Deerpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Murkystar's wounds had finally healed for the most part, and she was recovering from the kitting as well as she made her way out of her den, taking her time climbing Jaggedrock to avoid jostling the still healing wounds too much. She hid her discomfort carefully, not allowing a single trace of the pain she was feeling reveal itself on her expression. Today was a joyous one, one that the clan would celebrate. A recent discussion with Swiftheart had assured her in what she had already known - Deerpaw was ready. Striding the couple of pawsteps forward to stand on the edge of Jaggedrock, Murkystar lifted her chin to send her voice out over the clan. "ShadowClan! Gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock."

Swiftheart grinned hearing the familar words of a clan gathering being called... she had a good guess as to what this meeting was about as well, she had mentioned to Frost and Murky of her apprentices recent strides ahead in training and that there was little left Swiftheart could teach her apprentice. She grinned happily as she sat down at the base of Jaggedrock. She wondered what Deerpaws new name would be and was excited as ever for this meeting.

Deerpaw was ready to be a warrior she was sure of it and she would make a great warrior and give leadership to the clan. She wondered if one day perhaps in the distant future if Deerpaw would ever want to take up a leadership or deputorial role in the clan, she was a naturally gifted leader in that sense. Regaurdless, she hoped for Frost and Murky's sake that would be awhile out.

She glanced around for her apprentice spotting the white she cat she gave her a warm encouraging smile, hmm perhaps that would tip her hand of what this meeting was about, either way she would find out soon enough she figured. She glanced back up at her mother nodding happily

Deerpaw padded out of the apprentice den when she heard the call. ever since she met Brighteye at the moonstone, she has changed, and every cat can see that. no longer skittish, she held her head high with confidence and her amber eyes glimmered with a special kind of warmth.

the white apprentice noticed her mentor's reaction and the leader's gaze and pieced together the information. was this my warrior ceremony? her eyes snapped to meet Murkystar's.

As the crowd gathered beneath her, Murkystar searched for the familiar form of Deerpaw emerging from the apprentice den, head high and looking confident. Smiling to herself, she nodded slightly as she noted Swiftheart's arrival in the crowd below. When the clan had fully gathered, she continued. "ShadowClan, I've gathered you all here today to act as witnesses to an apprentice rising to the rank of a warrior. Deerpaw, please step forward." She requested, waiting patiently for the apprentice to do so before continuing. "I, Murkystar, 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. Deerpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Deerpaw took a trembling step forward. this was it. now no cat could ever doubt her loyalty to Shadowclan. she took a deep breath and declared, "I do."

Murkystar dipped her head, acknowledging the she-cat's response before she continued. "Then by the powers granted to me, I give you your warrior name. Deerpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Deerleap. ShadowClan honors your loyalty and steadfast heart, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." She mewed, leaping from Jaggedrock to rest her head briefly on the newly named warrior's. "Don't forget, you will hold a silent vigil today to mark the beginning of your warriorhood. Congratulations, Deerleap." She mewed, backing away after a heartbeat to allow the rest of the clan to step forward to congratulate the new warrior.

Undoubtedly, Duskflight made sure he'd have the first trill from the crowd. Deerleap— now no longer Deerpaw, has succeeded from his training. Oh, how glad he was! She did it! The tom couldn't help but let out a warm purr, ecstatic for her. She's worked hard, and she deserved to be known to the clan as a warrior, now. Soon, she'd be able to be as experienced as he is, now— and even more in the future, too. "Deerleap! Deerleap!" The tom got up from his spot, hurriedly coming over to congratulate the molly. "You've worked so well and hard for this day, Deerleap. Congratulations! I'm so proud of you," He grinned, brushing his tail against her shoulder. Not forgetting to glance over to Murkystar, he smiled yet again, nodding, then took a small step back for others to congratulate the new warrior, too.

Swiftheart smiled from ear to ear hearing the name called out for her. "DEERLEAP! DEERLEAP! she cheered loudly and happily. She joined in with the whole crowd congratulating her.

Walking over to Deerleap she purred softly giving her a nod of encouragement. "I am so proud of you!" she meowed happily.

Deerleap smiled at Murkystar. it wasn't any day that a cat got their warrior name, and she was sure she would never forget that occasion. she turned around to accept the cheers of her clanmates. secretly, she was glad no cat had yelled out objections. she wasn't clan-born, and half-expected her ceremony to be disrupted.

Snow paw had sat quietly and unobtrusively on the side through the ceremony, never one to make a fuss. She did, however, approach her friend after to congratulate her. “Wow, Deerleap! I can hardly believe you’re a warrior! It seems like we just met in the nursery yesterday! I hope my ceremony happens soon.”

Deerleap smiled softly at her younger friend. it did seem as if only a day ago they had met, when snowpaw-- then snowkit-- had huddled in the long white fur of Frostgaze and greeted Deerleap-- then deerkit-- shyly.

"Thank you," she murmured softly.

Shypaw's quiet cry of encouragement was lost in all the joyous yowls, "Deerleap!" Shyly she padded forward to congratulate her friend with a soft purr, eyes shining with excitement for the younger she-cat. The invasion had put much more responsibility on the shoulders of all the apprentices, and they had all grown because of it, especially Deerleap. Something happy had come of the Clan's difficult recovery. This ceremony was well deserved and Shypaw was so happy for her friend.


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