comfreypaw's warrior ceremony

He found himself with the faintest of smiles across his maw despite the bittersweet sorrow that came along with this moment. Comfreypaw and Morningsun had been close. Both of them had equally hopeful and driven spirits. Surely, the late tom would be looking down on his companion. Stoatstar's apprentice had proven her allegiance to the clan and loyalty many times over. And after he determination in battle, there was no doubt that she was ready to become a warrior. It was time. The idea instilled within him some support, a solid ground to stand on amid the shifting sands. He leaped onto the highrock and called out to the clan, "Gather for a clan meeting."

She had been old enough for some time now, but not quite ready. Dayquill had aced his training, receiving his name long ago, but she didn't feel as ready as him. There seemed to be always more tactics to learn, more ways to hunt. She wanted to be perfect before receiving her warrior title. She needed to fully deserve it.

Comfreypaw slowly left her den, joining her clanmates under Stoatstar. Strangely, she was anxious this wasn't just another ceremony. What if there was something terrible he had to share? Could she stand more bad news?

As soon as he saw the familiar pelt, his voice rose once again, "Comfreypaw, come forward." Stoatstar's tail flicked, instinctively calling her forward. The little brown and white leader was reminded of Minnowfin's ceremony. That all seemed like so many moons ago but the memory was still fresh and caused him to pause only for a moment. He remembered how much he missed Minkstar, needed him. And Thrushnose no longer stood among those gathered below. So many lives lost and he was still standing. His whiskers twitched to draw him back to reality. Comfreypaw stood before him and when he spoke, it was just to her, "You have fought bravely for your clan and trained hard to earn your place. It's time for you to become a warrior. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and serve your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Ah, her ceremony. She couldn't help but feel excitement, though not much. The day she dreamed of, and yet it felt so wrong. Morningsun wouldn't be there to celebrate. Well he would, far away in the stars where she couldn't see him. Comfreypaw wanted him here, next to her. Never again...

She raised her chin, seeking Stoatstar. Am I ready? she asked, Will I ever be? No matter what she felt personally, her mentor and leader decided it was her time. Time to earn her name. My name. Intrigue guided her paws forward, anticipating Stoatstar's choice.

She breathed deeply, assessing her leader's words carefully, but never doubting her devotion. Comfreypaw would be proud to be a warrior of Thunderclan. She loved her home, and truly would defend it to her last breath. And even though she has had to question his actions sometimes, Stoatstar has always been her role-model, and she'd be proud to serve under his leadership no matter what.

"I do, with all my heart."

Ceremonies had become a funny thing. For as little as the tom cared for such traditional events, he found himself to be overly invested in the meaning behind them. This wasn't simply the half-regurgitated words of their ancestors, it was a relevant vow, and contract between a young cat and their clan. Stoatstar was the passage. Already, he had seen how the code could be so flagrantly disregarded and tossed aside in pursuit of personal ambitions. Hadn't he even been selfish a time or two?

But as he looked now into the eyes of his apprentice, the little leader felt a comfort enrapture his heart. Unyielding honesty and devotion sat behind her gaze. The promise was true and her ambitions pure. It brought a peace he had not known for quite sometime. He held her gaze, eyes promising something in return - renewing his own vows to the cats of this clan. Finally, he dipped his head slightly and spoke once again, "From now on, you will be known as Comfreyheart. I look forward to seeing the warrior you become. Tonight you will sit vigil as the clan sleeps."

He leaped down from the highrock in one swift motion. The clan began their cheers and his voice briefly joined the chorus before slipping back into the confides of his den. Even now, he needed guidance, even now, he needed to be reminded of who he was and the oath he had taken. Stoatstar needed to speak with Starclan.

It was as if time had stopped for Mottlerose since Morningsun's passing, but there was one cat that had been the closest to him that had quietly pushed her to keep going. Comfreypaw.

Seeing it had been her ceremony, the small molly had crept her way to the back of the crowd. She'd forced herself to go, to show her support for the sweet apprentice. It was only fitting when she got her name. Comfreyheart. The comfort she had brought to the Clan throughout her apprenticeship was no doubt something the Clan had needed during the Dark Forest's residence within their walls. As soon as she had received her name and the cheers erupted, Mottlerose slowly made her way to the new warrior.

A caring, proud, motherly lick between her ears was her first friendly gesture, and one good look at the older warrior showed just how proud she was. If anything, she'd quiety adopted Comfreyheart as a daughter. "He would be so proud of you... as am I. Congratulations, Comfreyheart." She purred, a small smile on her face.

Fawnshine for sure wasn't the most extroverted cat around — but here she was, attending her sister's warrior ceremony with the rest of her clanmates around, ready to expect a hoard of cheers rising on. But how could she not join in? And so, with a smirk, the medicine cat rose, tail swiftly flicking as she attempted to be one of the few first cats who could cheer out the molly's new name, Comfreyheart. "Congratulations, Comfreyheart!"

Her figure steadily made through the crowd as she approached the warrior, giving Mottlerose a small smile before speaking to her sister, looking deeply into her eyes. "You deserve the title you've worked so hard for, Comfreyheart. You'll do just well, as well as how Mottlerose had mentioned.. he would be proud." And she gave her sister a gentle bump on the shoulder, purring.

Shadekit sat next to his many siblings during the meeting... he was easily distracted and tried multiple times to chase after a butterfly while the grown ups were talking about who knows what. It all seemed pretty boring to a kit who was not exactly with it.


His mom had to multiple times take him by the scuff and sit him back down so he wasnt distacting others


After the long talking was over he looked around.... ohhh there was that cat who told him to always aim for the belly!  She must want to play right? alot of others were nearby her talking with her all sounding very official and formal... all of that social queues went wayyyy over his head... he just remembered playing with comfreypaw in the nursery and he was so distracted he hadnt even realized she was no longer even called comfreypaw.

He managed to slip past his mother and charged directly at the new warrior on shaky little stubby legs

"aim for the belly!!!" he yelled as his "battle cry"

The kit was a total fluffball and very wholesome so he didnt actually try and hurt her it was just their game they played.

Running at her he tried to swipe at her belly but failed miserably and instead did a faceplant tripping over his own paws and landed on her front paws

glancing up at her he giggled "hi comfreyPAW" he said enthused still totally missing the fact she was not a paw anymore.

"hmm wanna help me get some plants for fawn???" he asked her springing back up to his feet.  He saw some nearby grass and random weeds growing nearby and his eyes grew wide excited ohhhh perfect how had everyone missed such good herbs in the middle of camp?? he must be the only one thinking around here he thought to himself.


Before anyone could stop him he waddled over to the grass and weeds and literal random plants growing there and started taking their leafs off carefully "yay! herbs for the plant cats!" he squeeled so excited that he could help.   Some of the plants made him sneeze and partialy chewed up grass and plants went flying everywhere out of his uncovered nose.  

He coughed a bit wiping his nose with his tail.  Mommy didnt like it when he did taht and he was kinda too dumb to understand the reasoning behind that.

with his mouthful of "herbs" he walked back over to fawn and comfrey

"I got chu some herbs Fawn!" he said exicited to show her how she could use the grass and random leaves to heal people with.  He considered himself to be a genious medicine cat and wondered when stoatstar would realize his full potential as such and make him a plant cat too