Lionpaw's Moonstone Journey

Finally the day had come for Smokestep to do her first solo Moonstone journey. Having been here twice already herself, the young medicine cat apprentice was reasonably confident that she could find her way to the Moonstone, but nevertheless an additional cat had been chosen to escort her, and Lionpaw, who was visiting the Moonstone for the first time. Smokestep wasn't sure who it was yet, but Plumleaf was busy in camp, and eventually Smokestep would have to find her way there alone, anyway. She couldn't rely on her mentor forever - not if she was to grow confident enough to become a medicine cat in her own right.

It was early when she found herself padding to the apprentices' den... probably earlier than it needed to be, but she wanted to account for any possible mistakes or delays, and, well, if they were early they could just sit and wait for moonhigh, right? Easing her way through the entrance of the den, she singled out Lionpaw and quietly padded over, nudging him with her nose ever so gently. "Lionpaw, it's time to go, wake up." She pulled back and quit the den, then picked up the herbs she'd dropped and went to wait by the entrance. Alongside the usual night guard was Spottedfrog, one of SkyClan's senior warriors. She gave Smokestep a curt nod as the smoky tabby approached, and together they waited for Lionpaw to appear.

When he'd joined them, Smokestep smiled and indicated towards the traveling herbs, also pushing a bundle towards Spottedfrog. "Eat these," she said, and then, to Lionpaw, "they're traveling herbs. They will give you strength, and keep you from getting hungry on the journey." The older warrior chewed her herbs without complaint or reaction, and Smokestep had eaten hers just before going to pick up Lionpaw. "A quick stop at the creek to drink, and then we'll be traveling all day. Make sure you're prepared."

Together, the three of them set off, with Spottedfrog taking the lead and staying several fox lengths behind the party pretty much at all times, leaving Lionpaw and Smokestep free to converse.

Lionpaw rolled over at the touch, but his eyes slowly fluttered open. It took him a moment to realize what was going on, but once he had, he got to his paws and yawned. Still sleepy, he walked out of the den with his eyes opening and closing and his head angled downward.

He blinked at the herbs, half way registering what Smokestep said, then picked them up in his mouth and ate-

"Ew! PLEGH! What the ffff- fern." He spat them out, but managed to keep the bad word from forming on his lips. He wasn't awake before, but he certainly was now. What a wake up call! Knowing they were necessary, he set his mouth in a hard line and wrinkled his nose with determination. He scooped them up in his mouth again with a fury and swallowed them swiftly.

He shuddered a full body, forelimb wiggling shudder as the herbs slithered down into his belly. Graypaw's warning had been warranted when she informed him of these herbs as a kit. If only he'd remembered and prepared himself better for it.

"A drink. Yes. That would be good." He'd never been so determined to get to the creek in his entire life. Once that was done, they were on their way to Highstones. Lionpaw had woken up a bit more and was back to being his more cheerful self.

The three cats made their way through SkyClan territory, and eventually, made it to the border of WindClan's. Smokestep paused, flaring her nostrils. There was no scent of a patrol nearby, but her nervousness lingered despite the peace treaty that should protect them on their way to the Moonstone. She turned to Lionpaw. "No hunting, from here out... and don't wander. I know we have permission to be here, but..." she trailed off. Outside of Gatherings and Moonstone journeys, Smokestep never left SkyClan's territory, and she didn't enjoy it when she had to.

But they went unharassed as they traveled, thankfully, and eventually she felt comfortable enough to relax a bit. She engaged in some casual chatter with Lionpaw, pointing out a few landmarks here and there as she'd come to learn them, and after most of the day had passed, finilly, the Mothermouth was spotted on the horizon. "There it is," she said quietly to him. They approached the large, dark opening, and Smokestep paused at the entrance. "Follow me closely... it'll be dark." She gave the apprentice a reassuring smile.

Spottedfrog caught up with them then, and said in a low voice. "I'll wait out here. Yell if you need me." Smokestep nodded, and led Lionpaw down to the Moonstone. "Lie down and touch your nose to the stone... StarClan will do the rest. I'll be here when you wake. "

Lionpaw did as he was bid. No hunting on Windclan territory, he figured that much. They weren't haggled at all, which was good. Once he was in front of the moonstone, he lie down and set his nose to it.

OOC: This is so bad but I just got some frustrating news and I have no good muse right now.

A Skyclanner was an interesting choice for the rogue-turned Windclanner to visit, but Swiftspirit didn't complain as she darted through the trees. She watched the forest, and while she may have wanted to slap some sense into her own clanmates, this was different. As far as she knew, the young apprentice wasn't a troublemaker, and that was a good thing. The rocky forest around her was filled with starlight, from the dark sky above to the leaves and harsh ground. The terrain wasn't something Swiftspirit had been very familiar with in life during her time in Windclan, but she navigated it with ease, dodging starry tree trunks and leaping lightly over gullies in her way.

The starry she-cat skidded to a stop, starlight shimmering in her pale fur. "Hello, Lionpaw!" She called out cheerfully. "I'm Swiftspirit, of Windclan. I suppose most cats expect someone from their own clan, but it doesn't always happen that way."

"You... Seem like a good cat, honestly. Not someone I need to brow-beat some sense into. That's a good thing. Your clan has a history, but they seem to be turning things around."