Vinepaw's Warrior Ceremony

Flintstar jumped onto the Jaggedrock in one smooth motion, raising his head to call out to his Clan. "ShadowClan, gather beneath the shadow of the Jaggedrock!" Hopefully, slowly, the apprentice den was going to start losing its numbers as the warrior's den grew. They had enough warriors to keep everybody feed but the recent fights with StarClan proved that danger could come from anywhere. They needed more warriors to help protect themselves - they wouldn't have most of the other Clans aiding them in the future after all.

Vinepaw padded out, more perked up than he usually was. Today was his warrior ceremony! He sat down and curled his tail around him. He tried to keep his posture good, but he was pretty excited.

Ah, perfect, there was the apprentice now. For as much as it was nice to do ceremonies again, Flintstar was starting to remember how much he hated it when he had to do any sort of public speaking. He was far more comfortable working in the shadows, making sure the Clan was running smoothly but...This was what was required of a leader. He had to interact with his Clan, be the figurehead of what they desired ShadowClan to be - his comforts didn't matter on that level. Perhaps one day he would grow use to it, perhaps not. But it didn't change the fact that it was something he would just have to deal with. "I've called you all here to witness another apprentice rise to the ranking of warriors. Vinepaw, please step forward.

"I, Flintstar, 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. Vinepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

He nodded confidently. "I do." He meowed.

It wasn't like Flintstar was expecting any other answer - it was almost unheard of somebody refusing their warrior name. In the end, words meant...Little. A lie was just as easy to speak as a truth - it would be Vinepaw's actions - any all newly named warriors action's - going forward once they had gotten their name that would prove if those simple two words were spoken in earnest or in falsehood. But perhaps it was only his pessimist viewpoint that was talking - expecting the worse from everything. It was something he had to deal with, grow better than. Ah well.

"Then by the powers granted to me, I give you your warrior name. Vinepaw, from this moment you will be known as Vinetail. We honor your bravery and skills, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." With that, he jumped down to rest his chin on Vinetail's head before he drew back with a nod of his head to the newly named warrior.

Vinetail. He thought, confidence filling his body. He was a warrior now!