Downkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Once again, the time had come for one of WindClan’s oldest kits to leave the nursery. Though enough time had passed since Raventail’s own kithood that he struggled to remember how being confined to camp felt, he knew it wasn’t fun, especially when there weren’t many other kits around to roughhouse with. Downkit had his sister, of course, but she’d never struck Raventail as the roughhousing type. In any case, it didn’t matter; Downkit would have plenty of denmates to make mischief with soon. Softkit would almost certainly follow, and then the nursery would be empty.

Not for long, Raventail thought, and stood a little straighter. ”Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Tallrock!” He settled back on the stone, stifling a yawn, and waited for the rest of WindClan to arrive. Any moment now, he’d find Downkit’s sandy pelt in the crowd—and, no doubt, the lighter pelt of Softkit not far behind.

Barleytuft stood at the entrance of the nursery, gazing in with a bright, eager expression on his faintly grizzled face. Today's the day. My son is becoming an apprentice today, the senior warrior thought with pride. Just this moment Graybriar was probably smothering Downkit with licks to groom down his stunning tabby fur and make him glimmer bright as the snowy moors for his big day - the first of many. Raventail's voice called out and Barleytuft's head swiveled quickly around to meet his friend's gaze, a large grin spreading across his maw. He turned again to the nursery and called in, "Downkit, it's time - come sit with me and your brother." He backed away, watching for his kit to appear to lead him.

Several tail-lengths away, Clovertwist was already present, having determined that he'd go on a hunting patrol only once his young brother's apprentice ceremony had taken place. He wouldn't miss it for all the rabbits on the moor. The young silver tabby warrior's paws worked the ground, his kinked tail twitching with excitement; he watched as Raventail approached the Tallrock, feeling his paws buzzing excitement. Clovertwist glanced back to the nursery, where his father was beckoning for Downkit to join the two of them. From his place before the Tallrock, Clovertwist raised his tail to help his brother find him.

Downkit had woken up that morning with energy surging through his muscles. He'd been six moons old for some time now, but Softkit wasn't sure the path of a warrior was for her. So Downkit had waited for her. Finally, Aspenheart and Finchstar had agreed she should be a medicine cat. Downkit wanted the best for his sister, sure, but that didn't stop the sharp pang in his heart.

Graybriar had smothered the poor tom in licks, grooming every tuft of his sandy pelt. After what felt like ages, Barleytuft called for him. He immediately scrambled away from from his beautiful mother who had been grooming him to perfection. He followed his father to sit beside Clovertwist. His green eyes, which should have been filled with excitement, were slightly clouded. While happy for Softkit, he was sad she wouldn't be sharing this moment with him; he always thought they'd do everything together.

Softkit was ecstatic that she'd be allowed as Aspenheart's apprentice, she couldn't help feeling troubled. Downkit's green eyes weren't as bright, and she knew why. When Barleytuft called Downkit, she followed him out and sat beside him, wrapping her tail around his as a symbol of love; and maybe an apology. An apology for choosing a different path, perhaps. Though fate tugged her paws along a different path, still, she felt a need to apologize to her brother.

It was barely two heartbeats before Downkit appeared, his fur a smooth, perfect sheen - his mother's handiwork, of course - as he sprang from the nursery entrance as if his grooming were a punishment. Barleytuft chuckled slightly, raising his tail in greeting. Softkit came out not a moment later, her blue eyes soft as ever even as they focused on her brother just ahead. Barleytuft smiled down at her, briefly touching his nose to the top of her head before turning to lead the way through the slowly gathering Clan towards Clovertwist. Downkit wasn't his usual self, it seemed, and Barleytuft was made aware of that quite quickly as he watched his son move quickly and quietly to where he was needed. The father watched his kit curiously for a moment as they sat and Softkit snuggled closer to the apprentice-to-be.

After a moment of consideration, Barleytuft looked over to Clovertwist. He raised a tabby brow as he caught his son's eyes. Clovertwist had immediately grinned upon seeing his younger siblings appear from the nursery and waved his tail to beckon them. Their older brother had noticed the hint of sadness in his little brother's green eyes, and upon meeting Barleytuft's gaze Clovertwist shrugged - he wasn't certain of the source, for all he remembered was being joyful for his twin sister Mistystripe when she became medicine cat. Well... before she disappeared. The thought ached and so he shoved it away. Clovertwist looked down to his siblings and purred, "I brought home an egg as a special treat for when the ceremony's done - you'll love it!" Perhaps that would be enough to distract from whatever was troubling Downkit's mind?

Downkit twined his tail in return and focused on Raventail. Who would his mentor be? Clovertwist and Barleytuft both had apprentices, and Goldengale was his sister, so she wasn't likely to be his mentor. Spotlake was much too young and Briarthorn, Elmskip, Ploverpuddle, and Lightfang all had apprentices as well. Downit didn't want one of the former loners as a mentor, they weren't full warriors! Clovertwist said something and he looked over at his older brother, "An egg?"
Downkit echoed, disbelief tracing his voice.

Softkit stared at her brother, willing herself to understand the emotions in his mind. Of course, they were close, it must be painful to seperate. She'd miss sharing a nest with him. Clovertwist stole her attention when he mention an egg. An egg? How did he get it? "Did you steal it from it's nest?" Surprise, and a bit of horror filled her voice.

That did seem to get their attention, at least, and Clovertwist grinned at their interest - even if Downkit seemed dubious. "Yep - an egg." He puffed out his chest proudly, declaring with a dramatic air of playful haughtiness, "I'll have you know I am a master of the egg game - Finchstar trained me, he'll tell you." His pale yellow eyes shining playfully, Clovertwist looked down at his sister as she asked if he'd gotten it from a nest. He nodded once in confirmation. "Barleytuft and I went out last night after you two went to sleep, and we found a bird and its nest. Dad caught the bird, I brought the nest back."

Barleytuft leaned over and explained briefly, "It's too cold for nests and eggs this time of the season; the birds are getting confused with the odd weather. The nest would've frozen before the quarter moon had passed and the bird would have had to grieve." He knew Softkit could be very sensitive to subjects about death, even when it came to prey. He hoped that suggestion could relieve some of her concerns.

The first to emerge from the nursery was not Downkit, but Barleytuft, grinning proudly as he glanced up at Raventail. Raventail hesitated only as long as it took to blink; then, sure to meet Barleytuft’s eyes, he gave the older tom a smile of his own. Wherever they stood with each other now (stars, he hoped it was somewhere better than it had been when he’d returned; they’d been through so much, together and separately), he understood that grin better than ever. Barleytuft padded toward the Tallrock, with Softkit close behind—and there was Downkit, more thoroughly groomed than he’d ever been, seeming oddly subdued as he followed his father and sister. The three of them clustered around Clovertwist, who had found his seat first, and began to talk. Throughout their conversation, Downkit’s eyes kept returning to Raventail.

Six moons in the nursery was too long for many cats, and Downkit had chosen to stay some time longer. When Raventail had seen Softkit and Downkit around camp, he’d almost always seen them together; though he didn’t know what having siblings was like, he had trouble imagining one moving ahead without the other. He hoped the different paths they’d chosen wouldn’t change how close they were.

The dark tom rose, shaking some snow out of his tail. ”Downkit, step forward.” He moved ahead as well, standing near the front of the Tallrock to get a better look at the apprentice-to-be before delivering the typical ceremonial words. ”You’ve reached the age of six moons, and it’s time for you to be apprenticed. From this day until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Downpaw. Your mentor will be Finchstar.” Someone who could handle Downpaw’s attitude; someone Barleytuft and Graybriar trusted. Looking down at Finchstar from the Tallrock never got any less strange. Raventail blinked at his friend and leader, eyes bright, then addressed Downpaw once more. ”May he pass everything he knows down to you.” With that—and one last glance in Barleytuft’s direction—he leapt down from the Tallrock to join WindClan as they chanted Downpaw’s new name.

Downkit was about to reply when Raventail spoke. He listened in anticipation, wondering who his mentor would be. When Raventail said Finchstar's name, Downkit's- no, he was now, Downpaw, expression completely changed and he jumped up and hurried to greet Finchstar.

Softkit was astounded to find out Finchstar would mentor her beloved brother."Downpaw! Downpaw!" This was probably the loudest she'd ever spoken, her voice filled with love and pride.

Finchstar purred loudly as Raventail called his name, bestowing Downpaw upon him. It was something they had discussed the night before. Finchstar found himself missing that kit-like enthusiasm of a young cat. It always came more naturally to him in the company of apprentices, and so an apprentice he should have. Aspenheart and Clovertwist had grown into fine adults, with admirable spirits. The leader's tail curled in delight as the clearing broke into cheers for Downpaw's new name. He had trained a son of Barleytuft's before, and now he would do it again. "I indeed taught Clovertwist the egg game, 'paw. I daresay he's even surpassed me in his patience and dexterity." The ginger patched tom crossed the clearing in graceful strides, a wide grin on his face as he dotted his nose against Downpaw's. "If you keep your heart pure and your eyes sharp, perhaps I will teach you as well." The leader grinned and turned toward Barleytuft and Raventail with a nod. He felt the same excitement as if it was his own apprenticeship. A new adventure awaited them outside camp, and he wished to show Downpaw the world. "Come now, 'paw. The life of a warrior has its perks. We can't let your sister steal all the fun, now can we?"