Sootkit's Apprentice Ceremony

The slush of ice and snow was pushed aside as Frostgaze strode to the Jaggedrock, leaping up in one swift motion. The shorter tom had gotten decent at leaping up onto the rock, despite the height. The slick surface didn't help either, but he survived the leap once again, and looked down upon the clearing. "All cats old enough to silently stalk in the shadows, gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock for a clan meeting!" He would be apprenticing another one of his wards tonight, and it always made him proud to see them grow... even if he didn't always show it.

Swiftheart heard the call of a clan meeting and walked out of the warriors den. She wondered what was occurring this time. She really hoped it was good news. She sat looking around at all the cats coming out to listen to what the deputy had to say. She gave Frostgaze a smile and friendly nod.

Nightstalker padded into camp after his patrol, shaking his fur free of debris as he came to sit next to his sister. Another patrol done with no disturbances to report, thankfully. It was almost as rare as catching prey was now, that there was nothing to report, predators were teeming in Shadowclan territory. Licking his paws clean so he looked a bit nicer for a meeting.

Sootkit's ears perked at the sound of the meeting call, and he walked towards the Jaggedrock curiously.

Was it finally his time to become an apprentice? He wondered hopefully. Though, he had honestly developed a sense of admiration for the white-furred deputy after all his support, so he'd be interested in hearing what Frostgaze had to say either way.

He sat in front of the rock, curling his fluffy gray tail neatly over his paws and staring up at it.

As Sootkit appeared, Frostgaze began the ceremony. "Shadowclan! I have gathered you here to witness the naming of a new apprentice. Sootkit, step forward." He waited for a moment for Sootkit to approach, and then continued. "Sootkit, 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 Sootpaw. Nightstalker will be your mentor. He may be one of Shadowclan's newer warriors, but I trust him to pass on his skill and determination to you." With that, his gaze fell on his ward for a moment, warmer than it usually was. He then leapt down, leaving mentor and apprentice to get to know each other.

Nightstalker very visibly perked up when his name was called. Him? He was being given an apprentice? Sure it was almost a given if his sister, Swiftheart was to be given one, but he was Burningwing's apprentice, he was certain that because of that he would be waiting for moons for an apprentice of his own. Stiffly getting to his paws, his own shock evident to those that knew him, he padded over to Sootpaw and stared for a brief moment before dipping his head and pressing his nose to the young tom. "We will tour the territory in a bit. Take this moment to celebrate your new standing, then come find me." he mewed sternly before turning away and heading back over to Swiftheart. "Oh my Starclan." He whispered, a small, excited smile on his maw.

Sootpaw grinned, barely able to contain his excitement as he listen to his mentor's words. A tour of the territory? It would be his first real adventure out of camp as an apprentice!

Of only my parents could see me now, He thought to himself, Surely they'll regret everything once they see how great of a warrior I can be!

Unable to wait, he immediately bounded after Nightwatcher.

"Can we go now?" He pleaded, his paws itching to escape the confines of the camp/

Swiftheart smiled widely hearing her brother be named as the mentor. He had certainly earned it in her eyes. He got up shocked she held back a giggle as the two rushed to meet each other.

Congratulations Sootpaw! she cheered.

She grinned at Nightstalkers whisper to her. She was so happy to see him this way, it was rare for him to show excitment as he usually like to keep very formal... the opposite of her in some ways.

She nuzzled him happily Congrats bro! she meowed.

She saw the new apprentice bounding after him Yeah Nightstalker can we go now!? she joined in smiling at her brother.

"Sootpaw!" Deerpaw cheered her new denmate's name, glad that he had become an apprentice. she was starting to miss the tom.