Crestedkit awoke at once when she heard rustling outside the nursery, her head popping up with drowsy eyes. Dawn light was flickering between the vines hanging at the entrance, making the den always dim. Her jaws parted in a huge yawn as she flickered her eyes over her sleeping family. Her brother Grasskit was spread out beside her, his mouth open as he snored. Her mother Springcall was still asleep also, her tail placed in front of her nose. The young she-kit stretched out her body as she felt the sleep ware off, careful not to disturb her brother. She heard meowing outside and crept toward the entrance, stepping past another queen and her kits. 

The she-kit didn't bother to spare them a glance as she padded past them. She poked her head out into the open and looked at the camp clearing, her eyes widening as she saw the huge warriors wake from their sleep and pad out from the warriors den. "I'm can't wait to be like them." She breathed out, her voice a whisper as she spoke. "Like you could ever be as great as one of them." A familiar voice hissed out behind her. Crestedkit felt her fur fluff up as she whipped around, her eyes narrowed as she glared at Adderkit. "I'm going to be the best warrior, unlike you!" She meowed hotly, her short tail flicking back and forth.

Adderkit scoffed and rolled her eyes, "All kit's dream of being the best Crestedkit, don't be a mouse-brain." She hissed as she padded out into the open. Crestedkit felt her claws prick at the ground as she followed her denmate, the dawn light now growing brighter as the sun began its climb. A breeze blew against them as she stood outside of the nursery, both of their eyes wide with awe. Even if she was four moons old it was still surprising to be out of the nursery. "Kits! What are you doing awake?" A voice called out, making them whip their gaze toward the sound with bristling fur.

Crestedkit looked up at the large tom bounding toward them, her eyes filling with admiration. "Crestedkit! Springcall will be worried sick if you aren't in her nest." Jackdawcry meowed once he got into earshot, his orange eyes flickering with amusement. "We just wanted to watch! It's so boring staying in the nursery all day." She meowed, a purr rumbling in her throat as she padded up to him. Jackdawcry was the ThunderClan deputy, and he was also Crestedkit's father.

A purr rumbled in his throat as she pressed up against his leg, her tail flicking back and forth. "It won't be long until you both are made apprentices. Now go inside, both of you. I'll see you once we get back from the dawn patrol." He meowed, his gaze twitching to Adderkit as he nudged Crestedkit forward. "Come on Crestedkit, you act as if you've seen a StarClan cat." Adderkit growled lowly, her eyes sparking with jealousy as she turned and padded into the nursery. 

Crestedkit waved her tail in goodbye as she watched him walk away, oblivious to the look Adderkit had. Another breeze pushed against her as she turned back inside, her steps light as she bounded back to her nest. Grasskit stirred as she went in beside him, his head lifting as he barely opened his eyes. "Go back to sleep." She whispered, pressing her pelt against his as she laid her head down. He mumbled something but it was two distorted to make out. Crestedkit rolled her eyes and laid still for a few moments, her eyes fluttering as she tried to keep them open. The scent of milk washed over her as she drifted into sleep once more.

-

"Crestedkit wake up!" Someone beside her meowed, their paw prodding her side. The white and orange she-kit lifted her head up and looked around, her eyes blinking as she adjusted to the brighter den. Her eyes flew open as she smelled the scent of fresh-kill, her head turning as a mouse lay in front of her. "Springcall brought it from the pile while you were asleep!" Grasskit meowed excitedly, his gaze flickering up toward their mother. Springcall let out a purr as she flicked his head with her tail, her warm eyes staring down at Crestedkit. "It's past sunhigh dear, it's about time you awake." She meowed, bending down to nudge her with her nose.

The orange and white kit sat up, her ears flapping around as she yawned. The smell of mouse drifted toward her nose, the scent warm and musky as she looked at the prey. Sniffing the air she dropped into a crouch and crept forward, her tail low. Her muscles bunched together as she leaped, jumping onto the furry body. "I caught it!" She meowed happily, digging her muzzle into it. Grasspaw jumped beside her, his tail waving around excitedly as they ate. Crestedkit looked up towards her mother with round eyes, whipping her whiskers with a paw. "Are you not hungry mother?" She meowed through a mouthful, gulping it down quickly. "I already ate. Jackdawcry brought food for all of us once he returned from the dawn patrol." She meowed, her eyes narrowed slightly.

"And a little birdy told me that you greeted him." She meowed, suspicion in her gaze as she glanced at her. Crestedkit felt herself shrink in her fur as she avoided her gaze from her mother, her ear tips hots. "I woke up early that's all." She muttered softly, her head dipped as she looked at her paws. Springcall let out a warm laugh she flicked her tail against her, bringing her close. "I'm not getting you in trouble. It's good that you can get up early, that means you'll be a good apprentice." She meowed with a smile, swiping her tongue across her head.

Crestedkit broke into a smile as she lifted her head to look up at Springcall, her tail whipping back and forth. Breaking away from her mothers contact she jumped out of the nest with her tail high, looking over her shoulder. "Come on Grasskit! I wanna play moss ball!" She meowed, her tail flicking toward the entrance as she glared at her brother. The light grey tom-kit bounded after his sister with the moss ball clamped in his jaws. "Can we play?" A small voice said to the right, making Crestedkit turn her head to gaze at the one who spoke.

Her eyes landed on Rootkit, Adderkit's littermate. "Sure if you want." She replied with a shrug, her smile fading as she glanced at the queen. Owlpeak was grooming her shoulder fur as the kits spoke and Adderkit was curled up against her belly. Rootkit climbed out of the nest on stumpy legs, his fur spiky as he padded toward them. Crestedkit felt her fur fluff up as Rootkit looked up at her, his eyes bright and unaware. She gave him a small smile, her tail flicking back and forth. Her ears twitched as she heard Grasskit walk up behind her, his paws crunching small leaves under him.

"Alright let's go!" Crestedkit meowed, a jump in her step as she raced toward the entrance. Sunlight pierced her gaze as she ran into the open, the stone floor hot against her paw pads. The new-leaf sun warmed her pelt as she purred openly, looking around the lively camp. Grasskit and Rootkit were at her side, the moss ball dropped at their paws. Patrols were walking to and fro from the clearing and out into the forest. Jackdawcry was standing on top of the same flat rock from the morning, giving orders. "Well are we going to play or not!" Rootkit meowed, pawing at the moss with an outstretched paw.

Snapping out of her daze Crestedkit blinked rapidly, squinting her eyes against the sun. Crouching down she wriggled her haunches and launched herself at the moss ball, hooking her paws around the soft moss. She threw it up into the air, skidding against the ground. Her head turned back to see Grasskit leap up into the air, hooking the ball with his claws and throwing it toward Rootkit. The small tom had determination sparking in his eyes as he saw the moss sail towards him, his tiny claws pricking at the ground.

At the last second he jumped up into the air, missing the ball by an inch. Crestedkit let out a growl as she saw it roll into the medicine den, deep into the darkening cave-like den. "Nice job Rootkit." Grasskit meowed sarcastically, padding up to his side to flick his ear. "Who's going to go get it now." He grumbled, turning away with a downcast glare at Crestedkit. She caught her brothers gaze, rolling her eyes as she padded up to Rootkit's side. She laid her tail on his shoulder, offering him a small smile. "Don't worry about, you we're really close to getting it. I'll go get it!" She meowed, sprouts of grass between the stone flattening by her paw.

"Crestedkit don't be mouse-brained! Weaseljaw will-" Her brother started out, his voice frantic as she started padding toward the den. She cut him off with a wave of her feathery tail, giving him a smirk as she walked away. "Don't be such a scaredy-mouse Grasskit, it's not like he can do anything to me." She meowed, disappearing into the lichen covered den. Now as she stood still the fear started to expand, growing from her chest and into her head. 'StarClan help me.' She thought, going into a crouch as she looked around the dim den. The she-kit could smell the strong herb scent, mixed in with the medicine cat's as well.

"I just have to find the moss ball." She murmured, creeping deeper into the den. Her paw touched something hard like grass, making her look toward the substance. 'It's a nest.' She thought, finally adjusting to the dark. A small spot of light poured into the den farther back, from an opening at the top. A grunt stopped her cold, making her blood turn to ice as she stood still. "Stupid kits, always leaving their moss balls in my den." Weaseljaw growled, lifting a large paw from the nest. Breaking her silence Crestedkit stepped back, a gasp escaping her lips as her green eyes darted to the ball by his nest.

The medicine turned his sharp gaze toward him, his paw stopping mid air. Crestedkit could see his curly fur more clearly up close, not believing her eyes. "What, never seen a curled pelt before." He snapped, lifting himself up from his nest. Her eyes widened as the medicine cat shook his pelt, her tail bristling. "Cat got your tongue kit? I didn't expect a kit of Jackdawcry's to be so quiet." He growled, padded over to his herb stone. Snapping out of her daze Crestedkit gave a small growl, standing up fully. "I'm not quiet!" I just didn't want to wake you." She meowed hotly, turning her gaze away sharply.

"Looks like you failed at that. Come here and help me with my herbs, might as well since you woke me up." He grumbled, sitting down with a thump. Crestedkit glanced back toward the den entrance, wondering if her brother would worry. "Hurry up Crestedkit!" Weaseljaw snapped, sending her a glare that made her come scurrying to his side. "Why aren't you a warrior? You certainly got the size to be one." She commented, her nose wrinkling as she saw him pull out herbs from his store.

Her eyes drifted over his brown and reddish curled pelt, tilting her head as she looked. Her eyes stopped as she noticed a jagged scar on the side of his muzzle. "StarClan had other plans for me. Now take these pieces of yarrow and see if you can tell which one is fresh." He meowed, dropping a few leaves in front of her. Crestedkit felt her fur fluff up as she stared down at the pile of herbs, her claws poking at the different stems. "Why should I? I don't want to be a medicine cat?" She meowed, her brows furrowed as she studied them. Weaseljaw didn't reply as he stopped doing his work, glancing over at her with a blank gaze.

"This one is old, it doesn't have that fresh of smell." She meowed, pushing away a stem that looked dull in color against the others. "Good job." He muttered, sweeping the dry piece away with his tail. "Crestedkit!" A sharp voice said outside the den, making them both turn their gazes toward the entrance. Springcall stood hallway inside the den with Grasskit at her paws, her eyes narrowed as she gazed at her. "No need to worry Springcall." Crestedkit heard Weaseljaw rasp, turning back to see his sharp gaze looked toward her mother. "Just helping me with my herbs since she woke me up." He meowed, tilting his chin down to glance at her.

Crestedkit shrank under his gaze, turning her head back to Springcall. Her mother's similar orange and white pelt was ruffled as her gaze cleared, taking a step back out of the den. "Well when you're done with her Weaseljaw, send her back to the nursery." She meowed sharply, glancing down at a shivering Grasskit between her gaze. Breathing a sigh of relief Crestedkit turned back to the herbs, her tail tapping against the den floor. "I'm surprised she didn't take me back right away." She murmured, pawing at a bundle of leaves. Weaseljaw let out a breath chuckle as he shooed her paw away, pushing her away with his tail. "She's learning now how to let you go. The time if coming for you to become an apprentice." He meowed, dipping his head to her.

Crestedkit felt herself lean to the side as he nudged her paw, her tail trailing behind her. Her ears twitched as she listened to him speak, thinking about how she was so excited to become an apprentice. "See you later Weaseljaw." She told him, stepping out of the medicine cat den and padding back toward the nursery. "Hey Crestedkit, get back to the nursery! Isn't Springcall worried about you!" She heard a sharp voice call to her, her gaze landing on Flintpaw as he stood up from the fresh-kill pile. Her green gaze narrowed as she stared at the tom, her tail curling. "Maybe you should look for Spottedgorse, or are you scared he'll send you to do the elders bedding again!" She called back to him, disappearing inside of the nursery before he could open his mouth.

Crestedkit flopped down into the nest harshly, letting out a breath of air. "Two more moons." She heard Grasskit mutter, coming to lay by her side. Letting out a purr the she-kit closed her eyes, drifting off into sleep.