky as well, praying that he'd be the best apprentice ever. Brightstar's gaze traveled through the crowd of cats, making Icepaw think about who would be his new mentor.

Finally, the MoonClan leader spoke up. "Ashtail," she finally said. The ginger tom stood up. "You will mentor Icepaw. You were a very great warrior throughout the moons, and you deserve to instruct your first apprentice."

Icepaw bounded over to his new mentor, and his eyes met Ashtail's, who looked pleased to have Icepaw as an apprentice. They touched noses, and Icepaw felt delighted. I know that Ashtail is an amazing warrior, he recalled with excitement. Although young, Ashtail was one of the Clan's best hunters and fighters. And now everything he knew would be passed on to Icepaw! How could this day get any better?

"I promise I will be an outstanding apprentice," he vowed out loud to Ashtail, who nodded of approval. Icepaw nodded back, and they turned to Brightstar to watch the ceremony end with his brother.

"And Dewkit," she meowed as she turned to him, flicking her tail over to the young tom. He copied Icepaw's movements by standing taller and prouder. "From this day forward until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Dewpaw." She paused for a heartbeat. "And I know very well that StarClan will watch over you as well in your journey to become a warrior."

"Dewpaw!" the Clan called. Icepaw felt the happiness for his brother swell in him, and he felt that he chanted the loudest. "Dewpaw!"

Then, the white-furred leader's tail swept across the crowd of cats and pointed to one of the cats in the older warriors' groups. "Mousetail," Brightstar announced. "You will become Dewpaw's mentor. You have good experience in training apprentices, and you must pass on your knowledge to one more before retiring to the elder's den."

Dewpaw walked over to his new mentor. He and Mousetail touched noses and also muttered their silent greetings towards one another just like Icepaw has done with his own new mentor. Mousetail's eyes shone with joy as he greeted his new apprentice.

Then, the Clan began chanting once more. "Dewpaw! Icepaw! Dewpaw! Icepaw!"

Icepaw's heart burst with pure happiness and joy as the warriors gathered to congratulate them. Brightstar dismissed the meeting, and most cats returned to what they were doing before, though some stayed, including Icepaw's parents and friends.

Sparrowheart purred and looked down at both of his kits. "I am so proud of you two," he meowed as he nuzzled the two of them. His eyes sparkled with many emotions—and some were unreadable, as if he knew something he wished to share. However, he mostly seemed as happy as the Clan, Icepaw noticed.

Dewpaw purred, his chest puffing out. "Thank you!" he said. "We shall be the best apprentices ever!"

Featherbreeze nuzzled him, and then Icepaw. "Why, of course."

"And I expect nothing less from the both of you youngsters," Mousetail stated. "You two will be great apprentices." He looked down to the both of them.

Featherbreeze dipped her head in the direction of the two mentors. "I'm sorry," she told them. "You can go and start your training. I'm expected to join a border patrol now."

"It's okay," Ashtail said, dipping his head back.

Sparrowheart and Featherbreeze began to leave side by side.

Sweetpaw was the next to walk up and nuzzle Icepaw. "You did it," the medicine cat apprentice exclaimed. She turned to Dewpaw. "Both of you!"

"Yeah," Volepaw added. "Now we can all really practice fighting!"

Dawnpaw nodded. "We all can hunt and train together, too!" she said looking over at Dewpaw, who already looked fierce.

But then Ashtail murmured, "Though the sooner we start our training, the better. We've been having bickers with DarkClan, and if we have all the warriors we can get to fight, the better it will be."

Mousetail nodded in agreement. "I feel the same way," he added, looking around. "I want to be ready if they launch a surprise attack on us. Ever since the bickers we weren't allowed to travel with no less than three."

"Oh," Icepaw said, looking to his paws. "I understand. So can we start out training?" He looked up hopefully at his mentor, who had a serious look in his eyes.

"Of course," Mousetail meowed, nudging Ashtail. "Perhapswe can come along with the both of you, too. All the other apprentices were going to leave for hunting."

"Yeah, so we have to go," Dawnpaw piped up. Her brother nodded an agreement as she added, "And I think Sweetpaw has medicine stuff to do."

Sweetpaw gave an exasperated sigh. "I'll be collecting horsetail, I'll have you know!" she stated hotly, raising her chin. "And you'd better be happy, because it has some great uses." She stalked off to the medicine den, ready to leave with Vinetail.

"I want to hunt!" Dewpaw finally said with excitement.

Ashtail slowly shook his head. "We were hoping to start on some battle moves first. Then hunting," he informed. Dewpaw's eyes showed signs of disappointment but then he nodded. Icepaw didn't understand how his brother could be disappointed. He was very eager to train for battle, so shouldn't Dewpaw feel the same?

Before he forgot, he turned over his shoulder and looked at Dawnpaw and Volepaw. "Bye!" Icepaw called as they began to depart from one another. "When we all get back, maybe you can show us the basics in hunting?"

"Yeah, we'll do that!" Volepaw called. "Bye!"

Then, Ashtail and Mousetail silently began leaving the camp together, slipping through the thorn bush tunnel as their apprentices followed. Icepaw was careful not to get any thorns stuck in his pelt, and he could tell Dewpaw was being careful as well. As soon as the two apprentices were out, they gasped as they looked around at the large oak trees, the undergrowth and many bushes.

Of course, Icepaw has been out of camp for a few heartbeats once as a kit to take a glance at the forest, but now, it feels so different than before. Icepaw saw Dewpaw dash ahead of him, and Icepaw began to follow his brother with utter excitement.

Mousetail was leading the group of cats, and the walk wasn't very far from camp. Icepaw saw a lot of trees and ponds and streams along the way, and he also scented a lot of prey. When they got to the Training Hollow, he could feel that within, the ground was soft dirt covered with old, torn moss, and there was a stream in the back of the hollow that was most likely used for refreshments.

The fresh scents of the warriors and apprentices that walked before him in the hollow made Icepaw happy. He liked this scent for the fact that he knew that soon enough he'd be one of the best fighters of MoonClan, and his mark would one day be among the many paw prints, scratches, and scents of the Training Hollow---no, among the entirety of the whole forest!

Mousetail walked to the center of the clearing. "Alright!" he meowed. "First, Ashtail and I will show you how two warriors would fight. We'll pin down and dodge first. That's the most basic of moves."

"I'll be the DarkClan warrior," Ashtail meowed, leaping to the center of the clearing. Mousetail nodded, and Ashtail added to the apprentices, "Watch closely."

Icepaw nodded, leaning closer to make sure he didn't miss anything, and then the two warriors clashed. He knew that their claws were sheathed. Mousetail leaped over Ashtail, pinning him down, and instantly, Icepaw's memory of the Twilight Warrior and the gray-she cat flashed in his mind. His heartbeat quickened, but then slowed down as he remembered that these were only his Clanmates.

Then, Ashtail kicked Mousetail over and the older warrior flipped off, landing on his paws. As Ashtail was turning around, Mousetail leaped on Ashtail once more, and grabbed his opponent's neck. He pretended to bite down hard.

He let go of Ashtail. "That's how you do it," Mousetail said. "But I don't expect you to be killing the DarkClan warrior. That only makes you lower than they can ever be."

Dewpaw nodded. "Can we try it now?" he begged. "Please?" His blue eyes met his mentor's hazel ones. "Me and Icepaw will get it on our first try!"

Mousetail sighed. "Well, sure. I'd like to see how you imitate our moves," he meowed, stepping aside. Ashtail followed him. "Go ahead and do not unsheathe your claws. It's against the rules when you practice."

Icepaw turned to his brother and gave a tiny nod. Icepaw copied what Mousetail did, and lunged. Dewpaw leaped out of the way, and Icepaw cursed under his breath as he tried to catch his brother again. He swiped, but he didn't feel Dewpaw's soft white pelt under his paw.

Ashtail sighed and put a paw between the two apprentices. "Icepaw," he said, catching his eyes. "In order to pin your brother, you need to be more swift---and think of ways to get to him other than lunging."

"Yes, Ashtail," Icepaw panted, glancing over at Dewpaw. The white apprentice tom stopped, catching his breath as well, and Icepaw immediately flung himself forward. He leaped over his brother, but grabbed him with his claws, dragging Dewpaw along with him.

"Ah!" Dewpaw yowled. "You caught me!"

Icepaw felt pleased. "And now your dead!" he declared, pretending to bite down into his neck like on what Mousetail did with Ashtail.

"Excellent move," Ashtail praised. "You two are going to be great warriors. I can already see that!" His eyes let out a warm glow, and Icepaw stood up, feeling good about himself. He enjoyed the sensation of battle. He just realized how good it was to have his muscles outstretched, and his claws flexed as he challenged another cat---something that he was never able to do in the camp. He wondered if Dewpaw felt the same sensation.

"Now let's see Dewpaw pin you down, Icepaw," Ashtail said. Mousetail was already sitting in the back of the clearing as Ashtail padded up to him to take a seat next to him. That was a cue to begin.

As soon as Dewpaw charged for Icepaw, the small apprentice leaped over him, landing right behind him. For a quick moment, he saw Mousetail's ears flick of interest. But as Icepaw watched, Dewpaw grabbed Icepaw's pelt and pinned him down, pretending to rake his face with his sheathed claws.

"I did it!" Dewpaw exclaimed. He got off of Icepaw, and his tail swished from side to side. "I did it, Mousetail. Did you see?"

Mousetail's whiskers twitched of amusement. "Yes, I saw it, Dewpaw," he said. "Sparrowheart will be so proud of you." He began to purr.

"Thank you," Icepaw said, purring as well. "Show us some more moves, please. Then maybe all of the warriors and apprentices can be proud!"

* * *

Dusk was approaching quickly. The day was long with battle training, and Icepaw sat down with exhaustion, panting heavily. He craved water, since his throat felt hot and sticky, and he was hungry as well. He had just realized he hadn't eaten since yesterday. As Icepaw waited for Dewpaw to finish his lesson with Mousetail, he let his shoulders relax, and closed his eyes.

He faced upwards, letting the cool breeze ruffle his pelt. He didn't know being an apprentice was such hard work, and today was only but the first day. He had all his excitements in the first steps of becoming a warrior, but now he knew that his exhaustion was only the beginning.

Finally, Dewpaw and Mousetail broke apart, panting almost as heavily as Icepaw was. They had finished their battle training, and it was time to go back to camp. Icepaw has never felt more relieved in his whole entire life.

Ashtail dropped in beside him as they began to walk out of the Training Hollow. Icepaw looked up at his mentor. "Are we gonna do battle training tomorrow, too?" he asked, hoping that they would do something different.

"No, we're not," Ashtail replied. Icepaw tried to hold a sigh of relief. "But tomorrow, we will certainly start your apprentice duties. You know, apprentices have to work for their Clan, too."

He groaned. "Yeah, I know. Dawnpaw and Volepaw would always complain about that to me," he murmured. Icepaw's hopes in hunting dropped as they continued walking.

Mousetail stopped the patrol, and then a river sound entered his ears. "C'mon," he meowed, leading them into a different direction. "You must be thirsty. The stream within the training hollow can never properly quench a throat."

"You can say that again!" Dewpaw commented out loud.

Mousetail began leading them closer and closer to the sound of rippling and crashing water. It made Icepaw's throat ache badly to have the cold, moist liquid in his mouth. Sparks came into view, and Icepaw realized it was a large river running through the ground.

"Go ahead," Mousetail meowed. "Then, we can go back to camp."

Icepaw raced up ahead on Dewpaw's heels for the river water, and immediately began gulping down the fresh water. He sighed of relief, and stuck his paws in, then began to clean his dirty gray fur with the relieving cold water. He felt good. At least we can travel around in the territory, he thought, recalling his six moons of being confined in camp. Now we can drink fresh water. We don't have to worry when they will bring us mossballs anymore!

Ashtail and Mousetail walked up beside Icepaw, also taking laps of the water. Icepaw licked his lips dry as he waited for the two warriors to finish. When they were done drinking, they began to head back to camp. Icepaw was glad that he could see more territory.

"When will you show me around the MoonClan grounds?" Icepaw asked his mentor, trying to start a conversation. Dewpaw and Mousetail talked silently behind them.

"Maybe I can show you around a bit tomorrow when you finish your duties," Ashtail replied. "Or maybe after tomorrow. I can show you hunting, too."

Icepaw nodded happily. "Thank you, Ashtail," he said. Soon, the camp came entrance came into view. It sounded like almost everyone was there, and he raced ahead as soon as the prey scent filled his nose.

Overwhelmed with hunger, he raced past Sharpfang and Nightrose, who were guarding the camp. He was immediately stopped by Dawnpaw. The older apprentice gave him a warm smile. She was no bigger than Icepaw, and was only two moons apart from him.

"Want to share this?" she asked, pushing the vole close to him. Icepaw took a quick sniff from it, and was delighted to find that it was warm and fresh.

"Yes, please," he said, taking the first bite. "I was so hungry!" Dawnpaw let out a small mrrow of laughter and took a bite as well, and then Icepaw took the third bite. The process went on until the vole was completely finished. Icepaw was satisfied that his belly was now full and warm, and he could see that Dewpaw felt the same thing after finishing his mouse.

"C'mon," Dawnpaw meowed. "Let me and Volepaw show you where you'll sleep." Icepaw nodded, and she began leading the two apprentices to the den. It was dark now, and the night patrol was already leaving.

When they got there, Volepaw was waiting patently, setting up two moss nests. He covered them with feathers and surrounded them with sticks. "Here!" Volepaw called, and patted the newly made bed with his tail. "All done!"

"Thank you," Dewpaw yawned, choosing the nest closer to the middle of the den.

"No problem," Volepaw replied.

Icepaw, without saying a word, curled up in the spare nest in the back of the den. He felt comfortable. He use to always sleep with Dewpaw and Featherbreeze, but now he finally had the chance to be alone. Icepaw fell asleep with one last thought on his head.

I am finally an apprentice!