Dawnpaw's Warrior Ceremony

The sun was low, daylight just barely peeking over the tops of the trees, when Wolfstar awoke. Sleep-ridden eyes fluttered, and he stretched, one foreleg searching to connect with his mate's warm, soft body beside him, but his kneading paw grasped nothing but air, and the leader opened his eyes all the way, and in the gloom, surveyed Blossomstep's empty nest. Ah. He didn't think he'd ever get used to that, but the grief had long since settled into a permanent stone in his gut, and this reminder was just one of several that he'd grown accustomed to dealing with in the day-to-day. Blossomstep was gone, and no amount of cursing or begging StarClan could or would bring her back.

Amber-gold eyes stared for a moment before he closed them, briefly, and hauled himself to all fours. Wolfstar had certainly seen better days, and that was evident in the way some bones still poked through his thinning fur, how he still carried a haggard, tired sort of look about him, but his coat was groomed, and there was a newfound sort of fire behind his gaze as he padded forward, his gaze flicking for a moment to the Tallbranch, where he should have been standing, and then back to survey the camp.

"Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather before me for a clan meeting!"

Dawnpaw was just finishing staring at the sunrise, wondering how the sun knew where to come up when Wolfstar’s summons rent the silence. Placidly and obediently, she trotted over and sat. Which ceremonies did Wolfstar do? In her short life, she’d only ever seen her mentor perform ceremonies, whether apprentice or warrior. Maybe somecat was retiring to become an elder? Or… that was the only explanation that made sense, but… who would be retiring? None of SkyClan’s warriors were particularly old or worn. Or maybe it was a Big Important Announcement- she vaguely remembered the Clan being called together before the battle with WindClan, but she’d been a kit then. Hopefully there wouldn’t be any battles. Dawnpaw would defend her Clan, of course, but she’d prefer to not fight, if possible. Fighting could be pretty, but it was rarely so, more often a blur of blood, claws, teeth, and pain. The golden apprentice sat back on her haunches, scanning the crowd for a clue. None of the kits seemed hyperactive (well, not more than usual), and none of the apprentices were bouncing on their paws. Huh. Well, she’d have to wait and see.

There were always cats who rose early, and like her namesake, it seemed Dawnpaw was one of these. He watched her for a moment... brow furrowed gently in concern. Was she ready to become a warrior? Despite all she'd been through? Wolfstar flicked one ear, shaking his head to clear the doubt. She was the appropriate age... she'd had her training... she was ready.

"We gather here today to give one of our clanmates their warrior name, and rank - Dawnpaw, please step forward." He waited until she had, and then tipped his chin downward to look at her.

"I, Wolfstar, call upon our warrior ancestors to look down upon 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. Dawnpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Her gaze had meandered back to her… great-grandfather? Maybe? Great-gre… no. Wait. No, that coul- but her train of thought screeched to a halt as he spoke her name. Her name. She was becoming a warrior. She’d never thought she’d be… excited, really, after all, there wasn’t that much of a difference, but there was a spark of overjoyed excitement, and she let it grow. She was a real Clan cat, wasn’t she? She beamed as she stepped forwards, glancing around swiftly for the cats she recognized and knew. They’d be proud of her, wouldn’t they? She had worked for this, hadn’t she, although she hadn’t realized it. She was going to be a full warrior of SkyClan.

She listened carefully to each distinct word that came out of the leader’s mouth. A promise was something sacred, not made to be broken. At the cost of her life… she would, if she had to. “I do!” She spoke up clearly, blue eyes shining. Oooh, what would her name be? Oooh! Oooh! Oooh! Sudden excitement flooded through her and she nearly started bouncing in place. She’d forgotten, somehow, about receiving her full name. A name told you an awful lot about a cat. Maybe she’d be… Dawnlight, like Beechaunt said? Or maybe… oooh! Oooh! She couldn’t wait a second longer!

The rapidity at which Dawnpaw replied brought a smile to Wolfstar's maw, and Wolfstar's mind was made up, there... this apprentice shared a name with Dawnhawk, and nothing more. Wolfstar dipped his head, nodding gently as he watched her practically vibrate with excitement. "Then by the powers entrusted to me by StarClan, I give you your warrior name... Dawnfeather, SkyClan honors your resilience and positivity." He slid down and stepped forward to rest his chin on her head.

"Well done, Dawnfeather. You'll be a great warrior, this I know."

Dawnfeather. Dawnfeather. Like Smokema! Dawnpawfeather gave Wolfstar’s shoulder a quick lick. “Thank you!” She breathed, still amazed that everything had worked out so well. She’d been made a warrior at dawn, she shared her suffix with Smokema, and this was just all so awesome! Dawnfeather made her think of a shimmering feather, like a starling’s, but colored with dawn’s bright shades. Almost delicate, but able to take the fiercest storms. Resilience and positivity. Yes, that was her, wasn’t it? Wolfstar was very good at this. “You’re very good at this!” She mewed brightly, meeting her (probably) great-grandfather’s eyes. She was a warrior now, a real warrior. She had a name that showed precisely who she was. Her best qualities had been honored. And, perhaps what she looked forwards too the most, she might be able to mentor an apprentice someday, or have kits, or help her Clan in a big way. Life stretched out before her, her life. She’d be sure to live it well.

Smokefeather poked her head out of the elder's den upon hearing Wolfstar's voice calling the clan for a meeting. That was something of a rarity these days, as Bloodstrike had seemed to have taken over doing much of his father's duties as well as Beechface's. Smokefeather was hoping that it was a ceremony and not something more unfortunate.

She limped from the den, and sat near Beechface, who had also made an appearance. The medicine cat, quite honestly, looked terrible, slumped shoulders and dull eyes betraying exhaustion and pain clearly. Smokefeather's thoughts were quickly pulled away from her daughter as Wolfstar began to speak, and a soft smile flickered across her face as the leader called Dawnpaw forward to receive a new name and the rank of warrior.

Dawnfeather. Smokefeather blinked in surprise, then joined her voice with Beechface and those of the rest of the clan in chanting the newly-made warrior's name. Even Beechface had managed to crack a smile.

"Dawnfeather! Dawnfeather!"

After the ceremony was complete, Smokefeather limped forward. "I'm proud of you, Dawnfeather. Congratulations!" Smokefeather mewed softly. Wolfstar, she thought, had been right to make note of her resilience after all that Dawnfeather had been through.

"Congratulations, Dawnfeather." Beechface rasped, having padded over as well. "You've earned this."

Olivepaw woke with a jolt, cheerful calls pulling her out of her sleep. She rushed out of the den, straining her ears to hear what they were saying. Dawnfeather? Wait that's- wait that's Dawnpaw! she realized. Her friend was a warrior! Olivepaw smiled as she swiftly padded over to Tallbranch, searching for the golden she-cat. There she was, talking with Smokefeather and Beechface. She joined the chant at the last minute, "Dawnfeather! Dawnfeather!" The groggy apprentice wish she hadn't slept in, but at least she was there in time to congratulate her friend. "Dawnfeather! What a pretty name! It fits you perfectly," she mewed. She flicked her fluffy tail, hoping she would be a warrior soon. Just keep working at it, she told herself. Today wasn't about her, it was about Dawnfeather. Skyclan's newest warrior.

Beetlepaw sat with the rest of the Clan as Dawnpaw's ceremony began. He felt pride and happiness bubbling in his belly, along with some other feeling he couldn't quite put a paw on. He was so proud of his friend.

"Dawnfeather!" He called out, his voice raising to join with his sister and the other watching SkyClan cats, "Dawnfeather!"

He shared a short glance with Olivepaw. Soon it would be their turn, but for right now, he was perfectly content to just enjoy this moment for Dawnfeather.