Snakekit and Amberkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Darkstar gracefully made her way to the top of her den. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under the Highrock for a clan meeting!"

Maplepaw padded out of the apprentice's den, yet another apprentice. Thunderclan seemed to be doing well despite the leaf-bare weather. She was glad to see more and more apprentices joining her in the den.

Amberkit flew out of the nursery, a brown-russet furball, nearly crashing into the rock face. 

She knew it was her time to be apprenticed; she could reach from one side of her nest to the other, now, and instead of being the spoiled youngest like usual, she was the oldest. The kit puffed out her fur, kneading her claws into the dirt impatiently. Who'll my mentor be?

Emberheart yawned, appearing out of the nursery with a flourish of golden. Amberkit hadn't stopped talking about how great this moment would be, and she grinned, a strangely young, immature-ish grin at her offspring. Despite going out nearly every morning once the kits were five moons old for patrols, she missed being out in the forest everyday, the feel of leaves licking her back and birds singing just for her, as she liked to imagine.

And finally, she would be able to give Sunpaw that assessment she'd been waiting so long for—it was many moons overdue.

Pinewihsker's tail flew up as he greeted Amberkit, grabbing her lovingly by the scruff and giving her a gentle shake before setting her down with a proud grin. He licked down her recless fur, touching the golden tipped brown fur with his toungue with care to wash her fully. "Hey, you. Don't want to break a hole through the camp wall, do you?" he grinned to his daughter, urging her to settle down. He greeted his mate with a sheepish look as he exchanged glances between the two she-cats.

Markedpaw ran over excitedly, she'd not yet lost her kit-like excitement. She looked at her younger sister proudly and said "See! I told you it wouldn't be long! You can come with me and Cypresspaw to the apprentice den afterwards, okay? I'll show you around" She quickly groomed a misplaced tuft of fur on the kit's head and flicked her tail excitedly. She looked at their parents, the happiness in her eyes clear. She was glad her little sister was finally becoming an apprentice, she'd seemed so sad when Markedpaw had left the nursery. Purring, she sat down beside the others and looked at Darkstar, almost as excited for her sister's apprenticeship as she had been for her own. But not quite.

OOC: Since Snakekit’s owner hadn’t posted we’ll continue without her. Please act like Blizzardshine was the one that called for the meeting.

Once enough cats were gathered beneath the Highrock she decided to go on “Amberkit, please, step forward”.

Amberkit shook off her father, appearing annoyed—"I'm gonna be an apprentice, Pinewhisker, c'mon"—but her eyes glinted with joy and mischief. 

"Oh, let her have her moment," Emberheart purred, watching her youngest daughter with proud eyes. "I was the same way, remember?—that's my job!" Good-naturedly, she nudged Markedpaw away. The queen snickered, memories of her defiant kithood coming back. She pressed closer to her mate, ear flicking.

The kit jumped up a little to lick her older sister's cheek affectionately, purring, then dropped back down and scurried forward, eyes wide and bright as she stared up at Blizzardshine.

Blizzardshine smiled at the energetic kit “Amberkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Amberpaw” Her eyes landed on an specific metor and the next words came out from her mouth almost without thinking “Your mentor will be Sheepnose. I hope she passes down all she knows on to you” With that she jumped off the Highrock, dismissing the clan.

ooc;; sorry to butt in, but Mottledwing is missing. I apologize for ooc-only post, but.. yeah. sorry about the inconvenient timing of her absence!

OOC: I'm so sorry!!! Edited the post, hopefully it will be ok this time

ooc;; INK YOU ARE PERFECT!!! this is beautiful for the plot :^)

Emberheart felt her heart drop.

Sheepnose?!

Though they had mostly made up, she was still uncertain. Pinewhisker's past mate? My forgotten sister? Mouth dry, the russet she-cat stared up at Blizzardshine. She knew the deputy well and trusted her. Surely she'd made the correct decision?

Amberpaw giggled at her new name, spinning around to rush up to Sheepnose and touch traditionally. Only a faded memory appeared of this cat—in the forest, soft scents and angry—but it gave her a headache and she shook it off, plopping down on her rump beside her new mentor. Probably just a dream.

Markedpaw felt something bad in the pit of her stomach at hearing the name Sheepnose. She'd seen the she-cat around the camp but not once had they spoken. So why did horror fill her? She had no idea. A faint memory surface, something about arguing. She'd been cold, hungry, worried, confused. Something in relation to her pelt? She had no idea, it was too long ago. Forcing herself to focus on what was happening, she smiled and meowed as loud as she could "Amberpaw! Amberpaw! Amberpaw!"

She looked at her mother, a question in her eyes. 'Who is she?'