Mistpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Pride. It flickered through Oakstar’s body like a bright flame as he watched his grey tabby son prepare for a patrol. He smiled at him woefully. With all the events that had happened, he didn’t have as much time to spend with his kits as he would have liked. Still, they grew up. They grew while he and Dustcloud could only watch in disbelief, wondering when the tiny kits became big and strong.

There was no delaying the inevitable. Mistpaw had done well in his hunting and his battles. He had gone to see StarClan and now… Oakstar had to remiss over lost time as he leapt onto Highrock.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath High-rock for a clan meeting!" He yowled, settling into a sitting position on the large rock. He could still be proud of Mistpaw.

The soon-to-be-warrior had worked hard. There was no denying that. He blinked his amber eyes towards Nettlepaw and Dustcloud. Nettlepaw would be next, eventually leaving the apprentice den for the warriors. He both dreaded and looked forward to it. On one paw, it meant greater strength for ThunderClan, and he could be confident in it’s abilities. On the other… it meant letting go of their kithoods.

Mistpaw glanced at the rest of his patrol before sitting in his usual spot. Surely none of the kits were old enough? Unless it was an apprentice... Maybe Streampaw, Graypaw, or Galepaw? Whatever it was, he hoped it finished quickly, because the borders weren't going to defend themselves.

Oakstar smiled down at his son as he called down to the crowd.
"Mistpaw, step forward." He waited for a moment to give his son time to recover himself and step forward as requested.

"I, Oakstar, 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 them to you as a warrior in their turn. Mistpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" There was little doubt what the tom’s answer would be. Oakstar’s chest puffed out with pride as he glanced around for Dustcloud, to catch her eyes with his, then at Nettlepaw with a tender smile before looking back down at Mistpaw, soon to be warrior.

Oh. That was unexpected. Mistpaw's name was the one called. He stepped forward, trying not to show his scorn for the mention of Starclan. They really worshipped these fake sparkly cats in the sky, huh? "I do." Regardless, his Code and Clan were something he'd literally die for.

Oakstar’s tail twitched when Mistpaw stepped forward. Eyes shining with pride as he took the vow all young warriors had to make. The one that would turn him forever from an apprentice to a warrior. It all felt too soon.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Mistpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Mistwalker. StarClan honors your Bravery and Confidence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." He blinked slowly as the name was announced. Mistwalker’s ascension to warriorhood complete as he dipped his head. Leaping down from high-rock with a soft, sad smile. "I hope you have a peaceful vigil this night." He offered. Licking his son’s head affectionately.

He looked over at Dustcloud and Nettlepaw, his gaze shifting to look for their sister Dawngaze. He supposed he should be satisfied that his kits were growing up, but all he felt was unease at the lack of time. Kits had to grow up… but did it have to be so fast?