Rosepaw and Willowpaw's Moonstone Journey

Rippedsky had gathered up the three little of bundles from Rabbitfoot and carefully carried them to the camp entrance. He was taking a journey he had not for a long time. And not only that, but a couple of apprentices would be joining him as well. One of them, his own son. The deputy had always had a bit of a strained relationship with his more difficult son. Given all of the events that had happened in the past while, Willowpaw still clung to his apprentice title. The black and white warrior could only assume that his kit partially blamed him for the lack of a ceremony. However, he tried to push away that thought. Much more important things were at paw, and surely he would receive a full name after that. Rippedsky hoped that this would help to bridge the gap between the two of them. He settled down near the herb piles and waited patiently.

After a moment or so of building up the courage to lap up the bitter travelling herbs, Rippedsky gingerly took the leaves between his teeth and gulped them down. No matter how unpleasant, they were necessary. The strength that they provided began to flow through him. He was ready for travel. Now all that remained was for the apprentices to show up. It had to be soon, there was so much ground to cover by night fall.

Willowpaw padded out of the apprentice den with a huff of irritation, his shoulders aching from being pressed against the back of the cramped den all night long. Not only was he way too big for the den now, but there were more and more apprentices piled up in the pitifully small space more than ever. The old apprentice resolved to tap a nice, long nap in the spacious warriors' den as soon as he finally graduated from the "-paw" suffix that has been part of his name for too long.

His inward complaints faded when he saw the silhouette of his father in the distance, waiting for him.

The first instinct he had to do when he saw Rippedsky was to run. He wanted to find some new secret entrance to camp, like he did as a kit, and escape somewhere far, far away. The last thing the gray and black striped tom wanted to do was see him, the figure of someone he could never be. Every time Willowpaw saw him, he wanted to claw his fur out because the deputy made him think of things he didn't want to ever again-

He stopped his thoughts when he realized how close he was- Rippedsky would see him. There was no escaping now. Gaze uncharacteristically cast to the ground, Willowpaw wordlessly sat by his father with shoulders tense in anticipation.

Rosepaw padded out of the apprentice den with a loud yawn, she saw Willowpaw walk out but she wanted to be as far away from him as possible. Blinking sleep from her eyes she stretched her long body out having to be cramped inside the den, there was way to many apprentices to even count in there. And they can help clear out that space if only they make her an apprentice. But no they decide to keep her as one. Why? She has no absolute idea. It was..pathetically sad for her. Her siblings have kits. Her siblings are warriors. But yet here she still is..as an apprentice.

She growled under her voice her maw drawing back to show her fangs. She deserves to be a warrior like her siblings.

Her head was to the ground not seeing her father and brother. Till she bumped into Rippedsky head on letting out a yowl of surprise. Jumping back she whipped up her maw still back and her claws unsheathed she was about to yell at the cat till she saw it was her father. Her blue eyes widened but her maw was still drawn back. How she hated her father. He's the deputy. He can make her a warrior by now. And everyone expects her to be like her father, the deputy of Skyclan so formal so nice so caring. It made her want to spit. Every time she even thinks about him her claws unsheathed wanting to picture sinking those claws into his pelt. But she had to keep calm.

Her eyes darted to another figure next to him, Willowpaw. Her maw drew back even farther. That ignorant tom. Always grumpy always yelling for no reason. Her eyes turned to daggers as she looked between them.

This is going to be fun.

She forced herself to calm down or at least to look it. Sitting down her muscles were still tense wanting to bolt away from this group at any moment. Her blue eyes still held daggers in it as she whipped between the two toms in front of her.

Neither of his kits seemed enthusiastic about their journey to the moonstone. He would have been more overjoyed too if it weren't for the very recent death of Addergaze. The tom had hoped this journey would cheer him up, spending time with his children, but any hints of a smile faded into a neutral expression, "Eat up, we have a long journey ahead." As soon as the pair had lapped up their travelling herbs, their father turned to leave and signaled they follow with a flick of his tail. Not wanting to wast any time, and given they were so far from highstones, Rippedsky set the tone for a brisk pace.

"Are you ready?" He meowed once they had finally left Skyclan territory. Both were well overdue to ceremonies and there was no doubting that was part of their bitterness. But, they were finally getting what they deserved. Their father had made sure that after this, ceremonies would be arranged. His blue gaze focused ahead as he spoke.

Willowpaw followed his father without a word through their clan's territory, ignoring Rosepaw as they traveled. When they left Skyclan territory, the apprentice felt a weight fall off his chest. He was free...for now. Irritation crawled up his spine as he also wasn't just alone, but was with the two cats he really never wanted to see. His ears flattened as he sulked, knowing that if he started a quarrel it would go nowhere helpful for him. Rippedsky was too calm.

When his father asked that question, Willowpaw couldn't completely suppress a snort. It's not like he wanted to still be an apprentice or anything. His eyes hardened as he looked at Rippedsky. If he could, he'd say nothing in reply to such a mouse-brained question, but he knew it would just cause' more trouble than it's worth with the infuriating deputy. Though he wasn't going to completely bow down. "You think?" He replied rudely.

The deputy found himself biting back a retort as they neared Mothermouth timeskip. Willowpaw had always had a bit of a bitter streak about him. However, Rippedsky was usually able to manage his temper. His blue eyes simply narrowed. Without a response, the black and white tom turned to disappear into the pitch blackness of the cave. He had traveled the path so many times now it felt like second nature. Hopefully, Starclan would be able to do the impossible and talk some since into his son.

As they neared the moonstone, the lack of light gave way to the brilliance. His blue eyes glittered as they reflected the stone's light. Rippedsky flicked his tail towards the stone. That was where Willowpaw would speak with whomever Starclan saw fit. He hoped it would be Cherrymist. The apprentice deserved to see his mother. A pang of sadness tightened in his chest as he wished to see the white she-cat once more. But, it was not his time to see her. Pushing away the thoughts, he meowed lowly, "Lay against the stone and close your eyes. Starclan will greet you while you sleep, Willowpaw."

Willowpaw wanted to shrink into himself when Rippedsky narrowed his eyes at his retort. But as soon as his father turned away, he immediately wanted to lash out for feeling so weak. 'I'm not backing down from that mouse-heart,' the angry tom growled internally. For the rest of the journey to the moonstone, Willowpaw's fur visibility bristled with irritation with each pawstep he took.

When they reached the stone, Willowpaw was momentarily caught off guard by the moonstone suddenly lighting up like a star in the sky down on earth. Anger forgotten, Willowpaw felt a rare sense of peace in the glow of the light of his ancestors. 'Forget fortress I'm coming here instead,' Willowpaw thought. But then as he thought about his frenimies he'd want to bring with him, the old apprentice realized he wouldn't be able to bring any of them. Starclan's unlikely to approve of his frenimies. 'Mouse-dung,' he swore in his mind. Willowpaw hated clan divisions more than ever at this moment.

Willowpaw growled with annoyance before angrily crouching down at the stone and pressing his nose against it's cool surface, mood ruined by his own thoughts. If starclan yells at him for not being loyal to his clan enough or whatever, Willowpaw was going to be pissed off for at least a thousand moons. Lost in the narrow storm of his anger, Willowpaw did not consider that it was his mother that was going to greet him at the other side when he shut his eyes and finally lost himself to sleep.

"I've waited so long to see you, my kit." A purr erupted from the starry, white she-cat's short pelt. The queen looked exactly the same age she had been at the time of her passing. Being a mother, and mate to Rippedsky, had been one of her happiest times alongside being able to serve Skyclan. Her once clouded eyes were no more and now shone a brilliant blue. Cherrymist wasted no time in heading over to greet her son. He was one of her oldest kits. Her love was deep for the young tom that stood before her. She stretched her neck forwards to rub her cheek up against his briefly before pulling back. It was incredible to see him now before her. Ever since joining Starclan, the she-cat had looked down on all of her kits, marveling at what fantastic warriors they were becoming. After a brief pause, she added, "You seem so much bigger than when we last were together."

OCC: color reference for me--- color=#cc0066

With his eyes shut as he waited to meet his ancestors, Willowpaw brewed in his poisonous anger. He was ready to lash out at the starry warriors that would come to him to surely tell him off for being so non-invested in his own clan and the cats within. They could all mind their own business. Closed eyelids squeezing together with barely-suppressed anger, they flew open when he heard the snap of a twig but not the scent of a single cat.

What greeted him was, to put it simply, not what Willowpaw was ready to face. The fur on his pelt stilled to a halt, sharp claws retracting back into his paws on pure instinct when shock hit him hard. His mother's pelt glittered under the light of the moon, trees lining the clearing of fortress in this starry world. Her voice washed over him like a tidal wave, the old apprentice overwhelmed with emotions that slammed into him like the crushing weight of a screeching monster racing away on the thunderpath.

"...Mom?" Willowpaw was struck speechless.

"Willowpaw." The white she-cat continued to purr. It sounded so loudly from her chest that it seemed the purr would break from her and spill over. Cherrymist closed the distance between them and rubbed her cheek up against her kit's. It truly seemed like so long ago they had last been together. Her tail twitched happily in the moment. She had waited forever to see one of her kits and welcome them into warriorhood. After all this time, he would join the ranks of Skyclan's warriors. The only thing that had worried her was his lack of clan loyalty, and his seemly ever growing disdain for his father. But, none of that mattered now as she pressed against the pelt of her beloved kit. She stepped back to look him in the eyes, "I cannot believe my son is about to be a Skyclan warrior!"

OCC: Ah I'm sorry its short

Willowpaw broke out of his shock when Cherrymist rubbed her check against his, the gesture familiar enough for the apprentice's face to break into a defensive scowl. "Mom I'm not a kit," he grumbled in an attempt to hide his happiness at seeing his mother again. But alas, the shine in his blue eyes couldn't be suppressed, revealing his true feelings.

For a moment, the old apprentice wished Cherrymist was still alive. Maybe he'd hang out more in his own clan if she was still around. It means he might have to endure his siblings if he makes a regular appearance in camp, but their presence wouldn't be as intolerable. Their mother would be nearby to stop their quarrels and make things...nicer.

"Mom..." Willowpaw had the word out of his mouth before he could take it back. His throat was dry, thinking about his clan seriously without contempt for the first time in a while. "Am I..." His eyes started to sting. Mouse-dung. "Can I be a warrior and still..." His eyes clenched shut in frustration at his inability to spit it out. "Can I still be me even though I'm...mad all the time?" His father's face flashed through his eyes, making a bundle of insecurity rise to the top of his chest.

"You'll always be my kit." She teased, butting her head against his shoulder and stroking her tail lovingly down the side of his pelt before pulling away. As Cherrymist looked over him, there was no doubt he was ready to be a warrior. He had grown so much over the moons she would have not believed it was the same kit she had left all the time ago had she not known. The starry she-cat looked over him, preparing to say something before he spoke up. Her ears pricked as she listened to his question. Almost immediately her features softened. Conflict was evident in Willowpaw's face. All the question and doubt he kept inside was brought to the surface.

"Oh, Willowpaw..." Her tail raised once more to brush against the tears that began to form in the corner of her son's eyes. She lightly touched her nose to his as she spoke, "My dear, you have to learn to let the anger go. It is a part of you, and a part you need to learn to control in order to become much happier. But, I have no doubt that you are going to become a fantastic warrior." Her tongue ran over the fur on his forehead as she waited for him to speak up again. Their time together would be over soon, but she was grateful for every second with the young tom. It was great to be able to see her son again.

When Willowpaw felt something brush away the lone tear that welled at the corner of his eyes squeezed shut, the old apprentice felt his muscles in his face relax for the first time in a long time. The constant storm-clouds of anger that swirled throughout his body drifted away, making him feel like he was feeling the sun's rays for the first time. His mother's compassion enveloped him in a warm blanket, feeling like the softest bedding he had ever lied on. Blue eyes slowly opened when Cherrymist's scent washed over him, his mother's nose lightly touching his with reassurance.

For the first time, Willowpaw felt like maybe, just maybe, he could find peace.

'You have to let the anger go.'

The illusion shattered when she said those words that made the air sound like a chorus of startled, fearful birds taking to the sky, chased out of their nests by the predator of reality itself. A roar filled his ears like the drumming of a cat left out in the rain. The storm came back at full force, cracking with bolts of frustration twisted into deadly strikes of rage.

She didn't get it at all. She didn't get that the anger that followed him everywhere he went wasn't there because he despised his clan, or that his father made him feel like he wasn't good enough. Rage had clamped onto Willowpaw the day he was born without any good reason. It molded into him like a second skin, always thrumming beneath the surface and ready to lash out, just because it wanted to. Willowpaw never had a good reason why he felt the way he did, and that was why Willowpaw was angry at himself more than any cat in the whole world. He could never let his anger go no matter how much he wanted it to go away.

'It is a part of you.'

Willowpaw suddenly registered the other thing Cherrymist had also said, something that changed everything entirely. When he understood what they meant, his chest squeezed into a fist, welling up and making his eyes burn until he could stop the rising tide any longer.

"Fox-dung." Willowpaw leaned into his mother's warm flank, hot tears rolling uncontrollably down his face. She understood. The faces of his clanmates flashed into his mind, making everything he went through suddenly feeling worth it, just to get here. Someone understood him, understood why he couldn't switch it off, understood that he was trying, trying his best just to find happiness for starclan's sake. She saw him for all he was, and thought he could be a great warrior despite the fact he could never truly be calm like his father and mentor.

She watched as her eldest son broke down before her. All of the rage melted away under the sadness that had lived for so long under the young tom's hostile exterior. Cherrymist wrapped her frame around his, running her tongue gently over his pelt. It pained her to think she had to let him go back to the forest on his own. However, it dawned on her he wasn't going alone. The love of her life, and one of the most incredible toms she had ever met, was going to be accompanying their son back to camp. Willowpaw would finally be a warrior under Rippedsky's watchful eyes. Whether the apprentice realized it or not, she had always seen how much it pained the Skyclan deputy to have a strained relationship with his son. He had always cared for the fiery tom. After a while, she pulled away to look at him as she spoke.

"Don't you worry about a thing, I believe in you. And I cannot wait to see how much you will grow as you fight for Skyclan. My son is going to be one of the greatest warriors this forest has ever seen." Her tone was light and gentle as began to rise to her feet. It was time for her to go. It was time for her mate to take over. She had done all she could from Starclan. Before padding away, and fading into the rest of the landscape, Cherrymist looked back with seeing blue eyes once more, "Willowpaw... always know that both your father and I love and care for you very much. I cannot be there for you right now, nor for a while. But, he can... as long as you let him." With that, her tail flicked one last time and the world began to fade.

Willowpaw shoulders shook when Cherrymist brought him closer, relief washing away all his troubles in a final wave of tears. He was so happy. By the time she inevitably pulled away, the old apprentice had cycled through his emotions and left feeling content. Sadness pricked his heart as she took on her starry appearance. It was time for her to go soon.

Her last words she said to him were the calmest he took. No anger, no confusion, just understanding. It would take him a while to accept his father completely, but Willowpaw could now that someone believed in him the way he is. Maybe someday Rippedsky would too. Maybe...maybe his father already had and the grumpy apprentice had been too angry to see it.

"See you around," Willowpaw meowed to the empty air. She was gone, but the apprentice knew she would be watching him from above. As the world faded from his eyes, Willowpaw was ready to become a warrior of Skyclan at last.