Lilykit's Apprentice Ceremony

Another apprentice. Loonwhisper wondered how thin they could stretch their warriors before each cat was training several young cats at once. At the peak of sunhigh, the tom scaled the Willow Branch and spoke out in an eerie voice, "All cats who can swim the river gather beneath the Willow Branch, please. Hooo-oo.

Lilykit scampered out of the nursery, rushing over to the Willow Branch, tripping over her tiny grey paws as she did. Her whole body quivered with excitement, and she didn't even try to hide it. It was finally here! Her apprentice ceremony!

"I'm here Loonwhisper!" she mewed excitedly, not sure if she had to wait to speak to him until he spoke to her or not. She sat on her bottom, her front paws kneading the ground in front of her, her tail swishing across the ground back and forth.

Loonwhisper nodded curtly at the bouncing kit that stepped forward. She seemed a bit... slight... to be an apprentice, but he was sure of her age. Straightening up, he called down to her, "Hooo, hooo... step forward."

When Lilykit had approached, the deputy addressed his clan. "This cat has reached the age of six moons, and will now become an apprentice. Lilypaw, from this day until you have achieved a warrior name, you will be known as Lilypaw."

The tom surveyed the crowd and found the cat who was once a stranger to him, but had proven himself to be willing and able to serve Riverclan despite his beginnings. This would be a fine choice for his first student. "Bearspirit, step forward. Hooo-oo. You learned our ways from Ivystar, who taught you ferocity and loyalty, and to you she gave the gift of your warrior name. Please accept my gift: an apprentice. Through her training you will pass on the ways of RiverClan. It is a fine honor. Proceed to the future, and teach this kit what you learned so willingly."

Loonwhisper leaped from his place upon the Willow Branch and allowed Bearspirit to greet his apprentice for the first time. This was a very pleasing day for the deputy. Perhaps, after all, some cats were destined to accept the Warrior Code. The former loner was an example for all... especially Ivystar's young, Cloudpaw and Jayshriek. The tom glanced back at the crowd of warriors before moving along his way. After what Dayspring had let slip at the Gathering, Loonwhisper found himself frighteningly transfixed on skepticism... to what lengths would he go to protect these cats from harm?

Bearspirit was not expecting to be called upon. He was present at the gathering, but his eyes and ears were always fixed on the edges of camp. Dogs were here. Why on earth would such foul creatures be allowed to exist? He had been brainstorming ways to get rid of them en masse in the safest way possible. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard Loonwhisper say his name. Bearspirit snapped his attention to the forefront.... and then realized with surprise he was being given an apprentice.

His eyes dropped to the gray tabby apprentice in the front of the clan. Bearspirit nodded, a small smile appearing on his face before he approached. He touched noses with Lilypaw, as he had seen other warriors do when they got apprentices.

"Congratulations, Lilypaw. Go to the apprentice den for now and mingle with the other apprentices. We'll begin tomorrow morning. Early."