Milkkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Another kit was ready to become an apprentice. This time, it was one of Lakewhisper and Snowblossom's litter. After he had finished up the last traces of his breakfast, Scorchclaw ascended the willow branch. Although it was only his second time calling an apprentice ceremony, the slight discomfort had already faded. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the willow branch for a clan meeting!" He shouted, with a lash of his fluffy tail.

Stepping slowly and softly out of the nursery, Milkkit padded over to the gathering group of cats and sat beside her mother, pressing against her lightly. Unlike some kits, the white she-cat was completely oblivious that this was her apprentice ceremony but still followed the occasional call regardless, once she had gotten older.

Scorchclaw waited until every cat present had settled down before starting the ceremony. Snowblossom had come out as well, and with her the kit that he was looking for. "Milkkit," He said in a serious tone, "please step forward."

If she didn't already know what this meeting was for, she would know now. Once she had stepped forward, the fluffy tom continued. "Milkkit, 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 Milkpaw and your mentor will be Sunfish." After some careful deliberation, Scorchclaw had decided upon Sunfish for Milkpaw's mentor. While she was young, he had also been about the same age when he had received his first apprentice. "I trust that she will train you well." As the new mentor and apprentice touched noses, he leaped off the willow branch.

Taken aback by surprise, Milkkit was still for a moment before lightly putting one paw in front of the other to receive her apprentice name. She was excited to start her training, but she wouldn't be able to spend nearly as much time with her parents anymore. Perhaps the white cat would stop by every once in a while to bring them prey or replace their moss.

Trotting happily past the other cats, Milkpaw found Sunfish and touched noses with her new mentor gently. The long-haired she-cat didn't say anything, but she did smile warmly at the older cat. She, Milkkit- no, Milkpaw, was an apprentice!

An apprentice? So soon?

Disconcerted surprise shadowed Sunfish's features, resulting in her eyes going comically wide. Going rather stiff as she witnessed the ceremony conclude, the little tabby's limbs trembled with an emotion that she had once thought she had outgrown. Futilely swallowing against the lump that tightened her dry throat, her movements held were clumsy and off-putting as she strode to meet the newly-named Milkpaw.

"I-I look forward to training you." Sunfish hurriedly repeated the words Lilytail had once spoken to her, although her words lacked the soothing air of confidence portrayed by her predecessor.