Maplekit's Apprentice Ceremony

Well time really did fly... Bloodstrike's and Briarthorn's kits were now apprentice-aged. He was beginning to actually feel like an old man now. He'd had four litters, and now the last of his litters were no longer going to be called kits. The scarred deputy climbed the leader's den, making a note of where the next Tallbranch should be so he didn't have to stand on Wolfstar's sleeping quarters any longer. "Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather around me for a clan meeting!" His voice rang out across camp. He sat and patiently waited for everyone to arrive.

Maplekit stood solemnly at her father’s feet, looking down upon her “clanmates”. To be truthful, SkyClan felt less like a home and more like a prison the older and older Maplekit grew- she couldn’t place the feeling, or where it came from, but she knew she longed for nothing but to distance herself- distance herself from her mother and father, both traitors to their clan. But, alas, SkyClan is where she grew up, and it’s where she will stay. She has to protect her siblings, after all.

She was not looking forward to apprenticeship. Not only will she be forced to serve her “clan”, and communicate with her “clanmates”, but she’ll have to work, her least favorite thing in the world. As she stood, watching the cats gather, she thought of the many ways she could somehow make her fate somehow easier and more fun for her.

Bloodstrike couldn't quite place why Maplekit had been so distant... but he wasn't about to question her here. Dawnhawk had been distant too... as well as his sister Adder. He refused to think about that though. Maplekit would turn out fine. "Maplekit 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 Maplepaw. Your mentor will be Tornshadow." Bloodstrike had an odd sinking feeling in his stomach that only grew worse when Tornshadow's name left his lips. He wanted his granddaughter to feel more welcome in the clan and that included giving her an apprentice. However... Stop thinking like that, Bloodstrike. You're making up things that haven't even occurred yet and probably never will.

"Tornshadow has proved to be an asset to Skyclan and a loyal warrior. I'm sure she will be good to you." Even his words were more hollow than they should have been... If anyone asked, he would blame it on being tired and not handling the rising heat well. He wasn't about to give anyone anymore ammo to use against Tornshadow or his half Shadowclan kits.