a new dawn approaches (skc apprentice ceremony)

As the enthusiastic cheering began to wane and quell, the excited mishmash of voices dying to a mere, lulling murmur and bumbling chatter, Whitewhisker couldn't help surveying his beloved SkyClan with the brightest of proud gleams alighting his sharp eyes. It was no secret that the Clan was flourishing under the rich onset of new-leaf, now so close to edging upon green-leaf; prey ran thick under the luxurious cover of the forest, and territory was abundant, their markers as strong and pungent as ever. It seemed that life couldn't be any sweller, at least for the moment. The introduction of new apprentices was further testament to their forever enriching numbers, and for once Whitewhisker did not deny himself the slight chance to relax and lay down his guard. Although the tomcat was fierce tempered, and with a further edged recklessness to boot, the drifting normality of clan life were enough to lull him into the sweetest of dazes, strengthening his already harsh believe that SkyClan was the strongest and least threatened of all the Clans that shared these lands.

It seemed the meeting had not yet drawn to a close however. Pinestar still remained upon his branch, and if Whitewhisker were to look up perhaps he'd see the smile dying on his lips. As it was however only his firm voice could jolt him from his encompassing relaxation, and as the great leader began to speak Whitewhisker soon realized that not all was as plain and dandy as appeared to be.


“Now we move on to other business. Firstly, a warning. At the gathering both WindClan and ShadowClan have identified rogues as an issue on their borders. As many of you will remember, ShadowClan has had issues with a gang of them in the past, led by their former deputy, these cats may belong to the same party.” Rogues. The word was enough to send a rippling shiver down his spine - not of fear, no, but of an unbridled, bubbling rage, an anger that pierced at his chest like a shard of broken glass. Pinestar went on, keeping relatively calm, and he certainly didn't seem as though he wanted to rile up his fellow clanmates, though it was in Whitewhisker's brash personality to react strongly to such pieces of important information, and at once he sprung to his paws, bristling like a porcupine.

He was about to yowl his input, though he was too late. Pinestar moved onto another topic, and this one proved far more interesting than the last.

“SkyClan continues to grow later each moon. We are thriving with more kits, good food, and plenty of movement to keep us alert and healthy. Yet, I worry that we may be starting to grow beyond our borders, that when leaf-bare hits we may not have the grounds to feed all we have.” As he continued on, speaking coolly of the possible expansion of their hunting grounds, a familiar, delightful feeling seized at Whitewhisker's chest. It was not hate for those doomed outsiders, no; nor was it disgust, or envy, or even disappointment. No, it was something that made him feel much more powerful, much more needed. The sharp vices of ambition had a cold seize upon his heart and as he took in the swarming clearing once more, he realized with a satisfied purr that of course Pinestar was right. When was he ever wrong? Sooner or later they'd have to expand - and besides, they deserved it!

And at once his mind leaped to one of the greatest hunting grounds he'd ever laid eyes upon. The river. Overflowing with fish, RiverClan had grown fat and practically lazy and useless on their greasy diet. They could spare a fox-dung worth river. The exercise of actually chasing their prey like others had to would do them some good.

"Pinestar!" he meowed respectfully, coming up to stand beside Fawnfur, whom had also voiced his thoughts. "What junior here says is right! RiverClan's a ton of prey to gorge upon. Not only that, but they aren't afraid to flaunt their river either. Perhaps it is time that this lush ground becomes ours, as we so deserve!" His eyes sparked with a flaring passion, a passion to not only keep his Clanmates safe and well-fed, but also to prove to other clans on how fearsome they really could be. "Our land is great, and I thank StarClan for our many blessings. But what good will it do when we reach leaf-bare?" He turned to other warriors, hoping desperately to gauge their support on what he truly believed was the righteous move. "Will our future kittens starve, cold and thin, never knowing that divine feeling of a full belly? We've had leaf-bares like that before, and it's sure to come again." He finally gazed back up at Pinestar, standing so confidently that he almost bordered on cocky. "RiverClan lives well. Is it not time for SkyClan to live just as luxuriously?"