Apprentice Ceremonies {Everyone}

[shadow]

The little sunlight that made it into the ShadeClan camp made ivory fur flash as Marblestar padded into the camp. A fat rabbit was held in her jaws, destined for the fresh kill pile to feed her hungry warriors. Icy blue eyes flicked to the nursery, thought stirring in Marblestar's mind. Only a few days into being a clan leader and it was already time for apprentice ceremonies for Rosewing's orphaned kits. Marblestar's tail flicked at the thought of the sharp-tongued she-cat that Marblestar had known as no one more important than an average warrior. After her death, Marblestar had watched Featherkit and Webkit. Both had been more subdued since the death of their bold mother and the once adventurous Featherkit had been scarred in more ways than just one.

Turning her gaze toward the medicine cat's den as Marblestar dropped her rabbit on the pile, her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. She hoped Sparrowcall had made some choice in an apprentice. Perhaps Featherkit or Webkit had taken her fancy and she would request to mentor them during the ceremonies. She hoped so. Sparrowcall was twice Marblestar's age and life as a medicine cat was far from easy adding to the feeling of age. It was time she chose an apprentice out of the four kits, either from this batch or the next when Harmonykit and Melodykit became apprentices.

Deciding it was high time to get Webkit and Featherkit out of the nursery and their sulking, Marblestar padded briskly toward the Rock Hill. Springing lightly upward the ivory she-cat perched herself at the highest point, wrapping her snowy tail around her paws. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather for Clan Meeting" Marblestar yowled.

From just within the nursery, Webkit stretched and poked Featherkit awake before slipping outside. He was six moons old and he had caught a mouse...once. Deciding to play it safe in case this wasn't an apprentice ceremony the shy silver tabby crouched beside the nursery entrance to watch and listen. His recent talk with Sparrowcall came to mind and his tail twitched. For the first time he actually hoped this was his apprentice ceremony with Featherkit.

[Duskstar]

;; From the slowly growing group beneath Rock Hill came a calico feline, her bright pelt colors sticking out in the crowd. Just the day before the medicine cat had spoken with a kit, finally finding someone who seemed interested in becoming a medicine cat. Webkit would be a great match, his intelligence and growing patience looking so much like Sparrowcall's old personality. With a contented sigh the she-cat weaved through her clanmates, heading up to the Rock Hill were Marblestar perched to start the clan meeting. Today would be the day she received her apprentice. After all, Sparrowcall certainly wasn't getting any younger.

;; When she finally reached the front of the crowd, the calico dipped her head to ShadeClan's newest leader, "Good morning Marblestar." Sparrowcall meowed cheerfully, her pale green gaze glinting with the light that hadn't been there in a long time, "I spoke with Webkit yesterday. He's interested." The feline gave a smile to the leader, dipped her head once again, and turned, this time heading for the tomkit. She couldn't but feel bad for Webkit and his sister; Rosewing had been a great mother, very protecting and kind despite her sharp tongue. Sparrowcall hadn't known her well and was still quite depressed as the she-cat died in her den. It had to be horrible for Featherkit, whom was scarred on her face; a constant reminder.

;; Upon arriving to the silver tabby, the elderly medicine cat gave him a proud look and a like between the ears. "Are you ready Webkit?" She questioned, looking the tom up and down. Then, as if a mother to him, Sparrowcall gave his pelt a few rasps where the fur was sticking up. Her thoughts wandered partially to who would be chosen as Featherkit's mentor. She was slightly rebellious, but was a nice kit, and would need a good warrior to train her. There was Leopardheart, a strong and hardworking cat; but it was not likely that she would be chosen as a mentor while still getting used to her new deputy position. Maybe Icegaze or Cliffedge would be a better choice. Shrugging, Sparrowcall finished Webkit and started in on her own pelt, gazing at Rock Hill out of the corner of her eye.

[shadow]

Marblestar turned her sharp baby-blue gaze on Sparrowcall as the older tortoiseshell approached. Ivory auds pricked forward at the news Sparrowcall shared with the feline leader. Inclining her head, Marblestar nodded in understanding. Webkit would be a good choice. Icy eyes flicked to the small tom. He was too small to ever make a decent warrior regardless of those that were hopefully. There was no getting around weakness sometimes but she knew that Webkit was intelligent. The young tom would serve the clan well under the guidance of Sparrowcall and StarClan. Flicking her tail the leader waited as her clan gathered below her, wishing they would hurry up a bit. She wanted to get the ceremonies over with so the apprentices could get to their training.

Webkit's light blue eyes watched his hopeful mentor speak to Marblestar. He stiffened just a little when the leader's fierce gaze flicked to him for less than a heartbeat. There was always a strange wild strength he glimpsed in Marblestar's gaze, like a snow leopard trapped in the form of a cat. Webkit forced himself to focus on Sparrowcall as the elderly she-cat approached. At her question he simply nodded, too nervous to trust himself in speaking. He knew he had good reason to be nervous. In mere minutes the duties beyond that of a normal apprentice would be placed on him. Also he was nervous for his beloved sister, Featherkit. She was so shy now about her marks, it broke his heart to think of the bold cat she'd once been and now she was so somber and shy. He hoped whomever Marblestar chose as her mentor would be good to her and help her out of her shell. Maybe even Marblestar herself could take Featherkit as an apprentice? It was almost too much to hope for.

[bramble]

Featherkit sat slightly outside the nursery. She gulped, nervous. She was becoming an apprentice, but who would be her mentor? What would training to be a warrior of ShadeClan be like? What will the challenges be? Questions rattled her brain. 'Come on, you can do it!' Featherkit said in her head. Another part of her wasn't so willing to be couragous. 'No! It's better not to risk anything. It's better to stay at home were the danger is at its lowest.' Featherkit was torn between facing her fears and playing it safe. She licked her left paw a few times and then rubbed it on the scars on her face. Featherkit sighed. She remembered it like it was yesterday. Featherkit continued the conversation in her head. 'Come on! Remember, those foxes killed your mother. Don't you want to avenge your mother's death by becoming a warrior so you can kill the foxes that scarred you for life!' The other part of her pleaded desperately. 'No! You might get killed if you try to do that. Or even worse, you might get another permanent scar! Don't do it, please!' Featherkit thought it over carefully and decided to make a brave move. She got up and padded slowly over to meet her brother, Webkit.

[shadow]

Glancing around for Featherkit, Webkit saw his sister coming toward him and gave her a reassuring look. They were nearly identical, both sleek silver tabbies with handsome ebony markings and capturing blue eyes. Even with her scars Webkit still thought his sister was a beauty but then again he was her brother so he wasn't really a fair judge. Glancing at Sparrowcall, Webkit got up and padded forward to meet his nervous-looking sister. Pressing his muzzle against hers, he purred softly. "It'll be fine Featherkit, I promise" he murmured. It was a downright lie. He wasn't sure if Featherkit knew he wasn't going to be an apprentice with her. He would be an apprentice but not in the same sense. He just hoped other apprentices would help her.

Leading Featherkit back over to Sparrowcall, Webkit settled himself between his sister and his future mentor, watching Marblestar and waiting for the few straggling warriors to come to the meeting.

[bramble]

Featherkit shuffled her paws anxiously. She looked around wildly at Marblestar and at Webkit and Sparrowcall. It was nerve-racking to finally be becoming an apprentice. Featherkit calmed down a little and took in a few deep breaths. 'It'll be fine, you just have to take it slowly,' a part of Featherkit said. But the other part of her still wanted to flee back into the nursery. If Webkit hadn't been right next to her she probably would have. The only thing she could do now was wait as patiently as she could and see how things worked out. Besides, her good brother, Webkit, would be there the whole time, wouldn't he? But somehow, Featherkit wasn't sure about it.