Alderkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Marshstorm walked down the middle of camp. Muscles sore from a patrol, but he bounded to the top of High-rock without issue. A sigh of contentment at his muzzle as he settled on the rock to give an announcement that would spread some joy to all the cats of ThunderClan. Another apprentice, ready for their big day.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!" He yowled, his eyes watched the nursery to see how the kits would respond, and chuckling as a couple tiny ones stepped over themselves. Neither of them were the kits he was calling the gathering for, but his amber eyes were filled with amusement as he found the kit and watched to see if he would join the gathering cats.

Lifting his furry brown head off of his paws, Alderkit flicked his ears forward upon one familiar yowl of two he had grown to recognize. At first, he didn't figure it would be anything important, but he didn't miss the stare Marshstorm was giving towards the nursery- and at him. The hazel tom's denmates had already received their apprentice ceremonies- quite recently, too, and now he was one of the oldest kits in the nursery. With that being said, and the deputy's fixed gaze on him, this had to be his ceremony. 

Sauntering past the younger kits, Alderkit sat near the center of the gathering cats- it would be a good spot for him today.

As the kit approached, Marshstorm turned his attention to the assembling cats for a moment. Assessing each one in his gaze before he turned back to Alderkit with a calm and contented expression.

"Alderkit, Step forward." He requested, his tail flicked at his paws as he watched the young cat, who had obviously caught on exactly to what was going on. A smart young tom like that would be a great asset to the clan. He stopped himself from nodding to air, but it was close.

As Marshstorm's gaze played 'eenie meenie miney mo' with the collected cats, Alderkit held his gaze as the deputy's stare landed on none other than him. He wasn't startled or surprised when the dark brown tom called his name like when he was younger, for he had grown to be more confident, and he had expected this. The intelligent tom stepped forward past some parting cats until he was satisfied with the distance between him and the deputy, looking up at him with glinted amber eyes.

When the kit was in the appropriate spot, Marshstorm began the words that he had spoken several times. Yet he still held the same earnesty. Each apprentice was special, a blessing and a help in times of danger and need.

"Alderkit you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to become an apprentice. From this day on, until you recieve your warrior name, you will be known as Alderpaw. Your mentor will be Darkflight." He tilted his head towards Darkflight meaningfully. "Darkflight is a cat of great honour and strength. I hope she can pass on her wisdom and knowledge to you, and that you will use it well."

Nodding his head in acceptance, Alderpaw followed the direction of the deputy's tilt of the head to find Darkflight. Padding over to the deeply colored brown she-cat, he looked at her with soft excitement and touched noses with her.

The senior warrior's eyes narrowed as she purred. "Congratulations, Alderpaw." Darkflight bent her head slightly to touch noses with her new apprentice.