Bluekit's Apprentice Ceremony

Another kit becoming an apprentice... another mouth to be fed last, perhaps not at all. Loonwhisper was deeply troubled, almost reluctant to graduate little Bluekit to the apprentice den when he very well may go to his nest each night hungry. The deputy certainly did. No one was safe from this famine, except perhaps the nursing kittens. Even then, their mothers were beginning to look sunken and weary. RiverClan's ragged forms were already watching him by the time he raised himself onto the rock. He wished they wouldn't look at him so terribly.

"All cats who can fish in the river, please... hoo-hoo."

Bluekit had only the basic understanding of the true struggles his Clan was experiencing, but he knew that his older Clanmates were all very thin. He felt a little guilty as his mother helped him groom himself for his ceremony. His belly was not as round as most kits would have been, but he still had a gentle swell that was not nearly as present in the rest of his Clan.

At least as an apprentice he would be taught how to hunt and he could try to help his Clan out. He made his way up to the front of the gathering crowd, a look of determination in his eyes.

Loonwhisper nodded to the little kit, his expression unreadable, his intentions unknown. He wanted this to be a pleasurable occasion for Bluekit, and the deputy was not a good liar. Therefore he kept his eyes fixed, his jaw locked, and he looked the same as he did nearly every day. He did not try to conjure a purr or twitch his tail, like he might in another ceremony, another time.

"Bluekit has reached the age of six moons, and will now become an apprentice. Bluekit, from this day until you have achieved a warrior name, you will be known as Bluepaw." His head swiveled to one of the gathering warriors. "Egretstorm, you will mentor Bluepaw. Deep experience is like an unending spring, and our Bluepaw will need your water. Dismissed."

He jumped down, stopping for a moment to blink at Bluepaw, and returned to his den to maintain the moss. He had been reminded by his own words that it was getting rather dry.

Bluepaw couldn't help but lift his chin a little with pride at his new name. He was excited to get to know Egretstorm and learn how to support his Clan. The still small blue point turned to find his mentor, tail held high as he trotted over to touch noses, returning the blink that the deputy gave him on the way. Was this the joyful ceremony that perhaps it could have been? No, but Bluepaw was content with it.