Applekit's Apprentice Ceremony

Now that Sunpaw had been apprenticed to Sablestrike, it was time for another of Marshmallow's kits to join the- well. There wasn't an apprentice's den at the moment, but it was Applekit's turn to join the ranks of those in training to become ShadowClan warriors, at least.

"ShadowClan! All cats old enough to silently stalk in the shadows, please gather around for a Clan meeting!"

Applekit's ears perked up as soon as he heard Leopardsun's call, every hair on his pelt standing up in his excitement. Sunpaw's incessant bragging about being the first of the litter to be apprenticed had annoyed him to no end, but maybe, just maybe, it would finally be his turn. At least, he hoped it was. He'd be sorely disappointed if this turned out to be yet another boring meeting, so he made sure to sit as close to Leopardsun as possible, which would hopefully convince her to make him an apprentice if she wasn't planning to already.

Leopardsun tried to remain serious as Applekit shuffled as close to her as he could manage, but couldn't keep a smile off her face- it was nice, she thought, to be able to find something to smile about during all of this.

"Applekit, please step forward."

It was a good thing that she had intended on conducting his ceremony today, though she did wonder how he might respond if she didn't.

"You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to become an apprentice. From this day until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Applepaw. Lighttail will be your mentor- I trust that she will pass on everything she knows to you."

It felt odd, passing ShadowClan's apprentices on to younger warriors; but she trusted Lighttail, just as she trusted Sablestrike (at least, she trusted him with training an apprentice).

"Congratulations, Applepaw."

Lighttail had been in the crowd as always, silent and generally not concerned. She didn’t have the emotional energy to care about very much lately. But then she heard her name, and her eyes snapped to Leopardsun. She was a mentor? She had an apprentice now? Lighttail padded forward to her cousins, a smile on her face. Applepaw was her responsibility, and this was a situation she had some influence on! She couldn’t do anything for her mother or Sablestrike, but she could do something now. She could make a difference, make the world a better place! She reached out to touch noses with her new apprentice. “Congratulations, Applepaw! Training starts tomorrow night at sunset. Get some rest and take the time to celebrate!”