>> option one, "Fine. If you want to fulfill duties as the cat by my side [...]"

"Fine. If you want to fulfill duties as the cat by my side, my mate, then I want you to be expecting my kits before the first snowfall," he replied, standing and inching forward as he spoke. This caused Icespark's coolness to shatter just a bit, just enough for him to get a glimpse at what was below the frozen layer. The cunning self-assuredness she usually displayed wasn't there, rather there was an uncertain and shy cat. That's it. I found it. Her weakness. For Mousepelt, it was his sister. For Icespark it's something to do with kits. Being forced into a corner possibly? Having the power taken away from her? I'm not yet sure what it is exactly, but I'm close enough to where I've got her under my paw.

The slim white she-cat avoided his gaze now. She didn't say anything, but he knew that she wouldn't protest.

"If you aren't, I'll throw you back where I found you: a lost warrior with nothing but shredded pride. It's your choice. Obviously one is superior to the other." And she knew it too.

So he left her in the den. He jumped neatly up onto the High Boulder and stalked forward to the edge of the great rock.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here below the High Boulder for a clan meeting." His voice rang out around the camp, and the cats lounging curiously moved in.

This is my first time making kits apprentices. Who cares if I don't know all the words, I'll make them up if I have to. He could remember when he became an apprentice....

"Won't Rosekit be able to come to my ceremony?" His mother held a dark expression.

"Stop talking about her. I told you not to speak of her. Beetlepaw will be there, so that should be good enough." Burnetkit knew better than to press about Rosekit. Momma hated talking about Rosekit. It made her very upset and angry. But everyone had said he would see her again one day, so why not at his apprentice ceremony?

Burnetstar shook the memory off.

Feathertuft seemed much more comfortable now that her four kits were quickly but neatly groomed. The gray tabby led her kits out of the nursery with a hint of pride, and she made sure to sit in the front of the gathering crowd. Once he was confident all, or mostly all, cats had gathered, he began. Icespark had come out of the Leader's Den at some point, and sat near the back with a blank expression.

"I gather you here today to witness four strong kits become apprentices. Feathertuft, I know you've cared and raised these four well, so we thank you for what you've done," murmurs of the mother's name rippled through the crowd. It was a ritual he didn't mind including. "Poppykit, Archkit, Spottedkit, and Rookkit, step forward." Without waiting a beat, the kits came to the base of the Great Boulder. Burnetstar made his way down the front face of the stone, ginger pelt rippling under hard muscle, and stood next to young.

I'll start with Poppykit.

"Poppykit. You are now ready to become an apprentice. As leader of HazeClan, I, Burnetstar, give you the name Poppypaw. To match your youthful energy and strengths, your mentor will be..."

>> Dartingshade. He's never actually had an apprentice, but he's still very loyal to you, since he's your deputy and all. An apprentice could help smooth out some of his flaws, too.

>> Honeyfur. He's also loyal to you, and the clan loves him. He's kinda selfish and questionable in character, but maybe an apprentice will round him out??

>> Ashflame. She's already Snakepaw's mentor, but he's nearly ready to be a warrior and she's one of your most trusted Council members.