xx. My Apprentice to Come xx.

[mudmask]

The afternoon sun lit up the cold, dreary leaf bare day, but the warmth of the shining orb failed to overpower the glistening cold. Oakstar emerged from her den, shaking her fur as if to get the chilling freeze that nipped her skin through the thick fur she wore. She peered at the sun and sighed, the fire in her extinguished. Silently, she sprang to the top of Pool Rock, and took a second to look over the clan. Overall, everything seemed normal, except for the fact that the warriors looked a bit frostbitten. Raising her voice louder than usual, she yowled,
“All Riverclan cats old enough to catch their own prey join under Pool Rock for a clan meeting!”
She paused, waiting for the cats of the clan to appear before her eyes. There were three apprentices in need of mentors, and Riverclan since the clans hadn’t had a battle in a long time, they had to keep sharp. New apprentices would help the warriors better than extra hunting patrols and border patrols ever would, and if any clan were to break the peace, they would find Riverclan ready. She had just returned from her trip to Moonpool, and a Starclan cat had told her not to extinguish the love she felt for Hawkice, and it was up to her whether or not to have kits. Wanting to be a mother was what every she-cat dreamed about, but as a leader, there was a commitment to the clan. How would they take the news if she did have kits?
Shaking her head of the thoughts, she focused on the task at hand. It was time for Tigerpaw, Minnowpaw and Falconpaw to receive mentors, and become full apprentices. Riverclan hadn’t had a ceremony in quite a while now, and she believed it would help pull the clan together more.

[c e d a r *]

All Riverclan cats old enough to catch their own prey join under the pool rock for a clan meeting!

Falconpaw's eyes glistened with excitement, as he stepped out from where he was laying, his brown pelt groomed to excellent standards. He sat down in the front, and began to knead the ground, excitement overcoming all senses. The toms tail was folded neatly over his large paws, and he quickly drew his paw over his face once more. Falconpaw could hardly sit still, his heart was beating what seemed to be faster than any hummingbirds wings could go, and his kneading increased, as the time slowly slipped by.

The tom looked around the clearing, watching cat's emerge from their allotted dens, and he couldn't help but allow a hint of nervousness enter his sparkling eyes. The excitement would surely overthrow the look. Breathing in, and breathing out calmed him the slightest bit, and he began to relax. His tightened stance had relaxed, and a purr was gathering deep in his throat. Who would be his mentor? How quickly would they train, how long before he was made a warrior? He had to stop himself from chuckling out loud, because he was already wondering when he would be a warrior. Sure, his apprentice ceremony was overdue, but he still had a lot to learn.

[Silvercloud]

As Oakstar's words rang out in the clearing Minnowpaw almost jumped a full fox length in the air it seemed. Her steps were bouncy with excitement. This was it. She was going to receive her name and mentor. The clan would welcome her as a full RiverClan apprentice.

The calico's spelt was well groomed and shone brightly as the sun's bathed her in soft golden colors. Her pelt looked silky and soft to the touch. Aquamarine eyes glowed and danced with a bright light shining in their watery depths. Her whiskers quivered with excitement. Her tail twitched with happiness. The apprentice to-be was giddy with excitement, so much in fact she might burst.

Taking a place beside Falconpaw Minnowpaw strained to sit still but failed miserably. Her tail swished and beat the ground. She kept shifting her weight and kneaded the ground with thorn sharp claws.

Minnowpaw knew her mother would be proud. Fallensnow would be staring down from StarClan proudly as she watched her kit receive her apprentice name and mentor. It was a pain that she she-cat had died. How she was unsure, the queen had just never returned to camp one mourning.

Did she really want the life of a warrior though? Learning how to fight and kill? It wasn't all about fighting surely. There was hunting and patrols.....Why did she have to have questions to everything? What did it matter any how? The clans were at peace and would be for a while...right?

((Blah bad post.))

[Fernear!]

Facing out towards the lake, a golden pelted she-cat lay in the sun. Her luck had been wonderful for the past few days. Her hunts were more successful and she was able to find patches of snow-less land! Silkgrass's ears perked up as her leader's voice rang throughout the camp. A ceremony! That's awesome! The she-cat let out a long 'cat stretch' letting her legs move out in front of her with claws unsheathed. After a moment's time she began to walk towards the Pool Rock. She saw the two bodies of Minnowpaw and Falconpaw already seated before Oakstar. even from a distance she could feel their anticipation radiating from their bodies. It brought a smile to her face. Oh what a joy it must be to feel so proud, to be admired and receive your apprentice name and mentor! Silkgrass hadn't experienced this sort of occasion because of her lineage.

Nevertheless these apprentices had been waiting with the highest level of patience she had seen her whole life. It warmed her heart, which was no average heat that this she-cat would feel. She almost felt motherly, but of course, these apprentices weren't her kits. She shook her head to ease the thought. Drawing herself to a spot just to the right of Falconpaw she pulled her right leg close to her body, curled her tail around it and placed her left in front of her tail. This unusual position would become inverted after the outer paw became to chilly. It may not be the most efficient procedure, but it doubled as her way of 'kneading' and awaiting what may be following time.

Her ears flicked as she looked out the side of her eyes at the pair of cats again. She was now smiling ear-to-ear. Perhaps she will be getting an apprentice! And at that, her bright eyes flew towards her leader. Oakstar seemed quite happy and almost anxious, alike the trio of cats that sat below her. Silkgrass really admired her leader, but every once in a while she began to wonder about the time when she met her and Hawkfrost in the marsh. The queer thought was stationary in her mind until she had thoroughly overlooked the thought.

Silkgrass had remained silent for the duration of her presence here at the clan meeting and thought it may be better to leave the cats to their thoughts until she was spoken to. Giving her paws a few quick licks, she drew them over her ears while she waited for Oakstar to continue.

[/blockquote]

[target]

[Gahh Dx no muse... ]

The rough she cat's pelt brushed against her tongue as she cleaned her side. She hadn't caught up with many of her fellow clan mates and she felt horrible about not being there, even if she had been so exhausted and overrun with duties and chores and hunting for the rest of the clan. With leaf bare drizzling into the clans, she was ready for whatever was going to come. Her pelt had thickened but her fat had thinned out. She grinned at the warming sun that blared so blatantly into her eyes.

Oh me oh my. she mused.
What shall today be like? Hunting to death, freezing my tail off, catching barely anything and then going back to sleep?
The she-cat let out a sigh and her teal eyes scanned the light blue sky. She fluffed her fur and arched her back, reaching her legs far out and scratching deep into the soft dirt below her paws. Her feline structure weaved it's way through the entrance and out of the warriors den, her walk - more like a skip- seemed more merrier then usual, and she was in the mood to do something fun.

She was inches away from going out to hunt when she heard a very familiar, yet somewhat tired voice. Oakstar had an announcement of some sort. Tealtide gave a lazy yawn and let her eyes sink back. Her face was wrought with the sleeplessness that leaf bare brought, and her paws, while skipping freely, were dragging as well. She was feeling very euphoric, and yet tired and about to drop at any moment. She was unsure about what the commotion was at first, she was the fourth cat there and she glanced around at the two sitting in front, suddenly the thought of ceremonies seeped into her thick skull.

The deputy gave a quick glance to Oakstar who was looking out over the crowd and waiting for the rest of the camp to assemble. Already Minnowpaw, Falconpaw, and Silkgrass had wormed their way toward the leader, and countless others were drifting lazily across now. Their frames seemed droll, and while she knew her's did as well, she seemed to lighten it up by the atmospheric face she wore. Ceremonies were a celebration, apprentice to warrior, kit to apprentice, and even the occasional elder. These apprentices were still young and it was obvious that they were to receive mentors in a short while.

Suddenly a spark of delight hit the rest of her body and swiped the fake look off of her face, replacing it with excitement. Her tail twitched around her body, shedding its thick mass around the area she sat, her legs twitched eagerly, and her claws even seemed to deface the ground. She hoped- no she prayed to StarClan that she may have been one to receive a mentor, but though sure she was she was ready, she was not sure who Oakstar had in mind. Had Tealtide really spent that much time away from her clan?

She felt bad, but the fact of the matter was, she was not the greatest, fastest, well mannered, and courageous deputy that the clan could have. She then turned her attention back to the rest of the cats and dipped her head to the she-cat beside her. "Hello Silkgrass, long time no see," she mewed smiling. She then sat down and curled her fluffy tail around her.

[Heathclaw]

Tigerpaw pushed his way through the camp entrance, glancing around quickly at the assembled cats. He had been just outside camp when he'd heard Oakstar's yowl, and he had a shrewd idea of what this meeting was about. Seeing Falconpaw and Minnowpaw sitting in front of Oakstar confirmed his suspicions: Their apprentice ceremony was here at last.

Tigerpaw took a spot towards Minnowpaw's left, head down, not looking at anyone, and began to groom himself, rearranging his fur to look presentable for the occasion. His pelt was laden with icy cold water drops from the river that bordered the camp, but that was okay. It was just water, and he hadn't been submerged long. Not like when he'd fallen into the streams, panicked, and nearly drowned.

But as Tigerpaw continued to lick his fur into place, a bubble of worry began to rise in his chest. Who would his mentor be? What if it was a cat like Hawkice? His stomach twisted as he tried to imagine hiding his secrets from a stern, cold warrior, trying to hide the feebleness in his back legs and the hypersensitive edge of his senses that caused him to flinch at every little thing.

He tilted his head upwards, looking past Oakstar and glancing at the entrance to the medicine den. What he wouldn't give to work there, as Streamheart's apprentice! He wouldn't have to train and fight, and his acute senses would actually be a boon rather than a burden. But Tigerpaw knew this was unlikely. He was built too much like his father, too apparently muscular to be wasted in the medicine cat's den.

He glanced over his shoulder at the other two apprentices. Falconpaw was built the same way, he'd definitely become a warrior apprentice. Tigerpaw could tell he was excited, he could see it in the tom's vivid green eyes. Minnowpaw, on the other hand, could go either way. She was equally excited, hardly able to sit still.

Tigerpaw turned around, behind where Silkgrass and Tealtide were talking, and saw his mother and father looking proudly in his direction. He gave them a small smile, and then turned back to face Oakstar, his face falling back to worry again. They were happy for him, he knew, and yet Stormkit and Daisykit should have been with him as well, and the fact that they had to look on from Starclan added another twinge of pain.

He shook himself. That's not your fault, Tigerpaw reminded himself again, and chanced a glance at Oakstar. Standing tall, if a little cold, their leader represented the very center of their clan, a pillar around which the rest of her clanmates rallied. Well, there's no point in delaying the future. I guess I'll just have to put my faith in Oakstar, and hope for the best, thought Tigerpaw, wrapping his tail around his paws and focusing on the ground once again.

[mehl]

She tread warily across the snow blanketed ground, her creamy pelt reaching down to it dramatically. She sighed and quickened her pace, running along with a worried expression. Lightstream needed to be at the ceremony, she had heard it from afar and was hurrying towards the clan camp. Her eyes shifted around nervously as she poked her head in, her ears were perked high in a strained way to hear what was going on. Lightstream clambered on in and sat on the fringes of the gathering cats, her head dipped low and her ears splayed back. Her thoughts were racing as the leader, Oakstar, spoke. Her breath was hard and it showed, making her all the more embarrased.

Lightstream finally looked up at Oakstar and waited with a solemn face, her eyes only shifting to see the other cats that were gathered. She had hardly spoke to any and she felt a pang of despair... she felt like quite the pathetic clan cat. She let a heaving sigh escape her once more and she waited restlessly.

OOC`` Really short, sorry... was ordered off before I could elongate it so I guess its just a post showing Lightstreams there x|

[mudmask]

Oakstar held her gaze high above the clan, watching the cats fill the clearing. Some were buzzing with excitement while the rest sat solemnly, awaiting the news. She calmly waited for the clan to quiet down, and then spoke in a voice that rang with such clarity it could have knocked the snow from the sky,
“This sunset, I welcome four deserving, Riverclan apprentices in need of mentors; Twigpaw, Tigerpaw, Falconpaw and Minnowpaw will you please step forward. These apprentices have taken their names, but today they shall receive their mentors and start their training to become new warriors and take their new names.”
Oakstar turned her gaze from the crowd to the four gathering apprentices that waited eagerly before her. The sight brought her back to the old feelings she used to have, the anxiety of becoming an apprentice and then becoming a warrior. These four apprentices would probably graduate together, giving Riverclan four new warriors to thrive in their ranks. No doubt Riverclan’s population was meeting a record of the numerous cats that now lived half their lives in water. As she watched the crowd, she saw the new mentors, some sitting calm and collected, but some seemed nervous. Looking back down at the apprentices, she bid each forward with her tail and a gaze that read, ‘Don’t be nervous, your time has come to be full apprentices!'

OOC;;
Word Count;; 231
Inspiration;; none
Comments;; I’m sure if the 200 word limit still applies firmly in this situation when all the apprentices can say is, ‘I do, or I will.’ Maybe you can be a little lenient, but please try to make the limit;;

[c e d a r *]

He saw Oakstar step up. It was all in slow motion. His heart was beating wildly, and his eyes shone like the stars in the sky with no moon, on a clear summers night. Digging his paws into the soft ground underpaw was all he could do to keep from either tipping over, or jumping up in a fury of wild excitement. Falconpaw tried his absolute hardest to keep still, and keep a solemn look masking his excitement, but he figured he couldn't so he gave it all he had. Still sitting still, his face broke out into a jubilant smile. His ears suddenly picked up a voice, and pricked.

'This sunset, I welcome four deserving, Riverclan apprentices in need of mentors; Twigpaw, Tigerpaw, Falconpaw and Minnowpaw will you please step forward. These apprentices have taken their names, but today they shall receive their mentors and start their training to become new warriors and take their new names.'

Stepping forward with as much steadiness as he could, he managed to stand still, in front of the RiverClan leader. He wondered who his mentor would even be. Could it be Oakstar? Silkgrass? Tealtide or Lightstream? His head tilted to the side, as he wondered who would possibly be his new mentor. He wasn't friends with any of the Warriors, his only friend really was Minnowpaw. Lifting his head proudly, a small glint of nervousness shining in his eyes, he met the leaders gaze, as calmly as he possibly could.

[Silvercloud]

Minnowpaw was quivering with excitement, her muscles were tense and she barely breathed. She was intently focused on her leader. Everything was focused on her, eyes, ears, whatever. When the she-cat waved them forward Minnowpaw sprang to her paws and to a spot beside Falconpaw. Her tail was flicking happily from side to side. This whole ceremony seemed to be dragging for ver. Who would mentor who! What paths would they be traversing? Would they all walk the path of a warrior? Had Streamheart selected her apprentice?

Minnowpaw allowed her beautiful eyes to stray. They glided over the other apprentices. None of them appeared to be showing their excitement like. Who could blame her though? She was easily excited and had a hard time containing it all. What would her life be like after today? Moons from now? The clan would be welcoming her and her friends as new warriors. Their names would ring out, all the way to StarClan. Then they would also receive their own apprentices too to mentor soon after.

The dying sun cats wonderfully bright colors across the sky. Pinks, oranges, yellows; even purples stained and painted the clouds. It was a picturesque sunset. Soon the warriors of Silverpelt would emerge and begin to hunt in the sky. It was turning out to be a wonderful evening. What new adventures would be waiting

for them? Only StarClan and time would tell.[/color]

[Fernear!]

Silkgrass looked over to her friend and smiled. "Hello. Long time indeed!" Her voice had trailed to a whisper as Oakstar continued on with the ceremony. The four apprentices were going to get mentors, she wondered if she may become one of those mentors. Can I handle it? What if my rogue background gets in the way? Ack! Forget about it, Silkgrass! You could handle it!

The she-cat nodded at her friend signifying that she'd be listening to Oakstar for the time-being. Her voice was strong and passionate, there were some things that could never change about a cat, and she was sure this was Oakstar's. She trusted and respected Oakstar, she always has and always will. Looking around the clearing she couldn't feel any anxiety floating around the group thus she dropped hers for this occasion and gazed at her leader yet again.

Her heart was pounding, it seemed this hard she-cat was excited! The thought of being able to learn with and teach an apprentice seemed beyond words. Silkgrass was not a world-class fighter nor was she ecstatic at showing off her hunting skills, but she felt that even though she may not be the most likable cat she could teach one.

In the past few days Silkgrass has indubitably dropped her stubbornness for the fact that she had longed to reunite with a few of her old friends, and all the gay dances held by various birds didn't help with her personality, nor did it seem to make her hungry. She did have a soft spot for birds and their lively chatter between one another.

Noticing that Oakstar had paused for a few moments, Silkgrass turned back to Tealtide. "How's the prey running for you?" She inquired blandly. What a dumb question to ask the first time you've seen a cat in many moons! "They're not running for me, I say. If only they'd get out of their dens for some fresh-air I'd be able to get them, and the fish are swimming deeper making it impossible for me to get at them." Silkgrass hissed under her breath at the thought of having to swim out in the half frozen water for a swift carp.

A strong wind had begun to blow from the marshes, sending its frozen scent over to the camp. Though Silkgrass was not born in RiverClan, she has always admired the way water was able to caress those around it. She had begun to wonder how WindClan can live in the open, but then answered her own question. It wasn't about how you personally feel about such a thing, it's how others do. Some cats wouldn't want to get their paws wet or swim just for recreation, but you love this and WindClan cats love the open land just as you loved the water. On this chilly late Leaf-bare day, Silkgrass made a vow to herself that she'd always respect her clan and the clans around her while being loyal to hers over any. It seemed like she was rewriting the Warrior Code in her mind. Her eyes turned up to Oakstar, her loyalty and passion flaming out of each in brilliant colours.

[/blockquote]

[Heathclaw]

The aura in the room changed visibly as soon as Oakstar made her announcement. An undercurrent of tension, excitement, and anticipation ran through every cat, an emotion so strong that you could almost feel it. Warriors hoping for apprentices, parents bursting with pride for their kits, and the apprentices themselves, anxious and excited.

It was infectious, in a way. Tigerpaw found himself unable to brood on his gloomy thoughts for long, not while surrounded by such happy expectations. He stepped forward with the other apprentices, lifting his head up towards Oakstar.

For better or for worse, they would all be receiving their mentors today, those cats that would guide them along the path of the warrior code, who would foster a lifelong bond, mentor and apprentice, a bond that could grow as strong as family.

A strong wind began blowing through the camp, causing Tigerpaw to shiver, the remaining water droplets cold against his skin. I hope they finish this up soon. I'll catch cold if this keeps up, he thought, starting to slip back into worry mode.

He caught himself: he wasn't going to allow himself any more negative comments until the moment his mentor was named. With that in mind, he turned his head to the right, towards Falconpaw and Minnowpaw, and cast around for something to say. "Apprentices at last, huh? Who're you hoping for?"

[c e d a r *]

The air around them seemed to buzz with excitement, and it just made Falconpaw mix up with so many different emotions. It was a pain-staking job to try and keep focused, but he managed. "Who do I want? Oh, I don't know..I don't know!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide. Was that a bad thing? The tom began to grow increasingly nervous, his eyes shining, his paws kneading the ground at an ever-increasing pace.

The wind around the clearing was a soft gentle breeze that chilled the tom right down to the bone, but oddly enough, it calmed him. "I dunno, Oakstar, Silkgrass, so many to choose from!" he meowed. He kept replacing different emotions with new emotions, and even that confused the tom. First he was nervous then he was happy, then excited. He took in a long, calming deep shuddering breath, and exhaled, looking around excitedly. His tail was twitching impatiently.

He didn't really mind who he had as a mentor, just as long as they knew what they were doing, and they could teach him to be the best warrior he could possibly turn out to be. Maybe someday that training would help him to become the next leader. Only time would tell, and he was surely excited. They would get to train as real apprentices now. They would be real apprentices, and the thought made him wriggle with excitement. Soon they would become full-fledged warriors! "What about you?" the tom questioned Tigerpaw, tilting his head to the side.

[mehl]

Lightstream's vision grew hazy as she stared up at the apprentices and Oakstar. Her creamy coat felt cold for once, she shivered, feeling her spine tingle at the unusual feeling. Lightstream started to purr softly, very quietly as to not disrupt the meeting. The purring in her throat soothed her, as the ancient sound should do; her eyes closed as she comforted her anxienty and fear. She knew somehow she wouldn't be picked... she was not the most popular or skilled warrior around, she knew she could fight but not as good as alot of the other warriors. Lightstream's mind was going crazy over her own dissabilities and weaknesses that could make her a lesser mentor. The purring increased and she opened her eyes and looked around at the surrounding clan cats. Their solemn faces tinged with excitment made her feel better; but only by a small bit.

Her tail started to twitch impatiently and her purring had come to a stand still. She looked at all the potential mentors and felt jealousy bubble inside her. Why did they have to be so perfect? Lightstream was not humble, she thought herself as a great cat but knew that she was not so and that other cats were better off than her. She mumbled something unintelligible and turned her head away from the leader and the apprentices. She sighed and shifted farther away from the gathered cats.

[mudmask]

Oakstar watched the rest of the clan finish gathering, and the chatting cats slowly ceased their talking. She watched all of the cats take seat and turn their gazes to Pool Rock. Searching the many faces of her clanmates, Silkgrass, Tealtide, Lightstream, and many other cats, she didn’t see the one she was most hoping for. Hawkice. He was nowhere to be found among the crowd of cats. His reassuring gaze, his beautiful pelt, his majestic eyes, they were not here to cheer her on. Swallowing her words, she announced,
“Come forward Twigpaw, from this day forward you are a full apprentice, and your mentor shall be Silkgrass.” She looked at Silkgrass and continued, “I hope you will teach him all you know and make him a fine warrior as you are yourself.”
One down, three more to go. Turning back to the anxious apprentices who were now one less, she mewed,
“Come forward Minnowpaw, from this day forward you will be recognized as a full medicine cat apprentice, and you shall be mentored by none other than Streamheart as a Medicine cat for Riverclan.” Oakstar turned her gaze to Streamheart and mewed, “I hope you can teach Minnowpaw all you know about herbs and the healing profession, while helping her learn to defend herself as well.”
Pausing, Oakstar drew in breath, giving the two apprentices time to go through the motions. Then she continued to Falconpaw and Tigerpaw.
“Come forward Falconpaw, from this day forward Riverclan will now see you as a warrior apprentice, and you will be mentored by Hawkice. Hawkice, I hope you teach him well, as you were taught, and as I know you can.”
Finally, the last one: Tigerpaw.
“Tigerpaw, please step forward, from this day you are a warrior apprentice to Riverclan, and will be mentored by Steelpool. Steelpool, you have always been a great warrior for Riverclan, and I look forward to looking into the progress of this young apprentice.”
Finished, Oakstar closed her maw and watched the clan without speaking.