Redpaw's Warrior Ceremony

The days slipped by like grains of sand gathered in one's paws. As Torrentstar stood at the base of the willow tree, gazing up into its boughs, he could barely believe that this day had already come. Redpaw, who had proved herself under his training, was ready to become a warrior. When he closed his eyes, he could still see her in those first few days after birth―the tottering, defenseless little bundle of russet fur. Even for him, who had watched every step of her growth since then, it felt a little difficult to believe. Or maybe he simply did not want to believe it? Of course he was filled with pride for her. Of all his kits, she might have been the closest to him. He saw in her many aspects of himself, including her ideology. She was easily the strong, loyal RiverClan warrior he looked for in his clanmates. Because they had similar thoughts, training her had been in a breeze in comparison to training Wasppaw. He had witnessed her devotion and hard work, and he knew that she fully deserved her warrior name now. It was an occasion for joy; yet, something felt missing.

With a powerful leap, the RiverClan leader ascended onto the Willow Branch. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Willow Branch for a clan meeting!" He cried out, lashing his dark-tipped tail. This ceremony would be his first warrior ceremony... But the time when he would have been apprehensive at the thought had long passed. He had seen enough of them to know what to do, what to say.

Had he done a good job raising his kits this time? They were still alive; they were strong cats. The others would soon follow Redpaw into warriorhood. Considering his original goal, he should have been close to success. Why, then, did he feel a little empty? As if he really knew nothing about his kits, beyond how their training was progressing.

Redpaw moved forward, her chin up and her tail straight. She knew this was the day. There was no doubt of it. She had completed her training sooner than her siblings, went to the Moonstone and now that she was back, there was nothing left to do but to get her warrior name. Until now, she had lived to his father's expectations as an apprentice... but being a warrior was totally different. It meant more challenges... more obstacles to face. Her training was only preparing her for that and the young she-cat... truly hoped she was ready but at the same time, the words of Silverfang still lurked in the back of her head, as a painful reminder.

As his green gaze settled on Redpaw in the gathered crowd below, Torrentstar felt his uneasiness fade somewhat. What was there to be unsatisfied with? She was the strong, proud warrior he had taught her to be. She would survive, and RiverClan would thrive with cats like her in it. Surely that was enough... Surely he had done well enough. Forcefully pushing the uncomfortable thoughts to the back of his mind, the RiverClan leader decided to focus on the task that was at hand. There was no sunlight to waste, after all. With a sharp flick of his feathery tail, he began. "Another apprentice stands before you today, RiverClan, ready to shed her blood along with the rest of us as a full-fledged warrior. Cast your eyes on her, and behold. Redpaw, as your mentor, I have observed you to be ready at last. If you also believe this to be true, step forward now so that the ceremony may begin."

Even if this was her day of glory... her day of becoming part of the warrior community... there was something empty inside her chest she had not noticed until now... until she truly saw the emotionless face of her dad. For a second, she hesitated. Redpaw tried to push her anxious thoughts away but the idea was already impregnated in her mind: he isn't proud of you, he is not happy with this... Like a robot, the apprentice followed the order of her leader but her mind kept rushing that thought, suddenly realizing that her father did not truly show the affection of a father towards her but instead, Torrentstar just took the attitude of a mentor just doing her job. Was that all? Did she truly just meant that to Torrentstar? Another apprentice to train? That idea ached her heart but the young she-cat still decided to push forward. There was no time to waste on the weakness of mind. She could solve that issue later. Now... Riverclan needed her as a warrior.

Lifting her head to face the stoic face of the brown tom, she nodded quietly at the leader, showing that despite everything, she was ready to undertake this new life... even if she wasn't enough for her father... yet...

Dappleshine stood at the edge of the crowd, her head raised and eyes shining with pride. One of Torrentstar's kits was about to get their warrior name, and join the slim ranks of RiverClan as a warrior. She nodded to the apprentice as she stepped forward, no matter the qualm she had with Torrentstar and his words and actions at the Gathering, his kits were wonderful and she adored then from afar. Perhaps had things been different, she would have been more present. Hopefully it wasn't too late to start now.

Honeypaw sat in the crowd, ears perked as she watched her sister take a step forward and nod, ready to become a warrior. She couldn't help but feel pride for her sister, even if she was a little behind on her training...Her tail swished, wondering how long it would take for Tigerpaw to receive his name...And wished that Leafkit was still around to join them. Despite being in the same den, she couldn't help but feel like she had drifted away from her siblings, she had barely spoken with them and didn't even know how their training was doing! Perhaps when they were all warriors, she would fix that...Her eyes drifted up to her father as she waited for Redpaw to receive her warrior name...At least hoping it was possible to fix their strained family.

As expected, Redpaw came forward. Torrentstar nodded ever so slightly as his gaze met hers. He had known that she would. The faith he had in his daughter had led him to that conclusion. And because of that faith, he also knew the answer to the question he was about to ask. "I, Torrentstar, leader of Riverclan, 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. Redpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Despite her inner anxious, the question that the leader made to her had a clear answer. This was her dream, the fruit of her hard work as an apprentice. It was the end of a stage and the start of a new one. The small she-cat lifted her chin up and with a clear, yet monotone voice, she answered. "I do." She didn't want to look away but for a second, her yellow eyes drifted to see her sister, Honeypaw, seeing her ceremony. They weren't exactly close as apprentices... but a small spark of happiness showed up when Redpaw realized she was there for her, after all. Despite their growing distance... she could still count on her littermate. And hopefully... she is going to be there when her ceremony comes.

"I do." Redpaw's answer rang loud and clear in the cool evening air. There was no doubt, no uncertainty in her answer... at least, not outwardly. She was similar to Torrentstar in that aspect as well. Most of the time, they concealed their emotions skillfully. The customary questions out of the way, the RiverClan leader now proceeded on to the final portion of the ceremony. "Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From this day forth, you will be known to all as Redmask. Riverclan honours the loyalty and courage you have always displayed. As per tradition, you will hold a silent vigil tonight. Until then, however, we celebrate as a clan the rise of a new warrior. Congratulations, Redmask." As he spoke that last word, his daughter's new name, his guarded voice wavered ever so slightly, and a hint of emotion slipped into it. Are you watching this, Pebblestreak? His late mate's visage floated up in his memory. The first of our children is growing up...

He had chosen the prefix Red, and now he had chosen the suffix Mask as well. She could be a little sharp around the edges, but he knew that she was a kind cat at heart. A little clumsy, perhaps. But that was like him too. He could only hope... Hope that she would grow up to know a better future and become a better cat than he had.

"Redmask, Redmask!" Honeypaw cheered her sister's new name with the rest of the Clan, her green eyes glimmering with excitement. Redmask had done it, she had become a warrior first out of the siblings and Honeypaw couldn't help but he proud of her. Her sister deserved it and she only hoped that she would follow soon enough in her pawsteps and become a warrior...And that they would finally find the time to bond and become a family again.