It was the day of Honeykit's apprentice ceremony. Yes, it was also Berrykit, Cloudykit and Stonekit's but that didn't matter. Hope like an oasis in the middle of a desert glittered in Hon's heart. Suppose it was foolish, but really, it was her time to shine.

Even Beestripe was paying attention to her for once, tugging her away from her playfight with Cloudykit to groom her fur. 

Her voice was chipped with restraint, however, as she chided, "Don't mess this up, Honeykit."

Hon blinked sheepishly and was, for once, not affected by her mother's words.

Finally, Hawkstar leaped unto the Great Tree, his tail lashing and his eyes shining bright. This action, which was both dominating and triumphant, considering the age of Skyclan's leader, sent every single cat into a fret.

Stormcloud and Beestripe hurriedly ushered their kits, including Honeykit, in front of the tree as the rest of the clan gathered. Leafhover was gushing all over the place, beaming happily at every cat who eventually became newest victim of her proud blabbering. Rainhover glanced over once or twice to roll his eyes fondly, before turning back to focus his full attention on Hawkstar.

The old leader cleared his throat and began the ceremony, "Cloudykit, you have reached the age of six moons. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Cloudypaw. Your mentor shall be Sunmist."

A round of approving meows echo throughout the camp as the young blushing she-cat is congratulated whole-heartedly on her mentorship. Honeykit's sister nervously approaches her and they bump noses, nervousness shining in both their eyes.

Hawkstar continued, "Stonekit, you have also reached the age of six moons. You will, in turn, be known as Stonepaw and your mentor shall be Morningflower."

More congratulations are murmured, this time slightly less enthusiastically. Perhaps it was because the warrior had used to be a kittypet. An indignant spark fizzled in Hon's stomach at this discrimination.

Morningflower lowered her head to nuzzle Stonepaw's cheek proudly and they exchange a look of acknowledgement.

Hawkstar's mew was beginning to become tired, "Last but not least, Honeykit shall now be known as Honeypaw. Her mentor shall be Cream."

Honeykit's world ended.

A dark pit seemed to have opened underneath her.

Or maybe she just wish it had so she could sink into it and never come out again.

Honeykit opened her mouth but choked on her breath as a brilliantly bright hazy substance clouded her eyes. Was she about to cry?

Biting her lip, Hon gulps back her tears and look up.

While her ears had flattened against her skull and her legs were trembling, Hawkstar had said a few sentences worth of praise for all the new mentors and apprentices.

A few sentences that didn't register properly in Honeykit's brain as Cream approached her.

To much surprise, her voice was gentle with sympathy, "I promise I will be a great mentor, much to this clan's controversy."

Gaping, Honeykit forced her ears to rise normally again, wordless.

At the kit's shocked state, she laughed. Laughed.

Then she flicked her newly appointed apprentice's ear with her tail and beckoned for Hon to follow her, "Come on, let's go take a trek around the territory with the others."

Mindless, Honeykit followed her, still too dumbfounded to speak. 

A/N

I'm so sorry for the wait, realising I probably annoyed a lot of people by taking such a  long time with this update. I think it was roughly around two months, or even more, that it took for me to write such a simple, short chapter. 

Some explanation: 

- I was genuinely busy, with exams and assignments 

- I was already stressed by my grades without multiple stories that I had to remember to update. 

- I paused this story to focus more on exams and the main story - Rising Mist no 2 

- I had utterly no inspiration to keep going, even though the storyline was pretty clear in my mind's eye

Thank you for the patience, if any of you were still potentially waiting and watching for this update. 

Im working very hard on reviving this story rn. 

Sorry once again, 

- quill