Finchkit's Apprentice Ceremony

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the willow branch for a Clan meeting!" Fishstar shouted from her perch, voice a tad hoarse. It was nice to be out and about doing ceremonies again. She'd been sick with greencough for a number of sunrises, and though she still wasn't feeling very well, she could at least walk around now.

Fallowstripe bounded out of the nursery excitedly. Finally! she thought; the breath seemed to be withdrawn from her lungs each day she cared for the young she-kit. She waited to see the puffball of silver, wondering who her mentor would be. Maybe me, she imagined with a purr. I've seen some parents mentor their kits. Fallowstripe sat down, tail-tip twitching with anticipation. She could see in the distance where the rocks fell away. The gorge. She looked back up at Fishstar, and simultaneously attempted glancing around for her offspring, Finchkit. Oh! The queen was surprised to see the hoarse RiverClan leader preforming ceremonies again. Perhaps things were getting better.

Smokeface purred as he met Fallowstripe on his way up to the willow branch, guessing the happy occasion. Fallowstripe was never the calm type, and the older warrior could read her excitement to be out and about soon enough. "Fallowstripe!" he greeted his mate's former apprentice with a smile, flicking his tail over her sjoulder with a grin."As energetic as ever, I hope?" he joked.

Finchkit trotted out of the nursery, an excited smile on her gray tabby face. Fallowstripe had told her earlier that her ceremony would be today, so she had been waiting in suspense for what felt like ages now. She was so excited to get her new name and mentor, and to explore RiverClan territory!

Dashing up to join her mother, she rubbed her head against Fallowstripe's shoulder, purring a greeting. "Mama, I'm so excited! Who do you think my mentor will be?" Noticing Smokeface standing nearby, she waved her tail in a friendly greeting.

"Finchkit," Fishstar called, looking down on the younger she-cat, "step forward."

For a brief moment, a flash of anxiety washed over Finchkit. What if I'm not good enough? What if me and my mentor don't get along, or I disappoint them? What if..... Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes for a moment to regain her confidence before stepping forward. She walked calmly over to where Fishstar was perched, and looked up at the she-cat eagerly.

Fallowstripe nodded to Smokeface with a light-hearted chuckle. "Indeed," she purred. She watched Finchkit as she stepped up at Fishstar's commanding holler. Fallowstripe tried to sit still, but with all of the unconfined excitement floating in a giddy aura around her, it was difficult. It's my kit's ceremony! Fallowstripe felt like yowling aloud. But she kept her maw clamped shut, in a gentle smile.

"You have reached the age of six moons," Fishstar went on, "and are now ready to be apprenticed. From this day forth, until you become a warrior, you shall be known as Finchpaw. Your mentor shall be Squirreltuft. I trust that she will teach you all she knows."

Fallowstripe cheered her daughter's name as loud as she could, tail waving low against the ground. It swam in her head, and it made the sweetest sound. She recognized Squirreltuft as Smokeface's daughter, and it was a coincidence that they were here right now. She grinned, awash with pride.

The newly named Finchpaw dipped her head respectfully to Fishstar, a huge grin on her gray tabby face. Padding over to her mentor Squirreltuft, she touched noses with the she-cat before dashing back over to Fallowstripe. Purring loudly, she meowed"I did it Mama! I'm an apprentice!" She rubbed her head affectionately against her mother's shoulder before dashing off towards the apprentice's den.