rosepaw's warrior ceremony

It had been hard to watch her clan grow thinner and thinner with each passing day. Mottlestar herself had been of no exception, the tortoiseshell's frame looking particularly thin as of recent times. But it didn't stop the excitement that she moved with as she left her den, looking out towards her Clan. She knew exactly what time it was, and it was time for a ceremony she'd been waiting quite some time for. A wide smile graced her maw as she lept onto the Highrock, looking swiftly for her daughter in question. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!"

This had been a long time coming, her sister - the Forever Apprentice - would finally be rid of that title starting today. With pride, Firefly took a seat next to Curlyfluff. Her shoulders shook ever so subtly as she suppressed a cough, her eyes trained on her dear sister Rosepaw.

She saw the trio sit amongst the growing crowd of clanmates, and couldn't entirely suppress her chuckle. Rosepaw's vibrant spirit never seemed to cease, and in the midst of their current times, she needed that vibrancy. It brought the glimmer of hope and the warmth of joy to her chest, but her motherly concern didn't fail to notice the cough that was kept down by her other daughter, Firefly. For just a moment, worry panged deep. But it would be fine. Firefly was a fighter- truly. She would live. But... she would still encourage a visit to the medicine den. Later, though. This was Rosepaw's day.

"Thunderclan, we gather to celebrate a moment of joy. One of our long-standing apprentices has come to earn her name, and it is time to welcome her as a full warrior of our clan. Rosepaw, step forward." It was a leader's voice that summoned the apprentice forward, but a mother's voice that spoke warmly of her. "You have trained long to learn the ways of our Clan and noble code. Do you promise to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Sitting next to Firefly and the soon to be named Rosethorn, Curlyfluff purred at the she-cat's comments. He was ever so happy that she was still just as excitable, even during the somewhat gloomy harsh season that had fallen onto the forest as of late. Today though, was certainly a happy day and he would worry about the clan's lack of food later. "It's certainly a fitting one," he teased. With her apprenticeship almost seeming eternal, he'd dwelled on the name for a while and had finally decided to share it with her. Much to his surprise, she ended up liking it enough to request it to be her name!

Firefly's stifled cough caused the curls on his back to raise, and he pressed himself closer to his friend before they both softly their bumped heads against Rosepaw's. He'd wait to bug her about making sure to go see Fawnshine at some point later, but for now needed to try his best to push his worries for everyone else away.

Watching as Rosepaw made her way towards Highrock, a wide smile sat on his short framed muzzle. Today, one of his best friends, and hopefully future mate, would be granted the life of a warrior; a life that he knew she yearned for more than anything. No more sleeping in the cramped apprentice den, no more not being able to always join the warrior patrols... from this day forward her life would be full of even more adventures and excitement, of which Curlyfluff couldn't wait to be by her side through.

It didn't take much more than that single, affirmative word. It rang out clear and true among the camp, witnessed by more than just the tortoiseshell that sat with pride upon the Highrock. It was witnessed by her sister, her closest friends, her kin and clanmates alike. It didn't get much more honest than that. With a smile that reflected that which shone on Rosepaw's muzzle, Mottlestar didn't waste much time in continuing beyond that.

"Then let it be with honor that I call you Rosepaw for the final time. With the powers Starclan has trusted me with, we celebrate your perpetual enthusiasm and even your strong passion for what you believe in. Tonight, you will sit in silent vigil to watch over your Clan while we sleep. But for now?"

Edging closer to the end of the Highrock, Mottlestar purred. "Thunderclan, for the very first time, I am honored to announce your newest warrior: Rosethorn. Please give her congratulations!" With the prideful yowl taking most of the tortoiseshell's energy, she lept off the rock, beelining to her daughter. Two her children had been subject of the last warrior ceremonies, and she only continued to brim with that pride. Touching her nose to the top of the molly's head, a bit of mischief glinted in Mottlestar's own gaze. "Congratulations, Rosethorn. Now, don't get any ideas during your vigil tonight, alright?"

Poor health was thrown to the wayside as Mottlestar announced Rosepaw's new name: Rosethorn. It was fitting for a rambunctious cat like her sister: a pretty she-cat with a hidden surprise personality. "Rosethorn! Rosethorn!" A purr bubbled in her chest as she all but bowled over her sister in celebration. It had been a long time coming, and she felt her sister deserved to finally sleep beside her in the warriors den. In fact, the very thought of sleeping beside both Rosethorn and Curlyfluff excited her. Stars! They could even hunt and spar together! She beamed at Curlyfluff who no doubt felt the same.