Eggkit's Medicine Cat Apprentice Ceremony

The time spent healing from the snake bite was all too long for the kit to particularly enjoy. The pain, that is. Eggkit enjoyed organizing leaves and learning their names. Just even if it meant being a bit of help. Though, she definitely knew she was going to miss that life. Stretching out over her mother's nest, Eggkit rested her head on the plush moss with a flick of her tail. The thought of going back to be a warrior did not appeal to her at all. But, if that was what she had to do, the kit would resign herself to her fate.

The voice of the medicine cat at the mouth of the nursery caused the kit to raise her head. Her last paste that healed her wounds was applied a few sunrises ago...and she hadn't done any pranks yet. "Yes?" She called back, rising carefully to her paws.

The kitten's mouth dropped, her tail sticking up like a stick. "For real?" Eggkit cried, leaping up towards Fawnshine with a big grin. "I'll do my best I promise!"

The kit sniffed at the herbs, her small nose catching the scent of one in particular. Pulling it out of the pile, she hooked it on a claw and glanced up at Fawnshine with a big grin. "Oh! I know this one." She mewed, holding it towards her mouth. "It's burnet. I tried to eat a bunch a long time ago." She purred with amusement before consuming the rest of the herbs. The taste wasn't great, but she didn't expect them all to taste good. With a shake of her pelt, the kitten looked up at Fawnshine. "It was gross, but I'm ready!"

Eggkit puffed out her pelt in a show of readiness. No amount of distance was going to stop her from being the best medicine cat she could! And with Fawnshine as her mentor, she certainly wasn't going to fail! With a purr, the to-be apprentice followed Fawnshine out of camp with a pep to her step.

The walk was long. Eggkit wasn't even sure if she had ever walked this long in her entire life! Scratch that, she hadn't. Stars! She hadn't even been out of camp before! Her paws ached and ached. But, the little she-cat wouldn't allow her pain to be heard. After all, Fawnshine went out of her way to make her a medicine cat apprentice. Eggkit had to do her best, even if her best made her tiny paws hurt.

Thankfully, they arrived, and the tight fit wasn't as bad for Eggkit as it was for Fawnshine. Though, the darkness was rather difficult to navigate. Once or twice, she tripped over a large rock, losing the tip of Fawnshine's tail for a short moment. But, the struggle was worth it to see the brilliantly shining rock. Mouth agape, the she-cat stared at the rock, then back to Fawnshine, as she became Eggpaw. So much was happening so fast! Was she going to meet their ancestors now? What if they didn't speak to her? Would she have to be a warrior? But, as her green eyes lingered on her new mentor, Eggkit managed to see the lips trembling on Fawnshine in the dim light. With a tilt of her head, Eggpaw approached and settled close to her mentor. "Are you okay, Fawnshine?" For the moment, the glowing stone was completely forgotten.

Eggpaw held Fawnshine's gaze for just a moment longer before giving the medicine cat a nod. "Okay, but I'll also be here if you need me!" She purred, before returning to the glowing crystal. Apprehensively, she settled down, close enough to where her nose would touch if Eggpaw rested her head. But, not before turning her head towards Fawnshine one last time. Seeing the comforting form of her mentor, the apprentice rested her head on the stone and shut her eyes.

Near instantly, she felt light just outside of her eyelids. Cautiously, she opened them to see the form of a silver tabby, watching her patiently. His green eyes shimmered with mirth, and a quiet purr left him. Though, in this bright, starry world, it seemed to echo more than anything. As she sat up, the purr grew louder.

"Welcome, Eggpaw. We have been awaiting your visit for some time. I'm glad to have seen you recover from that snake." His voice was soft and kind. Similar to Mottlerose, who visited her in the medicine cat den while she recovered from the snake bite. "My name is Morningsun, and I died before you were born. It's quite a long story, but I'm happy to receive you here during your first visit."

"Did it hurt?" Eggpaw asked, head tilted.

"Dying? Not really." Morningsun offered, watching the apprentice quite seriously. "I gave up my life to bring StarClan back, they didn't want to make it painful for me."

"What about other cats who died in other ways?"

"Dying can be painful, yes." Morningsun agreed, patiently answering her questions.

"Could I keep everyone from dying?" The young apprentice asked, green eyes looking insistent.

The StarClan warrior looked amused for a moment, before letting out a small sigh. "It is a good goal to have, Eggpaw. But do know that it is impossible to keep everyone from dying. However, when someone does pass, do not let it get you down. Sometimes cats are meant to come to us, and that is alright. You will never know when that time is, so give your training all you've got."

Eggpaw watched him curiously, but quietly as he backed up a tail length and held his head to the sky. "Fellow Warriors of StarClan, I present to you Eggpaw of ThunderClan. She has chosen the path of a medicine cat. Let us grant her our wisdom and insight, so she may understand your ways and heal her Clan in accordance with our will." As he finished, the dream began to fade.

Eggpaw managed a quick; "W-wait!" Before she awoke in the cool ground of the cavern. Blinking off the bright light, the brand-new apprentice turned to Fawnshine with wide eyes. "Do you know a Morningsun?"