Chapter 12

Honorable Naming

Gathering Island

Stormwind and Littlewind slowly and gently moved Rainstar's body out of the middle of the clearing and placed him on the side so that they could grab him when they went to return home. Littlewind bounded up the SkyRocks in two quick jumps and joined the other Leaders since she is too replace Rainstar as Leader. "As my first act as the new SkyClan Leader, I choose Leaftail as my Deputy," the white she-cat said. Leaftail looked up at his new Leader with bright eyes.

"It would be my honor to serve as your Deputy," Leaftail said trying to contain his joy.

"I will travel to Moonstone Cavern tomorrow morning to receive my name and nine lives from our Warrior Ancestors," Littlewind continued.

"Completely understandable," Nightstar said.

"Congratulations Leaftail on becoming Deputy," the LightClan Leader said sweetly. Leaftail dipped his head respectfully.

"Thank you, Whiskerstar," he replied. Redstar took a moment to let the whispering below die down due to the recent death of one of the Leaders, and then he stepped forward to take a turn at speaking.

"To honor the six chosen cats, I say we give them honorable names," Redstar declared. Whispering picked up again below among the gathered cats as well as among the Leaders until Littlewind waved her tail for silence. Once that fell upon the gathered cats she spoke.

"What a great idea, Redstar," she said.

"Sounds ideal to me," Shadowstar said.

"There are no objections from CloudClan," Nightstar said.

"Nor are there any from SunClan," Rollingstar said as he looked at Redstar and Littlewind. Whiskerstar took this moment to say something.

"As to further honor them, their Mentors should be the ones to name them," Whiskerstar suggested.

"That's a good idea," Littlewind agreed.

"Shall we begin then?" Nightstar asked.

"Yes," answered Shadowstar. Nightstar padded to the front of the SkyRocks and looked down at the gathered cats before her gaze rested on the young Apprentice chosen from her Clan; Jaypaw.

"Jaypaw, please step forward," Nightstar said gently. Jaypaw stepped forward slowly until he was standing in front of the other chosen ones in front of the other gathered cats. "For some time Tornadoclaw has been telling me how well you have been training. In his steed, I give you your Warrior name; the name that Tornadoclaw wished to give you. From this day forward you will be known as Jayfeather." The young Warrior turned around and looked at his Leader.

"I will do everything in my power to protect my Clan and my fellow group mates from harm," Jayfeather said confidently.

"A noble promise from noble Warrior," Nightstar said as she dipped her head to him. The CloudClan leader stepped back, sat down, and licked her right forepaw. Jayfeather returned to the others his head and tail held high. The gathered cats from all the Clans cheered for Jayfeather.

"He has become a honorable Warrior indeed," Whitehorse said. Redstar stepped forward until he reached the very tip of the SkyRocks. With a slight flick of his tail he beckoned Shallowpaw forward. The young Medicine Cat Apprentice padded forward slowly, her head and tail down in shame.

"Do not fear about Rainstar. You protected yourself from an unneeded attack. You honored the Code; kill only out of self-defense," Redstar said. Shallowpaw nodded briskly.

"Thank you, Redstar," she said meekly. Shallowpaw lifted her head up and sat down curling her tail over her paws.

"Now, you have recently joined the Clans with your older brother, Stormpaw. You have proven however, that in this short a time you can and will honor the Code no matter what. You are willing to learn new things and are keen to right and wrong," Redstar said.

"I will do whatever I can to protect my Clan!" Shallowpaw said boldly.

"You have proven this as well. Which is why in Sorrelclaw's steed, I will give you your Warrior name. From this day forward you shall be known as Shallownight." The gathered cats called Shallownight's name.

"There is such a long life ahead of her," Whitehorse said.

"Agreed," said Flowertail with a nod of agreement. Shallownight looked at all of the gathered cats before she spoke.

"I am honored to have been chosen by Leafstar for this journey," she said. "I will do my best and not let any of you down."

"You have made me very proud of you already. Keep up the hard work, young Shallownight," Redstar said. Shallownight dipped her head to the six leaders and then rejoined the others. Whiskerstar stepped forward and beckoned Mothpaw with a flick of her tail. The young brown and white Apprentice came forward slowly.

"Mothpaw, you have trained wonderfully as a Medicine Cat. You also have the heart of a warrior. However, as promised, Mousetrap shall be the one to give you your Warrior name," Whiskerstar said before she sat at the edge of the SkyRocks. Mousetrap stepped forward to face his young Apprentice. Mothpaw faced her Mentor with big amber eyes.

"You have worked hard to learn all that I had to teach you," Mousetrap started. "You are open-minded and protective of all. From this day forward, you shall be known as Mothheart. May you use all that you've learned on this journey." The gathered cats called Mothheart's name loudly. Mousetrap rested his muzzle upon Mothheart's left shoulder briefly and the young she-cat licked his check in return. After a moment, the two pulled away from each other.

"I am honored, Mousetrap. I will do all that I can for my fellow companions," Mothheart said.

"And when you return, you will take on full responsibility as our Medicine Cat. However, until that day, I will continue my duties as before," Mousetrap said to her. The old Medicine cat went back and rejoined his fellow Clanmates. Mothheart rejoined the other chosen cats. Littlewind padded forward swiftly after Whiskerstar backed away to join the other Leaders again.

"Scorchpaw, please come forward," Littlewind said with a light flick of her tail. The ginger tom padded forward and looked up at his new Leader. "You have done well in your training from the very beginning of becoming a Medicine Cat Apprentice. You have shown honor, pride, and selflessness towards your Clanmates. You have put your Clanmates before yourself." The young ginger tom dipped his head respectfully to her.

"Thank you, I will continue to do my best."

"Again as promised, Stormwind will have the honor of providing your Warrior name," Littlewind said before she too rejoined the other Leaders. Stormwind padded forward and looked directly at Scorchpaw.

"You have done wonderful as my Apprentice. I wish you luck and good fortune during your journey. From this forward you shall be known as Scorchfoot," the ginger Medicine Cat said. The older Medicine Cat rested his muzzle on Scorchfoot's head lightly. The gathered cats called Scorchfoot's new name and the young ginger tom licked his Mentor's chin in thanks.

"He has done wonderful as a Medicine Cat Apprentice," Cherrytail said gently.

"For the time being, I will continue serving the Clan as their Medicine Cat until the day that you return to us," Stormwind declared.

"Thank you, Stormwind," Scorchfoot said. "I will do my best which is all one can promise."

"That is all anyone can expect," Foxmoon said. "No one is perfect." Scorchfoot dipped his head slightly and rejoined his fellow companions. Stormwind rejoined his Clanmates full of pride towards Scorchfoot. They will make everything right again. Otherwise the original Leaders would not have chosen them… Stormwind thought to himself as he looked at the six young cats. Rollingstar padded forward as the moon drifted behind a layer of clouds blanketing the clearing in shadows. He sat near the edge of the SkyRocks waiting for the moon's arrival from its cover of clouds. The silvery moon came out from behind the clouds bathing the gathered cats in its bright silvery light. Rollingstar beckoned Phoenixpaw forward with a flick of his tail. Phoenixpaw came forward with a prideful look on his face. He sat down below the SkyRocks looking at the gathered cats below the Leaders.

"You were both pleased and honored to become Runningclaw's Apprentice. You trained hard and studied no matter the problems put in front of you," Rollingstar said.

"it'll be my honor to continue serving you as I do," Phoenixpaw said with his chest puffed out.

"Pleased to hear that," Rollingstar said. "Now if you would be so kind, Runningclaw, please provide Phoenixpaw with his Warrior name." Runningclaw padded forward to stand in front of the reddish-ginger tom.

"It would be my pleasure," Runningclaw said. "As your Medicine Cat and as your Mentor, I will give you your Warrior name. From this day forward you shall be known as Phoenixfeather."

"Thank you, Runningclaw," Phoenixfeather said gently. Runningclaw licked the young reddish-ginger tom's forehead and Phoenixfeather licked his Mentor's chin in return. The gathered cats cheered for Phoenixfeather.

"May your journey be safe and prosperous," Runningclaw said.

"Thank you." Runningclaw rejoined his Clanmates, his chest swelled with pride for his young Apprentice. Phoenixfeather rejoined his fellow companions. Rollingstar moved away from the SkyRocks' edge. Shadowstar took his place in front of the other Leaders. Bluepaw came forward without being summoned by her Leader.

"Bluepaw, you have proven yourself honorable, protective, caring, and selfless during your days as an Apprentice," Shadowstar started. "I hope that you take these traits into your Warrior days as well."

"Thank you and I'll do everything in my power to serve my Clan," she said.

"Now as both your Leader and your Mentor, I shall give you your Warrior name. From this day forward you shall be known as Bluetail."

"Thank you, Shadowstar." Bluetail dipped her head in honor and respect. Shadowstar rejoined the rest of the Leaders as Bluetail rejoined the rest of her fellow companions with a wave of her tail.

"May your journey be safe and prosperous," Rollingstar said.

"May you not be away for too long," Nightstar said.

"May you protect, trust, and rely upon one another," Littlewind said.

"May HeavenClan guide your paws," Shadowstar said.

"Be strong, young ones," Redstar said.

"Fear not the unknown, proceed with caution and may our Warrior Ancestors guide you true," Whiskerstar said. With these words the Gathering is disbanded. Stormwind and Littlewind lift Rainstar's body off the ground between them and leave the island in silence. The Clans return to their territories leaving the six destined cats alone to work things through.