The sun seemed to slowly crawl across the sky like a turtle, until finally it was sun-high.
Rosekit pummeled her brother with her paws to wake him from his nap. "Rockkit, Rockkit! Wake up, it's sun-high we're going to be apprentices!"
Rockkit moaned. "Can't we do it later?"
"No, we can't, silly." Rosekit decided to try another way. "Well, I guess you won't get any fresh-kill after the ceremony..."
That woke him.
"Fresh-kill? Did I hear you say fresh-kill?" Rockkit bolted up.
"Yes, after our ceremony! Now, let's go!" Rosekit squealed.
"Wait just a second! You need to get cleaned up, you look like rogues!" Shellfur said. She then started to vigorously lick the kits' fur.
When the kits came put, their fur was slicked back and not a hair poked out. Rosekit shook out her pelt, making it fluffed out again and Rockkit did the same, while Shellfur sighed.
"Let all cats old enough to swim gather to hear my words!" rang Shadestar's yowl.
Cats gathered around, while low mumbles could be heard.
"We are here today to welcome two new apprentices to RiverClan. Rosekit, Rockkit, please come forward.
Last second nerves suddenly hit Rosekit. What if I mess up? What if I do something wrong and I'm not allowed to be an apprentice?
She and Rockkit soon were before Shadestar, and they both sat before her.
Rosekit glanced around and saw her father, Patchclaw. He was a white tom wih patches of russet fur and amber eyes. He looked at Rockkit and Rosekit like they were from StarClan. His gaze was full of pride and wonder, probably from the idea of his kits were growing up.
"Rosekit," Shadestar started, "From this moment on you shall be called Rosepaw until you recieve your warrior name. Your mentor shall be Leafclaw. Leafclaw, you are ready for an apprentice, and I trust that you will pass on your excellent battle and hunting skills to Rosepaw."
Leafclaw, a dappled brown she-cat padded up to Rosepaw.
Rosepaw then, remembering other apprentice ceremonies she'd seen, licked Leafclaw's shoulder.
"Rosepaw! Rosepaw! Rosepaw!" chanted the crowd of cats.
"Rockkit, come forward," Shadestar said, after the chanting ended.
Rockkit stepped forward, his head high and legs steady, but Rosepaw knew her brother was nervous.
"Rockkit, from this moment on you shall be called Rockpaw until you recieve your warrior name. Your mentor shall be Breezefoot. Breezefoot, you trained Dewfur well, and I expect you to do the sane with Rockpaw."
"Rockpaw! Rockpaw! Rockpaw!" chanted all of the cats, especially Rosepaw, Patchclaw, and Shellfur.
Rockpaw licked Breezefoot's shoulder, and went to stand by Rosepaw, Shellfur, and Patchclaw.
