Well, ahem, I made Smokepaw a warrior...I hope his name isn't TOO boring! Tell you what: When Gingerkit and her sisters get their warrior names, be sure to suggest some for me to think about!
Thank you: Brooksilver, Pinefur, and Freeheart!
Pearla
The seated cats stared silently at their leader, waiting for the last remaining cats to arrive before the ceremony started. Smokepaw stood near his mentor Rabbitpelt, fur neatly groomed so that he looked more handsome than ever. His mother Grayflower's eyes were shining; she had made sure he looked good for the special day. Gingerkit squirmed in her place.
"Smokepaw's becoming a WARRIOR!" she squealed to Lilykit, who smiled gently at her and nodded. "He certainly deserves it," she mewled, as happy for him as Gingerkit was. Smokepaw had befriended her as well, when he used to spend time with Gingerkit.
Flowerkit, on the other hand, was studying a woodlouse that had scurried near her, and was trying to flip it over with her paw. Pantherfoot gently slipped his tail under her belly and lifted her up slightly, laying her down next to him. "Pay attention," he instructed. "You may learn something." Flowerkit looked irritated, but her love for Pantherfoot kept her silent.
Pantherfoot has fathered the young kits when their own father Wolfclaw had died. He loved them like his own kits, and the three held great respect for him as well.
Gingerkit saw Stormstar staring down at the apprentice who looked proud and determined; for a moment he almost looked like Clan leader. The ginger kit only felt one little pang of regret: Now when she was apprenticed she would not share a den with her best friend, would not become a warrior at the same time as him, would not stay up sharing tongues when the slept side-by-side on the apprentice's den…
She sighed. She-cats got it hard.
"I, Stormstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice," Stormstar began. "He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn."
Gingerkit squeezed her eyes shut as her heart swelled with pride. "My best friend will be a warrior…"
"Rabbitpelt," he continued. 'Is it your wish for your apprentice to become a warrior?"
"It is," came the solemn reply, and Stormstar nodded. "Smokepaw, is it your wish to become a full-pledged member of our Clan: to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Gingerkit shuddered as she remembered her dream.
"I do," Smokepaw replied clearly.
'Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Smokepaw, from now on you will be known as Smokecloud. StarClan and ThunderClan honor your bravery and courage, and we welcome you as a full member of the Clan. You will sleep in the warriors den tonight."
His last words were almost drowned by the yowls of congratulations that arose from the ThunderClan warriors. Smokecloud gave his leader's shoulder a respectful lick. Grayflower was purring too hard to speak, but gave him a few licks of delight. Rabbitpelt looked about ready to burst with pride, and he nodded to his apprentice as he passed by. Gingerkit pushed her way through the horde of cats until she reached Smokecloud's side.
"Smokecloud!' she purred, greeting him by his new name."I love it!"
"And you'll get yours, soon enough," he smiled, and touched her shoulder with his tail-tip.
"I hope so," she dipped her head. "I'll be lonely without you for company."
"Hey, I'll still be around! I won't have lots of free-time, but," he dropped his voice to a whisper. "Before you become an apprenticed I'll teach you some moves when I'm off-duty. That way we can spend time together, and I'll bet your mentor will flip out of her fur in surprise when you beat her on your first day of apprentice-ship!"
He let out a mischievous purr. 'Careful now—I can boss you around more now that I'm a warrior!"
Gingerkit purred in delight. Despite her terrifying dream, the evil omen, and the fear of troubles yet to come, the joy of spending time with her best friend was enough to make her happy, and forget all her worries…
Almost.
