Winding Tunnels

Nightkit's eyes reflected pure wonder -- it was an amazement to her, seeing the rest of the camp she'd heard so much about. Briarsmoke almost couldn't imagine it, being that mesmerized. She'd seen the camp caves a hundred times now; it had lost it's charm a long time ago. For a fleeting moment, she wished she could see the world through Nightkit's eyes: new and exciting and happy. But she shook her head, pushing the thought into the furthest crevices of her mind. She needed to be present. 

"This is the cave where the weakest members stay," Briarsmoke spoke, turning her attention away from the inside of her head. Nightkit's eyes remained darting excitedly around the cave, never once glancing at Briarsmoke, almost as if she hadn't heard her.

"It's... It's so big!" Nightkit finally responded, her eyes settling on Briarsmoke for a fleeting moment, before darting back to the camp again. 

Briarsmoke hummed. "Well, it has to be, we have a lot of cats to house. We need room for future members as well." Nightkit just flicked her ear in response before springing off her hind legs and bounding to the left towards a small cave, almost tripping Sundapple in the process. Sundapple looked like she was about to say something to Nightkit, but noticed Briarsmoke approaching and dipped her head in respect before moving out of the way. 

Briarsmoke padded into the cave just as Nightkit's voice echoed off the stone walls. "What's this place? It looks like the nursery!"

"It's the Apprentice den," Briarsmoke explained, slightly exasperated. "How about I tell you what the different places are before you run into them and get yourself in trouble?"

Nightkit seemed to sense the hint of authority in Briarsmoke's voice, and gave a meek nod. Briarsmoke turned heel and walked out of the den, leaving Nightkit scrambling to follow.

"Alright," Briarsmoke announced, sitting just to the left of the Apprentice den. "See that small stream in the rock, and the large crevice next to it?" Nightkit just nodded enthusiastically. "That's the Healer's den. You aren't to go in there unless you have to."

"Okay," Nightkit squeaked, as if she were intimidated by Briarsmoke's tone. Briarsmoke just continued on, nodding to various smaller caves within the stone walls. She nodded towards a cave a bit larger than the rest, with moss padding around the entrance. 

"Elder's den." she spoke, her voice echoing off the cave walls. She stood up and started waling towards the den, but then turned into a small tunnel barely noticeable against the grey stone. 

"Woah!" Nightkit squeaked, her eyes adjusting to the change in light. "How do you see? It's so dark!"

"You don't," Briarsmoke responded, confidently placing one paw in front of the other. "You learn to rely on your memory and other senses. A time will come when you will be able to walk these caves blind." They emerged into a large cave; the largest Nightkit had ever seen. There was a large overhanging ledge across from them, with a smaller cave hidden with overhanging ferns. "This is the main gathering cave. That is High Rock, where the leader will make announcements," Briarsmoke stated, going slightly tense. "And behind it is her den. You are never to go up there, unless specifically requested by Leafstar, or for your apprentice ceremony. If you are caught up there without express permission, she will not be so kind. Do you understand?" Briarsmoke's voice was stern, punctuating each word to ensure Nighkit understood. If any cat were caught up there without Leafstar's permission... Briarsmoke feared what their leader might do. She hadn't been... well, these past months.

"Yes, Briarsmoke," Nightkit replied, tucking her tail close to her paws as her eyes widened in fear. 

"Good. Now look to the right, below High Rock," Briarsmoke nodded her head toward a small but smooth den with several small flowers placed carefully in front. "That's my den. The flowers are left by clan members as a sign of respect," she explained. 

"Because you're the deputy, right? You work closest with Leafstar?"

"Right." Briarsmoke turned, nodding towards the very small indent in the cave wall across from them. "That's where the fresh-kill is stored."

"Wait, what's that really small tunnel beside your den?" Nightkit asked, pointing her stout tail back towards Briarsmoke's den.

"Oh, I'm surprised you noticed. Not many kits do. That's the tunnel that leads to a large hidden cave, one that we only use in the case of emergencies. The tunnels are too complicated for outsiders to follow, and they often get lost before they find us."

"So..." Nightkit began, mulling the words over in her head. "For attacks?"

"For attacks." Briarsmoke confirmed.

They continued on, traveling through another tunnel across from High Rock. This one was longer, and Nightkit bumped into the walls several times before they emerged at a fork in the tunnel. "The right tunnel leads to the cave that houses the Warrior's and Guard's dens," Briarsmoke explained. "From there there's a tunnel that leads out of camp. Do you know why the Guards and Warriors are closest to the entrance?"

"Oh!" Nightkit squeaked in excitement, "It's because they're the strongest so they can protect us!"

"Very good," Briarsmoke praised. "The strongest are closest to the camp entrance, and the weakest are farthest. Leafstar designed the places of the dens herself, you know. She had nothing but our safety and shelter in mind."

"Wow, that's really cool! What's in the other tunnel?"

"That leads to the Hunter's and Scout's dens. But that's enough for today," Briarsmoke said, turning around and heading back towards the main cave. "We will continue taking these tours until you become an apprentice, so you can learn enough about the tunnel systems before your High-Apprentice Ceremony."

"Uh.. What's a High-Apprentice Ceremony?" 

Briarsmoke flicked her tail in frustration. "Did your mother teach you nothing? You have your Apprentice Ceremony, and then your High-Apprentice Ceremony once you've finished basic training. Your High-Apprentice Ceremony is a test of sorts, to gauge whether you can become a High-Apprentice, and be able to choose your own rank of Warrior, Scout, Hunter, or Guard."

"Wow!" Nightkit exclaimed, her voice bouncing off the tunnel walls. "So I'll get to choose what I want to be?"

"If you pass the test, yes. You must be able to successfully navigate the tunnels and caves of our camp, starting at the entrance. There are multiple tunnels that lead nowhere, so you'll need to be careful. If the sun reaches the west mountain before you've emerged out the other side, you'll need to try again the next moon."

Nightkit visibly shook. "That seems really hard. What if I never pass?"

Briarsmoke shook her head. "From what I've seen of you today, you'll do fine."