Yew's Level Up [Apprentice] Ceremony

So far, the peace and prosperity of Stagclan was exactly as he had imagined it. He and Silent Snows' kits were thriving and soon their group would begin to grow to the size of other clans, instead of simply being the remnants of old Shadowclan. Already, his kits had begun to grow to the age apprentices would normally start their training. But he sought to do things differently. Not one cat would train an apprentice, but many to broaden the skills. Every young cat was important to the survival of the group. Yew was no different. No longer would he spent time around the camp with his parents, now he would join the ranks of other cats and explore the territory along the other great cats here. Much like he did when Silent Snows earned her full name in Stagclan, the calico tom stood in the center of camp, "Stagclan, gather here for the promotion of a kit into our ranks."

Shade lifted her head from the darkness of the nursery she looked at he tiny paws then at the exit of the nursery, she slyly padded out, but instead of joining the others in the middle of the camp, she hid in the shadows of the dens until she found a comfortable spot to watch this meeting, and she wondered what it was for.

Yew peaked her head out of the nursery, heart thundering in her chest. Sure, her mother had been dropping some not-so-subtle hints towards the coming ceremony, but now? Why, she had barely any time to groom, to ease the shake out of her step or the tremor in her voice! She hastily dipped her head to smooth her sides, flattening any stray clumps of fur from the recent misadventures she and her siblings got up to.

Cats had started to gather, now, and her father seemed to be looking for her pelt. Swallowing her lingering nervousness, she padded away from underneath the protective thorns of the nursery, to stand and sit among other, older cats of the clan.

As cats gathered around, Burnt spotted Yew and knew it was time. This would not be the standard naming ceremony that the clans were accustomed to, nor would it be traditional training, but something new. He smiled warmly at his kit before he began addressing the clan, "Cats of Stagclan, kits are our future. They one day will defend this new path with their claws and seek to protect the heart of the clan as we have. We gather to invite another kit to leave the nursery and begin his path of training. Unlike our ancestors, this will not be a task designated to one cat, but all grown cats will aid in the training of this tom until he is deemed ready to shed his birth name for the sake of something to honor his hardwork and dedication. Yew, it is time to leave your mother's side. We welcome you into Stagclan training." With the beckoning of his feathery tail, Burnt called his son forward. Once the kit stood before him in the center of camp, the calico tom dipped his head to lick the kit's forehead. And Yew was a kit no more.

Yew's worries seemed to be soothed by her father's honeyed mew. She felt warmly empowered by the faith he had put on her, and it mixed with the rush of excitement from being mentored by the whole clan. Why, with everyone mentoring her, she could truly be one of the best warriors in Stagclan, able to protect kits and elders... Yew suppressed a shiver. There were just so many possibilities in sight! With her father's beckoning, she padded forward, and felt Burnt's tongue gently lick her forehead. It was finally time for Yew to leave the nursery.

Shade's eyes widened in jealousy, but after they finished their little bonding time she ran back to the shelter of the nursery, looking back once more at Yew, who was a kit no more.