Asterpaw's Warrior Ceremony

A large yawn separating his jaws, Asterpaw lay comfortably on the floor of the clearing, taking in the view of all of the clans. Although it wasn't something he often indulged in, the apprentice rather enjoyed watching cats as they went about their day. Studying how their expressions changed when they would look at a cat they loved, or how at the end of a long day they would let their guard down and their worries melt away for a brief moment to share a meal with their friends. His pale eyes darted back and forth, soaking in information - nothing that he wouldn't forget within the next hour.

The familiar call of Birdchaser caught the attention of apprentice. Standing up, he didn't bother to dust off his fur, instead just trotting over to join the crowd. He picked a spot in the back of the crowd - just after the meeting concluded, he planned to return to his spot on the clearing floor. For now, though, he would give his attention to the deputy. Surely she had something important to say.

Any attempt the apprentice made to stay aware was futile, for his mind was wandering other places. Slowly his gaze began to drift off to the side, following the path of unfamiliar cats as they carried out duties across the clearing, noting how similar some of them were to Skyclan's warriors. Birdchaser's words became nothing more than an added note to the cacophony of voices that filled the clearing - until his name came out of her mouth. Eyes focused and ears raised, his attention now belonged solely to the deputy. What was it she had said? Step forward? No way.

If it weren't for his fur, his embarrassment would be blatantly obvious in the way his ears grew warm. The one clan meeting he showed up with dusty fur happened to be his warrior ceremony? Just his luck. He'd assumed that Skyclan would wait to return to camp before holding ceremonies. Or warrior ceremonies, at least.

Filled to the brim with embarrassment and excitement, the young tom shyly walked to the front of the crowd, quickening his pace as to not hold up the ceremony, even though it was his own. After finally reaching the front, he looked to the deputy with wide eyes in an attempt to communicate his surprise. Birdchaser continued on, and Asterpaw made sure to listen well this time. Eyes shining with excitement, he nodded. "Yes.. I do."

Dusty pelt forgotten, Astershine smiled and basked in the pride that came with his new name. Ever since he'd come to Skyclan, this was the one thing he knew he had to work for. Everyone worked for this. Now he was finally a warrior, to be respected, who can do things by themselves. He wouldn't need to ask his father to accompany him when he wanted to leave anymore (even though he probably still would).

The new warrior soaked up the attention, smiling to his friends and family as they cheered him on. His gaze swept over the crowd, lingering on his father before moving on. He was happy and hopeful for the future, proud of himself for making it as far as he had. Still, the ceremony left him with one question: where would he go from here?