Sootpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Well, things were going well. With tension and rifts rife throughout the clan and the specter of conflict on the horizon, Shrikestar did his best to keep the peace. Thankfully there was a short, temporary distraction from all of that. "All cats old enough to run the moors gather beneath the Tallrock for a clan meeting!"

Sootpaw padded towards the gathering crowd of cats, his usually bright eyes troubled and focued on the ground.

Shrikestar tried to give the apprentice a comforting smile, for all the good it would do. His eyes were on the ground rather than the Tallrock. This was all going to the Dark Forest in a bird's nest. "Sootpaw, please step forward." Hopefully this would help break him out of his funk. "Do you pledge to honor and defend WindClan, even at the cost of your own life?"

Sootpaw's head snapped up at the call of his name. His eyes widened as what was happening finally sank in; he was going to become a warrior. He wasn't sure how he felt about it all, but the words slipped naturally from him. "I do."

"Then under StarClan's watchful eyes, I grant you your warrior name. From now on, you will be known as Sootstorm. Continue to protect your clan, and your clan will protect you in turn."

Sootstorm. He repeated the name in his mind over and over again. It didn't feel like his, at least not yet. He'll just have to make it his, then. Sootstorm gave the leader a grateful smile and dipped his head.

Brackenwing was curled into a half-C shape, head on her paws, when another meeting was called. Green eyes narrowed slightly at the sound of Shrikestar's voice, but the elder pulled herself to her paws, padding forward and sitting. Sootpaw was quickly called forward, and Brackenwing felt a sudden flash of hot fury in her chest as the ceremonial words were spoken. How dare Shrikestar ask cats to defend the clan with their lives, when he was the one who put them in harm's way? His words about the clan protecting Sootstorm - Sootstorm, Tigerdance hadn't been wrong about him becoming a warrior soon, that should've made her happy - rang hollow to Brackenwing's ears.

Still, Brackenwing, while she glared up at Shrikestar, turned to the newly-named Sootstorm with a soft smile. This was supposed to be about him, not the clan's idiotic leadership, and so she wiped the fury from her expression. It wasn't aimed at the new warrior, after all. "Congratulations, Sootstorm." She mewed softly, padding up to the tom, "I hope your vigil is a quiet one."

"Sootstorm!" Rosepaw came skipping up beside Brackenwing, "Congratulations!"

Though, she would completely be lying if she told herself her chest hadn't clenched horribly at the oath. Sootstorm was so young ~ much younger than her and Brackenwing. Worry shone behind her encouraging smile and one bright golden eye. She saw it in the young elder, too, and she saw Brackenwing not letting Sootstorm see.

She bumped his shoulder playfully, "I'll be joining you soon!" she said with a smile, trying to keep her heart which felt like it from cracking inside her chest from breaking.

This was not a hope between friends, but a promise with danger looming. Rosepaw resolved to begin her training anew, as soon as possible. She would not stand by and do nothing while Sootstorm pledged his life. She would take the oath to fight and fall for their clan as well.

Rosepaw and Brakenwing were the first to congradulate him. Sootstorm gave them a bright smile, eyes bright with excitement. The oath he had just swore to echoed through his mind. He would give his life for any of his clanmates, he was sure of it.

Fernpaw was late to the celebration. Still getting better from a broken leg, she limped her way towards the crowd and cheered with the rest of her clan. Her odd eyes looked at Sootstorm with admiration and she cheerfully called his name. "Sootstorm! Sootstorm!" The small she-cat finally managed to reach his side and bump him with the head. "Congrats, friend! You deserve it. Once this dumb leg gets better I will catch you up, hehe."