Smokepaw's Warrior Ceremony

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the willow branch for a clan meeting!" The silver leader called out to her clan, looking in the clearing for Tinytip's apprentice. It was finally time for another apprentice to ascend to the honourable rank of warrior. Good timing too.

Smokepaw walked over beneath the willow branch, trying to look as warrior-like and dignified as possible. She was certain her ceremony would be sometime soon, but didn’t want to seem like an overexcited kit. A glimmer of excitement in her eyes and an anxious flick of her tail betrayed the fact she was indeed anticipating the time she would be able to call herself a warrior.

Tinytip joined her fellow clanmates after Smokepaw, and she sat down next to her. The little warrior what this going to be and, for the first time since her argue with Batfang, she smiled. She was so happy... finally one of her apprentices was now becoming a warrior.

"Smokepaw, step forward into the light. Tinytip believe you are ready to make your choice on whether you are prepared to undertake the burden of warriorhood or not." Ivystar watched the apprentice for any decision, there had been whisperings of her doubts and that she possibly sympathised with Spotpaw and Heronpaw's cause. No cat with divided loyalties could be a warrior in RiverClan, yet Smokepaw seemed resolute and dignified. No indecision colouring her posture. Perhaps they were just rumours after all.

Smokepaw shook from head to paw as she stepped up into the light, but her gaze was determined and unwavering. She was loyal to RiverClan and RiverClan only. He had heard those false rumours flying around about her, and hated them with a passion. The war was the right thing to do. Obviously, it was pretty bad timing, but she had hoped they had taught ThunderClan a valuable lesson. She gazed at Ivystar, anxiously awaiting her next move.

"I, Ivystar, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Smokepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Her eyes glanced over to Tinytip, her mentor, once to see if her mentor would agree with her before looking back at Smokepaw to hear her reply. How would the apprentice reply? Would she crack under the pressure.

Smokepaw met her mighty leader's gaze, and in that moment, decided what she wanted. She wanted to be a strong, valuable warrior of RiverClan. "I do." She replied, her voice sounding so much more confidence than usual. She was ready to prove herself.

She acknowledged the apprentice's words with a dip of her head, before announcing Smokepaw's new status to the clan. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From this day forth, you shall be known as Smokewish. RiverClan honours your determination and fierceness."

Her gaze cut across the clearing, as if challenging anyone to question her decision. No one did of course, Smokewish had proven herself a warrior loyal to RiverClan, and thus would be treated that way. "It is tradition for a newly named warrior to take a silent vigil over the clan alone, but with the threat of ThunderClan looming, I cannot allow it. Patrols will continue as always, but the safety of our camp will be on your shoulders tonight, Smokewish. We trust you to keep us safe. May StarClan light your path."