[center] Chapter 1 [/center]
Dawn light filtered in through the brambles hanging on the entrance to the apprentice den. Shellpaw gently got up and stretched her legs before walking out into the clearing. "Good morning Yarrowtail!" she called across to the nursery. Yarrowtail was her best friend. Shellpaw couldn't wait to see Yarrowtail's kits! She even promised she was allowed to name one. Hmm. Maybe Redkit? No colors are tacky...I wouldn't want to be GREENkit... Her thoughts were interrupted by the Clan leader calling words off of Slippery-rock. "May all cats old enough to catch prey gather in the clearing." Ripplestar's voice echoed through the hollow cave. RiverClan camp was a cave, lined with stone, but the top was open. They covered part of the opening with ferns and reeds to shelter the camp, but let enough space so light could shine in. Slowly the warriors and apprentices started filing out of their dens. Shellpaw awaited Yarrowtail and Garnetpaw to come sit with her. Garnetpaw was her brother. He could be pretty hot-headed at some points, but he was a bundle full of fun, and not to mention charm. Rosepaw always drooled at him as she walked by; and yet he was too stupid to notice! Shellpaw was dragged away from her thoughts to hear Ripplestar's voice again.
"Today is a very special and unique day. Today we will welcome new apprenitces and warriors into our Clan." She paused to let the cats cheer and then waved her tail for silence. "Tankit and Mangokit please step forward." Her smooth voice mewed. Shellpaw watched as the not-so-tiny kits approached their leader. She hadn't realized how large Tankit already was! No wonder they had to get him out of the nursery! "Tankit. From this day on until you are pronounced a warrior, you shall go by Tanpaw." The cats started to chant his name, so Ripplestar raised her voice. "Shortclaw! You have proved your strength and skill many times over. Please share these qualities with Tanpaw, for you shall be his mentor." Shortclaw stepped up and bowed his head. "Yes Ripplestar." He touched his muzzle to Tanpaw's head and they stepped to the side. "Mangokit," Ripplestar continued, "It is also time you are made an apprentice. From this day on, until you are pronounced a warrior, you will go by Mangopaw." Her amber eyes gleamed brighter than the sun. "Twitchtail, please come forward." The sleek she-cat came to the front of the crowd, her black fur glistening and revealing her well-toned mus
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