Crowkit's Apprentice Ceremony

The batch of cats that Perchstar and Owlcall had found in the forest were growing quickly. Only two of them were left in the nursery now--and it was time for one of them to receive his name. The leader leapt onto the Willow Branch, the familiar movement done with swift grace, and gave the call that now fell so easily from her mouth. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own fish gather for a Clan meeting."

Crowkit poked his head out of the nursery, curiosity causing his paws to join the throng of cats that had begun to gather at Perchstar's call. Some of his siblings had already gotten their apprentice names, and soon, Crowkit knew, it'd be his turn. Why they hadn't all been apprenticed at the same time, the tom had no idea, surely it wasn't very efficient to do them one at a time over, like, a moon. I'd bet a rock that I'm next, he thought, wondering if Ravenkit would know he had just bet one of his precious (and rather drab) stones. He supposed if he lost, he'd just cast it out into the river when he did become an apprentice.

Once Perchstar spotted the dark-pelted tabby in the crowd, she made eye contact with him and offered a nod, signifying that it was indeed his ceremony. "Crowkit, you have reached the age of six moons and are ready to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Crowpaw. Your mentor will be Tinyshadow. I trust that he will pass all his knowledge onto you." It was usually customary to not give apprentices to newly-named warriors. However, with the large number of apprentices, several other younger warriors such as Drizzlepool and her daughter Mistwalker had been entrusted with them already. Though Tinyshadow had only been named a warrior a few days prior, she knew that her son could rise to the task and do a good job.