Mudkit's Apprentice Ceremony

One of the small kits that Ivybrook had recently interacted with was getting too big for the nursery, that much was clear. The curious she-kit that had asked about a shiny fish, if she remembered correctly. Leaping on top of the Willow Branch, Ivybrook scanned the clearing for the small kit. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Willow Branch for a Clan meeting!" The words still didn't feel quite right on her tongue- She had reassured herself that she would get used to it, but now she was afraid that she never would. Shaking her head a bit, she watched as several cats began to gather and kept a sharp eye out for Mudkit.

From within the nursery, Mudkit’s ears perked up. Finally, she was old enough to answer that call—even though she didn’t know how to catch her own prey yet (and experimental swats at the river running by the nursery were emphatically not allowed), she knew that she could. The day of her apprenticeship was swiftly approaching. It had to be; she’d reached six moons some sunups ago, and she’d done her best not to get in too much trouble since then. In a flash, she was on her paws and in the camp, padding toward the Willow Branch.

She hoped it was her turn. Honestly, she’d been hoping for her turn since she’d understood what apprenticeship was, but today, as she seated herself among her Clanmates, she hoped more fervently than ever. The little calico fixed her bright eyes on Ivybrook and waited.

Once Mudkit's bright green eyes were looking up at her own, Ivybrook smiled gently and continued with the ceremony. "Mudkit, please step forward." When the excitable little she-cat did so with a bright smile plastered onto her face, she proceeded. Mudkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day forward until you become a warrior, you will be known as Mudpaw. Berrycloud will be your mentor. I have faith that he will teach you the ways of a loyal and strong RiverClan warrior." Leaping off the branch, she joined the rest of RiverClan in celebrating the newest addition to the apprentice's den.

The tom was kind of surprised to hear his name being called but it wasn't a bad surprise. For a second, he looked up to his deputy and sister and nodded to her in agreement. Salmonpaw's training was almost over and there wasn't much he could teach him. If Ivybrook trusted him enough to train a second apprentice, he would not let her or Torrentstar down.

The large golden warrior stood up and made his way through the crowd to meet the young apprentice. He smiled as he walked towards her and touched her nose as per tradition said he should. "We are going to have so much fun together. I'll teach everything you need, little Mudpaw but for now, relax and enjoy your time with the rest of apprentices. Give yourself time to know them and prepare your moss bed. We officially start tomorrow." He purred. The tom was still sad because of his father passing away yet... he had to live up to what he wanted. Jaystar wanted him to move on, to keep living, to be happy. It would be hard, that was sure... but he wasn't alone anymore. Maybe training a young, innocent life would help him to be like he used to be in the past. Remind him of his apprentice days and be the warrior he was always meant to be.

The first word out of Ivybrook’s mouth was her name. Mudkit’s heart soared. As she left the crowd to stand in front of them all, it took all of her self-discipline to keep her steps tiny. Her swishing tail betrayed her excitement, as did the sudden shine to her eyes. Tonight, she would move her nest, and never again have to lull herself to sleep by staring at the nursery ceiling; tonight, she would be able to retrieve her own fish from the fresh-kill pile and take the scales off herself.

The ceremony rushed by in a blur. Mudpaw. Old and new at once, the way apprentice names always were. Still trying to hold back her enthusiasm, Mudpaw turned to touch noses with her mentor, a fluffy golden tom with a nick in his ear. She had to stretch; he was much bigger than her (for now, she thought, remembering her father’s taller build). Getting to know her new denmates didn't sound as exciting as everything else, but it would be nice to sleep in a full den again. The last of what Berrycloud said registered, then. ”Tomorrow?” she echoed with a note of disappointment. Oh, well. If she started training right now, there wouldn’t be time to move her nest.