Dandelionkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Dandelionkit

Dandelionkit was outside enjoying the sun warming his pelt when he heard the summons. Here we go again, he thought unenthusiastically. He always seemed to find himself searching the clearing for his mother's familiar glare, and this time was no different. There she is. Ever since he was a tiny kit, his mother forced him to attend these meetings, even though there were too many cats and the noise they made was too loud. He had always heard other cats tell his mother that she was unlucky, not only because she was only able to kit one tiny kit, but because Dandelionkit was so strange and unusual.

Dandelionkit met his mother's cold gaze with his own, and padded off to join the tight knot of gathering cats, his tail trailing behind him. Mama used to love me, he thought, but now I think she hates me. She let all those other warriors bully her into hating me. Bitterness clawed his heart as he took his place at the outside of the semicircle of cats gathering below Tallrock, ears slicked back to keep out the noise. His gaze slipped just past Sootstorm, as it always did, seemingly fixed on something just over his shoulder.

Who is leaving the nursery next?  He wondered idly. The nursery became quieter and quieter as kits continued to be made apprentices, and Dandelionkit was happy to have so much serenity. When his mother left the nursery to rejoin the warriors, she had snapped at him about not having been chosen to be an apprentice yet because he's strange. His nest was much too big for him now and he got cold often. Dandelionkit shivered as he thought about the lonely nights since mama left.

Dandelionpaw

Dandelionkit's attention was snapped back to reality when he heard his name called, and realized the deputy's eyes were focused on him. The kit shrank back slightly, casting glances around at everyone else who were also watching him. Some of the pairs of eyes were encouraging, some of them mocking. Step forward.

Dandelionkit's eyes locked on the ground as his paws guided him forward to stand before the crowd and the deputy. His breath came in quick, shallow gasps as he tried his best to hold himself together. His ears were ringing. He dared not look towards the massive crowd of cats, though he could feel their gazes burning on his pelt. I'm not ready, he despaired, I'm not ready! His eyes stung but he blinked back the tears that threatened to overwhelm him. He couldn't quite hear as Sootstorm called his new name, and he barely caught the tail end of his mentor's name.

Sootstorm is going to be my mentor?

Dandelionpaw's head spun. Why would be pick me? he wondered. Doesn't he already have an apprentice? Is it because I'm different? His fur fluffed up in an attempt to hide him from sight. He was vaguely aware of Sootstorm's face becoming level with his. Dandelionpaw glanced up, meeting his new mentor's eyes only briefly before quickly glancing away again. Sootstorm touched noses with him and Dandelionpaw visibly flinched at the contact. Soothing words purred in the deputy's voice. He idly nodded, and the sounds of cheering cats rose up. His ears pressed down against his head as hard as they could, and Dandelionpaw closed his eyes. Small. Helpless. Pathetic.

As the cheering eventually faded, Dandelionpaw was vaguely aware of the area thinning out. He stumbled away in the direction of the nursery, until realization dawned on him. I have to move to that crowded apprentice's den. His heart hurt as he imagined leaving his safe space, the nest that smelled so much like home, and the soothing milky scent. His tail drooped and the newly named apprentice stood still, his eyes locked on his paws, unmoving. Mama.