Mousepaw and Foxpaw's Warrior Ceremonies

"Let all cats old enough to capture their... own prey gather underneath Jaggedrock for a clan meeting!" Thrushstar yowled.

Foxpaw padded up to the Jaggedrock, her head and tail high and her eyes burning with fire. She was ready to earn her name, and had no doubt that Thrushstar would give her a name that would be etched into history, even if he was a crazy old tom.

Mousepaw watched from the back, practically writhing with jealousy. How could Foxpaw be qualified for her name, but not him? He was just as good, if not better. He sulked in the background and huffed quietly to himself at his misfortune.

Looking down at those who gathered, Thrushstar continued. "Tonight we gather to make these apprentices warriors," he said. "Mousepaw, Foxpaw, please... step forward."

Foxpaw looked back in surprise as she heard Thrushstar call out Mousepaw's name before her own. The she-cat scoffed. It was her apprentice ceremony all over again. Couldn't she be the center of attention for once?

"What's your warrior name going to be? Mousedung?" she hissed under her breath, making sure the leader couldn't hear her insult before stepping forward.

The tom was equally surprised. His entire demeanor shifted, and his chest swelled in pride. Mousepaw stepped forward next to Foxpaw, his tail lashing at her comment. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it's a hundred times better than whatever you get." He muttered back to her, too distracted to think of a better comeback.

"Do you to promise to serve... and protect this clan as well as uphold the... warrior code, even at the cost of your life?" he asked.

Foxpaw scoffed at Mousepaw, a small smirk plastered to her face after his weak attempt at a comeback, and nodded. "I do."

"I do." His voice joined hers. He wasn't thinking about the words themselves or their significance, but instead on how well their meows rang together, surprisingly complimentary. Usually they were raised in some kind of argument. Mousepaw wondered if Thrushstar could see the tension between the two almost-warriors or if he was entirely oblivious.

"Then from now on, Mousepaw, you will be known as Mousefang. Foxpaw, you will be known as Foxheart. We... welcome you as full warriors of Shadowclan." With that, Thrushstar obliviously leaped down and crawled back into his den.