Darkkit's Apprentice Ceremony

The deputy jumped to the branch, looking at his clanmates and the nursery. Today it was time for Silverfang's adopted daughter to join the apprentice's den with her sister, Petalpaw. She was old enough to be trained and in tension moments like this, Riverclan needed more warriors. "Let all cats old enough to hunt their own prey, gather beneath the willow branch for a clan meeting!"

The split-faced calico padded from the nursery with a spring in her step. Jaystream's call let her know it was time. Her long, feathery tail swished cheerfully behind her. Darkkit was about ready to start the journey of her life on her path to becoming a warrior.

"Darkkit, please step forward." The tom called when he saw the small fluffy she-cat approaching the meeting place. He smiled at her gently. She was probably pretty eager for this important ceremony.

Once she approached him, the deputy continued with his usual speech. "Darkkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and now it is time for you to be apprenticed. From now on you will be known as Darkpaw until the day you're ready to become a warrior." His eyes searched among the crowd for a white-furred she-cat he was once named as a mentor. She lost Rowanpaw too fast and he wasn't sure about giving her a new apprentice until now. Time passed and the deputy was sure that she would be a good mentor for the calico she-cat. "Snowblossom will be your mentor. I hope she passes you the loyalty, honesty, strength and patience that every apprentice needs in their path to becoming Riverclan warriors."

Darkpaw! She loved the sound of her new name. Now, she could begin her training. The apprentice smiled sweetly at her mother before going to find Snowblossom. After a brief moment of searching, her eyes settled on the white she-cat. Darkpaw padded over, only showing the slightest bit of hesitation. Her little bi-colored nose reached up to touch the warrior's gently and eyes shined with excitement and adoration, "I'm excited." There were so many things she wanted to say to the cat that was now her mentor, but that was the only one that tumbled from her maw. She smiled sheepishly and grinned at the older cat.

Snowblossom blinked in surprise as she was called to be a mentor. Her first apprentice had died within a moon, and she hadn't gotten to train him much. Now, after the battle where she'd been easily defeated, the deputy thought she was worthy of this apprentice? Pelt hit with nervousness, the young warrior stepped forward and touched her nose to Darkpaw's. "So am I," she purred.