Lynxpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Leopardstar leaped onto the Highrock, closing his eyes against the tumultuous downpour that had plagued the clans as of late. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!"

Lynxpaw padded into camp after his patrolmates, carrying a thin squirrel in his jaws. Suppressing a yawn, the tabby apprentice half-trotted to the fresh-kill pile to drop off the prey he caught before finding a place to sit among his clanmates.
A remarkable change had come over the tom since his return from Twolegplace. He had grown both taller and stronger, but he had also relaxed- he was less likely to fret over his siblings and grinned so often that his face looked strange without at least half a smile on his maw. He still coughed occasionally, but for the most part, he had shaken the sickness that plagued him when he was younger. Lynxpaw was starting to grow up.

Shaking his soaked golden spotted pelt in a feckless attempt to rid himself of at least a little bit of the rain's weight, Leopardstar's black-tipped ears flicked excitedly as his son padded into view, brown tabby pelt and short bobbed tail unmistakable.  The little freezing scrap he had found amid a pile of terrified kittens had grown up into a handsome young tom, and the smiling leader couldn't be prouder.  Though, he wished he had been able to spend a bit more time with his newest adopted brood...  "ThunderClan, despite this...joyous weather we must continue our lives as normal, and that includes ceremonies most of all.  Lynxpaw, please step forward."  Meeting his adopted tom's bi-colored gaze with a smile bright enough to possibly chase away the storm clouds, Leopardstar stood tall and waited for Lynxpaw to come to him.

An excited smile bloomed on the young tom's face as his father spoke. It was finally time! Lynxpaw could hardly keep himself on the ground as he padded towards the Highrock. Meeting his Leopardstar's gaze, the tabby apprentice nearly howled with joy.
Whatever horrible thing he had done to drive his mother away was still a secret (even to himself- although he was still unshakeable in his belief that something did happen). Thunderclan would continue to trust and protect him, at least for the time being. And that was all the tabby tomcat could ask.

“I, Leopardstar, leader of ThunderClan, 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."  Lifting himself up to his full height, Leopardstar's pale-furred chest fluffed out as much as it could given the miserable weather conditions, and he met his son's gaze intensely.  Yet, there was still affection behind his eyes, which he made no attempt to hide.  "Lynxpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”

Lynxpaw's grin faded, replaced by a much more serious expression. For the first time, he understood the vast weight of what was actually going to happen once he spoke.
He was going to be a warrior now. That meant responsibilities. He might have to risk his life one day, all for a clan that he didn't even belong to. A clan that was sure to cast him out once they discovered the One Thing that brought him here in the first place.

It was impossible to feel scared when he met his father's hazel gaze. Lynxpaw shook himself, forcing his worry into the back of his mind. Whatever happened, he knew that Leopardstar would always be there to guide him.
"I do."

Leopardstar nodded his broad head approvingly.  “Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Lynxpaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Lynxtail. StarClan honors your bravery and kindness, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan.”  Leaping down from the Highrock, paws slipping a bit on its slick surface, the large golden tom rested his chin upon the brown and white tom's head, waiting for him to respond before backing away.  "I'm so proud of you, my son, and so is your new home."  His whispered words accompanied by a wide smile, the leader stepped back to call out Lynxtail's name with the rest of the clan, heart almost full to bursting.

Lynxpaw purred as he felt his father's chin on his forehead. Lynxtail. "I won't let you down." He mewed.
Turning to the crowd with a wide grin, Lynxtail couldn't help feeling hopeful. He had a warrior name, a loving family, and a place where, for now at least, he belonged.