Sunkit's Apprentice Ceremony

There was a newfound hope burning within Acornstem as she jumped onto a nearby rock. There had been somewhat successes in curing the illness that plagued the Clan - a thorn finally pulling free from their hide. With dawn finally breaking, the deputy was starting to feel like her old self again as she shook away the fears and doubts that had haunted her for so many moons at this point - stretching from when the prey had first started to run thin. Truly, everything was looking up, something that only made this moment more fitting. With what felt like a breaking dawn came young Sunkit, ready to become an apprentice. "Let all cats safe from the bramble's thorns gather for a Clan meeting!" she called out, her voice freed from the worry that had nearly shattered d her - but she couldn't help but let out a series of coughs...

Ah right, not everything was sunlight and bird songs yet.

Tumbling out of the nursery at full speed, Sunkit skidded to a stop at the edge of the gathering crowd. Eyes bright, he regarded the deputy with unbridled excitement. For days now his mother had been hinting that he was too big for the nursery. Surely today must be the day! The sickly young tom could hardly contain his excitement, practically shaking with anticipation as he considered the magnitude of this moment. He still firmly believed he would be the greatest warrior Thunderclan had ever seen– and today was his first step along that path to greatness.

Acornstem couldn't help but giggle under her breath as Sunkit came tumbling from the den, pure excitement on his face. She couldn't imagine the disappointment he would face if this was for anybody else - so he was indeed lucky that this ceremony was for him. As Sunkit took a seat, she raised her head to address the Clan. "I've called you all here to celebrate yet another joyous moment! The Clan continues to thrive and grow despite the additional troubles of Leaf-bare upon us, and so I am proud to welcome another apprentice to the Clan - Sunkit, please step forward."

Waiting for the tom to proudly take his place in the center of the Clan's attention, she continued on with a purr. "Sunkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Sunpaw. Your mentor will be Lichenwing," she meowed, glancing over at the tom. While the warrior had been among the sickest of the Clan, the medicine cats' tests had done wonders and gave her hope that this illness was nearly at an end. With his newfound strength, she was happy to give him an apprentice to look after. "I know that Lichenwing will pass down all that he know on to you."

Pure, unfettered joy shone from the young tom in the form of a massive grin as he practically floated toward the front of the crowd, tail aloft and whiskers trembling. His heart pounded as he stared up at Acornstem with adoration. I won't let you down. He thought, turning to greet his new mentor and noting the impressive scar on his shoulder. A true warrior! He couldn't wait to have a scar like that. This was truly the best day of his entire life.