Rosepaw's Warrior Ceremony

"ShadowClan! Gather in the shadow of the Jaggedrock!"

As his call rang out across the camp, Flintstar sat back as he waited for his Clan to gather as they always did. The final apprenticed Asylum cat had completed her training, proving herself well as a member of ShadowClan. Of course with another apprentice moving out of the den, it only pointed out the stunning lack of apprentices that ShadowClan truly had...But they had a pawful of kits - hopefully they would be six moons old soon enough. But worrying about that wasn't a matter of the present - no, it was a moment of celebration for Rosepaw. She was to be a warrior. There was a sense of pride in the tom, happy that Rosepaw had found her place with them despite the fact that her mother, Tavora, had turned against them. He knew it couldn't be easy for her - his mother had meant everything to him, but...She had proven herself strong even as she went against her family ties. Even Flintstar, as stoic as he was, held pride for her due to that.

Firekit poked her head out of the nursery, the light shining on her blue-green eyes as she tried to look towards Flintstar. Firekit was hearing a buzz about a ceremony earlier, so this must be it! Turning around she called, "Guys guys! There's a ceremony!" She mewled before she toddled out of the den, pushing herself up onto her toes to look for the ceremony haver. She wondered who it could be!

Rosepaw held the bright eyes of every apprentice when they were to be made a warrior. Not that any cat said as much, but she could tell with the way they were dropping hints and how they acted around her. And of course, her first instinct was to look for Mistyfalcon, Murkystrike, and Batglow. Sure, she teased Mistyfalcon a lot, but she really did like the tom. It was a nice feeling, being able to have so much fun with someone. He was like a big brother to her, and while she would NEVER admit it, she was grateful for that relationship.

She had also spotted some kits shuffling out of the nursery to see the ceremony, and flashed them a smile as one of them piped up excitedly. If she recalled, she was the kit of another former Asylum cat, Shira, and just that alone sort of made her feel a little closer to the kit. She was like her, a lot of cats in ShadowClan were, actually. That fact always came as a shock when she thought about it, but a welcoming one all the same. It was like Flintstar had told her when he first welcomed her in, she had family here, even with the loss of the one she had previously known. And while that pain would never go away, it did seem to be growing less apparent, even though her search for answers has not quite finished.

Finally settling down, she once again looked to Flintstar, just as she had when she had changed her life forever. But this time, there was no pleading. There was no need for that. Flintstar had already given her everything. Replacing that look could be found gratitude, a silent thanks for all that he had done for her.

Flintstar glanced over at the sound of voices, seeing a kit stumbling from the nursery as she called out for the others. The leader watched as the kits padded up to the crowd, waiting for them to take their spots before he turned to see that Rosepaw had arrived. Ah, good. He waited until everybody else had settled before he lifted his head to address them all. "I've called you all here to witness another apprentice gain the rank of warrior. Rosepaw, please step forward." He dipped his head towards her, whiskers twitching as he spared a glance at the cats around before he contained on. "I, Flintstar, leader of ShadowClan, 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. Rosepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Murkystrike settled in the crowd, making sure she was towards the front. Rosepaw was becoming more and more like a little sister to her (a strange feeling, given that she had been an only kit, but not an unwelcome one) and there was no way she was going to miss her ceremony. The apprentice looked around, and Murkystrike smiled at her as their eyes briefly met. As her gaze continued past her, the warrior gave her a brief nod. They would have to make a new space in the warriors den.... Oh stars, Rosepaw would have even more time and ability to tease her and her mate. Oh well, she'd be lying if she said she didn't enjoy it - just a little bit. Turning her gaze to Flintstar as he began the ceremony, she waited somewhat anxiously to congratulate the new warrior by her name.

Mistyfalcon slipped into the crowd, sitting next to Murkystrike and curling his tail around his paws. It was Rosepaw's day today, and he was proud of her. Their eyes met briefly as she looked around the crowd, and Mistyfalcon noddedat her, a smile crossing his face.

Soon they'd have no peace in the warrior's den, but strangely Mistyfalcon found that he wasn't dreading it like he claimed... Not that he'd admit it to the soon-to-be warrior, of course.

Seeing Murkystrike and Mistyfalcon, a surge of joy spread through her. They were here to watch her! And that meant Batglow wouldn't be far, either! Returning their nods, beaming from ear to ear, Rosepaw bounded forward, listening intently as Flintstar continued the ceremony. Even the call upon her warrior ancestors had her excited. She knew Iniko was up there, now. Was her father watching her too?

And then the most important question of all had been asked. Was she willing to risk her life for her Clan? Turning to look at her Clanmates, the kits playing outside the nursery, the friends she never thought she would have, but could no longer imagine life without. Seeing them all, was it even really a question? Turning back to her leader, she spoke with a conviction she never even knew she had. "I do, Flintstar. With all of my heart, I do." She would not leave this family that she had found. Never.

"Then by the powers given to me, I give you your warrior name. Rosepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Rosethorn." Flintstar paused to let the name sink in, having been rather surprised himself when he had decided upon it. In many ways, Rosethorn was nothing like his mother. Thornstar had been strict, rough around the edges, perhaps a little unkind to those she didn't deem family. But...They held the same strength to do what they thought was right. Rosethorn was unwavering in her choice to support her new family within ShadowClan and he knew his mother would respect that most of all. Family above all, after all. "We honor your optimism and energy, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan."

He jumped down to rest his head on Rosethorn's, before he stepped back with a nod. "Congrats, Rosethorn. I know you will not disappoint us - you are a warrior of ShadowClan, no doubts about it."

Firekit watched the ceremony, enraptured by the whole thing, and a small spark of passion began growing in her chest. Firekit shot to her paws as the clan raised into a chorus of cheers, and Firekit would not miss out! "Rrrosethorn! Rosethorn! Rosethorn!" She cried, repeatedly pushing herself onto her shaky back legs to carry her voice farther, in hopes that the new warrior would hear her above the clamor of their clanmates.