The future's in your paws. Shape it well.Roleplay in a cat Clan of warriors. Based off the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. Takes place in an AU before the cats in the books existed.
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Characters : Sablestrike T5 Deputy (Shadowclan), Stoatclaw T3 Warrior (Skyclan), Alethea T1 (Rogue), Oakpaw [Perma-NPC] (Windclan), Willowkit (Shadowclan) Number of posts : 1250 Gender : Copper was here <3 (& Kitty)
Subject: Hedgekit's Apprentice Ceremony Fri 2 Feb 2024 - 18:46
Pineblossom's kits were all old enough to help their clan now, it would only make sense that they earn their names and join the ranks of Shadowclan as full apprentices. Sablestrike had already been planning mentors for the young kits, but now certain warriors had lost their lives or gotten themselves injured, he would have to rethink this. Raising his voice above the chattering camp, Sablestrike called out.
"All cats old enough to silently stalk in the shadows, please gather in the shadow of the Jaggedrock for a Clan meeting!"
Everything was better. Everything was back to normal. Hedgekit did her best to think about the happy things, and not the scary things, as she made her way out of the nursery. Not to think of the beasts or the dogs or the long journeys or the sickness, but to think of the snow and the tall trees and the marshy scent of home and the fact that Sablestrike stood on the Jaggedrock. Mamma had hinted that their ceremonies would be soon now. Hedgekit knew that meant she was allowed to attend when the words were called. She pranced out happily, her white paws blending in with the frigid ground while her dark brown pelt stuck out above it.
Compared to the nursery, she was bigger now. She didn't really fit inside the nest in the same way that she used to. Though the idea of becoming an apprentice was a bit scary, it was more exciting than not. She'd get to see more of the territory. She'd learn how to hunt her own prey! Big green eyes, alight with anticipation, watched the deputy from below his spot on the rock.
Golden eyes fell on the growing molly. She bore a striking resemblance to her mother, something that made Sablestrike smile. He'd keep up with this kit's training to make sure she didn't veer off the path of being a righteous and strong warrior, the same as her mother. "Hedgekit," he announced, "please step forward." A pause to allow the kit to heed his instructions, then the ceremony truly began.
"You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to become an apprentice. From this day on until you earn you warrior name you will be known as Hedgepaw. Your mentor will be Quillsplash, our newest warrior. He is well-versed in the way of the warrior. I trust he will raise you to be a valuable asset to your clan."
Suddenly her name was the one falling from Sablestrike's mouth. Oh. Oh. It was her ceremony. Awestruck, she stumbled forward, eyes still fixed completely on the deputy. Did her fur look okay? Who was her mentor going to be? Was there anything she had forgotten? Well, it didn't matter now. It was her ceremony. And then, it was done. Now... Hedgepaw. Hedgepaw. She blinked, puffing up her chest slightly as she heard the name. She sounded so much more wise and strong, maybe just a little bit. Maybe like her brothers. A bit like Silverhawk. More like Mamma. And her mentor? Quillsplash. The name sounded familiar. She glanced around the clearing to look for him. She must've met him before, right? Or was she misremembering? Either way, she grinned widely, small white fangs beaming. Apprentice! She was an apprentice now!
Everything I say is a lie, but they’re the only things keeping me alive
Quillsplash had not been expecting his name to leave the sable-furred deputy, but it did. He stepped forward, uncertain eyes drifting to the she-cat that was his new apprentice. Pineblossom's daughter, Hedgekit, now Hedgepaw. He just couldn't escape this group of cats, could he? The tortoiseshell flicked his tail nervously, and touched Hedgepaw's nose as quickly as he could. "Training starts tommorrow," He mewed, surprised yet again by how steady his voice was.
perfection is found in accepting your imperfections
Of course she had to be here, even when her should hurt like the Dark Forest. Tawnyshadow shifted her sore leg, biting back hisses of pain as the ceremony continued. She was fond of Pineblossom's kits, even if some of their kin didn't like her involvement, and would kill to protect them. She remembered her previous interactions with the kits, Hedgekit in particular was a rather sweet kit. Well, Hedgepaw now. She was half-sad that she had not been chosen as their mentor, but knew that between her past and her shoulder she would be a horrible mentor for any apprentice.
There were several ceremonies Silverhawk was waiting on more impatiently than the cats the were actually for. Hawkpaw's, of course, because it was terribly strange not to be the same rank any longer, and his siblings. He understood the wait, at least. Hearing Sablestrike's voice call them together from the top of the Jaggedrock, washed in moonlight more familiar than the beams that cast the lake, made it seem worth it. However restless he was for their advancements, he didn't want such special occasions to happen far from the reach of tangible memory.
Silverhawk remained still, even though he wanted to jump up just to cheer preemptively when Hedgekit was called forward. With shivering whiskers he waited through the brief rites, through the exchange of greetings (with Quillsplash, a younger wary that made Silverhawk's hackles sharpen... he would have to keep an eye on them) before hurrying over. "Congratulations, Hedge," he purred, briefly pressing his head against hers. He didn't have to lean down so far to do so anymore--the kits had all grown a lot. Silverhawk felt warm and full and a little sick with pride. His eyes were shining when he went on, "Don't let Quillsplash take up all your time, alright? You'll have to save some patrols for me, too."
Anticipation and excitement filled the large kitten as Sablestrike called out for the clan to gather beneath the Jaggedrock. He was finally at the age of an apprentice himself, and the Tom found a mix of emotions swirling in his heart as he watched his sister Hedgekit being called forth. Primarily his heart swelled with pride for her as she was apprenticed to Quillsplash, and he eagerly shouted out her new name, Hedgepaw, joining his clan in the celebration.
Amidst the joy, there was a question that lingered in the forefront of Stagkit’s mind. Who would be his own mentor? Curiosity mixed with a hint of nervous as he wondered who would be chosen to guide him through the challenges of becoming a warrior. Though his deep thoughts were quite short lived and Stagkit shrugged. He didn’t truly care who he got, only that they were just as nice and kind as his Mama. It would be nice to have his Mama as a mentor. Yeah.
Hedgepaw leaned up happily to touch her nose to Quillsplash's once he appeared out of the crowd. He was big and fluffy, a little bit like Silverhawk only more scruffy-looking. She wondered if they knew each other? Maybe they were friends. Either way, she couldn't help but smile. "Okay! Looking forward to it." The touch was a bit brief, but she didn't really care too much. She was too excited to notice. She was an apprentice! Soon, other faces began to materialize in the crowd. Silverhawk--her big brother. An answering purr vibrated up from her chest as she heard his. Bright eyes met a near-matching green pair. "Of course, Silver!" she replied warmly. "I'd love to patrol with you! And Hawkpaw, too! An' Fern an' Stag an' Wolf an' Mamma! I want to spend time with all of you forever." Eyes caught those of her brother nearby. She waved at him joyfully with a single white paw.
Quillsplash. Wolfkit could barely suppress his glare. He wanted to cheer for Hedgepaw, and yet that one name made his paws burn. He grunted and lifted himself, trudging over to Hedgepaw-- and making sure he gave Quillsplash one nasty look as he did--, and headbutt her in the shoulder as rough as he could. Which was not rough. Rough enough to make her stumble, but he couldn't bring himself to knock her over.
"If we go on a patrol, you best keep me a spot at the lead," He said, flicking his eyes around at the gathering of cats. "And then we can catch the most prey. Or fight the most evil things." He glanced back at Quillsplash, and lowered his head closer to Hedgepaw. In a quiet voice, murmured; "I can bite him if he's mean to you. The funny-looking one."
Hedgepaw smiled at Wolfkit's approach. If he was upset that her ceremony was before his, thankfully he didn't show it. He'd really grown up a lot since they were little. "I will," she promised, returning his un-rough headbutt with a gentle shoulder nudge of her own. "I bet I can catch just as much as you!" She frowned slightly at his whispered words, her own green gaze traveling briefly over to the warrior just named as her mentor. "Don't bite him," she said disapprovingly. "I'm sure he'll be fine. If anything happens though, don't worry! I'm big and strong now." She puffed her chest out slightly, though it was obviously a joke, since Wolfkit was just a bit taller than her anyway.
A growing tom walked beside his mother, his white marks becoming more alike to hers every day. Together along with the rest of his litter they joined the clan meeting beneath Deputy Sablestrike's watch. Fernkit studied the black-furred tom with a hopeful suspicion. Pineblossom had once explained to him that Shadowclan's deputy handled kits becoming apprentices, while their leader Leopardstar dealt with warriors and the rest. His hopes were swiftly proven true as Hedgekit's name was called forth. Within moments Sablestrike conceded the ceremony, giving his sister a partially new name. Hedgepaw!
Fernkit’s ears caught Quillsplash’s words to his new apprentice. "Training starts tomorrow." His mind buzzed with nosy wonder. What would he teach her first? To hunt or fight, surely. Helping the clan catch prey during this cold season would be valuable, but so would being able to protect herself against any more canines that decided to show themselves. Fernkit nearly drew breath to ask the warrior but held his words instead. There was an element of irritation he felt in Quillsplash’s expression, making him a cat Fernkit did not want to risk bothering unless necessary. He would instead ask his sister later.
The rest of the family rushed ahead to celebrate Hedgepaw while other parts of the crowd chanted her new name. Each sibling had their turn congratulating her and already making promises of patrols. Fernkit smiled, quickly growing excited to share this experience with his littermates, especially his only friend Hedgepaw. The dark tabby tom dismissed his siblings’ odd whispering as none of his business and instead moved forward to press his nose against Hedgepaw’s shoulder. "Congratulations," he said with a very quiet purr. "How does it feel to have a new name? Is it a bit weird, but exciting nonetheless?"
They were finally home, in a place that was familiar and finally felt safe again. With it, her children, who had spent all of their kithood in a new place, got to be named as old enough for their apprentice names. Pineblossom felt her heart swell as she sat in the crowd and watched her only daughter earn that title. Seeing her previous apprentice be chosen as her daughter’s mentor made her heart warm too. She was a little nervous, as she knew that Quillsplash still seemed to struggle with things as he had in his apprenticeship, but she knew that she taught him well, and that he would teach her daughter well in turn.
She approached behind her other children and licked Hedgepaw’s cheek affectionately. “Congratulations,” she purred. “You’re going to do great things for this clan. I’m proud of you.”
