Shykit's Apprentice Ceremony

Shykit had been fully welcomed into the clan, and it wasn't much longer before she seemed to be of age to become an apprentice. There had been no further sign of her parents, so after a discussion with Flintstar, it was decided that they would begin her training. With how quiet and timid the she-kit was, Murkystrike knew that she would need a patient, steady mentor... Her first thought was Mistyfalcon, but he was just starting Frogpaw's training. Flintstar would have been her next choice, but with the future uncertain because of his shoulder... She thought she had made her choice, hopefully it would prove to be a good one.

"ShadowClan! Gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock!" She called, waiting as the clan started to gather under where she stood atop Jaggedrock.

The sunlight was quickly disappearing and the shadows growing long when Murkystrike called from the Jaggedrock for ShadowClan to gather.

Frostgaze had groomed Shykit's white fur to a shine and the two of them glowed like twin moons in the dusk as she followed him to the front of the gathering crowd.

No one could be sure she was grown to six moons old, since she was a foundling. But Flintstar, she knew, had agreed to begin her training. Maybe tonight, under the almost full moon.

She glanced up and the moon looked back, the eye of StarClan wide open. 

Shykit tried to stop herself trembling nervously, her little body tense with the effort. She had ducked low beside Frostgaze, his pale shadow as she looked up to Murkystrike from the long dark shadow of the Jaggedrock, round silvery eyes reflecting the moon.

Frostgaze had wasted no time in preparing Shykit for what she would experience. She wasn't a clan cat, it made sense that she had no idea what to expect. He had indeed assured her that it was not scary in any way, but there was a reason behind her name. He had groomed her, lead her to sit with him in the front of the group, mainly because he was short enough to warrant being up there anyway, but he also knew that it was high time for her to be apprenticed. It didn't take much for the warrior to notice his charge cowering beside him, and he put a gentle tail around her. His expression betrayed no emotion, but his attempt to comfort the young cat would hopefully not go unnoticed.

Shykit made her way through the crowd to sit near the front, followed closely by Frostgaze. Murkystrike met his gaze for a moment and held it, breaking it with a small nods of approval as the clan settled into their chosen places. "ShadowClan, I've gathered you here today for the naming of a new apprentice. Shykit, please step forward." She mewed, turning her gaze down towards the she-cat with a warm smile. She didn't entirely expect her to fully step away - but as long as she knew she was being addressed, she would continue. "Shykit, we believe that 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 Shypaw. I will be your mentor. I promise to train you with patience and understanding as you learn the ways of a warrior... And of a clan member." She concluded, jumping carefully down from Jaggedrock to land on the ground, padding towards the two white-pelted cats. When she stood in front of Shypaw, she lowered her nose to the newly named apprentice. "Would you like some help making your new nest? Perhaps if Frostgaze isn't too busy, he can join us at moonhigh tomorrow for your tour of the territory." She offered in a low voice, eyes turning up to look at Frostgaze. The attachment was apparent, and something that would need to be worked on... But they could take it slow.

Shykit's ears perked up when Murkystrike announced the naming ceremony. Frostgaze had told her about this and now it was happening, she was suddenly excited and even more trembly.

Shykit gave her dad a small gentle smile, his tail wrapped reassuringly around her. His expression betrayed no emotion and she found his cool calm gaze comforting. Her little face betrayed her sudden excitement, eyes sparkling as they met his.

She stepped forward at the deputy's command, only just out from the crowd. Her tail swayed softly with curiosity. Around her, the forms of ShadowClan were half-hidden in the shadow of Jaggedrock, their eyes like stars in the evening gloom. 

Murkystrike named her, promising to teach Shypaw herself, and Shypaw felt a shiver of pride as the deputy jumped smoothly down to meet her at the edge of the crowd.

She touched noses with the lovely tortoiseshell, who lowered her nose so Shypaw could reach. No longer the tiny spindly bundle of white fur Frostgaze had brought to camp several moons ago, Shypaw was well-proportioned though slender and still kitten-small.

She unexpectedly felt her ears heat when Murkystrike spoke low and gentle, looking to Frostgaze. It was embarrassing, to be inseparable from her dad and mentor. But she loved her dad, and Murkystrike was kind. She raised a paw uncertainly, and then nodded, ears burning. She was honestly scared to walk into the apprentice den for the time time alone, and it would be nice to have help to build a cosy nest.

But she should have been braver. She had cowered at her apprentice ceremony. And all of ShadowClan had seen.