(Pic is Starfire)

Another three moons passed and Raven had noticed the others started acting like real kits. Pretending to be leader, having fake battles; all the while Raven sat and observed.

She and Ravenfire had become closer, to the point where she considered him a second father, or an uncle.

Anyway, the apprentice ceremony was tomorrow and the it was all the four other kits were talking about.

"I wonder who I'm going to get," Robinkit wondered aloud. "Ooh! I hope I get Ravenfire!"

"No way dude, I'm gonna get Ravenfire!" Wolfkit retorted.

"No, friends. I believe I will get Ravenfire." Squirrelkit said, raising her chin high.

"But what if I get Ravenfire?" Wildkit questioned.

"Ravenfire will only be assigned to the best," Robinkit said, tackling Wolfkit.

No one even bothered to ask her, why would they? Besides, she didn't really care who she got.

...

That was a lie.

She also hoped to get Ravenfire, but not because he was the best, but because the two shared a certain bond.

But Raven couldn't help but wonder who she would get for a Mentor.

•*•*•*•

The next morning, all the kits we bouncing with joy about finally becoming apprentices.

Raven couldn't help but also be excited. She didn't have any powers, so she didn't need to keep her emotions in check, but old habits die hard, I guess.

At sun-high, Blizzardstar jumped onto the Oak and called out, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Boulder for a Clan meeting!"

The cats slowly began to gather around the old rock, until everyone had showed up.

"Today we gather to see the making of two new warriors and five new apprentices. Hazelpaw, stand forward please."

Hazelpaw stood up proudly and padded towards Blizzardstar, who had leapt down.

"I, Blizzardstar, leader of WindClan, call upon the warriors of StarClan to look down on this apprentice, she has trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I commend her as a warrior in your turn. Hazelpaw, do you promise to uphold the Warrior code, and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Hazelpaw said firmly, holding her head hight.

Blizzardstar nodded and turned to Blackfrost. "Blackfrost, is Hazelpaw ready to become a warrior?"

"Yes," Blackfrost replied, pride shown in his eyes.

"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I name you Hazelbreeze. StarCkan honors your swiftness and courage," Blizzardstar said, resting her muzzle against newly named Hazelbreeze's head. Hazelbreeze licked her shoulder and turned to sit back with her parents.

"Tawnypaw, step forward please."

The blinded apprentice stood up and took slow, careful steps towards Blizzardstar, before stopping a few inches away from her.

"Although you are blind, you lost your sight fighting for your Clan, and for that, I name you Tawnyheart. StarClan honors your loyalty and sight." Again, Blizzardstar rested her chin on Tawnyheart's head whilst the tawny she-cat licked her shoulder.

"Hazelbreeze! Tawnyheart! Hazelbreeze! Tawnyheart!"

"These two warriors will sit vigil tonight so the clan may sleep in peace. Now, Robinkit, Squirrelkit, Wildkit, Wolfkit, and Ravenkit, step forward please."

The five kits stood forward as Blizzardstar assigned them Mentors.

"Squirrelpaw, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to become an apprentice. From this day, until you become a warrior, you shall be known as Squirrelpaw. Sandpatch, you are ready to take on your first apprentice. You have received excellent training from Willowleap, and you have shown yourself to be loyal and brave. You will mentor Squirrelpaw, and I expect you to pass on to her all you know."

"I won't let you down," Sandpatch said, stepping forward and touching noses with the newly named apprentice.

The process repeated until Wolfpaw got Hineycliff, Wildpaw got Violetleaf, and Robinpaw got Pineshade.

"Ravenpaw, Ravenfire has requested to be your mentor. I have no doubt he will train you well."

Raven looked over at the tom, opened mouthed. He requested to have her as an apprentice?

Regaining her composure, she stood up and touched noses with him.

"Squirrelpaw! Wildpaw! Wolfpaw! Robinpaw! Ravenpaw! Squirrelpaw! Wildpaw! Wolfpaw! Robinpaw! Ravenpaw!" the clan chanted.

"That is all for today, Clan dismissed," Blizzardstar said, leaping down and joining Dapplestorm below.

"So, you requested to have me as an apprentice?" Raven asked.

"Eh, you're a good kit. I feel like it'll be fun to teach you."

Raven sent him a soft smile. If only he knew how much that meant to her.

"So, what first? Tour of the territory or Training."

Raven thought for a moment, and opened her mouth to answer when she was interrupted by Honeycliff.

"Hey Ravenfire, Ravenpaw. We were going to show the apprentices around and wondered if you wanted to join us?"

Ravenfire looked at Raven, who's face was a mixture of agreement and disappointment.

"Thanks, but I was going to show Ravenpaw around myself," he said, winking at Ravenpaw.

"Suit yourself," Honeycliff shrugged, padding back over to join the others.

Ravenfire beckoned Raven along and the black she-cat took her first steps outside of camp.

A gust of wind blew on her face and she closed her eyes, relishing the cool breeze on her face.

"Sure is something, isn't it?" Ravenfire asked.

"Diffidently! If id known it was so nice, I would snuck out moons ago!" Raven replied playfully. Part of her mind reeled back in shock at her own behavior, but the rest focused on moving forward.

"Well, c'mon!" Ravenfire said, breaking into a run. Ravenpaw grinned and took off after him.