Hollowkit's Apprentice Ceremony

"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. Even with Crowstar back, the black and white tom felt responsible for helping the leader rest and recover. Poppysong's latest litter was all about ready for their ceremonies. It was now time for Hollowkit to move into the apprentice's den. His ear twitched a bit uncomfortably as he waited. Crowstar's mate had bore the kits of another tom. None of them were responsible for who their parents were, just as he was not responsible for the blood that flowed through him, but it still felt strange. The leader had been his mentor and close friend, apprenticing his bastard kits felt a little uncomfortable. Especially since they were Stoneteller's. The deputy's blue eyes simply scanned the clearing with a neutral expression as he waited for the clan to assemble.

Hollowkit padded over and sat down beneath the Tallbranch.

Bubblemist padded over and sat down and looked up at her father.

"Hollowkit, please step forwards." Rippedsky called as soon as the kit joined the crowd. It was finally time to have him officially join the ranks as an apprentice. A half-smile took the place of his neutral expression. As soon as Hollowkit padded forwards, the deputy continued, "We gather once more to name another young cat as one of the clan's apprentices. Hollowkit is old enough to begin training. From this day forwards, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Hollowpaw. Pansyface will be your mentor. I expect she will pass on all of her wisdom and skill to you." It had been difficult trying to decide who would mentor Poppysong and Stoneteller's kits. The remaining tribe cats still needed training themselves, and most warrior of Skyclan still did not hold the best relations with the tribe. However, Pansyface was a kind and level headed cat. They had been friends since his first arrival to the clan, and become even closer when he saved her as an apprentice. He had full intentions on mentoring one of the kits himself, but he was not the right choice for Hollowpaw. Leaping down, the deputy congratulated the young cat before disappearing into the crowd.

Bubblemist congratulated the now apprentice and padded off to the warriors den.

Hollowpaw beamed with excitement and touched noses with Pansyface.

Pansyface stepped forward from the crowd with a broad smile on her maw, and bent her patched head to touch noses with the young tom, her newest apprentice.  She would still be training Firpaw alongside Hollowpaw, but the older apprentice's training was coming along just fine, considering her handicaps, so she had no doubt that she could handle both of them.  "We'll start training bright and early tomorrow!", accentuating her purring words with a friendly smile.  She was fully aware of the kit's...controversial origins, but didn't dwell on the fact for long.  These kits had nothing to do with their parent's mistakes, and in time they would be just as skilled, loyal warriors as any other cat of SkyClan.