Pinekit's Apprentice Ceremony

“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highrock for a clan meeting!" Nettlefire announced, standing in her normal place.

The deputy sat, tall and graceful, with her tail folded neatly over her paws, as she waited for the necessary crowd to form (and for Pinekit to be among them) so that she could continue on with today's apprentice ceremony.

Ferretnose ushered her son out of the nursery with a saccharine gleam in her good eye. She glanced over him once more, on the hunt for stray furs, but found none. There was something different about Pinekit's ceremony than Beecloud's or Cedarheart's. She identified it as intense, unwavering, overwhelming anxiety. Her eldest son had been an apprentice when war waged in the forest. He had been struck down to such a degree he could no longer fight. She looked down at Pinekit and found herself chewing the inside of her lip. She had to let him go, let him be his own cat.

Oh, how terrifying that would be. Ferretnose shook out her pelt, as if the nerves would fly off in a cloud of dust. Pinekit reminded her so dearly of Harefoot. Her mate's endless strength and perseverance was alive in her son. He'd be just fine... or so she hoped.

The sun outside the nursery held a different kind of warmth today. The air was filled with excitement and a new sense of adventure. Pinekit looked rather dashing, with his short russet pelt smoothed down to his frame by his mother's tongue. "Aw, come on mum." Pinekit protested, but really he was rather glad for her presence. Nothing could dull his mood today, not even the strange look in Ferretnose's eye as her last kit came to stand in the sun. Pinekit tilted his head a little at his mother's hesitation, wondering why she was worried. Whatever it may be, Pinekit was determined to be the best apprentice ThunderClan had ever seen. He'd impress his family, perhaps even the whole clan!

The russet tom offered his mum a soft smile, his green eyes sparkling with joy. He'd be okay, he always was. The handsome grin didn't fade as he made his way under the Highrock, head held proudly between two wide shoulders. I'm ready, Nettlefire. Pinekit thought, more than ready to start his apprenticeship.

Nettlefire watched as Ferretnose brought Pinekit out of the nursery and into the crowd, continuing on with the ceremony as soon as everyone was settled and in place.

"Pinekit, please take a step forward," the deputy announced, the ceremony now fully underway, Pinekit, you have reached the age of six moons, which means you are now ready to become an apprentice. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Pinepaw. Your mentor will be Harefoot,"

Pinekit stepped dutifully into the crowd that had now gathered around the Highrock. The mass of cats split down the middle, marking a space for the russet tom to walk as Nettlefire called him forward. He could feel dozens of eyes burning into his pelt now, and hoped they could see how strong he'd gotten. ThunderClan needn't worry, he was the very best. Ferretnose and Harefoot merged into the crowd, and the tom hoped Cedarheart and Beecloud were there, too. His paws were shaking not from nervousness, but from excitement.

It happened so quickly, ThunderClan became silent as the russet tom stood before his deputy. Wind whistled through the trees, leaves dancing on their branches. Pinekit was then given the name Pinepaw, and Harefoot would be his mentor. "Dad!" He whirled around to stand before his father, looking like a larger clone of himself. It was rare for apprentices to be given their parents as mentors, but for Pinepaw, there couldn't be a happier outcome. His father was a strong warrior; and Pinepaw was going to grow to be the same.