Dewpaw's Warrior Ceremony

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the willow branch for a clan meeting!" Ivystar yowled for the whole clan to hear as she scanned the clearing for the familiar silvery pelt of Dewpaw to approach. The apprentice had grown and learnt so much since her apprentice ceremony, it was hard to believe she was still the same little apprentice that had stumbled towards Jaystream as a kit. Lilytail had done a wonderful job. Ivystar knew that Lilacpelt and Stoneheart would have been so proud of their daughter if they were still around. She truly shone like a star in her own right.

Lilytail walked out of the warrior's den and sat down with the gathering cats. She knew what this meeting was about but she wanted Dewpaw to find it out herself. Today was he apprentice's day to ascend into warrior-hood. The white-furred she-cat couldn't be prouder. She let out purr after purr just waiting for the apprentice to settle. She couldn't miss this warrior ceremony for anything!

Dewpaw left the apprentices den with a cautious gaze at the willow branch where Ivystar sat. The leader's expression comforted her. There was no anger like there had been the past few meetings. She made her way into the crowd, settling next to Lilytail with a smile to her mentor. Her eyes shining with curiosity.

That it might be her turn to be a warrior didn't occur to her at first, instead she looked around at the crowd. Maybe some kits were being apprenticed, or perhaps Spotpaw. It was when she really looked at her mentor that she noticed the pride that seemed to radiate off of her. The purrs loud enough for her to hear as she shuffled her paws with pleased embarrassment.

ooc: lilytail is so adorable it hurts and dew is precious af

"Dewpaw, Lilytail has informed me that you are now ready to undertake your warrior ceremony. If you believe this to be true, step forward so we may begin." As she spoke, her whiskers twitched in amusement at how Lilytail seemed to be purring loud enough to be heard by ShadowClan in their marshes. Her pride in her apprentice was evident for all to see, it was the sort of thing that reminded Ivystar why she loved her clan so much and what she fought for with her every breath.

She nodded quietly, her face still turned to her paws as she readied herself for the reality. The joy sinking deep into her pelt underneath the embarrassment as she raised her head and nodded once more, properly this time. She would continue to make Lilytail proud, even as a warrior, she vowed it.

Dewpaw stepped forward. Her stride still a little hesitant, but certain. Her blue eyes stared at Ivystar's light green ones respectfully. She could do this. She had trained for this, fought for this. Memories of the battle at sunning rocks came to mind, the fight with the badger, the hunting, the kinship. Thoughts of her conversations with Otterleap, Spotpaw and her other fellow apprentices crossed her mind though she kept her gaze steady. She knew she would fight for them again anytime she had to.

Dewpaw was ready.

Ivystar honoured Dewpaw's decisive actions by nodding swiftly before beginning the ceremony proper. The leader looked up into the sky to begin speaking to their ancestors that watched over them. Though often times the leader found faith difficult, moments like this bolsters what little faith she had.

"I, Ivystar, leader of Riverclan, 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, Dewpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" By her last sentence, she was looking at the apprentice in question again for an answer. Though Dewpaw was to pledge her life to defending them all, she hoped that she would never be called upon to do so.

"I do." Dewpaw answered seriously. Her eyes glanced upwards towards the sky. She wondered if her parents were watching from Starclan, eager to see her through. The thought filled her with warmth as she refocused on Ivystar once more. This was it, in a single moment she would no longer be an apprentice. She waited with held breath to learn what her warrior name would be. Something that would make her parents proud she hoped, but her faith in Ivystar's choice was backed up by the gentle sound of Lilytail's purrs. She smiled softly, comforted.

Nodding in acknowledgement of the apprentice's words, she renamed the young cat through the saying of their sacred words. "By the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From this day forth, you will be known to all as Dewshine. RiverClan honours your strength of character and dignity. May your life shine brightly and be an inspiration to many."

"As for your silent vigil, you will hold it alone in camp tonight as the clan slumbers. Patrols will continue as usual due to the fox threat, but other than that, we will now celebrate this new addition to our warrior's den. Welcome Dewshine as a warrior of our noble clan." Ivystar knew the importance of these moments, so much misery could break a cat's spirit. To let her clan enjoy this moment, that was her priority.

-

"Dewshine! Dewshine! Dewshine!" Minnowslip yowled alongside Otterleap. They were more than happy to welcome the new addition to their den. And in Minnowslip's opinion, it was about damn time.

Lilytail jumped up and chanted Dewshine's name the loudest. "Dewshine! I'm so proud of you!" she said while nudging her lovingly. Dewshine was like a little sister. A daughter even. She was too proud of her. She still couldn't stop her purring.

Dewpaw waited with baited breath as Ivystar spoke the words. The ones that would make her a warrior, and smiled at the new name she had been granted. Dewshine... she nodded seriously at Ivystar's words about her vigil, but excitement coursed through her. She was a warrior. She had done it. Survived what was a cruel leafbare to make it to this moment. As her clanmates yowled her new name, she turned to them with a bright smile. Immediately, her gaze sought out Lilytail and she leapt over to her with loud purrs of her own.

"Thank you, Lilytail." She purred as she nudged her back with eyes shining with tears of delight. "You taught me so much." She whispered through the din of cats parting ways from the ceremony. A weight settled on her chest as she knew she'd be sitting vigil, but it wasn't heavy. It was comforting, rewarding. She stepped away with a smile still on her muzzle. "I should get ready for the vigil." She mewed as she thought over the length of the night ahead. It wouldn't hurt to dig a little bit into the snow and make a comfortable spot to sit since she'd be there for awhile.

Not that it mattered, even when the cold night air would nip at her fur. She was a proud asset to her clan, and no longer the weak kit or timid apprentice. Dewshine was a warrior now