Cricketpaw's Warrior Ceremony

"Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the Tallbranch for a clan meeting!" Bloodstar hoped he kept his teeth chattering out of his words... But stars was it cold! Once the warrior ceremony was complete, he was likely going to go out and find more insulation for his nest. This leaf-bare couldn't be over any faster. The snow was sticking to his paws... and now his behind as he sat it down on the Tallbranch... and making his life utterly miserable.

Cricketpaw knew what was happening as the leader's call rang out. Excitement made it so he hardly felt the bone-penetrating chill. It had been his moonstone journey not long before and there was no denying the skill that had only grown within him over these moons. While he'd had to wait a tad longer than normal, likely due to his knack for getting himself into unfavorable circumstances, it seemed Bloodstar was willing to finally give him a chance to prove himself in warriorhood. The young tom had grown slightly, matured only a bit from the mischievous apprentice who lead his denmates out of camp in the middle of the night. But there was still plenty more to learn. Although his gaze had immediately fixated on the clan leader, he glanced around for Yewpaw, hoping to share in this moment with his brother. Measures of sadness bubbled up in his chest as he was hit with the realization this would pull them further apart. Hopefully, Yewpaw would earn his name soon after.

"Skyclan, a new warrior joins our ranks today. Cricketpaw, step forward. I, Bloodstar, 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. Cricketpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

He was sure Cricketpaw would, but tradition was tradition and he had no choice as leader but to follow it. Same questions, same answers. At least the apprentice, soon to be warrior, looked excited. Bloodstar offered him a smile, at least sharing that enthusiasm a bit. Skyclan always needed more warriors. There would never truly be enough.

Before he could lay eyes on his brother, the Skyclan leader was calling his name and calling him forward. Admittedly, the honor of such a ceremony was lost on him but he'd seen enough to know what role he was to play. Cricketpaw padded forward and looked up at Bloodstar, hardly hearing the words that were said, waiting for the question to be asked, and then it was his time, "Yes, Bloodstar, I will." Even if he hardly knew what he was promising himself or the dedication warriorhood involved - Cricketpaw was ready.

Cricketpaw took his oath and Bloodstar nodded satisfactorily. He believed him. Despite being a bit on the mischeivous side, the young tom had a good heart. Bloodstar himself left camp a lot as an apprentice... so deep down he didn't disapprove that much. Cricketpaw didn't need to know that though.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name, Crickethop! SkyClan honors your loyalty and courage."

Bloodstar jumped down from the Tallbranch and landed in front of the newly named warrior. The snow... he was expecting to maybe not be as deep as it was and a brief flash of surprise showed on the leader's face as he sunk through more than he was expecting. Recovering his dignity quickly, he rested his chin on Crickethop's head.

"Congratulations, Crickethop!"

Crickethop!

Bloodstar said the name and he could hardly believe it - he was really a warrior. As the ritualistic yowls rose up around the camp, Crickethop beamed, the broad smile nearly stretching the length of his maw. He lacked the true and in depth understanding of what it meant to be a warrior and that made the moment all the more sweet. There was a mixture of satisfaction and disappointment as he found the familiar pelt of his brother. To the tom, he offered a stiff nod. Tonight he would sit vigil, and tomorrow... they would sleep a den apart.