Raisha's Warrior Ceremony

Lilacstar made her way to the front of the Tallrock, as she always had. Especially now, after they had gotten rid of the Asylum after so many moons, the Clan did not need any cat standing above them, no matter what rank that cat was. And in any case, the cat for this special ceremony did not need an imposing force. It was enough that she had come to her with this request, and Lilacstar did not want her to change her mind. After all, this ceremony should have been done a long time ago. Now she finally had the chance to make it happen.

"All cats old enough to run the moors gather around for a Clan meeting!"

When Raisha heard the call of Lilacstar, she figured that that was her cue. She was still very sore after the battle, and it hurt to move, yet she still made her way to her leader. She wanted nothing more than to sleep for a hundred moons, but this needed to be done. She wanted nothing more to do with the Asylum, and that included her own name. It was the hardest thing she would ever do, after all this was the only name she had ever known. But the Asylum was also all she ever knew, and that was all a lie.

It was time to make a new life for herself.

"Raisha, you expressed interest on taking on the ways of WindClan, including taking up a warrior name. Is it still your wish to do so?"

Raisha nodded, a fire in her eyes as she did so. She would not be swayed from her decision, although it seemed as though noone wanted to change her mind anyway. She knew in her heart that this needed to be done.

At Raisha's response, Lilacstar continued. "I, Lilacstar, leader of WindClan, ask my warrior ancestors to look down upon this cat. She has expressed willingness to learn the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in return. Raisha, do you promise to protect your Clan, even at the cost of your own life?"

This made Raisha hesitate. Would she be willing to die for these cats that she hardly even knew? Would they truly do the same for her, knowing where she had come from? But remembering when she had come, how she was treated with nothing but kindness, how the Clan took care of her, the answer was clear.

She nodded. "Then, with the approval of my Clanmates, I grant you your warrior name. Raisha, from this day forward, you will be known as Tawnyflare. Like the newleaf sun as it shines upon the mores, you have shown to have tenacity and passion, and we welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan. Tawnyflare! Tawnyflare!"

For a moment, Tawnyflare froze. Her prefix, that was the same one she had been given at birth, when she was Tawnykit. That is what cats had called her. And now that was her name once again. Maybe that was for the better. She was still pondering over this fact when Lilacstar spoke again.

"One more thing. While you will be recognized by the rank of a warrior, you will be given a mentor all the same. I have no doubt of your capabilities, but hunting and fighting is not all being a warrior entails. And you also need to learn our territory. So for the time being, Fawnstep will act as your mentor. May he teach you all he knows."

"Tawnyflare! Tawnyflare! Tawnyflare!"

Three voices rose high into the air, Shyfawn, Downtuft, and Softbreeze. Softbreeze sat by the medicine den, and once she gave a nod to the newly named warrior, she ducked back into her den, a sadness still in her eyes. Downtuft looked at the calico with pride and admiration. "You deserve this, Tawnyflare. You're one of us once again, as you always should've been, and always have been." He murmured gently, dipping his head in respect to the newly named she-cat.

Shyfawn nodded, glee and pride in her bright blue eyes. "Downtuft is right. You deserve this, dear. Just as you took an oath to protect us, we at the same time take an oath to protect you. I know you'll bear this name wonderfully, and please know that despite taking the same prefix, we know you aren't the same Tawnykit that was lost to us. You've grown up to be strong and passionate, and we love you all the same."