"Amberpaw it's time to go, get up" Duskflower said and poked her apprentice with an outstretched claw. Amberpaw bolted upright and groomed herself quickly before following her mentor to the entryway.
Amberpaw stayed beside Duskflower the whole time while she ran. They finally ran into the clearing and met up with the other medicine cats and their apprentices. The whole gathering was a blur until they left towards Highstones.
Amberpaw was shivering with excitement, she had been there before but now she would walk out as a medicine cat. The other medicine cats smiled when they saw her and she nodded respectfully.
They had walked for a while when Highstones came fully into view. Amberpaw shivered and put one paw onto the stones then followed the rest of the medicine cats quickly.
She was the last to get into the tunnel and burst into the cave before sitting down to wait. They all went to the moonstone first and when their trance was over they came to sit around her.
Duskflower began the ceremony with a strong voice, "I, Duskflower, medicine cat of Thunderclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help she will serve her clan for many moons."
Duskflower looked down at her apprentice, "Amberpaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between clan and clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of you life?" she asked.
Amberpaw took a deep breath and responded "I do." Duskflower smiled, "Then by the powers of Starclan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Amberpaw from this moment you will be known as Amberfur. Starclan honors you forethought and determination, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of Thunderclan." she finished and beamed at her apprentice.
Duskflower rested her muzzle on Amberfur's head and without hesitation Amberfur licked her shoulder. "Amberfur, Amberfur, Amberfur!" the other medicine cats chanted. Amberfur glowed with pride and thanked them.
"See you next gathering Runningwind" Amberfur said to the Windclan medicine cat. Runningwind smiled and nodded. It was dawn and the medicine cats parted ways. Amberfur breathed in the early morning air and caught the scent of a mouse.
She followed the scent and found two mice. She crept forward slowly and sprang. She caught one in her teeth and the other under her left paw. She bit down on the one in her mouth and did the same with the one under her paw.
She picked up the mice and carried them back to Duskflower who was sitting on a warm rock. She put one in front of her and took the other to another rock to eat. "Your going to be a great medicine cat Amberfur" Duskflower said when she had finished her mouse.
Amberfur watched the sun come up then said "Thank you Duskflower." Amberfur finished up and went over to Duskflower to help her up. "we should head back" she said and slithered down the rocks. Duskflower nodded and jumped down after her.
They walked back to their camp and were greeted with the welcome sight of cats going about their daily business. "Hey Amberpaw!" Lightpaw said and bounded up with Darkpaw close behind. "It's Amberfur now and aren't Wildbreeze and Eagleclaw taking you out for training today?" she asked.
"No they had to go out on border patrol" Darkpaw said and lowered is ears. "Why don't you ask Silverstripe to bring you out, she just finished training Moonclaw so I'm pretty sure she'd be willing" Amberfur said to them.
They perked up and ran to find Silverstripe. Amberfur chuckled when the leader called a meeting. All of the clan sat around the rock and parted so she could get through she sat in her spot and looked expectantly up at Goldenstar.
"Amberpaw went to Highstones to receive her new name Amberfur. Duskflower will stay with her until her days come to an end. We have all appreciated Duskflower as much as we will Amberfur, that is all." Goldenstar spun around and walked towards her den, motioning for the medicine cat's to follow her.
Amberfur let Duskflower go first then followed after her softly. When they got to the leader's den Goldenstar laid down and looked at Amberfur. "You have a big responsibility now Amberfur and I have no doubt you can handle it. I see great potential in you, Duskflower has taught you well." Goldenstar said warmly then dismissed them.
Amberfur nodded at her leader then walked out of the den. She hadn't realized how cold it had gotten lately and sighed. "Winter is coming, that means coughs, cracked pads and stiffness" she said and put her nose to the wind. "But I'm ready for it" she finished with blazing amber eyes.