Apprentice Ceremony

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!"

The clear words of Flamestar rang out loud and true around the clearing, and from all corners of the camp came the warriors, the elders, and the apprentices. Goldenear emerged from the nursery, shaking out the moss from her fur, with Silversky close behind her. Ravenstorm stepped away from the fresh-kill pile, followed by Littleleaf and Blossomheart. Sparkpaw and Cloverpaw were clustered together, along with their mentors, Flintfoot and Leopardstrike. Echobreeze led Mintpaw and Dewpaw towards the clearing while she chatted with Rabbitclaw. Within moments, the whole clan had their gaze fixed on Flamestar, who was standing on top of the Highrock, eagerly waiting for the announcements to begin.

Redkit stood a few squirrel lengths away from the crowd, staring at her paws. She felt sick to her stomach.

"Redkit?"

Redkit's fur stood needle straight as she turned to see Willowbranch approaching her slowly from behind. When she saw the gray and white-striped medicine cat, she winced and turned away.

"Redkit, I need to talk to you." When she refused to look at her, she continued, "Redkit!"

Suddenly Hazelkit appeared, breaking in between the two cats. Determination and excitement shone in his eyes, and he pressed his head into hers. "Are you ready, Redkit? We're going to be warriors!"

"You bet!" Redkit replied with a half-hearted meow, trying to mask any doubt she had. She didn't want to give Willowbranch the satisfaction of seeing her give in to her possible fate.

With a soft muzzle, their mother pushed the two forward from behind. "Good luck!" she whispered softly into Redkit's ear.

"Today I have gathered you here for a special occasion," Flamestar meowed, his piercing voice and striking blue gaze sweeping over the cats before him, reflecting deep wisdom and a tinge of sympathy in his eyes. "With the last ceremony for Redkit and Hazelkit taking place today, there will be no new apprentices for many moons to come. They have a big destiny to fulfill," he went on, "but I believe they are ready to become apprentices."

The clan shouted out their approval, offering encouraging words to the two young cats standing before them at the Highrock. Flamestar waited until the noise died down and then called out, "Hazelkit!"

The brown-striped tabby tom leaped forward, his white paws quivering with excitement.

"From this day until you receive your warrior name, you will be Hazelpaw."

As one, the clan shouted in unison, resonating through the forest and shaking the fallen leaves with their powerful voices, chanting "Hazelpaw! Hazelpaw!"

"I ask StarClan to watch over you and guide you until you find in your paws the strength and courage of a warrior."

Hazelpaw's eyes sparkled with pride as he gazed up at his leader. He was standing taller, his chin held up high. Redkit thought he looked like a fierce warrior already.

"Ravenstorm," Flamestar called. The slender black tom stepped forward, his paws moving deftly against the sandy ground. He kept his gaze fixed on the newly made apprentice as he moved in between the gathered bodies of his clanmates.

"For many moons, you have proven yourself a fine warrior, capable of holding your own against ShadowClan warriors and defending the clan from predators. I trust you to pass on all that you have learned to Hazelkit so that he too may become a warrior that ThunderClan can be proud of."

Ravenstorm dipped his head. Hazelkit moved forward and quickly raised his muzzle to touch noses with his new mentor.

"Redkit," Flamestar announced.

Redkit suddenly felt all the blood in her veins rush to her head, causing her heart to beat nearly out of her chest. The crushing pressure of anxiety and nervousness came back in full force, sending her mind spinning. She took a shaky step forward, holding her breath. She shut her eyes tightly and waited for her name to be called.

"From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be Redpaw."

"Redpaw! Redpaw!" Hazelpaw led the chant this time, along with Echobreeze and a few other warriors. The fresh memory of the sign had come back to haunt them, and with it came an uneasy feeling that infected the rest of the clan.

Flamestar nodded towards Willowbranch, and she stepped forward to stand beside her.

Redpaw felt her heart drop to the bottom of her paws and get crushed under Flamestar's feet. She knew what this meant, and suddenly she felt tears form at the corners of her eyes.

"From this day forward, Redpaw will be apprenticed to Willowbranch. Although this may not have been the path she chose for herself, I pray that StarClan will guide her and teach her to accept her new role."

"Thank you, Flamestar." Willowbranch mewed politely, and she dipped her head out of respect, "I will teach her everything I know." She touched Redpaw's muzzle with hers, and for the first time, Redpaw could see a hint of sadness in her eyes. She leaned down and whispered into her ear,

"Like fire and like ice, two clans will become one. When the stars fall, peace will be achieved at last."

When it was all said and done, Willowbranch turned, heading towards the direction of the medicine cat's den. Redpaw watched as she disappeared among the crowd, stunned by her words. Was this a prophecy?

"Willowbranch!" Her gaze swam over the thinning crowd until she spotted a ginger tabby sitting by the elder's den. When she saw her father's disappointed look, she silently wished upon StarClan that a lightning bolt would come down from the sky and strike her dead.

Emberstar.

The ginger tabby shook his head, turned, and went back inside.