Swiftkit's POV

"Swiftkit? Swiftkit! Get your lazy tail out of that nest!"

I was very tempted to claw out the eyes of whoever had just woken me up, but I suppressed the urge and simply let out a yawn, not wanting to open my eyes yet. Keeping my eyes closed didn't get rid of the voice though.

"What are you waiting for? Leaf-bare? Get up!"

I let out a hiss and finally stood up in my nest. To my surprise, Goldenshine wasn't beside me, and Snowkit was standing in front of me, her blue eyes wide and eager.

How she is able to be so energetic this early, I will never know. The more Snowkit pestered me with her enthusiasm, the more annoyed I got. I hissed at her, "And what exactly gave you the burning desire to wake me up like this, you mouse-brain?"

Snowkit wasn't phased. To my annoyance, she only got more excited. "You're calling me a mouse-brain, mouse-brain?" Snowkit purred. "Our apprentice ceremony is today! Get with it!"

Suddenly, all of my grogginess and annoyance with Snowkit went away at that realization. I'm going to be an apprentice today! One step closer to becoming a warrior. And I'll finally get to show off what I've learned in the Dark Forest!

Speaking of the Dark Forest, things there had been fairly good, and to my luck, much more underwhelming than past encounters. I feel like I had truly learned so much from Ashfur and Tigerstar. They could actually be phenomenal mentors when they weren't frightening me out of my fur. I was so excited now that I would be able to actually make use of the head start they were giving me!

Now feeling as excited as Snowkit was, I suppressed a squeal and then followed her out of the nursery.

The sun was already high in the sky, and that sight made me feel all the more awake and ready to go. One of the first things I saw when I left the nursery was Goldenshine, already sitting down near the Highledge, probably waiting for the apprentice ceremony to start.

"It's about time!" She purred, touching her nose to mine. "I was the one who had to send Snowkit to come get you! I thought you were going to be in that nursery sleeping for a moon!"

I rolled my eyes but purred also, "Whatever. Thanks, I guess."

Goldenshine snorted and lightly pushed my head with one of her paws. "'Thanks, I guess'?" She meowed, purring with amusement. "Here's an idea: say that word for word to Firestar when he gives you your apprentice name."

As I let out a mrrow of laughter, Firestar's yowl sounded from the Highledge above Goldenshine and me. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Highledge!"

Snowkit, who was now beside me, let out another excited squeak and lightly nudged my shoulder. We exchanged an enthusiastic glance before looking behind us to watch all of the cats emerging and gathering under the Highledge to join us.

"How wild is this?" I heard Snowkit murmur as the cats of ThunderClan were beginning to find their places and settle down.

When Firestar seemed to think that every cat was assembled, he began speaking again. "Cats of ThunderClan, we are gathered here this sunhigh to witness one of the ceremonies that any leader is very proud to perform - the making of new apprentices."

Firestar's eyes then looked down to where Snowkit and I were sitting. My eyes widened as my gaze met Firestar's. He then went on, "Swiftkit and Snowkit have reached six moons of age, and are ready to become apprentices. Could the two of you please step forward?"

I took a deep breath as I saw Snowkit slowly begin to pad forward. I then followed closely behind. My heart was beating so quickly that I thought for sure that all of ThunderClan would hear it. I shivered with anticipation.

Firestar nodded to Snowkit first, who looked just as eager as I felt. "Snowkit, from this day forward, until you become a warrior, you will be known as Snowpaw." Firestar then nodded to a certain white she-cat that was sitting a few tail-lengths away. "Your mentor will be Icecloud, who I know will do her best to pass down all she has learned to you."

Snowpaw turned her head back to meet Icecloud's gaze. Snowpaw gave her a kind smile and slowly padded over to Icecloud, to my surprise. It still amazes me how one moment she can be so loud and enthusiastic, but when she's introduced to a cat she doesn't know, she can be so shy!

I couldn't suppress a wave of pride as I watched my friend touch noses with Icecloud. I was also happy that Snowpaw was able to become an apprentice with me, like she should be able to. Even though Poppyfrost was technically Snowpaw's foster mother, with Cherrykit and Molekit as her foster-siblings, it was determined that Snowpaw was a little older than the two of them were.

Thank StarClan that she didn't have to be held back with them! I realized.

Before I even realized what was happening, I then heard Firestar call my name. I was snapped back into reality as I met the ThunderClan leader's green gaze.

"Swiftkit, until you become a warrior, you will be known as Swiftpaw," Firestar meowed clearly. He then flicked his tail to the reddish-brown tabby tom sitting near Icecloud. "Your mentor will be Foxleap, who I also trust will pass down all that he knows to you."

I felt another rush of excitement as I turned towards my new mentor. Cool! I thought. Foxleap seems tolerable, and a great young warrior. I wonder how different it'll be training with him versus Ashfur? I then had to push back apprehension and annoyance. He better not treat me like a newborn kit!

Trying not to let these thoughts get to me, I gave Foxleap a smile and trotted quickly up to him. "Hi!" I meowed to him as enthusiastically as I could. I didn't want Foxleap to think that he had been given a lazy or dreary apprentice.

"Hi, Swiftpaw!" Foxleap said kindly, touching his nose to mine. "I am so excited to train you. We're going to have so much fun!"

Fun, huh? I repeated to myself. I wonder how Ashfur would feel about me having "fun"? I didn't get much time to think about it, because my thoughts were then interrupted by the chants of my Clanmates.

"Snowpaw! Swiftpaw! Snowpaw! Swiftpaw!"

I couldn't help but then puff out my chest in pride. Great StarClan, that sure sounds nice! Swiftpaw...

I suddenly realized how anxious I was to get started. The more time that passed by, the more I was wanting to see what ThunderClan training was like. I turned back to meet Foxleap's gaze. "What are we doing first?" I asked, my tail twitching eagerly.

I then saw Foxleap exchange a glance with his sister. "Icecloud and I thought that we could spend today exploring the territory!" I tilted my head as my new mentor's eyes then glittered with amusement. "Even though... Swiftkit, you've already done that, slightly?"

My ears then grew hot. I hated being reminded of the failed fox mission I had went out into ThunderClan territory to try and fulfill. Not being able to suppress my anger and embarrassment, I then hissed, "Hey! That's not funny!"

I then realized immediately how unjustified my anger had been. I took a deep breath. "Sorry," I muttered.

Luckily, Foxleap hadn't seemed affected by my harsh words. He smiled and put his tail tip on my shoulder. "Don't be sorry, Swiftpaw! I'm sorry, I won't bring that up again!" I began smiling again as Foxleap went on. "You're an apprentice now! Let's put that behind us!"

I nodded as new thoughts began swirling inside of my head. Foxleap is so easygoing and nice! I suppose he will be enjoyable to train with. I just hope he doesn't make me too soft for Ashfur and Tigerstar to stand me...

Icecloud, who was now sitting beside Snowpaw, nodded to the camp entrance. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" She purred, then starting for the entrance.

Snowpaw and I exchanged an excited glance as we began to follow our mentors, who had now taken the lead as we traveled out into the forest.

"Wow!" I heard Snowpaw whisper. I turned my head towards her to see that her dusty white head was looking straight up into the trees. I followed her gaze and looked up at the trees too. I couldn't help but drop my mouth down in awe.

I never got to see the forest like this when I went out for the fox! I realized. This is all so pretty during the day!

I could've stared there staring up at the trees all day if I hadn't heard Foxleap meow, "Icecloud, let's show them the lake first!"

Excitedly, Snowpaw and I then began to follow Foxleap and Icecloud towards where, I'm assuming, the lake was. As we traveled, I noticed how mesmerized she seemed to be by everything. But, there was something else in her blue gaze... a more, knowing look?

Almost as if Snowpaw could sense my curiosity, she then murmured, "Some of this still seems so familiar..."

My eyes narrowed. Had Snowpaw once escaped out into ThunderClan territory too? "What do you mean?" I asked out loud.

Snowpaw didn't answer for a few heartbeats. Eventually, she meowed, "I just feel like I've seen all of this before... Even things as precise as certain bushes, briars or trees look completely recognizable to me." Snowpaw then shook her head quickly. "I don't see how that's possible, though."

I tilted my head. "Are you maybe remembering when you were lost out here in the forest as a kit?" I asked her. "You could have been wandering around ThunderClan territory for days before Squirrelflight, Brambleclaw, Cloudtail and Brightheart had found you!"

Snowpaw, now seeming incredibly deep in thought, took another few heartbeats before answering, "Yeah... yeah. You're probably right." I narrowed my eyes once again as I realized how unconvinced she sounded.

I wondered if Snowpaw was going to be acting weirdly throughout the whole territory tour, but luckily, as soon as we arrived down to the lake she seemed to turn back to her old, enthusiastic self again. By the end of the tour, her enthusiasm certainly hadn't faltered, but she seemed deep in thought all over again as we traveled back to camp, the sun setting before our eyes.

Before I decided I would question her some more, I padded up to walk next to Foxleap. There was a question I wanted to ask before we returned to the camp for good. "Are we possibly going to do any battle training today?" I asked eagerly.

Foxleap let out a purr of amusement and then proceeded to shake his head. "Not today, Swiftpaw, but just within a few days, just you wait!"

I gave Foxleap a simple nod, but inside, I felt a little disappointment. I was really hoping to show off some of my skills today! My gaze then went back to Snowpaw, who had the same mesmerized look in her eye as she had earlier in the day.

I slowed my pace and then gave Snowpaw a nudge as we traveled behind Icecloud and Foxleap. "What's going on in there?" I teased.

Snowpaw shook her head quickly again and met my gaze. "Am I doing it again? Great StarClan, I'm sorry!" She meowed. She got herself together before answering, "It's just so weird! I feel like even if Icecloud and Foxleap hadn't been with us, I would be able to find my way around this territory with my eyes closed!"

Before I could press Snowpaw any further, I heard a small rustle come from a nearby bush. Instinctively, I let out a small hiss and lifted up my tail to signal to the other cats that prey was near. I went into a hunting crouch as I caught the scent of a mouse. I welled up with pride as I then saw the small creature make its way out of the bush I had heard it come from. I slowly began to creep towards it, being mindful of each step I was taking.

If I can't integrate any of my battle skills yet, at least I can show Foxleap that I can hunt, thanks to Ashfur! I thought happily.

When I thought the time was right, I leaped at the mouse. Luckily, I landed right on top of it and was able to kill it with one bite. My first catch!

I picked it up and turned back to the others to see Icecloud and Foxleap's eyes wide with amazement.

"Wow, great job, Swiftpaw!" Foxleap purred. "And you didn't need one bit of direction!"

"Yeah, great job!" I heard Snowpaw meow, who seemed to be snapped out of her thoughts once again. She lightly cuffed me over the ear before all four of us began traveling back to camp. The stars of Silverpelt were beginning to appear above us.

Once we arrived back in camp, most cats were already in their dens for the night. The only cats that were in camp were the ones about to leave for a border patrol. Icecloud, Foxleap, Snowpaw and I shared the plump mouse that I had caught for a quick meal. Then, Icecloud and Foxleap told us that we were done for the night.

"Great StarClan, I can't wait for more training with Icecloud and Foxleap!" Snowpaw murmured. "They're so fun!"

I nodded to her in agreement as we crawled into the medicine den. Luckily, two dens were already set for us. I nodded to Ivypaw and Dovepaw who were already curled up in their nests, before settling down into my own. It was then that I realized how exhausted from the day I truly was. Exploring the whole territory will take a bit of a toll on a cat! I realized before closing my eyes. Although I was tired, it was definitely a good type of tired. As Snowpaw had said, Icecloud and Foxleap were really fun, and they definitely seemed to push a cat to their limits of their energy in their training.

Now I suppose it's time for a different kind of training, I thought as I opened my eyes I find myself in the familiar bleak forest I had woken up to every night now for the past moon.

As I anticipated, I stood up and turned around to see Ashfur waiting for me. He had on his usual smirk and the ambitious look in his blue eyes.

"Welcome, Swiftpaw," Ashfur meowed, his smirk widening. "Congratulations on your apprenticeship."

"Thanks," I muttered, shifting my paws on the earth, suddenly feeling a pang of apprehension. Should I feel badly that I had lots of fun today? I wouldn't be surprised if Ashfur found a way to guilt me about it somehow...

But luckily, the gray tom didn't. He simply padded up to me and touched my shoulder with his tail tip. "Great job catching that mouse. You're already ahead of your competition!"

That word struck me. Competition? I don't know if I'd like to think of Snowpaw as "competition". She's my friend!

Before I could respond and thank Ashfur again, I suddenly realized something. I began to scan my surroundings. "Where's Tigerstar tonight?" I asked Ashfur as he watched me look around.

"Right here," I heard a deeper voice answer me. I turned around from where I was looking and saw Tigerstar emerging to stand next to Ashfur. He met my gaze. "Sorry that I am a little late. I was having an important discussion with one of your fellow ThunderClan apprentices here."

I tilted my head, suddenly filled with curiosity. "Who? What about?" I asked, not even realizing that I already may be pressing too much.

Tigerstar simply smirked and then answered. "Let's just say that something big is coming your Clan's way very soon," he murmured. "And that it needs to happen."

Before I could ask any more, Tigerstar turned towards Ashfur and flicked his tail towards me. "Well, what are we waiting for? Time to get this new apprentice more ahead than he already is!"

I was overwhelmed with pride once again at those words, and from there, training for that night began.

As we trained, I tried my hardest to stay focused as my thoughts swirled with curiosity, and wondering what possibly Tigerstar had meant by his words. I would never admit it to Ashfur or Tigerstar out loud, but it all scared me. I was filled with a new sense of foreboding and sudden fear for my Clan.

What is Tigerstar up to? I hope I find out as soon as he's saying I will...