Sleet on Fallen Leaves' Apprentice Ceremony

Sedgestrike moved swiftly to the tallbranch. He leapt onto it with a small huff as he looked down at the clan below. Was this really a wise idea? Sure, Rippedstar had asked for him to do this as he left, but it still left a hollow feeling in his chest. It was foolish to trust that this... outsider was really at some point SkyClan. If the rest of the clan was so inclined to believe it though, he could only think of one thing to do.

"Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the tallbranch! It is time for a Clan meeting." He yowled in command. His silver pelt stood out among the foliage behind him as he lifted his head and waited for the grey tabby to show himself. The one he didn't remember, because he hadn't even been born yet, but was now suddenly here.

He'd already known what this was about. He'd seen it once or twice, long, long ago - when he was still a mewling kit. Sleet had heard about clan traditions from his father, and stories from the elder tribe cats. An Apprentice ceremony. In order, he supposed, since clan life would be practically new to him. And yet, he couldn't help but feel a bit disheartened. The tom had spent moons training as a To-Be, and now it was if he were being dragged back down again.

But he dare not to complain. In his heart, he truly felt as if their ancestors had led them here, and if this was what Rippedstar had wanted of him, then so be it. Even if they wouldn't do the ceremony themselves... But what did he know?

Alright then. Sleet on Fallen Leaves took in a deep breath, stepping to the front of the gathering crowd.

His mind shot to Firpaw, for some reason. At least he wouldn't be the only odd one out.

The silver tom waited for the cats to assemble. His green eyes looked down on Sleet on Fallen Leaves' with an arrogant gleam, but he restrained himself from making any outright hostile comments. Instead, his tail twitched as he made a sudden decision. One which loosened his ire a bit. It was perfect. This tom could prove himself to the clan and be properly watched. He had left once after all...

"Sleet on Fallen Leaves." He tilted his head sharply. "Step forward." Sedgestrike's tone smoothed out with intent as he stared him down. "Before they left, Rippedstar and Poplartooth requested that you be given the rank of apprentice. That you were to train as one of our own." He began, ignoring that he had gone completely off the traditional words. "I do not share their belief. You left SkyClan once, and I will see exactly what kind of cat you are for myself. From this day, you will still be known as Sleet on Fallen Leaves. I will be your mentor." He looked up and flicked his tail in dissmissal before he leapt down off the branch.

He padded towards Sleet with a narrowed look in his eyes.
"Good luck. You'll need it. We begin at dawn and I expect you ready for a full day of training." His warning delivered, he abruptly turned and padded towards the camp entrance.

Sleet was caught off guard, blue eyes widened as the tom suddenly lunged off the Tall Branch and stalked his way. A few muttered, veiled threats (or so It'd felt like), and just like that, he was gone. Ceremony over. He didn't know what to think then, or what to feel, his tail drooping to the floor.

He was an outsider, he knew that. But the tribe and the clan shared the same family tree, even if he wasn't exactly clan born...

What was he supposed to do?

"I've been a Warrior longer than Sedgestrike's been alive," Elmcloud uttered in Sleet's ear, having approached his littermate after catching sight of the disappointment etched deeply in his face, "He's always acted like some cat put a thistle in his nest, eventually you'll get used to it. But if he's too much of a pain, say the word and I'll stash a pawful of thorns in his nest." The mischievous words were a hopeful attempt at easing whatever misgivings that were currently bubbling up in the tabby.

Sleet perked up a bit once Elmcloud approached, a small purr of amusement in the back of his throat. "I might hold you to that, brother." He mused. Still, he tried to imagine the worst case scenarios. The tom wasn't some small apprentice and just from appearances, he wouldn't put it past the prickly warrior to push for the impossible, if for nothing but spite.