Smokekit's Apprentice Ceremony

It had been a while since Ichtaca's kit Hopepaw and Shira and Foxspark's kits had become apprentices. Sure, she had to assign a new mentor here and there, but today would be the first apprentice ceremony she had performed in a while. Climbing up Jaggedrock, she shook out her pelt as she strode forward to the edge, calling out to the clan below. "ShadowClan! Gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock." The deputy yowled, waiting patiently for the crowd to form and for the cat of honor to appear. The air was thick and heavy, but a slight breeze brought some relief to the clan cats as the sun was setting over the horizon.

Smokekit’s ears pricked at the deputy’s call. Deputies only did apprentice ceremonies. The only other kit in ShadowClan, Mothkit, was not six moons old.

Great StarClan, I’m becoming an apprentice.

On the one paw, tons of new things to see. On the other, standing in front of all these cats…

Smokekit got to her paws slowly, and meandered closer to the Jaggedrock, tail twitching. Once she sat down, she fixed her eyes on Murkystrike, trying to somehow force all of her questions into her gaze.

Smokekit joined the crowd, tail twitching as she sat among the rest of the clan closer to Jaggedrock. Her gaze was questioning, and Murkystrike did take note - however there wasn't really any time for questions at this point. Settling for a reassuring smile, Murkystrike turned her attention away from the soon to be apprentice and back to the rest of the clan. "Thank you all for gathering today. It's been a while since a kit has become an apprentice. It is my joy and honor to add another young cat to the apprentice den. Smokekit, please step forward." Murkystrike paused while the young she-cat did so, keeping her gaze on her. Once she was in place, the deputy took a deep breath and continued. "Smokekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and so are of age to become an apprentice. Until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Smokepaw." Murkystrike paused for a heartbeat as she searched the crowd for the face of the mentor chosen for the apprentice. "Fangsnap will be your mentor. He has experience even beyond that of the clan's trainings, and I trust that he will share his experience and determination with you through your apprenticeship."

Moths were tussling inside of Smokekit’s stomach. Murkystrike’s reassuring smile lessened their struggle a bit, but the prospect of stepping in front of all these cats was the opposite of reassuring.

Smokekit slowly stepped up, tail twitching faster than ever. She tried to summon up some of her earlier excitement at seeing new things. The excitement was still there, but her nervousness overrode it.

Cats were staring at her. Everyone was staring at her. Fighting the urge to nervously glance all around, Smokekit anchored her gaze on Murkystrike.

Fangsnap?

A tiny smile showed on the new apprentice’s face. Maybe it was chance, or maybe Murkystrike was just that awesome, but that was the only cat who could answer all her questions. Her new mentor had been everywhere, seen everything, things the rest of the Clan could only dream of. Maybe the rumors Smokepaw had heard weren’t completely true (she was pretty sure he hadn’t ridden in a monster or killed a Twoleg), but even so.

Smokepaw tore herself away from her thoughts and hurried to her mentor, quickly touching noses.

“Hello, Fangsnap,” she murmured. “I can’t wait to start training!”

Each day, Fangsnap became more and more integrated into clan life, further immersing himself in their strange culture and customs. The call of Murkystrike and Flintstar spurred about a newly found innate desire to pad towards the center of camp. Usually, it was the promotion of young kits that brought Shadowclan together. It appeared this would be no different.

He settled back on his haunches, listening with feigned interest. But the sound of his own name caused his ears to twitch and his gaze to train forward. This young cat was to be his apprentice? Smokepaw. Such a thing had never occurred to him, that Shadowclan would trust him with an apprentice to train. However, they were also blissfully unaware that he was not the tom whose pelt he shared.

As she approached him, some eagerness about her step and a glint in her gaze that betrayed more than the soft mumble did. Fangsnap dipped his head and touched her nose. Pulling back, he blinked slowly, still digesting the moment before offering a stiff now. His own rough meow came as an even response, "We will see how you do. Starting tomorrow, right at sunset. Don't be late."

ooc; sorry this is so late ill work on getting a training topic up!