Cherrypaw's Moonstone Journey

Dovefrost sat just outside the apprentices' den waiting for Cherrypaw to join him outside. He already nudged the apprentice awake a few moments ago. The white tom had a bundle of herbs place just in front of him meant for the apprentice he would be taking to the Moonstone today. He didn't really know much about the current apprentices.. He was holed in his den for most of the day.. The Medicine cat let out a sigh.. He really needed to check in with his clan more. These journeys were a good chance to learn more about his clan, so he better take advantage of them while he could.

Cherrypaw felt a soft nudging in her side and sleepily opened her eyes. She saw Dovefrost's white pelt exiting the den and she got to her feet. She shook out her pelt, trying to get any moss that was stuck out of it. Reaching down into her nest, she picked out a feather that she had collected. She was certain this was her Moonstone journey, why else would the medicine cat wake her up? She placed it in her fur and carefully left the den. Cherrypaw didn't want to wake any of the many sleeping apprentices. She found Dovefrost waiting outside of the den and ate the pile of herbs in front of him. They tasted bitter, but she was excited to get on the way. She followed the medicine cat out into the forest, where the sun's first rays had begun to peak over the horizon.

Dovefrost was pleased with Cherrypaw's willingness and readiness to go to the Moonstone. He guided her out of the camp, and started the long trek to the highstones. It was going to take a while but it seemed the apprentice was perfectly fine with that.

The Moon was starting to rise as soon as they reached the Highstones, the medicine cat dipped into the dark tunnel, green eyes glancing back to the apprentice before the blackness consumed them both. Eventually the darkness gave way to light of the Moonstone. The tom moved off to the side, making room for the apprentice. "Press your nose to the stone, Starclan will meet you in your sleep."

Cherrypaw followed Dovefrost into the dark tunnel leading to the Moonstone. She stumbled a few times in the pitch black, but it soon gave way to the dazzling light of the Moonstone. She followed Dovefrost's instructions and rested next to the Moonstone. She touched her nose to the stone and soon feel into a deep sleep. She soon awoke, half expecting to be back in the cave, and saw the starry forest of StarClan. Cherrypaw looked around the forest whilst patiently waiting for a StarClan cat to appear.

"Hello young one." A sweet voice spoke out as the apprentice had entered the dream. The white and gray she-cat sat in the soft grass, her tail curled around her paws. Scars tattered her body, those she had accepted in her death. They made her what she was, who she was. "Welcome to Starclan, is there any questions you have for me?"

A gray and white she-cat soon appeared from the forest. Her pelt was criss crossed with scars and Cherrypaw wondered how she got all of them. Questions? Did she have any questions for the starclan cat. "Do you know how to keep flowers from dying?" She had tried many times to collect flowers, but they always died a few sunrises after she picked them. It always disappointed her to find her collection of flowers wilted.

"Once picked flowers won't stay alive, little one. There is a reason why your medicine cat has to change out his herbs every once in a while. Though if you want to learn to care for plants I'm certain your Medicine Cat will be glad to show you. He cares for the herbs he replenishes his stock from." Tatteredleaf explained, settling down fully on the ground. "I'm sure he would love any assistance he could get."

Cherrypaw intently listened to the StarClan cat's words and thought about them for a few moments. She was disappointed that there was no way to keep the flowers alive, but helping out Dovefrost could be nice. It might help her out in some cases. "Hmm, maybe I will," she thoughtfully mewed. "Do you know how to hunt in trees? I tried to, but ended almost falling" She didn't really want to include the part about a SkyClan cat saving her and then her brother attacking her. It was embarrassing that a fight broke out just becuase she couldn't hunt in trees.

"That is a good question, I'm no Skyclan cat, but I used to hunt in trees rather often when I was alive." The white and gray she-cat explained. "Its all about finding your balance, at least once you are up there. While stalking it's very similar to what you know now, but actually catching something is when it changes. When you catch it, you want to keep going until you find a branch you will be safe on, that you feel comfortable stopping on." Tatteredleaf explained. [color=darkcayn]"Other than that, it comes down to practice."rclan warrior's eyes glanced around the territory for a second before turning back to Cherrypaw. [color=dakrcyan]"We have time for one more question before I must send you back to your medicine cat. Can't keep him waiting too long."

Cherrypaw made sure to note every detail the she-cat told her about hunting in trees. She never wanted to fall from a tree again. The StarClan cat meowed that she could ask one more question and Cherrypaw tried to to think of anything else she wanted to ask. “Where are some good spots to find birds?” She knew that she had better chances of finding some beautiful feathers where there was lots of birds. It was also really calming to listen to bird songs, even though most will be leaving for leaf-bare.

Tatteredleaf was rather enjoying this conversation with this apprentice. She didn't really need anything in a way of a lesson like some other apprentices did. "As long as you are in the trees you should be able to find birds rather easily. I don't know about any other spots, it's been a while since I have been alive." The gray and white queen stood up from her spot. "Alright little one, it's time for you to go back. I hope to see you again one day, but not any time soon." With that the Starclan warrior faded from view.

As the StarClan cat faded from view, Cherrypaw meowed, "Bye!" She was suddenly overcome with sleep and closed her eyes for a second. She awoke in a the cavern that held the Moonstone and felt very cold. It confused her for a few heartbeats before she realized she wasn't in StarClan anymore. Her limbs felt stiff from sitting in the same spot for so long. She gave a long stretch and turned to Dovefrost waiting for his instructions.