Foxpaw's Moonstone Journey

Birdstar

Plumleaf's capture had not been easy to adjust to. For one– for Birdstar and Wolfblossom, and she prayed Trufflesnap felt the same –a sister was missing. What was left of their family was slowly dwindling, but other cats had come home; she could hold onto hope that Plumleaf would be among them. Sooner than later, she hoped. But more practically, they had lost their medicine cat, without even an apprentice left behind. Birdstar's tail lashed irritably as she approached the patched apprentice's den, a haphazard bundle of herbs in-between her teeth. They would get through this, she knew... but it was hard.

This, at least, was not a terribly hard task. It would be a tiring one– it was only just after dawn when she went to fetch Foxpaw, and they had a full day of walking ahead of them –but not a difficult one. Birdstar only hoped she'd put the right herbs together. Stepping into the den and finding the sleek form of Foxpaw, she gave him a gentle nudge and dropped the herbs by his nose. "Eat these, then come meet me outside. We're going to the Moonstone today."

Foxpaw had fallen asleep in a strange manner - something that wasn't abnormal for him. He lay on his back, mouth hanging open, limbs splayed out in all directions and to top it all off there was a long string of drool extruding from his jaw, more saliva coming out every time he snored. As Birdstar nudged him awake he jumped to his paws with surprising speed, eyes snapping back and forth - looking for danger. His hazel eyes fell on his leader, and his expression softened as he gave her a bright smile and a nod. Moonstone! Yes! The other apprentices were saying this was the last step to becoming a warrior. He had made it! But they hadn't mentioned he needed to eat leaves...

Shaking out his pelt he leaned down to consume the herbs he was given. He gave them a dubious sniff before consuming them in a single bite, he made a sort of gagging noise before fully swallowing it down. C'mon man, choke it down. You really want to be the loser that loses out on becoming a warrior all because of some leaves? Surely they gave him some sort of powers or something. Maybe that was how the Moonstone worked. After eating the herbs he exited the den, stretching out his limbs before he looked up to Birdstar, "All right. Let's get it!" he chirped, inhaling the morning air.

Birdstar

Foxpaw had untangled himself from his awkward sleeping position and bounced out of the den surprisingly quick. Birdstar gave him a fond rumble and whisked her tail for him to follow along as she led them out of camp into the frost-coated territory. The snow glittered with the early morning light, making her squint a little as they padded into the forest. "You're excited," she mewed idly as they walked along, tipping her head to look down at the apprentice beside her. "I don't consider myself a morning cat at all, but I guess meeting StarClan is enough to wake anyone up." A little shiver went through her at that, not from the cold. Her last conversation with her ancestors had been... memorable, to say the least. Fluffing herself out, she carried on, "Hoping for something in particular, or just looking forward to your warrior ceremony after this?"

Foxpaw nodded, he was excited. Well, there was hardly a moment where he wasn't. Foxpaw was usually a pretty mouse half left than a mouse half eaten kinda cat. In that regard, he was also enjoying the morning. He was spending it with his leader, a rare opportunity he hadn't expected since he had forgotten that Plumleaf had been taken. There was part of the tom that had a hard time feeling bad that cats were gone, in Twolegplace loners came and went and this clan dynamic he had joined was a rarity in the everyday world. At least as far as he knew. To be fair, in his youth, he was under the impression the clan were just legends, dreams. It was still hard to believe he belonged in the legends other cats just dreamt of. "Mm. Yeah." he meowed absentmindedly, trotting along, his long legs allowing him to keep up, "Do you think they'll accept me? Starclan I mean? I don't have any ancestors y'know. So I dunno if any of 'em will come see me..." he chattered, it was the most honest he had ever been. Pushing his feelings down had become a habit, but visiting the Moonstone was such a big moment, it broke down every barrier he had built in the past 7 moons of being with Skyclan. "I don't really know who's all up there, but I hope they're nice. Like Dawnma. Or Prima." he confessed.

Birdstar

A little flicker of surprise went over Birdstar's features when the apprentice spoke, but she tamed her expression back to neutrality and listened quietly. It was a reasonable concern, and she imagined if she'd been in his position she would be having the same doubts. Her ears twitched, and a considering hum left her. It took a few steps before she found a suitable response. "You have ancestors," she started slowly, tipping her head back to look towards the sky now. Clouds rolled through the gold-blue, but they were thin and didn't seem to promise snow. "Not in StarClan, maybe, but your own. I guess saying not in StarClan defeats the answer though, doesn't it?" Birdstar sighed, quiet for another few beats while she thought on what to say. Eventually, "Yes, I'm sure someone will come to see you. I can't say who, but I'm confident you'll get to meet StarClan. You weren't born in SkyClan, and they may not be your ancestors by blood, but," she lowered her head to focus on Foxpaw again, and her gaze was serious but not unkind as she went on, "you're a SkyClan cat now. They're your ancestors now. There's too many cats up there for me to tell you all your options, but someone will be waiting there for you."

Foxpaw smiled as he watched his leader's expression of surprise appear and disappears as fast as it was made. He followed her gaze up to the sky and considered her statement. He guessed he did have ancestors somewhere out there. Rita's parents, his father's parents. But they...they weren't his. It was hard to believe that Rita had ever had a family. But if they were anything like Rita..he figured she didn't feel like she had much of a family either. "Yes. I 'spose so." he replied, eyes traveling to his paws as he kicked up snow with a paw watching the flakes fall to the side.

As Birdstar sighed, he lifted his hazel eyes to hers. They're your ancestors now. Foxpaw's ears heated and his chest felt warm as she reassured him. She was right. And with each passing day, he felt more and more distanced from his old life. He was Foxpaw, a Skyclan apprentice. A future Skyclan warrior.  Her reassurance meant the world to him, it changed his attitude nearly instantaneously. All previous insecurities and worries were disappearing as fast as smoke in the wind.

Foxpaw puffed out his chest, putting more energy into his walk as he trotted beside Birdstar, "Are we almost there?" he asked, abruptly changing the subject, but giving her a thankful smile. He hoped she knew how much it meant for her to say that to him, and not only that but for her to bring him to the Moonstone - their most sacred place. To leave the clan and take time to make the journey...it took a lot of strength and Foxpaw was in awe. Birdstar was everything he wanted to be.

Birdstar

Foxpaw bounced up again quickly as she spoke. It was near-immediate, the little hop that was added to his steps and the cheerier ring in his voice when he spoke again. She didn't miss the smile he gave her either, a touch more genuine, and she returned it easily and wordlessly. She was glad, that her advice seemed to have an effect on him, to see the worries melt away.

Tilting her head to look away from the apprentice, Birdstar scanned their surroundings.  It was nearing sunhigh already... they had come farther than she'd thought, with the barren crowns of Fourtrees visible over the near-horizon. "Halfway," she hummed in response. "We'll be at Fourtrees in a few moments, and from there all we have to do is cross the Thunderpath and make it to- and up -Highstones."

Foxpaw twitched his whiskers as he scented the air. The familiar scent of the stale mixing of clan scents wafted to his nose and he nodded sharply. He wasn't afraid to say he didn't miss living in Fourtrees. While it gave them time to meet other clans, there was really nothing like being home. The longer journeys weren't an issue for him, his paws had been callused and accustomed to long harsh terrain since he was a kit. Though the omnipresent reminder he was traveling to meet his clan's ancestors hung above him, it was more of a welcoming pressure, and it was difficult for him to decipher whether the butterflies in his stomach were nerves or excitement. "After the Thunderpath is Highstones..gotcha." he meowed, keeping his eyes forward but his ears rotated towards the brush around them. While he didn't think anyone would have the audacity to attack a leader, there was something that forced the apprentice's fur up on the back of his neck. Something strange..he couldn't place it. As Fourtrees came clearly into view he picked up his pace a little bit.

Birdstar

[size=18][b][i]As they neared Fourtrees, Birdstar fell quiet. She wasn’t much for small talk, and if Foxpaw had run out of pressing questions, then she had run out of answers– and with that, of anything notable to say. They reached the clearing quickly, and though the apprentice had picked up a jog, she allowed her paws to slow a bit as they passed under the shadow of the Great Oaks. She wouldn’t come to a complete stop, but a moment to just pad leisurely was relaxing enough. She wouldn’t linger too long, though: Foxpaw seemed racy, and admittedly, she wanted to reach Highstones quickly as well.

It wasn’t long before the Thunderpath was before them as well, blessedly quiet and easy to cross. From there, it was only a few tree-lengths before the snow-dusted grass underpaw turned to stone, and the ground started to incline upwards. Pausing at the base of Highstones’ peak, Birdstar murmured, “Be careful with your footing,” then began her own ascent. She moved a little slower than she might on her own, allowing Foxpaw to keep up, and stood still for a moment when they were both at the top. The day had passed in the blink of an eye, the moon now rising in the sky; it would only be a few moments before it was at its highest, light flooding the cavern below them. “Let’s go see StarClan, huh? Stay close in the tunnels.” Whisking her tail, she padded on into the dark entrance ahead of them, weaving through cramped tunnels until the Moonstone’s familiar glow reached her eyes. Grateful to be in the wider room, Birdstar stretched her legs and found a place to settle off to the side. “Lay down next to the stone and touch your nose to it. You’ll fall asleep fast, and StarClan will find you in your dreams.”

Foxpaw nodded in agreement as they reached Highstones, the rough outcropping of rock could no doubt be dangerous, especially if unfamiliar with the terrain. Foxpaw's claws released into the rubble with each step of his climb. While he didn't mind heights, the stones were unpredictable. They could fall from underneath him at any moment- they weren't as sturdy or certain as a tree. Shaking his head he continued his journey, trying to focus on keeping his breathing even to calm his nerves. "Let's see 'em." he replied in a chipper tone, as he followed his leader deep into the cavern. The air grew cold, and dark enough he couldn't see Birdstar in front of him anymore. Only the sound of her steps and her tail occasionally brushing Foxpaw's whiskers told him where to step. Every hair on his body was extended during this leg of his journey, he didn't know what to expect. Would they be there in front him? Like ghosts in the stories the elders told? Apparations like fog in the shape of ancestors? He didn't know what to expect. And the Moonstone definitely wasn't what he expected. Foxpaw had always thought it would be smaller..more...stone-like. He hadn't expected this grand crystal structure. "See ya on the otherside." he chuckled, gently laying down and pressing his nose abruptly to the stone. It was so quiet, the only sound was distant water trickling and his own breaths, soon enough he drifted off to sleep.

Newtspring

For once, Newtspring made himself easy to find: when Foxpaw entered StarClan, he was stretched lazily across the high branches of a sturdy oak tree, tail swaying slowly below him. A faint breeze stirred through the starry forest, rustling the leaves and the pelts of both cats. The marbled tabby smiled down at the apprentice, all teeth, then got to his paws. Expertly, he maneuvered lower through the tree… and then he was gone.

Where Newtspring should have slipped out between the branches, there was only bark and empty air. For a moment, Foxpaw was alone.

Then the branches just above together knocked together loudly, and the large tom sprang down, tackling Foxpaw with ease. As they both hit the ground, Newtspring let himself roll through the momentum, sliding against the grass until he let his claws found purchase. As soon as he was still, a deep laugh rolled out of him. Giving himself a hearty shake, he sat up properly, dipping his head to Foxpaw. “Dawnfeather’s, right? Whats’at make you, somethin’ like… Mm, can’t be bothered.” Shrugging mildly, he laughed again and went on, “Family somehow. ‘S good ‘nough for me. Name’s Newtspring.” His chest puffed out proudly, chin lifting. “So what can I do ya for, nephew-or-whatever?”

Whiskers twitching, Foxpaw gradually made his way to the large oak ahead of him. His eyes couldn't focus on just one thing, the stars, the leaves, the branches above him. It was...glorious. Everything Rita had told him about and more. He had made it, like he had made it into the club. Foxpaw rolled his shoulders back, sauntering forward closer to the tree - OOF! The wind was knocked out of him and he went tumbling to the ground, instinctively his claws gripped at the grass around him as he rolled into the earth. Regardless of his tumble, the apprentice didn't feel the sense of fear, he remained at ease - as if he already knew his attacker meant no harm. Foxpaw shook out his fur, tufts of black fur sticking up in all sorts of directions, "Good Starclan, buddy! Ya got me there, what's with the tackle eh?" his voiceMaybe it was a Starclan custom or something? He'd have to ask Dawnma about it. Newtspring.. hopefully he would remember the name when he woke up, that'd be another thing to ask his ma about. "Ya, you got any stories about my family? Dawnma always talks about Beech-aunt but I ain't never seen her. 'cept for a few minutes when the ground was shakin'. But I was too small to rememba' all of it."

Newtspring

“’S just fun. Ya still have fun down there, don’tcha?” Newtspring’s deep purr came easily towards the apprentice’s question. How many wise, glowing members of StarClan threw themselves at their visitors? He’d bet he was the only one. It kept them lively and him laughing, though. That was how he greeted all the apprentices he was chosen to speak with; stars, that was how he greeted half the cats he knew in life.

Angling his head, the large tom sat down, feathery tail swishing lazily off to the side. There was a sharp look in his golden eyes when Foxpaw mentioned Beechfang, that he never saw her, but it passed into relaxed humor again quickly. “Stories? ‘Bout our family? If ya wanna listen to any’a those, ya might ‘s’well jus’stay in StarClan. I’d be talkin’ ‘bout ‘em long ‘nough.” A barking laugh rose through Newtspring again. “Beechfang… sure, I got stories ‘bout’er. She was m’fourth favorite sister, ya’know.

How ‘bout when I got us both demoted? Whole big thing, ya’know. Found out from some ThunderClanner that my ma– were ya old enough to know her when she was leader? Briarstar? ah well, anyway –took the life’a some other ThunderClan warrior. Naturally, bein’ the fool, I went runnin’ right back to camp, screamed m’whole head off ‘bout it.” Newtspring’s smile softened, turning wistful. It was one of the few things he’d done that he truly regretted; and yet, he wasn’t sure he’d do differently. “Well anyway, caused a whole scene ‘bout it. Beechfang– Beechface way back when, still a medicine cat then –got her paws all twisted up right ‘longside me. Or– at me. Eh, is’sa complicated family ya joined. Wolfstar wasn’t happy with all the hissin’ ‘n’ screamin’. Got all huffy, said he was already talkin’ to Minkstar ‘bout it, said Briarthorn was defendin’ her unborn kits. So… me. And m’sisters.” His brow furrowed, thinking about the exchange. Wolfstar had asked him then which of his sisters he’d sacrifice to save the life of a ThunderClan warrior he’d never know. Only one of his littermates was alive now, anyway.

“Well, got our ranks stripped for ‘bout a moon ‘n’ shoved into the elder’s den. Real fun, I tell ya. Jus’ snipped at each other half the time, but ya’know, we got along. Much as Beech didn’t like us, and much’s we didn’t like her… I liked her. ‘M sure I harassed her into liking me, too.” Newtspring couldn’t lie, he missed his contentious half-sister. It was almost surprising, that she was still clinging to the forest after everything that tried to kill her. He didn’t expect anything else from Beechfang. “Hows’at, eh? ‘S not an excitin’ story or anythin’, but I guarantee it ain’t one anyone else’d tell ya.”

The tom listened to the starclanner intently, taking a seat and wrapping his tail around his paws, settling in to listen to his great uncle's stories. He let out a mrrow of laughter as he mentioned he might as well stay in Starclan. Foxpaw shook his head, he couldn't leave his home, not with Dawnma still alive and Mistpaw, and Lightningbreeze as well.

Did he say demoted? He hadn't heard of anyone getting demoted - well except for Silverwing and she had gotten exiled. That was different. At the mention of Briarstar there was a flickering of recollection. When he joined Skyclan it was right as Briarstar had disappeared so he hadn't spoken to her. As he was unconscious upon arrival, and Briarstar had gone missing right after, he had never met her. Foxpaw couldn't claim to imagine the feeling of being demoted - of having someone be disappointed in you in general. But how did Briarstar stay in the clan? After murdering someone? And Silverwing got exiled for attacking some Shadowclanner - didn't even kill him? Clan politics were still lost on the apprentice. Foxpaw shook his head, softly mewing, ”What a mess.” At times he felt grateful he didn't have any littermates in the clans.

A small smile stretched across his face at the mention of being shoved into the elder's den. ”Well elder's den isn't too bad,” he mewed with a light huff of laughter. ”Better than getting exiled that's for sure.” he tilted his head slightly, looking back up into newtspring’s eyes. ”Mm. If I see her 'round, I'll tell her you said hi." His grin widened, amusement brightening his eyes. Amusement that was hopefully plain on his face, he was grateful for the story and Newtspring's time. Not every day you get to speak to the dead.

"Oh yeah, one last thing. How'd you die anyhow?" he questioned, tilting his head. Was that too rude? Too blunt? He wasn't sure what the etiquette was for talking with Starclanners, this was not part of the stories Rita told him. " Do you get to keep all your memories when you..when Starclan takes you?"