Lionpaw's Warrior Ceremony

The stars had been returned, yet who knew the eyes that watched on from the heavens?

It had been a simple inquiry at the time, yet now it bore down upon Brindlestar with a presence more agonizing than that of her wounds. The infectious presence of unwarranted maliciousness, helpless rage, weighed heavily within her throat- it had been days since the great battle had occurred, the dead slept within the earth, and yet she could no put her mind to focus. Every little stream of thought flowed directly back into the great river of misgivings. Even without the dismal presence of the sun, the somber aura that rested upon the forest held steady; even on a day as joyous as this. Lionpaw had proved himself to be worthy of finding his true place within the Clan after following his Clanmates into battle without any inklings of hesitation or fear, however there was one thing that she could not dredge free of her consciousness as she stiffly clambered atop the Tallrock. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Tallrock!"

Who would be watching this ceremony- those who favored Lichenmask, or those who did not?

Lionpaw, unruly fur and all, quickly padded to the Tall rock. His claws dug into the dry dirt as he awaited his warrior ceremony. He knew it was his, after all, he was the most recent apprentice to go on his Moonstone. He just wanted to get out and fight and do things that he couldn't do as an apprentice.

Stifling the copious amounts of unease that drifted down her spine, Brindlestar merely redirected her attention to the young tom who stood before her. She had quite accustomed to the beaming grins, sharpened by the heat of arrogance and ambition, that were often sported during Warrior Ceremonies, so the look upon the young tom's face made her features crease slightly. The emotion she felt within her chest was difficult to discern, it queerly resembled the experience she had undergone when giving Thornleap his name. "We gather here today to bestow the title of Warrior upon one of our Apprentices." She eventually mewed, tilting her scarred features skyward, bemused gaze casted out towards the faint sparks of starlight that were just visible among the cooling sky. "He has proven himself worthy to climb the ranks of WindClan and receive his Warrior name." Gaze slowly drifting back towards the young cream-colored tom, the molly's raspy voice was slow and methodical as she finally voiced the highly anticipated command.

"Lionpaw, please step forwards."

The fluffy tom stepped forward quickly, large paws assisting in taking one long stride towards the rock upon which Brindlestar sat. Just a few more moments before he would be asked to take the pledge to become a warrior. To defend his clan. He was ready.

"I, Brindlestar, Leader of WindClan, call upon my Warrior ancestors to look down upon this Apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble Code, and I commend him to you as a Warrior in return." There was a persistent ache within Brindlestar, one that resonated within her bones and belly. Perhaps it was the unyielding guilt, which stung with the heat of scorching embers, that resided alongside the memories of Thornleap, Rockjaw, and Darkpaw. Perhaps it was nothing more than a faulty reaction of flesh, but who would know? These days were strange, the nights even more. Nose wrinkling faintly, she didn't allow herself another moment to hover uncertainly over the smallest of actions and instead launched into another spiel, reflective gaze resting upon Lionpaw with its characteristic lack of emotion. "Lionpaw, do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Lionpaw's golden eyes met Brindlestar's with some form of untamed ferocity and determination deep within them. He already bore a scar of defending his clan, he had no problem doing it again and again until he died. A sharp "I do" came from the large apprentice.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I shall grant you your Warrior name." Casting her sharp gaze back out towards the darkening sky, which bled with the richest colors that many saw during this lifetime, the glimmers of starlight seemed to look down upon the proceedings in response. Hopefully their ancestors were listening to the proceedings of such a proud moment, they had been absent enough as of late- it was the least they could do in honor of such sacred traditions. "Lionpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Lionfang. StarClan honors your bravery and unyielding confidence, and we welcome you as a full Warrior of WindClan." Feathered tail brushing softly against the well-worn stone she stood upon, Brindlestar was quick to abandon her position atop the Tallrock and instead join the mingling celebration that bunched together around the newly-named Lionfang.