Salmonpaw's Warrior Ceremony

To think that the brat ShadowClan had left behind was now ready to become a RiverClan warrior. Torrentstar still found the thought hard to believe. Despite Salmonpaw's apparent RiverClan heritage, he had made terrible progress in his first moon as a RiverClan apprentice. He had come from a different clan, with a different culture, and that fact had only made itself apparent time and time again. When the large tabby, who had still been the deputy then, had found out that Salmonpaw could not even swim, he had questioned Jaystar's decision inwardly. It had taken a personal training session between the two of them before the younger tom had been certified water-safe. Thinking back now, he still wanted to throw a paw over his face, when he remembered the frustration he had endured. But today, that very same apprentice he had had to literally kick into the water was becoming a RiverClan warrior. How time had flown; how cats had changed since then. The decision had been made after careful deliberation with Ivybrook and Berrycloud, but some deep, cynical voice in Torrentstar still could not help but question his own senses mere moments before the ceremony began. He deeply hoped that he was not going to be making a mistake―for RiverClan's sake... and also for Salmonpaw's own.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Willow Branch for a clan meeting!"

Berrycloud had told him that he would finally, finally be a warrior. The past moon after Salmonpaw met Delta, he had blossomed in a way he never thought he would. He took the time to focus on every word coming out of his mouth, and ignoring butterflies. He had purposefully swam in the river to show Torrentstar and Berrycloud he wasn't as much of a drypaw. He felt as if he was much smarter and stronger. So finally, Salmonpaw took a seat in front of Torrentstar, ready to receive his name.

Honeypaw's ears perked at the sound of her father's voice, tail swishing with excitement as she realized it was time for another ceremony. She pushed herself to her paws, joining the small crowd of gathering cats as she spotted Salmonpaw sitting at attention, clearly waiting for his name to be called. She didn't know the tom well, the only really only hanging out when he had taught her how to fish...But she felt proud for him, RiverClan needed more warriors and she was certain that he would do a great job and make them all proud.

Looking down from atop the Willow Branch, Torrentstar met Salmonpaw's gaze. Those wide eyes staring up at him contained a little more confidence than they had before. In the moons he had spent in RiverClan camp, he had grown somewhat. It was probably a good thing that he had. Otherwise, they might not be holding this ceremony today. In addition to the improvement of his skills, he also seemed to carry himself taller now. Torrentstar considered all these things as he waited for the clan to gather. At last, it was time for the ceremony to officially begin. He inhaled shortly, before speaking. "Salmonpaw, you were taken away to another clan in your youth and raised there. After so many moons, you finally returned. You might be RiverClan by birth, but blood only means so much. It has taken you a great deal of retraining to get to this point today. You never gave up despite the difficulties. Berrycloud and I have seen the work you put forth, and we believe you to be ready at last for your warrior ceremony. If you feel the same way, step forward now so that it can begin."

Salmonpaw could hardly contain his excitement as he took a step forward.

As soon as the young tom had stepped forward, Torrentstar continued. "I, Torrentstar, 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 his turn, Salmonpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Salmonpaw stepped forward and dipped his head. "I do." His mind wandered to Delta... Would she be excited?

Torrentstar paused for a moment, examining once more the young tom standing at the base of the willow tree. Days before, he had wondered again and again if he was really making the right choice. Even now, a small voice within him was doubting, questioning. The voice was not loud enough to drown out the decision he had arrived at, but it was still present nevertheless. Would it ever be wise to take in a cat who had spent most of his life in another clan? Gingerstripe had ended up proving himself, more or less, but he was only one individual. There were cats, born and raised in RiverClan, who had ended up betraying their home. Torrentstar had trusted before, and he had also been disappointed. Before everyone else present, Salmonpaw had just sworn his loyalty to RiverClan. Those two words "I do" rang very clearly in the leader's ears. Those words had better not prove false, or so the heavens save Salmonpaw from his fate. "Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From this day forth, you will be known to all as Salmonburn. Riverclan honours your persistence and good nature through tough times. Tonight, as tradition demands, you will hold a silent vigil while the rest of the clan sleep. Until then, however, we celebrate the rise of a new Riverclan warrior.." With a somewhat cold smile, he added, "Congratulations, Salmonburn."

Salmonburn raised his head, proudly accepting his name. The name sat weird with him... It didn't seem to fit him. It didn't sound right. It felt like an insult of some sort. But nonetheless, he was happy to finally be a warrior.