Swallowpaw's Moonstone Journey

Phew - SkyClan had been bustling lately! Not so long ago Amberdawn had been an apprentice wishing for more responsibilities to prove her worth to her Clan and her mentor. Now, she found she was leaving camp nearly every day running some errand or another. She found she rather liked the bustle. It kept her thoughts busy and away from how lonely she felt without Mintwhisker around. One of Firflower's kits, Swallowpaw, was ready for their Moonstone journey. The medicine cat apprentice wasn't quite sure how she felt having to take on that tom as a responsibility; she'd heard that he was a little... extra friendly. She knew it was her duty, though, and so she did her best to ready a wall like she'd had to do with Dewpaw down by the lake shores as she prepared bundles of traveling herbs for the two of them.

Once they were ready, Amberdawn padded through camp and towards the apprentice's den. The day threatened to be hot, and the SkyClan cat hoped to be well on their way before it became too unbearable. She sat the bundles down outside the den and peered in, calling in a gentle voice, "Swallowpaw? Are you up? It's time for our journey." She withdrew, watching patiently.

Swallowpaw had barely gotten any rest that night; he was too busy watching his brother cuddle with Burningpaw, a she-cat that he knew his other brother was totally into. Having to spend the days comforting one littermate and loathing the next was hard...not to mention that he failed to bring Maplepaw back home from the Gathering. What would the others think of him when they noticed that the pun-loving flame tabby was missing? Thoughts like this was what prevented the cream tom from getting a good sleep. 

When Amberdawn's gentle voice pulled him from his thoughts, he was grateful, and wasted no time in leaving his nest. Quietly, he followed her out of the apprentices' den, and into the crisp Greenleaf air. He inhaled deeply, savoring the scents that the new season brought; he loved getting fresh air, for it relaxed him. After a moment of collecting himself, he padded over to where she sat, with two herb bundles laying at her paws. She had probably heard the rumors about him, and was ready to avoid any advances of his. Not that he would try anything; she was a medicine cat, and Swallowpaw knew his boundaries...kind of. Even if he didn't, he wasn't in the mood to sweep any cat off their paws. Tonight was a solemn night, and he would treat it so. "Hello Amberdawn," he meowed a greeting, dipping his head in respect. His voice lacked its usual suavity..and it almost sounded sad. Nevertheless, he appeared fine; he still carried himself with confidence and grace and charm, but it was extremely toned down tonight. He glanced down at the herbs and sighed; from what he was told, they tasted absolutely revolting. Still, they were necessary. Probably much to the medicine cat's surprise, he lapped them up without her having to tell him. Grimacing at the bitter taste they left, he turned to her, "Are we ready to go?"

As she backed away, she glimpsed movement from within the den out of the corner of her eye. The thick-furred cream tabby was easy to spot in the darkness as he stirred in his nest, and he seemed to be getting up swiftly, but still Amberdawn turned and padded a little farther away to give him his privacy as he awoke. The medicine cat sat a few tail-lengths from the etrance and gently set the two packets of herbs on the packed earth, straightening up to gaze with a warm, drowsy expression out over the empty clearing of camp. It was still early - the dawn patrol had left, by the scent of things - and most of the Clan was still asleep in their dens. She liked when it was quiet like this, but often now she found herself wishing she could share these quiet mornings with her mentor Mintwhisker, away in WindClan, or her best friend Leaftwirl, caught up in warrior duties, or Mosspaw, ThunderClan's medicine cat apprentice.

The approach of Amberdawn's traveling companion drew her attention from her thoughts, and she immediately felt her guard increase just slightly as the apprentice stopped before her. Swallowpaw's greeting, however, was perfectly civil and polite, and he kept a respectful distance. In fact, he seemed rather reverent and professional, if first impressions were to be believed. "Hi, Swallowpaw," she answered, smiling lightly. All of Amberdawn's reservations were relieved, quite by surprise, when the tom stooped forward to eat up his share of herbs. Well, if he was ready, she supposed she ought to be as well! She bent over and licked up her share, and by the time she sat upright the warrior apprentice had finished and was grimacing unintentionally at her.

The golden tabby she-cat nodded her head, swiping her tongue around her muzzle a few times to try to get rid of the dry feeling in her mouth. "O-Of course! Ready when you are," Amberdawn stammered in reply, quickly rising to her feet. She turned towards the entrance and mewed, "We have a little time to spare along the way, so, um, if we pass anything you'd like to see don't hesitate to let me know." She turned and swept up the entrance, keeping her steps tight and quick as she began to lead the way on the long journey.

---

The trip was uneventful as it usually was, but Amberdawn had a bit of fun pointing out sights she thought to be interesting or important as they crossed the forest. When at last the terrain became stony and the underbrush grew sparse, the medicine cat explained they were nearing their destination. The moon was beginning to cast deep shadows in the night when the pair reached the Mothermouth whose long, winding tunnel led to the Moonstone.

"Here we are, Swallowpaw," Amberdawn mewed, her voice a bit more solemn for their location. "At the end of this tunnel lies the Moonstone, and through its power we can visit StarClan. You'll touch your nose to it and you'll be sent to sleep to dream of our ancestors. There's nothing to be afraid of; I'll be here the whole time." She waited another moment for the warrior apprentice to change her mind, and then the golden tabby led her way down into the tunnel. After a long while they emerged into the shimmering light of the Moonstone, and Amberdawn couldn't help but smile. "Go on - they'll be waiting."

For most of the journey, Swallowpaw remained as silent as a mouse. Sure, he nodded or feigned interest when Amberdawn pointed out "important" landmarks, but the tom made no other attempt at small talk. He was there, padding alongside the ginger medicine cat, but his mind was clearly somewhere else. Perhaps he was in Skyclan territory, searching for his lost sister. Or, back in his nest, scowling at his she-cat stealing brother. Whatever he was doing, his mind was not with him. He was in a zombie-like state, existing and acting like any other cat, but in reality feeling numb and empty. Walking..walking...walking until- "oof-" He bumped into her and stumbled back a bit, clearly taken by surprise. They...they were already here? The journey was so quick he didn't even...astonished, he looked around at the rocky environment. Starclan, he had been so lost in thought he hadn't even noticed their arrival. Heat flushed to his pelt as he stammered out a quick apology before stumbling after her into the cave. He didn't even register what she had said...probably last minute information about Starclan. It couldn't be too important, right?

The cream tabby stepped into the light basked cavern, and took a moment to examine the spiraling crystal they called the Moonstone. It really was true...the stone was glorious! His paws carried him towards it, and in an instance, he was laying before it. Gulping, he pressed his nose against the stone and immediately became tired. Distressed, he tried to fight it, but attempts were futile as he fell into a deep sleep. He awoke in a starry plain, filled with wondrous scents and breathtaking views. Starclan truly was paradise! Still, he couldn't shake off the horrible feeling of dread that he got from the place. What if...what if Maplepaw was here? His heart rate spiked and his breathing hitched. No...no, she couldn't be. She couldn't be dead, right? "Oh Starclan...Maplepaw, please be okay.."

This wasn't the first time Blossomheart had appeared to an apprentice, but it had been a while. The cat that appeared was... surprisingly scared. "You know, we aren't that scary, Swallowpaw. You can calm down a little. The dark forest is a long ways from here."

Swallowpaw jumped a good foxtail in the air, a loud yowl leaving his lips as he whipped around to face what had startled him. It...it was a Starclan cat, with pink bushy fur that definitely did not belong to Maplepaw. He sighed, relieved at the sight of the Starclan warrior. This..this meant that there was still a chance she was out there..and alive. "Please, your mighty Starclanness..my sister, Maplepaw, she's been missing. If you can tell me anything, anything at all, I will be forever grateful. Is she at least alive?" he meowed, standing straight and tall. His eyes gleamed with desperation and a hint of sadness; he didn't show it, but he truly did love his little sister with all of his heart. Even if her puns got on his nerves sometimes, she was still the light of the brothers' lives. If they lost her for good...the cream tabby shook his head, willing the thoughts away. He couldn't even think about it. She had to be alive. She just had to..

Though she immediately proceeded to feel horrible about it, Blossomheart couldn't help but let out a small giggle at mighty Starclanness. She cleared her throat and put her serious mom face back on before listening to the rest of the tom's speech. It wasn't odd to be looking up at the cat, but... he was so young, and still a fair bit taller than she. She waited a few moments after he finished, conflict wracking her brain. Was she allowed to reveal that information to a living cat? If she was vague about it, perhaps it was alright. "Just Blossomheart will do, young one. But what you're asking... will that knowledge let you rest easy in the night? If you were to find out that your sister walks with us now, is that any better? But that doesn't matter, Swallowpaw. Who's still there? Who's also worrying? Your family. Keep in touch with reality- they are what matter most, beyond yourself. Lightpaw and Sandpaw... You don't want to lose them, so keep them close. Your sister?" She took in a deep breath.

"Though she has come close many times," Blossomheart recalled the Sharptooth, the dog, the berries, and the Thunderpath. "Maplepaw still walks in the realm of the living. I'll warn you, though, to brace yourself on what you might find in regards to her status."

Once again, relief flooded into the tom. This..this was wonderful news. Maplepaw was still alive! They still had a chance to bring her home! He couldn't wait to tell his brothers. They had been worried just as much as him; this news would surely ease their nerves, just like they eased his. Swallowpaw heaved a sigh, a worried smile crossing his features. "Thank Starclan..I really thought we lost her. I don't care about her status, I'll bring her home. I have to..I.." Determination swam in his amber gaze as Starclan began to fade around him. "I'll look after my brothers too, more than I've ever had. I won't forget what you've told me, Blossomheart. Thank you," as the world distorted and began turning to black, he made one final remark, 

"by the way, your pelt is stunning. It really makes my...heart blossom."