Quailpaw's Warrior Ceremony

"Let all cats old enough to gather their own prey gather beneath Tallrock for a clan meeting!" the grey and white deputy meowed as he jumped up to the rock. Today, one of his youngest daughters would become a warrior and the deputy was so proud of her. Though younger than most of his other kits, she still had the spirit and energy to become a great warrior, and he couldn't wait to give her her warrior name.

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Sitting down in the crowd of cats, Kindleblaze looked up to her father who was standing upon the Tallrock. Is he going to give some cats their new ranks? she wondered to herself, tucking her tail neatly around her paws as she waited for the clan gathering to begin.

Quailpaw, gray speckled fur ruffled from the day's training, ran into the clearing, coming to a stop with a halt. Her father was on the Tallrock, smiling down at her. What was going on? Was she in trouble? Or would she finally become a warrior? Breathless, the apprentice stared up at Smokepelt

Seeing the clan gather, Smokepelt decided to start. "Quailpaw, please step forward." Once she did, he continued. "I, Smokepelt, deputy of WindClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. She's trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in return. Quailpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" the tom asked, looking down to his daughter with a soft smile.

~~~~~

Kindleblaze listened to Smokepelt and looked to Quailpaw when the she-cat's name was called, remembering when she'd been given her warrior name. The day had been almost... magical, and although she wasn't on the best terms with her younger sister, she wasn't going to ruin Quailpaw's day to shine and now that she thought about it, she would've been furious if anyone had done so to her, so bringing up the past was probably not the best idea. Her sister deserved her warrior name and although they'd had some rocky moments, Kindleblaze made a mental note to apologize for how she acted later. Besides, it was about time that she finally made amends with Quailpaw.

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Sitting near the back of the crowd, the crooked jawed cat watched as his father called for Quailpaw. Was she going to receive her warrior name today? Although the small tom wasn't one to feel much emotion, he couldn't help but be excited for her and wondered what her warrior name was going to be. Hopefully something cool, he thought to himself quietly, moving his next back and forth as he attempted to spot Quailpaw through the gathered cats.

Quailpaw grinned up at her father, eyes wide and bright. Finally, the moment she'd been waiting for her whole life had arrived. "I do!" she meowed eagerly, tail sticking straight out in happiness and excitement.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Quailpaw, you will be known as Quailfeather. StarClan honors your loyalty, determination, spirit, and we welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan." With that, the tom jumped down from the Tallrock and rested his partially crooked muzzle ceremonially on the Quailfeather's head. Looking down her with a smile, he gave a small dip of his head towards the newly named warrior and then stepped back so that the rest of the clan could greet her, listening as they chanted her name.

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After her father announced Quailpaw's warrior name, a sense of happiness filled the she-cat as she chanted her younger sister's name. Her sister, though over protective of Ryepaw, was her sister by blood and seeing her become a warrior, Kindleblaze couldn't help but be happy for her. Unfortunately, a twinge of guilt still clung onto the back of her mind and she knew what she had to do, whether she liked it or not.

Letting out a soft sigh, the dark grey warrior quieted her voice that had been chanting her sister's new name and stood up. She had to do this... to make things right. No more feeling bad, no more sour looks towards each other, the guilt was ripping her apart and the overwhelming feeling was starting to get out of control. I just hope Quailfeather feels the same way.

Walking through the crowd and over to the grey and white she-cat with a soft smile on her muzzle, Kindleblaze gave a respectful dip of his head to the newly named warrior. Please StarClan, let her be forgiving, she prayed silently while she waited for somecat to step away from her and soon enough, the warrior soon stood in front of her sister, almost choking on her emotions. Why was this so difficult? Why wasn't she able to apologize and get it over with?

Swallowing her some of her fears (although they didn't all disappear in that particular moment), Kindleblaze stood in front of her sister, standing tall with her slender form, her grey pelt shining in the sunlight. "I-I'm sorry," she mewed softly, an small, yet apologetic smile on her face. Easily leaning over her little sister, she gave Quailfeather a gentle lick on the top of her grey forehead. Hopefully her apology would suffice, for now at least.

~~~~~

Attempting to look over through the crowd to spot his slightly younger sister, Ryepaw stretched his neck as far as it would go, although his efforts were useless. There was no possibility of him seeing over or through the crowd, and he started to get anxious. Quailpaw, was receiving her warrior name and he wasn't there to congratulate her. Some brother he was.

Letting out a soft growl, the apprentice stood up and fluffed out his fur. He might not have been one for family and being near other cats, but he wasn't going to let her think that he didn't care!

Running around the outside of the gathered cats and dragging his limp leg behind him, Ryepaw made it to the front of the clearing and spotted Quailfeather. She seemed to be talking with Kindleblaze, which he thought was odd, but he didn't stop. Racing over to his sister, the tom put the brakes on, although not soon enough. Skidding to a halt, Ryepaw just barely bumped into Quailfeather's front legs and gave his pelt a shake as he stood up, arriving just in time, for it seemed like the two she-cats had stopped conversing.

Although he wasn't too much shorter than her, he was noticeably stockier than most WindClan cats, which made him seem shorter than he actually was. Plus the fact that one of his legs was immobile put him as a disadvantage when it came to his full height. Slightly titling his head up to Quailpaw's muzzle, the apprentice gave a crooked smile because of his underdeveloped jaw, and nudged his sister's shoulder. "Goob gob," he mewed happily, standing somewhat lopsided in front of the she-cat as he put most of his weight on his forelegs instead of his hind legs.

Gustpaw had been watching from the apprentices den the whole time, as her sister got her warrior name. "Good job, Quailfeather!" As the gray she-cat padded up to her speckled sister, she gave her a swift lick on the flank, congratulating her on her new rank. "Maybe I'll be next!"

Quailfeather beamed as she received her warrior name. No one can stop me now! I'll he the best warrior WindClan has ever seen! She dipped her head in turn to her father. For all the bad things other cats said about him, he was a spectacular deputy and she knew he tried his best. To make him and Ashstar proud was all she ever wanted. Well, that and one other thing. She blushed slightly as she thought of the night she had spent with Silentpaw. Did he still feel the same way? Did she really love him? Would they he mates, have kits, raise a family together?

Turning her head, her smile faltered slightly as her older sister Kindleblaze walked up. Did the she-cat still hold a grudge against her for therir one disagreement? Bracing herself, the new warrior stood firm... as the older she-cat, seeming to wrestle with herself, apologized. More than a little surprised, Quailfeather stood there and blinked in astonishment. Her sister, always so strong and stubborn, apologizing to her? She suddenly felt slightly guilty for her apprehensive thoughts, though Smokepelt's younger daughter had personally forgiven Kindleblaze moons ago. Quickly recovering, the gray speckled she-cat let out a kind an uncharacteristically gentle purr. "Don't worry, it's okay. Let's never speak of it again."

Almost moments later, Ryepaw ran eagerly up to her, bowling almost uncontrollably into her front legs, but the gesture was adorable nonetheless. Her heart melted as her brother made his way past his speech block to congratulate her. She looked into his sweet face, eyes bright. "I'm sure you won't be far behind, Ryepaw! You've been doing great with Ashstar!" She grinned as Gustpaw joined her too. "I'm sure," she purred in response to her sister. Almost the whole family- where were Hazefur and Furzethroat?