Rainkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Birdchaser

 
Unlike the other recent apprentice ceremony, This one took little thought at all. There had been only one choice in her mind for nearly a moon. Though she'd wavered on it briefly, Birdchaser knew in her heart that she was set on it. Rainkit's mentor had been decided for him long before this day. There was no lingering anxiety in her legs, no last minute what-ifs. She only had to wait for time to pass, and now today was the day.

From where she stood on the Tallbranch, surveying the life of her Clan, her gaze slid over towards the nursery. She did not look away from it when she raised her voice tk summon the Clan. "Let all cats old enough to climb the trees, gather below the Tallbranch for a Clan meeting!"

Rainkit was quick to trot into the main area of camp. He was very serious about attending every clan meeting and ceremony, showing himself as a member of the clan. It didn't matter that he was still a kit, it was important that the rest of Skyclan knew that he was taking his role in the clan seriously. He took a seat beneath the Tallbranch, tilting his head up to look at Birdchaser standing regally atop it, and tucking his tail underneath him.

The last of Rainkit's lingering sickness had disappeared, leaving Rainkit at full energy and able to keep up with Crookedpaw's constant playful mood. He'd grown (though, not by much) and his already thick fur had begun to fluff out, thankfully making him look a little bigger than he actually is. While the thought that this might be his own ceremony didn't quite cross Rainkit's mind, he had reached the age of apprenticeship, and he had started to look the part, too. Still, ever since Crookedpaw was apprenticed, Rainkit has been secretly hoping it'd be his turn soon. They were supposed to do this together, after all, and Rainkit couldn't allow himself to fall behind.

Birdchaser

 
Like he did with every meeting called, Rainkit appeared quickly among the growing crowd. He sat close to the Tallbranch, and Birdchaser took a moment just to lean forward and give him a small small smile in greeting. She never really took notice of it before– Rainkit always looked small to her, afterall –but he'd certainly grown since he'd been brought to SkyClan. Still small compared to the rest of them, but he was starting to fill out. He'd make a good apprentice, and a better warrior.

Straightening out to face the Clan again, she called down, "Rainkit, please step forward." She gave him a slightly longer pause than maybe she did with most. It wasn't all that new to him, at least she hoped not by now, but she still wanted to give him that moment to marvel. Then, "You've reached the age of six moons, and it's time for you to become an apprentice. From now until you earn your name as a warrior, you'll be known as Rainpaw. I will be your mentor." At the last word, her composure broke and her smile grew in full. Leaping smoothly off the branch, she padded over to now-Rainpaw and bent down to touch her nose to his. "Training starts at dawn tomorrow. For now, get acquainted with your new den, and get some rest. We're going to work hard. And congratulations, Rainpaw."

Rainkit looked up at Birdchaser and gave a small smile in return as she leaned a bit over the branch, feeling warm at the attention. And then his eyes widened and he obediently took a step forward, excitement and nerves in equal value beginning to dance in his chest. He had watched Crookedpaw's ceremony very closely, so he knew what to do. 

Now Rainpaw, his excitement only grew as Birdchaser leapt off the branch. He leaned up to meet her nose touch on instinct. Birdchaser would be his mentor! Rainpaw hadn't even considered the possibility, but it made him delighted. He had to suppress an excited purr, fighting his smile until he had a serious expression on his face. "Yes ma'am." He said with a solemn nod. "I won't let you down." He took a deep breath and stepped back.

Rainpaw looked around at the gathering crowd, the smile he had successfully fought away quickly coming back in full. He was an apprentice, on his path to become a warrior, just like he and Crookedpaw said! He saw Wolfblossom smiling at him and he returned the smile in full, standing taller than ever before.