Harrierpaw's Warrior Ceremony

This ceremony was a long-awaited one, as well as being a ceremony that every cat needed. Dogs had raided Shadowclan's camp while Shadowclan was missing five of their warriors, sent off to investigate a prophecy, there they had found some of their remaining clanmates and had rescued them. That was not long ago now, but Shadowclan was still recovering. Herbs were in scarce supply, barriers and dens had to be patched up but wounds had to also heal. Nightstar was certainly feeling his wounds as he jumped onto the jaggedrock with a visible cringe, having been made into a chew toy for both dog and monster. But ceremonies were not to be delayed, especially with such dire conditions.

"All cats old enough to silently stalk in the shadows, gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock for a clan meeting!" Nightstar yowled, doing his best to sound strong. But the young leader did not feel like it.

The fight against those dogs ended up as well as it could have. What mattered most was that they were gone, and no one was killed. Though it did sadden her that she wasn't able to do much for her clanmates, but she fought as hard as she could.

The moon must keep rising. Harrierpaw knew what today was and it would not be put off any longer. She sat in shadows reach of Jaggedrock, tired.

"Today we are all to witness the naming of a new warrior. Harrierpaw, please step forward." The tom sat silently as the apprentice did so. "I call upon all those present and watching to gaze upon this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of our noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Harrierpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Nightstar meowed, looking down at the apprentice below him. If any cat deserved their name, it was certainly Harrierpaw.

She looked up to Nightstar, their one on one not lost on her even moons after. She hoped Nightstar was proud of her for making it this far, upholding ShadowClan's beliefs to the best of her ability. A part of her wanted to cry, being an apprentice for so long started to become who she was. But she couldn't continue to hold back her clan. Today she would grow, tomorrow she would rest. And the cycle would continue again. "I do."

"Then it is my honor to name you a warrior before all witnesses present. Harrierpaw, from this day forward you will be known as Harriertalon. ShadowClan honors your loyalty and adaptability, and we are proud to welcome you as a warrior in our ranks." Nightstar called, looking down proudly at his apprentice before he leaped from the rock, landing strongly in front of the apprentice, now warrior, and touched his nose to the she-cats. "Congratulations, you will be a fine, strong warrior, a great asset for Shadowclan to have. Enjoy a little bit of time with your peers, and take up your position for your vigil. You have come a long way, be proud of it." When he was done speaking, the tom backed up a bit with a nod before he let the new warrior go free.

Dull pain ran down the tom's back, but there was a ceremony being held, and a very important one at that. It seemed that everyone gathered knew who was earning their name today. A slight smiled etched its way on the warrior's face as he watched the ceremony unfold. Harrierpaw deserved this. Despite not having Shadowclan's blood in her veins she had been a loyal apprentice, and he was excited to see what she would accomplish as a warrior.

Sablestrike was among the first to begin calling out his new denmate's name, lightly bumping her with his shoulder. The action sent a spike a pain through him, but that pain was second to the excitement he felt. "Congratulations Harriertalon! I guess you'll be sleeping in the warrior's den soon, took you long enough." Perhaps he'd sneak out during her vigil to prepare a nest for her, if Leopardsun hadn't done so already.

Harriertalon! She liked that name, it pointed out her obnoxiously long claws almost like a warning. She turned to her clanmates, her name being called sent a wave of bubbling happiness that escaped in a loud purr, only growing louder when Sablestrike bumped her shoulder. "I look forward to spending more time with you and the other warriors. It really has taken too long." Her green eyes sparkled with pride. She would show not only Sablestrike and Nightstar, but the rest of ShadowClan what she could do.

Snowfoot stepped forward and lightly brushed against her niece. “I knew you could do it,” she mewed. “Don’t worry about how long it took, life’s been rough for us all lately. Trust me, we’re all just glad you’re here.”