Muddykit's Ceremony

"Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather for a clan meeting!" Dawnhawk's voice rang out once more, his eyes in particular looking for particular kit. He sat atop the leader's den and waited for the crowd together. He forced himself to not think about the tragedy that had happened awhile ago. He would focus on the arrival of his own kits, though he would try to hide the fact that he was their father for awhile. He thought about which mentor would be right for this kit, and which he should save for his own. As calm and collected as ever, Dawnhawk watched the crowd gather.

Muddykit couldn't contain his excitement, and despite his mother's efforts, his fur stuck out at every angle. As far as he was concerned, the fluffier it was the better, since it would keep him warmer and make him look bigger. He had to feel grown-up today somehow. It had to be his ceremony today. Birdpaw and Shadepaw had got theirs, so why couldn't he be an apprentice? Ooh, I wonder who I'll get as a mentor! Hopefully someone fun, that would be great. "Come on mum! Hurry up!" Muddykit used to think that Primroselight was sad, but how his mother looked and acted was nothing compared to grandma Smokefeather.

Primroselight made her way out of the nursery at her son's impatient call, anxious to leave her mother, even if it was only for a few moments. Whatever had happened inside the nursery, the warrior wasn't completely sure. Of course, one of the rare times that she had left her nest, something bad had happened. It had resulted in the death of Featherkit. Somehow. Smokefeather refused to speak about it, let alone eat or groom. But she would be alright for a few minutes. "You can't just go dashing into the clearing!" She said with a small laugh. She knew for sure that there were several warriors who wouldn't appreciate a kit getting under their feet. Once she had gotten the excited Muddykit under control, she waited for Dawnhawk's next words.

Muddykit came sprinting out of the nursery and Dawnhawk couldn't help but smirk. The excitement was mildly contagious. His tail flicked as he waited for the clan together and the mentor he had in mind for the young kit. This was Primroselight's kit. Primroselight had felt less than happy with Dawnhawk since the takeover... understandably. Dawnhawk had considered giving Muddykit to either Tigersong or Copperfox... but the more he thought about it...

"Muddykit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to become an apprentice. From today until the day you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Muddypaw. Your mentor..." Dawnhawk glanced briefly at Tigersong and Copperfox as a moment of indecision ran through his head. Just as swiftly however, the pale tom steeled his resolve and gave the new apprentice a half smile.

"Will be me." He jumped off of the leader's den and leaned down to touch noses with Muddypaw. "I have other matters to attend to for today, but we can start training at dusk if you'd like... or are you more of a morning cat?" Dawnhawk didn't even bother looking at Primroselight for a reaction. This wasn't her decision to make... it was his.

Muddypaw, loving his new shiny name and rank, bounded over to Dawnhawk and reached in to touch noses with the deputy. However, he hesitated slightly once he had reached him. He had heard things about Dawnhawk; stories and warnings always circled the nursery. But he was deputy. How bad could he actually be? "I'll be the best apprentice ever!" The smile that had spread across his face during the ceremony dropped slightly as he realised that they weren't going to train immediately. Isn't that what all the other mentors say? But if he had other things to do, surely that made him super duper important. 

"I don't mind! We can train whenever!" Muddypaw was eager to get to work, and become a warrior even sooner than Birdpaw or Shadepaw.

It turned out that the fire of anger inside Primroselight had not been completely put out. And from embers, any size of fire can be made. "Muddypaw!" She beckoned her newly-named son over after the ceremony. "I'm so proud of you! Just... be careful, okay." She hated the idea of putting her only kit's safety into the paws of someone like Dawnhawk, but there was nothing she could do. "Go on, I'm sure Birdpaw and Shadepaw will find you a nest in the apprentices' den." Why would he take Muddypaw? From the very minimal training she had done so far with him (mostly just games, but kits learned a lot through play) she could tell that he might take a while to pick things up. Just go easy on him Dawnhawk. Or I'll come for you.