Fawnkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Swiftstep hopped up onto the Tallrock. The tom's eyes held a joyful twinkle in them. Yet another kit was ready to leave the nursery to begin their training as an apprentice. The tom put on a serious face before beginning the ceremony. He was internally excited for the young cat. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather underneath the Tallrock for a Clan meeting!" Swiftstep called with an authoritative tone.

Nearly falling over in excitement, Fawnkit bounded towards Tallrock. Her pelt was sleek after a morning grooming, and it shone in the weak sunlight. At last she thought I'm 6 moons old! As she sat at the base of the great boulder, she was unable to stop fidgeting. Thousands of thoughts spiralled through her head. Who will my mentor be? Will they be strict? When will we explore the territory? Will I go to the next Gathering? Brain whirling, she didn't notice her mother sitting proudly beside her.

Fawnkit peered around the camp, and observed the warriors, apprentices and elders alike cluster in front of Swiftstep. They were there to see her, yes her, be made an apprentice. Her heart pounded, but out of anticipation rather then fear. She drew herself up proudly, and enjoyed the feeling of so many of her clanmates' eyes rested upon her.

The brown tom looked down at the kit with a warm gaze before continuing, "We all gather here today to make one of our kits an apprentice. Fawnkit, please step forward." Once the she-kit did, the deputy nodded approvingly with a small smile and then began to speak again, "Fawnkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Fawnpaw. Despite currently training Shellpaw, I am able and willing to take another. I will be your mentor. I will teach you all that I know."

Swiftstep hopped down from the Tallrock and touched his nose to Fawnpaw's as a definitive end to the ceremony. "Your training will start tomorrow at dawn. Be sure to rest darlin'." The deputy smiled gently before walking off to finish his camp chores but not before cheering for the newly made apprentice.

"I'm the deputy's apprentice!" Fawnpaw squealed, rushing towards the apprentice den.