Meadowkit and Summitkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Meadowpaw let out a trill of delight and padded over to Batwing. She felt honored that she would be her mentor's first apprentice. But as she saw Fawnpaw looking at Summitpaw and not even taking a glance at her, Meadowpaw's tail drooped. Forcing herself to smile, she looked at Batwing and asked excitedly, "What shall we do first?"

~

Sunpelt watched from the edge of the clearing as Summitpaw and Meadowpaw went up to their mentors. Pride warmed him from ears to tail-tip as he remembered that he was their uncle. Sunpelt felt bad for Meadowpaw, as she seemed very uncomfortable and unpopular among her Clanmates.

Deciding he wanted to cheer her up, he padded over to Meadowpaw and stood a ways away, waiting for Batwing to finish speaking with his new apprentice.

Sunpelt purred. "Yes, they are. Don't you feel bad for Meadowpaw?" he asked, half-amused and half-sad.

Sunpelt nodded in agreement. He padded over to his niece and nudged her side. He purred, and mewed, "Congratulations, Meadowpaw. I'm sure you'll do well in apprenticeship. Batwing is a good warrior. Then he added softly, "Don't worry about Fawnpaw. I think you should laugh at it. After all, it's obvious Summitpaw likes Fawnpaw."

~

Meadowpaw purred, and leaned against her uncle's broad shoulder. She saw a scar etched across his flank, and wondered if she would ever receive a souvenir like that from a battle. "Sunpelt, it seems like no one likes me. I don't have any friends except for Mom and Summitpaw." She sighed, though she trusted Sunpelt would help her through any tough days.

Then she saw the she-cat beside him, and looked curiously at her. The she-cat had beautiful amber eyes, and a soft gaze. "Hello," Meadowpaw mewed softly and shyly.

Meadowpaw purred at Cloverpaw. "It's nice to meet you!" She dipped her head at the older apprentice, and then turned to her brother. "Summitpaw! This is our uncle, Sunpelt, though you probably know that already; and this is Cloverpaw! Though you look like it's time for you to become a warrior!" the cream-colored cat added, looking at the old apprentice.

~

Sunpelt flicked his ears at Summitpaw and mewed, "Hello, Summitpaw!" The golden tabby padded over to his nephew and licked Meadowpaw's brother between the ears. "Excited to be an apprentice?" Sunpelt asked cheerfully.

~

Flamestripe had been sitting just outside the warriors den to watch the ceremony. Meadowpaw and Summitpaw were his cousins, though they were very distantly related, as Sunpelt was his cousin as well. The orange tabby padded over to the group and purred, "Hello, Meadowpaw and Summitpaw." He flicked his young cousins on the ears with his tail, and turned to Sunpelt and Cloverpaw. "Hey, guys!" Then he turned back to Meadowpaw and Summitpaw. "Just in case you don't know, I'm your cousin."