Hazelkit's Apprentice Ceremony

The moon was still blotted. Eerie red shadows and lighting crept around the camp, casting the illusion of danger everywhere. It was hardly the time for a celebration... yet it was also the perfect time. Marshstorm bit back his dismay at the clouded stars long enough to leap onto High-rock. His amber eyes made nearly red by the reflecting red light. He forced down a tremour of worry. The shadows that shifted were his clanmates, not monsters. There was nothing in camp that was dangerous. Still, his mind was uneasy.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath High-rock for a clan meeting!" He called, choking down his concern. The kits still needed to be apprenticed, that didn't change. They needed all the apprentices they could train.

Hazelkit, hearing the deputy's voice, lifted himself from his nap and stretched, his dazed state knowing that his ceremony should be happening right now, but not yet awake enough to realise the importance of the event, at least to him. Drowsily smoothing down his puffy tail as cats gathered outside, his gaze drifted outside, surveying Marshstorm sitting upon the magnificent geode, and it finally clicked.

His ceremony!

He dashed outside, a cloud of dust at his feet, but decided to limit himself to near the sidelines, fighting the urge to run up and touch noses with him before he even uttered the words needed to be said. But he knew that this would get him into trouble, so he stayed put; at least for now. A wide grin was plastered on his face as he waited impatiently for Marshstorm to call him up.

Marshstorm watched as cats gathered within the shadows to form a throng of attendees. Perhaps they were expecting news of when the moon would return to normal, but Marshstorm looked in the crowd to young Hazelkit's cream and brown coat. The red lighting casting eerie colours across the young tom-kit's pelt. He refused to believe in an omen though, it wasn't the kit's fault Lichenmask had sent something to cover the moon. Instead he took a deep breath.

"Hazelkit, step forward." He commanded, his voice softening a little. There was no need to terrify the kit, even though he seemed far beyond terror right now. Marshstorm felt a smile stretch his maw. Kittish innocense was a wonderful thing. It made him long for the days of being one. Small and protected in the safety of the clan, without the concern of war looming over their heads.

Hazelkit eagerly obeyed, his big eyes glistening in the red that was cast across camp. Was he supposed to feel nervous? He had seen other kit's ceremonies from his little corner in the nursery, and some of them seemed scared out of their wits. He could never understand this; what's scary about growing up? You're just a step closer to becoming a powerful warrior!
Looking into Marshstorm's face, he noticed a tinge of worry, and his happiness was penetrated slightly by confusion. What was wrong? Could it be the light? He shrugged it off; it wasn't his problem, and a big strong deputy can solve their own problems. His smile widened again, and this time it didn't fade or flicker one bit as he waited for Marshstorm to continue.

"Hazelkit, 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 Hazelpaw." Marshstorm announced calmly. His gaze flickered towards the assembled pelt, seeking the white and black one of a she-cat he could trust to keep this young apprentice safe from harm and danger while he learned what was needed. "Blizzardshine will be your mentor. May her bravery and kindness pass on to you." He meowed confidently. Certain in his choice, but as he leapt down from High-rock, he felt a brief pang of worry.