#tuftedpaw

She saw Sunivy and Rainpounce emerge from the warrior's den, the curtain of ivy trailing off their backs. Smalldrift yawned alongside Brightblaze and Robinpaw, who were already gathered. Primpaw sat outside the Herb Hollow accompanied by Streampaw. The brown tabby had been unfortunately bitten by a snake, and he still had a few days left to heal. Cicadasplash heaved themselves up behind the brothers, shaking their short pelt as they did so. Her father, Icespots, came up to her and her littermate, purring and licking them between their ears, "You'll be amazing," he reassured. She wondered.

The silver-blue rosetted she-kit craned her neck up, watching Palestar jump up on Great Rock with ease, even from all the way at the bottom she could see his muscles flex under his long speckled coat. Would she be that strong when she became a warrior?

"Tuftedkit and Bluekit," Palestar began, casting calm green eyes to the two kits, and the latter was suddenly all too aware of the fact they were in the front of the crowd, and couldn't feel Clovershade or Icespots behind them. They took a deep breath.

"You have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior's name, you will be known as Tuftedpaw and Bluepaw." The leader took a moment to gaze at the Colony, seeking out two warriors with a smile.

"Rainpounce, you are ready to take on an apprentice."

The rosetted she-cat beamed, nudging her sister Sunivy before padding to the front of Great Rock.

"You have received excellent training from Brightblaze and you have shown yourself to be spirited and a brilliant fighter. You will be the mentor of Tuftedpaw, and we expect you to pass on all you know to her."

Bluekit watched the gray warrior come up and touch noses with Tuftedkit- no, Tuftedpaw, and murmer something that only the two of them could hear and wink. Tuftedpaw giggled.

"Bluepaw," the small cat almost jumped, forcing her fur to stay flat and praying to the stars no one saw her startle like that. She returned her gaze to Palestar, dark blue eyes round and brow furrowed in deep concentration. If her sister could do it, so could she! She'll make Clovershade and Icespots proud!

It wasn't until Palestar had started to name her mentor that Bluepaw blinked and realized she had tried so hard to look focused, she wasn't that focused at all.

"Sunivy, you are ready to take on an apprentice."

The ginger molly let out a high purr, making her way to the front as Palestar continued.

"You have received excellent training from Smalldrift, and have shown yourself to be bold and a great hunter. We expect you to pass on all you know to Bluepaw."

Bluekit, now Bluepaw, stood on her tippy toes to touch noses with her mentor, accidently bumping them together. She let out a squeak of embarrassment, but Sunivy chuckled, and redid the gesture smoothly. "I promise to try my very best."

"As do I," the tabby whispered back, "We'll be unstoppable."

Bluepaw released a breath she didn't know she was holding, and stood up as the colony cheered their names. "Tuftedpaw! Bluepaw! Tuftedpaw! Bluepaw!"

She could pick up on Clovershades melodic voice, and Icespots trill that seemed to rise above everyone's else's. She had done it, Bluepaw had done it! They were very pleased with themselves and stood up straight with pride as Clovershade wrapped her and her sister with a long feathery tail, purring congratulations.

Her father came up to them with big proud strides, and she could feel warmth radiating from him as he nuzzled his kits. Bluepaw guessed it added another layer of pride, the fact that her father used to be a housecat, and now he had children who would be raised as full Dawn Colony warriors. "Look at my kits, my darlings, official apprentices! We'll soon be going on patrols and hunting together. Are you excited?"

Yes and Of course the sisters replied, before Tuftedkit gave one last hug before bounding to her new mentor who sat beside Sunivy and Tuftedpaw.

"I'll let you go to speak with your mentor too," Icespots said, waving a tail, "I'll be talking with Clovershade, so after you're done we can have sun-high meal together."

Bluepaw nodded, passing Larkfur who gave her another congratulations, before slipping into Palestar's den.

"Isn't this exciting, sisters mentoring sisters? Together? Oh, we'll have so much fun!"

She heard Rainpounce exclaim, excitedly flicking her fluffy tail, which Tuftedpaw copied.

Sunivy laughed, then saw Bluepaw arriving and welcomed her with a grin. "I can't wait to train with you, Bluepaw, I know all sorts of tricks."

"Those tricks never helped you beat me in sparring!" Rainpounce chortled, and Tuftedpaw giggled. Bluepaw stifled a laugh, pretending to cough and covering her mouth with her tail.

Sunivy threw a mock look of disdain at her sister, then rolled her eyes. "Mhm, right."

Sunivy and Rainpounce continued to swap stories and anecdotes of their apprentice time, simultaneously complimenting and insulting each other at every turn, then bursting out laughing The two apprentices occasionally joined in on the banter, wondering about all the things they'll be doing. And suddenly Bluepaw didn't wonder if she was going to be a strong warrior or not, she was just having fun - and that's all that mattered that morning.

Events Referenced!

Tuftedpaw and Bluepaw have started their apprenticeship

Primpaw was bitten by a snake and lived

Larkfur must speak with the leader soon about something they found on patrol

I wonder what Larkfur spoke to Palestar about?

Don't know how to get rid of this, sorry 😭😭