A New Path [Closed]

Slowly, Mottleheart opened up his eyes with a moan. His head pounded as he slowly sat up, giving his body a shake as the memories of his dream came flooding back. But...It hadn't been a dream had it? At least not a normal one by any means. Everything in his mind was so clear - seeing Gorsefeather, the talk...Even the memories that he had been given by the medicine cat. He spared a glance toward the sleeping forms of his denmates before he got to his paws, slipping out of the den and into the crisp morning air. He took a deep breath as he raised his head to the warming rays of sunrise before he turned his gaze to Ashstar's den. This was it, wasn't it? He wasn't a warrior anymore but a medicine cat - he now knew coltsfoot from a dandelion and what each would be use for.

He was now on a path he had never seriously expected for himself...And now he had to convince the Clan that he was meant to be their medicine cat. He stood locked in place for a few heartbeats as he tried to weigh what he would say. The Clan was still recovering from the betrayal of Sageleaf and the lost of Slatethroat...Would they be so willing to accept a warrior suddenly as their new medicine cat to train Featherpaw? He...He supposed the only way to find out would be to go through with it. So he turned and headed for Ashstar's den, his ears flickering back as he swallowed his fear. He wasn't even sure if she was awake yet. He had to hope that she was or at least didn't mind being awaken by him but he did see her as family - the mother he never had even if he never outright stated as such. Reaching the den, he poked his head in with a swallow. "Ashstar? Are you awake? Can I come in?"

OOC: A continuation of Meeting of Destiny

Still troubled by recent events, as well as those long past, Ashstar had finally managed to drift into a restless sleep. She had been hoping that the temporary state of unconsciousness would help her forget her troubles, but to no avail. The deep recesses of her mind almost immediately plunged her into her worst recurring nightmare, giving no heed to her desperate need of rest. It rarely did. It wasn't like she would have gotten very much sleep anyways. Ever since that one night long ago, the leader had trained herself not to scream as she relived the worst moments of her life, but it was difficult not to cry out as the horrifying memories returned to life in front of her eyes. The Dark Forest invasion, starving in Twolegplace, watching her friends and loved ones die in front of her, exiling Kestrelstorm, RiverClan's attack, seeing Shadepaw and Mottleheart covered in blood from Rockthorn's madness, demoting her son, the news of Sageleaf's betrayal all replayed over and over as they did every time she fell asleep. Generally, she could pretend that nothing was wrong, beat the nightmares away and find some few moments of rest. Tonight's flood of emotion, however, was particularly bad. The gray WindClan she-cat found herself curled up in an impossibly tight ball, unsheathed claws digging into the ground beneath her, teeth gritted to keep from yowling at Morningstar, accusing Rippedsky, or begging Smokepelt to come back. It was then, of course, that Mottleheart stuck his head in.

With a startled gasp at the sound of his voice, the leader nearly fell out of her unruly nest, the abrupt return to reality all too sudden. Her green eyes were slightly panicked as she tried to figure out whether he had seen her temporary weakness- the last thing she needed was pity or concern from one of the few cats who actually thought she was strong. She had to be strong. Ashstar took a few deep breaths, trying to regain some semblance of control. The tom who she thought of as her son shouldn't see her like this. But the moment that the bedraggled gray she-cat saw Mottleheart's nervous, worried face, her own thoughts dissipated. "Of course, Mottleheart, come in. You know you don't have to ask. What's wrong?"

Mottleheart flinched slightly as Ashstar was startled awake, feeling guilty for startling her like that but...No, there wasn't any way to pounce around this situation. Taking up the position of medicine cat wasn't something that could wait - Featherpaw needed her training and unless they looked at another Clan for a mentor...He was now the best candidate to take over that position with the knowledge that Gorsefeather had given him. But he couldn't expect that this would be easy with Ashstar, he knew that she was dealing with so much. "There...Isn't anything wrong," he said after a few heartbeats as he stepped a bit further into the den before sitting down. He took in a deep breath as he considered how to word what he was about to utter.

How would she take that she was losing him as a warrior even if he was simply aiming to become a medicine cat? Would she trust what he had to say or would she be against it? It was hard to guess how the leader would react as he was unsure how even he would react. Even now, he felt confused on the path he was taking. He had never expected to become a medicine cat but there was no denying it was his path now... "I had a dream last night...From StarClan" he started carefully as he wrapped his tail around his paws. "A Starclan cat named Gorsefeather - once a medicine cat of WindClan - visited me...And told me that I am to become our next medicine cat. That I am to train Featherpaw." There was a pause as he swallowed, his gaze scanning Ashstar's face in an effort to read how she was reacting to that news.

With a bit of slight apprehension, Ashstar listened carefully to Mottleheart's words. She wasn't sure what she was expecting, to be honest. Some sort of confession, perhaps, like the heart-to-heart talks they had enjoyed in the past. But the tom seemed stressed, more uncertain and troubled than he'd been for a long time. She'd seen that look on other cats' faces before. Was he... was he going to leave? It had become an ever present fear ever since Rippedpaw abandoned her when the Clan was struggling. Her feeling of dread grew with every heartbeat, reminding her of the cats who had left WindClan- one had been a new, mouse-brained apprentice, but one had been her own kin, a full medicine cat she'd thought she could trust. Something in her chest tightened as he began to speak again. Please, Mottleheart, don't you leave me too.

Whatever she had been expecting when he opened his mouth, it wasn't what he said. The gray-furred she-cat blinked in undisguised surprise as Mottleheart told her about his dream. The new medicine cat? Mottleheart? She'd known that Featherpaw would need to be trained, but she'd thought about asking Honeydrop of ShadowClan, who had trained Beetlewing previously as well as her own apprentice, or perhaps Rabbitfoot of SkyClan, who had assisted Sageleaf. She never would have let the traitorous she-cat herself return to WindClan territory- she had given up that right. However, the thought of any of her warriors becoming medicine cats had never crossed her mind. Mottleheart? And with all of StarClan's knowledge at his paws?

Her brain struggled wrapping itself around the enormous concept. Her most trusted warrior, StarClan's appointed medicine cat. The leader gave herself a wry grin as she remembered Gorsefeather, the medicine cat her Clanmate was speaking about. He always had found ways around whatever problems dared to challenge him- she remembered that for sure. This was definitely unorthodox, from what she understood, but it was certainly the way her old friend might have suggested. And though the idea was more than a little strange, the more she thought about it, the more sense it made. By his own admission, Mottleheart was not the best or most enthusiastic fighter, despite his undying loyalty to his Clan. With his new knowledge, wouldn't this be the best way for him to serve? But still, losing her most loyal warrior troubled her. Ashstar studied him a bit closer. The brown and white tom's eyes were nervous, pleading, hopeful. He needed her acceptance. There was no way she would refuse him that. And really, she wouldn't be losing him, would she? With such a loyal, amazing cat in that position of power, she wouldn't have to worry about any more betrayals. He would still always be there for her... and she for him.

Certain now of her position, the WindClan leader let herself smile. "Mottleheart, I am so glad it's you." She moved closer to him, her green eyes warm and sincere. "StarClan chose right, I'm sure of it. With Gorsefeather's knowledge and your intelligence and loyalty, you will be the best medicine cat in the forest. Featherpaw is lucky to have you. And, so am I." Ashstar touched her nose to his, letting her love show in her eyes.

Mottleheart stared back at Ashstar as he finished speaking, his eyes locked on her face to read her expression as she took in his words. Surprised, confusion...Those expressions weren't startling to Mottleheart as he waited for her to speak. But as the heartbeats following seemed unnaturally long as he found himself getting antsy. Was it too soon? Did she not believe him? He wouldn't have blamed her for not believing that he - a normal warrior - was given a dream from StarClan and ordered to be the next medicine cat of all things...It was a startling thing to be sure and if he didn't hold the knowledge of herbs and fragments of different memories telling him of the grief and joy he would both experience as a medicine cat...Well, he wouldn't be certain he would believe it either.

There was so much uncertainty in the moment as he shifted on his paws, starting to get antsy. As he waited, he found himself questioning another thing...How would the rest of the Clan react? If he didn't have Ashstar to back him up on this then...Well, he certainly didn't want to go against her but he had also been ordered by StarClan themselves to take up the mantle of medicine cat and while it certainly wasn't as bold of a claim that Sageleaf had tried to do...He knew he would feel much better revealing this if Ashstar could be the one to inform the clan - they would be far more trusting of it if the leader herself stated that this was StarClan's will instead of him doing it. Then she stood up and he was startled out of his thoughts as he straighten up, blinking as he scrambled to make it look like he hadn't completely zoned out as the leader approached...And touched noses with him.

He felt his body relax with the simple action as her words flooded over him, closing his eyes as he took in a deep breath before he beamed at the leader with a soft look. "Thank you Ashstar. I don't plan on letting you, Featherpaw or even StarClan down," he breathed before he spared a glance toward the entrance of the den. "...We are going to have to tell the rest of the Clan," he sighed softly as his tail twitched. It certainly was going to be an interesting experience but at least he was well-liked in the Clan. At least he thought so - it was a bit hard to know with all the tension in the Clan lately.

The words that Mottleheart spoke filled Ashstar with a little bit of apprehension. Ever since Sageleaf- that traitor- had falsely accused her of wanting to bring bloodshed to the Clan, she got the feeling that most of her Clanmates did not support her. What would they think of this latest development? Perhaps not all of them would be as accepting of Mottleheart as she was- and the word of StarClan seemed to be fully debatable as of late, if a full-fledged medicine cat saw it as okay to lie about and abuse their sacred power. But no, she couldn't be pessimistic about this. WindClan would accept the way this had to be. They needed a medicine cat, more than ever. Leaf-bare was steadily approaching, and would not back down just because they were not prepared. Her Clan had always had to fight for survival, living unprotected on the open plains, but they were all the stronger for it. The words she had spoken long ago- it seemed like ages ago, really- resonated within her mind as she stood up straighter. No matter what trials we must endure, WindClan will last forever. With StarClan's approval, and with no small amount of faith and love, they could remain strong and show the other Clans that they would not be taken down by this betrayal. They were the best Clan in the forest, the most faithful and the closest to StarClan, and she would keep it that way.

The WindClan leader simply nodded at the soon-to-be medicine cat's words, putting her fluffy gray tail around his sturdy shoulders in a gesture to comfort both of them. "Yes, we will." Her green eyes were full of countless emotions, but foremost among them was hope. Hope that their Clanmates would accept this turn of events, hope that WindClan would remain strong, hope StarClan would continue to guide them. "StarClan willing, they will be as accepting as I. We need a loyal medicine cat- and you are the perfect cat for the job. But if you have any questions, if you need any help- please, just let me know. A lot of responsibility comes with these positions, and with it a lot of pain. But there is also the joy of helping your Clan, which I am sure you will now feel magnified to the highest degree. Notwithstanding, I will be here if you need any help at all. I'll always be here for you, Mottleheart."

Mottleheart sighed softly as Ashstar wrapped her tail around him, giving her a soft but slightly pained look. "I'm well aware of both the pain and joy I will feel - Gorsefeather saw fit to pass down his knowledge to me along with some of his memories..." His eyes darkened slightly as he gave his head a shake. "Thanks to that I already know the pain of failing my duties and having a cat die on my watch but I know that it will only serve to strength me for if it happens so I can focus on my duties. That being said...I will keep your offer in mind. It is good to know that I have a shoulder to lean on if things do become a bit too much." There was another pause as he straighten up slightly, glancing once more toward the entrance. "When should we announce the news of my new...Position?" he questioned softly, his brown gaze flashing back toward Ashstar for the answer. Was it better to announce it now rather than later? Most cats hadn't woken up yet so they could easily wait a bit for the Clan to fully awaken. But would it be better to wait until everything had calm down after all that had happen with Sageleaf and Slatethroat? He wasn't sure...He felt the sooner the better but he was willing to let Ashstar have the final say.