My Life Story

Chapter 4

Sunlight dappled the clearing. I padded back and forth, my tail waving around behind me. I stopped in front of the nursery and poked my head inside. "Stormkit! Tigerkit! Come on!" I yowled again. I jumped back as my brother stuck his broad tabby head out of the den. He looked at me, excitement dancing in his light green gaze. "Stormkit, hurry!" He called back into the nursery before stepping out. I looked him up and down. He had finished grooming and his tabby fur was sleek. The sunlight shone on his fur, turning the dark brown patches a lighter brown like the rest of his pelt. His shoulders and head were broad, his tail thick and long. His paws were bigger, his claws longer and sharper. Suddenly, Stormkit stepped out of the den behind him. Her tawny colored fur was slicked down and her ears were perked. Her thick brown tail waved in the air behind her. Her brown legs, face, and ears gleamed in the sunshine. The white parts of her fur were brighter than ever and her blue green eyes glittered with excitement. I purred happily and flicked my tail. "Come on! I wonder who our mentors will be." I said, racing off towards Dawnstar's den. As I approached, the pale brown she cat emerged from her den. Her green eyes shone with pride as she gazed down at us. I felt my paws pricking happily. "Come." Dawnstar said, her voice calm and commanding. She padded forward, her pawsteps hardly making a sound. She led us to the edge of the HighRock. I watched nervously as Dawnstar leaned over the tumble of rocks and called down into the clearing. "Let all cat's old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the HighRock for a Clan meeting!" She yowled. I padded up to her side and gazed down into the camp. The view was amazing. I could see every corner of the camp and every single cat padding from their dens. I spotted my parents, Ambercloud and Hawkfeather, sitting beside each other in the front of the crowd of cats that were gathering. They were staring up at me and my littermates proudly. I nodded to them happily. I could see Ashpaw and his littermates sitting together close by. They had become apprentices a few days before, as they were older. Ashpaw was gazing up at me, his yellow gaze anxious. I tilted my head to one side, wondering what he was thinking about. My thoughts were interrupted by Dawnstar. She had padded closer to Tigerkit. She gazed down at him, her green eyes serious and calm. "Tigerkit. You have reached the age of six moons and it's time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Tigerpaw. Your mentor will be Lightningfang." She said. Then, she leaned forward and touched her nose to Tigerpaw's. He touched his nose to her shoulder in response. When Dawnstar stepped away, he glanced towards me and Stormkit. His eyes were bright, full of happiness and pride. I dipped my head to him as Stormkit stepped forward. Dawnstar repeated the same words for her, and she got Skycloud as a mentor. I purred happily as she backed away to take her place beside Tigerpaw and the other apprentices. I froze as I realized it was my turn now, and all eyes turned on me. Dawnstar padded forward and touched her nose to my cheek. "Lilykit. You have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you recieve your warrior name, you shall be known as Lilypaw. Your mentor will be Stonefang." She said. I nodded eagerly and bounced forward to greet my mentor. The silver gray tom leapt up onto the rocks and touched noses with me. His blue eyes were shining with pride as he gazed at me, his new apprentice. I promise to make him proud. I'll be the best apprentice this Clan's ever seen. I silently vowed to myself.