Apprentice Ceremony

[Horsestar]

Horsestar trotted out of his den. He paused for a moment to stretch in the sunlight, sheathing and unsheathing his claws. He looked around and blinked pleasurably, all seemed peaceful in the camp. He jumped on the stump that was also his den and cleared his throat.
'' Let all cats of RushClan old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Lost Tree for a Clan meeting, '' He meowed to them.
After a few moments the cats assembled around the stump. They sat quietly, which Horsestar was very appreciative of. They were aware of his soft tone of voice.
'' It is my honor to announce that RushClan will be taking on two new apprentices. Spottedkit, Patchkit, please step forward. ''
The two young she-kits stepped into the small clearing in front of the Lost Tree.
He looked down at Spottedkit with her bright and shining eyes, '' From this day forward until she has earned her warrior name, Spottedkit will be known as Spottedpaw. '' Horsestar's eyes flashed quickly to his deputy and back to the young she-cat, '' Echosong, I have faith that you will be able to handle your duties as deputy and pass down your skills and knowledge to Spottedpaw as well. You will be Spottedpaw's mentor. ''
Horsestar's bright yellow gaze now rested on Patchkit. The young she-kit was a bit homely and shy, especially compared to his sister, just like he had been. And speaking of his sister...
'' From this day forward, this kit will be known as Patchpaw until she has earned her warrior name. '' He meowed, then to look at his sister who stood tall and proud among the Clan cats. '' Brindlefrost, as my own kin, I know that you will be a great mentor to our young Clan Mate and I hope you teach her all of your knowledge and skills. May StarClan light all of your paths. '' He finished and then jumped off the stump and landed lightly on the ground.

[Brindlefrost]

The fluffy gray she-cat lay at the edge of camp, scarce remains of a shrew she had eaten in front of her. She had been told earlier in the day by her brother, Horsestar, that she was to have another apprentice. Though she often acted up, she was a strict teacher and would not allow her students to become out of line.

Soon, the clan leader stood tall and called for his clan to gather. "Well, here we go!" Brindlefrost muttered as she buried the shrew bones and pushed herself onto her feet, strolling over to the Lost Tree. Horsestar introduced the kits and Shadowpaw was apprenticed. She could really care less, since she was so interested in Patch'paw'. The she-cat proudly stepped forward as she was named a new mentor, touching noses with her new apprentice.

"I hope you aren't a troublesome kit, otherwise you might have a bit of problems with me," Brindlefrost purred, teasing the young cat. As the clan dispersed, she looked around, letting out a light sigh. "Hm..ok since it's your first day, I'll let you off easy with showing you the highlights of the territory..."

[leap]

Patchpaw

At the sound of the leader's call, Patchkit emerged from the nursery, not bothering to see if her sister was following. Spottedkit and herself had never really gotten along, as the prettier she-cat always had the favor of their parents. But she wasn't overjoyed like some would expect. No, not when her remaining sibling, Shadekit, would not be able to attend the ceremony. No, she wasn't out in the forest (come on, she's a kit), she wasn't sick this time. She was hunting with Starclan. 'Take good care of her,' Patchkit thought, though her words were directed at the spirits of their warriors ancestors. 'Let her become the brave and strong warrior she wanted to be...'

Patchkit, upon sitting down in the clearing with her clanmates, suddenly realised that she had not groomed since she awkened. Not like she had had any time in between when she woke up and when Horsestar had summoned them. She had woken up only moments before.

The tortoiseshell and white kit was painfully aware that the gaze of her clanmates were probably rested on her sister who, she hoped, was sitting beside her.

The she-cat was only half listening as their leader beckoned the two to forward and went through with Spottedkit-now Spottedpaw-'s ceremony. It was when she heard her name that she snapped out of her self induced trance. She remained silent as the leader spoke those words that had been uttered to many before her. Where were those cats now? Among the ranks of Starclan, hopefully. But what of those not worthy of walking through the skies? Where did they go?

Once again, her thoughts had carried her away from the camp. After the clan leader disappeared and the rest of the clan returned to their duties, she remained where she sat, staring blankly at the spot where the leader once stood. Patchkit-no, Patchpaw now-shook her head vigorously. 'Wait... Who's my mentor? Oh no! How can I be an apprentice if I don't even know my own mentor?' She might have just gone into a panic attack had it not been for a voice sounding behind her.

"P-problems...?" she repeated timidly to Brindlefrost, but then relaxed a bit when she heard the teasing tone in the older cat's voice. So Brindlefrost was her mentor... right? "So... You're my mentor from now on... right?" she asked in a mouse brained tone of voice. She hoped it sounded like she was uncertain of being an apprentice because of being in the nursery this whole time rather then her spacing out and not knowing who her mentor was.

Patchpaw
She-cat | Tortoiseshell and White | Green | Apprentice | Rushclan