he did it. despite all odds, his bad behavior, and the clan's inexplicable dislike of him, whirlkit--no, whirlpaw, was finally an apprentice. the golden tom sat in silence for once in his life, simply watching the moon, the lone light in the black sky.
the moon didn't have friends either. all alone she watched over the forest at night, just as whirlpaw was doing now. the golden tom felt a sharp knot of jealousy tighten in his stomach, jealousy for all the cats that had friends and family and lovers to celebrate their accomplishments with. and here whirlpaw didn't even know who his parents were.
why did the clan always look at him like that? like they hated him for just being alive? sure, he was loudmouthed and a prankster, but before that, things were even worse. all whirlpaw really wanted was for his identity as a thunderclan apprentice to be acknowledged, in any way possible.
whirlpaw dug his claws into the dirt and choked back tears. his path would be difficult, having to train to be a warrior all while dealing with the burden of loneliness. well, that just means i'll have to work extra hard, whirlpaw told himself. i'll be the best warrior thunderclan has ever seen, and if they still won't accept me...whirlpaw looked up at the moon again. the moon had no friends, but every night without fail she provided her light to a forest that never asked for it. if some rock in the sky can do all that, i can do anything.
whirlpaw smiled. perhaps the clan doesn't really hate me. i mean, if they did hate me, wouldn't they have just kicked me out? i know i can make friends. i just have to...stop pulling pranks.
it was nearly dawn now. whirlpaw's body was begging for sleep but his brain just wouldn't have it. thoughts of excitement for his first training, his first hunt, his first tour of the territory still raced around his mind. he finally realized how late--or, uh, early--it was when he heard some cats coming out of their dens for the dawn patrol. but whirlpaw figured if he made it this far he couldn't just sleep now. the tom made his way over to the freshkill pile for an early breakfast and perhaps someone to talk to.