Chapter 39
BushClan/Icepaw
The half-moon's light bathed her stark white pelt, she could almost feel it's chilling touch on her ears. In that moment, she wished she could see. The darkness of the night made the shadows she was used to seeing much more difficult to pick out. Even with the starlight and moonlight, she could barely make out her mentor and the cats that had walked to Highstones with them. Poppyclaw was looking to the sky, that much she knew. The older tom always had, his glittering amber eyes silently asking for their ancestors favor.
"I, Poppyclaw, medicine cat of BushClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice." His shadowed head looked down upon her. "She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help she will serve her Clan for many moons. Icepaw, 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?"
She felt her claws try to dig into the hard packed earth, stones and pebbles clattering slightly. "I do." She replied, her heart steadily slowing down from the race it had begun on it's own. Her mind suddenly clear as she focused on her mentor's soothing mew.
"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Icepaw, from this moment you will be known as Icepath. StarClan honors your empathy and temperance, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of BushClan." Poppyclaw meowed, resting his head on top of her own.
Icepath had turned her head slightly before licking the older medicine cat's shoulder. Her mind racing with the virtues she had been noted for. Empathy, was it because I have been able to look after my Clan-mates like I lived in their paw-steps and take their concerns seriously? She thought as Poppyclaw lifted his head from the top of hers. And temperance, that is a word I haven't heard before. I wonder why I was given that one.
"Icepath! Icepath!" Hawksight cheered along with Poppyclaw.
The only two who knew how it should be going. The only ones she knew by name from deep within her heart. She could easily imagine what the three sitting on the sidelines must be feeling. Awkward and unsure if they should be seeing such a ceremony that was done so far from her own Clan territory. It was a sacred one, but she supposed it was also pretty strange for those outside of Clan teachings.
That was when the unfamiliar mew piped up. "This just makes me wonder what my name would have been."
Poppyclaw purred softly to himself in amusement. "Probably Willowbranch with how flexible you are to be here."
"You think so?" The young tom meowed, sounding genuinely interested.
"Of course." Hawksight agreed. "It would suit you well."
"What about Lion?"
"I don't need a name." The grouchy she-cat spoke at last.
Icepath looked over the shadows she could make out, blinking warmly. "You don't have to use it." She told the she-cat, promising, "It's all in good fun."
She snorted. "I hope so. I don't think anyone in FearClan at the moment could handle such a change."
"As true as that is," the young tom mewed, "It wouldn't hurt to know what they would have called us. I like being Willow, myself. Just as much as you like being Lion."
Poppyclaw flicked his tail. "What do you think Hawksight?"
"I think she could be Lionheart, she is loyal to cats regardless of her position. Just as long as they are worthy of her loyalty." Hawksight explained.
"Or maybe even Lionthunder since she is quite grumpy." Poppyclaw pointed out.
Jasmine spoke up next. "Whatever name she would be given, wouldn't that be for a Clan leader to decide?"
"Of course, that's why Icepath is right." Poppyclaw assured his mate. "This is just for fun. Even if I changed Icepath's name to what it is now, I'm not doing a ceremony like a leader does to make it happen."
Lion sighed heavily. "Honestly, we aren't even a Clan so it would be impossible anyway."
"Well, what if FearClan became a proper Clan?" Hawksight asked. "With a proper leader of StarClan and everything. Would you allow it then?"
"Considering I prefer the river and would probably stay, yes. Only then would I allow it." Lion confirmed.
Icepath nodded slightly as Poppyclaw stood up with the rattle of pebbles. "It's time to head into Mothermouth to the Moonstone. You three stay up here while Hawksight, Icepath and I head down. I will be wishing the stars a farewell so I can become an elder in the morning."
"Travel safely down there." Willow called to them as Poppyclaw padded to the entrance of Mothermouth.
"I'll bring up the rear." Hawksight told Icepath, "You can be between me and Poppyclaw, if that is alright with you."
"It's perfectly fine." She replied, following her mentor for the final time into the musty and stale scent of earth.
Her whiskers and Poppyclaw's tail brushing against the tip of her nose were her only guides into the unfamiliar darkness. A familiar place to her mind as she walked through the winding tunnels. The walls of the cavern threatening to squeeze her until she couldn't move anymore. Luckily, she was able to squeeze her way through after Poppyclaw. The larger tom had it more difficult, probably trying to carefully get through the narrowing tunnels.
Behind her Hawksight was following her tail through the shadows that plagued the Mothermouth tunnels. The only thing that awaited them was the faint silver glow of the Moonstone. She couldn't see it very clearly, but the tall jagged stone stood tall as a white blob. It was growing brighter and brighter as they filed in and approached the massive stone. The darkness around them becoming swallowed as the half-moon aligned itself with the hole at the roof of the cave.
"It is time." Poppyclaw whispered, his mew echoing off the walls. "Icepath, rest your nose against the Moonstone and welcome StarClan into your dreams."
Icepath obeyed, stepping forward carefully to lay before the stone, stretching her neck to touch the blinding white with her nose. A chill, colder then leafbare, ran through her, making her feel as though she had become as cold as the stars high above. Her body going limp in an instant as her eyes became tightly shut. Breathing out, she relaxed her mind to welcome her ancestors.
A warm wind ruffled her fur, causing her indigo eyes to open to the swath of stars that glittered high above her. They were far more beautiful and plentiful then they had been during her kit-hood when she could see. Moorland grasses and heather hissed around her as she rose to her paws. A familiar starry shadow walked to her, weaving their way through the tall grass. Yellow eyes that glowed like twin moons, an everlasting memory of Nightstar, the she-cat who made her a warrior apprentice before a medicine cat apprentice.
Close behind her was Gingerstrike and Drizzlepaw, looking as they had in life. However, their scent had changed drastically. No longer had they kept their warm comforting scents, they now smelled of cooling night of greenleaf and like the cold soil that surrounded Icepath within the cave of the Moonstone. Gently, she reached her muzzle out to touch her nose to her mother's in greeting.
"My daughter, you have become a medicine cat." Gingerstrike purred in praise, curling her tail. "I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you, I have done everything I could." She admitted, looking into her mother's eyes. "I wish there was more I could do to settle my feelings."
"There is a way." Her mother spoke, "Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. In, one, two, three; out, one two three. Next half-moon Drizzlepaw and I will help you with the next steps, anything so you can focus on the duty you now take. These lessons will be perfect for you to pass town from medicine cat to medicine cat."
Her brother nodded, "When your mind begins to wander away, that should help you focus on breathing. Before you know it, you will be able to just breathe and steady yourself. Next half-moon we will walk you through emptying your mind. So practice when you are able, we need you to be able to control your anxiety without using precious herbs."
"However, if you must use thyme for it, then you are free to. We just want to help you learn something that not even Poppyclaw could have taught you." Gingerstrike pointed out.
"And where is Bushstar?" Icepath asked, turning her gaze to Nightstar.
The jet-black she-cat watched her with sorrow in her glowing eyes. The stars glittering in her thick fur as she dipped her head. "Bushstar wanted to speak with Poppyclaw among his own dreams. They were close friends in life, he would want to bid him a farewell."
"Are you sure that this will be for the best?" she inquired, taking a step forward to the StarClan warrior.
"Yes, Dappledrift is as disappointed as Blazekit about it, but it is up to Poppyclaw to make his decision for what he thinks is best." Nightstar told her, "Sometimes, a cat has to choose between destiny and what their heart says is right. If they are lucky, they are on the same path in the end, but if they are unlucky, they have to give up everything for what their heart wants."
"Even if his mate is a tom?" Icepath mewed softly.
"A mate is a mate, StarClan made the rule for a medicine cat to not have a mate and kits for a reason." Nightstar tried to reason.
"Medicine cats are born into families with love." She reminded Nightstar, "If we can treat our family equally, then why can't they have a mate?"
"Mates lead to kits between toms and she-cats." Nightstar told her patiently, "If we only kept the rule for them, it would be unfair and cruel. To keep the peace, we must keep it for any cat who becomes a medicine cat. Right now is not the time to change traditions passed down from the stars."
"Then when will be?" she requested.
The black she-cat looked to the moon high above them, only half of it's face showing to them. "By the silver face, you will see. One day the stars will accept change, until then walk on your path and fulfill this final message: A great battle is on the horizon, one that will challenge the ways of the stars and give rise of the lost star we seek."
"Is it that cat StarClan allowed me to see? The silver tabby?" She asked.
Nightstar nodded. "Pureblood warriors would say a rogue, kittypet, or a BloodClan-borne cat would not be suited. However, I can assure you that the elders of StarClan have chosen well to find a cat whose heart yearns for the justice and equality of others."
"She's right, but you have the blood of a warrior and you always will. You grew up in BushClan, it may be the dawn for it, but you will only ever know loyal warriors." Gingerstrike explained.
Drizzlepaw nodded, "Many kits have died the first four seasons of BushClan, apprentices that survived the attack died in the next four seasons. Everything led to how protected you and your siblings are. It took everything for Applemist and Foxgaze to have survived as long as they had. It even took Tumbleheart a long time to become a warrior herself. So few kits survived, but soon that will change."
"How can you be so certain?" Icepath asked, adding in, "We don't have that many cats, we may never survive into the future."
"You will and you will see it before you know it." Nightstar promised, touching her nose onto the white she-cats forehead. "Trust in your leader, the stars, and your heart. One way or another, destiny will find the lost star's paws and guide them to bring peace."
.
That was all she could remember hearing, her indigo eyes opening to darkness. She was blind once more as she heard the other cats stirring. Poppyclaw was closest to her, his movements lethargic and almost as though he had been scolded among the stars. She took a deep breathe, but she didn't pick up any distress or sadness in the air. The third cat, Hawksight, moved, her movements stiff and rigid. An alertness came from how they moved.
"Anything to report?" Poppyclaw meowed.
Hawksight answered, "They welcomed me back, but nothing much else I can report."
"Icepath, what about you?" He asked.
"I was welcomed as a full medicine cat and saw my mother and brother." She told him. "And you?"
"I was given a farewell." Poppyclaw replied softly, padding into the tunnel, Hawksight following him quickly.
Icepath followed, their paw-steps echoing as pebbles clattered beneath their steps. Her mind racing as she followed them, anxiety didn't build into her body like it had before. This time, she was curious on what had happened to Poppyclaw and why he was so subdued. Had Bushstar ruthlessly claimed him as a traitor? Had the so-called 'Elder's of StarClan' told him off about following his heart? Had Dappledrift and Blazekit beg him to change his mind?
Suddenly, she realized she didn't want to know. It was less of it being not her business and more that she was afraid of the answer. Focusing, she could hear the voices of the cats left behind above ground. The moment they had left the tunnel, Jasmine greeted them, the brush of fur being the only sign that the mates had rubbed against each other fondly.
"Has it been done?" Jasmine asked softly.
"It has and it's not easy for me to walk away from them." He murmured back, "I still need to help Icepath and look out for her when times get tough."
"And I know you will be able to. I believe in you." He breathed.
Icepath turned her attention to Hawksight who was speaking softly to Willow and Lion. Her ears pricked with interest as the unusual words left the medicine cat's jaws. "I saw Dusk and Thistle, they said a white she-cat called Frostfur had guided them there. Then, over the horizon Juniper came running. They all looked so healthy and they have forgave you for what you cannot control, Willow. They are proud of you for taking an interest into the cat's starry warriors."
"But will my interest be enough?" The young tom whispered back.
"I don't know, but I will do what I can to keep an eye out for signs. Meanwhile, you do what you can to learn to become an honorable and fair leader." Hawksight told him.
Lion's tail thumped the ground. "Why does it matter? The dead are supposed to stay dead, not be spirits who visit."
"Please understand Lion, this is so equality can come. What you care for most is loyal cats no matter who their blood is, right?"
"Of course, a cat is a cat. Why?"
"Believing in StarClan is like that. They look out for cats for being a cat. They honor the ones who do what is right and watch over the ones who need it most. They are like you, Lion. Loyal, brave, and wise." Hawksight told her.
"Are they trying to make FearClan into what it never wanted to be?" Lion asked softly.
"Sometimes for justice, things must change for the better." Hawksight told her wisely. "If all else failed, I'm sure the stars would welcome whatever becomes of FearClan."
Icepath listened, twitching her ears slightly, as the older she-cat gave a long defeated sigh. "As long as it's nothing like it has been since I joined with my mother, that is all I care about."
Somehow, the stark white medicine cat could feel that it was the truth. Anything would be better then whatever FearClan was like on the inside. Relaxing her shoulders, she looked ahead where Poppyclaw and Jasmine stood. She could sense them waiting on the FearClan cats.
At last, Hawksight spoke, "We will part ways nearby the Twoleg Bridge border. It would be safest for both groups."
"Understood." Poppyclaw answered her. "If you need any more herbs, just let Icepath know."
Icepath nodded, "I will do what I can for all you care about."
"Thank you, we can use some more oak leaf and feverfew just in case." Hawksight purred, before speaking to Lion and Willow. "Let's hurry home for now though. I'm worried that Shadow could have gotten into the den by now."
"After Quail set up some guards? I highly doubt it." The sharp-tongued rogue meowed with amusement.
Icepath glanced over. "Quail?"
"Yes, he is the new leader of FearClan, at least for now until Willow is old enough to take over or attempt to." Hawksight explained, although the newly made medicine cat was positive there was more to the story. Yet, she couldn't find it in herself to press for more information.
"I hope all will be well then." Icepath mewed instead, forcing back her curiosity. "I wish you three luck and good hunting."
"Same to you and your Clan." Hawksight murmured warmly, "May StarClan light your path."
"As I hope they will light yours as well, Hawksight." Icepath returned the gesture, turning back to follow Poppyclaw and Jasmine.
The trek back home was uneventful, dawn slowly creeping up to wake the world. Icepath was tired and ready to sleep for a moon, but she knew where her duty lay. They had bid farewell near the Twoleg Bridge and headed home. Jasmine was going to join Poppyclaw wherever he goes, that much the stark white she-cat knew. No matter how exciting the night was, how exciting her dreams were; nothing would bring back the sense of normalcy.
Poppyclaw didn't return to the medicine den with her, opting to join the elder's until they were well rested enough for the final ceremony. The same one she woke up to oversee. A dark shadow flitted over her thoughts, but she ignored it in favor of being in the moment. Breaking to control herself as she finished washing up her fur. Only then did she leave the medicine den.
No longer did she keep her head lowered, she walked confidently into the clearing to sit where Poppyclaw had sat for many moons. The two toms standing in the clearing, their gazes on their paws in silent vigil over the life Poppyclaw had to walk away from. The Clan was slowly leaving their dens. Gathering into the small clowder they always had been.
Kits mewing to their mothers questions, mother's hushing them to teach them patience. The two elders sitting side by side by their den, murmuring to one another anxiously. The two last apprentices crouched and waiting as the deputy, Blackdapple, came to the front to sit on the other side of the small hill. She could still picture the powerful she-cat's white fur speckled with black. Her green eyes blazing with authority as her paws scuffed the earth.
"Settle down, Morningstar is coming. He is as anxious as the rest of you about it, but he knows this is Poppyclaw's decision." She announced, her tail tip twitching.
That seemed to settle the Clan, even for a moment before the familiar soft paw-steps of Morningstar appeared. Every cat walked in a unique gait and pattern. Icepath had learned this over the trying moons. Even now she knew it was Morningstar's paws. There were sure-footed steps, a slight scrape of his long claws, and they were slow and deliberate with a sweeping step forward. She could imagine him with his head and tail held high in pride of his Clan.
"I see everyone is here." Morningstar meowed, stopping on the highest part of the hill. "Poppyclaw, has Icepaw received her medicine cat name?"
"Yes, she is Icepath now." Poppyclaw informed him.
"Excellent." Their leader began. "Now, Poppyclaw, is it your wish to give up the name of a medicine cat and go to join the elders?"
"It is." He replied solemnly.
Morningstar dipped his head, respectfully. "Your Clan honors you and all the service you have given to us. I call upon StarClan to give you many moons of rest."
"Poppyclaw! Poppyclaw!" The Clan cheered.
"Thank you for having been our first medicine cat!" Jaggedcloud called out.
"Thank you for looking after me when I was fully blinded." Minteye cried out from across the clearing.
Morningstar shifted on the hill, causing silence to spread across the clowder. "We have one more ceremony." He reminded his Clan-mates, looking to Jasmine next. "You wish to join our Clan permanently and be in the elder's den with Poppyclaw?"
"It is." He answered.
"Spirits of StarClan, I know this cat has not served for our Clan for many, many moons like most; nor have you ever known him by name. I ask of you to accept him as an elder for the help he has given us and the name I shall bestow upon him." There was a moment of silence as Morningstar stepped down from the hill, a serious tone in his mew. "Do you promise to remain loyal to BushClan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Jasmine answered fiercely, making Icepath shudder with how much love and devotion the tom had for his mate.
"Then, by the powers of StarClan, with my authority as Clan leader, I give you your new name. We welcome you, Jasminepetal, for your warmth and reliability as an elder of BushClan." Morningstar concluded strongly.
"Jasminepetal! Jasminepetal!"
"Thank you for your help against the foxes!"
"Thank you for bringing apprentices to become warriors!"
"Thank you for helping our Clan when it needed it most!"
The thanks rolled in, wave after wave. Icepath listened, her ear tips burning in the sunlight a little. A sign that newleaf was about to begin for sure. Pain seared through her, selfishly she wanted Poppyclaw to remain a medicine cat, however her ancestors had already explained to her why the rule was in place.
It was to bring equality, the very thing that Poppyclaw had sought after. As overwhelmed as she was with her mixed emotions: joy that the mates could be together once more, but also bitter anger at having to loose her mentor so soon; she had to lower her head in respect to the newly made elders.
This was a ceremony that had been made up on the spot. That much she knew. Morningstar combined a warrior ceremony, elder's ceremony, and the renaming ceremony to welcome Jasminepetal. She wondered if these were the words StarClan had Poppyclaw deliver so that they could welcome Jasminepetal. Or if Morningstar thought of it himself.
In the end, it didn't matter to her on which it was. No amount of anger, bitter and hot, would make things back the way things were. No amount of wishing would return her mother and litter-brother back from the dead. Nothing could change what has been done. Somehow, someway, she had to accept it, heal her heart, and move on to do her job. Her grief and longing for the dead may never end, but she was willing to try and learn from the starry warriors on how to do so.
Sensing that the meeting has finished, she slowly headed back to her den. She may have been alone, but she had herbs to prepare to send for Hawksight's store. Soon, the herbs would be growing well enough for them to take. Until then, she was going to practice breathing and clearing her mind of worries and do her duties. The longer she stood in her shadows, the longer the dark feelings inside her mind would trouble her. So, she only had that option to keep moving in a world that was fast paced thanks to FearClan's advancements in the past.
Author Note:
At last Icepath is a medicine cat! She still has plenty to learn, but since Poppyclaw already promised to help when needed, she will still have it. She is just going to feel lonely until she is able to learn how to heal herself from feeling like it is all unfair.
On the plus side, Jasmine is now part of the Clan! I like using different suffix's for each cat. If some cross one another, I feel bad about it, but move on if I can't find one that suits them more. Since -petal was not being used, I could use it on Jasmine and that is how he got his name. BushClan is starting to get big now, but I think FearClan might be bigger. I have yet to count the cats there currently. Next Chapter update I will put the official number of adult cats in each group!
Lastly, a clowder is another name for a group of cats. (I prefer glaring, but I would prefer to use it for aggressive groups of cats in the Warrior Cats Universe.) So I think Clan-cats would call each other clowders when it's a lot of them. If it's a group of kittypets they can call them a dowt, maybe, maybe even a colony if they are loners? A lot to work with and play around with in my head canons to be honest.
That is all, thank you for reading and have a fantastic day/night! - NightSky
