Apprentice Ceremony

[Xx._Spiderstar_.xX]

Spiderstar lingered in his den before stepping out onto the Highbranch. He was sure that this ceremony was long overdue. But then again, better late then never.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather here beneath the HighBranch!"

[Surrle!]

_{Mousepelt padded quietly beneath the Highbranch, glancing once up at Spiderstar and then sitting, her tortishell pelt gleaming in the setting sun, and her amber eyes reflecting the trees around the camp. She hoped the ceremony would be interesting, otherwise she might start to think about Shrewleg, her abusive brother- and that was the last thing she needed. No, it looked like it was probably an apprentice or warrior ceremony, from the buzz of excitement she could scent off of Spiderstar. Ugh. I hope this is over quickly, she prayed to StarClan, flicking her tail and then tucking it around her legs. Come to think of it, I'd love an apprentice. Keep my mind off of things.}

[CATxOFxICE]

Morningfrost's ears pricked as she padded out to the clearing VervainClan called camp. Her white fur stood out among the other cats and she easily spotted her brother, Wanderingspirit across camp with Smokepaw.

Her yellow eyes traveled up to the HighBranch for Spiderstar's announcement.

Wanderingspirit nudged his apprentice over to the group of cats gathering in camp. He himself sat down with his dark eyes focused on the leader. It was about time something interesting happened.... well, Smokepaw wouldn't be a Warrior yet but that would be soon. The white tom sat silently and waited.

{{OOC: I was wondering.... well, we agreed to have Morningfrost x Spiderstar but should she start carrying the kits now?}}

[walkerm]

Ashkit padded out of the nursery, leaving her mother behind in her mad dash. She was super duper ready to be an apprentice.

She was a very old kit, having been in the nursery for StarClan knows how long (actually, she had been keeping track: it was somewhere around 8 moons).
Spiderstar was on the highbranch, looking regal and proud: leader-like.

[Ravenstar]

Smokepaw followed his mentor over to the high branch and sat beside him for Spiderstar's announcement, whatever it was. He started thinking about when Spiderstar would be making the announcement that he was to be a warrior.... But it seemed like that was ages away. For now, all he could do was wait.

Darkwing padded from the warrior's den at her leader's call, making herself comfortable and looking up at him. Her ears twitched visibly and her tail flicked from side to side, a clear warning for others to keep their distance. It seemed she always gave off a dark aura, one full of forboding that drove other cats away. She liked it that way, or so it would appear, though deep in her heart she was lonely, she would never admit it.

Shadowstorm followed after Darkwing from the warriors' den and sat a little away from her. He had a deep respect for the she-cat, seeing as he was probably the only cat that had ever gotten very close to her, even though it wasn't much. She had been a great mentor, strict, but he had needed it. Shadowstorm was now the only one that Darkwing could usually tolerate being near. Looking up at Spiderstar, he wondered what the announcement was about.

[Xx._Spiderstar_.xX]

Spiderstar looked down at the group of cats and smiled at Morningfrost, his pretty mate. Flicking his tail at her in welcome, he gazed around the rest of the cats. Ashkit was there and Mousepelt was there as well. Perfect.

"I have called you here to reward one of our kits, who has long since been due to be gain apprenticeship." Pausing he gazed down at Ashkit and then nodded. "Ashkit, you have waited long enough to become an apprentice. I call StarClan to look upon this kit and welcome him into apprenticeship. From now on, you are no longer Ashkit, you are Ashpaw!" Spiderstar smiled and then waited before continuing. "Mousepelt will be your mentor."

((Wow, it's been a while since I read the books...forgive me.
Morningfrost can be carrying them already.))

[CATxOFxICE]

Wanderingspirit purred. "Ashpaw!" He turned to look at Smokepaw's reaction and commented. "Looks like you've got a nice she-cat joining you in the apprentice's den." He flicked his tail in gesture of his joke, uncertain if Smokepaw had noticed.
The tom was happy that the Clan had a new apprentice. Even if Smokepaw wouldn't be with the apprentices for very much longer he now had a cat to take his bed. His white pelt flowed over his muscles as he stood up.


Morningfrost waited as the cats joined in calling Ashpaw by her new name. She was happy with it - but she also needed to tell Spiderstar her news. It was about time for her to move into the nursery with the kits she was holding.
She noticed her brother standing up, probably ready to continue training Smokepaw. She knew her brother was excited, his apprentice was close due to become a Warrior. Her yellow eyes traveled back to her mate as the ceramony drew close to it's end.

[Ravenstar]

Smokepaw flicked his ears, he wasn't all that interested in she-cats, or any other cat for that matter, except his mentor anyway. He just wanted to become a great warrior, and he thought Wanderingspirit was a great cat to be able to teach him how to do that. Another apprentice.... He wondered what his brothers would think of that, they were probably out on a patrol of something right now.... His brothers were a lot more interested in she-cats than he was.

Shadowstorm sighed, he had hoped he might get an apprentice this time, but no.... Oh well... it's not like there would never be any more kits that needed mentors in the future. Still, it was disappointing. Mousepelt deserved an apprentice just as much as he did though, he supposed.

Darkwing looked over at Shadowstorm as he sighed, knowing he had hoped he might get an apprentice this time, "Don't worry, Shadowstorm... apprentices are nothing but trouble." It was only half a joke, but she stood and padded past him, her tail flicking over his back encouragingly. Shadowstorm was the only apprentice she had ever received in her new Clan, though she was sure if she had stayed in SageClan she would never have gotten an apprentice at all. Personally, she didn't really care, but having an apprentice had actually brought her a little out of her shell, and Shdowstorm was the only cat she ever let her guard down with.

[Xx._Spiderstar_.xX]

Spiderstar waited patiently for the meows to die down. He had another thing to talk about. Something more important to his health and the well being of his Clan.
"Gradulations Ashpaw, yes congradualtions. But I have further news." he paused, how would he tell them? " As you all know, Ivorystar((Or Sparrowstar not sure)), has passed on, and I replced her. Well I have yet to go Moontree. I have asked a cat to go with me already and I need to be accompanied by an apprentice. I have choosen Ashpaw to accompany me." he said with a confident determined voice.

[CATxOFxICE]

Morningfrost felt her tail drop, she had forgotten about the apprentice. She had hoped to surprise the Clan with the news of kits but.... well, Ashpaw would find out first. She licked down her fur, and sighed.

Wanderingspirit's ears pricked back to catch Spiderstar's last announcement, but he didn't pay close attention. He was only worried about his own apprentice right now - hoping that if training went quickly Smokepaw could be a warrior as soon as Spiderstar returned.

[Surrle!]

Mousepelt stepped foward, shocked, to touch noses with her apprentice. "Don't worry," she assured the silver she-cat, "I'll teach you everything I know." This was a rare burst of kindness coming from the bitter warrior, but she quickly masked her emotion as the other cat's cheered Ashpaw's name. Well, I wasn't expecting that, she thought to herself with a smile. This could actually be enjoyable! But then her ears picked up a stray voice- it was Darkwing, speaking to Shadowstorm. Apprentices are nothing but trouble, Her heart sank a little bit. StarClan knows I was a handful as an apprentice, she thought to herself, so why should Ashpaw be any different? She looked back up towards Spiderstar at his last announcement and held her head high. No cat would say her apprentice was anything but perfect in every way. Not ever. She vowed to help make Ashpaw the best hunter, the strongest fighter, the most loyal warrior, and the most helpful cat in the Clan.

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[walkerm]

Ashpaws eyes were bright and shiney. She was an apprentice, now! At long last, she was actually allowed to leave camp, and hunt, and go on border patrols!

And her mentor was Mousepelt! What a cool warrior!

Ashpaw was also sort of dazed. She was going to the Moontree! With Spiderstar!

But then, through the moment of joy, a sadder thought pierced through. What about Mousepelt? Of course, Ashpaw, although sassy and confident in most areas, was quite and contrite when it came to her leader.
He was just so...Leaderlike.

[Xx._Spiderstar_.xX]

Spiderstar looked at Wanderingspirit and glared. He didn't even care! That cat was unbelievable! Shaking his head he jumped form the HighBranch and walked over to Morningfrost.
"Hello, Morningfrost." He purred and then dropped his voice, "I want you to overlook how Shatteringdarkness does with the camp and i want to know. Okay? I have to go and get Ashpaw ready to leave." licking her on the forehead he walked over to Ashpaw and smiled down at him. "Are you ready?" He asked kindly but leader like.

[CATxOFxICE]

Morningfrost nodded her head, as her mate padded away she glanced around camp. She padded over to the deputy, a little unsure of what to say. Her white tail flicked back in forth nervously as she watched him. Her thoughts wandered off to her "wandering" brother. He had been getting concieted since he got an apprentice - that crazy tom! He probably would keep himself up all night until Smokepaw was finished with training.

[walkerm]

OOC: Ashpaw is a she, not a him

"Uh--um, yes!" Ashpaw stammered. She was a little nervous, and completely hyped. She was probably going to crash and burn later today.