Sunfur's Leader Ceremony

As the sun was beginning it's descent into evening, a cautious golden tom walked from the warrior den out into the clearing. It had been a few days since Reedstar's death, and quite frankly, Sunfur had been putting this off. Going into the unknown willingly wasn't something he liked to do very much. More like, at all. So with a weariness he sat near the exit to the camp, waiting for Fishpelt to accompany him as he had chosen her to be his deputy. Plus he didn't want to go alone, he was scared of this, scared if any pain would come along or what. There wasn't a handbook they gave out right after the previous leader died, was there? If there was, Sunfur would really like one. To tell him what was going to happen, how and where. Did losing lives hurt? He was just left out there with questions. So many dang questions...

As Fishpelt approached Sunfur, she felt mixed emotions. For one, she felt pride for the new RiverClan leader-to-be. She felt curiosity towards their eventual destination, Highstones. The grey warrior also, however, felt a heaviness in her heart at the absence of Reedstar. She was sure the entirety of RiverClan felt the grief as strongly as she did, but it was a sharp burden to carry nonetheless. Mistfeather was undoubtedly hit hard by the leader's death more than most cats, since the tom had been her mentor. Fishpelt felt bad for her, as well. On top of her undesirable emotions, Fishpelt was happy, though. A new leader meant a new start for her Clan.

"Ready to go?" she inquired as she arrived at where her deputy was seated. He looked a bit anxious."I wouldn't worry too much. StarClan are sure to give you reassurance, and your Clan will be behind you."

When the large tom heard the approaching pawsteps his ear flicking in acknowledgment, but when Fishpelt spoke he turned to look at her before he nodded. She was right. StarClan couldn't intentionally inflict pain right? They guide them and help, not hurt. So after a minute or two longer, he took a deep breath and rose to his paws and looked at the sky to see the sun already setting faster. Then he spoke, "Yes, we ought to go. And Fishpelt," he paused momentarily before continuing, "Thank you for coming with me." His statement may not have sounded like a true, proud and mighty soon-to-be leader, but everyone had these moments. But then he took a few steps toward the tunnel, awaiting for the she-cat to follow before he slipped out of camp.

"It's no trouble at all," she replied, following Sunfur out of RiverClan camp. "I've always wanted to see Highstones, anyways. I used to talk about it with my sisters when we were younger." She paused to glance back at the camp one more time, and caught up with Sunfur. She was a little worried about the camp while they were gone, but remembering that there were still able warriors around was a comfort.

Nodding, Sunfur continued walking, his head was in a far away place though. A place of wonder of what he was going to. Yet again his mind clouded with worry and wonder, distracting him from the journey at hand. Even though he knew StarClan wouldn't-possibly couldn't-deny him or kill him. But it was the fear of seeing someone also, someone he's loved but hated all at the same time. What if they were to give him a life because of their part in his life? Only StarClan, that was who knew, but soon so would Sunfur.

~~~~

As they neared closer to the ancient stones, Sunfur got even more anxious in knowing he was so close. But it was hard to physically see the worry, so he just kept walking, if anything he walked faster. But when they got to the mouth of the cave he sighed, "I think, think that is, that you must wait out here." Being as confused as he was, he had no idea whatsoever.

((Deputies wait outside right?))

Fishpelt padded up to the Mothermouth entrance and sat down, tail instinctively curling around her paws. "I don't know for sure, but my bet is on me staying out here. I don't think warriors are meant to escort their leaders to the Moonstone." Her whiskers twitched in mild amusement. "Good luck."

With a shaky deep breath, Sunfur chuckled and then turned to the pitch black cave. Slowly he padded into the darkness, his whiskers which skimmed the wall were the only thing that lead him through the darkness, followed by a faint glow as the moon to the center of the sky. Trotting to the glow, Sunfur was amazed at the sight he stood in front of. The glorious Moonstone. Before he began gawking to much at the glowing stone he sighed, laying down and crawling toward it till he was within a whisker length from the stone. After one more deep breath he laid his head on his paws, touching his nose to the rock. His light slumber was a unmoving one, as his old life was stripped away to prepare him for his nine new ones. (<looked that up xD)

As Sunfur's eyes opened, at first it was all black. Was that it? Was he a leader? All that worry for nothing? Then the picture cleared in his eyes, he stood in the middle of Fourtrees, but tis was a heavenly version. Misty and light instead of the usual dark with only the moon. But white shapes approached all around him as he stood there, all remaining soundless as they walked toward the large golden tom. Soon he recognized some of the cats, some he rejoiced to see even though he tried to remain silent himself but some he couldn't quite yet make out their faces. But as the first approached the golden tom, he raised his head in pride as if trying to impress the tom approaching him. His father, Redtalon. Looking at his father was a major blast from the past, seeing the bright amber tom made Sufur's eyes water a bit. This cat as his hero, inspiring him to become the best warrior he could be, now he was seeing him again. But the old tom in front of his made no sound other than a light chuckle and a smile. Then he spoke out, loud and proud in a voice that echoed through the clearing. "Welcome Sunfur, my son, you have come to recieve the nine lives of a leader. Are you ready?" After Sunfur gave a quick nod, Redtalon continued, touching his nose to his son's forehead "Then I shall give you your first life. With this life I give you courage, use it well to lead your Clan in even the most troubling times."

Sunfur just thought he was prepared for the lives, but he hadn't prepared for the surge of pain this brought. The pain surged through him like he was on fire and acid was dripping on him. So he couldn't help a small cry out, but silenced himself quickly by biting his tongue almost till it bled. When he regained focus on the ceremony, Redtalon had already moved back into line and the next cat stepped forward, making Sunfur smile again. His old friend, Featherpond. The grey she-cat smiled at him but continued giving him his second live, touching her nose to his forehead again, "With this life I give you patience, use it well in the training of the young of your Clan."

The same pain ran through Sunfur, burning to the bone. But this time he remained silent as Featherpond returned to the line, watching as the next cat filled her spot in front of him. A soft expression of love covered Sunfur's face, it was his mother, Wintersong. She returned his smile then touched her nose to his forehead, Sunfur bracing himself for any pain that might come over him, "With this life I give you love, use it well to care for those in your Clan." This life felt nice almost, like the sun warming him straight to the bone. Bu pain came after the good feeling, a smll surge but not like the other two.

As his mother returned to her spot the next cat stepped to give him the next life, Sunfur tensed when he saw this cat,wondering why he was here. It was the old bully from the Clan, who had died as an apprentice, Ghostpaw. The apprentice looked as wise as a elder now, a starry look in his eyes as he gazed up at the deputy. Without any real expression the apprentice touched Sunfurs forehead with his nose, almost having to jump in the process, then call out in a loud voice, "With this life I give you justice, use it well to judg right and wrong for the good of your Clan."

This pain hurt just as bad as the previous life, but without the goo feeling, it was all the pain. The next cat Sunfur wasn't sure why they were here because he really hadn't known this cat. It was an elder that had pased on when Sunfur was a kit, a young kit actually, Hollowtooth. The old tom genly pressed his node against the large toms forehead like all the others and called out, his voice no longer raspy from old age and sickness, "With this life I give you loyalty, use it well to guide your Clan in the code and never stray." This life burned, badly, the feeling left him taking deep breaths to maintain a calm demeanor. Bu he shook it off and awaited his sixth life.

Now was the old, old medicine cat, Daisyleaf, he definantly didn't know this cat but her warm smile made him seem like he had known her for his whole life. WIth a single gently movement, the she-cat touched his forehead and called out, "With this life I gice you compassion, use it well to help those who may be in or not in your Clan." This life was probably the easiest to endure, feeing a tingly feeling run through him down to his paws, almost numbing them. Surprisingly, this was the only cat that interacted with him more, she gently tapped his shoulder with her tail comfortingly and whispered, "You are almost done Sunfur, hang in there."

The first of the final three cats was yet another unknown cat, just a warrior but he was a massive white tom, starry through his coat. This cat dipped his head in greeting to Sunfur before touching his nose to his forehead, "With this live I give you forgiveness, use it well forgive the wrong done to you and come to peace with many things." This was in fact one of the worst of the lives to get, the pain rushing back, breaking through the tingly feeling of the life before. This cat quickly moved back into his spt in line for the second to last cat to come out.

Finally this cat was one he knew, a kit in which had died before they both could become apprentices. Yellowkit. True to her name, her fur was a bright gold color, and her small body loked well now. Unlike the last time he had seen her, crumpled up , ragged and bleeding. She was well muscled for a kit and she still had that gleam in her eyes, jut like always. But no she tapped his forhead gently, actually having to jump up, then he spoke out in a high-pitched voice. "With this life I give you humility, you are just a cat, remember that Sunfur." The small figure moved back in line for the final cat to emerge, Sunfur mentally gasping at who stepped out of line last.

The next and final life-giver took his time coming up. Reedstar was young now, his fur glossy and full of starlight, the gray from his muzzle was gone, and his scars seemed healed. Even still, there was a sad look to those mossy green eyes of his, and maybe a hint of relief. "Sunfur," he mewed, after a moment of silence. "I know I chose well. These are dark times, and there are few you can trust anymore." He touched his nose to his deputy's forehead. "With this life I give you honor and integrity. Use it well to do whatever is right, no matter what the cost."

Reedstar stepped back, bowing his head. "I hail you by your new name, Sunstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of RiverClan. Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity." As the cats of StarClan began to chant and cheer his name, Reedstar only smiled a sad smile and said, "Watch over my kits for me."

All Sunfur could even get out was a pitiful mew like a kit, the pain still fresh in his limbs and just at a complete loss for words. Just even hearing him say that he chose well meant the world to the golden tom, knowing he might actually have a chance at this leader thing. Bracing himself for the last life, Sunfur held his limbs firm and still like he was bracing himself for a dog to run him over. But the surge of pain hurt just as bad as when he hadn't braced himself. The pain was worse than any other, but Sunfur raised his head for the last part of the ceremony. Sunf-star smiled a bit as he heard his new name, the pain almost beginning to subside, then he nodded to Reddstar with the old toms last words to him. Then he choked out in an attempt at his normal deep tone, "I will Reedstar. I promise." It was all he could think to do for the previous leader, so he took it seriously, those cats would be protected as well as trained to follow their fathers pawsteps well. As Sunstar's vision began to fade, he quickly closed his eyes to prepare for the cool night air that he knew he would be going to. So when he awoke, he awoke with a gasp and a quick jolt to stand up. The numbing pain still tingled against his bones as he took a few breaths before exiting the cavern. With a gentle nudge on Fishpelt he spoke, his voice coming out in a...prouder tone, 

"Lets go home."