The next couple months went smoothly for most of the kits. Dovekit longed to see her reflection, as the forest had made her skinnier and she wasn’t subject to the finest air, but she was sure she was still stunning. Even though she was doubting ever leaving her home and going into the forest, she had to admit she was just as excited as her siblings to earn their apprentice names. The day had finally come where they would get a mentor, and start their journey to becoming full warriors of Thunderclan. All six kits were buzzing with excitement- and their littermates were too. When Ivyquill took them in, they joined Ivyquill’s younger kits, Shallowkit and Adderkit, who had grown quite fond of their makeshift siblings. The younger kits were actually only two moons away from becoming apprentices, which made it all the more thrilling to see what they were going to be able to do soon. And, the best part, apprentices were allowed to explore outside the camp.

Sunhigh came and went, and a bit before the sun was about to set, Softstar finally called a clan meeting. Ivyquill began preening her adopted kits before hurrying them to the Highrock.

“I, Softstar, leader of Thunderclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these six kits. They have reached six moons of age, and are ready to earn their apprentice names. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you, Bumblekit, will be known as Bumblepaw. Your mentor will be Fawnpelt. I hope Fawnpelt will pass down all she knows onto you.”

Softstar called Fawnpelt up to the Highrock, giving an approving nod to the nervous warrior.

“Fawnpelt, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have received excellent training from Oakfoot, and you have shown yourself to be gentle yet fierce when protecting your clan. You will be the mentor of Bumblepaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to her.”

Fawnpelt touched noses with Bumblepaw, gleaming with pride.

Softstar began giving each kit a mentor and their apprentice name- Shadowpaw with her mentor, Dottednose. Specklepaw with her mentor, Nettleback. Crowpaw with his mentor, Foxfrost. Honeypaw with her mentor, Bearheart. And lastly, Dovepaw with Deepvine as her mentor. Deepvine already had an apprentice, but the other warriors we’re just recently made warriors, and Softstar decided to give them a little bit of time to steady themselves.

The kits broke off to talk to their mentors a little, already excited to start their training. Some cats just shared tongues with their new apprentices, some set times to train tomorrow, but Deepvine was ready. He got one of the laziest kits in the litter, and he was set on training her to become mediocre at best.

“Rosepaw,” he called his other apprentice, “Be a dear and go fetch the elders some dry bedding, won’t you? I’m going to take Dovepaw for some one-on-one training, and I believe you’re ready to complete requests unsupervised.”

Rosepaw sat up and nodded politely. “Yes Deepvine.” she said, padding without hesitation out of the exit to find dry moss.

Deepvine then turned to Dovepaw, who was washing herself for who knows what time that day, and motioned for her to get up. She did so, and padded over to him, looking unenthusiastic.

“I can explore outside of camp now, right?”

Deepvine nodded, slightly surprised as that was one of the first times he’s heard her speak. “Yes Dovepaw. That’s what we’re going to do right now, follow me.” his voice was stern, but not angry.

Dovepaw groaned, but padded after him when he walked.

“You six have grown on me, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be easy on you.” Deepvine started as they walked into the forest. “You kits need rigorous training, day and night, early into the morning, to the point where you’re about to fall asleep standing up. I have a lot of work ahead of me, you should be glad you got me as your apprentice. I’m going to harden you up to be a forest cat, instead of a cushy-”, Deepvine stopped as he realized Dovepaw was no longer walking behind him. “Dovepaw..?”