The bushes rustled.

Gorsekit's eyes widened as another tom padded out, only one difference from Hawkfrost. His eyes. His eyes were amber, unlike Hawkfrost's, who's eyes were an icy blue. Gorsekit had heard nursery tales about this tom...

***

Gorsekit's eyes flew open. She was in the nursery, lying sprawled out in her nest. With a pang, she remembered. Fernleaf had died... Right before her eyes.

Her face was damp with what was probably tears, Jaykit was shivering next to her, and Crowlight was watching them both calmly with her pale yellow eyes.

Gorsekit looked at the she-cat blankly. She had nothing to say.

"You were shifting around in your sleep." Crowlight said suddenly. Gorsekit sighed.

"Was I?" She mewed.

"You're about the right age to become an apprentice." Crowlight meowed without responding. Gorsekit twitched her ears.

"What does it matter? Fernleaf won't be there. Why should I care if I become an apprentice? Or even a warrior?" Crowlight's eyes met hers sternly.

"Don't say that." The black she-cat snapped. "You deserve to be a warrior as much as any other cat. My mother died right on the day of my warrior ceremony! I didn't whine like a mouse brain! I sat vigil, I wanted to make her proud. Not pity me." Crowlight fell silent, her pelt bristling.

Gorsekit looked away. Crowlight had made a point. "Now. Go to sleep, it's barely even moon high." Gorsekit sighed, and fell asleep.

***

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Highledge for a clan meeting!" Shimmerstar's call woke Gorsekit from her sleep. Her ears pricked with excitement.

She leapt to her paws, and ran as fast as she could out into the clearing, her fur matted with twigs and moss.

The clan had gathered around the Highledge, murmuring softly. When they saw Gorsekit, they fell silent, and tried to avoid her gaze. The she-kit hunched her shoulders and sat down.

Once Crowlight and Jaykit sat down next to Gorsekit, the leader began by clearing her throat. "You all may have heard of the incident that had happened yesterday. It was very tragic and uncalled for. We had sat vigil and this morning had buried Fernleaf's body in the respectful place." Shimmerstar's tail sweeped the ledge she was standing on. "But, we must move on to more happy things. Gorsekit, and Jaykit. Please step forward." Gorsekit had fell silent when the leader had mentioned her mother's death, but now, she beamed with excitement, and exchanged an excited glance with Jaykit as they padded forward.

"Today we may announce two new apprentices. Jaykit, from this day onward until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Jaypaw. You're mentor shall be Iceleap." A silvery blue-gray tom stepped forward, his eyes glittering with pride as he touched his nose to the newly made apprentice.

"And now, Gorsekit, from this day onward until you recieve your warrior name, you shall be known as Gorsepaw. You're mentor will be Sunnybreeze." Gorsepaw beamed as the yellow dappled tom touched his nose to hers. I'm an apprentice finally! I'll make you proud, Fernleaf, I promise!

"Gorsepaw! Jaypaw! Gorsepaw! Jaypaw!" The clan cheered.

Then, out of nowhere, a loud flurry of barking filled the clearing. Gorsepaw leaped to her paws, unsheathing her claws in an instant.

I hope you're enjoying the story so far! I'd really appreciate if you left comments to express how you feel about the story, and please give me tips I could use to improve. Thanks!