Beechpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Beechpaw had advanced quickly, as he knew that she would. This was one warrior ceremony that he was very excited about. Bloodstar pulled himself out of the leader's den, away from the warmth within it, and climbed up to the Tallbranch. "Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the Tallbranch for a clan meeting!" Both of his apprentices would be warriors now... and he himself would finally be free to be assigned patrols without both the talkative one and the one that he was convinced wished he was dead via nine monsters.

Since becoming a proper apprentice, Beechpaw had thrown herself into her training completely in an attempt to improve herself. She'd been so horribly out of shape, and the only way to improve was to push her limits. Her hunting had improved despite the narrowed field of vision and lack of depth perception. Her large frame had slowly began to fill out, regaining the muscle tone and stamina that she'd lost after moons of sitting on her tail in the medicine den.

The massive tabby had dropped a pair of skinny squirrels onto the fresh kill pile when Bloodstar's voice rang across camp for a meeting, and she turned, padding towards the tallbranch and sitting. She could have swore that there was something akin to excitement in the leader's tone... Nah, couldn't be.

The clan had gathered and Bloodstar smiled. It was time... finally time. "Skyclan, I have gathered you here today to witness an apprentice earn their warrior name. Beechpaw, step forward. I, Bloodstar, 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. Beechpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?" As the words left his mouth, her reveal at his den about Wrenspring came to mind. He had little faith that Beechpaw would keep to the code, but if he were to pass judgment on her, he'd have to pass judgment on himself first. He was far from devout.

Beechpaw couldn't help the flicker of a smile as her name was called for a warrior ceremony. This was what she'd always been meant to be, not some weak medicine cat who couldn't save her clanmates. Her time spent in that den had truly been a waste, not just for her but for all of Skyclan. If Starclan wasn't happy with her, they were welcome to jump off the gorge.

The code was a hollow thing, and Beechpaw knew Bloodstar couldn't exactly say anything to her about it without being labeled a hypocrite himself. They both were. Still, she'd do everything she could to defend her clan, or she'd die trying. She was done mucking about with fickle herbs that weren't worth the effort it took to find them.

"I do." Her voice didn't waver as she stepped forward, head held high.

Of course she agreed. She had been wanting this her whole life and it was finally being given to her. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name... Beechfang, SkyClan honors your ferocity and iron-will." He gave the clan around the two of them a sweeping glance, listening with pride as they chanted her warrior name. Bloodstar nodded once, concluding the meeting, and jumped down from the Tallbranch.

He approached his daughter, whom had shouldered so much for the clan already... and found that he was at a loss for words. Her name kept ringing all around them, but their voices drowned out to muffled noises slowly. Bloodstar took a step forward and placed his chin on his daughter's head, an overwhelming sense of pride welling up inside him intense enough that he thought he might burst.

"Congratulations, Beechfang. You have earned this more than any apprentice I've ever had." His words were soft, barely a whisper, so that only she could hear. The best part was that he absolutely, completely and truthfully meant it. After several seconds, he pulled away from her and looked her in the eye. "Be sure to take your vigil. I'm sure you'll enjoy the silence for awhile." He said with a smile, the clan around them still chanting. He stepped away, giving her space so that she could be congratulated by the rest of the clan as well.

Beechpaw couldn't recall a time when she hadn't wanted to be a warrior. And it was finally, finally happening. Beechpaw- Beechfang wasn't quite sure that this was a dream that would shatter when she woke. But her clanmates were chanting her name, and Bloodstar was leaping from the tallbranch. She couldn't quite keep the grin off of her face despite everything.

Maybe with a new name she could finally move on from the misery that being a medicine cat had brought. Not for the first time since their conversation, Ashstorm's words rang in her head. She'd wanted to argue with her sister for everything, but today the thought of doing so seemed strangely hollow, devoid of the fire she'd felt previously. Bloodstar's head rested on top of hers briefly, and she glanced up at him as he spoke, voice barely above a whisper. Her smile seemed to waver slightly, self-doubt flickering in her eye at his words. Did she really deserve this?

"Thank you." She mewed, somewhat awkwardly. There was a part of her that couldn't quite shake the feeling that this was still a dream. "Dad- I-" She began, struggling to find the words. Foxdung, how was she supposed to-?

"Beechfang!" Smokefeather's voice was cheerful as she limped over, affectionately nudging her daughter's shoulder. Still, there seemed to be a distinct 'I told you so' aura of smugness about her grin... Or maybe Beechfang was imagining it. Still, she couldn't help but feel relief at the interruption saving her from having to admit to something so awkwardly. "I'm proud of you, kitten. I know how much you've wanted this, and you've earned it."