“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join me underneath the Highrock for a meeting!” Copperstar’s booming voice echoed through the camp, it was edged with a newfound confidence and conviction. It had taken the large and fluffy orange tabby to finally land on his paws and Leader.
After a very turbulent start, as though the river’s flow had been disrupted, it was slowly starting to calm and clear. The ripples of doubt were beginning to ebb away, leaving Copperstar with the faith that Starclan hadn’t been misguided when they decided his destiny should be to lead Riverclan. “We are gathered here today to call upon the eyes of Starclan, so that they may give blessings onto some new apprentices this day.” Copperstar’s emerald eyes shimmered like stars, as though Starclan was watching through them.
“Honeykit and Maplekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day, until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Honeypaw and Maplepaw. I ask StarClan to watch over you and guide you until you find in your paws the strength and courage of a warrior.”
His gaze frisked the crowd until his gaze fell upon Minknose one of his many former apprentices, who had just finished her own training not even shy a year ago now.
Yes, she was ready for her first apprentice by now.
“Minknose, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You trained underneath me moons ago and you have shown yourself to be a capable warrior of Riverclan. I think it is time for you to have your very first apprentice. You will be the mentor of Maplepaw, and I expect you to pass on all you learned from me and that you’ve learned on your own merit to Maplepaw.”
Maplepaw’s eyes glistened as she whirled around to face her new mentor, she all but bounced up to her and touched noses. Their tiny body vibrated with joy; they were so excited to start upon the path that would lead them to Warriorhood. After she and Minknose touched noses, the smaller than average apprentice took note that Copperstar hadn’t announced who their sister’s mentor would be.
Maplepaw almost gasped, and her eyes widened, when the robust Leader of Riverclan bunched up his muscles in his legs and leapt off the Highrock and landed in front of Honeypaw.
“Honeypaw!” She leaned over and whispered into her ear, her voice almost breathless with the thrill of it all, “He’s looking at you, Honeypaw! He’s looking at you! Oh, my Starclan, you’re so lucky!” She ducked away, giving her sister and the Leader space, her little body shaking even more.
She couldn’t believe it! Her sister?! Apprentice of the leader? What an honor! She was so proud of her!
“It’s about time I take on another apprentice. Honeypaw, from this day forward I, Copperstar Leader of Riverclan, will take on the task of mentoring you. I will pass on all the wisdom and skills I have gained over the years I’ve lived onto you, so that you may become one of Riverclan’s finest.” He leaned down and touched noses to the apprentice, he could feel the spotted cream-honey she-cat tremble upon contact.
He didn’t know if it was out of nerves, or out of elation, either way- the ceremony was said and done. He stepped back and as quick as a sailfish, he launched himself back onto the Highrock.
“Everyone, let us call out underneath Starclan’s watch.” He took a deep breath, raised his head up high to the skies and then bellowed out, “Honeyaw! Maplepaw!” The golden gleam of the sun’s golden rays seemed to shimmer down upon Honeypaw and Maplepaw as the clan chanted their names into the sky, so that Starclan may see and hear them.
Cherryrose, their mother, was the second cat to chime in after Copperstar. She cried out in jubilance and pride for her daughters. She was certain that their father in Starclan was watching down upon them and was just as proud as she is of their daughters, if not prouder. The diluted ginger-cream she-cat knew that even though they had just been named apprentice, it wouldn’t be long until they were Warriors. "Honeypaw! Maplepaw!"
Time sure was flying them by, and Cherryrose wondered what the future held for her, Honeypaw and Maplepaw. It would seem that something grand awaited them, if Copperstar assignng one of his former apprentice’s to Maplepaw as her mentor and then assigning himself to Honeypaw as her mentor- was any indication to go off of.
Maybe it was merely wistful thinking on Rosecherry’s part, but she couldn’t help but ponder what this exactly meant for her daughters and their lives from this point onward.
She supposes in time all would be revealed.
Yes...
In time.
honeypaw & minknose
Copperstar's booming voice ran through the golden kit's ears, excitement causing her to tremble. Today is the day! A purr rumbled in her throat, looking over at her sister and her mother who mirrored her own joy. We're going to be apprentices! Their mother, Rosecherry, had assisted in grooming her pelt, and despite the effort, Honeykit's restlessness had ruffled her fur. "I wonder who our mentors are going to be." She whispered to Maplekit, eyes wide - before being brought back to the present by their leader's voice. Taking a few steps forward, Honeykit approached Copperstar with her sister by her side, ready for their new names. "Honeypaw", she repeated under her breath, following the leader's gaze until it fell onto Minknose.
The young warrior puffed out her chest, joy and pride rushing through her at her former mentor's faith in her abilities. "You'll be next, I promise Mothmask", she murmured to her sister before bounding towards Maplepaw - her very first apprentice. "I will do my best," Minknose mewed both to Copperstar and Maplepaw, "but we'll have lots of fun too." She added to Maplepaw in a quieter voice, giving the young feline a mischievous grin as they touched noses. Flicking her tail to indicate that they should step slightly back, Minknose couldn't help but let out a hearty purr, excited for the adventures to come.
Honeypaw watched the exchange between her sister and Minknose happily, tail curled in joy that Maplepaw had a good mentor. The dappled feline wondered if Copperstar would get someone he previously mentored, or maybe a senior warrior, to mentor herself, or if only her sister would. Suddenly, her sister's voice pulled her out of her thoughts, and the young she-cat couldn't believe it. Me? He's going to mentor me? Her pale green eyes widened in shock, unable to express the honour and exhilaration she felt - and the anxiety at having to prove herself to the clan leader. Touching noses with her new mentor, Honeypaw trembled with emotion, barely able to let out her, "Thank you so much."
Watching the leader - her mentor - jump back onto the rock, Honeypaw turned to her family with a wide smile spread across her face, taking in the cheers from her clanmates. "One day one of us will be the leader and the other will be the deputy!" She announced proudly as she bounded to their sides, "Can you believe it? We're going to be the best warriors in Riverclan!"