Splashpaw's Warrior Ceremony

An uncertain expression cross Maplestar's face as she climbed up the Jaggedrock, it's rough texture and ice-cold feel pricking at her paw pads. This would be her first ceremony as leader- her first ceremony in general. Hawkstar hadn't been leader for very long before disappearing, which meant she hadn't been able to perform any ceremonies. Her heart ached at the thought of her mate. She found herself thinking about him every now and then, but she wasn't as sad thinking about him as she used to be. Refocusing herself, she brought her mind back to the current topic. Sootheart had spoken to her about Splashpaw, and they had both decided that she was ready to be a warrior.

Shaking out her pelt and raising her head, she recited the words that so many cats before her had recited before. "Let all cats old enough to capture their own prey gather underneath Jaggedrock for a clan meeting!" Her voice briefly echoed about the snow-covered camp, soon being lost to the falling snow. Mismatched eyes scanning the camp, she waited to catch the eye of Splashpaw in the growing crowd of cats below her.

splashpaw padded out of the apprentice den with a smile. Everything was going great and she was enjoying it. Even her encounters with a certain Thunderclan tom were going great, so far they haven't been spotted. Splashpaw sat down next to her mother, toadspeckle, and her sibling, beetlepaw, as she looked up at maplestar, her second mother, with a smile. Most cats in the clan knew how close splashpaw was to maplestar so it wasn't really a shock to see her eyes watching the leader many times, but this time it was special, this time it was a meeting.

Beetlepaw padded out next to her sister and sat next to her, annoyed that her sister was getting her ceremony first. But her trip had run a little while longer and she had come back to Shadowclan physically and emotionally exhausted. But she had gained a new hardened gaze and a new feeling of certainty that she had recently come to known. Beetlepaw turned her attention to Maplestar, it'd be any minute now that she'd give Splashpaw her warrior name.

Her eyes soon catching the familiar pelt she was searching for, she gave a hinting wink to Splashpaw before continuing the ceremony. "We gather here today to grant an apprentice her warrior name. Splashpaw, please step forward. " Her chest puffed out with pride. Even though she didn't mentor the younger she-cat, nor was she related to her, she still felt a spark of pride in seeing her grow up and earn her warrior name. They had, after all spent much time together. Almost as much time as she had spent with Beetlepaw. "I, Maplestar, Shadowclan's leader, 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." She paused for a moment, fixing her gaze on Splashpaw. "Splashpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Splashpaw smiled and gave a small nod. "Yes,I do!" she mewed to the leader and friend.

(Sorry, tired)

After hearing Splashpaw's confirmation, she said the last of the words. She took a moment to contemplate what name Splashpaw was going to receive. It soon came to her, one she thought suited the younger she-cat well. "Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you youre warrior name. Splashpaw, from this day forward, you shall be known as Splashfur! Shadowclan honors your kindness and determination." Jumping down from the rock, she touched noses with the newly-named warrior. "You'll do well, i know it."

Beetlepaw, despite being one of the more reserved cats of the clan, barring her antics especially as a kit and early apprentice, was one of the first to call her sisters new name. "Splashfur! Splashfur! Splashfur!"

Silkpaw lifted his head at cheering. Was there a clan meeting? Had he missed it? He leaned forwards, curious to see what everyone was cheering about. Splashfur? Splashpaw got her warrior name! He realized. He ran over to Splashfur, and started cheering with everyone else. "Splashfur, Splashfur!" He cheered. He was so glad for his friend! She was a warrior now!