⤴

⤴This Is Carrotpaw⤴

"No! Codpear stop! I can clean myself!" Puddlekit listened to the complaints of Carrotkit, as their mother, Codpear, tried desperately to groom her. "You need to look nice for your apprentice ceremony," mewed Codpear, in between furious licks.

"I can do that myself thank you," mewed Carrotkit, who had broken away from her mother and was now licking herself, thoroughly.

Apprentice ceremony, thought Puddlekit, miserably. He and his sister were six moons, and it was their apprentice ceremony today. I can't become an apprentice yet, he thought. So far, I haven't even got the hang of being a kit!

"Let all cats old enough to catch there own prey, gather beneath me for a Clan ceremony."

Oh no, thought Puddlekit. It's time!

"Today is an important day in the history of RiverClan. It is time to make new apprentices." Specklestar continued. "Carrotkit, come forward." Carrotkit walked forward, shaking with excitement. "This kit has reached the age of six moons, and it is time for her to become an apprentice. Carrotkit, from this moment on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Carrotpaw. Oaksky, come forward. Oaksky, you are a loyal warrior of RiverClan, and you have shown yourself to be brave, strong, and courageous. You will mentor Carrotpaw. I trust you to pass all you know onto her." Carrotkit stepped forward and touched noses with the warrior.

Now it's my turn, thought Puddlekit in dismay.

"Puddlekit come forward," there was Specklestar's mew. Puddlekit forced himself forward. "This kit has reached the age of six moons, but due to his illness, he will remain a kit until he is ready." Puddlekit could hardly believe the leader. I don't have to become an apprentice, he thought! "But," continued Specklestar. "I will still give him a mentor to play with him and teach him basic fighting and hunting. Pikewing, you will be the mentor of Puddlekit. You are kind and patient, and I trust you to teach Puddlekit." Pikewing came over to Puddlekit and whispered to him, "you'll be fine."

"Carrotpaw, Carrotpaw, Puddlekit, Puddlekit," yowled the Clan. Potatopaw yowled his name the loudest.

When the Clan ceremony was over, Potatopaw came over to Puddlekit. "I'm sorry you didn't get to become an apprentice," she mewed, kindly.

"It's okay," replied Puddlekit. "I didn't want to become an apprentice anyway. I'm glad I'm being trained as a kit first." But even so, Potatopaw's sympathy warmed him. He was lucky to have a friend like her. As Potatopaw walked off, Puddlekit's gaze wandered around the camp. Carrotpaw was talking to Yellowpaw, Moonpaw, and Currentpaw. Mintypaw was trying to listen in on a private conversation between Rockyblaze and Mossfeather. Codpear was taking a quick drink from the small stream in the camp. Puddlekit was so engrossed in watching the camp that he didn't, notice Pikewing coming up behind him. 

"Hello, Puddlekit." Pikewing's deep mew startled him. "Do you want to see the territory?" 

"Um, er, okay," Puddlekit responded, hesitantly. 

"We can go together." Carrotpaw barged into the conversation, followed by her mentor, Oaksky. Part of Puddlekit was relieved that he wouldn't be alone with his mentor, but part of him was worried that he'd get in the way and slow her down. But before Puddlekit could reply, Pikewing decided for him. "I think that's a great idea," he purred. "Let's go." 

As the four cats walked out of camp,  Puddlekit heard a yowl from behind him. He turned around and saw Potatopaw running up to them. "Wait for me," she called. 

"Potatopaw?" Oaksky walked towards the apprentice. "Why aren't you training with Clamheart?" 

"He excused me from training today, so I could come with you," Potatopaw explained quickly. 

"Who's next?" Oaksky muttered. "We don't need the whole clan to show some kits the territory." Puddlekit flinched at this last remark.

"There's no harm in bringing Potatopaw with us," mewed Pikewing gently.

"Okay, you can come," sighed Oaksky. As the cats walked off, Potatopaw brushed against Puddlekit. He smiled, glad she was with him.