Cherrykit's Apprentice Ceremony

The snow blew across the familiar clearing deep within the ravine. Soft tufts of white snow stirred by the gentle wind that moved through the heavy woven gorse bushes that formed the camp’s mighty walls. Within them, a series of smaller but no less heavily guarded dens that littered the area. Paired with a large rock near the ravine’s cliffside.

A large dark brown tabby padded through powdery white snow. The large tom cat leapt onto the rock with a heart as heavy as the stone itself. Oakstar’s breath appeared in puffs before him, as he sank his claws into the rock. Only a short couple days ago, he had received a disturbing prophecy from Mossbloom, that had been shared with the clan. Ever since, some things had been different. Perhaps, it had been the revelation of his own heritage. Yet, clan life moved on.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highrock for a clan meeting!" He yowled. His voice stirred cats from their places as they milled about camp. Some in preparation for the next patrol. Others were warming up from theirs. He smiled at the smallest of the group to gather. His heavy gaze fell to a tortoiseshell queen, with a very deliberate wink in her direction as it lowered to the kits.

"Cherrykit, step forward." He called, as he beckoned the kit forwards.

Dacedream was grateful the day that Oakstar came and informed her that her kits were nearing the age to receive their apprentice names. They had gotten so big! Every day she was finding herself with less and less room to wiggle in her own nest. Jaykit, Vixenkit, Puddlekit, and Cherrykit had started sprawling out; soon, they'd have nests of their own. The thought would've brought a tear to her eye if she weren't so excited for them. The world would be theirs to see, and with so many great cats in the Clan - cats whose prowess and loyalty could never be questioned - Dacedream only wished the best for her little ones. She spent the morning grooming them sweetly.

First was Cherrykit, her smallest daughter. Dacedream gently nudged Cherrykit's pale tabby haunches as she was called forward. The queen straightened up, beaming with pride. Her little one was just as strong and perhaps even more clever than the other kits, and they were all quite smart. Dacedream was eager to see who would be given to guide her training. Someone to teach her everything about how to use her big paws well - perhaps Harefoot or Ferretnose, her grandparents, who had lived and trained with Beartooth? She listened, feeling as impatient as a kit.

Cherrykit had sat patiently that morning as her mother had groomed her, having gotten the news that she was soon to be apprenticed. Though she would be moving to the apprentice's den, she'd always be close to Dacedream. Soon, her attention was grabbed by Oakstar calling a meeting, and when Oakstar looked to Dacedream and then to her, her tail shot into the air, and she could hardly contain herself as he called her by name. She bounded up to the base of the Highrock, and forced herself to sit, hardly able to keep her big paws still.

Oakstar watched fondly as the pale little kit stepped out before him. Her big paws and big eyes endeared her to him as he thought carefully over cats that could mentor the small soon to be apprentice.

"Cherrykit, you have reached the age of six moons. It is now time for you to become an apprentice. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Cherrypaw." His head turned, taking in the gathered cats with a steady gaze, before it fell on a familiar tom. One who had faced hardship lately, and deserved a bright light.

"Harefoot will be your mentor. He is strong and swift, loyal and true. I know he’ll do his best to guide you well." his gaze turned to Dacedream, hoping he’d see approval as he concluded the ceremony by chanting the new apprentices name. " Cherrypaw, Cherrypaw!"

The newly-named Cherrypaw basked in the chanting for a moment before she stepped up to Harefoot. She stood on her tip-toes to try and give herself a little extra height as she lifted her head to touch noses with him.

Thankfully, Oakstar didn't keep them waiting long; Dacedream watched her child as Cherrykit took her place before the Highrock, presenting herself in a graceful sit with her large paws tucked close. The queen's green-hazel eyes narrowed with affection to regard the she-kit. Her fur had just been like bird down only moons ago yet now she was sleek and glimmering, a little warrior herself. "Cherrypaw" she was named then, and for the first time since she had given birth to her kits, a monstrous purr broke out of Dacedream's chest - a choked crackle at first that then boomed through the ravine that was ThunderClan's camp. Her old purr; her characteristic sound.

Her daughter was growing, and the mentor named was everything Dacedream could've hoped for. The tortoiseshell queen caught Oakstar's sharp yellow eyes as his gaze drifted to her. She nodded gently, once, but the smile across her face and the purr vibrating her whiskers said everything. Harefoot would be a wonderful mentor. Dacedream would have to be sure to thank him later - and maybe ask if he could try to remember anything Beartooth ever said about his own large paws. Once Cherrypaw had met her new mentor, Dacedream stood and moved to stand behind her littlest apprentice. "Harefoot is a great cat and warrior," Dacedream told Cherrypaw, simultaneously praising the tom. She gave him a warm look before padding away to let them become acquainted.