Chapter 31: BushClan
The half moon hung high in the starry sky. Clouds that had blotted the sun all day, now have been blown away by the strong breeze. Icepaw hadn't began her medicine cat training, even as she waited to hear of what would become of Tumblepaw. Her friend who had her brown and tan tabby head bowed. She was to be the first warrior made under Morningstar's rule.
Ever since that night when Morningpelt left to become their leader, she had been trying to warm up to the idea of being a medicine cat. She wanted to be a warrior, to avenge her mother's death. To avenge the damage to her still healing leg. Yet, as her leg grew stronger, Poppyclaw continued to teach her to help around. She was becoming a beautiful she-cat in her own right, her eyes becoming the color of heather blossoms as the sunlight slowly darkened her world.
The sun was too bright, but the moonlight was just right for her. She could be a hunter, but not for much longer. Her gaze searched, finding Minteye beside Tumblepaw, in place of her mother, Leaftail. Minteye was blinded permanently, but her belly was swollen with kits now. She could recall when Poppyclaw assessed her condition and placed her in the nursery. New kits were coming.
Another change was Applemist and Foxgaze having grown closer. The two had been inseparable ever since the ginger and white she-cat refused to let her easily tired body slow down her urge to do warrior duties. Icepaw narrowed her eyes, wondering what had happened between the two that created this sudden interest in one another.
On the other paw, there was Blackdapple, her mentor, who had seemed to have a sudden interest in Morningstar. That was until she learned that it wasn't a new thing. Blackdapple had always idolized him, but kept it private. At least that was what Poppyclaw told her. She wasn't sure if it was true or not, but she shrugged it off as she turned her attention to the small hill where Morningstar was waiting for every cat to appear.
Once they all seemed to have been summoned, she knew many fates were being completed and changed. "Cats of BushClan, we have spent two moons recovering from the horrible battle we have won and yet lost so much. We lost mothers, a leader, and a future medicine cat. We lost kits who we will always hold dear to our hearts."
Murmurs of agreement flowed over the clearing like a gentle breeze. Soft mews of grief and sympathy also followed through. Morningstar nodded, "However, we have some good news. Minteye is expecting kits at any time this moon." Warm praising purrs erupted from the group before the clan leader went on, "We even have an apprentice who had faced against the odds of battle and grief to praise. Tumblepaw, the time of your warrior ceremony has arrived."
The young she-cat lifted her head bravely, green eyes shining bright as she pushed through the throng of cats. "Pigeonstream, is she ready for her warrior name?"
"I believe she has earned it." the sleek gray and white tom meowed.
Morningstar looked to Tumblepaw, who stood before him. "Tumblepaw, do you promise to protect the warrior code and this clan with your very life?"
Tumblepaw meowed strongly, "I do."
"Then, by the power graced to me by StarClan, Tumblepaw, from this day forward, you will now be known as Tumbleheart. I command your bravery and strength through these harsh moons."
"Tumbleheart! Tumbleheart!" the cats yowled, joy making their voices sound lighter and full of energy. Even Icepaw had joined in without realizing it. When the yowls died down, she felt breathless.
"Now, tonight is a special night. Applemist is no longer keeping Poppyclaw from heading to the Moonstone. Thus, we will have another apprentice to talk about." the BushClan leader meowed, his eyes locking with her own as the dark ginger tom padded up beside him. "Icepaw, come forth."
With a steadying breath, she loped forward, limping slightly from her healing wound. It was getting stronger every day, however, she knew where he path lay. She had to believe in Bushstar's words from many moons ago. Even if it robbed her of the dreams she had as a young kit. This was a path she had to walk for the future of their clan.
"Icepaw, you have trained well under Blackdapple. However, it is time for you to follow a new path, the one we shouldn't have ignored. Poppyclaw is no young cat anymore. Nightstar had misjudged it and now she would have corrected it as I am." Morningstar meowed. "Icepaw, will you learn all you need for the path of a medicine cat and vow upon Moonstone tonight?"
"I will." Icepaw mewed softly.
Her leader nodded, "Poppyclaw, you will take her to Highstones with you tonight. She will share dreams among StarClan and be accepted to be our next medicine cat. May StarClan light your path always, Icepaw."
Icepaw dipped her head respectfully, a part of her was yowling in her heart on how unfair it was. However, she held it back, she had to. This was how it was meant to be. She knew it as well as anyone else. With a soft sigh, she was prepared as Poppyclaw nudged her out of the clearing.
"With that, the meeting is over. Get plenty of rest, tomorrow will be a new dawn for us all."
Far more than a new dawn. Icepaw thought bitterly. Tumbleheart gets to be a warrior, while I leave it all behind and become moons away from my own brother and sister. Shaking her head, she followed Poppyclaw, her paws heavy with despair.
The dark ginger tom said nothing as he led the familiar route he followed. A much longer and more secretive path. One that she caught scents of back when he and Hawk often headed out. Swiftly Poppyclaw was ahead of her as she stumbled along, her muscles burning as she pushed on, eyes focused on the medicine cat's tail.
Soon, they crested a hilly outcrop, no bushes were there, but ferns grew in clumps. They weaved through them, marking their path that went into sweet-smelling flowers and rose bushes whose thorns snagged her sensitive ears and tugged at her fur. With a soft growl, she pulled her way through, reaching the other side where peaty grass greeted them. Flicking her tail, she followed Poppyclaw down to the thunderpath; colorful monsters with shiny hides and brightly glowing eyes raced across it, following the path like a bee going back to the hive.
"Do we have to cross that?" Icepaw gasped, her eyes wide.
"Yes." Poppyclaw meowed, "There should be a lull in the monsters crossing. When we get that break we can run to the other side safely."
"Even me?" Icepaw meowed, uncertain of how she could with monsters that moved so fast.
"Of course. Just listen to me and you will be fine." he grumbled, leading the way down the hill.
The stark white she-cat nodded, following his lead on unsteady paws. They had paused long enough to catch their breath, but now they had to hurry. The half moon won't last forever and it was going to take everything they had to make it in time.
The distant roar of the monsters grew louder and louder as they bounded towards it, slowing a tail length away from it to watch the monsters rush past in a blur. Poppyclaw was silent as he watched the monsters. At last, there was a lull in the monster's path. The thunderpath was empty and they raced across as one.
Icepaw's heart was pounding, her lungs burning with the need for air, and her nose scrunched up in disgust from the acrid scents of the thunderpath and monsters. She nearly ran into the dark ginger tom, but they were luckily alive as a monster roared past. It kicked up a blustering wind and left behind choking fumes that burned her throat.
With a cough, Icepaw peered ahead to Highstones, only to see two shapes of cats. A thick furred and slender cat who was bathed in the silvery light of the half moon. Beside them a long furred cat who had tabby stripes arching all over their body. They stepped confidentially towards them, pale green and amber eyes glowing slightly in the moonlight.
"Poppyclaw, Icepaw, it is a pleasure to see you here." one of them meowed, their mew familiar.
"Hawk," Poppyclaw meowed, sounding relieved, "I thought they had killed you."
"They haven't." Hawk mewed, although Icepaw could tell she was more battered than before. Her flanks were scored with ugly scars and missing tufts of fur here and there. Clearly, living among FearClan was far different than she could ever fathom.
"Are you escaping them? With that... cat?" Poppyclaw looked over the amber eyed she-cat who was silent and observing.
The brown tabby shook her head. "I can't. I have things to do among FearClan still. Lion is only accompanying me here. We want to know what caused BushClan to begin. If any cat could know, it has to be you."
"What is she meowing about?" Icepaw asked, curious.
"I have told you all I know." Pppyclaw growled stubbornly. "There is no reason to open old wounds like that."
"I want to know what you meant by how love always leads to trouble and how this is all an over extended lovers spat." Hawk pressed, desperation filling her. "Please, I just want to know."
"Then ask StarClan." Poppyclaw meowed, "Touch Moonestone with your nose and share tongues with them. Bushstar knows as well as I do. Now, I have medicine cat business to attend to."
"I'll come with you then." she offered, following the tom as he padded towards the yawning mouth of the tunnel. "I'll ask StarClan and I'll find the answers needed to bring peace."
"As long as cats have fangs and claws, peace will never last forever." the dark ginger tom murmured, looking past her. "Icepaw, come. Your first step into medicine cat-hood is just beginning."
She dipped her head and scurried after him. Close behind Icepaw, Hawk was following while promising the strange cat, Lion, that she would return soon enough. Following her whiskers, she followed the tunnel walls after her mentors scent. It was comforting with the still and stuffy air.
When the tunnel grew smaller, she had to press on. Hawk murmuring that it was alright as they pushed on and on until the tunnel opened up into a massive cave. A strange stone lay ahead of them, the half moon shining brightly upon it like a piece of the moon was trapped inside it. Or, perhaps, it was trapped starlight fighting to be freed.
"Welcome to Moonstone." Poppyclaw meowed, "I have a few things to do before we get started tonight."
Icepaw flicked her ears in surprise. "Is it a ceremony?" She had heard, from her mother, that even medicine cats had their own ceremony. Although, she had never heard of what it was either.
Poppyclaw nodded, "Yes, but Hawk was my previous apprentice, thus I must end our time as mentor and apprentice. Step forward Hawk." The brown tabby stepped forward, her pale green eyes almost masked by the bright light. "Do you promise to uphold the medicine cat code?"
Hawk nodded. "I do."
"Then, before StarClan's watchful eyes, Hawk I give you your full medicine cat name. From this night forward, you shall be known as Hawksight. The visions brought you here and I wish for them to continue guiding you always."
Hawk-no, Hawksight-stepped back while dipping her head respectfully. Icepaw watched with surprise, it was far too early for Hawksight to be given her full medicine cat name, but then again perhaps Poppyclaw had his reasons. He had to, right?
"Icepaw, now you may step forward." The medicine cat meowed. The white she-cat obeyed, stepping up before the dark ginger tom who continued. "StarClan, I ask you to look down upon this apprentice. She had began her life to trod the path of a warrior, but now she is to tread our secretive path. Please approve of this choice of destiny change. Icepaw, to become my apprentice, you must share your dreams with StarClan. Touch your nose to the Moonstone. All three of us will dream now. If you have a vision, you are welcomed by StarClan."
With those words, Poppyclaw turned, crouching by the massive silvery-glittering stone and gently tapped his nose against it. Hawksight, on Icepaw's other side, already began to familiar movements. Nervous, she was alone among the deep breathing cats. Crouching onto the cold stone, she touched her nose to the Moonstone. Instantly, she felt as though she was being gripped on by icy eagle talons.
Flinching, she felt the cave's floor sway beneath her, merging into something new and different. Slowly, she opened her eyes, the familiar reddish-brown and bushy tailed tom was before her like all those moons ago. Awe overcame her as she looked him over. Starlight frosted his pelt and paws, glittering in his eyes.
"Welcome to StarClan, young one." Bushstar meowed, taking a confident stride forward. "I see that you have found your path."
"You said to trust Nightstar." Icepaw murmured.
"I know and you have done well doing so. Now, allow me to enlighten you. Questions have come, so I will provide you an answer." He whispered to her.
"What do you mean?"
"Love is a dangerous thing, medicine cats are to not have kits or mates. They must focus solely on their Clan. The reason why is a tale from the clans who once lived here, however the reason now is because of the darkness from within."
"Darkness?" Icepaw echoed.
The tom nodded, "I was foolish, I admit that. I cannot explain everything, there is not enough time for that, but I can give you one lesson. There is a reason cats outside of clans have more than one mate, just as there is a reason within the clans to never have a mate outside of their borders. Let alone taking one when destiny is calling you. Should you choose to ignore it, you will only become more lost. Your destiny is a path you must swear to follow until your death. Do not loose faith or mistakes can happen and like an infection it will come back to end a life."
Author Note:
Two more chapters and this part of the story will be over.
The sequel will be coming as well as a prequel, I'm not sure which will come first.
Which would you readers prefer?
-NightSky