Blossompaw's Moonstone Journey

Sagelight padded out of the medicine cats' den and shook out his short fur, sighing through the bundle of herbs in his mouth. He'd already eaten his own, of course, he'd been doing this long enough. He paused on his way to the apprentices' den to gaze up at the growing morning light. He hadn't been to the Moonstone since the last medicine cat meeting and he also hadn't heard a single word from StarClan. The tom's face creased in worry as his ears slid back against his head. What if StarClan never spoke to him again? He didn't like being in the dark about important things. Hopefully they would at least talk to Blossompaw, which was who he was escorting to the Moonstone today. Honeypaw would stay behind in camp to make sure every cat was okay while he was gone.

The pointed tabby poked his head into the apprentices' den, peering into the darkness for the fluffy gray tabby. "Blossompaw?" he called, stepping in but staying in the entrance. "Meet me outside, it's time to go."

Blossompaw's head lifted from her nest, gray eyes gleaming with excitement and anticipation. Today was the day, the last step in her journey to becoming a warrior. She wondered what Spottedstar would say at her ceremony, how much longer it would be until he spoke those words. What would her warrior name be? Would Wolfcall be there? Her heart fluttered at the thought, and she rose as quietly as she could and followed Sagelight out of the den. Once she was out in the morning light, she shook out her long pelt, scraps of moss falling from it. She looked to Sagelight and nodded respectfully towards him, while she didn't know the tom very well she did know that he was kind. "Good morning, Sagelight, I'm ready."

The medicine cat greeted Blossompaw with a smile as she exited the den. He motioned to the bundle of herbs at his paws, pushing it towards her. "Good morning! Eat these and then we'll be on our way. I'm sure you've heard that they don't taste very good...I put a bit of honey on there to sweeten the taste. After we exit camp we can stop by the stream for some water before we head out."

Smiling back as she sniffed at the herb bundle, her nose crinkled slightly. It was an odd scent, the sweet honey mixing with the odd smelling herbs, but with an internal shrug she lapped it up. The honey coated the herbs, making them easy to swallow, which really helped to mask the taste of them. The after taste was still odd, and at the comment of stopping at a stream she nodded rigorously. "Sounds good, Sagelight! I'm ready now, unless there's something else I need to do?" Blossompaw shifted her weight from side to side, nervous and excited to get going. After this, she just had to wait until Spottedstar thought it was time. She would be a warrior soon, hopefully! She wondered briefly if Wolfcall would be at her ceremony when it came, pelt flashing with heat at the thought. Now wasn't the time, she had a journey to undergo!

Just as Sagelight had promised, the two cats stopped at the cool stream outside of camp for a moment. He gave Blossompaw just enough time to get her water and freshen up before they were on their way. Despite all the uncertainty behind StarClan and what was happening in the forest, the pair made good time on their journey to the Highstones. Sagelight led the way up to Mothermouth with practiced ease, although he hung back around the entrance, regarding the blackness inside with apprehension. What if this didn't work? Surely StarClan would allow them to make apprentices into warriors, right? Sagelight sighed and turned his attention back to the apprentice he was leading. "Everything alright? We're almost there. Just a few things before we go in. Stay close to me in the tunnel, it's dark in there and the paths are hard to follow. Stick by my tail and use your whiskers to feel the wall. Second, once we reach the cavern with the Moonstone, you will go in ahead of me and I'll stay by the entrance to the cavern. Touch your nose to the Moonstone when you're ready and StarClan will come and speak to you. I'll be waiting when you wake up." The medicine cat offered the biggest, most reassuring smile he could, both for himself and for Blossompaw, and turned tail and lead her into the cave.

They reached the Moonstone and Sagelight was very, very relieved to see that it was lit up still. Maybe this would work after all. The tom sat down at the entrance to the Moonstone and motioned for Blossompaw to go on in with his tail.

True to his word, Sagelight paused at a stream just outside of camp, and Blossompaw was quick to use the opportunity to clear her mouth and senses of the taste of the herbs, and also her head. She was quick though, and soon enough the two were back on their way through the territories. The journey was fairly quiet, the two padding side by side until they were standing outside of the Highstones she had heard so much about. The feeling of solid rock beneath her paws was an odd sensation, and the small pebbles that wriggled under her with each step was a new experience. Sagelight paused outside of an opening that yawned wide, filled with darkness. Her ear flicked as he sighed, and when he turned she sat down to listen. Nodding at his instruction, she gave him a small smile back. "Alright, Sagelight, I understand."

She followed the medicine cat through the tunnels, and finally they emerged into a large cavern that was filled with a brilliant light. Casting one last look over her shoulder at Sagelight, she settled down next to the Moonstone and touched her nose to it. It was chilly to touch, but as she lay there the cold stone at her nose and under her shifted to warmth, and after a few heartbeats longer she opened her eyes to find herself laying on a branch in the treetops of a place that looked almost like SkyClan's territory, but there was something... Different. The sunlight filtering through the leaves seemed brighter, warmer, and the leaves were greener. She sighed contently before she realized with a jolt where she was. Was this StarClan? The long-furred tabby sat up and looked around, gray eyes searching for another cat. Wasn't she supposed to speak to someone? Who would speak to her?

A small mrrp seeped through the maw of a kit-like she-cat, focused intently - if not surprised - by the cat who appeared before her. "Oh! Blossompaw! Hi!" She purred, jumping to her paws. Leaftwirl was beautiful - long brown fur with deep black tabby stripes glistened in the greenleaf forest. White paws held up her lanky frame, a young face smiling excitedly, yellow-green eyes glowing. The scars of battle - the wounds of life, had not followed her into StarClan. The she-cat's figure was calm and her spirit was bright. Around the two, the trees whispered songs of joy and playfulness. Silvery grasses whisked around their legs, and starry birds fluttered in the trees above. StarClan was far removed from the perils of the territories below.

Leaftwirl collected herself and dipped her head in an awkward - but warm - bow, grinning to Blossompaw. "Sorry, this is the first time I've done something like this... I'm sure you were expecting someone amazing, like Crowstar or Mistyrain... But you get me! I'll try to be as exciting as they'd be." Leaftwirl giggled, her face youthful and kittish, if one didn't know her true age, she could be put off as an apprentice or a large kitten. "When I was asked to welcome you at the moonstone - well. I was in awe! It's been so long since I've talked to a living cat. Things have really changed in the forest... and while StarClan is fun, it's good to keep up with old friends. Tell me, how's Swansong? Or Basildrop? I do miss them. Oh! Well sorry, I'm Leaftwirl by the way, and you're Blossompaw! I've been watching you! Not in a creepy way, but I just think you're cool! I like to imagine we'd have been friends if I were still alive. Ha!" The she-cat paused to grin and gaze at Blossompaw's pelt, thinking her intricate tabby stripes were pretty.

The she-cat wondered for a moment if she was doing this correctly - the whole moonstone thing - but she was sure some elder would come to step on her tail if she slipped up. It was a risk she was willing to take. "How was the journey? How's SkyClan? How are you?"

The sound reached her ears before she saw her, but as she turned in the direction of it Blossompaw realized that she wasn't as alone as she had initially thought. She'd be lying if she were to say that the other pretty she-cat hadn't caught her off guard, and she lowered her head respectfully as the StarClan cat greeted her by name. "H-hi..." As the apprentice raised her head, she was shocked to see the StarClan cat lowering her own head in a bow. She shifted her weight from one side to the other nervously as Leaftwirl spoke, shaking her head lightly. "I didn't really know what to expect, to be honest... I think you're doing just fine!" You mousebrain Blossompaw thought to herself. Just stop talking, you're making a fool of yourself. Leaftwirl continued with a giggle, and Blossompaw wondered just who she was talking to. Whoever it was, she certainly had a lot of energy.... She wondered casually if she was the same way in life. Leaftwirl introduced herself, and Blossompaw stared at her just a heartbeat too long. "Leaftwirl? Like, Basildrop's mother, Sunflower's old mate?" She asked before looking down embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I just... I've heard about you but... Well, I never knew you, unfortunately..."

"Basildrop is doing alright, we patrol together now and then. She's very nice! Swansong is nice too, she's doing pretty well, I think..." As Leaftwirl continued, Blossompaw smiled at her, wondering how things would be if the StarClan warrior were still alive. Leaftwirl paused for a moment, looking at her, and she wondered if she had said or done something wrong. Finally the silence broke, and Blossompaw hesitated for a moment. "The journey was fairly quiet, the Thunderpath was a bit scary though.... Certainly makes your heart pound! SkyClan is.... Well... Spottedstar seems really sad, honestly. I want to help, but I don't know how to.... I don't even know how to approach him about it, he's my mentor and my leader, he probably doesn't want or need to talk to someone like me.... Other than that, I think we're okay. The other clans aren't so much... As far as me...." Blossompaw hesitated again before continuing. "Well, I've been training really hard, and I've made some friends. Honeypaw, the medicine cat apprentice, and I are going to go herb gathering soon! And there's Wolfcall, he and I have gone hunting together a few times. He's so kind, and I really like spending time with him." She lowered her voice, looking around quickly. "I'm pretty sure I'm in love with him, but... Well... You know how that goes I'm sure."

Leaftwirl's eyes glazed over suddenly in a bittersweet moment as Blossompaw spoke of her daughter - Basildrop, and her old friend Swansong. Part of the tabby wished she'd have been in better spirits in life, to enjoy the time they'd had together a little more - but the past was just that, the past. Her eyes sparkled as Blossompaw described the Thunderpath, and Spottedstar. It was no surprise that the leader should feel that way. The forest just wasn't the same anymore. Leaftwirl gazed at the apprentice, exhaling through her nose with quiet empathy, but her thoughts on words of advice were whisked away as the apprentice talked of love and Wolfcall. Leaftwirl smiled and wondered if this was why StarClan had chosen her to speak to Blossompaw. Ironic, really. She was never good at love, nor was she good at keeping all her birds in a row, but she'd grown. Leaftwirl was still doing so, even now, in death. And as she gazed at Blossompaw, with her pretty silver pelt, the warrior knew she wanted the same for the apprentice as well.

"I know how that goes." Leaftwirl crooned after Blossompaw had finished speaking, a glint in her eye. "I mean, I'm no love expert, and don't take my advice too seriously. Shoot-" Leaftwirl cut off, realizing that was the exact reason the apprentice was here - for advice - well, she best give some good teachings then. "Oh!. Sorry, sorry. Okay yes. Take my advice seriously, but not too seriously. If you know Sunflower, you'll probably know how things went between us, but you're not me, you'll do better." Leaftwirl giggled and shook out her fur, beckoning Blossompaw to follow her into the long grassy fields.

"When I was born, I was the bubbliest apprentice in SkyClan! I almost drove my mentor Tinylegs - er - Tinystar at the time, into the ground! Life was whimsical and amazing and - well, it still is. Training, the Thunderpath - stars, even love! I was so... happy." She stopped under a pine tree, pulling apart the green fronds to beckon Blossompaw beneath the branches, into the silvery darkness. "But life isn't all mouse tails and sunshine. Most of my life - I lived in sadness, I'll admit." It felt strange to speak it out loud - even though Leaftwirl had well come to terms with how she spent her living days. "But it was birdbrained, really. I guess I was sad because, well, I was trying so hard to be something I wasn't, and I lost myself in the process. If I would've stopped and just thought for a moment - I would've noticed Amberdawn leaving, I would've never became Sunflower's mate, I would've..." She trailed off, noticing she was rambling - bordering on remorse. "My point is - you're gonna become a warrior soon probably. SkyClan will expect stuff out of you, hunting, fighting, warrior kind of stuff. But - don't forget that you're well, you!"

Leaftwirl kneaded her white paws into the ground -strewn with nettles. "It's important to fight with everything you have in you, and it's important to be the best you can be for you clan, but don't forget the Blossompaw underneath. I made that mistake long ago - but don't worry about me. I died for my clan, and I'm proud of that. I'm happy now. I'm a SkyClan warrior, but I'm also Leaftwirl - bubbly and happy, and that's okay." The she-cat ducked her head and realized she'd spoken something crazy. A giggle escaped her maw and Leaftwirl winked, feeling as light as a feather. "Promise me you'll be the best warrior ever - but promise me you'll still be Blossompaw too. Don't let the warrior life hinder your own - or those who you love."

Blossompaw purred as Leaftwirl continued, beckoning her to join her as they moved into a grassy field. She listened silently as the she-cat continued, speaking of her apprenticeship fondly. the StarClan warriors voice seemed to darken slightly as she reveal a silvery darkness to her, and she gazed into it before turning back to her frowning at the idea that such a happy she-cat could have been so sad in life. As she explained that it was because she lost herself in being something she wasn't, Blossompaw's eyes widened and she nodded, thinking she understood. "So, even if I'm training all the time, I still need to make sure I don't lost sight of myself... She touched her nose to the StarClan cat's shoulder briefly as she trailed off. "I think I understand. Thank you, Leaftwirl. I promise I'll do my very best to remember your advice. Thank you." The landscape around her seemed to shift and swirl, and in a matter of moments she found herself waking up at the side of the Moonstone. She whispered a final thanks before getting to her paws and turning to Sagelight. It was time to go home.