Sagepaw's Medicine Cat Ceremony

A big yawn escaped from Rabbitfoot as she finally made her way into Windclan's camp. It had been a long journey from Skyclan to Windclan already, but her adventure was only halfway over. It was time for Sagepaw's medicine cat ceremony, so right after this, they had to make their way to Highstones. Thank Starclan that Windclan was almost right there otherwise the poor she-cat didn't think she could make it. With the sun high waning in the sky, she poked her head around to the medicine den. "Hello, Sagepaw! Are you ready for the trip to Highstones?" She asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be..." She mumbled to herself as she stared down at the dirt floor that made up the  den. Sagepaw plastered a soft smile on her face as she turned towards Rabbitfoot, "Yes, Rabbitfoot." How are you always so cheery when you're stuck with such a miserable position? She added silently. Her tail waved with irritation. The Skyclan medicine cat had been so kind and helpful at the end of her training that Sagepaw couldn't hate her at all, but there was always a pang of annoyance at her satisfaction with the position. For the medicine cat apprentice, the hole in her chest of a lack of belonging was a constant. The rest of them seemed so happy with their lives, so why couldn't she find that same satisfaction.

This is it, she thought grimly. After tonight, Starclan would make her a full medicine cat and this would be the role she was stuck with eternally. Her fate had been sealed with Beetlewing's disappearance. Despite all of the discomfort churning within, something drew her to highstones. If it weren't for that tug in her chest, Sagepaw's feet would have planted themselves firmly to the camp floor and never moved. The apprentice found herself wondering whether or not Puddlepaw would be there to welcome her once more. She thought about her last encounter with Starclan. While the former Shadowclan medicine cat apprentice had helped to ease the swarming chaos, it had never left. All she wanted now was guidence, and hopefully in this next step, Starclan would give exactly that to her.

"Very good," she mewed, turning around and padding out of Windclan's camp and through the territory. It was so strange being in such a vast, open area but the medicine cat could only focus on it for a moment before her mind wandered back to their goal for the night. They had to make it to Highstones before moonhigh, otherwise this could end poorly. However, as they continued on their journey, it was good to see that they would make it in plenty of time as the shape of Mothermouth came into view as the sun's last rays disappeared beyond the horizon. Perfect!

Padding up to the entrance of the tunnel, Rabbitfoot turned back to Sagepaw. "Just stay close and follow me. It'll get a little tight in here, but it'll open up once we reach the Moon Stone. Are you ready?" She asked, looking back at the apprentice curiously.

Their walk to highstones was mostly silent. She trudged along with heavy paws, her mind a swirl of conflicting feelings. This was supposed to be the most exciting day of her life. No more would she be just an apprentice, Sagepaw would officially become the Windclan medicine cat. Apprehension knotted in the pit of her stomach. It would be real now. There would be no more chance of her randomly being allowed to train alongside the warrior apprentices again. That secret hope would now be crushed. Her tail dragged lightly over the Windclan terrain as she followed after Rabbitfoot. At the sight of Mothermouth, a chill ran down her spine. The imposing structure was as awe-inspiring as it was terrifying. She simply nodded as Skyclan's medicine cat spoke to her.

As they padded into the cave, she felt the pressing darkness coming at her from all sides. They had been here before on a few occasions, but there was something about being here for the official ceremony that stuck her as different. Things just felt off lately, and this was no different. There was a chill that engulfed her as well, chilling the apprentice to the core. She felt numb as she followed the dull scent of Rabbitfoot. The cave's scent overpowered that of the one she was supposed to follow. But, somehow, they made it to the moonstone together. She blinked against the light the pierced through the blackened cave. Once more, she felt the mix of comfort and awe that came from beholding such a sight. Her green eyes glanced sideways at Rabbitfoot, waiting for the she-cat to speak once more.

Taking the trip down to the moonstone was always tricky. She had only been down here so many times and each time it felt almost brand new and still just as strangely eerie. However, soon after squeezing through the narrow tunnels, the light from the moonstone gleamed brightly in the cave as the moon shone down from overhead. It was a beautiful sight. When the both of them got situated, Rabbitfoot turned to face Sagepaw.

"I, Rabbitfoot, medicine cat of SkyClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help she will serve Windclan, her clan, for many moons," she started, pausing a moment to swallow her nerves while trying to remember the words. "Sagepaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of the medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between clan and clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?" She asked.

"I do." Swallowing her nerves, Sagepaw responded. This was her destiny. Whether or not she was content with it, this was her path. Starclan had destined her to be a medicine cat for one reason or another. Her stomach tightened in a weird mix of anticipation and regret. There was something oddly terrifying about gaining her full medicine cat name. The idea was damning. However, she was willing to trust Starclan now. Even if things had been different than expected, the warrior ancestors had given her a good life. She stared at Rabbitfoot. The she-cat's face was illuminated by the moonstone in an almost calming way. She took a deep breath and waited for the Skyclan cat to finish her ceremony. Then, it would be time to face Starclan.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Rabbitpaw, from this moment forward, you will be known as Sageleaf. Starclan honors your determination and committent." Rabbitfoot let out a breath of relief after she finished speaking. Thankfully, that was over. Her part was finished. Now, she glanced at the newly named medicine cat and motioned her toward the moonstone.

The newly named Sageleaf nodded to Rabbitfoot and turned towards the moonstone. As usual, her eyes widened at the brilliance of the stone. Her paws trembled slightly as she padded towards the stone. Soon, Starclan would accept her as a full medicine cat. The thought of facing her warrior ancestors was more terrifying than comforting in that moment. There was no doubt that once more Puddlepaw would push her towards her fate. She would be questioned on how things were going and have to stomach once more the thought of her life in the medicine cat role. Why is this what you want from me? Her eyes squeezed shut as she settled down right by the stone. A deep breath caught her her throat. Part of her wanted to turn and run out of the cave and away from everything in the forest. She couldn't. The grey and white she-cat stretched out her nose to touch the stone. It filled her with a chill from her ears to her tail, before causing the world around her to fade away.

Sageleaf blinked awake. We'll not quite awake, but into the dream world of Starclan. It was exactly like she remembered from last time. The starry plains seemed to constantly shimmer with movement, but nothing moved. Her green eyes cast a glance around, searching for the former Shadowclan medicine cat apprentice. Puddlepaw didn't seem to be around. Everything seemed to be dead silent. She tentatively took a few steps around. Nothing happened. She suppressed the urge to yowl out to Starclan. It felt wrong to have to search for the ancestors, they were supposed to be here. Her tail lashed impatiently. This did not seem right.

"Are you just going to stand there all night, or do you plan on attempting to speak with your ancestors?" A voice grunted from behind her. She whipped around to see a tom she had never seen before. It was obvious he was from Starclan, pelt sparkling like the landscape around them. Sageleaf said nothing but rather just shot him a quizzical look. After a brief second, he spoke up once more, "My name is Gorsefeather. I used to be a medicine cat just like you. Very much like you in fact." There seemed to be something to his words, something she did not quite understand but he clearly knew of. The tom's voice was gruff. He seemed rather prickly, so it shocked her when he let out a low chuckle. Apparently, her face was was comical to him. She opened her mouth to say something in response, but another voice interrupted.

"It's not nice to tease the new medicine cat, Gorsefeather." The familiar voice put a smile on Sageleaf's maw. As much as she was frustrated with Puddlepaw for damning her to this role, it was good to see the sweet, late apprentice here. The little grey she-cat flicked her tail against the much larger cat's pelt. It was clear the two of them were comfortable with each other. Gorsefeather seemed like the type to shy away from any sign of affection, but he accepted it without any outward complaint. Pubblepaw touched her nose with Sageleaf's before returning back to the other Starclan cat's side. They were only about a tail length apart from each other. Sitting with Starclan felt more comfortable now, but she still shifted slightly under the tom's gaze. When Puddlepaw spoke up once more, she managed a crooked smile, "Congratulation, Sageleaf. You have completed your training. I had no doubt this day would come with ease."

"Thank you." Sageleaf meowed back. It was more of a formality than anything. As much as the praise should have made her beam with pride, it certainly didn't accomplish that. There was still the ever nagging desire in her stomach to train as a warrior. 'Sageleaf' sounded far from a threatening warrior name. Slatethroat would probably spit her name as even more of an insult as he already did. He'd always hated her medicine cat role. What the warrior didn't know was that she was just as unhappy as he was with the whole thing. But apparently it was her destiny. A frown worked its way onto her lips before she realized and pushed it away.

"Not happy with the new title, eh? Well, its stuck with you now." Gorsefeather picked up on it almost instantly. Her ears heated up with embarrassment. The first meeting with Starclan after her ceremony wasn't supposed to be so awkward, was it? A teasing grin briefly appeared on the Starclan tom's maw before his whole face seemed to harden up. Puddlepaw's expression grew grim too. The whole mood seemed to change. It was as if Gorsefeather had remembered something, and the late medicine cat apprentice knew what it was. Sageleaf waited patiently for him to speak again. When she did, her blood ran cold at the words, "Your brother, you shouldn't worry what he thinks of your role. That mousebrain should worry about where his loyalties lie. He fights so hard against the very blood that runs through his veins."

It was as if the tom had read her mind with his mention of Slatethroat. However, that was not the part that bothered her. What pressed on the she-cat's mind was the way that both exchanged a silent grimace. Something prickled at the back of her spine and she could not help but ask, "What's wrong with Slatethroat? What do you mean his loyalties? Sure, he's a tough warrior... but its all to protect the clan..." She looked at Puddlepaw, who she deemed more likely to answer the question than Gorsefeather. All he had was more questions. Ever since he had shown up, there had been nothing but unspoken words. Sageleaf wanted to protest more, a plethora of questions bubbled up in her throat. All she wanted to do was make the Starclan cats give her something more. But there would be nothing.

"Be careful, Sageleaf. Be careful." Puddlepaw meowed cryptically as the world around them shifted.

The Starclan cats had disappeared from sight. She was alone once more. As everything came back into focus, Sageleaf realized she was home. The moors stretched out on each side in every direction.
It all seemed so peaceful and for a moment she questioned if this was still a dream. Everything appeared to be real. She padded forwards, looking for some hint. Then, the screeches started. Her head whipped around to find the source. It was no where to be seen. The medicine cat began running.
Her legs worked furiously to reach the cats that were yowling so terribly in the distance. Again, there was nothing to be seen. After a moment, her paws skidded through a wet patch on the earth. Blood!
Panic overwhelmed her as blood began to flow through the moorland. A terrified yowl broke from her maw and then-

She woke up panting furiously with sides heaving. Sageleaf instantly jumped up to her feet. The memory of the moors running red was burned into her mind. She whirled around to rush to Rabbitfoot, "We have to get back to Windclan."