Tigerkit and Viperkit's Apprentice Ceremony

New apprentices were coming one after another repeatedly, but that wasn't a bad thing. Vixenheart, in an oddly cheerful mood, leaped onto the Tallbranch with a small yet evident smile.
"Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the Tallbranch for a Clan meeting!"

Viperkit stepped out of the nursery, looking as normal as a kit would ever be on any other day. She strayed too close to the nursery almost, being a small stickler to the rules. The she-kit knew better than to approach the front without being an apprentice, not being too bossy and impatient. She watched with round, green eyes.

Tigerkit looked up from the twig he'd been tearing apart valiantly.
All of his litter mates had been apprenticed before him; and although occasionally it seemed unfair, the auburn tabby knew there was a reason for that—and on most days, he did seem slightly less…mature than they appeared, as he was the fourth born of the litter.
Besides, Tigerkit thought, his heart beating loudly and heavily in his ears as he stood, following the trail of cats till he was standing near the front of the Tallbranch. I'll be clan leader someday, anyway, and then every cat will scoff at the fact I was apprenticed so late. They won't believe it!
And with that determined thought, the small, fierce tabby tom stood gazing up at Vixenheart, waiting for her next words.

Vixenheart still had that small smile on her face as the two cats that were about to be apprenticed arrived.
"Viperkit and Tigerkit, please step forwards." Vixenheart said, looking down at the two kits.

Viperkit did so, her face the opposite of glowering. However, it wasn't exactly the definition of pride - but it was something undefinable. It was solemn and knowing, and it was secretly excited. She was standing on the very tips of her paws, posture exact. Her waistline was trim and lean, and Viperkit's gaze trained on Vixenheart. She knew that she wanted to be like her, the deputy. She nodded to Vixenheart.

Tigerkit bounced forward next to Viperkit, his yellow eyes glowing proudly as he stared up at Vixenheart.
His small heart was pounding loudly in his ears and he shifted slightly. His fur had been groomed by Fawnsplash, of course, but now it stuck up in strange clumps from when he had been battling the leaf.

The auburn striped kit wriggled slightly.
This was it!

Viperkit glanced at Tigerkit, feeling movement beside her, and excitement in the air. She grinned at him, knowing that soon, he'd be Tigerpaw, and she... she'd be Viperpaw.

"We gather here to make these kits apprentices. Viperkit and Tigerkit, you have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day forwards, until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Viperpaw and Tigerpaw. Viperkit, you will be mentored by Poppysong. Tigerpaw, you will be mentored by Antdrop."
There were so many new apprentices that the number of them were now more than the amount of warriors. Warriors would have to double up soon if apprentices were appointed as much as this. Vixenheart then leaped down off of the Tallbranch with a few cheers for the new apprentices, before ending the ceremony.

Antdrop padded to the front of the crowd and met the newly named apprentice. Touching noses with Tigerpaw, he was glad to have another apprentice to keep him occupied. "We'll start training tomorrow," the black cat meowed bluntly.

Viperpaw looked around to find Poppysong. Her own grandmother was training her! It was such an honour... she... she couldn't believe it. She trotted around blindly, before finding Poppysong. She met the she-cat's gaze. "I'm honoured to train with you," she whispered. She felt stingy with the generosity of training with Poppysong; no other apprentice would be able to steal her mentor! She purred, smiling at Poppysong... her new mentor.

Tigerki—Tigerpaw now, bounced over to the black tom, his eyes wide and happy, although he had only glanced Antdrop once or twice coming back from patrol, or mentioned by some warriors.
I bet he's the best warrior ever!
He swiped his tongue slowly over his muzzle, savoring the moment as he touched noses with his new mentor.
He was itching to start training and get moving, but he managed to calm down and sit down in a puff of dirt next to Antdrop. His hindquarters, however, slightly wriggled with excitement as he shot a glance at Viperkit.