Chapter Two
As the moons passed, Trumpkit became more and more adjusted to his new life in ThunderClan. He repeatedly trounced Dustkit, Ravenkit, and Graykit in a series of mock elections, even though pollster cats projected the outcome in favor of his opponent every time. He fascinated the elders with lessons on negotiation tactics.
"A strong pawshake is key," Trumpkit declared confidently. "That's how every cat will know you mean business." He raised his eyebrows suggestively at Dappletail while demonstrating, causing her to blush while Halftail and Smallear exchanged bewildered glances.
Trumpkit put his negotiation skills to good use when he convinced Bluestar to allow him to become an apprentice a half-moon early. He definitely noticed how Bluestar and Spottedleaf had faraway looks in their eyes whenever he addressed them, and was pleased to discover that he had the same effect on she-cats as he did on women. Besides, Spottedleaf was a total babe.
On the day of his naming ceremony, Bluestar leaped up onto the Highrock and yowled, "Let all those cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting."
Her clear call brought all the cats trotting toward her, emerging like liquid shadows from the edges of the clearing. The cats settled themselves below the Highrock and looked expectantly up at their leader.
When everyone was still, Bluestar spoke.
"Today, we are assembled for a tradition as old as the Clans. The naming ceremony marks a rite of-" Bluestar was interrupted by Trumpkit's sudden leap onto the Highrock.
"Thank you Bluestar, thank you," Trumpkit meowed boastfully. "I will be the greatest jobs apprentice that StarClan ever created. Believe me folks, believe me. I will make ThunderClan great again!" He smugly tilted his nose upward while the rest of the Clan remained in a shocked silence.
"...Right." Bluestar responded after she composed herself. "Now, if you would kindly get down, we have a naming ceremony to conclude."
Trumpkit leaped gracefully off of the Highrock and ruffled his already windswept golden toupee, much to the delight of the surrounding she-cats.
"Henceforth, this young apprentice should be known as Trumppaw." Bluestar projected her voice from the height of the Highrock. "Tigerclaw, you will be in charge of mentoring our newest apprentice until he reaches warrior status."
Tigerclaw's irate "What?" was drowned out by the jubilant exclamations of "Trumppaw!Trumppaw!Trumppaw!" that erupted from every cat in the clan.
As Trumppaw drank in the praise, one thing became very clear to him: this was his Clan now.