Lionpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Ashstar leapt onto the Tallrock. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather underneath the Tallrock for a Clan meeting!" she yowled.

Lionpaw padded out of the apprentices' den, freshly groomed, mane of ginger fur fluffed up. He was ready to become a warrior- gain access to Kore prestige within the Clan, be regarded, finally, for his strength. He was ready to get his warrior name. Now, in accordance with the stories, he needed a rare, majestic name. Lionshine? Lionthorn? Lionflame? Lionheart? Yes, he liked that one. Lionheart.

Nightheart walked out from the warrior’s den when she heard Ashstar’s call, stretching to get rid of the drowsiness that always followed those short naps that you took when you finished your duties and were left without anything else to do.

Her eyes landed on Lionpaw and a smile soon could be seen forming on her muzzle as she noticed his excitement. She knew how great it felt to finally leave behind your apprentice name to become a full warrior after all.

Ashstar nodded at the ambitious apprentice. Hopefully his mentor Spiderfur had taught him some patience; she was a sensible she-cat. "I, Ashstar, leader of WindClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn. Lionpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" She stared straight into the tom's eyes. She saw in him the same ambition as her former friend, Kestrelstorm... It had brought him only pain. She hoped Lionpaw didn't make the same mistakes.

Lionpaw stared coolly back into the leader's eyes. "I do," he meowed smoothly. Lionheart- name me Lionheart!

The leader looked at him for a moment more, then nodded. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Lionpaw, from this moment you will be known as Lionfur. StarClan honors your courage and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan." She leapt down and rested her muzzle slightly on his head.

Lionfur was outraged. Of all the common, petty names to give him-! Then he composed himself. It didn't matter. He just had to be humble. This was yet another test from StarClan. "Thank you, Ashstar," he purred gracefully.

Spiderfur sat contentedly at the edge of the crowd and cheered for her now former apprentice. "Lionfur! Lionfur!" She could see a flash of frustration on his face, and it almost made the little she-cat laugh. He was always just a tad self-centered, so it wasn't that odd that she felt a bit of amusement every time he tried to hide it.