Whitepaw's Warrior Ceremony

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!"  Leopardclaw called out in a booming voice, tinged with excitement.  Today the clan would be gaining a new warrior, after many long moons of training.  The deputy was proud of the young she-cat, almost as if she had been his own apprentice.

Whitepaw took long graceful strides to sit near Highrock. She had a feeling in her gut, this was her time to shine.

Once the cat of honor had arrived, Leopardclaw called out; "Whitepaw, step forward."

She puffed out her chest, and strolled towards the front of the crowd of cats. She knew her gut was right.

Leopardclaw smiled. "I, Leopardclaw, deputy 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 her turn. Whitepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do." The orange she-cat spoke clearly and confidently as she answered her deputy.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name.  Whitepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Whiteheart.  StarClan honors your stealth and shy nature, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."  As the crowd began to cheer, Leopardclaw hopped down from the rock and rested his chin on the new warrior's head, completing the formal ceremony.

Whiteheart dipped her head to the deputy and turned to the clan.