Chapter Two

Naming Ceremony

CloudClan Camp Clearing

Nightstar is sitting on the Highrock looking down at her Clanmates. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather bellow the Highrock for a Clan meeting." The Clan gathers under the Highrock except for Shorttail and Crystal. "It is time for a Naming Ceremony." Nightstar turns to face Nightpaw who is sitting next to her Mentor Cloudfur. "Cloudfur, has Nightpaw trained under your watchful to your satisfaction?"

"Yes, she has." Nightstar looks up to the growing sunlight of Sunhigh as she speaks.

"Then I, Nightstar, Leader of CloudClan, call upon our Warrior Ancestors to look down upon this Apprentice. She has worked hard to train and understand your noble Code, and in return, I commend her to you as a Warrior in her turn." Nightstar looks at Nightpaw again. "Nightpaw, you have trained well since you became an Apprentice. Do you, Nightpaw, promise to uphold the Messenger Code, and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do."

"Then by the powers of HeavenClan, I give you your Warrior name. Nightpaw, from this day on, you will be known as Nightwing. HeavenClan welcomes you a full Warrior of CloudClan." The Clan calls Nightwing's new name. Nightstar turns to face Onyxpaw who is sitting next to her Mentor Silverstream. "Silverstream, has Onyxpaw trained hard enough to become a full Warrior of CloudClan?"

"Yes, she has."

"Onyxpaw, you have proven your loyalty to your Clanmates continuously. Do you, Onyxpaw, promise to uphold the Messenger Code and defend your Clan even at the cost of your life?"

"I do!"

"Then by the powers of HeavenClan, I give you your Warrior name. Onyxpaw, from this day on, you will be known as Onyxfur. HeavenClan welcomes you as a full Warrior of CloudClan." The gathered cats call Onyxfur's new name loudly. Nightstar turns to face Lightpaw last who is sitting next to his Mentor Tornclaw. Lightpaw is shifting uncontrollably from paw to paw.

"Tornclaw has Lightpaw train long and hard enough to be commended to HeavenClan as a full Warrior of CloudClan?"

"Yes, he has."

"Lightpaw, you have done everything necessary for you to become a fine Warrior. Do you, Lightpaw, promise to uphold the Messenger Code and defend your Clan even at the cost of your life?"

"I do!" said Lightpaw shakily.

"Then by the powers of HeavenClan, I give you your Warrior name. Lightpaw, from this day on you will be known as Lightheart." The Clan calls Lightheart's new name.

"Tonight you three will sit Vigil and guard the camp from intruders." Nightstar then turns to face the entire Clan again. "Now, we have three Kits that are ready to become Apprentices." Nightstar faces the three Kits in front of the Highrock. "Do you, Runningkit, promise to train long and hard and live by the Messenger Code?"

"Yes."

"Then from this day on until you receive your Warrior name, you shall be known as Runningpaw." The Clan calls Runningpaw's new name. Nightstar turns to face Starlight who is sitting next to Tornadoclaw. "Starlight you are very determined and a strong Warrior, pass these traits onto your Apprentice." Starlight and Runningpaw briefly touch nose and then sit side by side. Nightstar looks at the next Kit in line. "Do you, Littlekit, promise to train faithfully and live by the Messenger Code?"

"Yes!" squeaked Littlekit.

"Then from this day on until you receive your Warrior name, you will be known as Littlepaw." The Clan calls Littlepaw's new name. Nightstar looks at Silverstream who is standing next to Silvermist. "Silverstream you are a cunning Warrior and you follow the Messenger Code perfectly; please pass these onto your next Apprentice." Silverstream and Littlepaw slowly touch noses and then sit side by side. Nightstar finally faces the third Kit to be apprenticed. "And do you, Sagekit, promise to train to the best of your ability and follow the Messenger Code without question?"

"Yes," said Sagekit slowly.

"Then from this day on until you receive your Warrior name, you shall be known as Sagepaw." The gathered cats call Sagepaw's new name. Sagepaw looks at her paws hot with embarrassment. Nightstar looks at Blackfoot who is sitting next to his brother Tornadoclaw. "Blackfoot, you are cautious and thoughtful of others, please pass these traits onto your first Apprentice." Blackfoot and Sagepaw briefly touch noses and then sit by the other new Apprentices. Everybody cheers for the new Apprentices calling their names so loud that it resounds off the hollow's walls.

"Some cats do not bare a Warrior's name do you think you should change them?" asked Tornadoclaw.

"Everybody here has a Warrior name it is just what you prefer to go by the most, Tornadoclaw."

"Oh…"

"So don't ask me that question again!" Duskpelt, Blue, Dustpelt, Red, Diamondclaw, and Sage return from the Training Hollow their jaws laden with prey. Nightstar jumps neatly down from the Highrock.

"I see you guys took them hunting," said Princecloud.

"Yeah, they learn rather quickly," said Duskpelt.

"How did we do for our first day?" asked Red as he puts his catch on the prey pile.

"You did very well. Soon you will be welcomed as full Warriors of CloudClan."

"That's when Nightstar is ready and willing to accept them into the Clan if she decides to anyway." The Warriors, Apprentices, Elders, and Queens move to the fresh-kill pile to get something to eat. After the Clan has eaten, they share tongues for a while and then they go to their nest leaving the three new Warriors to sit Vigil alone. Nightstar is standing outside the opening of her den looking at the young Warriors.

"Those three are going to make fine Warriors…" said Nightstar quietly.