Harefoot's Elder Ceremony

The sun’s rays began to set over the clearing of the camp. It brought well needed shade, and the promise of a cooler night. Oakstar padded out of the medicine den with a limp that had grown steadily over the past moon. His hind leg gave him a lot more trouble now, but that wasn’t important. He sighed, then turned to look towards the brown tom he had spoken to earlier.

It was what the tom wished. His ears flicked when he reached the rock. Climbing it felt like an immense task, but he forced himself to make the jump. The stone hot against the pads of his paws. It made him flinch, but he head steady.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highrock for a clan meeting!" He called, then settled down onto his haunches in the hopes of making his paws a bit cooler.

The usual lushness of ThunderClan's surrounding forest was now dry and brittle. The heat beat down on the backs of the clan's inhabitants, scorching through the leaves that once sheltered camp. It seemed everyone was a little more tired these days. Even just a walk to the Highrock took effort, the ground searing their pads. Pinepaw sat near his father and mentor; Harefoot. He was well aware of the gray hairs crowning his dad's muzzle, pairing themselves with his many battle scars. Oakstar's call marked the beginning of a long foretold ceremony; his dad was to become an elder.

The prospect of this made Pinepaw's eyes narrow. As he occupied the space next to his father - looking like a younger clone, he let his eyes drift over his dad's face. Pinepaw's heart beat with love, and yet he didn't know how Harefoot could find it within himself to retire. Wasn't the tom worried about his life? Didn't he slave himself over his work as Pinepaw did? It was strange to the apprentice that aside from their looks, Harefoot was entirely a different cat from his son. He was okay with taking a rest. And somehow, he'd come to terms with mediocrity. Pinepaw scuffed at the scorched dirt mindlessly, envying his father for this power. Nevertheless, he was happy for his dad. The apprentice gave Harefoot a handsome smile, whapping him across the back with his tail. "Go get 'em, dad. You're gonna be ThunderClan's favorite elder."

Having taken a break in camp to escape the heat of the day, Cherryblossom had been chilling in the warrior's den. When she heard Oakstar's call, she pushed her way out and sat below the Highrock with her Clamates.
Hopefully it's just a ceremony this time...

Ferretnose pressed her flank to her mate's, her tail gripping his for a fraction of a moment before it loosely dropped to her hocks as the pair walked up to the Highrock. It was a decision she was almost loathe to let him make. He had let her know before, of course, and though she had more assertive tendencies than her love, she knew in her heart that he wouldn't backtrack on this choice... not even if she grumbled about it. And truly, there was nothing to grumble about. It was a great honor. Harefoot had sacrificed so much for his clan. But she couldn't shake the sadness of never enjoying the simple thrills of warriorhood with him ever again. And though her bones ached more today than they did last moon, and though her pelt was greying and becoming dull, and though she never really lost the huskiness she had acquired as a queen, she wasn't ready to quit just yet.

Perhaps it was the fear that she would not survive to share peace with him that unnerved her the most. Ferretnose inaudibly let a gust of air expel itself from her lungs. She tapped Harefoot's nose with her nose, a gentle boop. "I'm sneaking into that den to be with you every night," she whispered playfully into his ear. "I'd like to see them try to stop me!"

Beecloud sat near Pinepaw, smiling and flicking his tail excitedly as the meeting began. He turned to his brother, nudging his shoulder. "Think you'll live that long?"

Cedarheart settled in quickly beside her family. The four of them were all together, and that was important. She had lost many siblings, but Pinepaw and Beecloud were still here. Her brothers gave her so much joy, and she hoped they would live long, happy lives. Harefoot had been pretty old when she was born, older than most new fathers. It made sense he would be retiring, and he deserved it. But she also knew what that implied. He had reached an older age. Losing her littermates was one thing. But she hadn’t known them as well as she knew had father. How could she, when they never earned their ‘paw names. She shared so many bonds with Harefoot, and sooner rather than later, he might join the ranks of Starclan. That was why she vowed to spend a lot of time with him, so they could enjoy every moment. A smile splitting on her face, she joined the conversation. ”You’ll be able to eat with the kits and queens, while us 3 will be slaving away catching you food!” she teased lightheartedly, giving him a playful nudge.

Harefoot walked with Ferretnose, tail locked gently with hers, and sat next to his sons with a deep purr rumbling in his chest. He was ready for this ceremony and his family seemed to accept it gracefully. Thanks to that mangy mutt that had thrown him farther than he could leap, the grizzled warrior's shoulder clicked with every step and his spine hurt whenever he slept wrong. He figured that since he felt the aches and pains of an elder, he might as well admit his defeat in the hands of time and accept his new life of limitations. The was no glory in forcing oneself to suffer, or so Harefoot's philosophy went. Cedarheart joined them, and he felt his heart well up with love as they teased and laughed and said guarded but adoring words to him. The family of five had experienced loss and suffering together, but now they were experiencing closeness and bittersweet joy together. Truly, Harefoot couldn't ask for more from life. He laughed lightly along with them, glad to see Beecloud and Pinepaw seemingly getting on well. "I'm looking forward to it, Cedarheart! Make sure you bring me plenty of voles, dear. Plump ones! I want to be able to share. Then I'll really be everyone's favorite." He meowed with a wink at Pinepaw.

The gray-muzzled tomcat saw his former apprentice, Cherryblossom, in a different part of the crowd. He'd shared his intentions with his mate and children, but aside from the higher ranks, no one else in the Clan knew for sure what this ceremony was about. He beckoned her over with a welcoming sweep of his tail and a kind smile, wishing for her to be close. He wasn't expecting to die anytime soon, but he wanted her to be with his family so that they would have each other if the unexpected did happen, as it tended to do. Harefoot then politely turned his attention up to Oakstar. Sympathy reflected in his green eyes; Oakstar had been a well-established deputy when Harefoot was kitted. If Oakstar stepped down and joined Harefoot in the elders' den, he would have no complaints or arguments against it; but if he continued to lead, then Harefoot would support him and cheer him on every step of the way. Leaders and deputies had a special kind of strength that he deeply respected, and his high admiration for the ThunderClan leader shone bright in his green depths.

"One of our warriors, who has served his time well, has expressed the desire to retire from his life as a warrior." Oakstar began, hopefully he could quell the concerns from a few cats before it became worse. Instead, he smiled down at Harefoot, his tail flicked in its usual beckoning gesture during ceremonies.

"Harefoot. Is that still your wish?" He asked, though there was little doubt. The attack had done a number on the tom. All the battles had… it was strange. In some ways, he still remembered seeing Harefoot as a kit. With big lumbering paws and an awkward gait. He’d watched the tom grow, become a sturdy and noble cat who fought and hunted for his clan without pause.

He was a true warrior, and he blinked at the acceptance. Nodded his graying head. There wouldn’t be any denial then. He couldn’t deny a good warrior a peaceful retirement.
"Harefoot. You have been a great warrior. You have fought tough battles, and hunted no matter the weather. You have kits, who are now grown. More importantly, you’ve been an excellent friend and mentor to many here, and I doubt any cat here would deny that your value to ThunderClan as a warrior is tremendous. I hope that Starclan lets you enjoy many moons of rest. You’ve earned each and every one."

Pinepaw's attention was pulled away from his father as Beecloud nudged his side, asking the tom if he thought he'd last that long. The apprentice frowned, imagining that it'd be quite dull to become an elder, such a thing may have suited Harefoot, but it wouldn't really suit him. When Pinepaw's life ended - which felt like it'd be moons and moons from now, he'd want to go out in a memorable way. "Nah." Pinepaw answered his brother with a large grin. "I feel like it'd make me boring."

Ferretnose and Cedarheart quickly joined the trio, the family of five standing together in the clearing under Oakstar's eye. There was a comment about voles, which had Harefoot casting a cheeky wink in Pinepaw's direction, mewing that such a thing would really make him the favorite of the elders. The apprentice only stuck his tongue out at his father in return, eyes filled with love. Becoming an elder was not for every cat, but if his father was to retire, then Pinepaw would support him.

Oakstar's deep voice echoed from the Highrock, confirming what the family already knew, and easing the fears of the rest of ThunderClan. It was official now, Harefoot was no longer a warrior. He'd become one of ThunderClan's beloved, an honor, one that'd he'd earned well, Pinepaw thought. As the clan rose into cheer, the younger tom made his way to his dad's side, butting heads lovingly.

"Harefoot! Harefoot! Harefoot!"

As the news rang out that Harefoot was retiring, Cherryblossom rose to her paws, chanting loudly with the rest of the Clan. She then turned and approached her former mentor and his immediate family, a warm smile on her face, and a purr rising in her throat.
"Thank you for teaching me all that you know, and being like a father to me. I'll be sure to visit you from time to time, and bring you the best prey I can find! You deserve many moons of rest and relaxation."

Cedarheart smiled as she watched the ceremony, and her voice rang out with the rest of the gathered clan. ”Harefoot! Harefoot!” she chanted. The warrior leaned in toward hr father, [color:2fd8=ffcc00]”I love you, dad.” she whispered, pressing her head against his side momentarily. As Cherryblossom thanked Harefoot, the tabby realized just how loved her father was. He had mentored multiple cats, fathered kits, had two mates who loved him a lot. He had really lived a good warrior’s life.