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It was nearing sundown when Oakwhisker finally emerged from the warrior’s den, and he felt relieved to already feel the heat beginning to fade. Greenleaf was a blessing for the clan, but a curse for him, and he was very grateful Ravenfoot took pity on him and allowed him primarily dawn and dusk patrols.
At the thought of patrol, he cast his gaze around the clearing, looking for the deputy. He’d expected to be placed on both patrols again, but so far had only been assigned to dawn, and wanted to see if he should attempt to go hunting before the day ended.
“Oakwhisker!”
He turned his head to see Ghoststar sitting at the base of her den, Ravenfoot sitting beside her. The leader beckoned him over with her tail, and he trotted across the clearing to join the two.
“Hello, Ghoststar! Did you need me for something?” Oakwhisker asked, nodding to Ravenfoot as he sat.
“Hello Oakwhisker, and yes, I would like to discuss Larkkit.” Ghoststar said, motioning towards the kit playing outside of the medicine den. Oakwhisker could see the tip of Brightnose’s tail peeking out from behind the rocks that sheltered the den, and stifled a laugh seeing Larkkit’s attempts to stalk and pounce on it.
“Of course! Is something wrong?” He asked, suddenly concerned. Had Larkkit done something that the leader disapproved of?
Ghoststar’s tail twitched, and he could see her fighting an amused expression. “Far from it, Oakwhisker. How can you see that kit every day and yet forget how old she is? She’s 6 moons now, and due for her apprenticeship. If you’re willing, I’d like you to be her mentor.”
Oakwhisker froze, blinking in surprise. Him? He was far from the most senior warrior in the clan, and assumed that plus his close relationship to Larkkit would make him unable to be her mentor. “I would be honored, Ghoststar, but may I ask why you chose me?”
Ravenfoot purred in amusement at that, sharing a glance with the leader. “Are you sure about your decision, Ghoststar? It may take him another moon to realize she’s even his apprentice.” She finished her statement by waving her long tail in front of his face.
Oakwhisker huffed and resisted the urge to swat at her tail, knowing that the deputy enjoyed teasing him but would not hesitate to put him into the dirt if he somehow managed to hit her. He hadn’t won a spar against her yet, but it wasn’t worth the risk, so he decided for a good natured huff instead.
“I’m sure, Ravenfoot, but the…concern is noted” Ghoststar said, her voice hiding a laugh. “Oakwhisker, despite your reservations I do truly believe you are the best fit to mentor Larkkit. She is an energetic young cat, and very attached to those she views as family, and I don’t want to damage her trust by giving her a mentor that does not understand either of those things. I believe your calm demeanor will do well to balance her, with your youth helping you keep up.”
Oakwhisker couldn’t say he agreed, but knew better to argue with her. Ghoststar was always right, whether it ended up being immediately or a moon later. There was something prophetic about the leader, and her ability to know what her clanmates were thinking made her beloved even during her time as deputy.
“Thank you, Ghoststar. I would be honored to have her as my apprentice. Have you told Brightnose yet, or may I?” He looked to where he could still see his sister’s tail peeking behind the rock, now being gently gnawed on by Larkkit.
“I’ve already spoken with her regarding this, and she agreed with me that you are the one that stands the greatest chance at molding Larkkit into a good warrior.”
They both purred at this, knowing that Larkkit was well known in the clan for her ability to have more energy than every warrior in the camp, as showcased by the days she would spend asking them endlessly for advice.
“Well then”, he meowed, stretching, “I guess I’d better go get ready for a ceremony tonight!”
He may have to find his Mothdust, his mother was the only one who seemed to be able to make his coat somewhat presentable.
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As it got closer to moonrise, Oakwhisker couldn’t contain his excitement. He’d managed to briefly leave camp and find some prey, but he found himself too distracted and eventually turned back to the camp.
“Let all cats old enough to hunt their own pray join beneath the pine tree for a clan meeting!”
Ghoststar’s voice, echoing from the hole in the pine tree that served as her den, carried across the camp before she leapt down to sit on one of the higher roots. Cats emerged from the various dens, the camp abuzz with excitement. Everyone but the youngest of the camp knew what this meeting was for, and this was the first apprentice ceremony since Shallowstar’s disappearance and Ghoststar becoming the leader.
Oakwhisker looked over towards Brightnose’s den, where he could see his sister sitting proudly with a well-groomed Larkkit, the kit none the wiser of what was going on. Quackhead, her pupil-less eyes directed towards the tree, also gave off an air of pride. Larkkit had been the darling of the medicine cats for moons now, and both would be sad to see less of her.
“Since becoming leader, I have had the honor of welcoming many new warriors to our ranks, but I have not yet had the honor of beginning a kit’s journey to apprentice. That changes tonight! Larkkit, please come forward.”
The tortoiseshell froze before looking up at Brightnose, as if asking for permission. The medicine cat chuckled and nodded, prodding her forward with a paw. Larkkit approached with stiff legs before she stood before the leader.
“Larkkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Larkpaw.” Ghoststar turned to look at Oakwhisker, and he made himself sit even straighter.
“Oakwhisker, despite your reservations I know you are ready to take on an apprentice. You were Mousewhisker’s final apprentice and she trained you well, I know that your calm demeanor and passion for teaching will mold Larkpaw into a fine warrior.”
She motioned to him, and he padded forward until he stood before Larkpaw, the apprentice’s eyes wide with the wonder of the moment. He leaned down and waited a moment, before Larkpaw suddenly launched herself upward to firmly touch her nose to his. He could feel her quiver of excitement and took a moment to blink happily at her before he motioned to her to turn and face the clan.
“Larkpaw! Larkpaw! Larkpaw!” The clan’s voices rang out into the night, welcoming her. Oakwhisker could hear Brightnose clearly, and knew his sister was the most joyous of all for Larkpaw’s apprenticeship.
They moved to the side and waited for Ghoststar to speak. She gave them both a nod before turning back to the clan.
“There is one more kit who is ready to receive her name, and she traveled a long way to do so.” Mews of amusement rose at this, everyone knowing the story of the kit in question. “Badgerkit, please come here.”
Sitting next to Stardust and Ashfang, Badgerkit came rocketing forward to meet her adoptive mother on the tree root. Her tail couldn’t seem to stop twitching, and Ghoststar went as far to laugh and reach a paw to still it. Instead of addressing Badgerkit, however, she turned to the pair of medicine cats.
“Brightnose, Quackhead, am I correct that you both have decided it is time to take on an apprentice?”
Both she-cats nodded, before echoing “Yes, Ghoststar.”
Ghoststar turned back to her daughter. “Badgerkit, you have reached six moons, and our medicine cats both agree that you are ready to learn from them the secrets of the stars. From this day on until you earn your medicine cat name, you will be known as Badgerpaw. Brightnose and Quackhead will mentor you, I trust that they will pass onto you all they know.”
At this Ghoststar deviated slightly from the ceremony, leaning down to lick Badgerpaw on the head before motioning her to her new mentors. The older she-cats both happily touched noses with her, and they moved to all sit together.
“Badgerpaw! Badgerpaw! Badgerpaw!”
And as the calls echoed into the growing night, Wolfclan’s belief their new leader continued to grow.