[ti]Open[/ti]Fresh Blood

[KingHarry]

It was with a sudden inhale of breath that Mothstar, now with only three lives left, returned to the world of the living. His heart hurt. Perhaps that was why he kept drifting off to StarClan in his sleep? Hm. As he was still refusing to worry his medicine cat about this, the stubborn tom supposed that he would never know. 

Once his blurry eyes became clear again, the warrior instantly jumped to his feet - shocked to find a pair of eyes blinking down at him. Littledash, one of his warriors, appeared to be watching him sleep. Before Mothstar could open his mouth to chastise the cat, the small warrior rushed to get his words in first.

"Sorry to disturb you, Mothstar," he said, concern dancing over his face. "Some of the queens, they wanted to know when you were going to do ceremonies? The nursery is getting a little full, see, and- Are you alright, Mothstar?"

No. No, he was not alright, but the leader did not say that. Instead, he just grunted and, on somewhat shaky feet, pushed past the other as he left the den. If the queens wanted ceremonies, they could have them right now. As he walked, he stumbled - bumping into Littledash once more as the warrior tried to go back to his duties. "Sorry," Mothstar grumbled this time. "My legs are getting old."

Slowly, he made his way onto the usual rock. "May all cats old enough to fight their own battles gather for a clan meeting!" Mothstar yowled.

"The last few moons have been tough. I am sure that many of us are thinking about how Bleakbelly and Pouncefox are doing on their mission, and the concerns relating to the rogues continue. We must keep striding forwards, though. Whether we worry or not, fresh blood is always something to celebrate - and, on that note, Wormpaw, could you please step forward."

Mothstar still was not a fan of the hideous creature that had weaselled its way into MothClan, but a new warrior was a new warrior. Perhaps she would prove useful one day.

"You are old enough to be a warrior. While I would prefer to hold you back for a while longer - your obvious disability causing me to be concerned about your ability to thrive - we are in need of warriors, and so, on that note, I name you Wormface. May you serve your clan well."

His attention then turned to the kits of the clan. "Antkit - please come forth.

"Your father, Pouncefox, is current away an unable to witness you becoming an apprentice. I think that he would be very proud of you, though, as I have decided that I will be your mentor. Many cats have trained under me and have later gone on to become great cats - Bearstar of MistClan is an example of this. Under me, I am sure that you too will achieve greatness. From now on until you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Antpaw."

An apprentice would be good for him, Mothstar had decided. It would get him out and about, and give him one last chance to make an impact on a kit before the inevitable final death that he could feel slowly creeping closer. That, and, in a way, this was a reward for Pouncefox. The warrior would undoubtedly do well on his journey so, in return, the leader would mentor his child. That seemed fair, no?

[ladyspectral]

Wormpaw didn't expect to hear her name as Mothstar spoke up, a creeping feeling of dread filling her chest as he called out for her. She crept forward, paws shifting uneasily among the sharp stones that made up their home. Her body ached, both from her battle training as well as the extra duties she found herself working through every day. Even with her nervousness, a promise was a promise. And Brackenfall seemed trustworthy enough.

"I name you Wormface. May you serve your clan well."

Something new crawled in her chest, tore at her throat. It wasn't her usual grief that weighed down her heart and made her throat tighten. No, it caused her ears to flatten and her pelt to rise along her spine. It was rage, rising from her chest in a snarl. Wormface. Wormface. She had done nothing but prove herself the moment she walked from the medicine den, and he questioned her ability to survive? She glanced up toward the stars, to Starclan as tears began to well in her eyes.

They glittered coldly above.

"No." She raised her voice, for the first time since she had arrived. It boomed, echoing oddly as normal. But this time, it was enraged, furious. "My name is Badgerheart." Regret flashed across her mind, but the she cat continued. She had done nothing but work, she deserved some respect,"I've done nothing but work since I came here, caring for the clan since I was a young kit. I've done extra duties without being asked, and never have I complained about being tired. I've shown you I can not only survive but thrive, and that I'm more than willing to work hard. My name will not be Wormface, Mothstar."

Her heart thudded in her chest, the silence after her outburst nearly deafening her. Her claws dug into the ground, fur fluffed up in her rage. Had she moved forward? The rest of the clan seemed to be far behind her now. The disfigured cat wondered, was she always this alone?

[mewmehh]

The short, rather unceremonious naming ceremony had grabbed Darkpaw's attention by the scruff of his neck as he was pulled from his usual morning jog- compliments of Eveningblaze's extensive training. His emerald eyes had locked onto the haggard-looking leader, hearing Mothstar's grizzled voice as he claimed Antpaw as his own apprentice. The black cat scowled slightly. Wasn't he getting too old to be a mentor? What would happen if the old cat keeled over half way through Antpaw's training? Oh well. Not my place to think it over. However, his attention was snapped back to the scene as Mothstar spoke of his friend.

Darkpaw's heart twisted at the cruel, ugly name. Even with Bunnypaw's sweet logic regarding Wormpaw's name before, the name Wormface was just far too awful a name for a she-cat. Even one with an odd a face as his friend had. Darkpaw deemed it too unkind of Mothstar to bestow. And it seemed the normally complacent she-cat agreed.

Wormface argued her point in an even and polite, yet determined fashion and to Darkpaw, she definitely sounded like a true warrior. A smirk laced his face, and in the silence of the stunned clan, the normally loud tom bellowed out in a hearty yowl of approval, "Badgerheart! Badgerheart!!"

[KingHarry]

"No." Mothstar did not hesitate in his reply, the almost soft eyes that he watched Antpaw with instantly turning harsh and cold and he turned his head towards Wormface.

"You evidently have no concept of respect. If you did, you would be grateful that the clan allowed you to reside here without chasing you away. If it weren't for us, you would likely be dead. Do not kid yourself - you would not be able to survive in the world without our protection and education." Ears flat against his skull now, Mothstar's tail twitched dangerously as he stalked over to the disfigured cat - glaring down at her with a look of pure anger. He had allowed her to stay - to be a drain on their resources that had no birthright to be such a thing - and this was how she replied? No. He was not taking it. If she wanted to be Badgerface, she could go elsewhere to do it.

"Your name is Wormface. You are a warrior of MothClan and I, Mothstar, and the leader. My word is law - as decreed by StarClan itself. If I say that your name is Wormface, then your name is Wormface. You do not question that." His hissing voice was only growing angrier. MothClan was not a place for this kind of disrespect. Warriors here knew not to speak out of turn - to not demand things that they did not deserve. Claws out, he was tempted to swipe the ungrateful cat across her face. Mothstar resisted, though. She hadn't done anything to deserve anything more than a verbal response - yet.

"I do not care what you have done. I have eyes, and those eyes tell me that you need our help. For arguing, your punishment is to continue caring for the elders until I say otherwise. If you continue to argue, you will be stripped of your warrior name and will be known as Wormpaw once more. After that, if you still wish to challenge me, you will be banished from the clan. I advise you to not play games with me, Wormface. I did not get to where I am now by being weak."

His head then whipped around to face Darkpaw. "And you - you will not become a warrior until you learn to hold your tongue. Unless you wish to go back to the nursery again, I highly suggest that you learn to be quiet."

[ladyspectral]

Her rage only grew, like a roaring fire that refused to be smothered. Moons of pain and grief igniting, turning into a raging beast. Her eyes remained fixed on his, tail lashing as she glared into his eyes as he approached. Still, the stars glittered above, indifferent. Did Starclan abandon her, or did they just never care? The sound of Darkpaw's chanting was nearly inaudible to her, unable to hear anything but the roaring in her ears. Her entire body shook with her fury.

"And I repaid the favor by being loyal to Mothclan, never questioning yours or Brackenfall's judgement. I only stopped to eat and rest, I acted as an apprentice at the age where most if not all warriors are still playing with moss. I caught my first prey before I was even named an apprentice, and I gave it to the clan with no hesitation. What other cat can claim that? I am not weak. I've done nothing but prove that, over and over again." She snarled back.

"I've done nothing but work my claws to nubs for cats that give me an insult for a name." She snarled out. "My name will be Badgerheart, for the strength I've shown I possess. For all the work I've done to serve the cats of Mothclan." Her claws extended, tail lashing. Maybe this was never her home after all.

[Miss Tactical]

Eveningblaze padded into the clearing giving his body a nice stretch. He had been training all day every day with dark paw. Dawn to dusk giving him no time to himself besides eating and sleeping. However today was different, it was time for ceremonies. Antkit had reached 6 moons of age and would be made an apprentice. He sat calmly and looked straight forward and to his surprise Mothstar decided to take an apprentice himself. He nodded slowly, perhaps youth is what Mothstar needed, the best rememdy. His ears swiveled when it was time for Wormpaw to become a warrior. To his surprise she seemed like she had started to act like a warrior. When Wormpaw was named Wormface he didn't flinch. IN all honesty he had saw it coming. Sure it was dark...and rather morbid in a sense but she had been accepted into the ranks of a warrior, and that in of itself was something to be proud of.

However he frowned slightly when Wormface told Mothstar no, watching the events unfold before him she called herself badgerheart. He parted his jaws to speak but it was his own apprentice who started cheering the name that she had given himself. He narrowed his eyes slightly feeling the heat under his skin as he grew irritated. How dare Darkpaw speak out against Mothstar, he looked at Lionstorm, his nose wrinkled in annoyance. However, this was his apprentice. He stood up, rather calm about the entire situation with his apprentice, but no he had a different idea. He smirked slightly as he stood in front of Darkpaw.

"I see you must have enjoyed being a kit over an apprentice" He mewed looking at Mothstar with a sparkle in his eyes. 'I am doing to deage you then. You want to disobey your leader and act like a kit. Fine, in the eyes of MothClan, I eveningblaze now name you Dark-kit. You will NOT become an apprentice for 2 moons. Your training starts over. Congratulations, your half blind brother will be made a warrior before you." He looked over towards the nursery where Stormwatcher was sitting with her fiesty kits. Dark-kit would be a good addition to her litter family. "Stormwatcher mind another addition? He mewed firmly.

~~

THe dilute she-cat looked at her paws. She felt bad for Wormface and could only imagine what Hailstrike was thinking. However, she bit her tongue, she knew her fathers word was law, in the eyes of StarClan and for the entire clan. He had nine lives for that reason. She blinked slowly, taking a few steps back, she would not speak out against her father even if she didn't necessarily agree. She was about to pad forward to congratulate Wormface on being a warrior, even though the name was horrible, she was still a warrior, deep down, Stormwatcher felt that Wormface was brave for sticking up for herself it took a lot of courage and a low of heart, but knew it would only anger her father even more...she was about to turn around when a gruff mew echoed in her ears.

She turned to face a black tom, Eveningblaze. He was her senior but not her most favorite warrior around. When she asked if she would babysit his apprentice she gave a light snort, that was his job was it not? However,he had spoken out against her father. She stood up, and her green gaze as cold as ice looked down at the apprentice before cuffing him over the ear. "If you are going to be MY kit you are going to learn respect REAL fast. Go ask Iriskit how many times i've scuffed her across the tail with unsheathed claws maybe I outta do that to you too get in the nursery now." She mewed firmly.

[M'Lady]

Her overjoyed mood at her kits being named apprentices was quickly soured by the argument that spun out of control between the two-faced apprentice and Mothstar. While she did see the punishment of the name as a little harsh for all the work the clearly disabled she cat had put in, she didn't dare speak out against Mothstar. Eveningblaze, however, she was more than glad to ferociously fight against.

"Eveningblaze," Sweetbriar scowled, her large intimidating form only mitigated by those soft eyes that flickered with warmth and concern for the small apprentice, and worry for the rest of her clanmates. "Don't you think that punishment is rather harsh for your young apprentice? He did nothing but support a friend, surely you can think of better ways to correct his behavior rather than demote him in such a way! Obviously he must learn respect for our leader, but haven't you done anything rash as a young one?" She spoke, her words carefully chosen and soft, as to not bother Mothstar with her own concerns. "We need as many warriors as we can get, with those pesky rogues and the threat of another clan out there, please don't make such a quick decision over such a petty matter! I urge you to rethink your punishment, and perhaps put your lessons into training your apprentice rather than ignoring him for two more moons."

[KingHarry]

And that was when Mothstar's patience snapped. In one fluid movement, he lashed out - striking Wormface across her, well - faces. "Your name is Wormface," he hissed. "An apprentice does not get to choose their name, and that is not changing today. You were known as Wormpaw, and now you are Wormface. Perhaps, should you get yourself into a horrific accident, you could be renamed one day - Noleg if a fox chews a limb off, Scarredpelt if a fight leaves you with only tufts of fur. Until that day, though, you get the name you were given."

He was done now. That was that; Mothstar was not going to change his mind. He stepped back and lifted his head to address the entire clan - the spiteful anger still evident in his voice. "That goes for all of you. Your names are your names. The clans have never changed them unless something happens to make your current one no longer fit - and I think we can all agree that Wormface's face is still her most obvious trait." 

Honestly now, what had she expected to be called, huh? In this situation, the suffix had been an obvious one. Mothstar saw no issue with his choice.

Turned away from Wormface now, Mothstar allowed himself to relax just a little. The risen fur along his hackles dropped ever so slightly as his faced Eveningblaze. "If you wish for Darkpaw to become Darkkit once more for some time, then that decision is yours. If he apologises and behaves, you can take him back as an apprentice before two moons have passed. Only if you wish to, though. I leave you in charge of his punishment."

Finished, the large tom stalked off. He had better things to do than argue with children. 

[mewmehh]

Darkpaw felt his pelt turn white hot as his mentor's scent washed over him in an ominous cloud. Oh Starclan, did he screw up.

Eveningblaze wasted no time in turning the attention to the black apprentice and Darkpaw knew that Eveningblaze would do his best to make the younger tom regret his actions, but Darkpaw's heart was ironclad. The wellbeing of his clan was his top priority, and that even overrode the deluded and senile sense of their leader, at least in Darkpaw's eyes. But, alas, he wasn't Darkpaw now. Instead, Eveningblaze had saw fit to derank the large apprentice, deciding to squish him into the cramped playground of kits and queens. Darkpaw wanted to rebute the punishment, but even he knew when to cut his loses.

As the black warrior summoned the silvery queen, Darkpaw felt his pelt simmer with shame, the daughter of the leader he so rudely ignored threatening to shred his tail and claim him as her own. For the first time in moons, Darkpaw longed to curl up by his own mother's side.

However, the silky sweet voice of an angel rang out to aid him as Sweetbriar confronted his scarred mentor in his place. Emerald eyes glittered with pleading thanks, but he other avoided saying anything else to cause the she-cat any more trouble. Instead, he lowered his head and looked to the old, grayed leader and meowed in voice loud enough to hear, but solemn enough to show no inkling of bite, "Forgive me, Mothstar. I hadn't intended to insult you, sir." He only hoped Wormface would forgive him of his spinelessness.

[gingersnapsdacat]

Bunnypaw could not believe that she was almost late to the warrior ceremony of her best friend.
Oh StarClan I hope I didn't miss anything!
" I name you Wormface."
Bunnypaw stopped abruptly, hearing the new name of her friend. 
Well thats just plain uncreative...she thought. Do worms even have faces? They are just long wiggly things. 
"No."
The sound of Wormface's voice simultaneously froze her train of thought and sent chills down her spine. She didn't think that she had ever heard that amount of fierce anger in any cat's voice, much less her friend. It commanded her respect, and willed her silence, even though she wished to speak out and provide comfort to her clearly upset friend. 
"I've done nothing but work since I came here, caring for the clan since I was a young kit. I've done extra duties without being asked, and never have I complained about being tired. I've shown you I can not only survive but thrive, and that I'm more than willing to work hard. My name will not be Wormface, Mothstar."
Such powerful words moved the silver she-cat, making her respect her two-muzzled friend more with every syllable. That power was deserving of a name like Badgerheart. 
"Badgerheart! Badgerheart!!"
The solitary voice of Darkpaw roused her heart, and soon her voice joined the mix. 
"Badgerheart!"
But as things continued on, she got the feeling that her friend would not be getting her new name. And as Eveningblaze yowled harsh words of scorn towards Darkpaw, the silver apprentice found herself trapped. Her heart told her to run to his side, and to convince his mentor to take back the burning remarks. But at the same time she was painfully aware of the fact that speaking out could mean even more punishment for her beloved Darkpaw. 

Ruststripe had not planned on being very involved in this meeting. After all, it was only a matter of time before her kits would be born. That still sounded crazy to the striped queen. Her kits. And Eveningblaze was the father. She did not know what their relationship was. Clanmates? Friends? Mates? 
It did not matter in this moment. What mattered was what in StarClan was going on in the clearing. 
She stepped out of the nursery, eyes wide. The newly named warrior, Wormface, or Badgerheart, or whatever, was defiantly refusing to accept her name, demanding to be recognized as Badgerheart. Ruststripe admired the bold warrior, knowing that she would do the same. And maybe...she would.. 
""Frankly, I don't care. Make Darkpaw a kitten again if that is really what you want. But Darkpaw has done nothing but defend a clanmate. It is no different than when you chose to rescue me from the rogues."