Woollykit's Apprentice Ceremony

Shrikestorm still felt a touch of nerves as he climbed to the top of the Tallrock. It was his second time bringing a kit to apprenticeship, but it still gave him those thrilling nerves like the first did. He had a duty to bring WindClan to true prosperity, and the more warriors they had, the better. That started, of course, with apprentices. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather at the Tallrock for a clan meeting!"

Woollykit's brother, Fawnpaw, had reached his apprenticeship before him. The tom was only frustrated that he wouldn't be leaving camp with his kin for the first time, but knew this was likely punishment for his adventure with the Tallrock a moon ago. It was only fair, but if he was honest with himself, Woollykit knew that he wouldn't have changed it for the world. So what if he had to wait a few more sunrises to become an apprentice? At least he had a fun kithood! When Shrikestorm called the clan, the tom was already there, knowing what was to come.

As he looked down, Shrikestorm could only wonder to himself how much pure WindClan blood was left in the clan. Were they doomed to be mixed with other clans permanently? He shook his head, pushing those thoughts to the side. He could bring it up with Goldenfang later. "Woollykit, as you've reached the appropriate age, you are now ready to become an apprentice. Until you become a warrior, you will be known as Woollypaw. Your mentor will be Goldenfang." Shrikestorm took a quick glance back at the leader's den. When would Goldenfang take that trip to the Moonstone? The clan was weaker without those extra lives flowing through Goldenfang's soul.

Woollykit... no, wait... Woollypaw had been given the clan's leader as his mentor? Oh stars... Either Shrikestorm had really taken a liking to him, or perhaps he was in more trouble than originally imagined. He sheepishly began to look around the clearing for the leader, still not yet a 'star. Perhaps if Woollypaw was really persistent, then maybe she'd take him to the moonstone with her when she got her nine lives! That would make him the most popular cat in the clan for sure. He bounded over to her and smiled wide, silently apologizing for climbing the Tallrock last moon and breaking the rules. Perhaps she'd decide to keep him.

Goldenfang left the shelter of the Tallrock to meet Woollypaw in front of the crowd. Shrikestorm had already informed her of his intention to give her an apprentice, so she was not surprised, but still she smiled when she met the young tom’s nose with her own. “Hello, Woollypaw. Would you like an official tour of the territory soon? You won’t need to sneak out of camp anymore.”