Nightpaw’s Warrior Ceremony

At last, it was time for Nightpaw to become a warrior. Despite obvious setbacks, including all but losing his father, his mentor being exiled and suddenly reappearing again… He’d done it. Crimsonflame had confirmed it, and he’d taken his moonstone journey. His training was complete. Leaping onto the Tallbranch, Briarthorn fluffed out her fur and prepared herself before calling the Clan together. ”All cats old enough to climb a tree, gather beneath the Tallbranch for a Clan meeting!” She called out.

Though he couldn’t be certain, Nightpaw had a feeling his time to shine was near. It had to be. He’d done all the training he could, and taken his moonstone journey, after all. When he heard his mother call the Clan together, he felt excitement building. He had been just outside the camp entrance with Moonlily, making sure she had enough to eat and was taking care of herself. He turned to look at her, eyes sparkling. He tilted his head to show her that he was going into camp- he wasn’t going to ask her to come with him, he couldn’t bring himself to force her to make that decision. Part of him hoped she’d follow, though. Fluffing out his fur, he walked into camp and sat down just beneath the branch where his mother perched, hoping to StarClan that it was his turn.

Briarthorn watched as Nightpaw padded into camp, assuming he was with Moonlily. She offered the young tom a very slight smile, the only indication that this was for him. Keeping her gaze settled on the tom, she began. ”Today, we gather to witness the rise of a new SkyClan warrior. Nightpaw, please step forward.” Once he did so, she nodded in approval and continued, just as she would with any other ceremony. ”I, Briarthorn, call upon our warrior ancestors to look down on 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. Nightpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?” She mewed, pale green gave unwavering.

Moonlily sat at the edge of camp, watching her brother's ceremony with a keen eye and a smile. Maybe, just maybe, she'd work up the courage to come congratulate him in person... That was still to be said, though. Nevertheless, for the time being, the she-cat would continue to watch in support.

So, Nightpaw’s suspicions were correct, then. His mother was performing his ceremony. He was finally going to be a warrior! He stepped forward excitedly when she instructed him to, eyes sparkling with joy, tail swishing with excitement. When she asked him to take his vow of warriorhood, he confidently nodded his head, ears perked. ”I do.” His heart was going as fast as a hare could run… No, faster. Anticipation filled every fiber of his being. A quick glance to hid left showed that Moonlily was watching… He snuck her an excited grin before turning his full focus back to the Tallbranch and his mother.

With Nightpaw’s vow being taken, Briarthorn cleared her throat and continued. ”Very well, then. From this day onward, you shall be known to all as Nightbird. SkyClan honors your charisma and curiosity. Congratulations, Nightbird.” Leaping from the branch, Briarthorn wasted no time in approaching her son and nuzzling him gently on the head, whispering congratulations to him, and telling him how proud of him she was.

Nightbird... It was lovely. Quite a lovely contrast to her own name, Moonlily. They both represented some type of evening nature, in a way. Still, that was her cue. A deep breath, and the molly rushed into camp, straight to her brother. She didn't even dare look at any other cat, not even her mother, as her head went to collide with the new warrior's shoulder. "Nightbird! Nightbird! Congratulations!" She purred. "I'll keep you company tonight during your silent vigil, don't worry." It was probably the happiest the she-cat had been in camp in a long time, and she was incredibly proud of the tom. He'd been so kind to her, and it certainly wasn't going without recognition on her end. Moonlily had never expected him to spend all that time outside of his comfortable nest with her, yet here he was. He more than deserved his warrior name, just for the care he gave to his clanmates alone.