Graypaw's Warrior Ceremony

The sun’s rays shone down upon the clearing. Jaws parted, revealing sharp yellowing teeth and abrasive pink tongue as a cat below yawned in response to the morning’s light. Birds chattered above in the trees, what they spoke about Oakstar didn’t know. He twitched his white-tipped tail curiously as he listened to the sparrows and watched them hop about on the branches above, where no cat, not even SkyClan could get them.

He stretched his bulky body, gaze wandering over the cats currently in camp. It fell onto a pale she-cat with a dark grey face, paws and ears. Graypaw… He blinked, then smiled. The apprentice had been one for quite awhile, patiently waiting for her ceremony. Lynxtail had reported that she was ready, and today felt like the perfect morning.

He leapt onto Highrock settling onto it with confidence as he watched a couple of the milling cats look up at him.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath High-rock for a clan meeting!" He yowled. Satisfied as cats that heard it moved towards the rock with curiosity.

Graypaw moved as she heard the call of her leader. She knew that a leader's call could never be ignored. Not that she wanted to miss the meeting. She always enjoyed staying in the loop of her Clan. and after her meeting with Grasswhisker, she was in a really good mood.

The Siamese could not hide how tired she was, however. It was extremely early in the morning, and her jaw gaped in a yawn. The meeting must have been early if Oakstar was waking everybody up. She just hoped there was no danger. That would scare her.

Oakstar watched as the cats made their way over. A couple seemed concerned, but relaxed at the brown tabby’s own formal but relaxed posture.
"Today, we are greeting the morning with a ceremony. One that highlights the joys of our Clan." He smiled down at Graypaw. "Graypaw, step forward. It is time for you to become a warrior." He paused long enough for her to do so. Warmth in his amber eyes as he spoke the words required.

"I, Oakstar, 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 them to you as a warrior in their turn. Graypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Graypaw was in shock as she stepped forward. Was she really becoming a warrior? Now? She couldn't believe it! This was so exhilarating! She looked around. Was Lynxtail here? She wanted her mentor to see this moment. And Mosspaw. She wanted her friend to see too. They were hidden in the crowd, if they were there though. 

It was weird, that the same cat that gave her the name of Graypaw was giving her her warrior name now, having been given a new name himself too. It was a nice feeling as he spoke the lines that many leaders have spoken in the past. "I do." She said at last, standing tall. She wished she would have known this was going to happen, or she would have groomed herself before hand.

Watching the apprentice be surprised was a little amusing for the older tom. His tail twitching once was the only sign of that as he waited, and was rewarded with the excited ‘I do’ that was an integral part of the ceremony. He didn’t make her wait long.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Graypaw, from this moment on you will be known as Grayleaf. StarClan honors your kind heart and gentle nature, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." He smiled down to her as the birds fluttered in the trees above, taking off as Oakstar leapt down Highrock with the cheers of clanmates filling the morning air.

"Congratulations Grayleaf. I know you will make ThunderClan proud." He added, glancing at the crowd behind her with joy. "Take this morning to celebrate and be proud." He padded away then, letting her be welcomed into her new role by her friends and family as he settled next to Dustcloud to watch with a rumbling purr.

Grayleaf smiled. She could not believe that she was a warrior now! And Grayleaf was such a good name! She was so excited, she could hardly breathe! "Thank you Oakstar." She whispered as he stepped down to greet her, watching as he walked away to be with his own family. And she went to go with her own family. She realized she had not visited them after becoming an apprentice, and felt guily.

Grayleaf soon found her mother, Silverstorm, watching the meeting. She smiled at her daughter. "Grayleaf. What a great name for such a beautiful young cat!" She purred. Grayleaf nuzzled her mother, giving her a lick on the shoulder. 

"I miss you so much. Sometimes I wish I can be in the nursery again, still lying next to your stomach. It is scary being on my own." Then it occured to her. "Wait a minute. We are den mates again!" That made her spin with joy as her mother sat there, laughing.