Leopardkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Now that she was healthy again, Darkstar could once again get in the groove of performing ceremonies. Each one filled her with joy, even if the kits weren't her own. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under the Highrock for a Clan meeting!"

Mottledwing proudly leapt up to the ceremony. Her first kit, and only son, was to become an apprentice. She recalled the future name in her head. Leopardpaw. It sounded beautiful! She padded up to the Highrock, eyes searching for her little kit - who would soon be a new apprentice.

Hearing the summons, Leopardkit made his way to the entrance of the nursery; but then he noticed.
Everybody's staring at me!
His ears flattened to his head, he took a few nervous steps out of the den. His lip curled defensively, he met up with Mottledwing and looked up at her, seeking support. His eyes wide and anxious, he showed none of the usual excited signs of an about-to-be-apprenticed kit.

"Don't be scared," the fairly young queen mewed, bending down to lick a stray patch of fur on her tom-kit's forehead. She wrapped her fluffy tail loosely around his small, golden body. "It won't be long before you realize what this is," she said, with the note of a slight purr entering her voice.

Leopardkit knew what was going on. He had seen a few other kits be promoted in his brief time in ThunderClan. His worry was.....would the clan fully accept him? He nodded in response to Mottledwing's comforting words, and began to walk up towards Darkstar. Not making eye contact with any other of the gathered cats, he looked up with narrowed eyes at the leader.

Mottledwing let the young tom be released from her grasp, as smoothly as a frog's skin. He felt him pad away, and watched him longingly. Can he just be a kit for longer? wondered Mottledwing, silently speaking to StarClan, their ancient ancestors in the sky. She watched as Leopardkit lay aft. He approached Darkstar fearlessly, and Mottledwing felt her heart swell with pride. Although they were not blood-related kin, she was so happy for him. She grinned.

Darkstar set her yellow gaze on the young tom. "Leopardkit, please come forward."

Mottledwing nodded to Leopardkit, urging him on. The young tomcat had seemed to know that this was his apprentice ceremony, and he was completely sure that he'd be a natural at performing it.

Leopardkit bowed his head to Darkstar, waiting for her to start the ceremony. I wonder who my mentor will be? Besides from Blacktwig, Mottledwing, Blizzardshine, the leader herself, and Emberheart he didn't know anyone else. He had never bothered to mingle with the clan. Sighing, he lectured himself in his mind; You need to put yourself out there! If you don't, you'll be left behind! At the same time, that ever-present dark voice whispered But why would they stay?

His gaze hardening, he waited patiently.

Darkstar stood slightly straighter. "Leopardkit, you have reached the age of six moons and it is time that you became apprenticed. From this moment forth until you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Leopardpaw. Though she is young, I know that Grasswhisker has the skill and knowledge to be your mentor."

Mottledwing cheered loudly, calling out her son's brand new name. "Leopardpaw!" she meowed, her fluffy, mottled tail palpitated in honour of her son's new apprenticeship. She padded up to Leopardpaw and nuzzled him. "Good job," she purred sweetly, her cordiality towards the adopted golden tom bound to be embarrassing for him, especially as he was growing older.

Leopardpaw dipped his head respectfully to Darkstar, before turning to touch noses with Grasswhisker. He had never spoken with the young she-cat, but she seemed strong and skilled. To his surprise, Mottledwing padded up and began nuzzling him. Giggling awkwardly, he nuzzled her back before stepping away. His eyes shone with gratitude; she had been an amazing adoptive mother to him, and he would surely keep that relationship with her through his growing years. But she's not your real mother. You're still an orphan, an outsider. His gaze hardening, Leopardpaw turned and made his way to the apprentice's den. That just means I'll have to work ten times harder to prove my strength and loyalty. Bring it on ThunderClan!

Grasswhisker looked up in shock. Darkstar chose me to be a mentor? Already? Her kits were barely out of the nursery, or about to be apprenticed. And she was barely a warrior. The young she-cat was definitely surprised to be pucked as Leopardpaw's mentor, but honored and determined too.

She shook her head to clear away the confusion and padded towards the young tom. Grasswhisker touched her nose to his, excitement shining in her deep, green eyes, "I cannot wait to begin your training, Leopardpaw."

The queen gazed longingly after her son as he pardoned their interaction, nearing the apprentice's den. She knew he was still sore over his bloodlines, but that didn't mean that she ceased to love him. I hope I have done well for him, prayed Mottledwing. I still have Vixenkit; I promise you, StarClan, I will raise her too. Dipping her head with gratitude to Grasswhisker, she opened her maw to speak. "Thank you, love," she purred. "I trust that you will train him well." With that, Mottledwing turned away, her bister eyes gleaming with certitude for Grasswhisker. She slipped back into the nursery, her hazel orbs focusing now on her daughter. Despite this, the thought of Leopardpaw never left her mind.