Cherrykit's Apprentice Ceremony

Blizzardstar leaped onto the Highrock, no more self-pity, no more weakness. If there was a moment ThunderClan needed a strong leader it was now, and in StarClan's name, she was going to give them one “All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather under the Highrock for a clan meeting!”.

Cherrykit's ears perked at the call of Blizzardstar and without hesitation she leap up and sprinted out of the Nursery. She didn't know how to hunt but her mother had recently talking about Charrykit's upcoming move to the Apprentice den and so she was hoping that this announcment was her ceremony.

Once enough cats were gathered beneath the Highrock, the white leader finally decided to go on Cherrykit, please, step forward” Blizzardstar waited for the apprentice to do as he was told before speaking again “Cherrykit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Cherrypaw” She took a quick glance at the warriors gathered before picking one for the new apprentice “Your mentor will be Lionspark. I hope she passes down all she knows on to you” With that she jumped off the Highrock, dismissing the clan. She really hoped having a new apprentice would help Lionspark back to her paws and brighten her mood.

Lionspark watched with the ceremony from just outside of the warrior's den, a good tail-length away from the gathered cats. Ever since her return to ThunderClan, it was clear to see that the fate of her daughter had shattered her very soul - doing the bare minimum of what was required of her as she went around her life in a listless state. Even now, her gaze was more focused on the ground at her paws than the ceremony itself, her shoulders hunched as her ears were flat on her head. She was only there because she was expected to be, and thus shock flickered across her eyes for a single heartbeat as her name was called out.

Her breath was caught in her throat as she raised her head, staring at Blizzardstar with a mix of shock and fear. What was she thinking? Hadn't the leader realized that she was cursed? After all, look what had happened to her own daughter - to her own granddaughter, her apprentice who was...She blinked as her breath quicken with a terrified whine leaving her throat for a few seconds as the memory of being told that Thistlepaw had been slain in the battle between RiverClan and ThunderClan. She had failed to protect her own apprentice, with everything going so wrong around her - why did Blizzardstar think it was safe to give her another?

She shook her head, wanting to speak out against the leader but the words died on her tounge as her listless mood fell back upon her. She hung her head from where she sat before she pushed herself to her paws. What was the point of agurging against the leader? She could only pray to StarClan that this time, things wouldn't go so wrong...She crossed the clearing, weaving between her gathered clanmates until she came to a stop at the newly named Cherrypaw. She titled her head, studying the apprentice before she leaned down to touch noses as was custom - having little idea of what to say.

As the ceremony came to an end Cherrykit let out a squeal of excitement that was hidden beneath the shouts of her new name. Turning, Cherrykit went in search for her new mentor, the task not taking long. As they touched noses Cherrykit let out an excited giggle. "I can't wait to begin my training! Are you excited Lionspark?!" As she pulled back and looked at her mentor's face she smiled brightly.