Blooming warriors

[Miss Tactical]

The winter air was becoming more room. Sure there was still snow on the ground, but prey was starting to become more plentiful. Sickness was still creeping, but with slightly warmer air eventually it would be gone. After discussing the troublesome apprentices, it was time for a lot of them to be made into warriors. The apprentices den was getting quite populated, and with Leaf Bare heading away the new young warriors could certainly help expand the warriors den. Another thing on his list of things to do and organize.

”Let all cats old enough to catch their Own prey gather here for a clan meeting.” His gruff voice echoed across the clearing. One by one apprentices ran forward, his own kits fighting for the front line. They knew already what this meeting was for. He couldn’t help but have a sense of pride well in his chest that his own kits would soon be full warriors of MothClan. From Carrotpaw to Mantispaw every last one of them. His eyes fell on Bellfeather for just a moment, his demeanor softened before bringing his attention back to the group.

”We have some apprentices who need to be made warriors today. They have worked quite hard in their training and we look forward to seeing them grow. It is time they move out of the apprentices den and into the warriors den.” He decided that his kits probably shouldn’t be first, he didn’t want anyone to think favoritism.

”Onionpaw, you were not born in MothClan HOWEVER you have shown that you are loyal and energetic no one has ever doubted where your heart lies. From this day forward you will be known as Onionplume.” He mewed firmly. He looked at the tom and could see the resemblance between he and Milkflower. He decided to move on to the rest of them.

”Tinypaw from this day forward you will be known as Tinyfox. Just because you are slightly smaller than the rest, doesn’t mean you can’t compete with your denmates.” He mewed. ”Cactuspaw, Agavepaw and Cypresspaw please stepforward. Cactuspaw you will be known as Cactusblaze, you have high energy that not many can compete with, turn that high energy into might and you will never lose a battle. Agavepaw you will be known as Agavefeather. Soft spoken, delicate yet something about you not many understand. Cypresspaw you will be known as Cypresspool. Quiet, but when stirred can be fierce just like pools of water.” He mewed. One by one the apprentices stepped back, it was time for his own children now.

”Weevilpaw and Manitspaw, you will be known as Weevilbite and Mantisclaw. It is time to take your rivalry and focus on our growing enemies I’m more than positive your constant sparring has turned you both into formiddle fighters.” He mused with a flick of his tail. The two warriors were almost always bickering and rolling around in the dirt, occasionally having to be scolded for fighting with claws. They were almost always getting patched up by Cedarleap their feisty personality was something that was admirable almost.

”Flypaw and Hornpaw please stepforward. Flypaw you are incredibly smart and studious. You use your wit and energy to outsmart just about everyone. From this day forward you will be known as Flyspark. Hornpaw, you are gruff, and headstrong and I see a lot of myself in you, from this day forward you will be known as Hornstrike.” His kits were strong, there was no doubting that, Brackenstar selected good mentors for them. He was proud they had come so far.

”Scorpionpaw, Tickpaw and Carrotpaw please step forward. Scorpionpaw I see a lot of your mother in you. Rebelious and dedicated, you are firm what you believe in and that is something that can be seen as Honorable, from this day forward you will be known as Scorpionflame. Tickpaw, just as Scorpionpaw you have traits that no one could deny are special. From this day forward you will be known as Tickstorm. Carrotpaw, you have so much of your mother in you, a beautiful spirit that despite hardships is very difficult to break and grows in all environments no matter how hard. From this day forward you will be known as Carrotflower.” He flicked his tail allowing them all to take on their new names however there were now kits that needed to be made apprentices.

”Thumpkit you have reached your 6th moon of age and it is time for you to become an apprentice. Until you earn your warrior name you will be known as Thump-paw. Cherryhawk you were given Rosewish as your first apprentice however she was an adult it is time for you to train your first apprentice start to Finish.” He mewed firmly.

”Olivekit and Peonykit please step forward. Until you both earn your warrior names you will be known as Olivepaw and Peonypaw. Olivepaw your mentor will be Pigeonfang, and Peonypaw your mentor will be Batstrike.” He mewed. He looked at Batstrike with Firm eyes, he was ready. He thought the tom had a strong future for their clan.

”Sootkit you are quite the unique individual from what I’ve heard. I have decided that I will be your mentor.” He looked at Darkstorm with a sparkle in his eye. He had been tough on the tom, but look how he was now, one of the best warriors in his opinion. Sure he might have been biased but that was beside the point. He looked at Ruekit and sighed softly.

”Ruekit, there is no point in sugar coating anything but you are a liability to MothClan and will not be joining your siblings in the apprentices den. Instead I am retiring you. I do not see a future for you as a warrior due to your size. From this day forward you will be known as Rueshine, and you will be in the elders den with Shadowstorm. My decision is FINAL. You will be an Elder of MothClan.” Eveningblaze didn’t wait for any argument before jumping from his perch, and sitting with his kits who were now made warriors.

[bits]

Sootkit wouldn't normally try to muscle in and listen to a clan meeting. They weren't terribly interesting - names and cats getting moved around, sometimes some news, sometimes not. She was better entertained by the mud and digging around in the snow than she was the long-winded meetings that really only mattered to adults. But even the little gremlin child knew that she was six months old now - she was being implicated in the next meeting. Some of her denmates wouldn't shut up about it, some of them excited and others not. She didn't care too much about moving from one crowded den to another, and the only upside of this whole thing was not being confined to camp anymore. 

Besides, now her denmates would start to fight better, and her little tussles were about to become a lot more difficult to fend off with a couple of quick chomps. 

More warriors were being made than apprentices though, it seemed, so maybe the den wouldn't be as crowded as it seemed from the outside. Sootkit listened, her ear twitching, as Peonykit was made Peonypaw - she still wasn't too fond of the weird kit, especially since Peony called for her head in payment for whatever horrible crimes she had committed. Probably eating mud. Or dirt. Or rocks. 

Then she was assigned a mentor. The little tortie looked almost bored by the mention of her name. She wasn't covered in as much muck and debris as usual, likely the result of recent cleaning or nagging from a resident queen. She wasn't sure what was meant by 'unique individual' - she hadn't been aware that her shenanigans were known beyond those who they directly involved. But Eveningblaze assigned her to none other than himself - something that made surprise flash briefly in the no-longer-kitten's eyes. She chewed that information over in her head, half-listening to Ruekit's appointment as an elder. She was lucky her own growth was only a little stunted - she was only a bit small for her age, not enough to make her unable to meet the expectations. Besides, as many of her denmates had learned firsthand, she was more than capable of defending herself.

Well, she was an apprentice now. She'd have to adjust to that. The kid remained quiet, content in observing the dynamics of others in the wake of the announcements.

[Dragon]

Kestrelpaw smiled excitedly as the meeting began. Even though she wasn't getting her warrior name today she was still happy for her friends that were. As one by one the other apprentices were made warriors she cried out their new names one by one. When it was time for the oldest kits to be made apprentices she wriggled excitedly wondering who her new den mates would be. She would be next but that was still a moon or two away.

When the last kit was called she flinched at the harsh tone Brackenstar used as he made Rukit an elder and named them Rueshine. She padded through the crowd after the meeting was over. She padded over to Rueshine and smiled at them. She wondered if they would need some cheering up. "That's a great name Rueshine," she purred softly.

[noctemq]

Cherryhawk, who wasn't paying incredibly close attention, perked up at the sound of her name. Her eyes were wide with confusion at first, but then sparkled with excitement once she understood what was going on. Thump-paw! Rosewish was a great stepping stone for Cherryhawk to learn how to properly mentor, especially since Rosewish already knew so much; honestly, she felt like she learned more from her first apprentice than she had taught. But now she had a blank slate to work with! Oh, she was gonna stuff little Thump-paw's head with everything he had to know. Maybe their first session together would be hunting, since that's what she wanted to do on the first day. Or maybe it would be border patrol? The torbie buzzed internally as she approached the younger tom. Surprisingly, Cherryhawk managed to keep her chill as she touched noses with him.

"It's very nice to meet you," she whispered quietly, despite knowing one should not talk during this time. A smile laced across the fiery orange mask on her face. Cherryhawk was already imagining all the shenanigans they'd get into together.

Goose

[Storm]

Batstrike
MothClan | Warrior | Tom | 28 Moons | Heterosexual

Observant as ever, Batstrike couldn't help but grin up at the beaming deputy.  Eveningblaze's kits would be deemed warriors by his own voice.  The tom couldn't say if he'd ever feel that kind of pride, a hesitance to kits kinda got in the way of the thought of ever having young of his own growing to serve MothClan, but he knew he loved the joy he felt when Cherryhawk received her warrior name.  That was enough for him now.  The lean black-and-white feline relaxed as he listened and participated quietly in the ceremonies, his interest usually dwindled as it moved to the new apprentices, but not today.  Cherryhawk being trusted with another apprentice, one to truly train on her own this time, allowed the tom to puff out his chest again happily.  He'd trained her well, but she truly was a pleasure to claim as his own.  He was excited to watch her grow with this new challenge.  The ceremony paced on, but he couldn't be distracted for long as his name rang from Eveningblaze's voice.  

Batstrike was used to the deputy calling on him by now, he stood instinctively.  It seemed he'd be accepting a new challenge as well, the big weird kit of the group.  His last apprentice had been... different too, but he had made it work and he'd figure out this one as well.  The tom felt a twinge of exhaustion as he was assigned his third apprentice, but the look Eveningblaze shared with him pushed him forward- he would continue to be reliable for his clan.  He would train an apprentice every remaining moon of his warriorhood if that was what MothClan needed.  MothClan was where his true family resided and he wouldn't let them down.  The feline strode forward to meet Peonypaw, the newest apprentice he'd been partnered with who had such big pawprints to fill.   

[Broadwaykat]

Badgerkit couldn't wait for the day that she was an apprentice. Frankly, she thought it was thoroughly unfair that she wasn't one already. She was one of the biggest kits in the nursery, after all - almost double the size of the likes of Ruekit. And she was (admittedly) the smartest of the bunch. She had a thirst to learn, to explore - and the stupid rule about apprentices having to be a certain age.

Especially when they took in waifs like Sootkit and gave them to...the deputy of the clan. Seriously? Badgerkit had crept from the nursery in order to hear the different orders - impractically hoping that someone would call her name too and shift all that stupid stuff about not letting kits of a certain age train. But her jaw practically hit the floor when the pronouncement was made. Sootk - paw the deputies apprentice. Sure, there might be an argument that that meant nothing, really...but really everyone knew that that was some sort of honor. And to give it to...to her.

"S'not fair!" She howled in sheer shock and dismay. But of course, anyone could assume she was talking about any injustice really. Her own non-apprenticeship...or even Rueshine's elderhood before he had truly gotten a chance to live. It truly was an odd bunch of pronouncements.

---

Mottledfeather had settled near the back of the crowd with her tail curling around her paws as she attempted to make herself as small as possible. It came easier to her than it did to some cats. She was somewhat relieved when she wasn't singled out for mentorship, her shaded shoulders sagging in relief. But she felt bad for some of the cats - like Rueshine. She made sure to call the small tom's voice in a louder voice than she normally used, and, once everyone seemed set to scatter to the winds after the meeting, made sure to stick close by, muttering in her quiet voice.

"Don't worry...it won't be so bad. We'll take good care of you."

Mama

[Fireflake]

Mantispaw stood up tall, making no effort to conceal her elation as her father called a clan meeting. She knew what day this was. The thought had kept her up most of the night last night after she'd peeked Brackenstar and Eveningblaze conversing, and she had lingered nearby all day so far. Her tail shot up at the sound of the clan call. Her ears tried to reach the same height. Yellow eyes crackled with joy. Finally.

Oh, but not just yet. Weevilpaw seemed to apparate out of nowhere, as he almost always did when she made an effort to be first for something, and it was only the eyes of the clan on them that stopped her from physically grappling to be the center of attention. Mantispaw groaned slightly, as if suddenly inflicted with a stomachache, when Onionpaw was called to receive his warrior name. She held her head high and tried to catch Eveningblaze's eye. A former kittypet first? Really? She flicked her tail. Patience was one of the few completely new skills she'd learned during her apprenticeship, and it came with quite a few growing pains.

The next few names crawled by at an agonizingly slow pace, but when Eveningblaze did reach Mantispaw's name her chest filled up with pride. Trifles like Weevilpaw being called first or the fact that she was about to go without sleep two nights in a row didn't bother her in that moment. The name fell on her ears and it sounded just as natural as Mantiskit had when Ruststripe had first named her. Mantisclaw. Yes.

The rest of the ceremony was a breeze. Mantisclaw rode the thrill of being a warrior all the way through it, staring at the rest of the clan below her and basking in the glory as they called her name along with the rest. It shocked her slightly, as the high was wearing off, that one of the kits had bypassed apprenticeship and warriorhood straight to the elder den. She made a note to try to visit said tiny tom when she got the chance, but she couldn't worry about it just now. Today was her day, as far as she was concerned.