Burrpaw's Moonstone Journey

With a tired yawn, Beechface forced herself to her paws, gathering up two bundles of herbs and carefully making her way out of the den. It was crowded, and she felt like she hadn't actually slept. The cloying scents of blood and herbs hung in the stuffy air of the den, and it was a relief to make her way into the camp. She briskly strode towards the apprentice den, wanting to waste as little time as possible in getting on her way. It was too early for most cats to be up, though she did exchange a long-suffering glance with the camp guard as she padded toward the den.

"Burrpaw, time to get up." Beechface stucked her near into the den, waiting until she saw Burrpaw move, then backed away to wait outside and eat her portion of the traveling herbs. Her tail flicked restlessly, dark gaze turning towards the medicine den that lay stepped in shadow. She didn't want to leave those that needed her care for longer than necessary, and two days to visit the moonstone was far more than necessary, she thought.

The medicine cat gave herself a shake, eyes turning back to Burrpaw as he exited the apprentice den. "Eat these, they'll keep your strength up for the journey. They're bitter." She added in warning, nudging the bundle of herbs towards the curly-furred tom. Once he'd eaten them, she turned away, heading toward the camp entrance and flicking her tail at him to follow. She wasn't sure she had the energy for conversation today, even with the herbs giving her a boost.

Burrpaw stirred, hearing the medicine cat. "...huh? Oh, hey, Beechface."

The curly furred beige tom ate the herbs with little resistance, wincing at the bitter taste.

"G'morning to you," Burrpaw rumbled, becoming awake.

He walked alongside Beechface, stirring more as the day went on. The morning was dull and staying cool for now, something he was thankful for.

"Hope you're well."

The silence was unnerving and he felt himself getting jittery. The Moonstone was something he heard of, but never got to experience it.

Beechface plodded along in silence, not really sure what she could say to the apprentice as she led him through the territory. The silence was deafening, and above all awkward, and Burrpaw's attempts to breach it did little. Beechface said nothing, merely offered the tom a shrug. Lying about being okay was pointless, even a blind kit could see through that, so she didn't bother. Her gaze restlessly scanned their surroundings as they left Skyclan territory behind, following the Thunderpath at a steady trot towards Windclan territory. The absolute last place she wanted to be, but it was the only way to get to highstones. She'd stick to the border as much as she could, and hopefully they'd avoid running into any angry Windclan patrols or vengeful ex-Skyclanners along the way.

---

"Alright, stick close. The tunnel is narrow in spots and you won't be able to see until we're fairly close to the moonstone. When we get to it, touch your nose to it and lay down." She instructed simply, pausing at the mouth of the tunnel. With a sigh, the medicine cat turned, leading Burrpaw down the dark and twisting passage that led to the moonstone. She stepped aside once they entered the chamber, motioning with her tail for Burrpaw to approach the brilliantly shining moonstone.

Burrpaw felt himself bristle as he passed RiverClan, remembering the apprentice that attacked him during the WindClan raid. WindClan too reeked of hostility, and he kept his head down, following Beechface.

They approached a rock of little glamor, at least from the outside. He scrunched himself into the passage, feeling rock graze his whiskers, earth shifting under his paws. The darkness was engulfing and was darker than any night had ever been.

Then, almost if on cue, he could see a light peering from the other side. Surreal, a blue-tinted light from Silverpelt seemed to gather in this one beam, lighting the rock underneath.

“Whoa…”

There were no words. Everything was safe here, every warrior ever was had seen this stone, just like him. He could barely swallow when he remembered that Beechface told him to put his nose to the stone. With a deep breath, he laid by the edge, pressing his nose into the frigid rock.

—————

Everything was now bathed in the bluish light, making the scene almost too much to absorb. The smell of prey, of newleaf, of breezes carrying the scent of all Clans, what Fourtrees was meant to be.

The paths were star studded with the softness of moss, trees twinkled as he walked by, their sturdy branches sighed in the newleaf breezes.

He felt the presence of another cat. Burrpaw turned to face them, their own visage star studded like all of Silverpelt.

“Who are you?”

The cat that greeted Burrpaw was tall, gray and white she-cat with a slender figure. She was poised and still as she sat on the shimmering terrain and stared directly at the apprentice with a neutral expression. Just like when she was alive, it was hard to tell exactly what the she-cat was thinking in the moment. Her pelt glittered with the sheen of hundreds of stars, and they rippled slightly as she moved her to tail to wrap it around her paws.
"The least you could do is start with a 'hello'." The StarClan cat began, flicking an ear in irritation.

"My name is Graybird. I was a warrior in your Clan not too long ago. I lived just long enough to see the fall of the Asylum, but my death came shortly afterward. I've been sent to speak with you today, answer any questions that you may have, and perhaps even help you with any of your troubles... but our time is limited, so please get to the point unless you want our conversation to be cut short." Graybird spoke clearly and calmly, and her sharp yellow eyes didn't break contact with Burrpaw's the entire time.