Hickorykit's Apprentice Ceremony

Falconmoon's kits were growing fast. He couldn't believe how time had flown by. He leaped onto the Tallbranch and called out in a loud voice, "Let all of those who are old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the Tallbranch for a clan meeting!" Skyclan needed growth and good news for a change. The apprentice ceremonies of his kits would be a good start. Starclan... please keep them safe this time...

Falconmoon tried to not let his eyes linger on Hickorykit too long, to try to keep this a surprise as long as possible. Once the clan had finally gathered, Falconmoon allowed his azure eyes to fall on Hickorykit. "Today, Skyclan earns a new apprentice. Hickorykit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to become an apprentice. From today until the day you earn your warrior name, you will be called Hickorypaw. Your mentor will be Stormwatcher. He is a loyal, brave Skyclan cat with lots of experience. He will teach you well and put you on the path to success." He gave his friend an encouraging nod. Once the two were given a moment to acquaint and the clan congratulated Hickorypaw, Falconmoon concluded the meeting and leaped off of the branch.

"You'll do well, son." He thought proudly, giving Hickorypaw a proud glance before beginning to assign patrols for the day.

Honeykit sat among the crowd as the meeting was called. She had hoped that today would be her ceremony, but when Hickorykit was called forward, the white and tortoiseshell cat purred, offering her brother a smile. He was apprenticed to one of the older warriors, how exciting!

Soon it would be her turn, and the rest of her siblings. They had a lot to live up to, with dad being deputy and grandma being the clan leader. Hopefully that connection didn't mean that their mentors would go easy on them.

Stormwatcher glanced upwards at the sound of his name. He had to physically bite his tongue to keep himself from audibly grunting in disagreement. He forced himself to dip his head to his friend and deputy thanking him for the opportunity. Outwardly at least he would do everything he could to appear eager for this.

But inwardly it felt like he just got punched in the gut. A sinking feeling of being trapped hit him.

To be clear, it was NOT that he did not like apprentices - he had changed a lot and gotten much better at being helpful so he actually did like having an apprentice.

In reality, he dreaded this so much because of how his last apprentice had died right in front of him torn apart by a dog while he could do nothing to stop him - the image of blazepaws limp body was clear to him even now.

He felt a sharp heat in his stomach as he gasped a bit for a breath. He blinked rapidly and sat down. The heat of the coming summer was not helping at all.

He tried to force himself to focus but slowly his eyes went cross and he felt the world spinning around him. No - I don't want to loose another apprentice He half sat half slouched over awkwardly and forced a jaggedly breath in.

Storm is having a lil panic attack