Burningkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Greenleaf had been kind to ShadowClan, and the nursery had been quite full. Murkystrike smiled to herself as she realized that her and Mistyfalcon's litters had contributed, and her heart swelled with pride as she climbed Jaggedrock. It was time for another kit to join the ranks of apprentice. "ShadowClan! Gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock." She called, her silhouette standing out against the fading light of day.

Burningkit was becoming impatient with all of these meetings. He knew he was old enough to become an apprentice now, but it seemed like quite a few others were being apprenticed before him. Had Flintstar and Murkystrike overheard his parents talking to him about the code and were now hesitating to move him up in rank? Or was it simply that the deputy was struggling to find a suitable mentor for him?

"Go on," Cypressfang told him and nudged him forward with her nose. "This is your first step. She will have to call you up eventually." His mother nudged him forward again and Burningkit relented. He strode forward into the gathering crowd beneath the Jagged Rock, hearing Salamandertail remind him to keep his head up and his shoulders back.

As if he hadn't been doing that already. Burningkit sat down... notably farthest away from any cat of mixed origin, and waited for the meeting to commence.

She finally spotted Burningkit among the gathering crowd, his parents among the crowd a distance away. She waited patiently for the clan to gather around before continuing. "ShadowClan! I gather you here today to witness another apprentice ceremony. Burningkit, please step forward." She paused, allowing the tom to move forward into position before continuing. "Burningkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and are ready to become an apprentice. From this day forward, until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Burningpaw. Your mentor will be Freckleface. She is kind-hearted and loyal, and I trust she will pass these virtues on to you through your training."

Finally, Burningkit was called forward. He spared his parents a satisfied look and a smile before stepping forward ahead of the crowd. Once his mentor was announced as well, he had to think for a moment on who that was. Freckleface... Freckleface... Burningpaw turned his attention to his mentor, probably the she-cat pushing through the crowd. And then he caught the looks on his parents' faces. Scowling. Disgusted. Fur bristled.

Not a good sign.

Freckleface must be one of a dirty blood line. Wonderful. Burningpaw eyed his mentor with neutrality, though he was thoroughly offended that a dirty-blooded she-cat was supposed to teach him how to be a Shadowclan cat. As if she could. Cypressfang looked like she was about to come through the crowd and fight the deputy over her decision, but Salamandertail put his forelimb in the way.

Don't worry, mom. Burningpaw wished he could send a telepathic message to his parents to calm them down. I can train myself. I don't need this filthy half breed.

"Evening, Freckleface." Burningpaw spoke calmly. He made it very very obvious that he was going to be formal here. Formalities only... forever. He had no intention of getting close with anything less than those of pure origins.