Grasskit's Apprentice Ceremony

Murkystar strode across the camp to Jaggedrock, swiftly climbing it and standing at the edge to briefly survey her clan. It had been a while since she had named a new apprentice, but she refused to pull Frostgaze from Webshadow at the moment. Lifting her voice, she summoned the clan. "ShadowClan! Gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock!"

So much had happened in the short six moons of Grasskit's life. The clan had come back from the last Gathering, accompanied by a weird group of ghosts and zombie cats. At first, Grasskit had been cautious of them, after all, the adults seemed not to like their newly appointed... guardians? But eventually, for her, it just became the new normal, and they just didn't bother her anymore.

They'd faded in the background, just like every other boring part of being a kit had. She was over it, had been for some time, and so when a voice rang out over the camp, she bolted to her feet, hoping that it would be her apprentice ceremony... but then it occurred to her that it was Murkystar summoning them... not Frostgaze. Her nub tail lashed in annoyance, and she sulked near the center of the crowd.

Deerleap sat down, noticing that it was Murkystar that was calling the clan together. had something important happened, or was a new warrior being named?

It was impossible to miss the drastic shift in Grasskit's demeanor, and Murkystar smiled to herself. It had been a while since she felt she had properly managed to surprise a kit or apprentice with their ceremony, so this would be a treat. The only downside was the ghoulish figures joining her clan below. "ShadowClan, I've called you all here today to witness the naming of a new apprentice. Grasskit, please step forward." She mewed, waiting for the young cat to do so before continuing. "Grasskit, you have reached the age of six moons, and this are ready to be named an apprentice. From this day on, until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Grasspaw. Sootwhisker will be your mentor. I trust he will pass his dedication to his clan and his confidence in his abilities on to you through your training." She concluded, leaping from Jaggedrock to land on the ground before it, giving the new mentor and apprentice the chance to greet each other.

Sootwhisker's eyes widened in shock as he heard his name called. It felt like not that long ago he'd been an apprentice, and now he was assigned to train one. So much had changed since his own apprentice ceremony, in ways that he'd never anticipated. Despite the surprise, he felt a sense of pride in the anticipation of helping Grasspaw become a warrior that would make Shadowclan proud. He could barely contain his excitement as he hurried over to Grasspaw, touching his nose lightly to hers.

"It will be a pleasure guiding you on your journey to warriorhood, Grasspaw."

"Grasspaw! Grasspaw!" Deerleap cheered, proud that Sootwhisker had an apprentice of his own now, even if he was just a friend, she was happy for him. part of her wondered if Murkystar had purposefully chose Sootwhisker over her.