Blackpaw's Warrior Ceremony

An important warrior ceremony was to be held today. This apprentice had been shown to be incredibly responsible and caring, not to mention that he had helped Darkstar herself and her kits escape the Twoleg nest at their own risk. Blackpaw's ceremony, in her eyes, was far overdue. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather under the Highrock for a clan meeting!" She was definitely excited for this ceremony.

Blackpaw padded up to the Highrock, glancing up with awe at the powerful, dark-furred leader. He took a seat, smiling gleefully as if he knew it was his ceremony. He didn't know, of course, yet he was excited for every single one that took place. The apprentice enjoyed the swiftly changing breeze, cool, shady spots, and patches of sunlight to bask in. Yet, that didn't mean the tom would cease to work hard. Now his gaze trained on the leader's sleek form, ears perked and stance attentive.

He awaited other cats to join him, as they clearly would every ceremony, unless delayed by injury and such. He had obtained a habitual reputation, yet the gleam in Darkstar's dazzling eyes intrigued him. He tilted his head, fur prickling tensely. He sensed this might be important for Darkstar. He had no clue it might be his own. His attitude attented to why he was excited each time, he supposed.

Cloverpool padded over from the elder's den and sat down.

Blackpaw, now perched on a small log, glanced behind him at the two cats. His gaze followed Cloverpool as she sat down. He was shaking with sheer excitement. "What ceremony is this, Cloverpool?" He chirped.

Cloverpool chuckled. "It's your Warrior Ceremony Blackpaw!" She exclaimed.

Blackpaw felt faint. "Wait, what?" He whispered in a low tone, although it was more of a surprised whisper-yell. His tail was now swishing, his head cocked confusedly. "It is?" Blackpaw asked, blue eyes widened like an owl's. He hadn't known, and the times flew by all too quickly to him.

Meadowpaw padded out of the apprentices den as Cloverpool was telling her brother it'd be his warrior ceremony. She laughed at his surprised reaction and bumped into him playfully. "Duhh, you stupid furball. Even Darkstars excited about it." she mewed to him affectionately, her tail flicking towards Darkstar. "I can't believe you get your warrior name before me!"She mewed teasingly, as she took a seat next to him.

Blackpaw turned to Meadowpaw, eyes still round with surprise. His ears flicked in Darkstar's direction. "I believe you should first, you're taller than me." The speckled tom meowed resolutely, yet teasingly. He blinked a few times.

Mosspaw padded out of the apprentice's den, and gave Blackpaw a playful kick. "You excited?" she laughed."Don't go all high and mighty on me now, though!"

Blackpaw chuckled softly. "I won't, I won't," he promised, nuzzling the apprentice gently, as opposed to Mosspaw's playful kick.

It was true, Darkstar was as excited for this ceremony as if it were her own. "Blackpaw. Please come forward." When he had done so, she smiled brightly and continued. "I, Darkstar, leader of Thunderclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn." The leader locked eyes with the young tom. "Blackpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Blackpaw held his tail high and his gaze locked with Darkstar's, after he was done padding up to the leader whom he admired so much. In his blue eyes burned the fire of determination and loyalty. He pondered the thought carefully, until finally, his decision had been made. Voice full, and head level with Darkstar's own, he mewed, "I do." As his voice rang out across the clearing, he knew he had made the right choice.

OOC: I can't keep up with my children's children's these days.

Slowly peaking from the nursery, Mistywater smiled. Her days weren't done yet for being a mother, and the kits she has right now will soon meet the same future as Blackpaw - hopefully.

Blackpaw gave a greeting flick with the tip of his tail, yet his gaze did not turn to his mother. He would greet her formally after the ceremony.

OOC: After this is done, Blacktwig will meet Emberpaw again.

"Then by the power of Starclan, I give you your new name. Blackpaw, from now on you shall be known as Blacktwig. Starclan honors you for your kindness and responsibility, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan." Darkstar made haste to jump down and join the chanting of his new name herself. She may not be Starclan, but she could see a bright future for her clan not too far ahead.