Shrikepaw's Warrior Ceremony

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

Nettlestar's voice rang out, summoning her clanmates for a ceremony. Today, a second member of Cedarheart's litter would be receiving their warrior name. It was a good feeling, as always, to see a cat successfully complete their training, and to know that one day they, in turn, would likely train an apprentice of their own, and pass on the knowledge and experiences they had gained. The cycle of apprentice to warrior to mentor was something the gray she-cat held in great esteem, and of all the aspects of her role as leader, getting to be a part of that process by conducting warrior ceremonies was still her favorite.

Shrikepaw walked out of the apprentice's den. She knew that her time to become a warrior was coming. Even if it wasn't today, it was going to happen soon. And it was most likely delayed by Laurelkit mysteriously going missing in the night. She didn't know what happened to the young kit. Most likely kitnapped, but by who? Who was so stealthy that could steal a kit without a trace of them? She didn't know, and she didn't think that she would find out any time soon. All she could really do was hope that the young kit was okay. And properly attend this Clan meeting, her mind added.

Nettlestar watched as Shrikepaw left the apprentice's den and joined the crowd. She let her green eyes sweep across the group of cats before meeting with the soon-to-be-warrior's gaze, acknowledging that it was her ceremony before uttering the words that would confirm it. "Shrikepaw, please take a step forward,"

After Shrikepaw had done so, she continued.

"I, Nettlestar, 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 her to you as a warrior in her turn. Shrikepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Shrikepaw noticed Nettlestar's eyes scan the crowd, looking for one specific cat. Eventually, the ThunderClan leader found the cat that she was looking for, turning her gaze right to Shrikepaw. When the words were uttered, the she-cat blinked before stepping forward. She had never been so nervous in her entire life. She could slip up and say something that she didn't mean, or something even worse could happen. I wish that I wasn't this nervous. But as Heronflight said during her Moonstone trip, she needed to feel comfort in that there were always cats that loved her, like her mom and siblings. Staring at the ThunderClan leader, her amber eyes staring into the leader's green, Shrikepaw spoke with confidence.

"I do."

Nettlestar watched as Shrikepaw took at step forward and spoke up. The she-cat had seemed nervous for a moment, but she gave her answer with clear confidence. Nettlestar continued to match the young cat's gaze, and nodded in approval, continuing on to speak the words that would make Shrikepaw's move from apprentice to warrior official.

"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Shrikepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Shrikesong. StarClan honors your loyalty and compassion, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan,"

Kitepaw followed the muffled sound of the leader's call, tiny pawsteps leading her to the fringes of the gathered crowd. It was only a moment before the intent of this meeting was made clear: Shrikepaw was going to be a fully named warrior. It only made sense, her siblings had been named apprentices before her as well. Any pangs of jealousy were swiftly washed away and replaced with a sense of pride. Regardless of any divided parentage, each had proven themselves to be as loyal as the next Thunderclan cat. Their Windclan father never did matter. At the thought, her gaze was filled with determined steel. Soon, she would stand with them in defiance of their mother's previous mate, prepared to meet him or any other clanmates in battle. This fueled her when the time came to greet their new clanmate, "Shrikesong! Shrikesong!"

Cedarheart found herself following beside Kitepaw as she heard the clan’s meeting call. She was so excited for her daughter to become a warrior, just as she herself had, moons ago. Truthfully, she hadn't been feeling great, but her heart had started to heal. After all she had all of her family right beside her now. As Shrikesong was named, the tabby’s eyes welled up with tears of pride. Blinking the back, she joined in the chant of her clan. "Shrikesong! Shrikesong!”