Nightpaw's Warrior Ceremony

With the clan meeting over with, the announcement made, and SkyClan preparing for war, Wolfstar fell silent for a moment. He wanted to allow the clan their rest, but there was one thing he had to do, first.

"SkyClan," he called to the cats before him, "before we retire in preparation... there is one more matter. Nightpaw, please, step forward."

Nightpaw, still reeling from the declaration of war, nearly jumped when he heard his name called by Wolfstar. This was it, he was becoming a warrior, to fight in a war against Windclan. He had no qualms with hunting Dawnhawk, he had made his choice to be hunted when he murdered an innocent. The whole of Windclan though? The only one he had no qualms hurting would be Lilacstar, she obviously had made the choice, that didn't mean that all of Windclan agreed. Besides, the word of their leader was law, going against it would mean punishment. So, with a little hesitation, Nightpaw took a few steps forward, putting himself to the front of the gathered group.

The leader met Nightpaw's gaze and held it, noting the slight hesitation and chalking it up to the apprentice being hesitant to fight. His brow furrowed slightly, but he ignored the implications that the apprentice was not ready to become a warrior - he was, after all, Sunflower's kit... the fact that he'd made it this far without doing anything ridiculous spoke volumes about Willowdance's potent genetics.

"I, Wolfstar, call upon our warrior ancestors to look down upon 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. Nightpaw... tonight, SkyClan goes to war, and it is my belief that you are ready to join us as a warrior... so... Nightpaw, knowing that, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Nightpaw took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He didn't want to embarrass his family by messing up now. So his green gaze held his leader's, and though nervousness laced it, there was a fire that every warrior needed to have within it. If he was a warrior, he would go to war, but he would be defending his family in turn. Steadily, as much as Nightpaw could manage at the least, he uttered, "I do". There was no going back now. He had to be brave, not only for himself, but for his family, and now also, for his clan.

The word came with little hesitation, and Wolfstar nodded his approval to the lanky, dark tom. "Very well. Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name... Nighthaze, SkyClan honors your gentleness and compassion, but I hope it will not still your claws from seeking justice on this night."

He bowed his head, took a moment, and then lifted his voice to call out to the already battle-fevered cats. "Nighthaze! Nighthaze!"

This may be the last celebration some of us have. Let us rejoice in it.

Nighthaze. It felt right. Maybe a more intimidating name than he deserved, but perhaps he'd work up to it. His green eyes went back to Wolfstar as he spoke of justice. Maybe he was right, this would be justice. Despite the blood that would be shed, this was justice, and a preventative for future harm to his family. He'd just keep telling himself that. So in response to Wolfstar's words, he looked back up, maw parting as words escaped him. "My claws will seek justice for my clan. I can only hope that there will not be too much bloodshed, for us, and for any innocents caught in the fighting." His words were steady, because he wanted the whole clan to know where he stood. Dawnhawk was a menace, but how many cats would be hurt before he was caught and killed. He was a warrior now, he had to be sure of things. He couldn't stand around and wonder what if anymore.

The announcements were over... Or apparently not. Birdsong sighed, turning back towards Wolfstar, but managed a smile despite her anxieties as her apprentice was called forward to receive his warrior name. He'd very likely be joining them in the battle tonight, and Birdsong just hoped that he and the rest of her clanmates walked away from it without lasting injury.

"Nighthaze! Nighthaze!" Her voice lifted with the rest of her clanmates, and as the chanting died down Birdsong padded forward, tail brushing her former apprentice's shoulder. "I'm proud of you, you've earned this, Nighthaze." She mewed before stepping away to let the rest of her clanmates congratulate him.

It wasn't that she hadn't seen this coming. It was that she hadn't seen this coming this soon. Nightpaw's warrior ceremony almost felt like it was a spur of the moment decision. It wasn't that she didn't believe her brother to be ready for his warrior name, not at all. It was that he was becoming a warrior a bit before the war with WindClan. Warrior ceremonies should be times of celebration of an apprentice's progress that shouldn't throw them directly into a war right after. Night seemed ready to fight...was she ready to fight?

"Nighthaze! Nighthaze!" she chanted, blue eyes softening when they met with Night's. It was his big day. He deserved the spotlight and their support. "I'm very proud of your progress brother and you should be too." she declared with a soft nudge. Then, the apprentice leaned in close and whispered, "Stay strong for us, for you. Never lose sight of what matters most. Challenge things that go against your beliefs but don't disregard what StarClan has intended for us all. Be brave and do what others cannot. Be someone you'll be proud of. I will always love you...don't forget that..." Afterwards, she gave him a brief yet firm nod accompanied with a ghost of a smile then turned and stepped away to allow others to get a chance to congratulate the newly-made warrior.