Jaykit's Apprentice Ceremony

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highrock for a clan meeting!"

At last, it was finally time. The final kit. Oakstar leapt back onto Highrock from his formal acceptance of his apprentice. It was time for Dacedream’s final kit to recieve their own apprentice name. His smile turned to the small dilute tom.

"Jaykit, step forward." He commanded in his calm tone. He could sense some of his clanmates twitching from sitting still throughout the full ceremonies.

So far, it had been a very long day. It had been no surprise (at least for him) when it was revealed to the kits that their apprentice ceremonies would be held today. They were six moons old, and the nursery was very nearly too small to contain their exuberant youth. So Jaykit spent the vast majority of the morning grooming himself - every hair, every whisker, exactly in its place. He did allow his mother to touch him up a bit, after all she knew best, but Jaykit didn't leave the nursery until he was certain that he looked impeccable... even if it meant he had to sit through Vixenkit's incessant chattering about how great she was. When finally Oakstar called the first ceremony to order, Jaykit left the nursery last, padding through the snow-covered camp and settling down beside his mother, their pelts touching. First Cherrykit, then Puddlekit had their ceremonies, and then Vixenkit, to his annoyance, was assigned the leader as her mentor. Jaykit couldn't help but roll his eyes at that - great... another reason for her to believe she's StarClan's gift. He grumbled quietly, shaking his head as Vixenkit's ceremony concluded, and then finally, it was time for his.

He didn't mind going last. No, that just meant that HIS ceremony would be at the forefront of everyone's memory. So he swaggered to the base of the Highrock, doing his best to look unfazed... after all, desperation was never cool. The young tom blinked at Oakstat expectantly, the possibilities of who could end up being his mentor swirling around in his head.

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. Jaykit was content to take care of his own pelt for the most part, but she was grateful for the last moments together as mother and kit that he permitted.

Cherrypaw, Puddlepaw, and Vixenpaw had received their names and mentors now, much to their delight. Dacedream's only son was last, and he needed no prompting to go follow in the steps his sisters had taken for their own ceremonies. She only purred at him, glancing up to Oakstar with a satisfied smile. All the mentors he had chosen so far - himself included - were perfect for her kits. Harefoot knew Beartooth's big paws and could help Cherrypaw with hers; Ferretnose was a kind, compassionate she-cat who seemed to always know how to get along with everyone and would certainly uplift Puddlepaw; Oakstar was so important that Vixenpaw would adore listening to and learning from him. Who would have the honor of training Jaykit, always so cool, calm, and collected?

Oakstar smiled down at Jaykit as he stepped forward. Unlike his last sister, this little tom wasn’t so boldly confident. He seemed more sensible than that, and it would likely see the tom through the rough patches of clan life, as long as he could hold onto that, and the positive feelings.

"Jaykit, 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 Jaypaw." He began, his attention still on the newly named apprentice until he lifted his head slightly to see Dacedream. The queen looked proud, but Oakstar knew, with great sympathy, how painful it was to see a family grow apart.

Worse yet, Houndheart’s condition meant she might isolate herself with him… as he would long to do should anything happen to Dustcloud. He blinked slowly, realizing the obvious answer as he returned his gaze to the apprentice.
"Your mentor will be Dacedream. For now, you’ve only known her as a mother, but Dacedream is a strong, dependable warrior with a strong heart. I’m sure you will learn a lot from her guidance in the moons to come." Oakstar lifted his gaze to Dacedream meaningfully as he began the chant to conclude the final ceremony.

"Jaypaw, Jaypaw!"

After Vixenkit had received the leader of the clan as her mentor, Jaykit didn't think there was anything that could top that - after all, Oakstar had power and respect and authority unlike any other cat in the clan. But the moment Dacedream's name came out of the dark tabby's mouth, Jaykit knew his earlier assumption was wrong. There was a better mentor than Oakstar... and it was his!

The patched tom turned, mouth slightly open in surprise, to look at his mother. His eyes shone with joy, and he rose to all fours, moving around to first touch noses with her, and then rub his cheek along hers, though he had to stand on his tip-toes to do it. A smug glance was tossed at Vixenpaw... she could have ol' Oakstar... he had his mom and that was certainly better!

The ThunderClan leader's voice rang out at that point, and Dacedream was quickly distracted from her pondering. She'd find out soon enough, after all! Hearing her son's new name made her heart soar, but she felt the pang of wistfulness and nostalgia catch the pit of her stomach already. All of her kits were apprentices, growing up and out of her nest and towards whatever grand futures awaited them. From her smallest, Cherrypaw, to her boldest, Vixenpaw, to her gentlest, Puddlepaw, and now her bravest, Jaypaw; they were the kits of a deputy (however injured he may have been - StarClan, please help him recover) and great-grandkits of leaders, and their lives would be something great. Oakstar's sharp eyes met hers, and he blinked slowly. Dacedream returned the look and tried to keep her face of strength that was weakening a bit as each ceremony ended without Houndheart at her side.

When the leader looked to Jaypaw and assigned his mentor, Dacedream was rather stunned. She gasped and perked up, her tufted ears pricked as intently as they could. "For now, you’ve only known her as a mother, but Dacedream is a strong, dependable warrior with a strong heart." They were some of the kindest words that Oakstar could have said, and they touched her deeply. She didn't feel strong. She felt so small and weak without her loved ones at her side, yet they were always with her. If Oakstar believed she was strong then she would be - she always would be strong for her family. Dacedream's green-hazel eyes sparkled with the faintest hint of honored, satisfied tears. She wasn't losing her kits completely - she didn't lose them before, but now she felt as though the connection were promised forever.

The tortoiseshell immediately met her dark-faced son's awe-struck gaze with a look of delight and assurance. Dacedream swiftly rose to her paws to greet him, touching her nose lovingly to his. She leaned down to eagerly accept his sweeping movements of affection after the traditional greeting, and her own purr sounded thunderously in the camp. "I had no idea, Jaypaw, this is so exciting!" Dacedream chirped, allowing some of her kittish joy to shine through. Collecting herself only a little, she stepped away from him and assured, "I'll teach you everything that I possibly can, my love; I know you have so much to offer ThunderClan." She turned to the rest of her kits - now apprentices - and purred, "You'll all be so amazing. I'm so proud of you. Now, make sure you go and prepare your nests now while there's still light out!"

She turned her head to Oakstar, her face plainly glowing with gratitude as her gaze met his. She nodded thankfully before turning back to watch her kits, her heart swelling with joy.