The sun is high in the sky by the time he gets out of the warriors den. Last night he and Longtail had watched the stars for what seemed like hours after their talk with his friend's reassuring words. He stretches his limbs a yawn escaping his jaws.
Sandstorm bounds up to him and mews, "Congratulations Stripes. Bluestar is getting ready for Cloudpaw's naming ceremony. Every cat in Thunderclan is gathering around."
"Thanks, Sand. I am worried about how the other apprentices will take it though. Longtail reassured me last night but…."
"Is that why you slept in, Stripes?"
"Yes. We talked about his apprentice Swiftpaw not being a warrior, but not about how he or the others would take."
"They will be made warriors soon."
Graystripe sighs, "I wouldn't count on it. Bluestar seems to have bees in her brain because she doesn't trust the apprentices or their mentors."
"But Whitestorm is….."
"I know. But one of them other than me saw through Tigerstar's act. Fireheart told me, but I still knew. It just sucks that good cats, cats who won't betray us, can't be made warriors because of what their mentors, through no fault of their own, couldn't see."
Sandstorm sighs, "Then you will just have to convince her that she is wrong."
"But that is going against my leader. I know I did for keeping us all in Riverclan, but I'm not sure how to get her to change her mind about this. She's the only one with the authority to make warriors and she's already going through with the ceremony and I….."
He stops when Sandstorm nuzzles her head against his chest in support. Showing that she trusts him. He returns the gesture by having his head lay on her neck gently.
"Thank you, Sand."
The pale-ginger warrior mews, "You're welcome."
He breaks the embrace reluctantly and goes to sit down in the middle of the clearing in the front with Sandstorm by his side. Sitting down together he notices that the other apprentices, the older ones, are the last to join the circle. With Brightpaw having to nudge Swiftpaw out of the den. A pang of dismay flashes through his heart and he wishes he could have done more for them. Brightpaw, Swiftpaw and Thornpaw deserve to be warriors just as much as Cloudpaw.
Cloudpaw seems a little bothered as he glances at his friends while padding towards Graystripe. Excitement shines in his eyes, but also pain for his friends not being able to stand beside him.
He murmurs, "I'm very proud of you, and I know Fireheart would be as well."
The white apprentice beams at the praise and he whispers, "Can we go hunting to tell Princess?"
"Princess?"
"My mother, Fireheart's sister. I haven't seen her since… well you know."
"Of course you can." he whispers just as Bluestar emerges from her den and leaps unto highrock.
Her voice rings throughout the clearing as she speaks, "Cloudpaw, you have trained well in the ways of the warrior and I have decided it is your time to take your place as a full member of Thunderclan."
The white tom turns to face the highrock as she begins to speak the ritual words, "I, Bluestar, leader of Thunderclan, call upon my warriors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him in turn."
Her voice has emotion in it and it's clear she cares about this ceremony. Hope flares in his chest that Bluestar has come back to herself at last.
"Cloudpaw," she continues, "do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." His apprentice mews fervently.
"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name," Bluestar goes on, her gaze shining at the young tom. "Cloudpaw from this moment on you will be known as Cloudtail. Starclan honors your courage and loyalty and we welcome you as a full member of Thunderclan."
Leaping down from the highrock she pads over to Cloudtail and rests her muzzle on his head. Cloudtail gives her shoulder a respectful lick, and then walks to where Graystripe is.
The clan then yowls Cloudpaw's name. "Cloudpaw! Cloudpaw! Cloudpaw! Cloudpaw!"
He and Sandstorm yell the loudest and lots of cats come up to greet the new warrior. However, an uneasy feeling settles over him as he looks at the other apprentices. They all look at their paws, with Swiftpaw getting up first and padding out of camp back to the Riverclan camp where the queens and elders are. Or to hunt their frustrations out. And he can't blame them. Brightpaw is the only one who stays to congratulate Cloudtail.
Turning to Cloudtail he mews, "You're keeping vigil tonight. Though that is not for a long time. Remember when it starts you have to stay silent until dawn."
His former apprentice nods and runs off proudly, his tail held high. But he knows that the ceremony, at least for him, was soured because of the other apprentices' jealousy. Once again he wishes he could have done more for them so they could have been made warriors alongside Cloudpaw. Though he knows he couldn't have changed Bluestar's mind even if he wanted to.
Sandstorm once again comforts him by leaning against him and giving his reassuring licks. He purrs. Grateful to have her company through this difficult time. Looking up at the bright blue sky, he prays to Starclan that this will somehow be resolved peacefully.