Pantherpaw's Warrior Ceremony

This was a day Leopardstar had simultaneously dreaded and anticipated for many moons; as he gathered his limbs to leap up onto the Highrock, the long-legged spotted tom felt a butterfly of anxiety flutter rapidly in his chest, but he forced it into composure.  He knew that no matter his own personal worries and fears, his granddaughter had earned this day through the hard work done by her own four paws, and he would not deny her the title of a warrior for the sake of his own selfish wishes.  He had to face the fact that his family were warriors, pledged to fight for their clans, and possibly give their lives in the process.  They fought for him, as their leader and as their kin, and even if he hated the thought of any of them dying or being injured for his sake, it was their choice and their honor; and he had to come to terms with that.  Landing softly on the peak of the stone, the ThunderClan leader called out into the crisp leaf-fall air; "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around the Highrock for a clan meeting!"

Pantherpaw padded from the apprentices den her fur sleek and groomed and her eyes shining. She had earned this day it had been moons since she was first aporentice and had been training just as long even though she had left to find her grandmother. Now she was sure this was her warrior ceremony and she looked forward to it. She sat down quietly her paws curled over her paws.

Once the sandy clearing had begun to fill up with the many silhouettes of his clanmates, Leopardstar began to speak with a sharp flick of his tail-tip.  "It is time - after many moons of delay - to finally award one of our apprentices with their warrior name.  Pantherpaw...step forward."  His eyes surveyed the crowd, quickly picking out the smokey tabby pelt of his granddaughter, and he couldn't help the smile that came over his spotted face.  Even though he worried about her, this moment made him recall his own warrior ceremony so many moons ago; he had felt confident standing alongside Lichenfang, ready to take on this new world to make the clan that had spent their precious resources on him proud.  There had been no fear then, only passion, and he hoped that Orchidfeather's daughter felt the same.

Pantherpaw heard her name called to step forward by her grandfather and stood slowly an eagerness and passion to finally become a warrior coursing through her veins as she stepped forward lifting her head to look up at Leopardstar a smile lighting up her features. This was what she had been dreaming for for moons now. Now this was it.

Once Pantherpaw had stepped forward out of the crowd, Leopardstar smiled as he began to speak.  "I, Leopardstar, leader 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.  Pantherpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Pantherpaw lifted her head her green eyes shining eagerly. This was it."I do"She mewed confidently.

Pantherpaw's confident oath warmed his anxious heart, and the golden spotted leader dipped his head in acceptance, hazel eyes softening.  "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Pantherpaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Pantherclaw.  StarClan honors your strength and persistence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."  Leaping down from the Highrock, Leopardstar padded up to his granddaughter and rested his muzzle against her forehead in the customary manner, but this time it was in a more gentle way. "Pantherpaw...I'm sorry for trying to hold back your training...it was unfair and wrong, and I let my own emotions cloud my judgment.  I hope you can forgive me for not being the best mentor...just know, that I love you so much.  Your mother would be so proud."

Pantherclaw blinked and smiled at her new name before her grandfather made his way to her. She closed her eyes for a moment"I forgive you I know you meant well"She mewed quietly.