Featherkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Jade-green eyes narrowed in irritation, Scorchclaw licked at his right front paw. It was just his luck to have stepped on a well-hidden thorn while out hunting. Fortunately, he had managed to pull it out without too much trouble, but his paw pad was now rather sore as a result. The large tabby tom let out a low growl of frustration as he gave up on trying to ease the wound. It was time for another apprentice ceremony. This time, the cat that he had in mind was Featherkit. Standing up, the fluffy deputy padded over to the willow tree and swiftly pulled himself unto the Willow Branch. His paw twinged slightly, but he ignored it, calling out loudly for the start of a clan meeting. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the willow branch for a clan meeting!"

Featherkit's leaf-green eyes flashed in unease as the deputy's call rang out in the clearing. Her feathery tail twitched, and she stepped forward from the nursery entrance uncertainly, glancing down at her neatened soft silvery pelt to make sure not a single hair was out of place. She quickly gave her chest fur a swift and thorough lick before completely emerging outside. Her legs trembled in fear as she noticed all the unfamiliar cats gathering to watch her. Determined to not make a fool of herself, she carried onwards, taking a seat near the front.

The tiny she-kit turned her gaze upwards towards Scorchclaw, and inhaled in an attempt to calm herself down.

Featherkit's nervousness was not lost on Scorchclaw. The brown tabby tom twitched one tufted ear as the young she-cat sat down at the front of the crowd. When she lifted her gaze towards him, he met hers with his own. There was nothing to be anxious about; it would be over in a moment. Attempting to reassure her, he forced the corners of his maw upwards in an awkward smile. It was an expression that he was not very used to making, and it quickly morphed back into his usual, serious expression. "We gather today to witness the making of one of our kits into an apprentice. Featherkit, step forward."

"Featherkit, 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 Featherpaw and your mentor will be Tawneyfang." Directing his gaze to the named warrior in the gathered group of cats, he added, "Despite your young age, you are a capable, loyal warrior. I trust that you will train Featherpaw well."

literally screaming with excitement
The young warrior was taken aback by the sudden proclamation. Her? A mentor? Scorchclaw had clearly embedded a lot of trust in her with that decision. Was she even truly ready? It felt like a few sunrises ago that she was an apprentice, like the newly named Featherpaw, only concerned with her training and becoming a warrior. Was she really going to be as good as her own mentor? Was she going to meet everyone's expectations?

Swallowing the pool of doubt that had begun to form, the brown and white warrior padded towards her apprentice, a smile on her face. Whatever the future stored, she'd have to suck it up and deal with it. Still, the nervousness that she felt just moments ago died as soon as she saw the excitement in her apprentices' eyes as she bent down to touch noses. "I'm very pleased to have you as my apprentice, Featherpaw. For now, settle in. Training will start tomorrow, at dawn." 

When Scorchclaw had smiled down at her, Featherkit had returned a weak smile. She had stepped forward, attempting to not show any reluctance, and had listened to the deputy's words attentively.

She was absolutely delighted when her new name had been announced, and even more so when her mentor was made Tawnyfang. The worry she had felt before had now seemed to melt away immediately, and was replaced with a more pleasant feeling - excitement.

The newly-named apprentice nodded slightly and beamed enthusiastically when she and her mentor had touched noses. Her pale eyes gleamed with relief. The ceremony hadn't been too long, and it seemed to have been over in a heartbeat.
There were many moons of training to come, and Featherpaw was gladly looking forward to them.