"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the fallen tree for a clan meeting."

Sunkit's eyes popped open at the sound of her leader's voice. Blinking the sleep out of her eyes, she slowly stretched and sat up, peering past the brambles of the nursery's wall.

Froststar's white pelt stood out amongst the greens of the forest as he called his clan together.

After giving her fur a few rapid licks, Sunkit emerged from the nursery, careful to not tread on the tails of her denmates who were beginning to stir.
The nursery was cramped now that Sandstrike had moved in.
Settling herself just outside of the entrance, beneath a clump of ferns, she listened to the chirping birds and closed her eyes, taking a moment to drink in the warmth of the sun.

Movement from the other side of the camp as the warriors began to gather caught her attention. She kept a watchful eye on Froststar at the same time, excited to find out what was happening.

On the far side of camp, Amberstone, the deputy, hurried towards the apprentices' den, tail fluffed up in excitement.

Sunkit turned as he disappeared under the bush marking the entrance to the apprentices' den. Why is he in such a hurry?

She craned her neck to see where he was going when the mottled grey and brown fur of Ashtail blocked her view. The she-cat crouched down to look at Sunkit.

"Hiding out under a bush? I'm sure Froststar won't mind you watching if you dont disturb him." Ashtail meowed gently, looking amused.

Sunkit fluffed out her fur indignantly. "No, I wasn't hiding." She meowed.

"No of course not, cats just crouch under ferns for the fun of it." The she-cat said wryly.

Sunkit blinked at Ashtail warmly and ducked her head, letting out a small embarrassed purr. "Shallowmist doesn't know that I'm awake yet and I don't want to be sent inside." She admitted.

Ashtail flicked her tail tip over the young kit's shoulder comfortingly. "I'm sure she'll be fine with it." She meowed before getting up and padding over to join the other warriors at the base of the fallen tree where Froststar had perched amongst the roots.

The she-cat had always been kind to Sunkit, taking care of the motherless kit. With a small sigh, Sunkit wished that Ashtail were her adoptive mother and not Shallowmist. As soon so the thought escaped she shook it away. Shallowmist was very kind but had her own kits to deal with, it wasn't her fault that she didn't always have time for Sunkit.

Now that Ashtail had moved, Sunkit once again regained the ability to observe the whole camp. Amberstone had just crept out of the den again, followed by Stormpaw and Crowpaw. The whole clan was almost assembled as he herded the two apprentices towards the fallen tree, fussing over their pelts.

As Amberstone continued to fuss over them, Sunkit realised how large and lean the two apprenrices had already become. They had lost all softness and looked like warriors.

Sunkit then let out a mrow of amusement as she watched Crowpaw duck away from her father and give her pelt an irritated shake.

As Sunkit focused on Amberstone, Shallowmist crept out of the nursery and blinked a few times, letting her eyes adjust to the bright morning sunlight.

"How come you're out here, all alone?" She asked, swiping her tongue over Sunkit's ears.

"Froststar called a meeting and I wanted to watch" Sunkit admitted sheepishly, peering up at the grey she-cat.

Shallowmist purred happily and called into the nursery- "If you come out now you'll have time to watch the meeting." - before settling down again and wrapping her soft grey tail over her black paws.

As Sunkit watched Shallowmist's tail tip and fought the urge to pounce onto it, three balls of fur erupted from the nursery squeaking in excitement.

"Are we still on time?" Rosekit squeaked, giving her mother an excited look. Ivykit and Darkkit stood behind her, their fur fluffed up and eyes sparkling.

Shallowmist shook her head softly and herded her kits towards herself, then began to groom their fur. "Hush, you don't want to wake Poppystripe's kits." She chided softly.

As Sunkit watched, she felt a pang of loneliness. Her denmates, two moons younger than her were so lucky to have Shallowmist. Sunkit had no one and no mater how hard Shallowmist tried to include her, it wasn't the same.

I wonder where I come from...

Her clanmates had told her that she had been pulled out of the river as a kit. They had thought a rogue had abandoned her. Sunkit sighed heavily, fearing that she would never truly belong. That's why I need to become the best warrior I can be.

But is that possible if I don't have warrior blood?

Sunkit's thoughts were disturbed as Froststar began speaking again.

"Today I have the pleasure of completing one of the most fulfilling tasks any leader could have." He began then paused for effect. "Today I am very happy to welcome two new warriors into our clan. Stormpaw, Crowpaw, step forward." He beckoned to them with his tail.

So that's why Amberstone was so flustered.

Sunkit watched eagerly as the two apprentices stepped forward as Froststar raised his head to look up at the sky and continued the ceremony.

"I, Froststar, leader of TigerClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn."

Froststar faced the two eager cats, Crowpaw was kneading the soft grass beneath her paws and it was visible that she was trying hard to sit still.

"Crowpaw, Stormpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do." The two apprentices meowed in unison.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Crowpaw, from this moment onwards, you will be known as Crowflight. StarClan honors your speed and hunting skill, and we welcome you as a full warrior of TigerClan."

Crowflight sat up proudly, her lean muscles rippling over her smooth pelt as Froststar stepped forward and and rested his muzzled on her head and she, in turn, gave his shoulder a respectful lick.

Sunkit's yellow eyes were wide with wonder as a slight breeze ruffled her black fur. That would be her one day. How do they look so composed?

Her interest peaked as Froststar turned to Stormpaw.

"Stormpaw," He meowed as Stormpaw calmly met his leader's blue gaze. "From this moment onwards and with the blessing of StarClan, you will be known as Stormcloud. StarClan honors your kindness and bravery, it is a pleasure to name you as a full warrior of TigerClan."

Froststar then placed his muzzle atop of Stormcloud's head who licked his shoulder, eyes burning with excitement. As Froststar stepped away, Sunkit couldn't help but notice how much broader Stormcloud was in comparison to his leader. The clan chanted the new warriors' names who both exchanged delighted glances.

"Crowflight, Stormcloud, Crowflight, Stormcloud!"

Sunkit dug her claws into the soft ground below her as she cheered for her clan mates.

She would be up there some day. Soon she would be a warrior. With seven moons she was the oldest kit in the nursery. She had one more moon to wait until her denmates would be old enough to become apprenrices.

Letting out a sigh, she uprooted the grass beneath her. The wait was torturous. She didn't understand why she had to wait. The clan had no apprentices now that Stormcloud and Crowflight were warriors. An extra pair of paws would be useful.

Glancing over at Shallowmist and her kits, she watched Rosekit and Darkkit wrestling while Ivykit watched. Being blind on one eye, the little tortoishell tom was a lot calmer than his littermates.

As the meeting broke up and Amberstone sent out the last few patrols, Sunkit padded over to her denmates. Before she had the chance to speak the two kits rolled apart and looked up at her.

"If Stormcloud and Crowflight are warriors now, why aren't you an apprentice?" Darkkit asked curiously.

"Is it because you're not good enough?" Rosekit asked then added worriedly; "What if I'm not good enough either?"

Sunkit backed up, feeling flustered as the questions were hurled at her. Was this what her clan thought of her? That she was too weak to become an apprentice?

"Now, now little ones, Sunkit is waiting for you so you can all train togther." Shallowmist said soothingly, rasping her tongue over Ivykit's ears.

"Why?" Rosekit asked, eyes wide.

Shallowmist ignored her and swept the kits inside of the nursery, leaving Sunkit alone with her thoughts.

She found it hard to believe that that was what her denmates thought of her. She was good enough. She had to be. She was going to be a warrior. She would prove it to all of them.
Just you wait and see...

With that thought racing through her mind, she made her way over to Froststar's den, passing Stormcloud and Crowflight who were preparing for their vigil.

As she passed Crowflight, the she-cat, spoke to her. "In a hurry today, eh?" She asked teasingly. "What are you seeing Froststar about?"

Sunkit's tail twitched irritably. "I'm going to ask if he can apprentice me now." She admitted.

Crowflight's face lit up with amusement. "Take your time, you've got plenty, it will be nice to share a den with the other kits."

Just as Sunkit was about to snap at the she cat, Stormcloud padded up to them, giving his grey fur a few licks.

"I think it's brave of her to ask." He told Crowflight. "After all, which kit wants to wait to explore their destiny."

Blinking gratefully at the large tom, Sunkit continued and brushed through the ferns leading to Froststar's den.

"Froststar?" She called cautiously. "I want to talk to you about something."

----
Oh my god I wrote this so long ago that I cringe while reading it.
*sigh*
The next chapters will be MUCH better!

Hope you enjoyed, -Leaf