Condorkit's Apprentice Ceremony

After today, Basilkit would be the only of her kits remaining in the nursery. Not because she wasn't old enough, no, it was her condition that was barring the way. It wasn't fair to her daughter, Murkystrike knew that, but what could they do?... She sighed as she called the clan together. Today they would focus on Condorkit, and later she would discuss what would happen with Basilkit. "ShadowClan! Gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock."

At his mother's call, Condorkit made his way to the jagged rock, pride rippling through his pelt. Loudpaw may have beaten him to the apprentice den, but he was going to head right up there with him. Besides, it didn't matter who was an apprentice first. What mattered was who was better once they got there. And Loudpaw needed that head start if he was going to stand a chance.

As he sat waiting for the meeting to continue, he felt nothing but an itching excitement, yet none of the anxiety others had claimed to have. Clearly, they overthought their ceremonies too much! There was nothing scary in this! This was fun! He couldn't wait to start training!

It didn't take long for the clan to gather, her son among them. Her eyes softened as she looked down at him, continuing on with the ceremony. "ShadowClan, I've called you together to witness one of our kits becoming an apprentice. Condorkit, please step forward." Once her son took his place at the front of the clan, Murkystrike continued. "Condorkit, 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 Condorpaw. Fangsnap will be your mentor." She announced, searching the crowd for the tom. He had taken Smokepelt's disappearance hard, but... Almost every warrior had an apprentice. She would talk to him later about her decision.

Basilkit watched the ceremony with a bright smile, like always, but today she was finding it a lot harder to keep up the facade.  After this, all of her brothers would have become apprentices, leaving her the only sibling left in the nursery.  It was weighing heavy on her, not because she was jealous or bitter at them, but rather at herself.  Mama probably wants to go back to the warrior's den with Papa, but she's stuck in there with me for who knows how long...if she even wants to stay.  I just want to know what comes next, Mama says that Flintstar and Rookfire have almost made up their minds...but honestly I think they don't know either.  Just throw me in with Oakshade at this point.  However, the thought of being sent to the elder's den seemed to knock her out of her dour thoughts, and she shook her head.  No, I can't think like that.  I know there's a way for me to be useful, and I'm going to find it!  No matter how long it takes...  The ceremony was already done, and lost in her thoughts she had missed who Condorpaw's mentor was, but she chanted his name all the same.  "Condorpaw, Condorpaw, Condorpaw!  Congratulations buddy, I know you'll do great!"  With a brief nuzzle against his cheek she took her leave, trying to hide the tears that were forming in her sunlit eyes.

Mistyfalcon gave Condorkit an encouraging smile as Murkystrike called the clan meeting. His and Murkystrike's kits were growing fast, and with Loudpaw having just been made an apprentice, it was now down to Condorkit and Basilkit. He was glad to watch them all become apprentices, but it felt bittersweet, too. He was sure they'd all make fine warriors soon, and he'd be lying if he said the thought didn't scare him just a little.

He sat next to Basilkit as Condorkit was called forward, gently resting his tail on her shoulder. She was trying to remain upbeat, but Mistyfalcon wasn't blind to her frustration. He wished that she could join her brothers in the apprentice's den, but he couldn't deny that her condition made that an unlikely prospect. The life of an apprentice, a warrior, was rough, as much as Basilkit wanted to join her brothers, it simply wasn't feasible. Still, there had to be something that Basilkit could do, it was just a matter of finding it.

Fangsnap was named Condorpaw's new mentor, and Mistyfalcon's voice joined Basilkit's in congratulating his son before he gave Fangsnap a nod. The younger warrior had come a long way, and he'd proven himself. He was sure that he'd make a good mentor for the often headstrong Condorpaw.

Loudpaw heard his mother calling for a clan meeting, so he sat down by his pleasant sister. While he waited for the announcement, a thought occurred to him. Basilkit should be an apprentice by now. Turning to his sister, he tried to encourage her, "Don't worry! You'll for sure have your ceremony soon! They wouldn't keep you a kit forever. And think, once you are an apprentice, we might get to train together! Wouldn't that be super fun!"

He watched as his his birthmate Condorkit became Condorpaw, assigned to Fangsnap. Loudpaw was happy for his brother, chanting his new name along with Basilkit. Despite all he wanted to say to Conderpaw, he shortened his congradulations as much as possible, "Condorpaw! I can't wait to see you in the den, I kinda miss you. Super congrats! I just know you'll be fantastic at training!" He smiled, swatting the new apprentice's ear. "But don't go thinking you'll be better than me!" he added jokingly.