"Let all cats old enough to hunt for themselves gather here beneath the Hightree for a Clan meeting!" Ivykit perked up at Robinstar's call. Her fur was groomed to a shine, as well as Mousekit's. After the news of trespassing cats had been passed to Robinstar, she had officially decided it was time for new warriors and apprentices. By now, the whole Clan knew what the dawn patrol had found.
"I can't believe we are becoming apprentices!" Mousekit mewed. Ivykit's whiskers twitched. Mousekit was by far one of the laziest cats in CreekClan, and she couldn't help but wonder if he could handle all the work being an apprentice required. Just by watching the other apprentices, Ivykit knew it was hard work training to be a warrior. She knew she would have to try her best to keep up.
"Are you two coming or not? I will be perfectly happy getting my name without you." Firekit padded past with his fur slightly ruffled. Ivykit could tell Morningspirit had tried in vain to groom her only son.
"Behave." The calico mewed sternly as she followed behind the ginger tom. He shot her a glance filled with frustration.
"Come on." Daisypelt purred, nudging Ivykit and Mousekit forward. Ivykit tried her best to be graceful, being extra careful not to trip on anything. She wasn't the most graceful in the Clan, and was often sliding around camp at full speed. She wondered how she would do as an apprentice.
Ivykit and Mousekit joined Firekit at the center of the group. Ivykit noticed that the kits were not alone. Rainpaw and Featherpaw sat proudly next to them, their eyes glowing with excitement. Were they getting their warrior names as well? Robinstar stared down at the young cats.
"These are hard times for our Clan. The other Clans seem to think us as weak. The only way we can show our strength is by naming new warriors, and new apprentices." She meowed, her voice ringing around the clearing. "I ask upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these kits. They wish to become warriors, but must first become apprentices. Firekit, Mousekit and Ivykit, from this moment forward, until you earn your warrior names, you will be known as Firepaw, Mousepaw and Ivypaw. Nightstorm, you did a great job training Wolftail. You will mentor Firepaw." Nightstorm padded up and touched noses with Firepaw. Ivypaw noticed with surprise that the annoying ginger tom's tail flicked in excitement. He never showed joy. "Swiftclaw, you are one of our newest warriors, yet you show you have great potential. You are ready for an apprentice, and will mentor Mousepaw." Swiftclaw padded forward and touched Mousepaw's nose. Now it was Ivypaw's turn. "It has been a long time since I had an apprentice of my own. I will personally mentor Ivypaw." Ivypaw perked her ears up in surprise and joy. Leaders rarely took an apprentice, and now Robinstar was her mentor. She tried to keep herself from trembling in excitement as Robinstar jumped down and touched her nose. All three new apprentices joined the rest of the Clan gathered around the remaining two cats. "I ask upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Rainpaw, Featherpaw, do you agree to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Featherpaw mewed confidently.
"I do." Rainpaw echoed.
"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior names. Featherpaw, Rainpaw, from this moment forward you will be known as Feathertail and Raincloud. StarClan honors your spirit and your courage, and we welcome you as full warriors of CreekClan." With these last words, the Clan began chanting the new names of al five cats. Raincloud and Feathertail bowed their heads to something Robinstar said and took spots close together to spend the night. Ivypaw knew that every new warrior had to sit silent vigil for the whole night after their ceremony. She glanced sideways at the two toms nearby. Firepaw was sitting patiently by his mentor, nodding his head as if agreeing to something. Mousepaw bounced around his mentor, pleading with an annoyed Swiftclaw.
"It isn't that dark!" He mewled. Swiftclaw purred, nudging him gently with his paw.
"But it will be soon." He pointed out gently. Mousepaw flattened his ears in annoyance, but perked up again when Dapplekit joined him.
"I wish I was in the apprentices' den tonight." She mewed. Mousepaw tiled his head.
"You will be soon." Mousepaw pointed out. Swiftclaw padded away unnoticed.