Pinepaw and Amberpaw's Warrior Ceremony

The first leaves of the old growth trees around camp were turning yellow, an obvious sign that Greenleaf was coming to an end. The weather sure didn't seem to notice that it was supposed to be cooling, however. Darkstar leaped up to her stone, feeling its smooth surface with her paw pads, worn by the paws of the many other leaders that had called to this clan moons before. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather under the Highrock for a clan meeting!"

Blacktwig padded out of the warrior's den, tail streaming behind him like a lithe black snake. He gazed up at Darkstar, body twisting as he prepared the ground for him to sit down. He let out a long, grateful sigh that he lived in such a peaceful time after the Dark Forest's reign. His arms, as straight as the trunks of the tall oak trees, remained in front of him. He calmly scanned the area, which he knew almost too well.

The warrior's mind was swiftly at work, wondering impatiently who's ceremony this would be. It was all to hard to tell, he thought the clans should have a particular way of telling. However, being a traditionalist, Blacktwig believed it was disrespectful to break well-known customs.

He waited for the normal sound of pawsteps approaching to join him.

Sheeppaw, as soon as she heard the call, padded out of the elders' den. She had been assigned to give them their fresh-kill, but a Clan meeting had been called. She headed over, staying towards the back of the crowd, and settling down. Her blue gaze lifted to look up at the ThunderClan leader. Whose ceremony was this? Or was it even a ceremony?

Cloverpool padded out of the elder's den and joined her grandson

Blacktwig did not question the fluffy white she-cat's negligent attitude. He simply waited for the cat to pad out, who's ceremonial honour would be received soon. He guessed it would be Pinepaw, the stand-offish tom who had been seen with his little sister quite often. It was a surprise he didn't feel repugnance towards the solid brown tom, yet he didn't nonetheless. He dipped his head respectfully to Cloverpool, his great great grandmother who had joined him.

Pinepaw gathered with the cats, taking his place besides Blacktwig and joined on the other side by his sister. This was the day he was to swear his commitment to StarClan. To StarClan... As much as he hated to make false promises, he will be forced into that one, the tomcat had pondered on it, but he couldn't escape the clutch of the beliefs he did not quite share. Amaberpaw purred on uis side, but he throat emtpied into seriousness at the sight of her brothers coldness.

Silentpaw padded over and sat down near the cats. He flicked his silver tail while his light green eyes watched his mother.

Blacktwig shuddered at the tomcat's coldness, yet he knew what it was like to be forced into decisions he didn't want to make. In a way, he didn't blame Pinepaw for having no belief in StarClan; it must feel like it was being shoved down the apprentice's throat.

"Pinepaw and Amberpaw, please step forward." Once the siblings had done so, the fluffy she-cat continued. "I, Darkstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Pinepaw and Amberpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" She had a feeling of uncertainty as she gazed at the tom Pinepaw, the same as when she'd performed his apprentice ceremony. Perhaps she'd keep an eye on him. Meanwhile, the brown-furred leader hid her feelings and watched for their responses.

Blacktwig watched with no uncertainty evident in his deep blue gaze, yet his mouth curved into an uneven line. He did not pace, yet stayed still.

(also, Amberlight and Pinewhisker)

Amberpaw's eyes shone with excitement and pride as she took a huge step forward and planted herself in the middle of the gathered cats, purring deeply in her throat. She gave Cloverpool a happy grin before letting her glance on Darkstar. "I do."

Pinepaw twitched his whiskers as his gaze was let on the ground. He gulped with disbelief and disgust to himself, as he let all that nonsense fill him, but at least he was not pledging for StarClan. He stepped forward and turned his gaze to look at Blacktwig, a content look in his eyes. "I... do." he mewed, without looking at any cat.

Blacktwig settled himself. His tail rested neatly on a stick, and he did not yawn. Instead, his mouth turned to a smile as he watched the two earn their names. No matter what, it was to be a happy time for all cats. He spotted Sheeppaw in the crowd again, yet he turned his gaze away immediately. The she-cat obviously didn't like being looked at for long periods of time.

Sheeppaw watched the two littermates pledge their loyalty to ThunderClan with narrowed blue eyes. How come Pinepaw sounded so hesitant. It was only out of the corner of her eye that she saw her older brother, Blacktwig, look at her briefly. She was too busy watching the ceremony to even care. Sure, Amberpaw deserved her warrior name, but all Sheeppaw saw in Pinepaw was a lazy dormouse.

(bump)

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Pinepaw and Amberpaw, from this day forth you shall be known as Pinewhisker and Amberlight. Thunderclan honors your focus, as well as your positivity." She turned her head from brother to sister as she said their attributes, then jumped down to take part in the chanting of their new names.