Book One: Chapter 1

Green eyes opened wide, quickly followed by the lift of a ginger-colored head. Today was it! He was going to finally be allowed to start his Warrior training. Firekit couldn’t wait! But the ceremony would not be until sun high, until then he would have to kill time. 

Right now, however, it seemed like everyone else was still fast asleep. Turning his head, Firekit peered at his mother and siblings. Morning light shone through the walls of the den, picking out the glints of gold in his mother’s dappled pelt. Swiftkit and Lynxkit were nestled against her side. Swiftkit had not been coughing last night like he had been doing for a while now. Maybe he would be able to start his training after all. Firekit hoped so.

Climbing slowly out of the nest, Firekit crept past the other queens and kits and went over to the entrance of the nursery, peering out at the clearing beyond. It was mostly deserted, but he could see that a few cats were out and about. The queens would not mind an early wake-up if there was food involved. The young ginger cat ducked his head and exited the den. 

Just outside he met a tom whose coat was almost as fiery as his own. "Hello, young one," Juniperbelly purred and Firekit returned the greeting, but tried not to curl his lip at the strange scent that seemed to cling to the warrior's pelt. Juniperbelly was a touchy subject within the Clan, though his service was quite well known. Juniperbelly was actually his uncle, the brother of his father. Although Pinestar had been the father of both Tigerclaw and Juniperbelly, the mothers had been two different mollies. For all the good he did for the Clan, some cats could never forget that he had been born from scandal. The second difference was that Juniperbelly was...odd. He had been captured by Twolegs while out hunting and escaped, but he was never quite the same. Some of the older cats whispered that he was no longer a proper tom, that he would soon grow fat and lazy and would be better off as a kittypet. Looking at the friendly face, Firekit was tempted to ask him questions that probably would make Mother cuff him around the ear, but instead, he simply said, "it's today." 

Juniperbelly smiled. "What is?" The kitten let out a huff, "my apprentice ceremony! I am going to be the best warrior in ThunderClan, just like dad." For the briefest of moments, the happy look on the warrior's face waned and Firekit thought he saw Juniperbelly cast a quick glance over at the medicine den. It was gone in a flash, "you will do great and will make us all proud." His words made a warm glow of happiness rise up in Firekit's chest and he nodded, then looked at the fresh-kill pile. Juniperbelly moved out of his way, though Firekit could still feel his eyes on him. 

Sniffing through the pile which seemed smaller than usual, the hunting patrols must not be back yet, Firekit selected a few mice and carried them by their tails. As the sun slowly rose higher, the other kittens would be waking up and some food would temporarily restore order. 

Pumpkinfur was starting to stir in her own nest, her eyes taking in the sight of one of her kittens already up and delivering food to her denmates. Her own gaze then shifted to the two kits still beside her and Firekit saw the frown on her face. He came over with the last mouse, setting it down gently. Now that he could see better, Firekit saw that something was not right. Although Swiftkit wasn't coughing, he was shaking and appeared to be breathing heavily. Lynxkit did not look much better. Dismay washed over him as Firekit realized that he would be alone in starting his training. But maybe...

"Are they okay?" he asked his mother. Pumpkinfur glanced back at him, then gave a half-hearted shrug. "I am not sure," she said. "Thank you for the mouse and for giving prey to the others, but can you do me a favor and get Spottedleaf? She should be in her den right now. If not, then we should be okay until she can get back."

Firekit nodded and ran back outside, dodging warriors and apprentices in the clearing as he made his to the shaded space where Spottedleaf treated sick and injured cats. Just outside the entrance, he could hear a soft murmur of voices and he slowed his steps, not wanting to interrupt if the medicine cat was busy. Creeping forward until he could peek inside, Firekit was surprised by what he saw. Spottedleaf was in her den and appeared to be busy with a bunch of berries and leaves in neat piles around her. She was, however, not alone for Juniperbelly was there helping her. Even though their paws were busy, the two cats were clearly in deep discussion. Had he been a nosier kit, Firekit would have tried to see what they were talking about, but his concern for his siblings was stronger.

"Spottedleaf?" he called.

The two cats froze, green and amber eyes darting to the entrance of the den where the ginger kitten stood. Juniperbelly rose awkwardly to his paws, "I'd better go," he said. "Runningwind said he wanted to take Sandpaw hunting, I best not keep them waiting." Yet he stood there for a moment, seeming almost unsure of himself. Giving Firekit a quick look, he quickly touched his nose to Spottedleaf then hurried out of the den, moving past the kit without a second glance.

Firekit thought that was strange, but he did not dwell on it long because Spottedleaf approached him. "Is something wrong?" she asked him, her eyes clearly looking him over for any signs of obvious distress. Firekit shook his head, "I'm fine, but Mother is worried about Swiftkit and Lynxkit, they don't look so good." Spottedleaf's nodded. "I will be there shortly," she said and turned back to the herbs. Firekit gave a nod of his own, then left.

A grumble from his own tummy reminded him that he himself had yet to eat and there was still food on the fresh-kill pile. He selected a mouse and went over by the tree stump to eat. The apprentice den was empty, which made him sad because he wanted to see Ravenpaw and Graypaw. He did, however, spot Sandpaw as she stood with her mentor and Juniperbelly. Tall, slender, with a coat that was paler than him, Sandpaw was as beautiful as her mother, but yet she could be as prickly as a hedgehog.

"You're staring!" a familiar voice sounded in his ear and Firekit almost jumped out of his fur, turning to see a fluffy tom standing beside him. "Graypaw!" Firekit jumped to his paws and touched noses with his friend and old denmate. Soon they would be together again, Firekit really did wish Bluestar would come out and make it happen now. But he knew it would not, he had to be patient and what better way to pass the time than with a friend?

Graypaw laid down beside him and Firekit nudged the mouse over to him. "So...are you and Sandpaw a thing?" Graypaw asked with a grin and Firekit felt his ears grow hot. "N-no!" he replied. "She...I was just watching Juniperbelly." He paused a bit, then glanced at the tabby. "Just a while ago, I saw him with Spottedleaf in her den." To his disappointment, Graypaw did not seem surprised. 

"Really?"

Firekit nodded.

Graypaw looked thoughtful. “Juniperbelly and Spottedleaf are very close, they were friends as kits and then later as ‘paws. They, supposedly, are in love but my mother says that they can never be mates or have kits.” Firekit looked at him, “because of Juniperbelly’s…problem?” Graypaw shook his head, “that and also the fact that the Medicine Code does not allow a medicine cat to take a mate or have kits. If one did, then they would have to step down.” Graypaw twitched his whiskers, “I think it’s kind of sad, but nobody ever asked my opinion on it. It’s just the way things are.”

“Yeah,” Firekit said, watching as Spottedleaf finally left her den and made her way over to the nursery, her jaws full of herbs that would hopefully make his brother and sister well. Graypaw had been watching as well and the look in his amber eyes was one of sympathy, “I hope they feel better by the time of the ceremony,” he said. Firekit nodded slowly, “Yeah, me too.,” an awkward silence fell over the pair and they finished the mouse. 

Graypaw was only older than Firekit by a week, but he had been forced to attend his ceremony alone. His littermate, Smokekit, had died that Leaf-bare during a greencough endemic that had also taken the lives of Windflight, Thrushpelt, and Spottedleaf's mentor, Featherwhisker. Firekit often tried to recall what Smokekit had looked like, but his mind always came up blank. That same year, however, Swiftkit and Lynxkit had gotten sick and nearly died as well. But luckily both kits had been able to survive, but it seems that the weakness would not leave them so easily

Now wanting to change the subject, Firekit asked him, “where’s Tigerclaw?” he had not seen his father this morning and the large tom still wasn’t back. “He and Redtail went on patrol,” Graypaw replied. “I guess RiverClan is still sniffing around, they decided that Sunningrocks was not enough and I guess are trying to take more of our territory. The greedy fish-eaters!”

Firekit gasped, “that’s horrible! But I bet they would think you were one of them.” Graypaw let out a playful grow, “you take that back!” “Never!” Firekit stood up and race across the clearing, the silver tabby hard on his heels. They were in the shadow of High Rock when Graypaw pounced, landing on top of Firekit and making them roll in a ball of orange, gray, and black. “Okay!” Firekit gasped between his laughs, “I take it back. Now get off me you lump!” Graypaw did and Firekit got to his feet, shaking out his fur. “Now I am going to get you,” he teased, only to see that Graypaw was standing there with his eyes wide and his fur fluffy out in alarm. Firekit slowly noticed that they were no longer outside, but were in a den and as he turned his head to follow Graypaw’s gaze, he felt his heart drop to his toes. Even though the green eyes that were peering back were gentle and even full of amusement. “H…hi Bluestar,” Firekit mewed. “We’re sorry for coming into your den uninvited,” Graypaw said. “We were just playing and were not paying attention.” 

The blue cat let out a purr and stood up from the nest where she had been laying until the pair had come tumbling into her den. “You should pay attention to your surroundings,” Bluestar chided. “However, we all make mistakes and I hope you will learn to be more careful.” The two cats nodded. “However, I suppose it is time for me to get up and see how everything is going.” Firekit and Graypaw turned to walk out, the Clan leader following close behind them. Bluestar gave a quick glance at the sky. “Almost Sunhigh,” she mused. “We have a ceremony to conduct soon.” Firekit could not stop the excited twitch of his tail, but then his eyes caught a flash of movement from the nursery and he turned to see Spottedleaf exit the den and come padding over. The look on her face made him suddenly feel uneasy, though he felt Graypaw press against him comfortingly.

“Yes?” Bluestar asked the younger molly after Spottedleaf dipped her head in greeting. “It’s Swiftkit and Lynxkit,” Spottedleaf said. Bluestar narrowed her eyes, “is it bad?” she asked. Spottedleaf shook her head, “I don’t think so, but I don’t think they will be able to start training yet.” Firekit let out a gasp, turning and running for the nursery, pushing his way inside. 

Making his way past the other queens, Firekit joined his mother at their nest. Lynxkit was still asleep, but Swiftkit opened his eyes and lifted his head. Looking at Firekit with their father’s lighter yellow eyes. “Hi Firekit,” he meowed. 

“How are you feeling?”

“Good, except Spottedleaf made me eat some yucky herbs.” Swiftkit made a face and Firekit could not help but purr. 

“I can’t wait to start my training, then I won’t have to take medicine if I don’t want it.” Pumpkinfur let out a snort at that, but a small smile was on her face. “As an apprentice, you will have to listen to your mentor and elders,” she told them. “If your mentor tells you to go get checked or the deputy, then you must do it.” Swiftkit made a face at that, then shrugged and sat up. “I wonder who my mentor will be,” he said. “I hope it is a good, strong cat.” Firekit felt a slight tingle of irritation at that, for he had a feeling Swiftkit meant that he would not want Juniperbelly for a mentor.

“Bluestar will decide your mentors and I expect that you will listen to them, these cats have served the Clan for moons and they know the Warrior Code by heart. They will guide your paws and, who knows, maybe one of you might eventually become a leader.”

“If so, then ThunderClan will be in safe paws.”

Pumpkinfur and her sons looked up to see Goldenflower coming to join them. “Hello Goldenflower,” Pumpkinfur said. “Why are you here?” it was kind of a silly question since Speckletail was Goldenflower’s mother, but the pale ginger molly wasn’t visiting the old queen. She was there to see them. “Bluestar asked me to come to watch over Lynxkit and Swiftkit during the ceremony.” Firekit saw the look on Swiftkit's face and felt a rush of sympathy for his brother. But before anyone could respond, a voice called from the clearing.

“All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather below Highrock for a Clan meeting.”

It was time.