Briarpaw's Moonstone Journey

As another morning dawned, Leopardstar prepared for another journey to the Moonstone, the traveling herbs laid out at his paws as he waited by the camp entrance for Briarpaw. Having taken another trip just the day before, the leader was a bit more tired today, his jaws stretching wide in a loud yawn. Nevertheless, he was looking forward to the trip across the moorland once again and seeing how one of the older apprentices was shaping up would allow him to connect with the new generation of warriors a bit more. Well...kind of. Giving his shoulder a few swift licks, he pricked his ears, waiting for any sign of the she-cat he was accompanying.

Briarpaw rushed out of the apprentice's den after conversing with her den-mates. She made her way over to the leader, eyes shining with eagerness. "I'm here Leopardstar!" the apprentice announced. Her eyes soon shifted to the bundle of herbs, curiosity at it's highest peak. "Do I have to eat those?" she asked.

His head turning at the sound of trotting paws, Leopardstar returned Briarpaw's enthusiastic welcome with a faint, slightly awkward smile.  His efforts to try and get to know some of the apprentices more had put his stunted social skills to the test, and he wasn't very confident that he was making an outstanding impression.  It seems that it is a lot easier to put forward a mask of stoic nobility than to just...act freely.  Just...pretend like you're talking to Lichenfang!  No, that's weird, nevermind...

"Good morning Briarpaw...y-yes, these are traveling herbs.  They'll give you strength and energy for the journey."  He pushed the small stack of leaves closer to the younger she-cat with a careful forepaw, before giving his chest fur a swift lick and rising to his paws.  Once she finished, they would set out.

The apprentice bent down as the leader pushed the herbs towards her. She took a few sniffs. She immediately didn't like the smell. The apprentice decided to try and not smell while she ate them. As she chewed, she cringed a couple of times. Soon, she was done eating. The she-cat nodded at Leopardstar as she licked her muzzle. She was ready!

Once Briarpaw had finished off the heap of strongly-scented herbs, Leopardstar nodded briskly before turning and leading the way out through the gorse tunnel, on their way to scale the ravine.

~TIMESKIP~

The sun had nearly set by the time the two ThunderClanners reached their destination, the shadow cast by the mountainous ridge of Highstones throwing their pelts into darkness.  In front of them though, lay a much darker place, the darkest both of them had ever seen.  Mothermouth gaped in the hillside like a wound upon the land, carved out by paws unknown; Leopardstar though knew it's secrets like his own pelt, and strode forward with no hesitation.  "Come on, we need to hurry."  Down they went, following the spiraling pathways and passages until they could no longer see their paws ahead of them, and all that greeted them was cold stone and earth.  

After a long while of walking, a light finally began to shine.  Smiling, Leopardstar's spotted coat once more became visible as he and Briarpaw entered the Moonstone cavern, it's brilliant glow shining with the power of its namesake.  Taking a seat near a tall rock, the leader swept his tail towards the artifact and purred; "Press your nose to the Moonstone, and StarClan will call you into sleep, so that they may share dreams with you.  I'll be here when you wake up."