Rainkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Poppyshine

The final kit of Maplespring’s litter was ready for apprenticeship. Poppyshine was as excited as she was sure the rest of Rainkit’s family were. She stepped up onto the willow branch and looked to her clan for yet another ceremony. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own fish gather for a Clan meeting.” She looked in the crowd until she caught Rainkit's eye.

Poppyshine

Poppyshine met Rainkit’s gaze and offered him a smile. She gestured with her tail, beckoning him forth. When he stepped up, she stood herself a little taller. “Rainkit, you have reached your age of six moons and are ready to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Rainpaw.” She closed her eyes for a moment and took another breath. “I shall be your mentor. I will teach you all I know, and guide you on the path to becoming a warrior.”

They were low on warriors, and while she was sure that someone else could have taken on Rainpaw as an apprentice, especially given that she was nearing her kitting date, she wanted to do all she could to care for Maplespring’s kits. She loved each of them like her own, and Poppyshine hoped that she could continue to show that love through teaching Rainpaw. She stepped down from the branch and approached the timid apprentice. She leaned forward and touched her nose to his. “We’ll train with your brother soon,” she promised softly.