Sagekit's Apprentice Ceremony

From her position atop the Tallbranch, Mistyrain cleared her throat. "Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the Tallbranch for a Clan meeting," she called, scanning each cat in the clearing, searching for the kit who would receive his apprentice name today. She had a mentor in mind, and her eyes darted across the clearing as she pinpointed him as well.

Was it time? Sagekit darted out of the nursery at hearing Mistyrain's call, bumping into cats' flanks as he pushed his way to the front of the group. If they were too close rto him they just looked like blurry blobs."Excuse me, pardon me, excuse me--" Finally he sat himself down at the very base of the Tallbranch, gazing up excitedly at the deptuty with bright blue eyes and a big smile.

Sagekit seated below her, she continued the ceremony. "Sagekit, please step forward. You have reached the age of 6 moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed." The kit looked excited, like many kits were when they were apprenticed. She smiled, calmly continuing. "From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Sagepaw. Nightstorm will be your mentor, and I trust that he will pass on to you everything that he is able." With this conclusion, she joined SkyClan in congratulating the newly-named apprentice.

Nightstorm's ears pricked up at the sound of his name coming from the young deputy's lips, the tom's leaf-green eyes quickly turning from the blood-red sky down to the bi-color figure perched on the Highbanch, before coming to rest on the newly-named Sagepaw.  His face revealing a soft smile, the lanky jet-black warrior rose to his paws and stepped forward, gently touching noses with the young tomcat.  He remembered well the day that his first apprentice, Sootpaw, had been assigned to him, and a swell of deep regret rose in his chest; the young tom had not lived to see his warrior ceremony.  This time though, he was determined to do better, for the sake of the clan that had so graciously accepted him, his new home.  "Congratulations Sagepaw, I look forward to our training together."

Sagepaw squinted as Nightstorm moved towards him, struggling to see him. He was ecstatic, though, eagerly taking in the warrior's scent so he could find him later. He couldn't really see things up close to him and sometimes he couldn't hear very well but the young tom did his very best to push through it.

"Nice to meet you, Nightstorm! When do we start?" The little grey-brown tabby flashed his new mentor a wide grin, gazing up at the blurry features of his face.

Nightstorm's broad smile faded a bit, hearing the young pale-coated tom's enthusiastic voice.  Oh, how he wished that cats so young could be spared the horrible truth of this coming war...that the sky didn't have to be doused in blood for all of them to see.  He couldn't honestly promise Sagepaw what time they would set out for a peaceful day of hunting, or the hour they would foray to the borders...or if they ever would.  Their mornings were numbered, and filled with fear...but he smiled.  "As soon as we can, the clan has a lot to do in order to prepare for the coming battle, as I'm sure you've heard.  For now, our efforts will have to be focused on helping out wherever we are able."  Reaching out with his slender tail, he nudged Sagepaw in the direction of the apprentice's den as he meowed; "For now, go get settled in your new den, and meet your denmates.  I'll be around if you need me."  With a last smile, the night-black tom turned away to face the camp clearing, which had quickly cleared after the ceremony's completion as cats returned to preparations.  Hopefully, their efforts wouldn't be in vain, for the sake of the young.  They deserved the chance to dream.