Honeykit's Apprentice Ceremony

The black and white deputy made his way over to the tallbranch and swiftly took his place on it. Since the mist had forced him to take Crowstar's position, he was far more used to it than he had been as a young cat. But, still, it felt strange to stand where the leader stood. Part of him hoped that the fluffy black tom would outlive him, so he would never have to know the pain of losing his former mentor and feel the weight of his responsibility.

It was these thoughts that caused him to stall the normal call to the clan. Finally, he shook them away. There were much more important things at paw than what may or may not happen in the future. A cat needed to begin their journey to warriorhood. Rippedsky pushed away his own concerns to focus on the matter before him and let out a yowl, "Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the tallbranch for a clan meeting!"

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Honeykit licked her chest for the hundredth anxious time; helping the fluffy, white fur turn glossy. The rest of her golden coat was sleek and shiny as well -- the product of the kit's grooming. She'd seen the older she-cats do it, and it didn't take long for Honeykit to like the smooth shine it gave her. And so, like any she-cat with any confidence in herself, Honeykit began starting her day with grooming.

And... filled the day with it. And maybe ending it with it, too. But only in between her battle training, and admiring the warriors!

The excessive fussing over her coat drew some attention of the queens, but Honeykit just brushed them off. It absolutely wasn't because Honeykit's apprentice ceremony was soon or anything, and she wanted to look like the best apprentice! That would've been insecure -- which she wasn't.

True warriors didn't feel insecure, or afraid they might not meet their mentor's expectations. And Honeykit was going to be a true warrior -- so her heart definitelydidn't leap in her chest when she heard Rippedsky's voice call out across camp.

"Get yourself together!" she muttered to herself. It might not be her ceremony, anyway. The thought didn't shake her mind, though.

Breathing in, Honeykit reminded herself of how Drizzlepaw had admired her dedication -- how she thought the golden kit looked like a true warrior! Keeping the words close, they gave the golden kitten confidence as she strode toward the tallbranch.

He smiled encouragingly at the kit as she strode forwards. Rippedsky knew this kit could only prove herself to be as bold and dedicated. Both traits he already knew what to do with, "Honeykit, please step forward." It was redundant, but not reciting the words as they were always said felt wrong. His ear twitched as he waited for the kit to do so. Once Honeykit was in place, he continued,"We gather once more to name another young cat as one of the clan's apprentices. Honeykit is old enough to begin training. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Honeypaw. He was an apprentice not long ago himself, but I trust Sedgestrike will mentor you well and pass along all the things he learned in his own training." His blue eyes landed on the young warrior and he gave his former apprentice a stiff nod. He would certainly be keeping an eye on their training. The deputy finished the ceremony and leaped swiftly to the ground to congratulate their newest apprentice.

Honeykit flushed -- no, Honeypaw did, now -- as the black-and-white tom smiled down at her encouragingly. She had watched the older tom around camp many times, but always from afar -- not wanting to bother him in his very important duties -- and she felt a little awestruck. This was Rippedsky -- her deputy!

"I won't let you down!" she declared -- forcing back the nerves to puff her chest confidently, wanting to impress him. She was going to train really hard, and be the best warrior Skyclan had ever seen!

She had admired warriors for most of her kithood -- trying to learn their secrets -- and Honeypaw recognized Sedgestrike as Rippedsky's own former apprentice! It was an honor -- and Honeypaw felt excitement fill her at the thought. She was going to learn from the best!

Sedgestrike had been settled near the tallbranch when his mentor strode over and leapt up it. He cocked his head, sat up and with a flick of his tail moved out of the way. He sat back down among the throng of cats that gathered, his eyes immediately looked for his mate and kits. They were still too young to be apprentices... but they caused enough trouble. Still, he didn't see them. With a shrug, he listened to Rippedsky begin to drone on with the old familiar ceremony words.

Oh, it was that time was it?

He scoffed quietly at the ceremony, then watched as the golden she-kit stepped forward. He stood up, tempted to leave the ceremony if favor of something he saw more useful, but Rippedsky's stare pinned him down. He swallowed back his eagerness to leave and paid better attention when his name was spoken as the mentor.

Wait, what?

Sedgestrike looked up at Rippedsky with a bewildered blink. The silver tom hadn't been expecting this at all... he wasn't ready yet! The black spots of his pelts rippled as he thought about just how wrong this could go. What if she turned out like him? Sedgestrike wasn't blind to the disdain other cats showed him for his attitude, but he couldn't avoid this duty forever. With a look at Rippedsky that spoke of conversations to come, he looked more firmly at Honeypaw. His green eyes gleamed with confidence as he stepped forward to touch noses with the apprentice.

"I'll teach you to be the best, Honeypaw." He meowed confidently, then glanced at the cats which had finished cheering, and began dispersing. He looked back down to her with a firmness in his expression. "You'll be the best apprentice in all of SkyClan."