Acornpaw's Moonstone Journey

Frigid dew left Brindlewhisker's paws drenched, but it did little to deter her apprehensive movements. It was difficult for her to put her mind to the task of guiding apprentice's to the Moonstone whenever she couldn't even give them anything to adequately prepare them! Shaking her head slightly, the Deputy halted beside the smooth stone of the Tallrock, pressing her shoulder against the stone with a sigh. Seeing another young cat so close to earning their Warrior name was something that often inspired joy within her, but it was difficult to wash away the kindling anger that still flamed within her gut.

Exhaling sharply through her nose, Brindlewhisker's mood remained sour as she waited for Acornpaw.

Acornpaw made her way through the other WindClan cats that were in the open clearing to get to Brindlewhisker. As she escaped the apprentice's den, she felt not the coldness of leaf-bare, but warmth. Leaf-bare was finally coming to a close, and she was glad. WindClan would finally be able to restock their herb stores, and prey would be less scarce. Acornpaw padded towards Brindlewhisker, shaking the positive thoughts out of her head. She was going on her Moonstone Journey- one step closer to becoming a warrior. Her paws tingled with excitement as she approached the deputy. 

Observing her facial features and body language, she obviously wasn't in the best mood. Acornpaw already knew that because of WindClan's lack of herbs, she certainly wasn't getting any for this trip. Before she said anything, she dipped her head in greetings. "Hello, Brindlewhisker. Are we ready to go? I know I'm not getting any herbs."
"Because RiverClan stole them all." Acornpaw murmured scornfully.
"Well, nothing I can't handle, right? Leaf-bare is coming to a close, and soon we'll have warmth, prey, and herbs." The apprentice meowed, but instead of an encouraging voice, it was a monotone one. Acornpaw wanted to make a good impression on her Clan's deputy and not show any weaknesses. Luckily, she was going to learn something soon.

OOC: I decided to pm someone else besides Pebblestorm because I realized I wasn't looking for a similar personality, but someone to, y'know, get it to her straight that she doesn't need to be serious all the time and that she should stop holding so many grudges against the other Clans.

ooc) cool! thanks for the update! :>

Flicking her tail with a disinterested sigh, Brindlewhisker's attention waned from the maelstrom of cross and unsavory thoughts that lapped at the edges of her mind at the sound of pawsteps. Her rigid movements fell to a slow stop as she gazed at Acornpaw, a little spark of despair flickering in her chest as she recognized the slight gleam in the young she-cat's gaze. It looked astonishingly similar to the one she had witnessed in Silverpaw's eyes.

"Unfortunately no, Mottleheart and Featherlight have no herbs for us. But, thankfully, I'm sure Swiftstep's training will help keep you afloat during the duration of our journey. You might be a bit tired and sore by the end of the day, but I'm sure you'll hold your own." Brindlewhisker finally agreed, her soft tone a stark comparison to the taunt and agitated display of muscles beneath her slightly ruffled fur, "The only favorable thing about our current predicament is we don't need to spare anytime collecting herbs from Mottleheart and Featherlight. On that note, are you ready to leave? We have quite a journey ahead of us!"

Acornpaw nodded in agreement. "Swiftstep's a great mentor. He's taught me a lot. I admire him greatly- even after what happened to, um, Fernfeather, he seems to keep the same attitude he always does. Which is a good thing." Acornpaw's mind wandered as she thought of the grey tabby she-cat that used to be the happiest cat in WindClan, the mate of her mentor, the cat everybody knew well, before losing two senses and eventually was wrought upon the brutal wrath of Wolf. "I'm sorry for mentioning that. It was unnecessary." Acornpaw shuffled her paws. Great job, Acornpaw!
Acornpaw gazed up at the sky that would eventually be completely covered by the starry path that appeared every night known as Silverpelt. She took in a deep breath of the wind she felt run through her fur every day. She glanced past her and Brindlewhisker at the fate that waited before her. Acornpaw cleared her mind again, locking her gaze on Brindlewhisker. A flicker of determination gleamed in her eyes. "I'm ready to go." 

Quietly standing by and patiently listening to Acornpaw chatter, Brindlewhisker offered an occasional friendly nod or flick of an ear in agreement to the young she-cat's praise of Swiftstep. The mention of Fernfeather sent a trickle of guilt clawing its way down her spine, but she was careful to keep the  internal plague of emotions carefully hidden deep within. Despite her best efforts to keep everything neatly internalized, she could still recall her time spent with the overly exuberant Fernpaw and the feeling of Wolf's exposed throat beneath her claws. Giving her head a slight shake, the Deputy carefully gazed at Acornpaw for several heartbeats, watching as the younger she-cat clearly thought through some of her own private misgivings. "Then I suppose we shouldn't delay any longer." Brindlewhisker quietly mewed, pleased to see the lively spark evident in Acornpaw's simmering gaze.

-time skip-

The tediously long journey resulted in several of Brindlewhisker's deeper, less healed wounds aching profusely, but it hardly interfered with their journey too much. The Thunderpaths seemed to be a bit more active than usual, something that always resulted in higher anxiety in every Warrior, regardless of their Clan, but thankfully they passed through unscathed. The last of the warm day was rapidly being swallowed by the chilly darkness of late evening, but the weather wasn't nearly as painful as it would of been during early Leafbare. Tail sweeping in wide arcs as she trotted towards the ominous, ugly wound in the earth that marked the traditional entrance to the Moonstone, the Deputy halted to gaze at Acornpaw. "Are you ready to journey into the tunnels?" Brindlewhisker questioned softly, paws scuffing the smooth, well-worn stones underpaw.

Despite her scrawny size and obstacles that passed her, Acornpaw kept up the pace well. Her paws started to ache, but she wouldn't let it show. She wasn't ready for Brindlewhisker, or any cat, to see weakness in her. She felt hesitant upon approaching the Thunderpath, as it was her first time seeing the enormous thing, but quickly scurried across the hard, blackened path with Brindlewhisker. She continued on her way, not slowing her pace. They still had a long ways to go and back.

--

The young apprentice paused to take in the sight before her. A wide pathway jutted deeply into the ground, barely saturated compared to its surroundings. Her whiskers twitched with intrigue. The ground beneath her paws was cold and dark, and she wasn't entirely ready for those features to increase. The world seemed to shift as Acornpaw stepped closer and closer. She silently gulped, but calmed herself down as the she-cat realized there was nothing to fear. She was going to meet a StarClan cat. Nothing fearful about that. Acornpaw nodded as she gazed at the entrance to the Moonstone. "Let's go."

Wrinkling her nose at the unpleasant mouthful of stale scents that greeted them, Brindlewhisker forced herself to relax as she instinctively began following the winding path through the darkness. Small stones clattered sharply under the two she-cat's rushed movements, the echo sounding far off and distorted within the enclosed space. Ears twitching rapidly and whiskers bristling against the ragged stone wall, the brindled she-cat's face twitched as the faint silver light of moonlight began evident in the tunnels before them.

Nestled in the center of the cavern was a large stone that appeared as smooth as undisturbed water. The moonlight that poured in from above glimmered brightly upon the stone, tossing dazzling reflections of silvery light all around the cave. Turning back towards Acornpaw, Brindlewhisker's form was bathed in the fiery light of the Moonstone's reflection as she began to speak once more, "This is the Moonstone- it has served as our connection to StarClan since the dawn of time. To communicate with our fallen Clanmates, simply lay down next to the Moonstone and press your nose against it. I hope you enjoy your time spent with our ancestors, Acornpaw."

Occasionally brushing her fur against the icy cold cave walls, Acornpaw flinched at this strange place. It was so compact, especially for a moor cat. The fur on her neck consistently pricked up as she followed her Clan deputy through the abstract path leading to the Moonstone. Her widened, observant eyes steadily returned to their original state as the dim light the Moonstone gave got brighter and closer.

Acornpaw fixed her stare on the almost unnaturally smooth stone. The open moor was nothing compared to this brilliant light. Acornpaw's gaze was snatched as Brindlewhisker's silhouette turned and spoke to her. She twitched her ears, listening intently and nodding before carefully stepping forward and pressing her nose to the Moonstone.

Specklefang wasn't particularly happy about giving life advice to some apprentice, she was supposed to keep low, even if she was dead who knew what the apprentice would say to any cat? Huffing, the she-cat padded towards the Windclan apprentice, her shoulders rolling as she glowered down at the she-cat. What should she say? Apparently, she was being trusted enough to potentially change this cats fate so that was a load of hookey dukes. Specklefang sat as she glared at the apprentice, her voice coming out rough. "What do you want?" She spat.

Acornpaw quickly took note of the I-don't-want-to-be-here expression that was very obviously spread on this cat's face, but she didn't let that bother her. Without flinching or showing signs of any intimidation whatsoever, she kept the warrior's gaze as she loomed over her. Acornpaw sat respectfully as she did so as well, somewhat prepared what to ask. The young cat looked thoughtfully at her for a moment, then blinked and finally opened her mouth. "How do I change myself for the better? What am I doing wrong?" Acornpaw nearly sighed out loud. This cat didn't entirely seem like one to seek wisdom or knowledge to, but she was a StarClan warrior after all.

Specklefang deliberated the request for a moment, her maw pressing tightly as she looked away. She was very much alike Acornpaw, maybe that is why she was to teach her tonight? What had she learned in her time alive? She had learned plenty, and she still had much to learn herself. Specklefang still desperately yearned to walk alongside her clan-mates and family, wishing that the world was not so cruel, but to protect every cat of Thunderclan she wouldn't have any done anything differently. That was the lesson to be taught to young Acornpaw.

"Once upon a time, there was a cat. She was strong, fierce and bold. She worked herself to her bones and gave everything to every other cat. Cats that wronged her or her family, or met her in battle shook in their fur. Their fear nourished this mighty she-cat, it started going to her head, and she had not realized how blinded she had become. She believed herself right as she broke her clan-mates jaw, yelled and degraded her family and before she knew it, she was alone. It took many great deeds, escorting a cat or two from each clan and a few rogues to safety, carrying a clan-mate on her back. Defending them valiantly from two-legs and predators, sacrificing her well-being and the eye-sight in her left eye. She freed trapped apprentices from their den while her home was ablaze." Specklefang meowed, hopefully captivating the apprentice before her.

"Her life ended cruelly as she ate three death-berries, dying outside her home and away from family. She sacrificed her life for the safety of her clan, though her family doesn't truly know. She ruined her own name to bring peace between her clan and her rival clans." Specklefang spoke evenly, her eyes turning to slits as she looked at Acornpaw. "The purpose of the tale was that there is only so much you can do. The bold warrior had done nothing but her best, worked herself as hard as she could but because of her misdeeds she would not be recognized for them. That in the end, she lied and deceived her clan one last time. There is no right or wrong, there is only justice, young apprentice. That is what will lead your life. Justice." Specklefang meowed a slight barely noticeable smile on her maw.

Acornpaw listened intently, leaning her head in to get a better hear out of the story. Her eyes were widened with intrigue and she was only left with shock as Specklefang finished the story. Clearly, she had underestimated the cat. "I love stories," she murmured. "Thank you for telling me such a tale." Perhaps if Acornpaw ever had kits, or she lived to be an elder, she would pass this knowledge onto young apprentices like Specklefang. "I will think about what you have said." Giving the warrior a respectful nod, she took consideration into Specklefang's story. That is what will lead your life. Justice. Before she had time to say anything more to Specklefang, the starry night that surrounded her seemed to vanish.
Her eyes blinking wide open, Acornpaw slowly got up. The apprentice looked at Brindlewhisker for a moment, then padded towards her normally. "We can go back now."
As the two cats headed back to their hunting grounds, Acornpaw contemplated more about what Specklefang had said. Justice was a path she could choose among many others. Acornpaw was different now. She would make sure she would follow that path. The right path. The path to greatness.