Warrior Ceremony

[heartnet]

Hawkstar padded out of his den, yawning. He stretched, blinking in the morning light. Then he easily leapt onto High Rock, looking out over the clan. It was time for an announcement. And a happy one. Everything had been going great for Rainclan lately, new kits, returning warriors, plenty of fresh kill, and now new warriors. "May all cats old enough to catch their old prey gather here beneath High Rock!"

[Redcloud]

Owlfoot's head shot up from the fresh kill pile, blinking toward the High Rock. He stood and, stretching, padded on over. Lichenpelt poked her head out of the warrior's den, still not used to getting up so early. She blinked dazedly before paddinng toward the gathering of cats herself, eyes tired.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Honeyfrost blinked her eyes sleepily and followed Lichenpelt out from the Warriors Den. "What's the announcement for?" she murmured, sitting down beside Owlfoot.

Desertflower was lying in the sun chewing on blackbird when Hawkstar called out. There hadn't been any offical meetings in awhile so she was curious to what this was about. Were the other Clans up to something?

Orchidtail mewed gently at her kits to wait as she crouched in in the entrance of the Nursery. She smiled knowingly as Tussockpaw shuffled into the crowd of cats, followed by his sister, her limp barely noticeable.

[;lost&insecure;]

Rainwing heard the call from the outside of the camp, where she had been padding along with a mouse and pidgeon. When she heard it, she raced back into the confines, hastily dropping the prey on the freshkill pile and skittered to a stop on the outskirts of the Clan. Though she was part of RainClan herself, the pale silver she-cat always seemed to intrude where ever she went, including in RainClan itself. The only cat who understood her was Brackenstripe, and possibly his friend Snowfur. She shook her head, ridding herself of depressing thoughts and lifted her head to gaze at her leader, waiting for the ceremony to being.

Darkstorm padded stiffly out of the elders' den, glaring up at Hawkstar. He had almost drifted to sleep when he had heard the blare from his leader for the meeting. He grudgingly walked over to the Clan, skirting Rainwing, and sat beside Desertflower. "What does he want now?" he grumbled. The old tom had nothing against his leader, Hawkstar had lead his Clan to greatness, but when his nap was interrupted, he got grumpy. No cat could blame him, right?

A chocolate tabby slipped out of the medicine cat den, her eyes dull with fatigue, her pelt clung to her body, without the usual shine it held, and her body frail. You'd think she was an elder, but really she was supposed to be a healthy, young warrior. Spottedfrost looked up to her leader, her usual sparkling eyes dead and lifeless. Since the fight with the badger, she hadn't been able to eat, becoming nauseated at the smell. She hadn't been able to sleep, nightmares haunting her everytime she closed her eyes. She had become weak with hours of nothingness, even after her Clanmate, and friend, Wolfheart, had recovered. She watched Hawkstar, waiting for him to begin his ceremony.

[heartnet]

Wolfheart's ears perked up at the sound of Hawkstar's call and he padded out of the warriors den, looking up to his leader in curiosity. What was this about? His friend seemed happy, so it must be good news. Wolfheart stretched and shook his pelt, fully recovered and better than ever. Except for a small scar behind his right ear, he looked like he hadn't even fought a badger. He padded up beside Spottedfrost, taking a seat beside her. He looked over to her worriedly, looking over her terrible state. While he had grown better, he had watched her grow considerably worse. And he didn't know how to help her. He nuzzled her side affectionately, giving a half smile to the she-cat that was still pretty in his eyes. Then he felt something bump into him from behind. Looking over his shoulder, he saw two familiar faces. "Lightningkit, Heronkit, what are you two doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in the nursery?" He said quietly, looking to his right at the nursery, seeing Orchidtail. "We snuck out when mother wasn't looking. We won't cause any trouble, just want to see what's going on! Please don't tell!" Lightningkit spoke now, looking up to the gray warrior with big green eyes. "You two ARE trouble." Wolfheart said, winking at the two before turning back to Hawkstar as he began to speak.

Hawkstar noticed Darkstorm's expression and smiled. 'This won't take long dear friend, bear with it.' he thought before turning his attention back to the clan. "Rainclan has been doing very well. And it pleases me to announce this. Tussockpaw, would you please come forward?" He smiled warmly to the apprentice as he indicated for him to join him.

((Are we doing Maplepaw's ceremony too?))

[;lost&insecure;]

When Wolfheart came over and sat beside her, she tried to smile, but it froze halfway. She sighed, vaguely feeling him nudge her affectionately. Spottedfrost didn't hear Lighteningkit and Heronkit pad up behind them, and when she heard one of them speak, she jumped up in the air, fur bristling, teeth bared. She couldn't make herself relax, and she whipped around, ready to attack. When she noticed it was only the two kits, she let her lip fall back over her teeth, but her dull fur stayed up.
The chocolate tabby heard Hawkstar's call. She looked back at up at him, fur still bristled, trying to smile again when she heard Tussockpaw's name. How wonderful, must mean he's becoming a warrior.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Heronkit sat beside his brother, hiding behind Wolfheart. "This was I a good idea," he meowed softly to Lightningkit. He wasn't so sure however when Spottedfrost jumped and turned of them hissing. Heronkit gave a shaky snarl and stepped back.

Desertflower beamed happily beside Darkstorm. "My son's warrior ceremony," she meowed proudly to the elder. "He has been training so hard with Ravenclaw and now, finally!" Lost for words, Desertflower turned her amber eyes back to Hawkstar.

Tussockpaw's eyes widened and he managed to stiffle an excited cry. For what seemed like a long moment he sat rooted to the spot unable to move, until his sister's voice reached him.
"Move mouse-brain," Maplepaw hissed playfully," You've earn't it." She gave him a rough nudge which forced him to rise to his paws.
Trembling, Tussockpaw padded up to the High Rock and crouched, preparing for the jump that would put him beside Hawkstar. Please don't let me mess this up he thought, the last thing I need is to end up flat on my face in front of everyone.
He sprung, scrabbled a little on the smooth surface and then stood proudly in front of RainClan.

((Yes, if you think we should. Otherwise she could stay an apprentice a little longer and make friends with Lightningkit while doing duties.))

[heartnet]

Lightningkit nodded to his brother, jumping a bit as Spottedfrost snarled, but managed to keep his fur flat. When Heronkit snarled slightly, he nudged and shushed him, looking around Wolfheart to the nursery where Orchidtail was. "Don't get us caught!" he whispered with a swipe at his brother's ear.

Wolfheart turned to Spottedfrost as she jumped and snarled at the two cats. Lately she had become more and more jumpy, not to mention wary. "Spottedfrost, calm down, it's just Heronkit and Lightningkit. You need some rest." Wolfheart murmured to her quietly with worry and concern in his voice.

Hawkstar smiled to Tussockpaw as he jumped up to the High Rock. Then he turned to the clan to speak. " I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn. Tussockpaw, do you promise to follow the warrior code and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?" he said, looking down to Tussockpaw expectantly, but with pride in his eyes.

((Let her show Lightningkit and them the ways of being apprentices first. ))

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Tussockpaw's eyes glittered and pulled himself back in an attempt to make himself look taller. He imagined all the StarClan cats staring down at him, the stars on their pelts shining brightly. He wondered if Sunpaw was watching. "I do," he meowed loudly.

Heronkit glared at his brother and curled his lips back in a silent snarl. "More like you getting us caught," he retorted quietly.

Honeyfrost leaned against Owlspot as she watched the ceremony. She couldn't be absolutely sure whether she had seen a warrior ceremony before. Either way, it was certaintly interesting.

"Ma," Littlekit squeaked, blinking bright green eyes. "Ma!"
Orchidtail flicked her bob tail in a gesture for him to be quiet. "Shush."
The small white kit frowned and sat down beside his mother with a soft thump. "Heronkit is allowed to leave the Nursery," he grumbled.

[;lost&insecure;]

Spottedfrost forced her fur to lie flat, calmed little by Wolfheart's words. She vaguely heard Hawkstar begin the ceremony, vaguely heard Tussockpaw's 'I do', she barely heard any of it. All she could hear was the pounding in her ears, and Wolfheart's words. You need some rest. She sighed, turning to the two kits behind her. "Sorry," she murmured, turning back around.

Darkstorm smiled at the she-cat. "That's wonderful," he said. Tussockpaw was finally going to become a warrior. Wait-who would clean out the elders' den now? He was all alone, sure, but Maplepaw was the only apprentice now, right? Or was he going insane and losing his mind... Hm.

[heartnet]

Hawkstar smiled, looking out to the ctas gathered below before continuing. "Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Tussockpaw, from this day forth you will be known as Tussockwind. StarClan honors your great speed and bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior of the Clan." he finished, touching his muzzle to the young toms shoulder, feeling way older in years. Images flashed in his mind of his warrior ceremony and he smiled. "Tussockwind!"

Lightningkit had turned back around, but his ears flickered at his brothers words. "I heard that. And I'm not the loud mouth making noises." he whispered over his shoulder flatly, rolling his green eyes.

Wolfheart leaned slightly against Spottedfrost to let her know he understood and that he was with her. He hated to see her like this, it pained him greatly. 'I should talk to Dawnwhisker about her change.' he thought to himself before chanting the name as well. "Tussockwind!"

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Tussockpaw, now the newly named Tussockwind, dipped his head to Hawkstar. His head was filled with chants of his fellow Clan members and he felt estatic.

"Tussockwind!" Maplepaw cheered. It would be lonely without her brother in the Apprentice Den and she would miss his quiet snuffling at night. I still have Woodpaw for company and Orchidtail's kits will be apprentices in six moons...

Desertflower jumped to her feet yowling "Tussockwind!" It was a good thing her son had his head down otherwise she would of seen his look of awkward embrassment towards her. She couldn't help herself, she was just so happy and proud.

Heronkit's blue eyes flashed with anger. He wasn't the one telling Wolfheart about how they had slipped out of the den! The kit snorted and puffed his chest out indignantly.

[;lost&insecure;]

Darkstorm yowled, "Tussockwind! Tussockwind!" Since a throng of cats was already beginning to form around the new warrior, Darkstorm backed away, not wanting to be smushed around other cats. He smiled to Desertflower saying, "Congratulations! I'm sure you're very proud of your son."

Spottedfrost leaned into Wolfheart. Yelling, throat rasping making it sound throaty, "Tussockwind, Tussockwind!" She didn't want to get mixed up with the other cats. She backed away slowly, sitting on the outskirts of the camp to watch the mayhem.

[Redcloud]

"Tussozkwind! Tussockwind!" Owlfoot cried, his mother folklowing suit. He looked to Honeyfrost, smiling. A brand new warrior in the clan. That was wonderful. Lichenpelt turned an dlooked at her son, blinking at the way he was looking at teh she-cat next to him. She smiled, looking back to Hawkstar.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

"Let's go congratulate him!" Honeyfrost announced, leaping to her paws. She hadn't noticed Lichenpelt's glance at her and bounded past her to Tussockwind.
The tom had jumped down from the rock and had been immediately swarmed by his fellow Clan members.
Maplepaw fondly flicked her tail across his shoulder, purring her congratulations.
"Oh yes!" Desertflower meowed to Darkstorm before giving Tussockwind a playful shove.
"Watch it!" the new warrior whined," You can't keep pushing me around now!"

"Heronkit! Lightningkit!" Orchidtail called out. She had noticed that her litter of five had shrunk to three but decided no to mention anything. She didn't want to interupt the ceremony.
"You two are in alot of trouble!" she scolded.
Littlekit peered at his brother's around his mother. "Knew you would get caught!" he mewed.

[heartnet]

"I can't wait to become a warrior!" Lightningkit said excitedly, his dark green eyes shining with amazement as he looked onto the commotion in front of him. He would love to feel the way Tussockwind was feeling now, everyone calling your name and coming to. And knowing that your clan loves and depends on you. It was so exciting! When he heard his mother's voice, he jumped and turned to her guiltily, seeing that he hadn't noticed the other cats disappearing and blowing their hiding spot. "We just wanted to see...." he said sheepishly, scuffling his paws.

Wolfheart had risen to his feet, about to go to the new warrior as well, only to notice Spottedfrost back away. He stopped, looking to Tussockwind before going to the she-cat. "Spottedfrost....what's wrong? You've been acting strange for days and you hardly eat." he said worriedly, padding up to her.

Hawkstar jumped down from Highrock, passing the cats and going to his mate with a smile. "He sure looks happy huh?" he said, glancing over at Tussockpaw. Then he noticed Lightningkit and Heronkit. "What did these two do now?" he said with a smile and jokingly. It was true, the two brothers were some of the most troublesome kits. And where you found one, you found the other close behind.

[;lost&insecure;]

Spottedfrost looked to see Wolfheart watching her worriedly. "It's-It's nothing," she murmured, glancing down at her paws. "I'm fine. I'm just waiting for the crowd to die down." She took a small, shaky breath. He had noticed too. "But you go ahead," she added. Of course, how could he not notice that she was could barely eat?

[Redcloud]

Owlfoot bounded after her, a smile on his face. He waited patiently, teh new warriror still swarmed by the other cats. Lichenpelt waited as well, smiling as she watched her son. He had grown.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Orchidtail nudged each kit towards the Nursery with a white paw. "You could've watched from here," she told them.
Heronkit pouted and entered the Nursery, pushing over Littlekit in the process. "We didn't get caught!" he meowed harshly.
The white tom gave a squeaky snarl and lashed out at his brother with an unsheathed paw.
Their mother sighed tiredly and looked to her mate. "The sooner they're apprentices the better!"

Honeyfrost turned to Owlfoot, blue eyes dancing. "A new warrior!" she meowed happily," And with Orchidtail's kits plus Maplepaw and Woodpaw that will be seven more. RainClan will be huge!"
Among her thoughts of expanding the Warrior Den there were plans of extending RainClan territory. They could easily take the Wetland's of AquaClan, especially since AuqaClan had been weakened by the fire. Only when Honeyfrost remembered that her brother was part of the Clan that she planned to invade did she scold herself. Burntstar had trained her too well.

[Redcloud]

Owlfoot nodded, smiling happily. "It's wonderful! We'll be able to feed everyone in the clan and our borders won't be breached if we have more cats patrolling them. We may be the largest clan yet," he puured, pushing his forhead against her flank affectionately. That fuzzily warm feeling he got around her. He now knew what it was. He loved her.

[heartnet]

Lightningkit nodded to his mom, frowning. "It was more fun out there!" he said, then noticed his brother's fighting. He got between the two, knocking them both over. "Oh stop it, we're not in trouble, so relax Heronkit." he said, rolling his eyes at his brothers. Would he always have to be the peacemaker, stuck in the middle?

Hawkstar laughed, licking his mates cheek. "Just a few more moons. Then they'll be their mentors problems." he said lightly, looking to his sons with a smile. Despite them being so different, they all shared one trait. Stubbornness. That was probably the cause for all the fights and adventures.

Wolfheart looked to Spottedfrost, a small frown on his face. "Well....alright. But promise me you'll eat something and get some sleep." he said quietly. With one last look over his shoulder, he went over to congratulate the new warrior. He felt so old, seeing cats come and go, he was sure Hawkstar felt the same. But of course, as leader, the nine lives made him probably feel young still.

[;lost&insecure;]

Spottedfrost nodded toward his back. It was a lie. Everytime she came in smelling distance of freshkill. She was nauseated. She sighed, ducking into the warriors' den. She'd congratulate the young cat later.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Orchidtail laughed and rested her muzzled against Hawkstar's shoulder. "StarClan fogrive us. Their poor mentors won't be able to take it!"

"Go away!" Littlekit spat. He was so sick of Lightingkit always pulling him away from his fights with Heronkit. Did he think he couldn't win?
"Fine," Heronkit sighed, taking a step away from Littlekit. "But he's always whining because he's too scared to come with us on our adventures." With that last jibe, the grey kit vanished into the Nursery to join his sisters.

Honeyfrost was thrilled that the Owlfoot shared her thoughts. Well, the ones which didn't involve invading other Clans for extra land. A purr rumbled deep in her chest and she buried her nose into his shoulder. She felt safe around Owlfoot, he had risked his own life at the battle to save her and she would do the same. And he actually seemed to like her despite her heritage.

[Redcloud]

Owlfoot rubbed against her, purring. He pulled away, staring at her with glittering amber eyes. He smiled widely at her, happy out of his mind.

Lichenpelt watched her son, purring lightly in her throat. She'd been gone for moons and, during her absence, he had found someone to love. That was wonderful. "Thank you, StarClan," she whispered, looking to the blue sky.

[heartnet]

Hawkstar laughed, nodding. "Yes, but a little fun can't hurt. After all, since their the sons of a leader, everyone will be watching them. They'll learn responsibility soon enough." he said, licking her cheek then looking to his kits. They were already full grown in his mind and he was seeing them as they would be. The clan would be proud.

Lightningkit glared after Heronkit, knowing the last comment wasn't necessary. Why did he have to do that? Lightningkit sighed, turning back to Littlekit. "I'm just trying to help. There was no need for a stupid fight." he said in his defense, looking to his smaller brother. "You know Heronkit is just bothering you."

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Orchidtail sighed and nodded. "I hope you are right. The way they act sometimes I don't know if they will ever learn!" She smiled and glanced into the Nursery where the tom's were squabbling again. Thank StarClan they had given her two daughters.

Littlekit snorted. "It was just a little playfight. I can fight you know. Heronkit is not so tough." He fluffed his fur up idignantly, a small scowl forming on his face. His brother's always thoughts they could boss him around but he was better than that. They would see once he was a warrior.

Honeyfrost stared back at Owlfoot, her blue eyes reflecting the love he felt for her. Heart racing in her chest she leaned forward and touched her nose to his. A gesture of affection. "Hunting?" she suggested, her voice light. "I still owe you that mouse."

Desertflower had left her son and padded up beside Lichenpelt. The once missing queen was watching Owlfoot and Honeyfrost. She smiled happily, knowing that her neice had found someone she could trust and depend on. "Those two have always been pretty close," Desertflower meowed softly to Lichenpelt.

[Redcloud]

Owlfoot nodded, smiling. "Sure," he said, tail swishing. He turned and padded toward the entrance to camp. He turned to see if she was following.

Lichenpelt turned to look at her friend, blinking. "Yeah. I know," she said, smile widening. "They may be evn more so now. I've heard stories about the battle that happened at his first gathering as deputy. Must of been terrible." She looked away for a moment, thinking of the rogue she had heard about; this Badger. She had run into a cat at the two leg nests. Scrawny little thing. He had said some things that had made her shiver and how he was looking for his big brother, Badger. Or something like that. Her memory was beginning to fail her despite her age.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Honeyfrost smiled happily, and bounded after Owlfoot. She brushed up against his side before existing the camp. "Come on!" she called back, teasing him lightly.

"Same here," Desertflower meowed. She hadn't been present at the battle with BurntClan but Faunus had made a show of telling RainClan what had happened. "Honeyfrost was fighting Badger, trying to keep him away from Hawkstar. The mouse-brained rogue didn't retreat with the rest of BurntClan and attempted to finish Honeyfrost. Owlfoot killed the rogue and saved her."

[Redcloud]

Owlfoot chuckled, running after her. He nearly caught up with her, his feet brushing the ground almost silently. He smiled widely, amber eyes glittering.

Lichenpelt nodded, looking down. "I...hear that the rogue was laughing teh whole time," she mewed, hoping that was just a story. She looked toward Desertflower, hoping that it wasn't true.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Desertflower kneaded the ground with her paws. "I'm not really sure," she meowed softly," You would have to ask Honeyfrost...or Owlfoot. But your son becomes really silent whenever Badger is mentioned."

Honeyfrost shoved Owlfoot lightly with her shoulder, dancing away. Her light build made agile and quick footed but she lacked the speed that the more muscular warriors had. "Where do you want to go hunting?" she asked.

((We'll have to make a seperate board.))