Tigerkit's Apprentice Ceremony

"ShadowClan! All cats old enough to silently stalk in the shadows, please gather around for a Clan meeting!"

Though it seemed like yesterday that they'd arrived, the kit that Nightstar had brought home with him was finally ready to be apprenticed.

Having grown more into large ears, and lanky legs, Tigerkit had been truly beginning to enjoy life in Shadowclan. While every so often, he felt sadness for what he had experienced as a kit, his newfound belief in Starclan helped alleviate that. Even if his mother wasn't there, maybe she was in the afterlife somewhere, and that gave him no small amount of hope that perhaps one day they would meet again.

So when Leopardsun called the clan to gather, Tigerkit did so without delay. He was always interested in these clan meetings, they always said such exciting things!

"Tigerkit, please step forward."

Leopardsun observed the kit: he had adjusted to life in ShadowClan about as well as any kit could have been expected to. She could only hope her choice of mentor wasn't a mistake.

"You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to become an apprentice. From this day until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Tigerpaw. Your mentor will be Locustcall- I trust that he will teach you all he knows, and that you will continue adjusting to life in ShadowClan together."

With the apprentice named and mentor assigned, she turned to the mentor she'd chosen. They certainly made an interesting pair: both cats Nightstar had brought back to ShadowClan, however reluctantly in the case of Tigerpaw.

"After your time away from the Clan and our codes of conduct, I trust that you understand that training an apprentice is an honor as well as an important responsibility. As neither of you has been with us for all that long, I'll be checking in occasionally to ensure that everything is alright."

Locustcall tried not to let anticipation get the better of him when Shadowclan's youngest members all started to earn their apprentice names. He wasn't sure if he expected an apprentice or just wanted one, craving the chance to prove he could be a good mentor and warrior. However, he was still new himself, many of these cats strangers, he didn't blame them if they chose warriors they were familiar with to train new apprentices.

However, The tom straightened when he heard his name leave the deputy's maw. He was granted Tigerkit, now Tigerpaw, as an apprentice, a cat he had heard Nightstar himself brought in. It was curious considering their opinions on blood, offering enough intrigue for Locustcall to push aside his usual reservations.

What did wiggle under his pelt a bit was Leopardsun's gentle 'reminder.' He was a warrior far before her. Time did not wipe his memory of how much an apprentice was a privilege, even if he squandered it in the past. Still, he nodded, keeping his thoughts to himself. "Of course, I understand fully. I'll make sure Tigerpaw becomes the best he can be."

He approached his new apprentice, pressing his nose to their forehead. "I'll give you time to set up a nest in the apprentice's den and get acquainted. I'll come to find you at moonhigh to show you the territory."

What Leopardsun announced as he drew closer shocked him. He would be becoming an apprentice, him! Finally! He'd been ready since the day he'd come to Shadowclan! Well... not really, but no one had to know that. His mentor was Locustcall, a warrior that, as he had heard through the whispers of other kits and warriors, had been gone for a long time.

Quickly finding his mentor, Tigerpaw let his mentor touch his forehead with his nose, and stopped himself from leaping with excitement. "Yes Locustcall, I'll be ready." His voice steadied as he spoke, a smidge of confidence tinting it. He'd been a scared kit long enough, if he was going to stay in Shadowclan, he had to learn what being Shadowclan truly meant! Turning tail, the newly-minted apprentice began padding away calmly. At least until he was far enough away, then he practically sprinted to the Apprentice's Den to get himself a new nest.