Maplekit's Apprentice Ceremony

Last night had given WindClan a glimpse of the moon, waning to full as it hovered in the sky. Soon they'd join their brethren in another gathering, one of Finchstar's favorite pastimes. He wondered what StarClan would think of the living. What would StarClan do to Thornstar and Torrentstar? It was in the leader's nature to see even beyond his own clan. His empathy knew no bounds, and had proved itself both a blessing and a curse. Thoughtful, but hopeful ever still, Finchstar climbed his way up the Tallrock. It had become difficult to exert himself like he used to. His lungs burned and his head swelled. Whitecough had made a home in his body, as it had with his clanmates as well. It was a telling of the time, however. Soon leafbare would pass and WindClan would be greeted with new flowers. Like newleaf, apprentice ceremonies spoke of fresh life as well. Such an innocence and adventurous spirit. "All cats old enough to run the moor, gather beneath the Tallrock for a clan meeting!"

Maplekit watched as slowly everyone made their way to gather around the Tallrock.  I know what's coming! She thought to herself, anxious to get on with it.

Spotlake padded out of the nursery. It was time. Maplekit was going to become an apprentice. Though Spotlake was still worried she knew that Finchstar would give her a mentor Spotlake could trust. And with the gathering coming soon it was just in time for Speckledkit and Maplekit to become apprentices.

Zinnia rose to her paws from where she was resting at Finchstar's summons, wasting no time in joining the other gathered cats for whatever ceremony or announcement awaited them today. It didn't seem like anything dangerous, at least - there was nothing to worry about today; a peace she could only hope would last. Perhaps it was an apprentice ceremony? She'd seen a few by now, and there were a few kits that she supposed were about the right age.

When Maplekit saw her mother, she padded over to her.  Spotlake started grooming her.  Maplekit didn't flinch away--she liked being by her mother and knew that she wouldn't be a 'kit for much longer

Finchstar let a quiet smile fall across his maw, tail flicking as he watched WindClan merge with one another. He loved his clan and each cat in it. The thought made his heart thump harder and eyes sparkle. "Maplekit. You've grown old." The tom grinned, a playful tone in his mew. "Perhaps soon you'll have to join the elders. But we shouldn't skip the formalities. Maplekit, from this day forward, until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Maplepaw."

Finchstar knew who his choice of mentor would be. The pretty she-cat in the clearing with the heart of an adventurer and the spirit of the wind. "Zinnia will be your mentor. She may not possess a warrior name. But she possesses a soul that I myself envy. I know she will train you well."

With a smile, Finchstar leapt down from the Tallrock and raised his maw into the air. "Maplepaw! Maplepaw!"

Zinnia blinked once, then twice; unsure if she'd heard her leader correctly. But she had - she was to teach Maplepaw the ways of a warrior; and so she would. She understood on some level, as well, that this was an act of trust - Finchstar trusted her to teach this apprentice, and so she felt that she must do all that she could. "I will do my best to teach you all that I know," she told the newly-named apprentice, gently touching her nose to the younger cat's. "Find me when you wake tomorrow, Maplepaw, and then your training will begin."

Spotlake padded towards Maplepaw and started licking her protectivly. "Take good care of her okay?" Said Spotlake turning to Zinnia.