FloodClan Camp

[Riverstar]

Marshkit's worries were a little acceptable, but he was often a little more timid then necessary. Duskfur was the medicine cat and would probably welcome the little black kit into his den with open paws. "You shall be fine. You will learn all there is to be a medicine cat, and there is not a more capable cat then Duskfur. If there is something wrong with how you act, I'm sure he'll overcome it somehow. Now stop worrying," Riverstar meowed, leaning over to nudge the small black kit. There was not a chance that Duskfur would not welcome a peace-loving kitten into his den to train in the arts of medicine cattery.

[Duskfur]

"Did I hear my name being called, or are the herbs getting to me?" Light pawsteps alerted the FloodClan leader and kit that another presence had entered the scene, belonging to that of the Medicine Cat himself, Duskfur. With a petite smile upon his maw, the tom swung his feather duster of a tail behind him, nodding politely to Riverstar. "Sorry for my intrusion," he apologized gently, "I was just passing by." Flicking an ear, Duskfur was about to speak once more to Riverstar when Marshkit, who had been hidden from his view behind FloodClan's leader, poked his head from behind. "Oh, hello there, Marshkit." Chuckling softly, he added with another nod, "Pleasure to see you."

[Riverstar]

Riverstar looked up abruptly when another voice entered the fray. Duskfur, his medicine cat, came walking upon the scene with perfect timing. "Oh no, Duskfur. Perfect timing. I was just talking to Marshkit about his apprenticeship. He is approaching the time for his ceremony," Riverstar meowed calmly before moving out of the way of the little kit and closer to Duskfur. He wanted to make his suggestion and hear the answer before Marshkit did. "I was curious if you would be interested in taking him on as your apprentice. I don't know much about the workings of the Medicine Cat ways, but I believe it will be safer for him in a way."

[Marshpaw]

Marshkit dipped his head and scooted closer to Riverstar, peeking out from behind his leg at Duskfur. The tom seemed nice enough, but Marshkit's heart still thudded in his chest with worry. Maybe he's just pretending to be nice because Riverstar's here, a small voice fretted in his head. "Hullo," he murmured, his blue eyes wide and fearful.

[Duskfur]

Duskfur's cobalt eyes habored surprise and genuine thoughtfulness at this piece of new news and his attention was directed once more to Marshkit. The black apprentice-to-be was fairly timid, he remembered, and hadn't been born here in FloodClan - he would've known. Flicking his tail, the tom hmmed in his throat, nodding slowly. "We could make that work," he eventually mewed, a smile beginning to curve his maw. He wasn't necessarily in need of an apprentice - he still considered himself fairly young - but it never hurt to have someone to take your place should you pass on...

"What do you say, Marshkit?" Duskfur took a gentle step forward, his eyes twinkling. "Does the way of a Medicine Cat interest you?"

[Riverstar]

Riverstar flicked his ears with hidden joy. Marshkit would have a place in this Clan, and close to the one that also knew he was not necessarily born a FloodClan cat. At least, no one could confirm he was a FloodClan-born kit. Riverstar took pride in this young soon to be apprentice as if he were his own son. Lifting his legs and stepping backwards over the black tom-kit, he scooted Marshkit closer to Duskfur. "Well, don't be hiding. Duskfur isn't going to nibble your ears or anything." If he wished to follow the way of medicine, he would call the Clan immediately for his apprentice ceremony.

[Marshpaw]

Marshkit looked up at Riverstar, back at Duskfur then at his own paws. It was true, the idea of helping the wounded intrigued him more than wounding others, but he couldn't suppress the feeling of anxiety that hung over his head. I can do this, he told himself, squeezing his blue eyes shut. He sucked in a deep breath and opened his eyes, looking back up at the medicine cat tom. "Okay," he murmured, ducking his head nervously as if one of them was going to cuff him over the head for speaking.

[Duskfur]

Duskfur couldn't help but release a throaty purr when he saw Marshkit's tenderness. It was a big idea to take in and not everyone was dying to be a Medicine Cat like he had been. "Don't stress about it," he told the small tom, "we'll take it easy at first." But we'll have to tackle your shyness first. Gazing down at Marshkit with understanding eyes, Duskfur had seen plenty of timid kits in his lifetime grow to be bold, determined adults. Not everyone was like that, but he was sure that together, he and Marshkit could overcome the kit's uncertainty.

"If you really don't want to do it," Duskfur added, a slight tone of seriousness hinted in his voice, "you are free to tell me or Riverstar. We won't force anything upon you - we're only thinking in your best interest." Ducking slowly so that he was level with the small black cat, he added so only Marshkit could hear, "And if you wholly accept the life of a Medicine Cat apprentice, you'll be able to meet your Warrior ancestors when regular warriors usually cannot."

[Riverstar]

Riverstar moved to sit, his fur sleek against his body as his muscled moved like great waves of water beneath his pelt. Marshkit would like becoming a medicine cat far more then he would have enjoyed becoming a warrior underneath a deputy or another trained cat. He seemed somewhat eager in a held back sort of way, but it never became apparent when Marshkit really wanted something in life. Peace, tranquility, that was what the kit was about. Duskfur would have to rectify the soft-spoken soon to be apprentice. If there was one cat that could alter the flow of StarClan's will, Riverstar had faith Duskfur could do it.

When the medicine cat spoke about his warrior ancestors, Riverstar's pelt surged with an uncertainty. Marshkit was not FloodClan born, and the thought of him talking to his actual parents could bring about a severe problem. He had never told the young kit that Riverstar had found him near Four Stones when he was born. They simply put him alongside a queen and called it good. Now, he would have to worry what would happen. "Yes," Riverstar meowed, hiding his fear skillfully. "You may even meet my father, Floodstar."

[Marshpaw]

"No, Marshkit almost wailed. He ducked down and curled into himself embarrassedly, his ears growing hot for raising his voice. "I-I mean, no," he murmured more calmly. "I want to be a medicine cat. I mean, if you think I can." He still wasn't sure if he was cut out for anything yet, but Riverstar seemed so confident in him. He'd at least give it a try for him. And the idea of meeting the ranks of StarClan excited him. And frightened him. He suppressed a small shiver.

[Riverstar]

Riverstar purred when Marshkit suddenly blurted out the first thing that the leader ever truly hear him want. Duskfur would certainly take care of the young apprentice. Speaking of which, he turned around and leapt up onto Calling Branch, stepping forward so the weeping willow branches separated around his body. "Let all cats old enough gather before Calling Branch for a meeting." FloodClan's leader sat calmly, awaiting all able bodies to join him. Once done, he looked down upon his supposed son, mewing gently.

"We are gathered here for an apprentice ceremony. Marshkit, from this moment on, you will be known as Marshpaw. Duskfur, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You will be mentor to Marshpaw." There was not much else for him to say as Marshpaw's true naming ceremony would happen at the half-moon medicine cat meeting, alongside the StarClan crystal where they shared tongues.

[Duskfur]

Duskfur purred with pride as he took his place underneath the Calling Branch, below Riverstar. He curled his tail and quickly lapped at his chest fur -- he wasn't extremely self-conscious, but he couldn't look as if he had simply woken up moments ago. Cats began to gather nearby in a half-circle, eyes aglow as they glanced at Marshkit. Flicking his ears, Duskfur knew deep inside he was glad and proud to be a mentor -- still, the title had been thrust upon him a bit suddenly. He'd have to adjust as much as Marshkit; together, they'd learn from one another.

Duskfur practically beamed when Marshkit was announced as Marshpaw. Standing calmly, the tom waved his bushy tail as he touched noses with his apprentice. "Congratulations," he murmured. "It's official."

[Marshpaw]

Marshkit smiled self consiously as the other cats gathered around. He sat with his head ducked into his chest and his tail wrapped around his paws so tightly that he felt as if a slight wind blew over the camp, he would topple over. Why can't Riverstar just say my name's Marshpaw and I'm going to train as a medicine cat? Why does it have to be a big deal? He tried to avoid the warm gazes toward him and focused nervously up at the tom he saw as a father.

Once Riverstar announced his new name, Marshpaw saw Duskfur padding over toward him. He ducked down and winced slightly as the medicine cat's nose touched to his. "Yeah, I guess it is," he murmured, with an edge of excitement to his voice. He smiled weakly up at his new mentor, his heart still pounding with anxiety and happiness. Now that it was over with, he wanted to get out of the spotlight. Immediately. He glanced around at the crowd, and before they could chant his name, he ducked down and scrambled out of the middle of the audience, his tail between his legs.

[Riverstar]

Riverstar looked down on Marshpaw, the rising of warrior voices welcoming the new apprentices with great cheers. Marshpaw, sadly, had already disappeared With a flick of his tail, he stepped away from the branch, dismissing the Clan to their duties. The spotted warrior leapt down from the branch, landing lightly before moving over to Duskfur. He would not seek out Marshpaw too soon. It was a little much for him, and most likely for Duskfur as well. Mewing lightly, Riverstar addressed Duskfur. "Thank you for taking him on Duskfur. I know you shall o his training true justice."

[Duskfur]

Duskfur chuckled to himself as Marshpaw scampered away; he wasn't teasing his new apprentice in any way, but he understood the jitters that were coursing through the little tom's pelt. He knew that every cat felt the same way -- some just took it better than others. Thinking back to his days, when he had been announced as Duskpaw, he had felt almost sick until he concentrated only on the fact of becoming the profession of his dreams. Then his nervousness had evaporated instantly.

Duskfur joined in respectfully when the clan began to shout out "Marshpaw! Marshpaw!" and tapered off once he saw Riverstar bound towards him. Standing, he flicked his tail at the compliment handed to him. "Thank you for trusting me," he replied, eyes glowing. "Marshpaw will do excellent, I have a feeling somewhere in my heart. And at least we'll know he won't rebel too often," the tom added in a good-natured tone.