Mintkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Less than a day had passed since the SkyClanners fled their home pursued by fire. Thanks to his frequent patrols near Twolegplace, Wolfcall knew of an older, run-down Twoleg nest, most of the structure dilapidated and fallen into ruin, but with a foundation that the ground beneath had eroded away from, leaving more than enough space for even the largest of the clan cats to stand up in. The shelter was dark, and dusty, but it was cool, and it was safe.

Outside the shelter the cats had taken, the former Twoleg garden was overgrown, weeds and foliage taller than Wolfcall in some places, and on three sides it was enclosed by a type of short, flat tree. It wasn't home by any means, but hopefully it would last long enough for them to make it back home. If there was still a home to go back to. With a sigh, the deputy leaped on to a chunk of rock debris that had fallen from the Twoleg nest, calling out to the clan. "Let all those old enough to catch their own prey join me here for a clan meeting."

Mintkit looked up from where she was laying. What is this for? She thought. Why would we have a clan meeting now? And here? She moved with the others toward Wolfcall.

"Mintkit, please step forward."

The little she-cat was the only kit in the clan right now, and was just into her sixth moon of life, but it was past due time she became an apprentice, and SkyClan needed all the able-bodies it could get right now. "You proved yourself as capable and intelligent during the evacuation, Mintkit, and you have reached the age of six moons. It is now time for you to become an apprentice. From this day forward, until the day you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Mintpaw. Your apprentice will be Flowerthorn, I trust her to teach you the ways of the SkyClan warrior to the best of her ability."

It was short and sweet, and perhaps a little too stiff, but Wolfcall wasn't in the mood for formalities right now, and he imagined the rest of the clan wasn't, either. With a short nod, he climbed down from the rock and left the new mentor-apprentice duo on their own.

Mintkit’s surprise turned to excitement as her name was called. She was to exited to really pay attention to the ceremony. Mintpaw ... mentor ... Flowerthorn. So my mentor is Flowerthorn? She will be a good mentor, I’m sure of it! She looked around, trying to spot her in the crowd of pelts.