Willowpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Leaf-fall had come like a thief in the night, stealing away the remainder of Greenleaf just as the mystery kitnapper had stolen Blazingkit and the others. There was still no sign of the missing kits, from any of the clans, and more and more every day it was seeming as if they were gone forever. The situation had dampened the spirits of all the cats, all the clans, and Wolfcall had grown used to the hollow silence that filled the majority of his days.

But today, there was something to celebrate - another warrior ceremony. Making his way out of the leader's den, and padding to the edge, where he could be heard all throughout the camp, the dark tom lifted his voice. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather before me for a clan meeting!"

Willowpaw leapt to her paws. She was a little upset that she couldn't have had her ceremony in RiverClan camp because Shimmerdust wouldn't be here to witness it, but she was glad for her upcoming ceremony all the same. She had in fact just been thinking of this when Wolfcall called everyone. I wonder whose ceremony this is? She wondered secretly as she hurried to gather.

The clan was quick to gather, eager for good news about... well, anything, probably, and Wolfcall couldn't help but let a frown play at his lips for a moment. He wished he had good news to give them, but a warrior ceremony would have to do. There was always reason to celebrate a brand new warrior for SkyClan.

"We are gathered here to give one of our clanmates their warrior name and rank. Willowpaw, please step forward."

When she did so, Wolfcall continued. "I, Wolfcall, SkyClan's leader, call upon our ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. She has worked hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn." The traditional words spilled from his mouth like he'd been doing it his whole life.

"Willowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend SkyClan, even at the cost of your life?"

As Wolfcall called her, Willowpaw blinked. So it was her ceremony! How ironic of her to be thinking about it just a second ago...Regret that Shimmerdust wouldn't see it stung her heart, but she pushed it back as she stepped up towards Wolfcall.

"I accept!" She exclaimed, words trembling with excitement. Even during times of great distress, it's these things in life that would make everyone cheer up. Or, well, she hoped that the clan found some hope in this ceremony.

He dipped his head as she chirped out her answer, her excitement obvious in the tone of her words. Wolfcall smiled proudly, "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name..." Hm, what would it be? Willowblaze? Willowburn? Willowroot? He tilted his head, watching the way her eyes danced in the sunlight, "...Willowdance, SkyClan honors your sensitivity and compassion."

He slipped down to the ground, padding forward to touch her nose with his. "Congratulations."

Willowpaw, now Willowdance, smiled gratefully. This was so, so amazing! She was now a Warrior! And the name was so nice, as well. Willowdance...the name reminded her of willow branches swaying in the wind. Such a beautiful scene!

She touched her nose to Wolfcall's. "Thank you." She told him before turning back to the rest of the Clan.

Swansong's ears perked up at the deputy's announcement, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. The last few days had been hard at first, the devastation of SkyClan's territory and the old camp depressing, but oddly enough, she'd found a fire - not a literal one, thankfully, but a little flicker of determination, a spark of hope. They could rebuild - the forest would grow back. No, it wouldn't be the same, but wasn't it the nature of all things to change? Their territory had survived the flood, though scars still lingered from that, and it would survive this, too. So long as their Clan was together, they could make it.

And now, she found a feeling of almost eagerness settling warm into her chest as Wolfcall called the words to the warrior ceremony, a smile spreading across her maw as her eyes went to her apprentice, though a hint of a shadow flicked beneath. Just like Redfall, the apprentice would move on. She'd seen where Redfall's path had led him, maybe the testament to her teaching. Hopefully, hopefully Willowdance wouldn't have to walk a similar path. She shook the thought firmly from her mind, the young she-cat's words when they'd first come back ringing through her head.

"Because we're together, and all of us will get through this together, yeah?"

Pride shone in her eyes as the young warrior stepped forward, her excited acceptance calling out loud and clear, and then she was no longer Willowpaw, but Willowdance. Swansong's paws brushed against the ground as she stepped forward. "Willowdance, Willowdance!" The name flowed wonderfully, a testament to the molly's spirit, and she purred as she nuzzled her former apprentice. "You've grown into a wonderful warrior, Willowdance - all of us could use a little more of your positivity and wisdom in these times."

A smile danced in her eyes as she drew back and dipped her head to the young she-cat, the slight ache in her heart not overshadowing the joy of this moment. "I look forward to seeing where you will shine."