Beetlekit's Apprentice Ceremony

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

The cat who was Leopardsun's focus today was one whose ceremony was long overdue. It must have felt somewhat stifling, to be held back for so long... She didn't know the feeling, but she could still sympathize. Still, every cat who managed to reach their apprentice ceremony- regardless of circumstances, however late it might have been- was worthy of celebration.

Snowfoot was in a pretty good mood today as she joined the gathering cats. It always made her proud to see her niece standing at the Jaggedrock, and she loved seeing the excitement on the faces of the kits and watching the young warriors come into their own as mentors. She smiled, a bit of sadness creeping in, wondering whose turn it would be this time.

Rounder than moons and as blue as the river, Beetlekit's wandering eyes darted to all corners of the camp, taking in all of it's sights - something the average cat didn't appreciate, they supposed, but something they didn't have the luxury of seeing much in their life so far. They sat outside of the medicine den, a place that had become more of a home to them than the nursery ever had been. From within, they picked up a familiar sickly smell, fighting for dominance over the strong taste of herbs in the air. As horrid as the combination was, it was comforting, providing the kit with a sense of ease as they anxiously flicked their tail.

The call of who they recalled to be Shadowclan's deputy sounded across camp, and with one final remorseful look behind them, parted with the entrance of the medicine den. A hint of nervousness welled up in them once more as cats surrounded them at all sides, culminating in the camp's center. They towered above the kit, making them feel small. Still, they continued forward. They already knew what this meeting was for, they'd been waiting for it their whole life. They weren't going to let any worries hold them back.

Lifting their chin, they looked up towards Leopardsun, almost as if it were a challenge. Not a challenge to the deputy, though, but a challenge to all that had held them back so far. This was the beginning of their life, the start of living, and nothing would stop them.

Tawnyshadow joined the crowd of cats. It was easy to gues what was going to happen today. Beetlekit... the she-cat offered the kit a small smile as they made their way to the center of the clearing.

Sagestone followed behind Tawnyshadow, sitting down stiffly and wrapping his tail around his paws.

Dawnpaw trailed behind Tawnyshadow, her adoptive mother as she padded out into the camp from the apprentice's den after hearing Leopardsun's call for a gathering. Sounds like someone is getting apprenticed! Dawnpaw thought happily. She joined the group of cats slowly gathering around Leopardsun.

"Beetlekit, please step forward."

The young cat had waited long enough, eyes meeting her own. It felt strange, then, to be calling them kit- but not for much longer.

"You have long since passed the age of six moons, and are ready to become an apprentice. From this until the day you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Beetlepaw. Snowfoot will be your mentor. She is a wise and experienced warrior, and I trust that she will teach you all that she knows."

"Beetlepaw! Beetlepaw!" Tawnyshadow cheered the apprentice's new name. It was good to have more apprentices in the clan, especially with all that had happened recently. A part of her wished she had an apprentice, but she quickly shoved those feelings aside to congradulate Snowfoot.

"Beetlepaw! Beetlepaw!" Dawnpaw cheered loudly for her clanmate. Just not long ago Beetlepaw had still been a kit and in the nursery, now Beetlepaw was an apprentice! How quick time seems to pass by recently...

Snowfoot had been ready. Ready to get up and congratulate Beetlepaw on this milestone with all the others. Until she heard her own name. She should have been honored, really, to be chosen to mentor again. But right now, Snowfoot couldn’t see the honor or her niece’s faith in her. All she could see was Vixenpaw and Burnpaw.

Snowfoot’s eyes grew wide and her heart pounded in her chest. She’d mentored two apprentices already, and both died. First her niece, and then her own son. “I… I can’t.” she mumbled. “I’m sorry, Leopardsun. I decline,” she spoke, raising her head. “Every apprentice of mine is doomed. Beetlepaw deserves better.”

"Snowfoot..."

The deputy couldn't help her response- she was visibly taken aback, unable to hide most of the hurt she felt as Snowfoot declared every one of her apprentices was doomed. Yes, she remembered what had happened, but- nothing that had happened to Vixenpaw or Burnpaw had been the older warrior's fault.

"I won't force you."

Still, there was no time to dwell in the moment: there was an apprentice who, suddenly and unexpectedly, needed a new mentor. She returned her attention to them, newly named.

"I'm sincerely sorry for the interruption, Beetlepaw. Should she accept the responsibility, your mentor will be Tawnyshadow."

One of ShadowClan's younger warriors, which felt a little bit strange given the overall situation- but her initial plan had fallen through so quickly, she hadn't had time to think of a better one.

"If you need anything- and this goes for any of you- please don't hesitate to speak to me."

Tawnyshadow was stunned at the sudden turn of events. Snowfoot's reason was... acceptable, she supposed, but her, Tawnyshadow, becoming Beetlepaw's mentor? She had been hoping for an apprentice, but wasn't this too soon? No matter, she will be no less than any other mentor.

"I accept the responsibility, Leopardsun," Tawnyshadow confirmed, then crossed the clearing with wide strides until she was standing before her new apprentice. "Training starts tomorrow morning. For now, you will have to get started on your new duties; helping the elders remove their ticks," She informed Beetlepaw, "Go to the medicine cat den as soon as the ceremony is over to request for some mouse bile."

Sagestone was surprised by the sudden turn of events, but was quick to purr and congratulate Tawnyshadow. The she-cat herself looked surprised and a bit pleased. The next kit to become apprentice will surely be mine, since my warrior ceremony was only a day after Tawnyshadow's, he assured himself.

At least the amount of time they'd had to wait was recognized, not swept under the rug and forgotten. It provided some solace to Beetlekit as they looked up towards the deputy, kneading the dirt below them with anticipation. Each word felt like a lifetime, it felt like the ceremony couldn't be any longer. But then, Beetlekit heard their new name. It was a new beginning, a sign of the life they had ahead of them, one outside of the medicine den.

Looking around, amidst the slowly rising sounds of cheering, they looked for their mentor, Snowfoot, ready to meet them, touch noses to the cat that would guide them to warriorhood like they'd seen so many other apprentices do. Snowfoot stepped forward, but instead of being met with the embrace of a caring guide, Beetlepaw was met with a denial. In all of the ceremonies they'd ever seen, watched from their nest in the medicine den, they'd never seen a mentor refuse to take on an apprentice. Nervousness sparked within them, and they quickly looked back up to Leopardsun, desperate for an answer to their silent worries. Did Snowfoot think that they weren't good enough?

The deputy's attention was returned to Beetlepaw, who'd never felt more like they were under a spotlight. They stayed quiet, however, as a new mentor was chosen and the crowd began to cheer once more. The moment was bittersweet. A celebration of their perseverance, tainted by the denial to be apprenticed. With worried eyes, they looked up to their mentor. Tawnyshadow. Not Snowfoot. There was no nose touching, but there was however a confirmation of training, something they appreciated. Blinking, they nodded. "Yeah, sure. Mouse bile."



After the ceremony had concluded, and Beetlepaw returned to the medicine den where they'd spent so much of their life thus far, they couldn't held but smile to themself. Although their sibling couldn't move on with them right now, this was the start of their life. They were finally able to move on, to grow up and experience something besides the constant bitter smell and taste of herbs. It was then, they decided, that until Lousekit was able to follow suit, Beetlepaw would live for the both of them. Everything they did would have purpose, they'd put everything they have into training, just for Lousekit.