A New Era [Hazelkit's Ceremony]

[Breeze~]

-Willowstar-

The time had come for another cat to come of age, for a kitten to become an apprentice; Embersky would be mentor to Hazelkit, and the tiny she-cat would one day become medicine cat of ThunderClan. Willowstar slowly lumbered to the Highstump, eyes gazing briefly around the camp before leaping up onto the place where all leaders before him had made announcements to ThunderClan.

To be up so high gave Willowstar a sense of responsibility, one that always loomed at the back of his mind, but that came to the forefront when situations such as this came to be. Taking a deep breath, Willowstar stood proudly on the Highstump, and yowled, "All cats old enough to gather their own prey, gather here beneath the Highstump!"

Hazelkit would have her work cut out for her; Embersky was a difficult cat to get along with. On the wrong day, even Willowstar wanted to drop the cat to the dusty ground of ThunderClan camp.

[Ravenheart]

Embersky

Getting up lazily and yawning, Embersky wandered to near the Highstump. Finally, I can stop getting complaints about having the warriors in training collect herbs. Ha, this apprentice has to do it. The prospect of more time doing what he wanted brought a content purr to the Medicine Cat.

Staring up at the clan leader, Embersky waited patiently, a rare occurrence, to receive his little underling. Wonder how bright they are. Oh StarClan, don't give me an mouse-brain.

"Hello high important kitty." He mewed to Willowstar.

[Hazel~]

Hazelkit

Hazelkit bounded out of the nursery and ran up to the Highstump excitedly. The tiny she-cat looked up at Embersky with a twinkle in her eye, having waited for this moment for a very long time.

She was a little frightened, having heard of the way Embersky was from her fellow kits. That didn't stop her from being excited though. How's he going to treat me? the she-cat thought.

Hazelkit looked up at Willowstar, eyes still gleaming. Glancing around, Hazelkit saw all the cats coming to the ceremony, and started to get a little nervous.

[.:Fawn:.]

{ Crowpaw }

&

[ Lionstep ]

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Naturally, the ThunderClan deputy would be in attendance for such an important ceremony, his golden eyes flickering between Willowstar and Embersky, silently wondering what trouble the Medicine Cat would stir up next. Catching sight of little Hazelkit, he and Crowpaw, his black-furred, rebellious son, shared a look. StarClan help her. She was going to need it. Even Crowpaw had trouble keeping up with the Medicine Cat verbally, and often found himself thrashed through spoken word by the older, muscular tom-cat, much to Crowpaw's immense displeasure.

All eyes returning to Willowstar now, the deputy sat down near the Highstump, Crowpaw peeking out from around Lionstep's golden flanks to gaze at the many familiar faces in the crowd - Hawkflame's included - as he eagerly searched for his mother. She didn't get out much, what with being pregnant with Lionstep's kits. But still, she would probably want to see the ceremony...

[Breeze~]

-Breezepelt && Willowstar-

Breezepelt ambled out of the nursery, even this effort winding her; she was due to have kits any day now, and most of the time she felt as though her stomach was going to pop. Searching the crowd of ThunderClan cats, the pale-furred she-cat finally located her mate and her adopted son. With more than a little effort, Breezepelt made her way slowly towards the two toms.

Willowstar's eyes narrowed at Embersky's entirely disrespectful words, covering the look with solemnity as Hazelkit leaped towards himself and the Medicine Cat; she didn't know the work she had coming, that much was sure. Embersky would not be a kind mentor to the kitten, he knew that much.

"Embersky. Your efforts for the good of ThunderClan have been many, and of the greatest quality. The time has come for you to pass on this knowledge to a new generation." The ThunderClan leader looked to the calico she-cat, and mewed, "From this day on, Hazelkit, you will take on all the duties of an apprentice, and you will be known as Hazelpaw."

[Ravenheart]

Embersky

Embersky nodded, looking disinterested as usual. However, he couldn't be more eager to do just what Willowstar said and pass on his knowledge to the tiny cat. Must be nervous. Yea. This'll be fun. Although, I'll probably need to teach her some confidence. Can't have a wobbily Medicine Cat. Ideas on how he was going to brought a fanged grin to Embersky. Leaning down to look his new apprentice in the eye, the ThunderClan healer made sure to look as intimidating as possible.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure you'll earn your next name in one piece." His tone matched the rest of him perfectly as he accepted Hazelpaw with touching noses.

[Hazel~]

Hazelpaw

Once Hazelpaw touched noses with Embersky the tiny she-cat got a little worried. When Hazelpaw looked up at her new mentor she could see the disinterest in his eyes. Hazelpaw did not know whether to speak or not, so the she-cat decided to stay quiet for now.

Hazelpaw could hear all the Clan cats cheering her name, and she felt proud, but also she had more responsibility. She could not wait to work with Embersky for the better of ThunderClan.

[.:Fawn:.]

{ Crowpaw }

&

[ Lionstep ]

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"Hazelpaw! Hazelpaw! Hazelpaw!"[/color]
Lionstep and Crowpaw cheered out the young she-kit's name enthusiastically, and even Hawkflame raised his voice to join it with the crowd, his dark green eyes surveying all of this from his place beside Leafkit. Lionstep nuzzled his mate affectionately, his heartstrings pulling against the inner walls of his chest as he saw her slightly labored breathing. "You can go rest now, Breezepelt. The ceremony's just about over."[/color] Lionstep mewed encouragingly, not wanting her to stress herself out too much - not when the kits were born any day now. Crowpaw glanced between his adopted parents but said nothing, the little black tom still not entirely sure where he stood on the whole "you're having kits to replace me" position they seemed to be in. That wasn't to say he wished things to go badly, because he didn't. He wanted his mother to survive the kitting and that the kits be born healthy and strong. He wouldn't directly wish misfortune upon his "family" just because he was jealous.
Perhaps Crowpaw was growing up after all?[/size]

[Ravenheart]

Embersky

As the calls for his new apprentice rang out, Embersky had to resist rolling his eyes. They do realize this isn't when I officially accept her, don't they? She needs to be accepted by StarClan too. He'd make sure to travel with her to the Starpool tonight. No doubt they'll love her. She looks like she'd swallow deathberries if it'd make her a better Medicine Cat.

"Hazelpaw." He yawned lazily, stretching and then grooming his pelt. Less work, I like it. Maybe I'll retire early...

[Breeze~]

-Breezepelt && Willowstar-

At Lionstep's words, Breezepelt began slowly moving back towards the nursery, stopping only to give Crowpaw a swift lick to the head. She was so exhausted, she didn't even have the energy to say Hazelpaw's name; Breezepelt resigned herself to simply congratulating the new apprentice later. She nearly collapsed on herself when she got back to her nest in the nursery.

Willowstar nearly shook his head in sympathy for the little she-cat, almost feeling bad for sending her into apprenticeship with Embersky as a mentor. The ThunderClan leader knew that Embersky would teach her well, it was just that... the medicine cat had such a nasty reputation with the younger cats of ThunderClan. The orange-ish tom leaped down from the Highstump, congratulating both apprentice and mentor. "I expect great things from this one, Embersky. Teach her well."

[Hazel~]

Hazelpaw

Hazelpaw looked up at Embersky, and she took a deep breath and mewed, "I am looking forward to you teaching me." The apprentice looked down at her paws. I hope I made the right decision to speak to Embersky, because the way he looks I don't think he really cares, thought the tiny she-cat.

Hazelpaw was hoping that somehow they would become very good friends, but the way things were going the apprentice did not expect it. I think the best thing to do now is to just stay quiet, thought Hazelpaw.

[Ravenheart]

Embersky

Embersky looked at the nervous thing that was his apprentice. A look of surprise crossed his features that she'd actually spoken. He hadn't expected her to looking like that. Maybe she isn't as meek as she seems. Perhaps he shouldn't be too mean to her at first. Nah...not my style. Nice gets boring fast.

"Funny you'd say that, Hazelpaw. If I were you, that'd be the last thing I'd be looking forward to." He purred teasingly and with a smirk.

[.:Fawn:.]

ooc: ^^ I'm gonna Archive this.