warriors: in the trees

chapter eleven, moon nine.

"Rustkit, you have reached the age of six moons and it is now time for you to be apprenticed."

The little orange tom sat up higher, his fur fluffing up already after Flickerdrop had viciously groomed it. The entire clan was gathered in the clearing for Rustkit's apprentice ceremony.

Finally, Floweringpaw thought. It's about time.

The birds chirping was the only sound in the clearing. Every other cat was silent, waiting for Applestar to continue.

"From now on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Rustpaw." Applestar paused, and Floweringpaw presumed it was to examine every warrior gathered underneath him worthy to be a mentor for the new apprentice.

Marshsound would be a good option. The small brown warrior was sitting on Floweringpaw's left. Or Firsky, she thought, casting a glance towards her father.

"Ivylight." Applestar declared. "Your mentor will be Ivylight. I hope she will pass down all she knows on to you."

The deputy nodded, then lept down to the floor below the Low Tree, waiting for Applestar to continue before formally greeting her new apprentice.

"Ivylight, you are ready to take on another apprentice. You have received excellent training from Kestrelflower, and you have proven yourself to be a courageous and loyal warrior. You will be the mentor of Rustpaw."

Ivylight and Rustpaw touched noses, and the Clan began to cheer.

"Rustpaw! Rustpaw! Rustpaw!" Floweringpaw chimed in. The new apprentice responded with a blissful smile.

"Okay, okay," Ivylight calmed everyone down after plenty of cheering. "Applestar has more to say."

Floweringpaw turned back to her leader. He was smiling at Rustpaw and the cheering, but cleared his throat once the attention was back on him.

"I'm sure almost everyone noticed JadeClan's odd behavior at the Gathering two nights ago." Applestar began, multiple cats meowing in agreement. Floweringpaw heard a growl from Adderfur.

"Well, I would like to increase the level of patrols near the Stone River and the JadeClan border," the beige tom continued. "Starting with Adderfur, Hauntedwhisker, Owlhaze, Snowfreckle, and Floweringpaw."

That's a larger than normal patrol. There wasn't any real threat, was there?

Floweringpaw was annoyed. Not only did she have to go on a patrol with Adderfur, but they were going in the complete opposite direction that she wanted. She got to her feet grumpily, and dragged her paws over to Adderfur.

"Nice to see you too, Floweringpaw," Adderfur grumbled to his apprentice. He sat by Owlhaze, of all cats, who also was going on the patrol.

Applestar dismissed the meeting and jumped down from the Low Tree. He turned to Adderfur to give him instructions.

"I want you to check every mouse length of that border. If there is anything suspicious, tell me immediately."

Floweringpaw thought that Applestar was being a bit... overcautious. JadeClan hadn't threatened war; all that happened was that they were acting weird at the gathering.

"Of course, Applestar," Owlhaze replied, in place of Adderfur. The tom glared at him.

Hauntedwhisker and Snowfreckle reluctantly made their way to the growing patrol as well. Applestar nodded to the two she-cats, then turned to congratulate his son on becoming an apprentice.