Apprentice Ceremony

[Wolfy//June]

Wolfstar leapt up on top of the Shining Rock. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, join beneath the Shining Rock for a clan meeting!" he called. He curled his tail neatly around his paws as he waited for his clan to gather

Seeing that every cat was there, he began. "Two kits have finally reached six moons and it is time that they are apprenticed." Wolfstar beckoned to Gladekit with his tail. "Until she has earned her warrior name, this cat will be known as Gladepaw. Sleetmask, you are ready for an apprentice, please lend to her your thoughtfulness and skill." Wolfstar turned to Sprucekit. Sadness panged through him as he thought of Pinekt whom had gotten hit by a monster the day before. "Until he has earned his warrior name, this cat will be known as Sprucepaw. Flameclaw, your time for an apprentice is long overdue. Please teach this cat all you know and lend to him your loyalty and ingenuity to this apprentice." Wolfstar jumped down from the Shining Rock as cats began chanting their names. "Gladepaw, Sprucepaw!"

[Spruceburn]

Sprucekit puffed out his chest and held his head high as Wolfstar called his name. '' Sprucepaw... '' the young tom whispered his new name to himself. He touched noses with his his new mentor, Flameclaw. At least Dad didn't give me a lame mentor... Sprucepaw thought to himself. He turned to his sister and smiled at her as their clan-mates chanted their new names, '' Maybe we can train together! '' he meowed excitedly to Gladepaw.

[Wolfy//June]

Wolfstar rolled his eyes at the eager apprentice. His temper with his son had always beed short. "Well, you can start my cleaning out all of the dens and servicing the medicine cats. Remember, you still have three quarters of a moon before you can leave camp. Next time, think more carefully." Wolfstar dipped his head at Flameclaw. "Sorry. You may as well continue on with your regular duties until Sprucepaw has learned his lesson."

[Spruceburn]

When Wolfstar turned away Sprucepaw stuck his tongue out at him, '' Go clean out the dens Sprucepaw! '' he mocked his father behind his back in a high pitched voice not caring that Flameclaw was right there. This was so unfair, three quarters of a moon before he could begin training! There wasn't even enough work to be done that would keep him busy that long! Sprucepaw padded over to Gladepaw, '' You're so lucky Wolfstar doesn't hate you. '' the young tom complained to his sister.

[Birdsong]

"He doesn't hate you, Sprucepaw," Birdpaw objected, coming up beside her new den-mates. She looked right at the young tom, her green eyes glowing with kindness and understanding. "Just because he has a short fuse doesn't mean he hates you. He's probably just trying to keep you in check," she purred playfully, swatting his ear with her paw. "And seeing as Pinekit just died..." she trailed off, the light fading from her eyes. She may not have known the new apprentices' brother, but he had been as much a part of the Clan as any other cat, and she felt a wave of saddness at his horrible death. "He should have been made an apprentice today, too."

[mouse]

Sllekmask purred with pride as she walked over to Gladepaw and touched noses with her. "This is going to be so much fun. I'm proud to be your new mentor." She purred.

[Gladetail]

Gladekit's or now Gladepaw's eyes glistened as her Clanmates chanted her name. She then touched noses with her mentor. "I'm glad to have you for a mentor." She then turned to her brother and smiled in amusement. "I hope we get to train together too!" She then frowned. "But Birdpaw is right, he doesn't hate you." Gladepaw nudged him playfully. Her eyes glowed. Even though they were apprentices, she looked up to her brother and hoped to one day have his bravery. Then she turned to her new denmate. And hopefully I make a new friend as well...

[Jet$tar]

Batflight smiled at the two new apprentices, it was about time they were apprenticed instead of sitting around camp all day. Once Wolfstar had walked away Batflight walked over to them, '' Congratulation you two, you have a lot to learn. ''

[Spruceburn]

Sprucepaw flicked his ears at Birdpaw's attempt to comfort him. He didn't need her sympathy or understanding, Wolfstar hated him but Sprucepaw was determined to make that hate bitter-sweet when he became the greatest warrior SunClan had ever seen... The tom didn't voice this out loud though; he didn't want to get off on the wrong paw with his new den mate. Birdpaw was just trying to be nice... '' But of course I'm the only one he has a short temper with... '' He grumbled under his breath then shoved back at his sister playfully, '' You better tell me everything about the territory and claw some rogues for me since I'm going to be stuck in here for a while. '' he meowed to his sister and then turned as Batflight walked over to them, '' Thanks Batflight, and don't worry. I'm a quick learner! '' he meowed proudly, he already almost knew the hunter's crouch completely.

[Greenlily//Topaz]

Greenlily padded over to the newly named apprentices and purred delightedly. "I'm so proud of the both of you," she meowed, covering her children in licks. "Apprentices! How time flies!" She then turned to Sleetmask and Flameclaw and added, "And they couldn't have gotten better mentors, either."

[Wolfy//June]

Wolfstar sighed. "They sure will be a handful. And speaking of apprentices, I have to get Goldenpaw out of camp and teach him some tactics. I'm sure he'll be extatic to be training with cats other than Birdpaw. Not that he doesn't like you, he really does." he meowed, acknowledging Birdpaw with a nod.

[Clay//Toxic//Coal]

Clayheart cheered for the new apprentices along with his clan, '' Gladepaw! Sprucepaw! Gladepaw! Sprucepaw! '' He padded over to the two young cats, '' Congratulations you two, '' he then turned to Sleetmask and Flameclaw, '' You too, '' he meowed to them.

[Birdsong]

Birdpaw felt a little awkward just standing there and turned to Gladepaw. "It'll be nice to have another she-cat to share the den with," she commented, flicking her tail out to touch the other cat's shoulder. "I have no issues with Goldenpaw, but it will be nice to have you around all the same." Birdpaw glanced over at Sprucepaw. "Will he be okay to share a den with? He seems a little..." she searched for the right word. "Choleric..."

[Gladetail]

Gladepaw's tail twitched in amusement. Why does every cat seem to think that? She glanced at her brother. To her, Sprucepaw seemed to be determined and full of pride. She turned back to Birdpaw. "It's OK," she mewed, "Sprucepaw can be friendly when he wants to. Just give it time is all. Gladepaw flushed when she heard her Clanmates congratulating her. This is what it feels like to be an apprentice! "It's OK Sprucepaw, once you're off punishment maybe our mentors will let us train together and I'll show you everything I learned."

[Wolfy//June]

Wolfstar nodded. "Yes, maybe. But he has to keep on his best behavior. And if you think that your punishment is undeserved, please let me know why." Wolfstar sighed and for a moment, a wave of sympathy crossed him. "You know I just want you to be the best warrior you can be."