Burntpaw's Warrior Ceremony

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Jaggedrock for a Clan meeting!" Scorchstar yowled after climbing atop the ceremonial rock.

The calico's tail was lofted behind him and seemed to drift back and forth slowly, not quite lashing. Burntpaw had a lot to think about from over these past few moons. His mind was wrought with what felt like thousands of thoughts at once. However, there was a clan meeting called. Something which he could not ignore. Turning his questioning gaze towards the Shadowclan leader, the tom settled back on his haunches and wrapped his tail around him. This would likely be another ceremony. His stomach complained inaudibly underneath his long coat. Or, perhaps it was another announcement. At the latter, his gaze darkened slightly. Scorchstar was a decent leader in several ways but growing concern for his leader's judgment marred the young tom's perception. The only way to find out was to wait, he supposed.

"Today we gather to give an apprentice his warrior name. Burntpaw, step forward." Once the younger tom did as he was told, Scorchstar continued. "I, Scorchstar, leader of ShadowClan, 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 his turn. Burntpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Ah. Burntpaw's expression was not one of shock or surprise as he heard his name fall from the clan leader's maw. There was merely recognition written across his own face. Ever since he had been a kit among the exiles, training at his father's paws, Burntpaw had been raised for the code and for the clans. It was something that had once been engraved into his psyche. However, now, there was a hesitation that had wormed its way into the back of his mind. That code, the will of the stars, they were all things for fools. All things that had lead to the destruction of cat after cat as they strove to live for what had too been impressed into their minds since birth. None of it truly mattered. There were some honorable notions hidden among the dust-coated concept of the warrior code. And it was for that he stepped forward without hesitation. It was for thoughts of a better future that he padded to the front. Oh, he had spat on cats who went against there were. Only the idea that eventually he would renounce those very same claims for an emboldened truth comforted him. This wasn't merely temporary, or a lie, it was a beginning, "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name,” Scorchstar mewed with a nod of approval to his apprentice. ”Burntpaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Burntstag. StarClan honors your strength and intellection, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." After leaping down from the ceremonial rock, the leader approached his former apprentice and placed his muzzle on the newest warrior’s head.

A certain tortie she-cat sat by her den, watching the ceremony unfold. When it had ended, she proceeded to chant the tom's name along with the rest of the clan. Burntstag deserved his name. He was a loyal cat. Shadowclan needed loyalty. Morningpaw's muzzle formed a smile as she continued to observe and chant from afar.

"Burntstag." It was barely a breath exhaled from his lungs as the newly appointed warrior tested the feel of it on his own tongue. Strength, poise, intellect. All things represented by the suffix that the clan leader bestowed upon him. If there was one thing that he could never take issue with, it was the traditional naming methods of the clan. Once more he found himself satisfied with the names. The clan cheered for him as he was bestowed the honor of warriorhood, not one of them knew of the displeasure that ran through his veins like an untamable fire. But they saw how much he was devoted to his duty, to the cause of taking care of each and every one of them and ensuring the safety of the current Shadowclan. Burntstag was pleased to see such a reaction. A soft smile twisted up the sides of his maw as he glanced between each one before finally setting on Morningpaw. His respect for her had only grown after the moonstone trip. And to her, he offered a respectful nod.