Warriors: Black Rain

Chapter 27

It was the first sunny morning the clans had seen in a few days, the trees and grass still wet from the storm. A relaxing breeze blew through camp as every cat gathered under the Half-tree at the call of Snowstar, a loud buzz of voices and excited gossip spreading in the air like a swarm of bees. Scarpaw, Leopardpaw, Sparkpaw, and Maskpaw all made their way to the front, freshly groomed, to sit beside their mentors at the foot of the great stump. They were still in pretty rough shape from the night before, but they wore their battle scars well, and Leopardpaw made it her mission to show them off to anyone who glanced her way. She puffed her chest out as she sat next to Owltail, a thick puffy scar spread there, and Owltail batted her behind the ears playfully. Scarpaw twitched her whiskers in amusement as Snowstar gazed across the clan, Suntail and Webear seated on the stones below. Everyone was watching in anticipation.

"Cats of Rainclan, I gather you here today beneath the Half-tree for a very important ceremony. These four apprentices have proven their worth to our clan through their determination, their ability to learn and adapt to their training, and with their bravery. It has come time to name them warriors." Scarpaw felt her pelt bristle as Snowstar turned his head towards Maskpaw, the first apprentice, and he couldn't hide his excitement either. Despite his cool demeanor, Scarpaw noticed his neck fur bristle, and Nightbreeze was glowing with pride.

"Maskpaw, you will now be known as Maskclaw." His eyes brightened at his new name, and Nightbreeze bent to lick his head, purring. Scarpaw saw Berryface, his mother, smiling brightly from the nursery. Snowstar turned next to Sparkpaw, mewing, "Sparkpaw, I name you Sparkwhisker." Toadface nodded curtly, his tail stump twitching. Sparkwhisker smiled, Fawneyes calling his name from the back of the crowd. Leopardpaw was nearly bursting out of her pelt as Snowstar turned his gaze towards her, and for once, Owltail didnt try and contain his apprentice's excitement. "Leopardpaw, your name will be Leopardeye." She squealed, whiskers twitching, and Scarpaw took a deep breath. It was her turn now.

Snowstar looked down at her, something flashing in his blue gaze. He hesitated for a moment, seeming uncertain. Scarpaw blinked, anticipation crawling at her pelt as he looked lost in his thoughts, debating something unknown to her. After a long silence, he blinked, nodding slowly. "Scarpaw, your name will now be... Scarleg." She blinked, and the sounds of the forest around her seemed to deafen in her ears. What was this feeling inside of her chest? Not pride, nor excitement for her new name; it was more like shame, like anger, like... pain. Scarleg was not the name she had expected to receive. All the other cats were given names to represent their strengths and their values, while she was given a reminder of where she came from and why she is different from those around her. Why she feels like she doesn't belong. She could hear the crowd repeating the name over and over, and the realization struck her. Despite the name, she was now a warrior. Stormspirit purred loudly, pressing his muzzle into her pelt as she smiled. She glanced down at her scarred hind leg, and couldn't help but wonder what Snowstar's intentions were in giving her that name. Looking back at him standing atop the stump, his expression was clouded, icy. She felt rigid beneath that gaze. The chanting crowd only grew, and she took a deep breath, trying to regain some kind of grounding. She had her warrior name now, and had completed her training. Despite it all, she was proud of herself.

"With these names, you four are welcomed as Rainclan warriors. Mentors, you all succeeded in training these four strong apprentices, and I am honored to have such strong cats in our clan." The entire crowd was chanting their names now, and the four apprentices looked to one another, sharing in their pride. Scarleg shut her eyes, taking in the sounds and the nudges of the cats around her.

Snowstar raised his tail for silence, allowing the new warriors to join the rest of the crowd. Scarleg noticed Maskclaw sitting with Sagefur, exchanging warm embraces. It brought a smile to her face.