Duckkit's Apprentice Ceremony

It was finally time for the silver she-cat to name her first apprentice, and she was admittedly a touch nervous. Looking at her, though, you'd never know; as Willowshade leapt to perch upon the Willow Branch, she was the picture of grace. "May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Willow Branch for a Clan meeting!" she called, her voice booming clearly across the camp. The deputy felt more comfortable than she had in moons-- this was right. She was made for this.

Duckkit reluctantly poked his head out of the nursery, sure, being an apprentice sounded fun but... Just the idea of leaving camp was terrifying. After nearly drowning and freezing to death in the river with Birchkit, there was little appeal. His naturally drooping ears helped conceal his anxiety as he slowly crept from the den, the tip of his tongue sticking out slightly. He settled on the outskirts, maybe this wasn't his ceremony. Maybe he could just go back to the safety of the nursery with his mom and brother...

Willowshade watched the cats gather below her, eyes searching for the kit she was naming. "Duckkit, please step forward," she called when she found him. She took a deep breath, lining up the words in her head before she spoke. "You have reached the age of six moons, and are ready to be apprenticed. From this day until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Duckpaw. Your mentor will be Leopardcloud. I am sure that he will train you well."

As Willowshade spoke, Duckkit shrank further. Oh no.... This was his ceremony... With a glance back at the nursery he reluctantly slunk forward as he was bid. His mind buzzed with static as the ceremony proceeded, and he could barely think, Willowshade's voice fading into a drone. An icy pit of dread settled in his stomach filling him with an intense feeling of nausea. This was it. He'd have to leave camp and learn to fight. His tail curled around his hindleg in a fruitless attempt to soothe himself. He couldn't bring himself to look at his clanmates. I don't think I can do this. But before he could even attempt to find his voice he was given his new name Duckpaw and assigned his mentor. Leopardcloud... He didn't really recognize the name though he rarely had ventured out of the nursery enough to get to know any of the warriors. He knew Mothheart since the massive golden tom had been the one to rescue him and Birchkit from the river but other than that....