I padded up the path leading to the Moonpool, my paws tingling with excitement. The moon was nearly full and bright, casting light onto the earth. I couldn't wait until I got back to ThunderClan camp and took on leader duties.
The medicine cat, Sorrelheart; was padding along-side me. Her white ears flicked and she looked at me with amber eyes. He pelt was a soft ginger- black covering her paws and muzzle. "Ready, Russetfoot?" She had a spark of happiness and sympathy, one in each eye.
"Yes." I tried to whisper, but my excitement was bubbling.
"Calm down now, this is not your apprentice ceremony." Sorrelheart commented, leaping up onto a stone.
I followed, heart beginning to slow it's beating. I was calming down, forcing the kit-like actions away for this ceremony. I almost stopped once seeing the Moonpool, that was reflecting the moon with a sparkling effect.
My emerald green eyes met with Sorrelheart's, and she winked, gesturing towards the pool.
I blinked and withdrew my gaze, then lapped up water from the Moonpool. I fell into what seemed like a deep sleep, not being able to move.
Cats drifted down from Silverpelt, their fur dimly lit with stars. I recognized their fur, but it took some time to distinguish exactly who they were.
"We welcome you, Russetfoot. Are you ready to become a leader?"
"Yes." I mewed, taking a shaky, anticipated breath.
A white she-cat with one amber eye, the other blue, opened the ceremony by giving the first life. It was my sister Hailfur, killed by a fox that invaded camp only three moons ago. "With this life I give you peace. Use it well for understanding other situations, and keeping along the side of peace." Once her nose touched my head, my body convulsed slightly, and I stung with pain. At the same time, an awaited meet with my sister kept the pain from racking my body.
Wishshadow came forward, my old elder-friend. "With this life I give you enthusiasm. use it well to carry on with your clanmates, and feel their anticipation." The life stung more than last time, nothing prevented it from making me shake.
"With this life, I give you defense. Use it well as you go into battle, or have invasions, protect those whom need it most." Lilyfoot stepped back, her ginger fur neat.
A black tom padded up, his muscles rippling. I strained, not remembering who he was. Oh, yeah. He's Darkfire! "With this life I give you fair vengance. Use it well in defense of others, and stand up to those who seek your weakness." He nodded and sent the life through me.
A gray she-cat had a playful gleam in her meek green eyes. My sisters kit, Mistkit. We named her Mistleaf for when she became a warrior. her voice still sounded as a squeak. "With this life I give you Spirit. Use it well to cheer needy and sad cats, whoever they are." No matter how small she was, she had a true warrior soul that was never used, that never would be.
As a small brown tom came, I remembered the days we snuck out of camp, meeting at our borders. His laugh echoed in my head. Falconclaw. "With this life I give you forethought. Use it well to think before acting, not having any cat make the wrong choice." He winked after giving me the life, then turned away.
Riverstone met my gaze, I remembered his warm smile when we met at gatherings. Now he looked less carefree, sad and mesmerized. "With this life I give you love. Use it well to care for others, along with your future mate and kits." He had a longing plea reflecting in his eyes as he touched his nose to my forehead. It was like the sting of a bee, my heart swelled with love.
My mentor, Bramblepelt- stepped up and began. "With this life I give you speed. Be fast in thought and action, you'll need it." He meowed, smiling gently. He must've been remembering my clumsy days as an apprentice.
The previous leader and my mother, Soulstar- strode with beauty to me. "Russetfoot, my clumsy little cutie. I've always admired your happiness, and trust you with my heart. With this life I give you courage, wisdom, and hope. Use it well to encourage and motivate your clanmates." She paused and rested her nose on my head.
It felt different. Once it rushed through my body, it felt as if all nine lives conjoined in my heart and mind. I closed my eyes and looked back up.
"I hail you by your new name, Russetstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of ThunderClan. Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity."
"Russetstar! Russetstar! Russetstar! Russetstar!" StarClan cheered.
I felt a spark of pride bloom in my chest. I inclined my head.
After bidding farewell, I awoke by the Moonpool.
Sorrelheart grinned, looking at my weary eyes. "Let's go, Russetstar."
