Scarletpaw's Moonstone Journey

Cloverheart hovered just outside the apprentice's den, nosing at the bundle of herbs in front of her. With her full name, she was ready to act as a proper medicine cat, but... Hesitation still plucked at her, even moreso when she thought about how far away Highstones was. Well, there was nothing to it but to do it. Picking the herbs up, she padded into the den, mindful of stray limbs as she sought out the apprentice. "Scarletpaw? Wake up, it's time to go to Highstones. Eat these, too– they'll help with the walk." Cloverheart nosed the cat's shoulder, setting the bundle down beside her before returning outside.

A nose touched her side, must being from the cat who spoke before.  Scarletpaw rolled over and yawned.  She then realized what tonight was going to be.  She was finally going to get to meet a Starclan cat!  Well, if they were real that is.  She was still a little skeptical on if they were.  She did as Cloverheart had said and she ate the herbs.  The taste was so bitter that she almost spit it out without thinking about it, but she forced herself to swallow.  She took a few deep breaths before leaving the apprentice den to go with Cloverheart.  She approached Cloverheart with a smile and look of a little bit of genuine excitement, however, because she was a lot calmer than most cats her age, it might look like she wasn't really excited.  She was about to start going to Highstones, but quickly realized she had no idea where they were going.  "Um..." She started.  "Which way are we going?"

Cloverheart grinned as the apprentice made her appearance, hurrying to her paws to start the trek. Ducking through the reeds with a little laugh, she answered, "Towards WindClan. We'll pass through Fourtrees on the way– it'll take a little longer, but it's easier." A moment of pause, then quickly Cloverheart tacked on: "But don't worry about it too much. Just follow me, and you'll be fine."


The climb up Highstones always left the medicine cat huffing more than she liked. Taking a moment to pause and catch her breath, she turned towards Scarletpaw, jerking her head in the direction of the cavern before them. "Take a moment to relax, if you want. I know the trip is tiring. When we go in, stay close to me– it's dark in the tunnel, I don't want you to trip." Cloverheart offered a smile, waiting for her charge to catch up. When she felt she was ready, the pale cat descended into Mothermouth, paws careful and slow as she lead the way. The ground leveled out slowly until the dazzling sight of the Moonstone came into view. "Beautiful, isn't it? Lay down and touch your nose to it, StarClan will come and find you. I'll be right here when you wake up, Scarletpaw." Cloverheart mewed as she settled off to the side, offering the apprentice a nod.

Scarletpaw was frightened by if she could make the long journey, but her excitement made her not feel how sore her legs were.  For a while at least.  Later, she began to feel it and when they got there she was out of breath.  She didn't take a break though.  She did sit until Cloverheart was ready and then followed quickly behind her to the dark cave.  She could barely see anything.  She did not like that.  She wanted to feel like she knew what was going to happen and not knowing what could be around the bend made her shiver.

"It is," she responded.  She was slightly terrified.  She was always curious as to if Starclan was real and if they weren't what would happen then?  Or what if she was not worthy enough to see one of them?  Still, she tried to cast these thoughts aside.  She had come this far, she couldn't turn back now.  She touched her nose to the Moonstone and within a few moments she opened her eyes to see what she guessed had to be Starclan.
________

Starclan was wonderful.  It was everything that a cat could have wanted.  It was all perfect and peaceful.  There seemed to be no dogs or war here.  A Starclan cat came into view and Scarletpaw's eyes lit up as if she made a great discovery.  "So you are real," she said without thinking about it.  As quickly as she said it, she realized that she shouldn't have.  It was a horrible thing to say it Starclan, it would completely confirm that she didn't really know about them till know.  "Sorry," she said quietly, shifting her paws awkwardly.

Then a wave of familiarity washed over her.  She didn't know the cat well, but she did know that she was once a Riverclan cat.  "Kitefire?"  She was pretty sure that was the cats name.  She hoped so at least.