Mottlekit's Apprentice Ceremony

Ashstar leapt onto the Tallrock. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Tallrock for a Clan meeting!" she yowled.

Duskstorm padded out of the warriors den and sat down at the front right of the crowd he wondered who was having a ceremony today.

Mottlekit had not been the same since RiverClan had attacked the WindClan camp. While he had once had been a happy and talkative kit, he was now a timid and quiet, with barely a smile every gracing his face. He was curled up outside of the nursery, staring at his tail at it flickered every once in a while but he made no move to catch it, instead choosing to watch it with mild interest. His gaze flickered up when he heard Ashstar call out for the Clan to gather, slowly pushing himself up onto his paws before trotting into the clearing proper and settling himself down. He was six moons old, it wasn't hard to figure what this gathering was for - it was time for him to become an apprentice. While his face showed little emotion, his flickering tail and flexing paws showed signs of nervousness but he did his best not to let it show.

The WindClan leader smiled reassuringly. The small kit who had always been so bright and happy had become quiet and fearful since the bloody, devastating, and unnecessary battle with RiverClan, and though it was understandable, she was worried about the small tom. "Mottlekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Mottlepaw." She blinked thoughtfully for a moment, then nodded as if she had made a decision. "I will be your mentor. I will do my best to pass all my knowledge onto you." She leaped down off the Tallrock and touched her nose to the new apprentice's. The grief and pain melted out of her green eyes as she looked into Mottlepaw's, and a peaceful smile touched her mouth. This tom reminded her of Smokepelt when he was young.

A soft, yet slightly forced smile flashed on Mottlekit's face as he got his name. Mottlepaw...It was a step in a new direction for him but he felt terrified by the new horizon that expanded with this name. He feared having to run into any cat of the other Clans, mostly those of RiverClan...His gaze had started to drop to his paws as he shifted, growing more and more uncomfortable until Ashstar spoke once more. What? His eyes flashed up in an instance, large with terror and worry. Ashstar herself was going to be his mentor? To most apprentices, this would be an honor but this only terrified Mottlepaw more. H-he didn't want to let her down. He was scared of the world outside of the camp - of the other Clans.

How was he suppose to be a warrior when the idea of fighting terrified him...How could it not terrify him after what he had seen in that camp when RiverClan had attacked? Would she expect much of him? Would the Clan expect much of him because to this? He couldn't say but felt his body lock up as the leader hopped down from the rock and strolled over to him before touched her nose with him. He met her eyes and for a brief second...He felt like a kit again under her warm gaze - the way a queen would gaze at their very own kin. For a second, a real smile almost graced his lips but it quickly disappeared as he blinked, reminded of the the fear and terror that surged underneath his pelt. He gently dipped his head to Ashstar as the she-cat loomed over him. He could only hope that he would do her proud.

"Mottlepaw! Mottlepaw! Mottlepaw!" Duskstorm cheered the new apprentices name.