Snowkit sat next to Ashkit, stroking his back with her tail. Every so often he groaned in pain, and it hurt Snowkit to hear it.

Shadekit and Mountainkit were together, watching from afar. Mountainkit couldn't seem to face Ashkit after the accident, so Shadekit went and comforted him.

Suddenly, four cats burst out of the trees. Sorrelfoot, Thornstar, Goldenspirit, and a silver-gray tabby came running towards Ashkit.

Sorrelfoot and Goldenspirit stopped by Shadekit and Mountainkit, but the silver-gray she-cat and Thornstar came to Ashkit.

"What happened?" the silver she-cat asked.

"Ashkit and Mountainkit were practicing for the Apprentice Trials and Ashkit stepped on this thing," Snowkit explained as quickly as she could.

"Shiningcreek," Thornstar called to the silver tabby, "it's a Twoleg trap."

Shiningcreek bent down and sniffed the gray jaws, then nodded.

"Snowkit!" Goldenspirit hollered. "Come here!"

Snowkit turned to the other four cats and ran to them. She dug her face into Goldenspirit's long, soft fur as her back was stroked. She had always done this when she needed comforting and Goldenspirit was happy to comfort her this way.

"Will Ashkit be okay?" Shadekit asked.

"I know he'll survive this," Sorrelfoot said, "but I don't know the condition he'll be in afterwards."

"This is all my fault..." Mountainkit whined. "I shouldn't have brought him out here."

"There was no way you could've known a Twoleg places a trap here today," Goldenspirit's calming voice told him.

Mountainkit nodded and leaned against her, tears running down his face.

After a couple of tries, Thornstar and Shiningcreek were able to pry open the Twoleg trap and place Ashkit on Thornstar's back.

Shiningcreek and Sorrelfoot conversed for a moment and then Shiningcreek rushed off into the woods.

"She said it's bad," Sorrelfoot told the others. "She's gone to get a few herbs to help, but shell only be able to do so much."

"Ashkit won't be able to take his Apprentice Trial?" Shadekit asked.

"Ashkit may not get to be a warrior."

Snowkit opened her hazel eyes to dimming sunlight. It was almost moonrise, which meant the Apprentice Trials were nearly here.

Snowkit had her head resting on Goldenspirit, who was still asleep, and Mountainkit and Shadekit were curled up next to them. Everything that day felt like a nightmare, but Snowkit knew the blood-stained grass and scary Twoleg trap was all real. And so was her brother's condition.

The kits and Goldenspirit weren't allowed to see him just yet. Shiningcreek said he needed rest and space to heal. Thornstar was only granted permission if he was getting Shiningcreek more herbs, and she constantly needed more cobwebs.

Thornstar wanted to continue with the scheduled Apprentice Trials, if the kits still wanted to do them. Everyone said yes, even though they were all distraught.

Snowkit hoped that spending the rest of the day in the nursery with Goldenspirit and her other litter mates would calm her and allow her to ready herself for her trial.

Shadekit and Mountainkit poked their heads up and glanced at Snowkit with the same look: determination. All three knew they had to complete their Apprentice Trials for Ashkit.

Majestically sitting atop the Highrock, Thornstar yowled towards the stars.

"Warriors of FlameClan! We have gathered to watch a tradition we have long held dear in the Clan, the Apprentice Trials! When a Clan kit becomes six moons of age, they face the first trial of their life, a trial to become an apprentice. Tonight, we watch my three," he choked out the word, "kits battle the warrior apprentice Tigerpaw for a spot in the apprentices' den. As the Clan's code says, the youngest shall go first. Shadekit!"

Shadekit stepped forward and entered the circle of cats. Tigerpaw stands, ready for attack, on the opposite side of the circle.

"By the rules of the Trials, no cat can use their claws. No cat can draw blood purposely. No spectator can interfere. Once your opponent is defeated, you must pull back and cause no further injuries. Do the participants understand?"

"I do," Tigerpaw announced.

"I do!" Shadekit followed, saying it proudly.

"Then, let battle commence!" Thornstar shouted.

"Let battle commence!" the Clan howled.

Shadekit leapt forward and tried to take out Tigerpaw, but Tigerpaw gracefully ducked out of the way. Springing back up to her paws, Tigerpaw lashes out her forepaw and knocked Shadekit to the ground.

Shadekit laid on the ground and Tigerpaw slunk over to claim victory, but as she stepped over Shadekit, the kit kicked her belly and threw her backwards. Shadekit then jumped on Tigerpaw's back and held on as tight as possible. Tigerpaw tried shaking her off and Shadekit flew and hit the ground hard. Tigerpaw raced towards her, but Shadekit rolled out of the way and rammed her body into Tigerpaw's.

Tigerpaw rolled over and Shadekit placed her paw on Tigerpaw's throat. Yowls arose from the Clan as Thronstar said, "Shadekit has passed her Apprentice Trial!"

Shadekit released Tigerpaw and the two bowed heads respectfully at each other, and then at the FlameClan leader. Tigerpaw returned to her initial position in the circle and Shadekit sat next to Highrock, where Goldenspirit watched from afar.

"Mountainkit!" Thornstar called.

Mountainkit made his way through the crowd and entered the circle.

"By the rules of the Trials, no cat can use their claws. No cat can draw blood purposely. No spectator can interfere. Once your opponent is defeated, you must pull back and cause no further injuries. Do the participants understand?" Thornstar announced again.

"I do," Mountainkit said loudly.

Tigerpaw nodded her head, "I do."

"Then, let battle commence!"

"Let battle commence!"

This time, it was Tigerpaw who attacked first. She raced towards Mountainkit, but Mountainkit stood there. Tigerpaw slowed to catch him in his roll away, but instead Mountainkit kicked Tigerpaw with his back legs, sending the apprentice flying.

Mountainkit went over to her, forepaws ready to blow, but she lay limp.

"Tigerpaw?" Mountainkit called.

The apprentice lay there. Mountainkit stood above her when all of the sudden Tigerpaw swept him off his feet. Mountainkit kicked her again, then took her by the tail and used his strength to yank her backwards.

Tigerpaw hit the ground with such force, her breath was knocked out of her. She lay, gasping for air as Mountainkit gently placed a paw on her throat.

"Mountainkit has passed his Apprentice Trial!"

Mountainkit joined Shadekit and Goldenspirit by Highrock and Snowkit began making her way towards the circle.

The Clan seemed to get louder throughout each fight, and finally they had reached their peak. It was the last battle and every cat was on edge, waiting to see what would happen.

"Snowkit!" she heard her father say.

The amount of fur in her face lessened as she got closer to the circle until she finally broke through the crowd.

The moonlight shone down through then dense trees, illuminating the camp. It was nearly midnight and Snowkit was ready for anything.

Tigerpaw slowly got up and stood on the opposite end of the circle. A light gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes spoke to Tigerpaw.

"Are you sure you want to continue? I can call Shiningcreek if you ne—"

"I'm fine," said an exhausted Tigerpaw. "It's just one more battle."

The she-cat nodded her head and returned to the crowd. Tigerpaw tuned to face Snowkit and exhaled deeply.

"By the rules of the Trials, no cat can use their claws. No cat can draw blood purposely. No spectator can interfere. Once your opponent is defeated, you must pull back and cause no further injuries. Do the participants understand?"

"I do," both Snowkit and Tigerpaw said in unison.

"Then, let battle commence!"

"Let battle commence!"

Snowkit's silent war cry rang in her head as the blood in her ears pounded, For Ashkit!