Nettlekit's Apprentice Ceremony

The heat of the afternoon had slowly abated to a more comfortable temperature. It was sometime at the beginning of the evening. At this moment, the patrols that had been last sent out were returning. It's time. With a last glance over the camp, Scorchclaw stood. He slowly made his way to the willow tree. There was a slight pause as he bunched his muscles, and then he sprung up into its branches. Just the day before, Thawpaw had received her apprentice name. Today, it was her littermate Nettlekit's turn. The large tom felt the Willow Branch dip slightly beneath his weight, but he had no fear that it would snap. It remained as sturdy as ever, despite the many leaders and deputies that had stood on it before. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the willow branch for a clan meeting!" Puffing out his chest, he called out the signal for a clan meeting.

Nettlekit had just groomed his long grey fur. Occasionally he realized how much his fur looked like his mom. He soon heard the yowl of the deputy ring out across the clearing and he realized he would be getting his name soon! He didn't know if it was today or not but he was so excited! He practically bounced over to the Willow Branch and sat. His green eyes located the deputy. He wanted to be up there someday as the leader. He knew he could do it, he just had to well.. do it!

As usual, the RiverClan cats were quick to assemble to the Willow Branch. There was quite a number of worried expressions on his clanmates' faces. Scorchclaw knew that they were wondering why a clan meeting had been called. RiverClan was going through a rather tough time. While Shade had not yet claimed another victim, he had yet to be caught. As long as he was still out there, it was impossible to be fully at ease. Fortunately, life was not without its pleasures. In all this, kits were continuing to grow into apprentices. Wanting to dispel his clanmates' concern, the fluffy deputy began the ceremony. "Nettlekit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day onward until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Nettlepaw. Your mentor will be Sandfrost. She will teach you all she knows about the Warrior Code and being a RiverClan warrior."

Sandfrost got up and padded over to her newest apprentice. The warrior pressed her nose against the tom's, her blue gaze friendly. "Your training will begin tomorrow, early at dawn. Get some rest so you are ready. I look forward to training with you." After that last statement, the warrior began to walk away.

Nettlekit pressed his nose to his mentor's quickly, and sat back down. He looked at her curiously, he hadn't really talked to her before. He supposed he could meet new cats. Then he heard training, and he was even more curious. He was quite excited actually. He would finally train!