Dawnpaw's Warrior Ceremony

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under the willow branch for a clan meeting!" Ivyfall called out from the willow branch, she looked a bit thin and ragged after her bout of illness. Luckily, the greencough didn't leave her too crippled, she was breathing normally again and ready to lead her clan as deputy once more.

Dawnpaw knew what was coming. She had been waiting after her assessment and could barely contain herself. Eagerly she stepped out from the apprentices den and peered up at the deputy. She had come so far - she was no longer the little kit in the nursery, thin and tiny. No, she was a sleek, well-kept cat with a mackerel tabby pelt.
And she was about to become a warrior.

"Dawnpaw, please step forward." Ivyfall commanded, looking down fondly at the mackerel tabby, there was strength in her looks and her pelt was well oiled. She was an exemplar RiverClan cat.

Dawnpaw gazed up at Ivy fall with an excited expression. She had waited so long for this - now it was time. Eagerly, Dawnpaw stepped forward.

"I, Ivyfall, Deputy of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in turn. Dawnpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Ivyfall queried, looking down at the apprentice.

"Yes," she mewed eagerly, looking up at the Riverclan deputy. It was all so exciting... just standing where she was, listening and watching Ivyfall, with her clanmates gathered around, made her feel so alive. She was about to become a warrior, and it was the greatest moment of her life so far!

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Dawnpaw, from this moment you will be known as Dawnsong. StarClan honours your patience and fortitude, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan." With that, the ceremony was finished. The deputy waited for the clan to begin chanting before she joined in shouting the new warrior's name.

Dawnsong beamed at her new name. It was beautiful - she loved it. She grew even more happy when the clan began chanting her name.

Smlkeface smiled proudly as he wove his way through the cats to lick his dauhgter between the ears lovingly.