Cricketkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Bloodstrike shuddered when he stepped out into the cold leaf-fall air, but he had a ceremony that he needed to get done. Reluctantly leaving the warmth of the warrior's den and his clan mates, he climbed up to the Tallbranch and sat on it. "Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather for a clan meeting!" He called out before shuddering almost violently. Why did leaf-fall have to be so chilly? Still, he'd been through leaf-bare too and knew there were worse things to come.

Cricketkit almost didn't feel the cold. Excitement caused the blood in his veins to pound, effectively warming him as he pounded forward. It was finally time! He and Yewkit had reached six moons, although, he was certain that it had really been sixty and Sapphire had forgot to tell them. Most of his pelt had been groomed several times but running his paw over his ears had effectively ruined it and caused the top of his head to look just a tad disheveled. Ignorant to his appearance, the little tabby settled back on his haunches and looked up at the deputy with expectant eyes.

Once the clan had gathered, Bloodstrike's eyes went to Cricketkit. "Cricketkit, 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 Cricketpaw. Dandelionflight will be your mentor." His eyes then went to Dandelionflight espectantly. The meeting had concluded at this point, but he would wait to see how the interactions would go.

"Cricketpaw." He repeated in a low breath to himself, a broad smile worming itself onto his maw. That was really him! Cricketpaw was an apprentice now, surely warriorhood would be following soon after. Searching around, the crowd he found Yewkit and flashed him a joyful grin. There was no doubt his brother was about to be appointed as well; they'd train together. The thought made him want to rush out of camp. But he remembered one crucial fact that stopped him just short - he'd been assigned a mentor. Turning around, the dusty brown tabby sought out a cat whose pelt would spark the memory of the name Dandelionflight. There! He bounded over and quickly closed the gap by touching their noses, "I can't wait to see outside of camp, Dandelionflight. I'm going to see it all."

Dandelionflight joined the crowd and sat down, waiting for the meeting to continue. It was very chilly today, so she wrapped her fluffy tail around herself. As Bloodstrike said the customary words of an apprentice ceremony, she remembered what her own had been like. She happily purred at the thought and was surprised to hear her name be called out. She had been made a warrior not too long ago, so she was surprised to be a mentor already. Dandelionflight soon found her new apprentice and touched noses with him. “You’ll be able to see the whole territory soon! For now, go get yourself situated in the apprentice’s den, we’ll start training tomorrow!” She excitedly meowed to Cricketpaw. She was both excited for her new apprentice and herself!

"Okay I'm going to go find a nest! Thank you, uhm, Dande... dandelionflight! I'm going to go get a nest right now I think." Cricketpaw stumbled slightly, forgetting his mentor's name in the midst of such excitement. Anticipation lead him to take a few steps away before turning back to dip his head respectfully, and finally scampering off. His head ducked quickly into the apprentice's den and he disappeared - a fully realized apprentice finally.