Firkit and Blackkit's Apprentice Ceremonies

"Let all cats of Skyclan old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the tallbranch for a clan meeting!" Rippedsky's yowl rang through the clearing. His claws scored the tallbranch once more. There had been a lot of ceremonies lately, something he was grateful for. The deputy's blue eyes scanned the clearing as he waited for the clan to assemble.

Firkit peeked out from behind the freshkill pile after hearing a low mumble from the Tallbranch. She emerged into full view, now obviously a bit lanky for a kit. The young she-cat was always curious about why the cats gathered every now and then, so she waited farther away, head tilted and her tail curled around her paws.

Blackkit followed her denmate, her dirty white paws landing softly on the ground. She had an inkling of what this might be about; after watching countless ceremonies in the past moons from the comfort of the nursery, she'd memorized the routine. She'd grown much larger than the other kits, the newer ones. 

Walking past where Firkit had sat, she stood toward the front of the gathering cats beside her mother, small twitches of her tail the only sign of her being excited.

"Firkit, Blackkit, please step forwards." Rippedsky meowed when he spotted the two kits in the clearing below. He already knew who their mentors would be and he was interested in seeing how they would progress in their training. The deputy was particularly interested in seeing how Firkit would do. Her determination would give her the potential, despite her disabilities, to do well. Blackkit would be in his sights as well. Finally, he called out again to finish the ceremony, "We gather once more to name another couple young cats as clan apprentices. Firkit and Blackkit are old enough to begin training. From this day forwards, until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Firpaw and Blackpaw. Hawkstrike will be mentor to Blackpaw, and Pansyface a mentor to Firpaw. Both are excellent warriors and I expect will pass on all they know to you." Knowing of Firpaw's poor hearing, he used his tail to flick towards the cats he was speaking of as he meowed. Afterwards, he leaped down to congratulate them both.

Hawkstrike’s ears immediately darted up when his name was mentioned, a wave of pride and a happiness he hadn’t felt since his own apprentice ceremony washing over him. His own apprentice, his first real apprentice. Without hesitation he got up and padded towards the newly named Blackpaw to touch noses with him “We’ll start your training as soon as you’re ready”.

Pansyface, who had been watching the ceremony from the edge of the crowd, was surprised to hear her name called. Duskpaw had just finished her training, she hadn't expected to receive another apprentice so soon! Nevertheless, the bi-color warrior was overjoyed as she made her way to the front of the crowd and approached her new apprentice, Firpaw they said? Wait, that sounded familiar....oh! Pansyface's eyes widened a bit when she realized that the deaf kitten had been apprenticed to her, but her shock didn't last long. With a kind smile, she bent down and touched noses with Firpaw before speaking slowly and clearly in her ear, hoping the sandy-colored tabby would understand. "I can't wait to start our training."

Blackpaw, for maybe the first time in her life to another cat besides Lillyheart, felt a real, genuine grin blow over her face. Tentatively, she reached up to touch noses with the tom and then shyly regarded him with large green eyes. Silent thoughts wallowed in her head.

"Alright," she agreed simply, her fur billowing gently in the warm breeze, and gave him another shy smile. Something about him—his size, his friendly manner—made her feel protected. Later that night, as she lay in her new nest in a new den full of new cats, without the comfort of her mother, she somehow felt as though not everything was a lost cause after all.

Firpaw's eyes widened in wonder. She was an apprentice? Her bright blue gaze traveled to where Rippedsky had pointed, seeing a grey and white she-cat. She didn't know her name, although by reading the deputy's lips it seemed to be something like "Pah-si faes". The new apprentice watched her mentor approach her, eyes wide with awe. She nodded her head at the warrior's words. They were still somewhat muffled, but far clearer than much she'd been told before. A wide grin spread across her face, excited to see what she'd learn.