Written by Anonymous
Finally, the moment had come! Oakkit felt excitement and an unusual amount of fear itch in his pawpads as he stood atop the Leaking Stones with his siblings and cousins. Sprucepaw padded across the smooth rocks with a satisfied smile on his face as his Clanmates chanted his name; he was the last of Leopardstrike and Ashwhisker's kits to be apprenticed, and Oakkit's cousins beamed at him encouragingly as Swallowstar turned his yellow gaze upon him. Closing his eyes briefly, Oakkit stepped forward, his heart hammering in his chest. Who would his mentor be? Would he be a good apprentice? "Oakkit," rumbled CloudClan's leader, "you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Oakpaw." Flicking his tail and raising his chin slightly, Oakpaw inhaled deeply as his new name echoed within him. "Your mentor will be Cedarbranch. I hope Cedarbranch will pass down all she knows on to you." From the gathering of cats, a slender, dusky-pelted she-cat with amber eyes and long, flowing fur padded up to the Leaking Stones, her muscles rippling in the weak leaffall sun. Oakpaw recognized her as one of CloudClan's newest warriors. When she stopped in front of Oakpaw, he lifted his head and gazed into her eyes as Swallowstar spoke to her, commending her for her warmth and enthusiasm. /I hope you can teach me everything I need to help our Clan!/ He smiled softly at her, and when Swallowstar had finished talking, Oakpaw stretched up so that his nose touched hers. Side by side, mentor and apprentice padded to the other side of the Leaking Stones where the new apprentices stood proudly. "Oakpaw, Oakpaw!" chanted CloudClan, and Oakpaw puffed out his chest, reveling in the sound of his name echoing around camp. /I know I'll be a great warrior someday - this is just the start!/