Crookedstar’s Promise

Crookedkit watched his father carry the fish away, then looked down at the piece at his paws.

Volepaw was watching him.

Crookedkit ignored the trout, even though its fresh river smell was making his mouth water. He sucked back the spit that was threatening to spill over his twisted jaw. “Has Hailstar given Oakkit his apprentice name yet?” he asked.

“Not yet.” Volepaw glanced toward Hailstar’s den. A pale gray tail twitched between the trailing moss covering the entrance. “Rainflower wanted to talk to Hailstar before the ceremony.”

Perhaps she’s asking Hailstar to make me an apprentice, too! Hope flared in Crookedkit’s belly.

“She told Echomist that there’s only one warrior good enough to train Oakkit,” Volepaw went on. “And she’s going to make sure Hailstar chooses him.”

“Oh.” Disappointment dragged at his pelt. “Which warrior is it?”

Volepaw shrugged. “Who knows?” He glanced at the piece of trout. “Are you going to eat that?”

Crookedkit hesitated. He was hungry but there was no way he was going to eat in front of Volepaw. He still drooled like an elder. “You have it.” He kicked it toward Volepaw.

“Thanks.” Volepaw crouched and started eating. Crookedkit’s belly growled.

“Let all cats old enough to swim gather in the clearing!” Hailstar was padding from his den, his wide shoulders sleek and freshly groomed.

Cedarpelt slid out from the sedges. A dead frog dangled from his jaws. Fallowtail jumped down from the ancient willow. She turned and called up to Softpaw. “We’ll practice diving later.”

Softpaw slithered clumsily down the trunk. “I don’t know why we have to learn to climb. It’s not natural.”

Tanglewhisker poked his head out of the elders’ den. “A ceremony already? The sun’s barely up!” he grumbled, but he padded down the slope with Birdsong and Troutclaw ambling after him.

Piketooth hauled himself out of the reed bed, clasping a bundle of stems between his jaws. River water streamed from his tabby pelt as he laid the reeds on the ground. Shimmerpelt followed him on to dry land, another bundle dripping between her teeth. She dropped the reeds and shook out her glossy black fur. Lakeshine, who was dozing nearby, leaped to her paws as water sprayed her.

“Sorry.” Shimmerpelt flicked her tail. “I didn’t see you.”

Lakeshine’s mottled gray pelt made her look like dappled shadow beside the shore. “It’s okay.” The she-cat licked her wet fur. “It’ll cool me down.”

Brambleberry emerged from the medicine den and sat beside Softpaw. The apprentice was lapping at her chest where mossy willow bark had turned her snowy white fur into another patch of tabby.

Whitepaw came hurtling from the dirtplace tunnel. “Did I miss anything?” He circled his mentor.

Timberfur sat down. “Not yet.”

Crookedkit wondered where to sit. Shellheart was beside Hailstar. Rainflower stood apart from her Clanmates, Oakkit at her side. Oakkit’s eyes sparkled. Crookedkit wanted to race across the clearing and wish him luck. But he knew Rainflower would send him away with a snarl.

Brambleberry flicked her tail toward Crookedkit. “Sit with me.” She stroked Crookedkit’s spine with her tail as he reached her. “It’s nice and cool here.”

As he settled beneath the willow beside her, Echomist joined him. “I bet you’re proud of your brother.”

Crookedkit purred. Soon Oakkit would be the strongest and bravest apprentice in the Clan. “He’s going to be a great warrior, like Shellheart.”

Echomist’s scent touched his nose and nursery memories rushed back. When a bad dream woke him, she’d let him creep into her nest and bundled him among her own kits. She always gently pushed him out before dawn so he could go back to his own nest before Rainflower woke up. “It’s best not to cause trouble,” she’d whisper, licking his ears.

“I think Oakkit’s trying to get your attention.” Brambleberry nudged Crookedkit from his thoughts. Oakkit was staring at him, mouthing something. Crookedkit tried to guess what he was saying. It looked like “Crookedpaw.” He’s wishing I was getting my apprentice name, too.

Warmth flooded him. It won’t be long, he silently promised.

Hailstar dipped his head. “Oakkit, come here.”

As Oakkit padded forward, Hailstar called another name. “Shellheart!”

Crookedkit blinked. Hailstar was making Shellheart Oakkit’s mentor! Fathers never mentored their own kits. He stared at Rainflower. Her eyes glowed. She had planned this. Crookedkit felt suddenly cold.

Hailstar’s gaze swept the Clan. “Shellheart and Oakkit share courage, strength, and loyalty.” He dipped his head to his deputy. “Strengthen those talents in your apprentice, Shellheart, and make Oakpaw a warrior who will lead RiverClan to greatness.”

“Oakpaw!” Rainflower was the first to raise her voice in praise of RiverClan’s newest apprentice.

“Oakpaw!” Volepaw and Petalpaw joined in. Timberfur and Brightsky lashed their tails enthusiastically as they called out Oakpaw’s new name.