Redpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Leopardstar leaped atop the Jaggedrock to begin a ceremony. "Let all cats old enough to capture their own prey join here beneath the Jaggedrock for a clan meeting!"

As soon as Leopardstar called out for a meeting, Redpaw jumped to his feet and padded into the clearing, taking a seat closer to the front. He had licked down all of his fur to try to look at least a little better from the fight with the dogs, but it only seemed to work a little as his fur poked out in several places. Either way, he couldn't keep his excitement down.

"Tonight we gather to make this apprentice a warrior." Leopardstar announced when the clan had gathered and he spotted the apprentice in question. "Redpaw, step forward." He paused to let him do as he was commanded. It was true that Leopardstar was uncertain about this particular tom; he had come from the outside and from under the wing of a murderer. The leader had kept a close eye on this tom in his training, however, and even mentored Redpaw for himself, determined to make him as loyal and brave as his father, Mudfoot. Redpaw surely deserved this ceremony. "I, Leopardstar, leader of ShadowClan, 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. Redpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" The leader asked gravely, already knowing the answer.

Looking up at Leopardstar with a seriousness in his eye, Redpaw listened intently to what he had to say. All the while, his heart danced in his chest, but he kept himself contained. It didn't take long, but soon the Shadowclan leader was asking him if he was going to protect Shadowclan and uphold the warrior code. It never truly dawned on him that this is where he was going to end up at this point in his life, but it couldn't have felt better. For the first time, he felt like he belonged. With a deep breath, Redpaw looked the leader straight in the eye with all the confidence in the world. "I do."

He knew it was coming, but the answer still pleased him anyway. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Redpaw, you shall now be known as Redstorm. ShadowClan honors your bravery and loyalty." The leader jumped down and rested his muzzle on the new warrior's head, completing the ceremony. His eyes softened slightly at thinking of Redstorm's former mentor; Mousefang would have been proud to bring him up in the clan's ways, but he was not here. Leopardstar's tail flicked in hidden frustration, but otherwise did not show a change in mood.

Gingerpaw watched with happiness in his gaze as his friend Redpaw received his warrior name. He knew that the russet tom had had a hard time in ShadowClan thus far, but hopefully he would like it better as a warrior. Redstorm. Wow, it sounded so cool! Hopefully it would be his own turn, sometime soon! "Redstorm! Redstorm!" the orange tabby apprentice cheered, bounding forwards to bump encouragingly against his friend. "You deserve it," he purred.