Nettlepaw's Moonstone Journey

A leaf crackled into pieces under a white paw as it backed out of the crevice in the medicine den of ThunderClan. A calico she-cat emerged, carrying two bundles in her jaws, wrapped carefully in two of the greenest leaves she could find. The morning air was crisp, a light frost coating the undergrowth of the forest. It was foggy this morning, making the surrounding difficult to see, but Mossbloom was hopeful that the sun would burn it off by the time she and her charge reached WindClan.

Stepping out of the medicine den and through the ferns, she took a moment to shake her pelt and fluff it out. Shivering in the cold, she quickly made her way to the apprentice's den. Poking her head in, she called out softly. "Nettlepaw, it's time to wake up! Today is the day we journey to the Moonstone together." Stepping back a few steps, she waited in the clearing for the apprentice to appear, watching her warm breath billow out in front of her. Both bundles of herbs sat in front of her paws, one with the sweet smell of honey emanating from it, with small flecks of willow bark carefully mixed in. The young she-cat had been injured, and Mossbloom hoped that the journey wouldn't end up being too much for her.

OOC: Let me know if you'd like a time skip!

Nettlepaw was up quickly. She was used to waking up early, anyway, both because she liked being active as early as possible and because since the accident she'd...often...had bad dreams.

The apprentice exited her den and entered the morning chill. When it was a little colder like this, she could always tell where her burn scars were without even looking at them, because the cold air always felt a little colder over the patches of exposed skin. Not that she really needed the cold to remind her they were there. Try as she might to shut out her awareness of them, she was always aware of their presence.

But she was more than ready for this, accident aside-- or perhaps it was because of the accident that she was especially ready to go, because of the time she had lost recovering from it. She had been waiting for this for a long time. Too long.  

She looked at Mossbloom, and straightened herself up so she would look strong. She worried that the medicine cat would suddenly tell her that she hadn't actually fully recovered, that she would have to wait a little longer yet...and Nettlepaw couldn't stand the thought of that. "I'm ready to go," she said, her tone serious and sharp.

OOC: Yes, I would like a time skip, thank you!

Hesitating as the younger she-cat straightened tall, but the tone of her voice was stubborn and serious. It would do no good to try to hold off this trip, and who knew, maybe StarClan would offer guidance for healing her as well. Nudging the bundle of herbs coated in honey to the front of the apprentice, Mossbloom nodded. "Alright, Nettlepaw. If you need a break, let me know. We have plenty of time."

She waited patiently while the she-cat ate the herbs on front of her, lapping up her own quickly before setting off into the territory. Praying to StarClan that the trip would go smoothly, she set a pace that was leisurely, turning their paws towards Highstones.

-Time Skip-

The trip had gone quickly, and Mossbloom was relieved that things had gone smoothly. She looked back to Nettlepaw as they neared the opening of Mothermouth, giving her a small smile. "Well, Nettlepaw, we're here! We'll head through the tunnels to the Moonstone, and you'll press your nose to it. StarClan will send you sleep, and a member of their ranks will join you. You don't have to share anything from the dream with anyone, but if you have a concern about any of it, please don't hesitate to let Oakstar, Pricklebush, or myself know. StarClan can speak in riddles sometimes, so if you need help understanding, we may be able to help."

With that, the medicine cat turned and led the way through the tunnels, stopping only when they reached the moonlit cavern, the Moonstone glowing brightly in the center. Stepping to the side, Mossbloom gestured towards it with her tail, accompanied by an encouraging nod.

Nettlepaw quickly ate the herbs and nodded at Mossbloom.

"Alright. If I need a break, I'll tell you," she said, though the she-cat had no intention of taking breaks. If she started to get tired, she'd just push through it.

--

Nettlepaw nodded in response to Mossbloom's words, admittedly quite curious what exactly StarClan would tell her. She hoped they wouldn't get too riddle-y...Nettlepaw didn't like it when others wouldn't just get to the point, and she didn't see much point in riddles and excessive metaphors. She felt one should just say what they meant to say. And though she had enormous respect for StarClan, she didn't see why they should be an exception just because they were spirits and not flesh and bone.

Nettlepaw approached the stone, touching her nose to it. As sleep came to her, Nettlepaw felt her heart begin to pound in panic, as the feeling of sudden unconsciousness reminded her of the moments just after the accident.

And then she was awake, or at least she felt awake. Her surroundings were completely different, though her heart still pounded just the same. She took a deep breath, trying to expel the memories of how the pain of the burn shut down her consciousness.

As she began to collect herself, she heard an unfamiliar voice.

"Hello there, young one,"

Nettlepaw turned, and found herself facing a smiling white she-cat with bright yellow eyes.

"My name is Rosefrost," the StarClan she-cat continued.

Nettlepaw looked at her a moment. "I've never heard of you," she said bluntly.

"No," Rosefrost said with a laugh, a sparkle of friendliness in her eyes. "There's no reason you should have. It was not as if I was of any particular import in life,"

The tall white she-cat sat down and motioned with her tail for Nettlepaw to do the same. Nettlepaw moved to join her. She wondered why this particular cat had been chosen to speak with her. She didn't have to wait long for her answer.

"When I was a young warrior," The StarClanner began, her voice growing more serious "I was attacked by a wandering dog, and had to stay in camp to heal for...quite a number of moons. And unfortunately, much like you, one of the reasons why my recovery was so rocky was because of an infection,"


"Oh, I see," Nettlepaw responded before Rosefrost could continue "So you're here to talk to me about my injury. Well, you better not be about to say I can't be a warrior, because I don't care how much wisdom you and StarClan have, nothing's going to stop me from doing my duty--"

"No, young one, don't worry, I'm not here to tell you that," Rosefrost quickly responded "But I am here to talk to you about...other consequences,"

"Okay..." Nettlepaw said nervously. What other consequences were there? "Like...?"

"Well, I..." Rosefrost paused. "I realized eventually....that as a complication of the injury, and the infection, well-- She turned to face Nettlepaw, a look both of sympathy and grief in her eyes. "I could never have kits of my own."

"Oh," Nettlepaw said simply. She looked away from Rosefrost. "So you're telling me I...also won't be able to...?"

"Yes. I am sorry, young one. I am aware your family is important to you. And that you hoped to pass that legacy on someday,"

"Yes. I did."

Rosefrost laid her tail on the younger she-cat's shoulders in a gesture of comfort. Nettlepaw, who had been holding herself as straight and strong as she could, even there in the dream, finally let herself slump downward, and leaned into the other she-cat's side.

Rosefrost allowed Nettlepaw some time to just sit there and absorb the information before standing up again, and looking down at the gray she-cat.

"But remember," she began, "Family does not have to mean blood alone. If you want to pass down that legacy...you can find a way,"

The she-cat turned to leave, giving once last glance to the apprentice.

"Good luck, and be strong, Nettlepaw," she smiled. "It all works out in the end. Even when it seems like it won't"