Lichenpaw's Warrior Ceremony

"Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather before me for a clan meeting!"

The sun was high, and a thick, wet heat clung to Wolfstar's fur as he stood at the entrance of his den. Today, Lichenpaw would become a warrior. Even though he didn't agree with everything the tom had done, he was still proud of his grandson, and was eager to see him on to the life of a warrior.

The heat was muggy, and Lichen shook his fur lightly as he rose from where he had been enjoying a quick meal. Wolfstar was calling a meeting, probably for some sort of ceremony. Now that he thought about it, he would earn his warrior name soon...Maybe. If he deserved it. The events of late, fighting Dawnhawk...it still haunted him, more than he had expected. But Wolfstar's word was law, he supposed, so he licked the mild gore from his whiskers and moved to sit before the Tallbranch expectantly.

After the clan had gathered, and Wolfstar picked out Lichenpaw's pelt among the crowd, he continued. "We gather here today to give one of our clanmates their warrior name, and rank - Lichenpaw, please step forward." He shifted from one paw to the other, waiting, and then finally once the warrior-sized apprentice moved forward, he continued.

"I, Wolfstar, call upon our 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. Lichenpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Lichen's eyes widened in surprise as Wolfstar called his name. It really was his ceremony. Hurriedly smoothing his chest fur down to make himself look a bit more presentable, he stepped forward as he was told, gazing up at his grandfather.

Even at the cost of his life. If that wasn't the most honorable death one could have... Lichen swallowed hard, pausing momentarily, then mewed loud enough for all to hear, "I do."

Without wasting any time, Wolfstar continued. No sense in giving him time to change his mind and abscond again to StarClan knows where.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name: Lichenblaze, StarClan honors your energy and charisma." He slid down and padded forward to touch his nose to Lichenblaze's.

Lichenblaze.

The newly-named warrior let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, bumping his nose to Wolfstar's in return. "Thank you, Wolfstar." he murmured in earnest, only loud enough for the two of them to hear. Now it was time to truly prove he was worthy of the title of warrior.

Beechface poked her head out of the medicine den at Wolfstar's call, a quick hint of a smile crossing her face as she padded towards her gathering clanmates. She knew what today was, and she was glad it was finally happening. She spotted her brother among the gathering cats, and when he was called forward by Wolfstar, her grin returned. Lichen had been an apprentice for some time even after returning to the clan, but she thought he was finally ready to move on up in the world. Lichenpaw said his vows, the ceremony progressed, Wolfstar gave him a new name...

Lichenblaze.

Beechface had thought he was finally getting the hang of naming warriors after he'd named Birdsong. She'd been wrong. Very wrong. She exchanged a look with Smokefeather, who had limped over and sat next to her, then sighed as the ceremony was completed. Terrible name aside, she was proud of her little brother.

"Lichenblaze! Lichenblaze!" Their voices rose with the rest of the clan, and when the chants died down a bit, Beechface stepped forward to affectionately bump her head against her brother's shoulder with a grin. "Lichenblaze! Congratulations!"

Smokefeather limped over too, a spark of emotion in her dull gray-green eyes that for once wasn't bitter anger or grief. She was smiling, even. "I'm proud of you, Lichenblaze."