[Fawn]

Leaf-fall 17 The breeze moves heavy clouds across the sky casting vast traveling shadows underneath them.

Foxstar

The ceremony happened at moonrise, exactly as planned. Foxstar's form was perched upon the boulder ledge, her voice ringing through NightClan's caverns.
"Tonight, we welcome three new warriors into our ranks. Crowpaw, Ghostpaw, Brindlepaw, step forward." The crowd, which had already gathered, parted to let the three named cats get through. Friends and family looked especially proud - even Bonetail looked moderately pleased, especially since no work had been required of him to see his kits become warriors.

"I, Foxstar, leader of NightClan, call upon our warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their own turn. Crowpaw, Ghostpaw, Brindlepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

The Clan leader looked tired, as if the greenleaf gathering still had lingering effects, but there was NightClan pride in her eyes as she heard each apprentice give the proper answer.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Crowpaw, from this moment you will be known as Crowflame. Ghostpaw, from this moment you will be known as Ghostshadow. Brindlepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Brindlejay. StarClan honors your loyalty and dedication, and we welcome you as full warriors of NightClan."

As she rested her muzzle on each of the new warriors, the Clan chanted their names.

"Crowflame! Ghostshadow! Brindlejay!"

Hollystorm glowed with pride, purring loud enough that every cat beside her could hear. Bonetail looked smug with satisfaction, and the grouchy old veteran, Blackwolf, huffed approvingly. His eyes were narrowed, as if he found fault with their ceremonies being late, but he let them have their moment without criticism.

---

williams Taxx @calico

Tagging Blackwolf Clan~
@zen , Ghost the Undead Goddess , @kahani

[Taxx]

Watch me, I'll make a name for myself

After the Gathering, life had returned to the sort of normal Crowpaw had come to expect. Patrols went out less afraid of being attacked by foxes, and even though they still had Demon to look out for, he was a more accepted sort of danger- a good patrol of four could deal with him, while the threat of the foxes had had all the Clans on edge, culminating in that horrible Gathering, where too many had been hurt or killed- or, in her Clan’s case, where two cats had decided to leave because of the deaths suffered.

Crowpaw, for one, was glad that it was over. She’d never been so frightened, had never come face to face with a creature who she knew would kill her just like she was prey, and she’d been terrified to think that any of her Clan had died- and then found that one had. An apprentice, too. Poor Shadepaw.

She’d never forget the tom who had been her denmate, or Ebonypaw, who had gone with her father to the mountains to be with their last remaining kin- maybe, if Ebonypaw wanted to, she’d come back to NightClan and her home, but that choice was up to her, and Crowpaw wasn’t sure if she’d ever see the she-cat again.

Still, life went on; time didn’t stop even for the tragic deaths of cats. Those left behind could only mourn for what was lost, before resuming their duties- hungry bellies still needed to be filled, no matter how much the mind grieved.

Padding back with a squirrel held in her jaws- a lucky catch, one she’d barely managed to hook a claw into before it escaped up a tree- Crowpaw slipped into camp with the rest of her patrol, the cats heading for the fresh-kill pile to drop their catches on it. Blue eyes flicked to the nursery as she wondered if anyone had fed them yet, but before she’d done more than take a step toward it to find out, Foxstar’s voice lifted, calling a meeting, and the apprentice turned aside to answer. She settled next to Thornscar, ears pricked to hear what her leader had to say.

The traditional words of the warrior's ceremony had her full attention in a heartbeat, leaping back to her paws as excitement bolted through her; she barely managed to stop the cheer from ringing into the air, darting forward ahead of Ghostpaw and Brindlepaw. Her eyes shone as Firestar spoke the words she'd been dreaming of hearing for moons and now it was finally happening. Her tail twitched constantly in her joy, and when her leader asked her if she would do what it took to protect NightClan- even if that cost was her life, she answered without hesitation.

"I do."

Her voice vibrated- strong and assured, but all too clearly thrilled; she waited, holding her breath now as she waited to see what name Foxstar would give her, and the most heady sense of accomplishment warmed her entire body when it came. Crowflame.

She dipped her head, turned to the crowd and stood tall. No longer an apprentice, now equal- in rank, at least- to all of the warriors. For just a moment, a prick of sadness stung as she met Thornscar's gaze and realized there would be no more training, but she hoped the older she-cat was proud of her too- it was her hard work, her lessons and teaching, that had helped Crowflame reach this point.

Padding across to her former mentor, Crowflame pressed her head to Thornscar's shoulder and gave a purr. "Thanks for everything! I'll never forget all the things you taught me. I promise."

Crowflame

NightClan Warrior

I won't be just another face in the crowd

williams || Notes

[williams]

If Thornscar was like their deputy, she might burst out of her fur at the sight of her apprentice, her first apprentice, becoming a warrior. But she was a bit stronger in her ability to stay tough in the face of her clan, and instead let her chest puff out in pride as her voice called her apprentice's warrior name to the stars. It was perfect, Crowflame. Thornscar knew it captured the fire her apprentice had, the skills she learned would suit her well with the promise her name told. "I know you won't forget," Thornscar giving Crowflame a returning nuzzle. "You were a delight to teach, and I know you will continue to excel. Seek me out to go hunting sometimes yeah? I don't want to see that skill fade." It was a tease, one both she-cats knew couldn't happen. Hunting was in Crowflame's blood in the same was fighting was for Thornscar. 

--

Brindlejay, Brindlejay! The tom tested the name against his tongue, feeling a smile break out against his face with no worries behind it for once. He made it!! He had watched the pride bloom in his mentor's eyes as she called him up, as her head rested against his. His voice had squeaked like a kitten when he returned the vow, but that fact was lost to time when his name was called practically to Starclan itself when all was said and done. When Foxstar came down from the ledge, he bumped her shoulder with a purr that seemed to fill every bit of fluffy fur the new warrior had. "Thank you." He said in a serious tone, the love he felt for his mentor shining through. "Thank you for believing in me."

@fawn Taxx