"Softstep is kitting!" Treefall, Softstep's mate, yowled. Grasswind, the BrambleClan medicine cat, had already sped into the nursery, with her apprentice, Mintpaw.

As Grasswind snapped orders to Mintpaw, Sorrelkit watched the scene with interest.

"Sorrelkit, please get out of the nursery," Shadowstep - her father - mewed. "Grasswind needs more space. Could you get Sagewish here as well?"

"Okay," she mewed obediently.

The brown she-kit with white paws padded out, wondering where she would find her mother, Sagewish.

"Need help?" a rather deep voice asked.

Sorrelkit looked up at the white warrior. It was Icefang. Although he was a new warrior, there are rumors that he would become deputy soon - and that Sorrelkit would be his apprentice.

Sorrelkit didn't mind; he was a loyal and dedicated tom, always helpful and kind to every cat in the Clan. She wanted to be like him, so brave and committed.

"Where's Sagewish?" Sorrelkit asked.

"I'll get here for you," Icefang offered, already padding towards the apprentice den.

Sorrelkit sat down, waiting. Luckily, it wasn't long until Icefang reappeared with Sagewish behind him.

"Shadowstep wants to go to the nursery," she mewed to Sagewish.

"He probably wants me to help Grasswind," Sagewish purred as she padded towards the nursery. "Although I think she would be better at it than me."

Sorrelkit nodded as her mother disappeared into the nursery. She jumped when she heard Softstep's pained yowl.

"The first kit is probably coming," Icefang commented as he sat beside her.

"I guess," Sorrelkit mewed as a cold night breeze ruffled her fur.

"Are you cold?" he asked.

"A little," she admitted.

"Come closer to me," Icefang mewed.

Shifting her paws nervously, she sat closer to the white warrior. She let out a sigh as she felt the warmth of his fur.

Icefang wrapped his tail around her and Sorrelkit enjoyed it. I really hope he is my mentor, she thought as she fell asleep.

~~~~

The next day, Sorrelkit woke up, feeling excited. She would be an apprentice today!

"Excited?" Softstep asked.

"Yes!" Sorrelkit bounced in delight. "By the way, what are the names of your kits?"

Soon after Sorrelkit fell asleep the previous night, Softstep kitted two kits - a tom and a she-cat.

"The silver gray she-cat is Featherkit and the light brown tom is Breezekit," she purred.

"They are beautiful names," Sorrelkit sighed.

"Sorrelkit!" Sagewish yowled, rushing into the nursery. "It's almost time for your apprentice ceremony!"

"Really?" she gasped. "I'm coming."

Sagewish grabbed her kit and began grooming her. "Done," she mewed after a while. "Now, go and start your journey to become a warrior."

"Let all cats who are old enough to catch their own prey to gather at the High Stump for a Clan meeting!" Flailstar, the BrambleClan leader, called.

Sorrelkit stared at the crowd of cats that had already gathered. Among them, she spotted Icefang's sleek white pelt, which was neatly groomed.

"Sorrelkit, step forward," Flailstar mewed.

Sorrelkit stepped forward eagerly.

"This kit have reached the age of six moons and is ready to become an apprentice. Sorrelkit, from this moment on, you will be known as Sorrelpaw," he announced clearly.

"Icefang, you have proven yourself to be a loyal and skillful warrior. Pass these onto Sorrelpaw," Flailstar mewed.

"I will," he meowed, padding forward to touch noses with Sorrelpaw.

She trembled with joy as the Clan began to call out her new name. But what made her happier was the fact that Icefang was her mentor.

"I won't let you down," Sorrelpaw whispered.

"I know you won't," Icefang purred.

~~~~

After the tour, Icefang had sent her to have a pick of the fresh-kill pile. She picked a small vole and was about to eat it when another cat shoved her aside, making her drop her vole.

"Hey!" Sorrelpaw growled.

"You were in my way," Snappaw snorted.

"Snappaw! Apologise now!" Shadestorm, Snappaw's mentor demanded.

"Sorry," he sneered.

"That wasn't sincere," Shadestorm growled icily. "Apologise earnestly or you can forget about battle training tomorrow."

"I'm sorry," Snappaw forced out.

"Much better," he frowned, padding off.

Snappaw let out a irritated growl before padding off to other part of the camp.

Snappaw is so rude, Sorrelpaw thought. Why can't he keep his fur on?

"Hello Sorrelpaw," Mintpaw mewed. "Sorry that Snappaw was being a fox-heart."

"I will have to get used to it," Sorrelpaw shrugged.

"See you later," he mewed. "Grasswind is calling me."

When Mintpaw walked off, another voice spoke. "How's your training?" Shadowstep asked.

"Nothing much actually, we toured the territory today and I tried to do the Night Stalk," Sorrelpaw mewed. "But it was hard."

"I'm sure you will get it," Shadowstep mewed. "The Night Stalk quite simple actually. I can teach you some tricks if you want."

"Thanks," Sorrelpaw mewed gratefully as they began a mini training session.

As they trained while the others padded into their dens, they didn't notice a shadowy cat sneaking out of the camp.