Lurking Dangers, Chapter 3

Ravenpaw

     Moonlight glittered on Ravenkit's fur. Nightwing smiled at her and licked her groomed pelt. Ashkit and Pantherkit pranced around each other. "I wonder if there will be two Redpaws!" Ashkit exclaimed, joking at Pantherkit's red eyes. Ravenkit wondered why Pantherkit just laughed at Ashkit. Bravestar stepped onto Highrock, flicking her tail for Ravenkit, Pantherkit, and Ashkit to come. My apprentice ceremony. Ravenkit took in a deep breath. I hope I get a good mentor. She sighed, and wished that Snowkit was there to become an apprentice too. It had been two moons since Redpaw and Ravenkit found out where Whitepaw had been vanishing. Now Ravenkit was six moons and ready to become an apprentice. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather under Highrock for a Clan meeting!" Bravestar's yowl ran through the clearing.
     Cats began to circle the big rock while Ravenkit, Ashkit and Pantherkit leaped onto the rock. Nightwing and Brambleswipe sat together, smiling at the three kits. They murmured to one another, but the kits were out of earshot to hear.
     "Cats of ShadowClan" Bravestar started "Three young kits are now old enough to be loyal apprentices" she mewed. "Ashkit is full of mischief and may be stubborn, but she is noble and I see a great warrior in her. From this day forward, until she has earned her warrior name, this apprentice will be called Ashpaw. Watershine, you are great at hunting and are very loyal to ShadowClan and the warrior code. Pass on your skills to Ashpaw, they will be needed."
     "Ashpaw! Ashpaw!" the Clan cheered. Pantherpaw was given Blackstorm as a mentor. I hope he doesn't go too hard on her. Ravenkit sighed. She's been teased a lot already. "Ravenkit" Bravestar smiled at her. Now it's my turn.
     "Ravenkit is very noble. I see determination in her eyes, yet greatness and loyalness. I have a feeling she will be one of the best warriors a cat has ever known. From this day forward, until she has earned her warrior name, this apprentice will be called Ravenpaw. Dusksky, pass on all your wonderful skills. Make her the best warrior. Turn her into a skillful cat. A loyal one. Make her great." Bravestar gazed into Dusksky's eyes. Dusksky nodded and padded up to touch noses with Ravenpaw.
     "Ravenpaw! Ravenpaw!!!" Redpaw cheered loudest from the crowd.
     Then Dusksky's voice broke her thoughts. "I will make you a cat that can be trusted, a cat that can be loved, a cat that can be loyal, and most of all, a cat that can be pure excellence."