Dawnkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Two down, two go go - and one of those would be tonight. Two of his sisters had become apprentices already, and now was Dawnkit, his only grandson, who was next in line. Wolfcall perched on the Tallbranch, staring down into the camp with a pensive expression. This cat, much like his father, had been a conundrum for Wolfcall to place, but he was sure he had the right mentor in mind this time, just as he'd been sure with Bloodstrike. His claws sank into the bark, amber-gold eyes lifting into the sky as if he would find his answers there, but then he shook his head and let out a quick sigh, falling to his haunches almost impatiently. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Tallbranch for a clan meeting!"
""

Dawnkit had heard Wolfcall gather up a few of his sisters for their apprenticeship, but not him yet. Once he heard Wolfcall's voice again, he swallowed the chunk of robin breast in his mouth and trotted over to Tallbranch. He would stop every so often and swipe a licked paw over his face to look presentable. This time it had to be him. What was wrong with Wolfcall anyway? Calling she-cats to be apprenticed before a Tom? Was it because he had been the last born? Maybe... maybe that was it. He'd forgive his grandfather if he would make Dawnkit apprentice this time and split the difference between him being a tom as well as the last born.

He sat down under Tallbranch and wrapped his silver and gold weaved tail around his tense paws.

"Dawnkit, please step forward."

Wolfcall wasted no time in starting his grandson's ceremony. The indignant sideways glances he seemed to just every so often catch from Dawnkit told him everything he needed to know about how antsy the young tom seemed to be apprenticed. His sisters having their ceremonies first, he was sure, had been noticed, but it hadn't been simply training, or even age, that made him hesitate a bit about apprenticing him. He'd been worried since Dawnkit's birth that he might be stunted, or delayed, thanks to his difficult birthing, but it had taken him only up until today to realize, with a rush of relief, that he was wrong, and that was all the urging he needed.

The deputy smiled, "Dawnkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to become an apprentice. From this day forward, until the day you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Dawnpaw. Your mentor will be Blossomstep." His eyes sought his mate's, softening with love on her face. "She is one of SkyClan's best hunters, a loyal warrior, and I trust that she will teach you everything you could ever need to know."

As she heard her name, Blossomstep's ears perked. She was finally getting an apprentice! And the sole tom of her only son's litter no less! She had heard tales of his behavior, and as she approached the younger tom she kept her expression steady. "There's a lot to learn, but I'll make sure that you have it under control before long, Dawnpaw. Congratulations, take today to get settled in your new den and get a good night's rest, because training begins first thing tomorrow." Bending her head to touch her nose to his, her eyes sought out Wolfcall before she stepped aside to allow the rest of the clan to gather and congratulate the newest apprentice.

Dawnpaw... He smiled at his new name. Upon hearing that his mentor was his grandmother, he felt a sense of relief that he hadn't expected. He thought for sure Wolfcall was going to pair him up with Redfall in an attempt to get them to get along, but luckily that wasn't the case. Dawnpaw touched noses with Blossomstep, a thing he would not have done with Redfall. She seemed... wary a bit. He gave her a soft look with a half smile that was supposed to be reassuring.

"I'll be good for you, grandmother... I think." A full smile finally crossed his expression, but his soft eyes remained that way, albeit with a shine of mischief now. He stood tall and proud as the rest of the clan congratulated him. He strode toward the apprentice's den with confidence and a tall posture. If Beechpaw tried to say anything to him aside from a congratulations, he would simply ignore her and keep walking.

They were equals again for now, but he was determined to become a warrior faster.