Berrypaw's Warrior Ceremony

The day had come. Finally, his larger son with Goldeneye was ready to become a warrior. Even though he couldn't support him as he wanted because he couldn't know yet he was his real father but at least... he was able to name him. He was able to see him in this special day. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the willow branch for a clan meeting!" Jaystar yowled, unable to contain the cheerful tone. Despite the soon approach of leaf-bare, after the deaths of Lichenmask and Shade, Riverclan was recovering well and their numbers kept growing. Now... Berrypaw would be part of the warriors' den as well.

On the other side of the camp, the apprentice was getting ready for this day. He had been waiting for a long time and it had finally arrived. He cleaned up himself just a few moments before the leader could make the call. With a proud smile, he made his way through his fellow clanmates and waited, trying to control his excitement. Aspenstrike told him this was an important moment... he couldn't be acting like a kit during this!

"Berrypaw, your mentor Aspenstrike had confirmed that you are ready to undertake your warrior ceremony. If you believe this to be true, step forward now for it to begin." Jaystar mewed, fixing his green eyes in the golden-furred apprentice, who stepped forward without a hesitation. Unlike Ivypaw or Sparkpaw, he wasn't sorry about Starlord not being here. After all, he never liked the clan life and that was fine. Even if he didn't truly believe what a being a warrior meant, Berrypaw still loved him as a father. But, to be honest, he would have never shared his decision to become part of a clan. Right now, he only cared about Aspenstrike, his mentor, Jaystar, Icepaw, Finchstream and his siblings to be there for the ceremony.

"I, Jaystar, leader of Riverclan, 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 her turn. Berrypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" From all his kits with his former mate... Berrypaw turned up to be most loyal and committed to the clan life despite his origins. He was proud of the stocky tom and hoped that maybe... he could change his siblings' minds one day.

Berrypaw just smiled, puffing up his chest with confidence as he looked into the eyes of the leader. With a deep, loud voice, he answered the question, nodding at the same time. "I do, Jaystar!" For his mother, Finchstream... for his younger siblings... for Firepaw...

"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From this day forth, you will be known to all as Berrycloud. Riverclan's honours your passion, loyalty and your idealism. Don't stop being who you are, young warrior and I hope Starclan always light your path until the day you join them." Jaystar finally determined, with a smile on his face and his tail up, happy and proud for the young tom. Finally... another one of his sons was a warrior and he truly hoped... he could have a brighter future than Cinderfall had. "As per traditions says, you will hold a silent vigil when night arrives as the rest of us sleep under your guard. But until then, we celebrate."

He dismissed the meeting with a movement of his tail and he jumped off the branch, gracefully, to make his way to Berrycloud. The newly appointed warrior glanced at the leader approaching and he tried to stand straighter, to look more presentable to his leader. Jaystar gave him a kind expression and touched his shoulder with one paw. "I'm proud of what you've become, Berrycloud. You will be a great Riverclan warrior and I put all my faith in that." The golden tabby's smile just grew wider and he nodded, energetically. "Thank you, Jaystar... for giving this home and family. I'll make sure to retrieve that to you and the rest of Riverclan." He purred back as the chattering of his name continued through the whole camp.