Harekit's Apprentice Ceremony

A dark tabby tom climbed to the top of High-rock. Relief deep in his paws at being able to take the position on top of the rock once more after his bout of illness. Leopardstar had been right to send him off to the medicine den that day, but now it was time for him to retake the duties of Deputy. He stood proudly, amber eyes eagerly scanning the camp for the changes that had occurred. He had been told by a couple of mothers that their kits were ready to be apprenticed, and he could certainly see it. A shy but large kit seemed to wander around. Blizzardshine's kits darted about all over and he didn't forget the young brown tabby who raced around camp like her tail was on fire.

Today however, was going to be the ceremony of the shy kit.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath High-rock for a clan meeting!" He called calmly. His eyes catching Dustcloud's briefly with a smile as he resumed watching Harekit with a calm expression. Not minding if he took a bit longer than normal to get there.

Although he had been informed of this ceremony beforehand and told what to do, Harekit was still shaking when he heard Marshstorm's voice call for the clan to gather. The tomkit wasn't too excited about the idea of standing in front of the clan, but he'd do what was expected of him. Perhaps then he could get out more, and maybe things wouldn't be so scary anymore. He lifted his eyes towards the deputy, tail flicking in nervousness.

"Harekit, step forward." Marshstorm waited patiently for the kit to gather up the courage to do so. He half expected him to be a ball of energy, but since all eyes were on the kit, he could understand hesitation. It would be something his mentor would have to work through though. Hesitation in battle could get him killed, especially against the predators that loomed outside the camp walls. He didn't delude himself. Those dangers were waiting, especially with leaf-fall descending.

The time of plenty was over, for both them and the predators that roamed.

"Harekit, you have reached the age of six moons. It is now time for you to become an apprentice. From this day on, until you recieve your warrior name, you will be known as Harepaw." He continued on with the ceremony with only a concerned blink to show his thoughts. There was one mentor he thought could help the young tom, and his tail flicked in the red she-cat's direction. "Your mentor will be Scarletsong. Her kind but couragous nature makes her a true force in the forest. May you learn well from her." He added with a nod to Scarletsong before he leapt down from highrock.

Harekit glanced around at the gathered cats, still afraid, but the nudge of a nursery queen pushed him to his feet and he approached the center of the clearing. He steadied his breathing as much as possible and struggled to keep his gaze locked on the deputy. Most of what he heard was his own blood pumping through his ears, but he was able to make out his name change and his mentor assignment, and Harepaw followed Marshstorm's gesture to find the warrior called Scarletsong. He didn't know what to make of her yet, so he stayed still in the center and watched what she would do.