cloudypaw's warrior ceremony

Cloudypaw raised his head at Mottlestar's call. What now? The white tom had to turn his head all the way to the left just so he could see the leader's expression. Bitterness welled up in him. This is really how I'm going to spend the rest of my life, huh? The apprentice trudged over to the crowd, barely paying attention to what Mottlestar was saying. He could feel a cat flinch away as he brushed past, which only served to make his fur bristle.

Even as the ruthlessness of the forest seemed to rage on, she still recognized the talent that blossomed within. Cloudypaw had been no exception, and she already had a name in mind for the young tom. "Cloudypaw, step forward." She nodded towards him. Already, the apprentice surpassed her in height. it was simply part of her smaller build, but made for a slightly amusing scene at times.

"You have trained hard in learning the ways of our Clan, and I feel it is time to earn your warrior name and full place within Thunderclan. But you must also pledge this is the life you wish to continue to lead. Cloudypaw, do you promise to defend Thunderclan and uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?" She hadn't been informed of what had happened to cause Cloudy's singular bad eye. But she knew, deep down, that he would still be a fine warrior. The way she regarded him with her motherly gaze spoke as much. Mottlestar thought no less of the tom in front of her. After all, she herself bore injuries that would impact her for the rest of her days.

Cloudypaw's head jerked up at the call of his name. His... warrior ceremony? He stood there, forzen. After a few minutes, the information finally registered in his brain. He was going to be made a warrior! Despite- despite his eye? His remaining blue eye searched his leader's. There was nothing but warmth there. Could he truly be...? "I do," Cloudypaw said, voice soft but loud enough for his leader to hear.

There was speaking a word, and there was meaning the words that you Spoke. Mottlestar herself knew the difference. That warmth only continued to grow once the apprentice had said those final words. Those promising words, that signed his fate. She could see the surprise that had registered, and she met it with confirmation. Yes, it was his warrior ceremony.

"Then Cloudypaw, let it be through the powers of Starclan that we shall call you Cloudypaw no longer. You have grown beyond that name, into a true warrior of Thunderclan. Even in your youth, you have shown your dedication to your Clan in battle, and have already sacrificed much. Even when the clouds seem to block your path, you have shown that you will chase beyond them. You deserve your name more than words can say." She spoke partly for the tom himself. For him to truly know that yes - his leader did feel that he deserved it.

"From this day forth, you shall no longer be Cloudypaw, and I have the privilege to be the first to recognize you by your new name." She wasn't delaying to think of what to call him. No, she wanted it to truly sink in for the tom. He was worthy. As well as the fact that she had given a slight hint to his name. A name worthy of a tom who, even after losing an eye, continued to fight. Continued to see beyond the haze of the fluff that dotted the sky. What was behind the clouds? Day. Sunshine. A blaze of a star, one that would never fade.

"Cloudychase, I welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan."

Cloudychase starred at his leader. It was slowly sinking in: his warrior ceremony just happened, no, just finished. He was now Cloudychase. It sounded cool. It sounded awsome. It sounded like the heroes he grew up hearing about. It sounded nowthing like how he felt. But if Mottlestar believed that he deserved that name... who was he to disagree? The tom's single eye shone with renewed hope.

Copperlark watched the ceremony with bored eyes. The words hardly seemed important to her. The ceremony moved at the speed of light, and when it finished, she shook her head and made to leave. Was she forgetting anything? Probably not, the feeling had clung to her for days. Whose ceremony was this again? She turned her head to look at the cat beside Mottlestar, green eyes connecting with blue. Oh, it was her brother's. Copperlark held his gaze for a moment, a mask of indifference all over her face. What was she supposed to do, cheer out his name as if he had just completed a miracle? Nearly every cat in the clan had done the exact same thing, Cloudypaw didn't need to have such a proud look on his face. Jealousy, not that she'll ever admit it, made her gaze especially harsh as she turned away. She suddenly remembered what she had previously forgotten: cheering Cloudypaw's new name. This time, however, it was a choice not to.

“Cloudychase! WOOO!” Blazefang hollered, her voice reaching above the crowd. She dashed forward to offer her son a nuzzle. “I’m so proud of you, kiddo!” This one had survived. Her kits would survive.