A Ceremony Long-Overdue

[cloudy]

Shadowpaw watched the two cats accept their warrior names. He found himself chanting along, but deep inside, his belly wobbled with disbelief.

Sorrelpaw – Sorrelheart, now – he could understand. She was a good apprentice, as well as hunter and fighter. Shadowpaw was sure she would make a fine warrior. But Thymepaw? Now, he was Thymenose, but SHadowpaw decided right then and there he would never call him that. Once Thymepaw pulled himself together and started acting like a warrior, then he would call him by a warrior name. Until then, he would simply be called Thymepaw. Maybe even Thymekit, for all Shadowpaw cared, because that’s what he acted like. Honestly, he had been watching bugs before his warrior ceremony! How old was he? Four moons? Couldn’t Ravenstar see how ironic that was?! Shadowpaw could admit he had more work to do, considering his apprentice training. He wasn’t quite read to become a warrior yet, no matter how close. But he was so much better than Thymepaw! He brought in more fresh kill than Thymepaw, when they battled, SHadowpaw always won, and Shadowpaw showed far more discipline! What was WindClan coming to, if Thymepaw could become a warrior and not Shadowpaw? Shadowpaw kneaded the earth with his paws, staring at just Sorrelheart, chanting only her warrior name. “Sorrelheart! Sorrelheart! Sorrelheart!”

[Amber]

Mintleaf sighed as she watched Dawnkit tread further and further away. She enjoyed pushing the boundaries, and seeing just how far she could get before it was considered troublesome. Why couldn't she be like her brothers? They were so calm and obedient. At least she had two kits that were doing what they were told. And it seemed Dewkit was actually listening to the ceremony being performed. This was a good sign. If he was this patient this early in his life, as he grew it would become an attribute few possessed. He would be an apprentice that would excel, and the young queen could imagine it now.

It broke her heart a little to see Cedarkit so frightened by her words. They hadn't been meant for him, she knew he was a good kit. But she couldn't play favorites, that wouldn't be fair. She needed to address all four of them. Even if one of them was already pushing her limits. He would be the one she would have to watch. No because he was a bad kit, but because he was more skittish than the others. She wanted to make sure he would feel safe.

Glancing down at Cedarkit she gave him a quick lick on his head, curling her tail around him. "Why don't you stay right here, you can see everything fine, and you don't have to worry about other cats. This won't be your last Clan meeting, you will have plenty more in your future. Just take it easy and maybe next time you will feel a little more sure about what you want to do." Mintleaf spoke softly to the kit.

And before she knew it the meeting had gone underway, it seemed two of the apprentices were receiving their warrior name. B-but Thymepaw, was that really the best idea? Forgetting about her wandering kit for a moment, she stared at the leader. What was Ravenstar thinking? Well, it probably was about time, Thymepaw was becoming a bit too old to be an apprentice. He had been her denmate when she was an apprentice, and that was moons ago.

She gasped when she saw where Dawnkit was headed. She had found the one cat Mintleaf had been trying to keep her away from. Dawnkit was headed for Ripplepaw, bouncing along eagerly. Maybe this would teach her daughter a lesson in running off. But Dawnkit was so little, she didn't want to see Ripplepaw tear her to shreads. Hopefully Dawnkit would veer off somewhere else. Glancing at Thistlefrost, it seemed her mate was too into chanting the new names to notice what was going on.



Ripplepaw's head lifted slightly as Bristlepaw recognized her. Her blue eyes brightened a bit as he spoke. "Same as usual." she muttered. And her eyes settled on Ravenstar as he began the meeting. He was making two new warriors? Well that meant less apprentices, which was probably a good thing. Sorrelpaw she respected, there was no ill judgment for the hard working she-cat.

However, at the mentioning of Thymepaw the white and brown cat sighed. If she were feeling up to it, there would be many questions asked. But maybe he did deserve it, either that or Ravenstar was sick of having an apprentice older than some of his warriors. Her gaze shifted to Thymepaw, would she end up like him? If things kept going the way they did, she would be just like that. Who knew if she would ever receive her warrior name. Her brother's kits would be apprentices before she was a warrior at this rate.

"Yeah, great for them." Ripplepaw repeated after her friend. It was great for them, they were able to live their lives and not worry about mousebrained siblings. She managed to send out a few 'cheers' for the new warriors, though they weren't half as loud as Bristlepaw.

Seeing a little kit in the distance she smiled slightly. The kit looked so innocent and cute, and completely oblvious to what was going on. Upon further glancing, and as the kit came closer, her fur raised. It was one of her brother's kits! That same little gray kit that had tried to approach her the other day. Her claws flexed in the ground underneath her, daring the kit to come closer. It was partly the fault of that kit that she would never be a warrior!

[Yoko]

Bristlepaw was sort of caught up in the chants. It was nice to be happy for his clanmates. Especially Thymepaw. He had never really thought about it, but looking back, it was a miracle that Thymepaw had been named a warrior before him. It was a good thing to celebrate but there was a bit of sadness in it as well. After all, the apprentice den would be a little colder, a little more empty.

Well, at least I have Ripplepaw.

He turned to the pretty she-apprentice. She didn't look very pleased. She was staring at something. He raised his head to look over her shoulder. It was Cedarkit...her own kin. He frowned a little and stroked her shoulder with his tail tip. Only one of course, and he was a little embarrassed that he had done it.

"She's only a kit, Ripplepaw...I mean, if you're going to blame anyone it's your brother's fault..."

He looked at the ground. He knew it was really personal, but he felt so bad for her...

Maybe....should I talk to Thistlefrost? Would he even listen?

[Amber]

Ripplepaw had been quite calm the past few days, doing nothing other than moping around. But all the aggression of the past two moons soon filled her eyes. That little kit had the nerve to come near her? She really was pushing her luck. As the kit edged closer and closer she noticed that it had her eyes. Seriously? She was going to be tormented by that too?

The fur that had been so smooth moments ago was now fluffed out, and the old Ripplepaw flared up inside. It lasted only for a moment when she saw a pair of eyes looking at her. They were staring straight at her. The eyes she would know anywhere. Thistlefrost was watching her. Really? He was going to pay attention to her now?

At the feeling of something on her shoulder she shuddered. Realizing what it was, the apprentice didn't know what to do or say. Though it had relaxed her and taken her mind off of things, for now. "I know it's Thistlebrain's fault. He's the one who helped create that thing." she hissed. "But look at her. She doesn't know who I am. She doesn't care that I am mad. She just is a kit. His kit! How can I ever look at her or any of those kits and not feel like this?"

Her fur flattened when the kit seemed to get bored with walking around and headed back toward the nursery. And a sigh escaped her. Her brother's eyes were still watching her and she slowly sunk back, not wanting to see them anymore. "Sorry, didn't mean to snap." Ripplepaw mewed looking to Bristlepaw, then to the ground. It seemed her old self hadn't lasted long.

[Yoko]

Her outburst made his fur bristle a little. She had a temper sometimes, but he had never seen anything so vicious. And towards a kit of her own kin too. He looked down at his paws, frowning. What should he do now? How could he calm her down? He didn't dare touch her again...Before he could say anything at all, it was over. She apologized for snapping at him, but he felt sorry for the kit. He hoped it didn't here anything. He glanced in the kit's direction but it was gone.

"It's fine," he mewed, looking away. "I have to go...fetch some moss. Later Ripplepaw."

He hardly waited for a reply before padding away swiftly.

[nimby]

"Mousepaw Speaks!" | Mousepaw Thinks!

During the night before, Mousepaw had slipped out as she had many nights before. But that night was supposed to be different. She wasn't out trying to find Alfa but she was doing what she should have been doing before, hunting. It helped clear her mind a little, or at least that is what she keeps telling herself. Her head was still filled with mixed emotions and unclear ideas. The night was nice though, bringing a sense of happiness back to her. She had caught a couple mice and one small injured rabbit. It seemed like more than enough by the time she got back. What surprised her the most was that she never got caught and she never woke Smokepaw up to go with her. But that was the thing, she didn't want Smokepaw to get into trouble with her. It seemed unfair to bring him this time.

Mousepaw had a long night and was just awakening now at the sound of Ravenstar's voice. Why hadn't Smallnose come to get her? Was she not expected to train today? Drowsy, Mousepaw decided she didn't care and as quickly as her legs would let her, she wobbled out of the apprentice den still half asleep. Her eyes darted up at Ravenstar and then to the cats who were gathering. The gathering would start soon as many of the cats were already gathered around. Worried that Smallnose might try and talk to her before Ravenstar's announcements, Mousepaw darted toward Smokepaw who was sitting alone, as usual.

"Smokepaw!" She mewed delightedly. "Have you eaten anything? I am starving. I hope this doesn't take long." The mousy brown she-cat sat close beside her friend with her grey eyes locked onto Ravenstar. She really was hungry and did pray to StarClan he wouldn't take too long.


word count; 300
comments; A little short for my liking but it'll do! :3

[☆ Y e l l o w ☆]

Cedarkit mewled a bit as Mintleaf's tongue brushed over his head, but he couldn't help a small purr coming from his throat as a response to the touch. No, he didn't want to go, he wanted to stay with his mother. He felt safe with her fluffy tail curled around him, even if his siblings weren't around. Her words comforted him, too, and he calmed down a bit, looking up as Ravenstar started to talk. He didn't understand most of what the black tom was saying, and a lot of the big words he used went right over the little kit's head.

As the ceremony went on, though, he noticed something weird. Those two cats were Thymepaw and Sorrelpaw, if he remembered right, but by the end they were Thymenose and Sorrelheart. Tilting his head at this strange realization, he twisted around a bit to glance back up at Mintleaf. "Mother? Wh-why is my name Cedarkit? A-and the rest of the kits too... will my name ever be C-Cedarpaw or Cedar...something?" Oh, now his head hurt. As the Clan suddenly seemed to erupt with noise and cheering, Cedarkit whimpered and shrunk closer to Mintleaf, flicking his ears back against his head at the sudden noise. He didn't like the noise, it was much too loud. However as the cheering started to die down he was able to pick up on what they were all chanting. And, feeling a bit courageous, he perked up a bit and joined in.

"Sorrelheart! Thymenose!"