Rosepaw’s Moonstone Journey

Fuzzypaw was still nursing sore ribs after the farce of a Gathering. He knew that who he would be traveling with today would have a heavy heart.

It seems like mere sunrises ago when Batglow died, but after the Gathering, it felt like an eternity. Fuzzypaw felt a twinge of guilt for not knowing what to say to her when he died. Rosepaw was his daughter, for StarClan’s sake. What could he have even done?

His paws worked almost by muscle memory. It was dawn and he was still not fully awake. The journey had to be made.

The fluffy brown tabby walked to the apprentice’s den, trying to find Rosepaw.

“Hey, Rosepaw? We’re going on a trip. A really cool trip. But we have to eat some herbs first, it will take a long time.”

Fuzzypaw chewed his pile as he waited for Rosepaw to meet him.

“Ready when you are.”

Rosepaw was a lot more tired than she normally was, groaning when she was woken by Fuzzypaw. She didn't want to wake up. She wanted to stay in her nest, and pretend like the day wasn't there. But she knew Fuzzypaw wouldn't allow that. So she got her cranky tail to her paws, a very unamused expression staring at the medicine cat.

"Can you please stop talking to me like I am a kit? I want to get this over with so I can go back to sleep."

Rosepaw knew very well what it is they were doing. They were going to the moonstone so she could speak to her ancestors and yada yada yada. It was tradition. A stupid one, but a tradition all the same. So she was fully aware it was coming.

Eating the herbs, and gagging, Rosepaw followed, grudgingly, after Fuzzypaw. She hated this already.

“I don’t think you’re a kit. Let’s go!”

Fuzzypaw weaved through the marshes, his paws nimble and quick. He knew the best way to get there, his fluffy tail blowing in the breeze. It was greenleaf, and, stars, it was hot. He winced slightly as the heat kneeled on his back. Fuzzypaw couldn’t imagine how Duskflight felt, being fully black furred.

The tomcat approached Mothermouth as dusk started to settle in. He turned to Rosepaw, who stayed quiet, and meowed, “We’re here. We’ll go through the tunnel and there will be a rock lit by starlight. Touch your nose to the stone and close your eyes.”

The tom let his tail hang behind him as he walked into the tunnel and into an enclave, the Moonstone glowing.

“Stars light your path.”

Rosepaw couldn't help but roll her eyes. Call her a pessimist, but she didn't believe in StarClan. After all, they were supposed to bring her mother back. But it felt like all she ever did was lose the cats she loved. Fawnpatch. Batglow. She hated it all. She wished they would just go away again.

She would give them this, though, their moonstone was impressive. Coming from the complete dark to seeing this brilliant light, it was definitely something. But there had to be a reason for it, right? Rocks don't just shine like that.

Pressing her nose against the cold surface, Rosepaw let herself be lulled to sleep. And it totally wasn't because of some magic. She was just already tired. Totally.

"Rosepaw.." The words were breathed as the dream seemed to come to life. "Stars I'm so happy to see you again." The lanky black warrior said to his daughter, as he approached her, happiness shining in his yellow green eyes. "I'm so glad I got the chance to talk to you."

Rosepaw didn't know whether to cry or smile as she ran up to Batglow.

"Papa!"

She buried her face into her father's fur, somehow managing to sob and laugh all at once. She knew in her mind this was just a dream. She would wake up and Batglow would be gone. It was cruel for her to see him for such a small amount of time. But right now, she didn't care. She didn't want to wake up. She didn't even want to talk. She just wanted to sit there in his embrace, as if she was a kit again. Maybe then, just maybe, he wouldn't go away. Maybe he wouldn't leave her again, and she could have her Papa back.

Oh the hopeless dreams of a child.