minnowkit's apprentice ceremony

It felt strange, returning to the highrock. Something about this position would never truly become his own, was reserved for a cat far greater that him, one whose paws didn't silently shake at the thought of impending death. Kits and apprentices felt like a level of condemnation. But it couldn't stall his duties. Nor was it right to stare down the bridge of his nose at the chosen kit with misplaced disdain. With a sigh the little brown and white tom sucked in a frigid breath, letting it splinter his lungs with ice, before leaping up onto the highrock. Orange eyes watched cats milling about or sharing tongues. What worry-free lives they lived. He briefly wondered if Thrushnose had felt this burden and how heavy it lay on Minkstar. A buried resentment crept up for only a moment before his gaze landed on the little grey and white kit. So that was it then, no more hesitation.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the highrock."

Minnowkit sat in front of the nursery, paws kneading the ground in anticipation, a small habit he had developed. Eyes trained on the rather small figure of the deputy, he felt exhilarated with the thought of becoming an apprentice. Who might his mentor be? A tongue rasped between his ears before he was gently nudged forward. Emotions of happiness and pride seemingly poured out of the small kit as he glanced around at all the cats moving closer to the Highrock.

"Minnowkit, come forward." Stoatfur hardly hesitated as he called the kit to stand before the clan. How could such a tiny creature be so terrifying to him? He flicked his tail, wanting to end this swiftly. To him, ceremonies were a waste of time to accomplish something that could be done with a mere conversation. But it was a matter of tradition and he was in no position to change that. It had taken hardly any time for the clan to be called to attention by his simple meow - the deputy never yowled to catch their attention - as most were milling as usual around sunset.

"You are now six moons old and will begin your training. From now on, you will go by Minnowpaw. I will be your mentor. Training will begin before sunrise." He didn't cheer, nor rush to touch noses with the apprentice. Instead, Stoatfur offered and nod and leaped down from the highrock. If Minnowpaw wanted praise, then he would have to prove himself in training. Already, the brown and white warrior wrestled with whether or not he was looking forward to the morning. He supposed they would both find out after the night's rest.

Stoatfur's simple meow was heard clear enough in the calm atmosphere, clashing with the young kit's expectations. He padded a few pawsteps toward the Highrock, paws tingling every step of the way. The look in the older cat's eyes... was it fear he saw?

He didn't get a chance to process the words coming from the deputy's maw before a twinge of unease showered him as he watched his newly named mentor give him a mere gesture before slinking away. Disappointment tugged at his pelt like brambles refusing to let go. He hid it as best he could, but his slightly drooping tail betrayed his true feelings.

Kithood was in the past, he was an apprentice now. The unenthusiastic ceremony he had just received shouldn't have bothered him. Right...?