Ripplestar was pacing around her den, tail-tip twitching back and forth muttering the ceremonial words over and over again. "…until you've earned your warrior name your name will be… no. You will be called…" Logically speaking, she didn't know why she was so nervous. Her StarClan guide had taught her all the right words to say in the ceremony. And even if she hadn't, how would her Clan know? It was FireClan's first apprentice ceremony.

The weight of the situation sank in Ripplestar's stomach. It was FireClan's first apprentice ceremony! She had to get this right What would her Clan think if she messed up her first responsibility as leader? Ripplestar paced faster as her heart began to race. What if I make a fool of myself in front of everyone?

"Ripplestar," Ripplestar skidded to a halt when she heard her name called. She turned to face Fernbird, whose speckled red fur looked a dusty brown in the shadows. "Tuftedkit is ready for you now."

Ripplestar's green eyes widened. "Is it really sun-high already?" Have I been pacing in here that long.

"Yes," Fernbird responded. Surely seeing the worry on Ripplestar's face, Fernbird padded forward and nudged her leader. "Come on. You need to call the Clan to gather."

Ripplestar hesitated to respond.

"What's the matter?" Fernbird prodded. "Come on. You can trust me. You trusted me enough to make me deputy, you can trust me with whatever this is."

Ripplestar sighed softly. "I just… I'm worried about today, Fernbird. What if I make a fool of myself and ruin Tuftedkit's ceremony? I want to be the leader that Moosefade saw in me. I want to deserve these lives. I don't know if I'm worthy."

"That's nonsense," Fernbird retorted. "Moosefade wouldn't have chosen you if you weren't ready, simple as that. It's your first ceremony, no cat will be judging you as harshly as you think." When Fernbird saw Ripplestar wasn't convinced, she continued, "We're all new to this warrior thing that Moosefade is asking of us. No cat expects you to be a perfect leader right away. I think the fact that you care so much about it shows you were a good choice for leader."

Ripplestar felt a rush of relief at her deputy's words. Without thinking, she shoved her nose into Fernbird's chest, breathing in her warm scent. "Thank you," Ripplestar meowed. "Your words mean so much more to me than you know."

Ripplestar could hear Fernbird's heartbeat race for a moment. Perhaps she hadn't expected that from Ripplestar. Ripplestar drew herself away from her deputy, licking her chest fur, a bit embarrassed of her actions. "Okay, I think I'm ready now."

Ripplestar emerged from her den to see Tuftedkit standing in the clearing. She could see the excitement beaming from the small grey tom. It made her heart pound. I'll get this right, I promise.

Ripplestar climbed the rock tumble at the head of camp, looking down at the clearing. What were the summoning words again? Ripplestar froze for a moment to think of them. She glanced to the side and caught Fernbird's gaze from the rock below. Fernbird nodded, and Ripplestar closed her eyes for a moment to concentrate.

"All cats old enough to cat their own prey, gather to hear my words!"

Ripplestar could see her Clanmates stream from their dens and the edges of camp, their eyes bright with curiosity. Hopeclaw emerged from the fallen tree that made up the medicine den. Duskcloud and Murkspots trotted over from the warriors den, and Skyflacon left her post guarding the camp to attend the meeting.

Once everyone was present, Ripplestar meowed: "Tuftedkit, would you step forward?"

Tuftedkit eagerly padded forward, his tail-tip twitching with excitement.

"Tuftedkit, you've reached the age of six moons and are ready to become an apprentice of FireClan." Ripplestar began the ceremony, hoping that her voice sounded confident, and hoping that her Clanmates couldn't see the tremble in her legs. "From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Tuftedpaw. Your mentor will be Duskcloud. I hope Duskcloud will pass down all she know to you."

"Duskcloud," Ripplestar addressed the warrior. "You've proven yourself to be a hard-working warrior and a talented hunter. I hope that you will pass these traits onto Tuftedpaw."

Duskcloud and Tuftedpaw touched noses, and Ripplestar began to chant the new apprentice's name "Tuftedpaw, Tuftedpaw!" Her chants were first joined by Fernbird, then gradually the rest of the warriors took up the call until all of FireClan were chanting in unison.

When the chants died down, Ripplestar saw her Clanmates looking at her expectedly for a moment. Confusion clouded in the leader's mind before it finally clicked. "Oh, uh, Clan dismissed!" Ripplestar chuckled nervously as the warriors began trailing back to the dens and duties.

Ripplestar climbed down the rock, only to be greeted by Fernbird tumbling into her. "You did it!" the deputy meowed joyously.

Ripplestar chuckled, knocked to the ground with Fernbird on top of her. "Let me up you furball!" she laughed, trying to shove her deputy away. When Fernbird stepped back, Ripplestar rose to her paws and shook out dust from her fur. "I did! It went a lot smoother than I thought it would."

"I told you it'd be no problem for you. You've spent all that time learning the words."

The leader chuckled. "I guess you're right. The practice paid off." Ripplestar looked into Fernbird's eyes. "Seriously, thank you," her words were earnest. "I don't think I would've trusted myself if not for your assurance. I appreciate you being there for me."

Fernbird looked embarrassed. "It was nothing, really. What's a deputy for anyway?" Fernbird was quick to change the subject. "Come on! The hunting patrol should've brought back something fresh by now! Let's share something." Fernbird didn't give Ripplestar time to respond before she darted towards the fresh-kill pile.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Ripplestar called after her, laughter in her voice. Ripplestar bunched her haunches and raced after her deputy. It'd be good have a nice meal with a good friend after a good day