Blossomkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Even with the troublesome times that were plaguing the clan, life still went on as usual. Days passed, and time continued to slip by. By now, the leaves were beginning to fall from the trees. Another one of Dewshine and Gingerstripe's kits would be becoming an apprentice. Standing atop the Willow Branch, Scorchclaw called out in a commanding voice, “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Willow Branch for a clan meeting!”

Blossomkit tumbled out of the nursery in a rush. Her mother not far behind her as excitement flooded her pelt. Finally, it was her day. Now she could join her siblings in their antics. She looked back at Dewshine, who's blue eyes seemed torn between acceptance and sadness before she turned away to look at Scorchclaw.

---

All kits grow up sometime... that didn't mean Dewshine had to like it. She lamented the loss of the smaller bodies against her pelt while she slept. Their soft cries that she could attend to right away if they had a nightmare or got hurt. Now? Now they were all on their own. She forced herself to try and see it in a positive light, but it was difficult to push those mothering urges away while she watched her last kit go through the ceremony that would take her to a different den.

The little she-kit was quick to emerge at the call. Scorchclaw supposed she was excited, as most kits would be at their apprentice ceremony. Right behind Blossomkit was her mother Dewshine. Once they had found a seat before the Willow Branch, Scorchclaw decided to begin the ceremony. "Blossomkit," He mewed, "step forward. You have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this today onward until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Blossompaw. Your mentor will be Adderfeather. She will teach you all you need to know." His gaze flicked to the named warrior in the crowd. As he did so, a small smile graced his maw.

Blossompaw beamed in delight as she was apprenticed. Her green eyes bright with eagerness as she nodded vigorously and immediately looked for the cat named to be her mentor, abruptly thrusting her nose against the new cat's. Ignoring the soft worried mumblings of her mother just a tail length away. Her tail lashed in excitement.
"I promise I'll be the best Apprentice ever!" She announced delightedly.

It took an encouraging glance on Scorchclaw's behalf to force Adderfeather's paws to move. At one point in her life, the prospect of receiving her first Apprentice would've been absolutely enthralling- but now it was just anxiety inducing. She could barely even proficiently handle her own duties, and yet she had to train a cat with both of her eyes now? A wince transfixed her features as Blossompaw abruptly knocked their muzzles together, a fiery tendril of pain ricocheting through her head. A rueful simper was her only response to the young molly's eager words, a paw lifting to soothe the newfound sore spot.