Maplepaw's Warrior Ceremony

She'd been waiting a while to be able to perform this ceremony; it seemed like seasons since she'd down Maplepaw's apprentice ceremony! "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under the Highrock for a Clan meeting!"

Padding out of the apprentices' den for the last time, Maplepaw sat own in front of the Highrock, knowing it would be her time, and she would finally be a warrior. She'd had no idea why it had been held off so long, but what mattered is that it was finally here, and she would be a warrior at long last.

Emberheart trotted forward, ears pricked in interest. The bright auburn queen settled herself near the Highrock, tail curled around her kits.

"Wow!" Amberkit yelped in excitement, wriggling where she sat. "What's happenin'?"

Emberheart quieted her—"Hush! You'll see,"—licked the excitable kit one last time to make sure her fur was at least okay to look at, before her attention returned to Darkstar. 

She knew the kits weren't actually supposed to be here; but Amberkit had begged so much, and it was hard to turn her down. Besides, what real harm could they do?

"We gather here tonight to make an apprentice a warrior." Darkstar tilted her head slightly towards the apprentice. "Maplepaw, please step forward."

Stepping forward, Maplepaw smiled and looked up to Darkstar with a grin appearing on her muzzle.

Pinewhisker smiled encouragingly to his apprentice, his eyes landing on Amberkit with a small smile. So Emberheart couldn't help it, but bring the kit. Pinewhisker didn't know whether to be annoyed, neutral or bemused. As much as he loved her, she had an omnipresent behaviour of breaking rules.

After seeing the apprentice do so, she continued. "I, Darkstar, Leader of Thunderclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in his turn. Maplepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

PInewhisker nodded solemnly at Maplepaw, feeling himself flowing with pride.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Maplepaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Maplecloud. StarClan honors your hunting skill and your kindness, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan." Darkstar then almost slid down the Highrock to join in the chanting of the new warrior's name.

"Maplecloud, Maplecloud!" Pi ewhisker cheered for his apprentice with a huge smile. He bounded up to her, brushing his chocolate pelt to hers and nodding his aprooval.