Littlepaw's Medicine Cat Ceremony

As the sun rose, and the horrors of war loomed ever closer, Perchstar allowed her thoughts to turn briefly to more positive areas. The sickness, it seemed, was now gone for good. It seemed insincere to thank the stars, since it wasn't due to any of their assistance nor had their paws been the ones to share or give the herbs. Littlepaw, almost single-pawed, had saved RiverClan. He'd gone with Poppyshine to trade with ShadowClan for herbs, he'd dutifully distributed them to every cat, he'd gathered and worked and organized more than most other medicine cats within the span of just a few months. And during that time, he'd grown. He'd learned. He was more than ready for his name, especially now with Sandyshell... well. Sandyshell's retirement and quick, ill-fated demise still caused an uncomfortable prickle down the back of her spine, as did the dark cloudy threat of Beechfang's mere existence threatening the medicine cat of RiverClan. But she would be there to escort Littlepaw. Nothing would happen to him. And besides... she had to thank him, once again, for very literally saving her entire Clan.

Gently, she rapped one white paw against the reeded side of the medicine den to announce her presence. "Littlepaw? Sorry to interrupt, but do you have a moment?" The leader padded in, looking with appreciation at the well-organized piles of herbs and the revamped comfortability of the medicine den. It seemed that RiverClan was finally recovering. Carefully she regarded him--how he'd grown physically, and the new wisdom behind his eyes that he'd acquired. "Poppyshine and I have been talking, and we also spoke with Sandyshell before... she passed." Just a day before the elder's death, Perchstar had spoken with her about her former apprentice's achievements. It took a moment to swallow away the strange lump in her throat. "You have done so much for this Clan. You saved not only my life, but the lives of many of your Clanmates. On top of that, you have demonstrated remarkable maturity and growth. Despite the many hardships, you have overcome all. I am grateful for you and frankly awed by all of your hard work. You should be proud of yourself... and I would be proud to name you a full medicine cat of RiverClan, if you believe you are ready." It was up to him. If he felt that he ought to wait, she would not begrudge him the choice. But Perchstar stood back, giving him enough distance, but waiting with a patience he surely deserved.

Grief clung to the back of Littlepaw's dried throat like a thick coat of mucus. The sensation was as unpleasant at the tightening pain in his chest. Sandyshell had always had one paw out of the medicine cat's den for as long as he could remember, due to the sickness and a variety of other reasons. He had never felt any disdain towards her no matter the amount of responsibilities placed upon his shoulders. Instead, the tom had admired and looked up to her, clinging on to every word and bit of wisdom that she had to offer. Losing her before his apprenticeship was over had been a big blow. It resurrected the pain of his parent's untimely death, followed by Egretswoop.

Loss was a very real part of his life and it always had been. Dealing with this at such a young age had made it easy to tuck away the feelings, only allowing them to creep up in moments where he was left to his own devices. This was one of those times. His paws had long ago stopped sorting herbs and he found himself staring mindlessly at the edge of the den. It was a comfort to think that she would be greeted with the warm purrs of other late Starclan warriors. Egretswoop would meet with her and the pair would keep watching over them. He quite liked that thought, actually. Cindersky's idea of drifting into comforting fantasies applied to many things.

A flicker of a smile had crossed his maw when there was a stirring at the entrance of the den. Littlepaw's head twisted around with a soft mrrow of question. Perchstar was there. The pair of Riverclan's high ranks had seldom spent much time together. In fact, really the only time, had been his intrusion into her fevered deliriums while he was still a kit. The memory caused his ears to heat up slightly and he dipped his head, "I always have time for you, Perchstar." He quickly abandoned wherever his head might had been at to focus on the clan leader. Was she here to talk about herb preparations? Was there something going on?

His ears flickered as the molly spoke. When Sandyshell's name was mentioned, he instinctively dipped his head, but found himself looking up with wide eyes at what she said next. The clenching of his chest and slow thudding of his heart melted away into warmth at the leader's praise. It had been his desire since kithood to make a difference for the clan and Starclan, as well as Sandyshell, had put that path at his paws. Knowing what he had been able to accomplish in such a short time, the lives he had saved, was more than a young Littlepaw could have ever imagined. He had hardly been a medicine cat apprentice for more than a few moons and yet he had brought the hope that Starclan promised.

"You think I'm ready? Does Starclan think I'm ready? What if it is too soon? Will they send me back?" A barrage of awe-struck questions and inherent doubts fell from his maw. The bicolored tom had been standing and fell back on his haunches with his tail strewn out behind him. Mind racing, Littlepaw shook out his head, "Perchstar, I don't know what to say. I would be honored to be a full medicine cat of Riverclan. If that's what you want. I don't doubt your wisdom, I just... everything had happened so fast. Sometimes I still feel like a kit in the nursery but here I am sorting herbs and helping care for the clan like, like a real medicine cat."

Littlepaw was embarrassed to hear his own voice prattling on and lost in direction. He looked up at Perchstar, mismatched gaze shining with a myriad of emotions.

Sandyshell's recent passing had been difficult for many, including Poppyshine, and Perchstar counted herself somewhere in the lower ranks of that list--because she was unsure if her capacity for grief, like for other emotions such as happiness, paled in comparison to that of others. She knew that her dear friend was missing her daughter more than anything. Still, there was a strange, not-altogether-unpleasant sensation at the back of her throat when Littlepaw's response to seeing her was not a flinch or a cower, but a smile. A deferent and slightly shamefaced one, but still. He was not afraid of her. Sandyshell had been afraid of many things, and that was not something the leader had held against her, but... she could not deny the foreign twinge of warmth it granted her to be welcomed into the medicine den, rather than feeling unwanted.

The way that Littlepaw rambled would have brought a smile to her own face if she were capable of such. Instead, she swished her tail behind her and offered him a gentle blink of reassurance. Such soft movements were uncommon from the stoic leader, but she did her best to convey the true gratitude she felt towards him. "As I am not a medicine cat, I have not heard it directly from the stars," she acquiesced. "But Poppyshine and I think you far more than ready for such an acknowledgement. The stars would not turn you away, I think. These matters tend to be in our paws--and as such, I believe they will defer to my judgment. If I were wrong, I hope that they would tell me." She had not been satisfied with StarClan as of late, but that hardly seemed like an issue to add to Littlepaw's ever-growing list of tasks. "Life happens quickly. I myself was not ready to be appointed to the position of deputy, long ago, but I grew into my role. You have far more support now than I did then. I and Poppyshine, Cindersky, and all of your Clanmates stand behind you."

Briefly she recalled the look of shock in the medicine cat apprentice's eyes at the horrible sights fleeing from the lake. Perchstar looked away and flicked an ear. "I know it has not been easy. You have dealt with much... and I am afraid that this position will require much, much more of you. I do not need to tell you what you already know; war is coming soon. But I believe that you are ready not only of the pride that a full name would bring, but also of the responsibility. Just know that if things get difficult, you are allowed to ask for help. From me, from your Clanmates--from your fellow medicine cats, if you so choose. This is not a path that you must walk alone. The stars guide your paws, and we are here to assist." Again she looked at him, seeking an answer in the same way she often did to warriors when she asked for the ceremonial vow. "If you are ready, then, we can go this very moment. Ultimately the decision is yours. If you would rather wait, it can be arranged."

"Oh, right." He meowed simply at the idea this was a decision the clans could make on their own. It reminded him that while the stars nudged Sandyshell in the direction of taking him on as an apprentice, it was still a call she had to make. Starclan was a powerful guide but they didn't control the forest. Littlepaw had a lot to learn about their place in his life, and their role in general. That would come with time. Dipping his head with a sheepish expression, the apprentice apologized, "I don't mean to doubt you or Poppyshine."

As the leader continued on, he leaned into every word, finding solace in the story and message that Perchstar shared. It brought relief and comfort to know that even a cat with a stony exterior like Riverclan's leader could understand feelings of uncertainty or doubt. The fact remained his trusted her judgement even if the churning feelings of excitement and reservation twisted in equal measures. This was his call to make too. Perchstar was giving him a choice. A deep inhalation filled his lungs to capacity and he held the air for a while before exhaling slowly. This was something he needed to be clear headed about.

Littlepaw's beating heart slowed and he nodded. Rising to his paws, the medicine cat turned to find his hare pelt. This time as he slipped it on, the weight seemed more lofty. It wasn't just Egretswoop's memory he carried now, but Sandyshell too. They watched over and protected him from the stars just as this carefully curated pelt kept chilling winds at bay. He flicked his tail and turned back to Perchstar with determination shining in his gaze, "I'm ready. You can count on me."

Perchstar returned Littlepaw's words with her own nod, appreciating his promptness. The light in his eyes caused her own resolve to tighten further. The significance of the pelts she would never really understand, but she didn't begrudge the cultural decision. It did remind her just slightly of a long-gone cat, but she'd managed to swallow those memories for her darkest nights. Besides, the hare pelt would likely keep him warm in the chilly weather, which would be helpful during their prolonged travel. "Right. We should be off, then. I know you weren't able to be at the Moonstone for your apprentice ceremony, but now that we're home, we can do this properly." One ear flicked as she remembered something. "Technically, your mentor ought to be doing this, but I hope I can be a suitable replacement. Traditionally you lead the way to the Moonstone yourself--but since you have only been there a few times, if you get lost, then you can ask me for assistance."

Time Skip

The journey passed uneventfully--no sudden monsters to steal her life, no sudden patrols to attack them. Snowy fields and muddy forests passed before their eyes until they finally made it to Highstones. Perchstar couldn't help but wonder whether the stars would speak with Littlepaw. They had no reason not to--he'd been as good a medicine cat apprentice as any could hope for. However, the stars hadn't always done things with reason... she couldn't help but think that their paw in the recent sickness and abandonment of the forest belied an inner lack of power. She knew they existed, and she knew that they could take life as well as give it. So why, then, did they do so little? Individual cats she knew up there--Cloverheart, Hollyleaf, Ivystar, and a long list more--had been of help, but as a collective, she knew very little about them. If they didn't accept Littlepaw... she would not be happy with them. It was out of her paws, though, and that worried her only slightly.

The beauty of the Moonstone soothed her somewhat, though. A quick journey through the darkness of the caverns always ended with the glittering light reflecting off walls, shining brightly against the previously complete lack of sight. She wasn't here just to look at it, though, and she wasn't here for her own ceremony. Ice-blue eyes turned to Littlepaw, and she sat down on the cold stone floor. The words... She'd done this for Dovesight once before, and thankfully the very back of her mind remembered what to say. Clear and neutral, her voice rang in the glowing cave. "I, Perchstar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help he will serve his Clan for many moons." The vow was different between medicine cat and warrior; while warriors vowed to protect their own Clan, medicine cats were supposed to act despite other borders. And yet, RiverClan would be his home. When they went to war soon, he would be on their side. So it was that the question came, directed towards him with purpose. "Littlepaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?" Perchstar waited patiently. This part of the ceremony, at least, she could conduct.

Paws buzzing with excitement, the tiny tom didn't hesitate in leading the way out of camp. Previous attempts at finding Highstones had been obscured by fog and his lack of experience. However, today was pleasant and he had committed landmarks to memory the second journey here. It was an honor to be taking Perchstar there, even if this endeavor was meant for his own ceremony. For the first time, he would be meeting with Starclan properly, in the caverns where countless medicine cats had sought communion with the ancestors.

The journey passed by more quickly than prior visits. Instead of any exhaustion tugging at hid frame, Littlepaw felt invigorated as he scaled the cold, stone path. Whiskers brushed the sides of the cavern as he welcomed the chilling darkness. This time it was particularly comforting and spurred his steps forward towards the dazzling light at the end of the tunnel. Like before, he paused to stare at the Moonstone with wide eyes.

Perchstar's even-keeled voice pulled his attention away from the stunning sight and back into the moment. Similar to when he had sat with Poppyshine in the makeshift medicine cat den, the ceremonial words settled in his ears and captivated his attention. By the time she finished speaking them over Littlepaw, a renewed determination had settled into his features and he nodded quickly, "I am ready to walk the path of a medicine cat, wherever it takes me."

Cloverheart... Dovesight... Sandyshell. The medicine cats that had served RiverClan previously under Perchstar's leadership. She'd felt a different kinship with each of them--a respectful friendship, the appreciation of a colleague, the concern for a friend's daughter. But now with Littlepaw, with the unreserved strength that glittered deep in his heterochromatic eyes, she felt something different. For the first time, a kind of kinship, perhaps. The knowledge that despite the hardships, he would give it his all for the love of his Clan and his Clanmates, just like she did. Not that the others hadn't, but... the resolve behind his words gave her strength. Perchstar nodded, feeling the neutral lines of her expression soften into not a smile, but a slightly more welcoming expression. "Then I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Littlepaw, from this moment you will be known as Littlesplash." A name that fit not only his dedication to his Clan, but his willing personality and somewhat small stature. "StarClan honors your eagerness and your determination, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of RiverClan." Briefly she stepped forward and rested her muzzle atop his head, like she would for any other ceremony. But this one was different. Instead of the cheers of their Clanmates, her words echoed into the eerie silence of the cavern. It would be StarClan's job to welcome him... and hopefully they would do their job right.

"Now, you should lay down and touch your nose to the stone. You'll fall asleep, and then the stars will speak with you." Perchstar did her best to believe the words as she spoke them. Even if StarClan hated her, they surely wouldn't leave Littlesplash hanging, would they? But she stilled her worries and lay by the Moonstone, folding her legs beneath her. She would wait for him to fall asleep first, and then she would join him. In the worst case scenario, she would simply get some rest before their journey back. And maybe, if she was lucky... she would see someone she knew. So it was that after the medicine cat touched the stone, the leader followed suit, and blackness swallowed her vision.

As both leader and newly-named medicine cat touched their noses to the stone, it would not be much longer before the fabled powers stirred to lull both into their slumber. One would have expected it to be a dreamless sleep for the silver and white molly that had accompanied the little silvered tabby, but in fact, it would not be such. Both Riverclan cats would find themselves amongst the stars, opening their eyes to a landscape that mirrored that of their home. While it would have been easy to expect a location such as the Broken Pools during newleaf, the promise of youth and new life aplenty, that was not entirely the case. Instead, it was the warmth of Sunningrocks in the peak of greenleaf that welcomed both felines, the smooth stones shimmering just slightly with its flecks of starlight as if each and every stone had been generously dusted by particles of thousands of them.

With an otherworldly warmth surrounding both of them in sharp contrast to the chill of leafbare that inhabited the true forest below, little time would go to waste before the ancestral figments that had been summoned would make their appearance.

First, with a grace that was only fitting of the very water fowl she was named after, did a molly that could only be described as crafted from the very light of the stars descend. In her eyes glimmered the sweetness of newleaf honey, the richness that only resided truly in the forest. As opposed to her stature in life, she stood tall, only the faintest of shading at the very tips of her form to indicate that she was in fact not crafted of starlight. One foreleg gracefully crossed in front of the other, her head dipped low as she came face-to-face with the form of her leader. Or, as fate had forced upon them both, former leader.

"Perchstar," Respect still regaled her voice as her head rose. Though it was entirely unnecessary, given her new position, it seemed that the habits that had been encoded into her during life were hard to kill. She then looked to the tom aside her, and what had been only the hint of a smile now widened into a true visage of jubilance. "Littlesplash. You are no longer just the little bunny, my friend." She dipped her head, too, towards the newly-named medicine cat. Both in welcome, and in sorrow, as she felt the tightness of mortality that came with having left those she cared about. Though they hadn't known each other for long, there was still a great deal of investment on the molly's end in his life.

"I bring a friend to welcome you among the ranks of Starclan's messengers."

Littlesplash. He repeated to himself silently, chest blossoming with a warmth that mirrored the slivered light that bathed their pelts. Littlesplash's tail flicked happily and he stood a tad taller than before. Even at an exaggerated height, the grey and white tom was easily swallowed by Perchstar's shadow. Dipping his head underneath the weight of his leader's chin, the new medicine cat apprentice felt the rest of the world melt away. There was a sense of peace and certainty that washed over him. In the back of his mind, the young tom still knew the sorrows and troubles had not simply evaporated, but they were briefly reveled in the wake of this celebration of a new beginning.

Just like the moonstones he had traveled to with warrior apprentices, Perchstar directed to him to settle down against the stone. He dutifully turned towards the stone and lay down, letting it chill him from nose to tail tip and relishing in the sensation as the world went black. Waking in the shimmering realm of Starclan, Littlesplash rose again. Sunningrocks was enrobed in the beauty of the stars as warm and as bright as the new leaf days he hardly knew. After a brief glance around, the medicine cat deduced he was not alone. Perchstar was walking the stars with him. He offered her a warm smile in greeting before looking back to the scenery before them.

Eyes widened as he drank in the site of an ethereal, shimmering pelt, sparkling like a blanket of freshly fallen snow. Littlesplash didn't hold back as he rushed forward and butted his head into the nape of Egretswoop's neck. Her companionship in kithood had brought new light in the darkness following his parent's death. The pelt she had given him was still so near and dear, resting across his back in that very moment. A purr erupted as he pulled back to regard her, "Egretswoop! You're here. You came to see me. I never forgot you, I never forgot my pelt."

"I hear ya, I hear ya." It appeared that the known and loved Egretswoop was not the only StarClan cat who had come to welcome Littlesplash. From behind the wispy white she-cat, from the ThunderClan side of the imaginary border, came a fairly mountainous-looking tom, an enormous lump of spiky tan-colored fur with tall ears and bristly tail. Permanently narrowed, glaring sage-green eyes surveyed the small medicine cat and accompanying leader, sizing them both up. Surprisingly, he'd gotten along fairly well with the strange former kittypet when they first met, for reasons he couldn't quite explain. But when she'd mentioned congratulating a newly named medicine cat and he'd heard of Littlepaw--Littlesplash now--he'd been eager to accompany her. He couldn't show them that, though, or it would ruin his entire cranky persona. So instead he sniffed, walking forward to inspect the small hare-pelted tom. Then he placed one large paw atop his head, gently. The little sprout had a good heart in him. "Well, you're not bad, I suppose. You've certainly done your fair share of work for your Clan already, eh kid? Just don't get complacent. You can't do everything by yourself. Don't overwork yourself and for stars' sakes, don't go out alone. Not all medicine cats are strong enough to fight warriors, like me." Pricklebush lifted the paw from his head, mussing the fur where it had been slightly with a good-natured huff.

The StarClan tom stepped back, flicking both ears one by one. "The name's Pricklebush. I used to be a medicine cat. ThunderClan's, in fact, though I also trained a RiverClan medicine cat when her mentor unfortunately passed. You guys may smell like fish, but you're certainly not the worst Clan in the forest. I suppose I ought to thank you for the alliance you've kept, unlike some other Clans." The honor of "worst" went to SkyClan, of course, but even thinking about them and what awaited the cats before him soured his mood, so with a lash of his tail he sent the thought away. Then he blinked and looked up, regarding the leader again. He wasn't entirely sure what to make of the stoic she-cat--so much different than the codebreaking Jaystar, but nowhere near as overtly strong and yet soft as Mottlestar. He was ambivalent towards her, but at least she'd been a stalwart ally. "You're all right too, I guess. But you take care of this sapling, all right? I don't want any more of your medicine cats drowned or collapsed. Not if you can help it, anyway."


Perchstar had been surprised to find herself dreaming when her eyes opened; normally, despite her wish to speak to cats long gone, the stars gave her only a brief and dreamless rest. But now, she found herself standing atop a starry echo of Sunningrocks alongside Littlesplash. She did not return his smile--half out of a dazed shock, and half out of her inability to make such an expression. But it did not matter, because his joy now had another target. A very familiar cream-furred she-cat, who Perchstar had last seen as a twisted, mutilated crimson corpse. Her stomach turned over in a strange sensation. It was always... different to see someone sparkling with stars when they had been dead. "Egretswoop," she murmured. "I am glad you found your way here." Poor Dovetail, Harebounce, Rowansong--and especially Littlesplash, all who had cared about the fallen warrior had been lost in a haze of grief. It would be healing, hopefully, for the young tom to say his final goodbyes now. She did not wish to interfere. So she sat back, allowing the reunion to play out before her. At times like this, it was difficult to quite feel the warmth that she knew most would be experiencing. Some bitterness in the back of her throat always lingered when the face that met her was not of gray fur with soft green eyes. A smile that she would never see again. She had moved on... but sometimes the image returned, regardless of her efforts.

The appearance of another cat distracted her thoroughly. Perchstar's gaze met that of the large tom, whose build and the direction he came from indicated his ThunderClan heritage. He had the wise look that most StarClan cats did, but there was a difference in the way he carried himself. For some reason, he seemed like he wouldn't be one of the cats who appeared to give her empty words of condolences and no actual help when she was stranded far from home. None of her curiosity or wariness was expressed but through a single blink, ice-blue eyes meeting sage green. "Pricklebush... I see." A gruff exterior, but he had already treated her with more genuine respect than most of her ancestors. "I suppose you're one of Mottlestar's, then." This was surprisingly nice--getting to see Egretswoop again, and feeling the sunlight, however artificial, soaking into her pelt. It wouldn't last, though, and she knew that. At the words Pricklebush spoke, her nerves steeled. "Nothing will happen to Littlesplash while I still breathe. I intend for none of my Clanmates to suffer any more injury, and certainly not death." Quietly she exhaled, and then squared her shoulders. Sprucebark's words briefly occurred to her. "I know the stars refrain from giving more than superficial advice. But if you have any alternatives for this upcoming conflict in mind, I'd love to hear them. I am no warmonger... but I will not sit back while my Clanmates and my allies are threatened."

The intrusion of another cat, whose thick tank pelt spiked out in every direction, caused Littlesplash to look up with wide eyes. He drank in the sight of Pricklebush, marveling at the fact that this great Thunderclan cat had also been a medicine cat. His frame radiated strength and self-assuredness that the new medicine cat wished he could mirror in himself. Ears flattened slightly and a sheepish expression crossed his maw as Pricklebush mentioned not overworking himself. He was young and since starting his training, had sunk into the immense task of healing and caring for the clan with his own paw. Given the amount of exhaustion he had already endured, it was good advice.

"Thank you, Pricklebush. I'll do my best." As he dipped his head, the words came out much softer than the enthusiastic greeting he had offered Egretswoop. Although this was his ceremony, Littlesplash was contented to relish in the marvel of Starclan and the presence of his beloved fallen clanmate. Perchstar spoke, addressing the Starclan cats and his shoulders slumped forward slightly. It was inevitable, he knew that. Conflict and tensions were high between Riverclan and Skyclan. Neither he nor Riverclan would be safe as long as Beechfang was in the forest. Swallowing back the thought he looked to the others.

"Can Starclan talk to Skyclan? Maybe they'll listen to you." Despite having just earned a full medicine cat name, Littlesplash was young and filled with the hopefulness of a kit at times. If only things were so easy. A lump settled in his throat, one that had relieved slightly with Perchstar's promise of protection. But it did not dissipate entirely.