Coyotekit's Apprentice Ceremony

Leopardclaw felt very strange as he jumped up onto the still sooty Highrock; he was so used to seeing Darkstar, and now Blizzardstar, up there addressing the clan and performing ceremonies, and the thought they he was taking their place almost set his mind reeling. Even though his heart was still heavy with the loss of his two eldest kits to that.....mist, and he was still suffering from the effects of the panic attacks that had commenced afterward that had kept him from his duties for a while, he was ready now. Mounting the rock, he called out the usual summons for his first ceremony. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather underneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!"

Cedarpaw climbed out of the apprentice den, heeding Leopardclaw's call. He was mildly surprised to see the deputy on the tall rock instead of the new leader, but he sat and waited to see what the spotted Tom had to say.

Coyotekit padded out of the nursery at the call. He was rather bored sitting around in the nursery. The little tom didn't even want to be stuck in camp at all. All he wanted to go find Wolffang. However, there was no way he would be able to navigate the forest. His tail twitched as he settled down at the edge of the clearing to look up at the new deputy. It was still strange to not see Blizzardstar up there. He had gotten so used to the fluffy white she-cat as deputy, but now she was leader. Regardless, he sat down at the edge of the group. His eyes fixed on the spotted tom as he waited for Leopardclaw to speak.

When the majority of the clan had gathered below him, Leopardclaw cleared his throat and began to speak. "Since Blizzardstar is still recovering from her infected wounds, today I will be performing this ceremony. Coyotekit, please step forward."

Once young tom had emerged from the crowd, the golden deputy took a deep breath before continuing. "Coyotekit, you have reached the age of six moons and it is time that you become an apprentice. From this moment on, until you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Coyotepaw. Your mentor will be Leafstorm. Though young, he is a brave, skilled warrior, and I am confident he will train you well." Once finished, he smiled down at the brown tabby as the clan began to cheer his name.

It took a moment for the kit to react when his name was called. Complete shock caused his movements to be slow. For a while now he had watched the clan progression of ages. Normally, kits would eventually have a ceremony and begin training as a warrior. Coyotekit had never thought it would happen to him. The former rogue kit saw himself as separate from the others. Except for Barkpaw, he had not connected with many others. So when he was named as an apprentice... the world seemed to freeze. He had never thought his name would change.

"I'm excited to start training..." Coyotepaw mumbled to his new mentor once the initial shock had faded enough to where he could make his way over. The young tom's voice wasn't shaky, but now so hesitant in the confusion.

Leafstorm jumped as he heard his name called, but made his way towards the young tom calmly and reached down to meet Coyotepaw's nose with his own. "Don't worry." He mewed gently, recognizing the cat's discomfort. "You'll do great."
The young warrior knew that his reassurances weren't the greatest, but it was the best he could do. Although he was worried for the young tom, he couldn't keep the wide grin off his face. He, of all cats, was a mentor!