Honeypaw's Moonstone Journey

The raging snows had slowed their progress. Smokepetal hardly knew where they were anymore... could hardly make sense of one paw in front of the other half time time, due to the snow that just seemed to never stop. During the famine, she'd forgotten what it felt like to feel full, satisfied. Now, Smokepetal was beginning to forget what it felt like to be warm. Shivers wracked her still-thin frame as she made her way over to where she'd last seen the apprentices, picking out Honeypaw's pelt among them. It was time for her to commune with StarClan, and though Smokepetal didn't have a Moonstone, or even a makeshift shelter like she'd had at the lake, it still had to be done. StarClan had proven that they could see the clans, wherever they were. Here, now, this would have to do.

"Honeypaw," the medicine cat said quietly. "Come with me. We aren't going far, just somewhere a little quieter."

Honeypaw

Honeypaw's ears pricked at the sound of Smokepetal's voice behind her. She had just been showing the kits how to perform a hunter's crouch. "I have to go with Smokepetal, kits. Keep practicing and show me when I come back. Then we can show Wolfblossom and Birdstar just how ready you are to join Myrtlepaw as apprentices!" She flicked her tail and turned to Smokepetal, following her as she led the way.

"What's going on, Smokepetal?" she mewed, her pale blue eye round with concern. "Is something the matter?" she asked, casting an anxious glance back at her favorite group of kits.

Waiting until the apprentice was through saying goodbye to her tiny charges, Smokepetal greeted Honeypaw with a dip of her head, gray-green eyes equally full of adoration and exhaustion. "Everything is fine," she reassured, offering the she-cat a reassuring smile before turning away and leading her just off their path, into the trees. They were still nearby enough that they could call for help, but most of the passive chatter was just a distant murmur when she finally stopped. "Every apprentice must speak with StarClan before they earn their warrior name. Your brother earned his already... it is time for you to, as well."

Clearing a spot free of as much snow as she could manage, Smokepetal beckoned Honeypaw over. "This is not how things are meant to be done... but it's all we have now." Moons ago, she'd been mourning the loss of the Moonstone. Now, they were returning home, and Smokepetal found herself missing the log hollow where both Hemlockfox and Thymelight had earned their medicine cat names. The lake had just started to feel like home.

Stifling a low, raspy cough, the medicine cat fell to her haunches in the snow, curling her tail around herself. "All you need to do is close your eyes, and let sleep take you. StarClan will find you."

Honeypaw

Honeypaw followed Smokepetal through the trees, aware of the sounds of the clan behind her fading into the distance. Her anxieties clawed at her as she wondered what might possibly happen to the kits in her absence. They'll be okay, she reassured herself. They're nearly old enough to become apprentices, after all.

"StarClan?" she echoed incredulously. "All cats can speak to StarClan? I thought that was just a medicine cat thing." Honeypaw's pelt twitched. "Did Shatteredsky speak to StarClan, too?" she wondered aloud.

As she watched Smoke Petal clear away a spot for her to rest, Honeypaw's pelt began to burn and itch self-consciously. All of her insecurities about herself becoming a warrior WindClan could be proud of began to flood back into her mind, from her fear of climing trees, to her aversion to blood. Whatever could StarClan possibly see in a cat like me?

"Smokepetal," she prompted before settling down as she was told, "What about the moonstone? I have only heard stories about it from the senior warriors, but will we be able to see it when we get to the forest?" Honeypaw circled a few times, trying to get in a comfortable position. "And what if I can't sleep?" She settled herself, nose in tail, curled uncomfortably in the small patch. Her eyes were still glued to Smokepetal, eagerly awaiting her answers. She sighed.

Smokepetal listened to Honeypaw's questions, eyes following as the apprentice moved over to the cleared area, where she promptly sat and continued her quest to... stall, apparently. The smoky tabby tilted her head slightly, but she understood every apprehensive query that came out of Honeypaw's mouth, and didn't make move to rush her or discourage them.

"I'm sure he did," she responded finally. She hadn't been the one to guide Shatteredsky during his Moonstone, but Thymelight or Hemlockfox were just as capable. "And anyone can talk to StarClan... if you know how. The Moonstone does certainly make it easier, though." The medicine cat sighed wistfully. They'd be back in their territory before they knew it, which meant, theoretically, that they'd be able to start doing real Moonstone journeys for the apprentices again.

"When we make it back home, I promise I'll take you to the Moonstone, since you missed your opportunity here, alright?" She lowered her muzzle and rasped her tongue across the top of Honeypaw's head a few times. "And if you can't sleep, we can try another time. But you should try. I'll be right here."

Honeypaw

Honeypaw's jaw gaped with excitement at Smokepetal's promise.
I get to see the real moonstone! What an honor!
"Wow, that would be amazing! I would really like that, thank you Smokepetal," she purred loudly, kneading the ground beneath her. She closed her eyes at the motherly gesture and laid her head on her paws. When did I start to feel so weary? Realizing she hadn't had a day of rest since the lake, Honeypaw parted her mouth in a deep yanwn. "I suppose I can try to sleep," she murmured, already beginning to feel sleep engulfing her like a comforting pelt. Her eyes fought to stay open, but soon she succumbed to the inevitable slumber as StarClan came to greet her.

Thornstalker was excited to say the least. She hadn't gotten the chance to speak with Shatteredsky, but another one of her kits was here to visit the moonstone, and finally she was getting her chance. She had watched them every second of the day, watching them all slowly grow up, slowly turning into fine warriors, even if some were slower than others.

As soon as Honeypaw appeared before her she couldn't wait any longer. Instantly the pale she-cat was upon her daughter curling her form around Honeypaw, and instantly grooming the youngers fur. "I'm so glad I finally get to see you in person my daughter." Thornstalker started. "I'm sorry I didn't get to be there to watch you grow up, but I have been watching from here every step of the way."

Honeypaw

Honeypaw's paws touched smooth grass, and immediately a familiar scent surrounded her, something she couldn't quite put her paw on. It was warm, almost...

And suddenly she was surrounded, being tightly curled around by a familiar she-cat, but one she did not recognize until she spoke the words. "M-Mother??" Honeypaw gasped as she was ferociously groomed, and it reminded her of how Paledove had been with her kits. "Mother!" she squeaked, and pressed into the warm starry pelt, heart beating so hard she thought it might explode. Her eyes stung and she turned to see the face of the queen who had departed too soon after ktting her. And she was beautiful.

"Could it really be you?" She reached out a paw and gently touched Thornstalker's cheek, her blue eyes wide with wonder. What she saw there looked like the same image as when she got a drink. I look just like my mother, she realized. "I can't believe it. I can't believe you're here. I'm so happy!" Purring loudly, she brushed her fur against Thornstalker. "Mother, we have missed you so much. Wolfblossom did her best for us, but..." Honeypaw couldn't quite get the rest of her words out. She felt like she was caught between two fighting cats, one that was jubilant and the other that was grieving.

"Yes my darling it really is me." Thornstalker purred, taking in the sight of her daughter, just as Honeypaw was doing the same to her. Just how much the warrior was reflected in her daughter. It was a shame that she didn't get to see her grow up in person but she was here now. Here to be at a pivotal moment in her life.

"I know that Wolfblossom wasn't the same as me being there, but I know she did her best. I'm so proud of you, and the cat you are becoming. Your siblings too." It was amazing to see how much all of them had grown. Shatteredsky had his own issues sure, but he was certain to be a good warrior. Honeypaw cared for others so much. Brackenpaw had love for his siblings that couldn't be matched. Harepaw had strength and a resolve that couldn't be beaten. "Honeypaw, I want you to know you are strong in your own way, you support others that need it. You may not be front and center, but you are a pillar behind those that are. Clans would fall apart if they didn't have cats like you. You are important."

Honeypaw

Honeypaw wrapped herself in her mother's starry form, savoring the moment, for she knew it would not last forever. She listened intently to Thornstalker's words, her head pressed to her chest. I'm so proud of you. Honeypaw purred. Mother is proud of me? SkyClan would fall apart without cats like me?

"You really think so, mother?" Honeypaw mewed, feeling slightly self-conscious. I wonder how much she has seen, and how much she knows. Honeypaw blinked. Of course, StarClan cats must see and know all. If that was the case, the thought of Thornstalker watching her every day was a comfort. "Thank you." Honeypaw's worries and anxieties seemed to float away with her mother's words. For a fleeting moment, the young she-cat wondered if she would have turned out differently, had she been raised with praise and encouragement like this.

"I'm always going to do my best," she promised whole-heartedly. "I won't let you down, mother. I will become a cat SkyClan can be proud of, a warrior that Shatteredsky and..." her voice trailed off momentarily as she thought of Brackenpaw and his absense since the wolf attack. "...Brackenpaw would be proud to fight alongside."

"I am so glad to hear it my darling."Then something overcame the starry queen. It seemed like their moment had just started, but it was already time for her to go. "I am sorry my dear, but it seems it is time for me to go." Thornstalker carefully pulled unwrapped herself from her daughter. "If you ever feel low, just remember my words, and that I am always here for you Honeypaw."

The former warrior pressed her head against her daughters, relishing in the moment just a little longer even as she began to fade from the dream. "I love you my darling, never forget that." Thornstalker said as her parting words before fading fully from the dream.