Russetkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Worries of the clan's future ran through Smallbean's head as he sat atop the tallrock, overlooking the clan as they rushed around, taking care of duties. With the crack in the territory and ominous shaking, the deputy had been very on edge. He'd even began to lose sleep over it. Even so, there was something that brought him hope - that brought Windclan hope. A kit had reached the age of apprenticeship, and today was her ceremony.

Standing to his paws, he hesitated a moment before summoning his clanmates. "All cats old enough to run the moors gather around the Tallrock for a clan meeting!"

Bright blue eyes shone in the relative shade of the nursery before Russetkit scrambled forwards, claws sinking into the sandy ground. Whiteburn had spent practically all morning grooming down Russetkit’s ginger fur, which could mean only one thing- and the lack of jaws grabbing onto her scruff and stern voices reminding her to stay in the nursery only confirmed it. Today, Russetkit would become an apprentice.

She waved her tail to the nursery once, just in case her friend (friend!) Sleepykit was watching, and bounded forwards, sitting right next to the Tallrock before Whiteburn’s gaze and tail flick motioned her back, to at least sit with the rest of the gathering crowd, even if she, of course, sat in front.

This was her day today, after all.

It seemed the kit knew that it was her apprentice ceremony before Smallbean could even say the words. He fought a smile. Still, he made the announcement anyways. "Russetkit, please step forward." From how fast she had ran from the nursery, he doubted it would take long for her to take a few simple steps, especially considering how close to the front of the crowd she was. He waited until she'd completely stepped forward before making the final portion of the announcement anyways, just in case. "You have now reached the age of six moons and are ready to become an apprentice. From now until you become a warrior, you will be known as Russetpaw. Your mentor will be Silverwing. I trust that she will pass down all she knows to you." With that concluding the ceremony, Smallbean jumped from the rock, joining his clanmates as they celebrated the new apprentice. Hopefully, this wouldn't be the only good thing to happen to Windclan over the next few moons. Hopefully.

Russetkit, step forwards.

It was. It was! It was it was it was- and pushing down a twinge of sadness that her older brother wouldn’t be able to watch her become an apprentice, Russetkit bounded to her paws, skidding forwards and pretty much looking straight up at Smallbean, her mouth and eyes wide open- at least until a bug flew into her maw.

She nodded along with Smallbean. Yes, she was six moons old, yes, she was old enough to be an apprentice, yeah bean dude, her name was gonna be Russetpaw, and stars yes- “Silverwing!” she cheered, as if it was the molly’s ceremony and not her own. Stars yeah, she got the best mentor in the whole foxing Clan- her ears turned a bit red once she’d thought that… hey, but she was an apprentice now! She could think about foxing things! And say it? Maybe… maybe she’d ask Whiteburn… or her new mentor!

Her deputy's call didn't do much for the she-cat, instead she had resumed her grooming at the edge of camp, hoping to pick off any unsuspecting party for a surprise patrol. As a familiar, small orange kit joined the crowd however, Silverwing's plans changed. If she was quick enough, she could nab Russetkit right as everyone was dispersing. Just like that, Silverwing was integrating with the crowd of cats, inching closer to Russetkit every chance she got. Then Smallbean called for her. Oh, Russetkit's ceremony? There wouldn't be any time to play with her after the ceremony concluded, no doubt the new apprentice's mentor would want to start their training immediately. Wait, he said my name? Silverwing heard her name once more, this time coming from Russetpaw... An apprentice. MY apprentice?! This was an honor, and one that she thought would never be given to her. Now she had the cutest kit in all of Windclan, Sorry Sleepykit, but it's true, as her apprentice! "Russetpaw!" She cheered back, perhaps with way too much enthusiasm. Silverwing was upon her new apprentice in seconds, touching noses with her just as Blazefang had on their first day. "Training starts tomorrow! I'm gonna show you- nevermind, it's a surprise!"

“A surprise?!? The newly named Russetpaw could barely restrain herself for long enough to touch noses with her mentor, quivering as she was with pent-up excitement. Oh, oh oh oh oh! “I love surprises! What’s it gonna be- whatsit whasit whatsit gonna be? Ooh! Ooh! Ooh, but you can’t tell me right? ‘Cause surprises?” she bounced in place, flicking her tail in excitement. Probably something crazy foxing awesome- maybe some secret hunting technique, or a secret fighting style? Or maybe there was a reason Silverwing was called Silverwing; maybe she could secretly fly! Russetpaw hurriedly hushed that thought- she wasn’t a kit anymore. Cats couldn’t fly…

… or could they?