Harriertalon's Medicine Cat Ceremony

Ooc; mobile, please excuse typos

The day had finally come. Perhaps it should have come sooner, but truth be told Burdockroot may have selfishly withheld this ceremony so things didn't change. Not too long or anything, no more than half a moon. But she knew it was selfish, so she didn't draw it on too much. Deep down, she knew it wouldn't change too much and perhaps it would be nice for herself not having to hover over Harrier. Of course, surely there will be things Harrier needed help on. And besides, Burdockroot always intended to back away and slowly leave. Yet, that has kind of changed.

She didn't want to leave Harrier anymore. Harrier made her heart feel warm in a weird (to her way). It wasn't like she felt with Batsong, but like the way Queens described their love for their kits. Leopardsun was always going to be her mother, and Burdockroot was okay with that. She was fine being her Mentor, her second Motherish figure, or even a close friend.

Burdockroot still hated Nightpaw. She'd probably never forgive him unless he gravled at her paws. However, this wouldn't have happened without him basically forcing her to get an apprentice.

It was time. If she sat around reflecting any longer they could be late. Stirring, Burdockroot heaved herself up and shook out the moss in her fur and gave herself a good groom. Crossing the small distance, Burdockroot gently nudged Harriertalon awake. It was concerning leaving the clan with no healers in this time, but Rooktalon could handle any emergencies. "Harriertalon, it's time for your ceremony." She whispered, a hint of sweet to her tone.

It also pleased her that Harrier had mentioned she would be fine leaving her warrior name behind. She had spent almost every waking moment since deciding on her name. It would have to be sweet but resilient, plant based of course, and wholly reflect her. A name had been settled on and she truly believed Harrier would like it.

There had been a lot of pondering on whether or not Harriertalon wanted to change her name when  first asked by Burdock. Leopardsun had also been a part of trying to figure out if that was what Harriertalon had truly wanted.

Now, after the burial of both her siblings and the newly made fissure between the rest of her living family, the idea became far more tempting. But it was the half-moon meeting at Highstones that finally made up her mind: a curt visit from Moondance, "Stay strong for them, Harriertalon." She was right. Leopardsun and Badgermask had curled in on themselves, and Echomist was rightfully angry at the lack of maturity ShadowClan leadership had been displaying. Alongside Burdock, she would make sure there were still cats that ShadowClan could trust and rely on while their deputy and leader were in the midst of removing the loose rocks in their heads.

She would cast aside her anger for now, and instead focus on keeping her promise of caring for the clan she made and unending dedication to.

A smile crossed her maw at the tone Burdock used with her as of late; She was changing ever so slowly, and she wished that the clan could see this side of her mentor one day. They needed to remember how capable she was. The very cat she thought of as a secondary motherly figure she could always count on to be there, no matter what. Although Harriertalon has learned that life was fragile, she prayed Burdock would be around for a very very long time.

"I'm ready." Her name would be decided by her mentor, full trust that she knew what would suit the apprentice best.

Burdockroot nodded and cleared her throat. "My ancestors in StarClan, please hear my words. I bring to you today my apprentice, Harriertalon, to be named a full medicine cat of ShadowClan. She has been through turbulent times outside of her control. Her skill and kindness has comforted ShadowClan in her times of need. Harriertalon, do you promise to hold the medicine cat code for the rest of your life, putting aside borders to put others in need? To put away your claws of battle and instead use your paws for healing?" Burdockroot looked at Harriertalon expectantly, already knowing her answer.

The look in Burdock's eyes let Harriertalon know that she had no need to convice her mentor. Instead, she would just confirm that this was what she wanted. She wouldn't be asking StarClan for approval; she would be telling them that they didn't have a choice. StarClan could kick rocks for all she cared. "As long as I live and breath." Her duties were to the living, not some ancient dead cats. They could try to strike her now for her blasphemous thoughts, but it wouldn't change anything: her duties were for the living, not some holier-than-thou dead cats.

"Then StarClan may heed my words as I grant upon you your new name: Heatherberry. You have she'd your name of your warrior life and joined me in the new tradition of warriors turned medicine cat, so your name reflects that as well as your soft and comforting personality to your clan. I trust you will serve ShadowClan well for as long as you can. Heatherberry, please approach the Moonstone and approach your StarClan colleagues for the first time as a ShadowClan medicine cat." Burdockroot finished with her first ever genuine beam of a smile before it fading to a warm and compassionate one, motioning for her apprentice to finish the ceremony


Ooc: I am p sure the name is Heatherberry but I have the memory of a goldfish and will edit if I'm wrong.

Heatherberry... That would take a while to get used to, wouldn't it? And so would the warm smile of her mentor. Not because Heatherberry thought it weird or misplaced, but because she would always feel the warmth it held and it would always shake her heart; this memory she would hold onto for eternity.

She returned Burdocks smile, before her eyes turned to the sparkling stone that had always made her belly churn. This was it. She would no longer be an apprentice by status, but Burdock would forever be her mentor regardless. Tonight she would press her black nose against the sickeningly beautiful stone, close her eyes, and awaken as a new cat.

---

When Heatherberry opened her eyes, the landscape she saw before her made her heart sink: the hard line between marsh and moor lay before her.

"Took you long enough."

Her head turned towards the voice, already knowing what annoying little beast it was coming from: Batswarm, her beloved baby brother. It didn't take much for the tears she had so bravely held in her waking life to pour down her cheeks in silent sobs. This caused the diluted calico to roll his eyes - ones that were also welling with tears - and stand from his resting space just on the edge of the ShadowClan border.

"It's normal for one to weep at the sight of my beautiful form, so let it out while you can." Stardust and fluffy fur tickled Heatherberry's nose as Batswarm lent her his shoulder. It was shocking, but she wouldn't say anything for fear he'd take it away. All of this was an unusual interaction for the siblings. They hadn't shared a moment like this when he was still alive, but perhaps that was why it happened now. Moments like this that should have been shared while they both walked the same realm.

"It's not your fault." Simple words, yet they meant everything to her. While it wouldn't heal her completely, this was a sentence that would push her in the right direction. "Congratulations, Heatherberry. Now get off me." Batswarm gave a rather rough shove, making Heatherberry lift her head.

Before she could even get a word in, the dream ended. This was a typical Batswarm interaction and - as annoying as it was - she smiled to herself. Moondancer. Batswarm. The one thing she could thank StarClan for was allowing her the one last link she had to them both.

---

"I think I'm ready to leave, Burdock." Harriertalon would be a name she treasured, but it was time to let her rest and heal. Heatherberry would be taking over.