Larkpaw and Smokepaw's Warrior Ceremonies

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

Littlebrook padded out of the warriors den at Thrushstar's call, a smile on her face. Today was the day her apprentice, Smokepaw, would be getting his warrior name. She sat down in front of Jaggedrock and wrapped her tail around her paws neatly.

Larkpaw was sitting outside of the apprentice den, her tail wrapped around her paws when Thrushstar's call echoed out across the camp. She had been unwilling to spent another minute in the cramped den knowing that her warrior ceremony could be any moment. She stood up, stretching out her limbs in the cold air before briskly strolling to the center of the camp. She could only hope that this ceremony was for her - she was eager to be finally named a warrior after all that had happened. She was ready to finally be given a true symbol of her acceptance into ShadowClan once more.

Smokepaw came padding from the apprentice den shortly after Larkpaw had moved away, his eyes glimmering as he had a feeling he knew what this was for. While he knew he would miss his denmates, he was proud that he had passed his assessment and his time as an apprentice was over. His eyes lingered on the orange and black apprentice who had just moved away from the den, hurrying over to her before sitting down next to Larkpaw. While his feelings of distrust he had harbored toward Larkpaw had disappeared, he still wasn't used to her and found it rather strange to refer to her as an apprentice seeing how she was moons older then him. He wondered... "Do you think this ceremony is for you as well?" he asked, knowing that she had been given an assessment around the same time as him.

Larkpaw blinked at the voice, turning her gaze to the slightly smaller tom. She paused before shrugging, her gaze shifting back to Thrushstar. "Hopefully," she sighed softly. Her whiskers twitched at how sure he seemed this gathering was for him but it was a reasonable thought - she could spot Smokepaw's mentor looking proudly which helped his claim. She thought about saying more, but kept her eyes focused on Thrushstar - awaiting his next words on waited breath.

Smokepaw simply nodded his head at her small response and turned his gaze to Thrushstar as well. His tail tip twitched as he took in a breath of the crisp air, wondering what his warrior name would be.

When the clan gathered, the leader continued. "Tonight we gather to make... these two apprentices warriors," he said. "Larkpaw, Smokepaw, please step forward."

Both apprentice's ears perked at the mention of their name but Smokepaw was the first to move, gently leaning over and humping Larkpaw with his shoulder while giving her a large smile. He was happy for Larkpaw - he felt she deserved it and could tell how cramp she felt the apprentice den was. He stood up, taking a step forward with a flicker of his tail.

Larkpaw was speechless, barely reacting to Smokepaw gently humping into her as joy flooded though her. It was time, she would finally becoming a warrior. She quickly got to her paws after Smokepaw, taking the step forward as she glanced sideways at the beaming gray apprentice. He seemed so happy - not just for himself but for her as well and she was thankful for it as it was a clear reminder that she was accepted into ShadowClan.

When both apprentices stepped forward, he continued with the ceremony. "Larkpaw, Smokepaw, do you both promise to serve and protect this clan, as well as uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?" He asked them, surprised at how easily the words slipped off of his tongue. It had been ages since he could speak without having to stop periodically. It was pleasant.

"I do." Larkpaw was the first to speak the two words, her gaze unwavering as she stared up at Thrushstar. She had no doubt in her words - she wanted to be as loyal as she could be to make up for the moons she had been gone. She would fight and she would die for ShadowClan, she was going to be what her brother Amberclaw had not been - a true warrior.

"I do," Smokepaw echoed shortly after the older apprentice, his chest swelling up with pride as it was time - he was going to be a warrior. While he still had doubts of fighting as the idea of it scared him, he knew he would one day be called to fight for his Clan...And he would do it, despite his fears. It was the code he was sworn to follow - even if he didn't like the idea of fighting...Well, there wasn't any way to avoid it forever, was there?

With a small nod of acknowledgement, Thrush continued. "Then I hereby give you your warrior names. Larkpaw, from now on you will be known as Larksong. Smokepaw, you will be Smokestripe. We welcome you as full warriors of Shadowclan." It was wonderful to see the clan growing again. With a happy expression, the leader leaped off of the rock and let the clan finish the ceremonies.