Guided By The Stars [Medicine cats again!]

[☆ Y e l l o w ☆]

After seeing that Feathercloud had arrived at last, Earthfoot glanced over the small group to double check that all of the medicine cats were here. It wouldn't do to leave before they were all gathered, after all, unless of course one of them had to stay behind on purpose for some reason or another. But they were all here, so Earthfoot nodded to Feathercloud and Russetfang in agreement, announcing, "Yes, we should get going." Glancing at the apprentices once more, he smiled upon seeing that the three of them were talking and seemed to be getting along fine. It was good to get along well with your fellow medicine cats, for if not then medicine cat meetings wouldn't be quite as enjoyable. Leading the group away from the hollow and up the slope of Fourtrees, he started toward Highstones where they would go to speak with StarClan.

They skirted along WindClan territory, careful not to go too far over the border. Although it was the half moon and they had every right to travel this way, Earthfoot knew, it still wouldn't be good to test WindClan's patience. Better to be safe than sorry, so he kept as far outside the territory as he could. They crossed over the busy Thunderpath and then continued over the increasingly rocky ground until the mountains grew larger and Mothermouth became visible. The sun had set by the time they reached the entrance and it would soon be time to venture inside. They couldn't actually speak with StarClan until moonhigh, however, so Earthfoot stopped outside the cave and looked up to judge the position of the moon in the sky. "We're here, but it is not time yet. Let's wait for just a bit."

He was grateful for the traveling herbs, for even though he could feel their strengthening effects wearing off, he knew he would have tired out a lot sooner had he not taken them. They wouldn't return to camp until after dawn, so he simply prepared himself to be exhausted and hungry until then. He sat down, lightly curling his tail around himself to get comfortable for the wait until when they would enter. Suddenly remembering something he should have asked sooner, Earthfoot looked over at Feathercloud and was reminded of his trip to ShadowClan a quarter moon ago. "How is Brindlepelt doing, Feathercloud? And the kits? I hope they are well," He had nearly forgotten, but since he remembered he was concerned enough to ask. Even if Brindlepelt and Poppyfrost were from another Clan he had still helped them and wished to know how they were doing.

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Sagepaw hadn't realized how long the collection of medicine cats had been talking until his mentor spoke up to remind them all that they should leave. Glancing towards the horizon, the young tom was greeted with only blue sky, surrounding a blazing sun that was still high in the sky. So, it wasn't as if they were already late, but he had heard that Highstones was very far away, and they had definitely been chatting for a while. The young cat looked around at his companions and then followed his mentor at a trot. They could talk as they travelled.

Sagepaw stepped lightly as he walked, springing eagerly up the steep, rocky slope that led to the moors and then all but prancing after Earthfoot. He was going to Mothermouth for the very first time. He was going to become a medicine cat apprentice for real. He was going to meet StarClan cats. What would he see? What would they tell him? Sagepaw couldn't wait to find out.

Despite the fact that he had eaten nothing since the day before, he felt as if he could run the whole way there and back if he had to. The wings of delight carried him effortlessly across the moorlands and straight to Highstones, so that he almost didn't realize it when they had finally arrived. But notice he did, and it was wonderful, it felt like coming home. Paying only vague attention to the conversation of the other cats speaking around him, Sagepaw looked up at the gaping, ominous cave and waited for its grasping shadows to beckon.

OoC// Wtf kind of post was that? O.o I dunno, but at least it's done.

[hedgie]

Things had been going so well,m and he'd gotten along with Ivypaw and Sagepaw so well, that he hadn't taken the time to notice that time was indeed passing them right by. Crowpaw looked over to where his mentor and the other medicine cats stood as Earthfoot spoke. Time to go already? He wasn't done talking, and despite being as shy as he was, he wasn't quite ready to stop yet. He sighed, his plume of a tail sweeping low to the ground.

They weren't too far away from Highstones, but it was far enough of a distance to matter.Sagepaw took off after his own mentor, and Crowpaw followed after him. He was having a good time with both of the apprentices, but he really wanted to talk to Ivypaw more. Something she'd said earlier had caught his attention. So he lingered just behind the rest, a tail-length or two away from them, to talk with her as they moved along. Oh yes, he was excited about this trip, and the thought of getting to Highstones and the feeling of finally getting started on something made his pawsteps feel faster and lighter. His large gray-black paws helped him keep the pace, even if he was lagging behind slightly.

They were so close, and he started to move faster until finally, they were there. He slowed to a halt, and looked at the cave that sat on his Clan's territory. Oh dear....it looked much more forboding than he'd thought it would be. Taking a few steps back until his rump hit a small rock, he then sat down abruptly, staring at it. This was it? He was going to finally meet Starclan in a place like this?

There was no reason to be frightened, to be so very much "freaked out", but he couldn't help it. He was tiny, the cave wasn't, and the reaction was a natural one. Calming down, he looked at the other cats, hoping they hadn't noticed his reaction.

"So...this is the place, huh?"

[Ki]

Upon reaching the cave, Feathercloud realized it was not quite time yet. She flopped unceremoniously down and lay there, as if the moon was enough to warm her fur. She, too, was feeling the effects of the herbs beginning to wear off. That and she was trying to appear relaxed. Not too over-eager to talk to StarClan. No sir. Not this she-cat. She was completely calm and cool. Uh-huh.

Oh, who was she kidding?

Feathercloud couldn't wait to talk to StarClan. Her mind was on many things. The war. This night could make it or a break it. And, hopefully, she'd get some clue as to when she'd get an apprentice of her own. With ShadowClan so big, she needed help providing for them. Without an apprentice, she had to enlist help from warriors to get simple tasks done. Like asking Twistedclaw for help collecting herbs. He was a warrior, not a medicine cat! She felt guilty, robbing the Clan of a warrior and robbing him of his free time. But he was a kind cat. A bit...odd at times. But kind.

It took her a few moments to realize she was being spoken to. "Hm? Brindlepelt? Oh, she's doing much better. She's able to walk around the camp now." Feathercloud said brightly. "And the kits are nice and healthy. No problems with them or Poppyfrost, I think." She paused, then mewed, "I never did get a chance to properly thank you, Earthfoot, for being there for my Clan when I could not."

[☆ Y e l l o w ☆]

Earthfoot was glad to hear that the warrior and the kits were alright. So his efforts had payed off and he hadn't missed going to the Gathering with his new apprentice for nothing. It was also good to hear that Brindlepelt was making a recovery; it was one of the rewards of being a medicine cat when one of your patients made a full recovery. At the same time, however, it also set you up for discouragement and a sense of failure if a cat dies under your care. Things like that happened, and in Earthfoot's relatively short time as ThunderClan's only medicine cat he had failed in saving some cats, but succeeded in saving several others. "I was just doing my job. It doesn't matter the Clan; it's always worthwhile to help a cat in need." Sooner or later he would have to explain these things to Sagepaw, about what it really meant to be a medicine cat, but he supposed that was something for a later date. Perhaps StarClan would even explain it to him tonight.

They waited a while longer as the night stretched on and the moon rose higher in the sky. Although he was a ThunderClan cat and was used to the feeling of being closed in because of the forest he lived in, the Moonstone cave and the tunnels that led to it were sometimes a bit too claustrophobic for him. He waited with the rest of the group until it appeared to be almost Moonhigh, then he stood and gathered the attention of the other medicine cats. "It is time to speak with StarClan," he announced, looking at each of the other cats. He made sure that Sagepaw was right behind him and led the group into Mothermouth. "No one should speak until we arrive." He added for the newer apprentices before setting off on their way.

The journey through the caves never seemed shorter each them he went. Through the darkness, path sloping downward into nothingness, frigid cold, and winding tunnels bending every which way, he could still remember how intimidated he had been when he was an apprentice. He kept them at a brisk pace, hoping to emerge into the Moonstone cave sooner rather than later. It seemed to take ages while they walked, and just as he started to wonder if somehow he'd gotten lost down here, his whiskers suddenly detected a change in the narrow path. A few steps more brought him into the large cave that brought fresh, cold air and more room for them all to sit.

Earthfoot beckoned Sagepaw to sit next to him, and after they were all settled the silence continued to drag on. At last StarClan was ready to speak, showing their invitation as the moon was directly overhead the gap in the ceiling of the cave. Moonlight shone down into the cave and suddenly the entire area was lit up, the Moonstone shimmering brightly against the darkness and commanding the attention of those gathered. Earthfoot looked up at the large stone, three tail-lengths high and seeming to shine as if stars danced on its surface. Now was when they would speak with StarClan, but first there were duties to perform. He rose to his paws and looked to Sagepaw before beginning the ceremony.

"Sagepaw, is it your wish to enter into the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat?" He paused as he waited for the apprentice's answer, then continued, "Then come forward."

"Warriors of StarClan, I present to you this apprentice. He has chosen the path of a medicine cat. Grant him your wisdom and insight so that he may understand your ways and heal his Clan in accordance with your will."

He smiled at Sagepaw and then looked to Russetfang, who also needed to perform the ceremony for his own apprentice. Two medicine cat apprentices being made at the same time, surely StarClan would be pleased.

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

While the sun sank well and truly below the horizon and the silvery moon rose higher in the sky, Sagepaw listened passively to the conversation of his mentor and Feathercloud. Earlier, he had been eager to know the status of the tortoiseshell that Earthfoot had been called to ShadowClan to treat. Now he could summon only passing curiosity. How could he focus on other things while they were sitting right in front of Mothermouth? He wanted to go in now, but yet he knew he could not. They had to wait until the moon was high enough, so the young tom contented himself with the two older cats' conversation. At least it was good to hear that Brindlepelt was doing well. Knowing that she was recovering was a good feeling; he only hoped that one day he would be able to do the same for cats of his own Clan.

By the time it was time for the medicine cats to enter the cave, Sagepaw was feeling the effects of time and exhaustion. His journey there was catching up with him; he was getting hungry, although he wasn't tired thanks to their short rest. But as soon as Earthfoot spoke the words and led the way into Mothermouth, he forgot completely about his empty stomach. Sagepaw hopped to his feet and padded quietly after his mentor, mindful of his caution against speaking. He wanted to ask questions once they entered the maze of winding tunnels. Were they really going the right way? How did they know? But eventually he detected a slight glimmer up ahead, and then they were in an open chamber, with stars twinkling faintly through a hole in the roof. He could feel a cool breeze brushing his fur, and see the looming shape of the Moonstone in the middle of the chamber. That was it? A big dark stone? He had somehow assumed it would be more... radiant.

Then the moon, sitting high in the sky, drifted directly over the hole and began to shine its light into the chamber. Sagepaw had to hold back a gasp as the Moonstone began to glow, slightly at first, so that he almost didn't notice, and then all of a sudden it was shining so brightly he could hardly stand to look at it. Now he knew why this was StarClan's sacred place. There could be nothing else like it in the whole forest.

Looking up, he saw Earthfoot rise from his position next to Sagepaw and walk towards the glowing, drop-shaped rock. Hastily the young tom got to his own paws and trained his attention on his mentor while he spoke. His response to the question asked of him was fervent. "Yes! Forever and always!" The young tom's breath was coming in quick gasps, drawing rapid breaths of still greenleaf air into his lungs. Every heartbeat seemed to echo in his own ears, and he wondered if the other cats could hear it. But as he stepped forward to stand next to the Moonstone with his mentor, he did not feel afraid. Rather, he felt more excited than he had ever been in his life.

[nightstorm]

ooc: This is long overdue...I apologize guys.

Russetfang had kept an eye on his apprentice during the trek to Mothermouth. He noticed how well the young tom did, keeping his mouth shut and showing little to no signs of fatigue. Now that they were here, though, Russetfang knew that Crowpaw was sure to be feeling the effects of the walk. And Crowpaw's words showed that his apprentice was feeling a bit apprehensive.

"Don't worry about it," Russetfang murmured to him comfortingly. "It'll be dark, yes, but soon you will see. There is something quite special about this place. You'll come to appreciate this as more than just a cave. Now, once we get inside, you must not speak until instructed to, and must keep silent until the ceremony is over, and we stand out here in the cool air."

With that said, the medicine cat beckoned with his tail, and entered the cave. He kept a steady pace, not too fast but not too slow, allowing his apprentice to follow his scent. Once he had reached the chamber, he paused beside the Moonstone, and waited. At last, the familiar glow of the Moonstone washed over the darkness, and Russetfang motioned Crowpaw forward.

"Crowpaw, is it your wish to enter into the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat?" Russetfang's eyes were proud and assuring, as he gazed at his apprentice, awaiting his answer. He spoke again when he heard the reply. "Then come forward.

"Warriors of StarClan, I present to you this apprentice. He has chosen the path of a medicine cat. Grant him your wisdom and insight so that he may understand your ways and heal his Clan in accordance with your will." Russetfang dipped his head to Crowpaw, guiding him to stand beside him at the Moonstone.

"Touch your nose to the Moonstone, and StarClan will send you your dreams," he murmured to his apprentice. It seemed strange to be the one performing the ceremony. It seemed as though only a moon ago, he was standing in Crowpaw's place, quivering with excitement and apprehension.

Now, it was his turn to pass on the knowledge gained from Sparrowsong. He hoped his old mentor was watching tonight, to greet Crowpaw as he met StarClan for the first time.