Morningkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Morningkit was next. Mottlerose's kit has been a troublemaker in kithood but more of a curious creature than anything. Admittedly, the thought was what managed to bring a touch of a smile to the troubled leader's maw. It was brief but it was there. He leaped onto the highrock once more to begin the ceremony, "Let all cats gather for a clan meeting."

Mottlerose ushered her remaining kits out of the nursery. Slowly but surely, they were all leaving the nursery, and she would be able to return to snuggling up to Minnowfin in the warrior's den. Sitting in her typical place, she glanced towards Stoatstar in anticipation.

Morningkit sat through an entire... morning of getting groomed just for this. After his stunt at the warrior's den, he was excited to be getting a step closer to being there. Sitting close to the rock, he glanced over at his mother, purring with excitement.

He didn't know who any of the ghostly cats were, but he didn't think they were going to stop him from becoming an apprentice!

"Morningkit, come forward." Stoatstar begin as he found the pelt of the apprentice in the crowd below. His tail flickered slightly. He had to fight back a swallow at the thought of this kit growing up underneath the grip of the Dark Forest. But his eyes glazed over as he glanced down, focusing at the task at paw, "Morningkit, you will now be known as Morningpaw. Copperheart will be your mentor." The named warrior was young but pure-hearted. Morningpaw needed someone to guide him, keep his spirits going, and Copperheart seemed like the cat to do it. With a flick of his tail, he dismissed his meeting.

A warm gaze full of pride resulted from Mottlerose as she glanced towards her son. "Morningpaw! Morningpaw!" She had every ounce of hope that Copperheart would train her son well, and properly. The dark forest was a concern still, but, she had hope for his safety.

Morningpaw lifted his head proudly, meeting the gaze of his mother, Stoatstar, and his new mentor Copperheart. Tail high, the new apprentice bounded towards Copperheart and touched noses, accidentally pressing slightly too hard. "Sorry!" He chirped, wrinkling his nose. "Can we train now?" He purred, looping around the warrior. Unfortunately, Morningpaw was very excited and might be a bit of a menace.

Copperheart touched noses with Morningpaw. Wow my first apprentice already, Copperheart thought to himself. It felt not so very long ago that he was an apprentice himself. Although not clan born, Copperheart had no doubts that he wouldn't be able to train this apprentice like Appledapple had trained Copper when he was an apprentice. He chuckled at Morningpaw's excitement and replied "We will begin training very soon, I promise.

"Morningheart! Morningheart!" Reedshine cheered for the new apprentice. it seemed like just a moon ago that he had been assigned to Appledapple as an apprentice.