Brackenkit's Apprentice Ceremony

It felt like Shrikestorm had been atop the Tallrock a lot lately. That was good, though. It meant more kits were ascending to apprenticeship, and the clan would grow stronger still. "All cats old enough to run the moors gather around the Tallrock for a clan meeting!"

Brackenkit  wriggled as Swiftspirit briskly smoothly down her fur, excitement shining in her eyes as Shrikestorm called the clan for a meeting. Some of her siblings had already been made apprentices, and she was excited for when it would finally be her turn. Swiftspirit had been trying to distract her from her impatience, which was probably a good thing, as Brackenkit's gaze lifted hopefully to the clan's deputy on the tallrock.

When it was time for a kit to become an apprentice, they always seemed to know it was their time. It seemed to be a sense all kits had, somehow. "Brackenkit, you've reached the age of six moons, and it's time for you to become an apprentice. From now until you've become a warrior, you will be known as Brackenpaw. Smallbean will be your mentor."

Smallbean had been expecting to receive an apprentice for the past moon or so, ever since Whisperkit had brought it up, but he still found himself to be surprised when he was chosen as Brackenpaw's mentor. He stood up and approached the young she-cat, feeling a twinge of guilt at never having really met her before now. He leaned out and touched his nose to the new apprentice. He cleared his throat. "Well, uh, pleased to be mentoring you?" The statement came out as more of a question. What else was he supposed to say? He couldn't remember. Maybe something encouraging? "I think you're gonna make a great warrior."

Brackenpaw couldn't help her excitement. She'd finally get to leave camp and do things that weren't just sitting around the nursery all day! And she'd get to hunt and fight! Her excitement was tempered by shyness as her new mentor padded up. "I hope so." She mewed, "When do we start training?" Swiftspirit was behind her, and though Brackenpaw didn't see, the queen's whiskers twitched in amusement. She smiled at mentor and apprentice, though kept her distance. Smallbean would train her daughter well, she was sure of it.

"Oh, um... How would you like to go out later this evening? I feel like getting to know the territory would be a good first step for you." He struggled to remember what Raventail had said to him when he was apprenticed, or even what he had done with former apprentices. Stars, it had been so long, he might as well be learning about apprenticeship and mentorship right along with Brackenpaw. He supposed he should just take it one step at a time. "Yeah, rest up and fill your belly in the meantime. You'll want to be energized when we go out. Maybe I'll even show you the hunters crouch so you can practice."