[Harepaw's Warrior Ceremony] Feelin' like a star

[Whiskers]

Finally, something good was happening.

It had been a while since Gingerstar had been happy. It was no secret that she had fallen into a funk, each day bringing an increasingly more grumpy and sour leader to Pineclan than the last. It wasn't her clan's fault. Overall, they were behaving themselves. As full-leaf wound down into leaf-fall and the trees took on a more colorful wardrobe, the fresh-kill pile remained high and cats were busy. Aspenheart was taking charge. Patrols were frequent. Life was good. Gingerstar...Gingerstar just didn't like the loner being in her camp. That was really all.

But today, today was a brilliant day and for once Gingerstar emerged from her den smiling. Today was the day she would reward one of the hard-working apprentices-- one of her favorites-- with her warrior name. Young Harepaw was ready to enter the clan life fully and entirely. Gingerstar was always found of Harepaw. Unlike Juncopaw, she wasn't a stuttering fool and she didn't run off at the slightest whim like Willowpaw. Harepaw had the right amount of confidence and the perfect amount of ambition and she always came back to camp with a piece of prey between her jaws. Her only flaw was her taste for toms (her flirtatious nature drove Gingerstar crazy), but she would outgrow that and maybe...one day...Harepaw would become the type of female Gingerstar would want for Pineclan leader.

But first things first. It was time for the ceremony.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their prey meet me below High rock for a clan meeting!" she yowled with renewed vigour and energy. She sat on her perch and waited for them to assemble, her eyes glittering. When they had arrived, she locked eyes with the young apprentice. And a soft smile touched her lips, a warm...almost maternal glow entering her chest. She jumped down from the rock, keeping her eyes locked on Harepaw.

"Will Harepaw please step forward for her Warrior ceremony?"

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[Pyro]

Firestorm. Firestorm. Fire. Storm.

Harepaw's whiskers tilted forward with pleasure as she repeated the name over and over in her head. O the one paw, she was just the tiniest bit jealous that he had become a warrior before her. It made sense, yes. He was the senior apprentice, after all...She suppressed a giggle at the thought of 'seeing an older man'. Why was she always so kittish when he rudely barged into her thoughts? Was it love?

She hoped it was. Sure as hell was a fine sort of feeling.

But that wasn't all she was happy about. She had been hunting more and more, mostly for the excuse to see Firestorm, and to have an excuse for being out. Without intending to she had been practicing the skill which gave her the most trouble. And with practice came improvement. It wasn't long before her lame excuses had proof and her mentor, Shrikewhisker, was looking upon her with proud eyes. Harepaw was content to let him believe his teachings had done most of the work...not that they hadn't...but her motivation to hunt came from another tom.

Overall, she was having a very good sort of day. And it as about to get even better.

The apprentice jumped up, eyes shocked, but pleased. This was the moment she needed. Just the perfect moment to go with her perfect feeling, her perfect day. Hearing her name...paired with, of all things, 'warrior ceremony'...she practically flew on wings comprised entirely of joy as she stepped up to Gingerstar.

[Whiskers]

The shock in Harepaw's eyes quickly became joyful and the she-cat stepped forward eagerly. Gingerstar's small smile, subtly softening her eyes and warming her features, grew at the eager apprentice's reaction. She was reminded of herself; she couldn't help it. Those were the better days of her life. The days when everyone saw so much potential in her and would tell her she was going to go far. The days when she would wake up and immediately think what can I get done today?. Unfortunately, her blissful warrior days had been cut short. Gingerstar was happy that, here, in her clan, the tragedy that had befallen her would not plague Harepaw too. No. Harepaw would get to fully experience her warrior days, live out her life patrolling and hunting and soon she'd even get her own apprentice.

Because of the clan's disbelief in Starclan, Gingerstar could not recite the same ceremony her leader had recited for her. But she would rather just speak, instead of reciting age-old traditions. So she went off-script, though of course, she tried to keep it short.

"The cat that stands before me now is one I am especially proud of. I have watched you grow, Harepaw and you have displayed excellence in hunting, tracking and fighting-- but that is not what makes you a warrior. Your loyalty, dedication and drive have gotten you where you are today. I know you will continue to impress me as you move forward. So, with my clan as witness, you shall be known from now on as Harefang, for your strength and ferocity."

Gingerstar stepped forward and licked Harefang on the top of her head, a rush tingling up her spine as an image of a young kit flickered briefly in front of her. But the image was soon erased when Gingerstar stepped back, her smile still firmly set in place.

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