Reedpaw's Moonstone Journey

Reedpaw heard to her words with amusement and understanding what she meant. His little sister was right about everything and, even if he knew what real bravery was from what he learned from Shrewpaw , the apprentice needed someone who could remind it that after all he had been through. He couldn’t let his inner fears and doubts control him, he had to be brave enough to fight against anyone who would try to harm him, his clan and his family. Even if couldn’t save everybody he could try it with all he had. Smiling to Cherrykit, the apprentice stood up stronger, looking at the horizon of the Starclan territory. ”I don’t when you become so wise, Cherrykit but I’m grateful for your words. You’re right. Like father did I cannot let my fears control me or be ashamed of them. Without fear there is no bravery... I can only be brave If I’m able to survive to my fears and that was I’m going to do thanks to you, sis.” His green gaze turned back to her he nuzzled her forehead with his nose, crying tears of joy. ”I promise I’ll be just like Leopardclaw. I’ll be brave for you so I hope you will be watching me from here.”

"I'm glad that you understand Reedpaw...your bravery, loyalty, and determination will take you far.  Someday soon, you will be a great warrior, one ThunderClan, and dad, will always be proud of."  Love was apparent on every inch of her smiling calico face as Cherrykit purred, her starry eyes twinkling with depths of intense pride.  No matter how much she longed to stay here forever, nestled deep into her beloved brother's warm fur, she knew that their time was wearing thin.  Already their silver-edged surroundings were beginning to blur and fade...along with her.  Slowly, the tiny she-cat's pelt began to waver and dissipate, like morning mist burned away by the sun's rays.  Still, she held an optimistic smile on her face as she waved her tail tip in a reluctant goodbye, purring.  "I will always watch over you brother, don't worry!  Goodbye...for now."  With one last dazzling grin, the kit faded from view, and Reedpaw's vision turned back to black, laying once again on the cold stone floor of the Moonstone cavern.

The apprentice looked at his sister smiling and crying. He pushed closer to him, knowing that soon he wouldn’t be able to see her again. As he enjoyed her little body next to him, the tom watched her with green eyes full of emotions. ”I promise I’ll be the best warrior I can be. I love you...” He said seeing how slowly she faded away from his sight. All turned black for a second and then Reedpaw woke up with bounce. Looking the walls of the cave saddened him a bit but that couldn’t erase what he had just experimented. Smiling to his father, he nudged him gently and with tears running through his pelt. ”Cherrykit is okay, dad... she is happy.”

Leopardclaw had taken to watching the stars gently twinkle in the small patch of night sky that showed through the chipped roof of the cave, his hazel eyes distant and glazed-looking.  Every once in a while he glanced over at Reedpaw's sleeping body, patiently waiting for any sign of stirring, while also hoping he was able to stay within the realm of dreams for as long as possible.  Soon enough though, his son awoke, and was greatly surprised to see the tears glittering in his green eyes.  He nuzzled him back, about to ask what had moved him to this kind of reaction, when he was beat to the chase.

Cherrykit?  His hazel eyes widening, a mix of shock and sadness, Leopardclaw contemplated his words; ”Cherrykit is okay, dad... she is happy.”  Happy...that is all he had ever wanted, for all of his loved ones.  He still missed his lost daughter desperately...and he always would.  Knowing she was happy though, and free from the troubles and burdens of this life, elated him.  He felt his chest clench with emotion as the golden spotted tom purred, wrapping his almost identical-pelted son in a loving embrace.  He blinked back bittersweet tears as he pulled away, a melancholy smile showing on his face.  "I...I'm glad."  Feeling unusually choked up, the ThunderClan deputy cast one last glance back at the now dull Moonstone, the whispers of memories swirling through his mind.  "Let's go home...the clan is waiting."