Acornkit's MCA Ceremony

It was an unexpected alliance, one that sprouted from hesitant meetings with Rockfall, soon to be Rockstar regarding SkyClan's lack of a Medicine Cat. While the tom was no fan of SkyClan like most of his brethren, he was no ordinary warrior. He was a medicine cat, and that duty came with it's own set of rules. To deny another clan a medicine cat due to his prejudice would be failing his duties most severely. He'd sworn to StarClan to serve, to heal, and to preserve. So the calico stalked to SkyClan territory for the first time in his life, cutting through ThunderClan territory to do so. He was stopped once, but Duskfall allowed him through. Not even the zealous deputy dared to stop a medicine cat, especially since their two clan's informal alliance was strong as ever.

It was Sun High by the time the calico reached the tall pines that made up SkyClan territory. He felt profoundly uncomfortable underneath the canopy, unused to having the sky covered and his vision blocked by undergrowth and trees. There were so many nooks and crannies for danger to lurk, it seemed like an awful way to live.

"Gorsefeather? It's Gorsefeather, right? I'm Rabbitwhisker." A brown tabby approached the calico, his white paws barely making a sound as he strode over to the medicine cat. Gorsefeather felt like a clumsy kit in comparison, unused to the pine needles and leaves that littered the forest. His every step crunched and scattered leaves like pigeons fleeing from a dog.

"Yes. You're my escort, I assume." Golden eyes did a once over of the brown tom, looking over at the warrior. He looked friendly enough, not the barely hidden glares he was ready to deal with from these rogues and kittypets. The medicine cat held his judgement for now. "Lead me to your camp, Rabbitwhisker, we're running short on time as it is."

Rabbitwhisker looked uncertain, the tom looking around as if he was expecting an ambush from the bushes at any moment. Not that the calico blamed him, WindClan and ThunderClan had taken part in attempting to drive out SkyClan many moons ago. But he didn't have time for this, High Stones wasn't exactly close by SkyClan territory and it was already Sun High. "I swear on my honour as a medicine cat, that Falconstar isn't hiding in the bushes to jump you. Now lead me to this kit."

The tabby still looked on with wariness, but he lead him without anymore protests to SkyClan Camp. Which was like every other part of the forest, dark, hidden, and dank. Dreadful. Why Falconstar and Dewstar waged war for this territory was beyond him.

"I'll fetch her. Wait here."

Gorsefeather didn't appreciate being left alone in the middle of a hostile camp but the medicine cat remained where he was left. The calico's tail was curled over his paws, as his sat vigilant as ever.

A small, fluffy creature sat twitching in the security of the nursery. Acornkit moaned and mumbled, deep in sleep while the medicine made his way towards her home. A little mew escaped her lips, followed by her softly crying out the word "mommy".

The fawn she-kit often found herself in this dreamscape, staring up at her father, and a shrouded figure that she assumed was her mother. Their wild smiles shone through the darkness, illuminating the other cats prsent. Acornkit always jumped to her paws and ran forward to greet her mother. But she was always too late. It didn't matter how fast the tabby ran, she never budged an inch. While she ran with all of her might her mother began to collapse, her wide smile still plastered to her blackened face. The kit tried to call out to her mother, screaming as the queen fell onto the ground limp.

Acornkit woke with a shake, only to find her father approaching her with a worried expression. The spotted tabby's rose and fell heavily as she calmed herself. It didn't matter how many times she had that dream. She always woke up terrified. She began purring at the comfort Rabbitwhisker's presence gave her, but stopped when she noticed the uncertainty in his eyes. "Is something wrong, Pop?," she mewed, her eyes echoing his.

Rabbitwhisker sighed at his daughter's perceptiveness, sometimes wishing she took after him more. He was rubbish at guessing what others were feeling. But it seemed StarClan was cruel, and didn't care for the wants and desires of single tom cat fathers, so instead he had a perceptive daughter. Which was probably a good thing considering the path she was to head down. And that brought him to why he was so tense and concerned. His little girl, little Acorn, was to become a medicine cat. Or that's what Rockfall said at least, and now there was some pompous WindClan tom waiting for him to bring over his kit.

The life of a medicine cat was no easy one. She'd never be allowed to take a mate, or have kits of her own. Perhaps that was a good thing considering what happened to his mate, his love, Heatherfang. But he had more doubts that there were stars in the sky. What if Acorn changed her mind when she was older? What if she hated her duty, and wished that she could be free like everyone else? Heatherfang would have known what to do. She was always clever like that.

Lost in his frenzied thoughts, he groomed her roughly. Forcing down any stray clumps of fur that stood awkwardly upright before he replied. "Remember how Rockfall said that you wouldn't be an apprentice like your siblings? That you'll be a medicine cat one day? It's... It's now time, Acornkit. There's a tom waiting for you outside. Your new mentor, Gorsefeather. Go see him." He nudged her out once he deemed her fur to be in satisfactory shape. But just before she'd exit, he couldn't help call out. "Wait. You know, if you change your mind. No one will judge you. The life of a medicine cat isn't for everyone. You'll always be precious to me, Acorn."

As much as Acornkit wanted to protest against his incessant grooming, she knew it helped the warrior calm his mind. The she-kit sat patiently, her small body easily tossed around by his rough tongue. Her expression changed from being slightly annoyed, to being slightly solemn. As much as she dreamed of earning her warrior name beside her siblings, something in her tiny heart told her otherwise. From the moment they learned about Heatherfang's untimely death, a wave of guilt washed over the spotted tabby. Was it her fault her mother died? The question never left her head. Acornkit could not help but feel responsible for the pain Rabbitwhisker and her siblings felt. Her self-hatred grew by the day, but learning there was a way to save lives instead of take them eased her mind.

SkyClan needed a medicine cat and Acornkit was prepared to be that cat. Her ears pricked up at the sound of her new mentors name. Gorsefeather. The fawn she-kit let her father nudge her to the entrance before pulling back and letting her exit herself. She paused to glance back and give the tom a smile. "Thanks, Pop. But.. this is what I want to do," she said calmly before taking the last few steps out of the den.

In the second it took her to turn her head back forward, she was already bumping into a tall, strange figure. She reeled back in surprise. Staring at the calico, her muscles tensed up and her already fluffy fur puffed out more. "U-uh, G-Gorsefeather?"

Rabbitwhisker closed his eyes and nodded in acknowledge, his tail falling limp with resignation. This was the path she'd chosen, and while he had concerns, he would support her through it. So he remained there for a second, curbing any desires to question her, to tell her that she didn't have to do this. And when the worse was over, he snuck out to the apprentice den, to see how the rest of his litter were adjusting to becoming apprentices.

-

Gorsefeather had been expecting a kit naturally, after all, one didn't become a medicine cat apprentice at fifty moons, but she was smaller than he expected. Or he'd grown too used to seeing his overgrown hulk of an apprentice wandering about, fussing over everything that he'd forgotten how tiny everyone was when they first went to Highstones to take their vows. He didn't remember being quite so small that disastrous day when Suntail took him to Highstones, but then again, his memory was clouded by many things, anger, betrayal, pain. Those things did make his memory a little unreliable.

"Yes, that is my name. And you're Acornkit. Glad we have this established." The calico spoke with an impatient flick of his tail, he shouldn't have thought about Suntail, that line of thought always got him agitated. "We'll be heading to Highstones today for you to officially begin your apprenticeship under me... This isn't news to you, I hope?"

The kit flinched at his hostile tone. She took a quick glance back at the nursery, hoping her father would emerge and give the spotted tabby a sense of protection from Gorsefeather's intimidating stare.. Her ears folded onto her head and she looked down at her paws, shivering slightly. The tom in front of her was large and frightening. The timid she-kit held back a mew of defeat. Instead of acknowledging his question with words, she shyly nodded her head. "I-I'm to be SkyClan's m-medicine cat... T-that means I-I need to t-talk to StarClan..." Acornkit stuttered, her green gaze still stuck on her small paws. This was not what she had expected. The fawn coloured kit was under the impression that all medicine cats were kindhearted and understanding.

Gorsefeather sighed internally when the kit visibly flinched away from him, not the greatest start to the long relationship of mentor and student that they were going to embark on. He'd become too used to Emberleaf, who shrugged off the worst of his barbs and snaps like water off a ducks back. This one would require something different from him, patience and coaxing it seemed. Neither of which he was skilled at, he worked best being direct and clear in his orders and expectations. Relaxing his shoulders and haunches which had been wound up from the tension of unpleasant thoughts and being in unfamiliar territory, he tried this again.

"Yes, and that is what we'll do today. Have you eaten? The journey ahead will be long, and we can't afford to waste any more time." The medicine cat tried to leave out the usual sharp barb like tone he addressed most in, but habits were hard to break. He couldn't help speak in clipped tones, more ordering than coaxing despite his intentions.

Acornkit kept nodding despite the lack of food in her stomach and still kept her eyes plastered to the ground. Am I waste of his time? she wondered, gulping loudly at the thought. She could feel her heart racing from the fear and excitement. She glanced up for a second to see the tension in his body release, and slowly her's disappeared as well. The fawn kit gave him a fake smile and stood up, waiting for her new mentor to lead her to Highstones. Was it a mistake wanting to become a medicine cat? Would she be able to handle all of the hardships, Gorsefeather's agitated mannerisms, and the pressures of being in charge of a cat's life?

ooc; time skip this betch, pika

The journey was tediously long, and they were forced to cut through ThunderClan territory. Hardly the path he wanted to take with a SkyClan kit, but it was a necessary venture through. Gorsefeather had taken the kit's nod at face value, not recognising that being so young coupled with his terrible first impression, she may have lied. Instead he pushed her on, leading her without mercy over logs and hills, crossing the territories with a quick gait. When they reached Fourtrees, the halfway point, he gave them a second to pause. "Looks like we might make it to Highstones in time after all. This is Fourtrees, a vital marker for you to remember. Shouldn't be hard, it smells like the five clans."

Gorsefeather, having taken stamina herbs, was coping pretty well. He was a little sore from the rush to reach SkyClan camp, but he imagined this wasn't going to be the first and only trip he'd be making here. It was for the best he got used to it, or so he thought, sitting there in the shade. For once, he was grateful for the chill of Leaf-fall, he couldn't imagine doing this in Greenleaf.


ooc - gomen bae. i promise to at least keep up with this thread

The fawn tabby she-kit struggled to keep up with the tall WindClan tom. She heaved as they wound through ThunderClan's dense forest, climbing over logs and hills and pushing though the underbrush. By the time they had reached the large clearing, Acornkit's paws were sore and mud stuck to her fur. Despite being six moons old, the kit had been rather reclusive. She would spend her time listening to conversations across the camp, not playing mossball or tag light her siblings.

Taking a moment to catch her breath before taking a look at the encircled area. It was large. Very large. She began to feel more and more insignificant by the second. She glanced around at the large trees that dotted the borders with wide green eyes. They looked dangerously tall. Even a SkyClan cat would get nervous climbing one. At Gorsefeather's comment, Acornkit took a whiff of the surroundings, her nose almost instantly being filled with multiple strong smells. She found SkyClan's familiar scent mixed in amongst the others. The tabby shook her head and breathed slowly to keep her senses from being overwhelmed again.

"WindClan's camp is pretty far away... right? Maybe we should meet here for my training... T-to make it easier for you..." she meowed shyly, slinking away in case he didn't approve of her idea.

The calico considered her idea, he'd also thought about how they were going to make this unconventional mentorship work considering his camp was literally on the other side of the forest territories. While he hated to admit that most of his days were spent collecting and drying herbs, making treks to SkyClan for lessons would be a colossal waste of his time. Gorsefeather was intending on staying with SkyClan, just until Acornkit was on her feet before leaving, but that he was going to ask for Rockstar later. But her idea had merit, especially since he couldn't and wouldn't stay in SkyClan willingly for long. Once she could be trusted to run most things alone, regular lessons at Fourtrees would work.

"Yes... That just might work. It'll spare me hiking through that damned forest. But that's an issue to worry about later. Good idea though." He tacked on the end part, remember that he wasn't trying to scare her off. It wouldn't do to have his apprentice scared to speak up, especially if she had a few more decent suggestions like this. "If you're ready, it's time we finished this journey. I'm not interested in missing Half Moon and having to do this trek again."

With that, the medicine cat got up once more, twisting once to settle some kinks in his back for heading off at an even pace. By the time they reached the Thunderpath, the sun was already nearing setting point, and Gorsefeather was feeling a little antsy about the time. For this trip across, he simply picked up the sandy she-cat and crossed the black, coarse surface when he deemed it safe. He didn't trek all this way to lose Acornkit to a monster. This way was faster, she could practice crossing the road next time when her suffix was paw, not kit. "We're nearly there, come on."

The hike up wasn't pleasant, with crumbling jagged pieces of rock littering their path but he didn't stop. There was little time to spare.

Acornkit smiled at his compliment and nodded as they continued their trek. She began to feel the hunger gnawing on her stomach as they wove their way through the moor and towards a large, flat, black object that cut through the territories. Her nose was filled with a disgusting smell. Her eyes began to water but thankfully Gorsefeather picked her up before the got too close. She watched in awe as he swiftly cross the flat surface and gently placed her down on the other side.

The pair snaked their way up a steep and rocky hill, towards an ominous looking cave. Huddling close to the large tom, the tabby shivered from the cold and fear. She swallowed loudly and kept close to her soon-to-be-mentor.

ooc: accept my shiet post pls

ooc: i accept ur humble sacrifice

Gorsefeather remembered fondly bring Emberleaf here, it seemed like his other apprentice, Acornkit was also a little concerned about entering Mothermouth. Not that surprising considering it's dark maw seemed to be endless and pitch black, it was like entering the belly of a beast. And the first time you did it, it was with nothing but faith your mentor would guide you to the other side alive. He allowed her to remain close by as he lead her to the cave's entrance. "Feel for me and listen to my footsteps to guide you."

There really was no better trust exercise than this cave.

The descent down was a quiet one mostly, Gorsefeather deliberately kept his steps even and solid in sound for his apprentice, but other than that the only thing to be heard was their breaths. It wasn't a long trek, but in the darkness, it did feel longer than it probably was. The calico shrugged off any concerns about where they were heading, having done this many times before alone. But sympathetic to Acornkit, he travelled slower than he usually did. Which was why when he finally saw the gleam of Moonstone, he was relieved that they were there at last. He leapt over to the shining stone with a few swift steps, and stood beside it. He gave a few seconds to catch her breath before speaking. "Acornkit, is it your wish to enter the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat?"

Acornkit shivered once more and huddled closer to Gorsefeather. Making sure her fur brushed against his, she reluctantly followed him deeper into the darkness.

Her eyes were of no use in the pitch black cave. It was cramped and dark, two things the she-kit feared most. She took careful steps, jumping at the slightest shift of rocks beneath her paws. "G-Gorsefeather...?" she whispered timidly. She felt frightened and vulnerable in the blackness, her only comfort being the tom's presence. Was she prepared to take this journey after all?

Just as she began to doubt herself, a bright light began to shine through the narrow tunnel. As they turned the bend, the space opened and a beautiful glowing stone stood alone in the center of the cave. The tabby could feel her doubts fade away as she stared at the beautiful object. Her eyes reflected the shining light just as the Moonstone reflected the moonlight above. Nearly gasping in awe, her attention was dragged towards the calico tom as he began to speak. Still mesmerized by the stone, the kit barely caught his words. "Oh, yes! It is." Acornkit took a few steps towards the WindClan medicine cat, pausing and settling down in front of him.

There was a deep rumbling of amusement and fondness at the she-kit's awe of Moonstone. It was an impressive sight, especially when it was your first time seeing it. For a split second, he'd seen and heard her hesitation. Naturally expected considering the huge commitment she was to make as a kit, and once the deed was done, there would be no backing out. But she seemed eager enough now, all he could do was pray and guide her as her mentor. This was the path she'd chosen. "Very well then, come forward."

He let her step forward, then he continued in his solemn tone from memory. "Warriors of StarClan, I present you with this kit. She has chosen the path of a medicine cat. Grant her your wisdom and insight so that she may understand your ways and heal her Clan in accordance with your will."

With that said, the calico flicked for her to come closer with his tail. He sat down besides the luminous rock, placing one paw on it delicately. "This is as far as I can journey with you. You must now touch noses with Moonstone and meet our warrior ancestors. It will be they who give you your Medicine Cat Apprentice name. Not me."

Gorsefeather waited for her to go first, in no rush to meet StarClan. He'd met them plenty of times now, if anything, he couldn't get away from their warrior ancestors.