~ Chapter 7: Ceremonies ~

~*~

Pitchpaw drags a plump rabbit into the center of camp. He surveyed the fresh-kill pile content with the amount of prey. It was now mid autumn, Leaf-Fall. He could hardly believe it had been moons since he and his friends had first ventured into the forest and met Harepaw and Badgerstep. His sleek black pelt rippled over toned muscles and his face had a longer, broader look. He had grown up, they all had. He sighed, when was he going to have the power though?

Patchpaw trotted out of the medicine cat den. The muscles under her silky white pelt were just as toned, yet less prominent. She spent just as much time among herbs as she did hunting and fighting. The pace she was training suited her, she liked to keep busy. She positively glowed as she scampered up to her brother, "Badgerstep says i know everything there is to know about herbs! At least, I remember them. There haven't been many chances for me to actually practice using them" she mews excitedly.

"Whats the excitement about Patchpaw?" Breezeypaw mews as she, Harepaw, and Gustypaw enter camp from their battle training. They too had grown up, their pelts longer, their eyes had a new gleam in them. Harepaw had a thin scratch down his flank that was bleeding slowly. He noticed Patchpaw looking at it and grinned at her, "Gustypaw got me while I was trying to go for the side of his face. It's nothing" he mewed calmly. He always seemed calm lately. Unlike Breezeypaw who was just as bubbly as ever, if a bit more cautious about wild animals. Gustypaw was the same, very loyal and good-natured.

The five best friends lay down with the fresh-kill, sharing tongues quietly. It was peaceful here. Hardly any of them thought about the old days as kittypets except for Breezeypaw once in a while. That was how Badgerstep found them as he came out of his den. He smiled, proud of how much they were coming along.

"I have some news," Badgerstep begins, "It is time that you all became warriors" he mews proudly.

The five young cats looked up, their eyes shining. Pitchpaw grinned wolfishly, finally! He thought. Gustypaw was bristling with anticipation. Would he be different as a warrior? He wondered. Harepaw and Breezeypaw looked at each other happily; this was what they had been training for! It was here! And Patchpaw smiled cheerfully; a Medicine cat and a warrior in one day!

Badgerstep purred and leaped up onto the stump in the middle of the clearing. "All of you gather beneath me." he mews in a serious voice. This was his first ceremony in a long time. He hoped he remembered what to say.

"I Badgerstep, last remnant of the once mighty Thunderclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and i commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Harepaw, Pitchpaw, Patchpaw, Gustypaw, and Breezeypaw; do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your clans, even at the cost of your life?"

Harepaw replied automatically, "I do" his ears were flat against his head, nervous and excited at the same time. Pitchpaw and Patchpaw mewed their "I do's" simultaneously then grinned at each other. Patchpaw was trembling in her excitement without realizing it. Gustypaw nodded, flexing his sharp claws, "I do" his voice was strong and firm. Badgerstep looked at the last apprentice, Breezeypaw. She met his gaze firmly, "I do" she whispered.

Badgerstep nodded; his eyes full of pride. He began the ceremonies.

--

"Harepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Harebound. Starclan honors your loyalty and your determination and we welcome you as a full warrior." Badgerstep rested his muzzle on Harebound's bowed head and Harebound licked Badgerstep's shoulder respectively then stepped back, his amber eyes shining.

"Patchpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Patchleaf. Starclan honors your patience and understanding and we welcome you as a full warrior." Badgerstep leans down, resting his muzzle on Patchleaf's head. Badgerstep whispered, "Don't forget, you are also a trained medicine cat." Patchleaf's blue eyes wavered with tears of joy as she licked Badgerstep's shoulder and retreated.

"Gustypaw, from this moment on you will be known as Gustyheart. Starclan honors your fierceness and compassion equally and we welcome you as a full warrior." Badgerstep repeats the process with Gustyheart as Gustyheart fidgeted with excitement.

"Breezypaw, from this moment on you will be known as Breezeyspirit. Starclan honors your quick-thinking and bravery and we welcome you as a full warrior." The old tom rested his muzzle on Breezeyspirit's shoulder with a quick murmur of, "I'm proud of you" before Breezeyspirit finished her part and stepped away.

"And Pitchpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Pitchgaze. Starclan honors your strength and __ and we welcome you as a full warrior." Badgerstep placed his muzzle on Pitchgaze's head, his tail flicking. Pitchgaze's golden eyes gleamed with power as he licked Badgerstep's shoulder respectfully.

The ceremonies concluded, Badgerstep leaped back down to join the new warriors. "You five are all now true warriors. I am proud of each and every one of you. But there are some things you should know."

--

The five nodded. "We're all ears" Harebound mewed happily.

Badgerstep sighed and began. "I won't be around forever. Tonight you will have your warrior vigil. Tomorrow... you will leave here." A few of them gasped, all their eyes widened. "buy, why?" Patchleaf asks, feeling as if he didn't want them anymore. Badgerstep was like a father to her, to all of them. Badger waits for them to settle again, "You are destined to rebuild the clans. You will return someday, with new cats to call your deputy, medicine cats, warriors, and queens. You will train your own apprentices, play with your own kits." his voice faded as he remembered the stories from his kit-hood with longing.

"So, you will all go find your own clans to bring back here. You will set up territories, boundaries, talk to Starclan at the Echoing Cave that i pointed out, and just live your lives how you have worked for." Badgerstep smiled. He had made a speech.

The new warriors stared at him, dumbstruck. It was a daunting task. They looked at one another, their best friends, who knew them inside and out. They could do this. One by one, starting with Pitchgaze and ending with Patchleaf, they all nodded solemnly.

Badgerstep's smile widened, "thank you for this. For everything" he mewed softly. He suddenly looked his age, old and tiring. He licked them all once on the forehead with a purr, "Go and begin your vigil." And then he padded back into his den.

Breezeyspirit smiled up at the night sky. She hoped Nighthawk was watching as she and the others settled for a long, sleepless night of silence.