Chapter 47


BushClan/Icepath

The trek back into camp felt like it had taken moons to Icepath. Every cat was quiet from grief, their losses causing a bitter pain in their hearts. The churned up soil where they buried the dead had came across their path. Morningstar stood still and silent as they paid their respects in that very clearing. Icepath could scent the cold and wet soil, hearing cats dig up the earth to prepare for the bodies of Shadewhisker, Talonshine, and Blackdapple. As the sky turned dove-gray with sunlight, Morningstar finally spoke, his mew ringing out clearly as he thanked the cats who had died bravely for their Clan. His golden eyes dark with grief despite his strong and steady voice. Icepath, despite being blind, could easily imagine the pale cream tom's eyes. She could never forget what he looked like, even if she wanted to forget, she would always remember it. Even if her kit-hood and apprentice-ship were slowly fading in her memories, she could picture him that day as clearly as though she could see him. The following thing Morningstar did at the gravesite was appoint a new deputy.

"We have honored the lives we lost last night and as such I ask for StarClan and Blackdapple to approve of my choice. Twilightsky, you will be deputy. I trust you to guide BushClan as well as you can." Morningstar had meowed.

"I will do my best." the blue-gray and bright ginger patched tom promised.

Each cat murmured in approval, their voices hushed from exhaustion. Icepath felt a bit guilty that the entire Clan had to witness this while they should be in their nests in the camp resting. However, before she could bring to light this concern of hers, Morningstar began to speak again. His form slowly becoming silhouetted by the sunlight. Her ears perked up in surprise, this was sacred grounds for the dead and not a place for any more ceremonies. He summoned Crowpaw and Rubypaw to come to him. She wanted to stop him, but she couldn't rise to her paws and possibly get scolded by someone behind her.

"Crowpaw you had trained well and experienced the harshest battle we ever had to face." Morningstar was meowing. "Do you still wish to be a Warrior of BushClan?"

"I do." The tom answered without hesitation.

"Can we depend on you to protect the Clan and your Clan-mates even at the cost of your life?" He went on, his mew filled with pride.

"To my last breath, I promise you can." Crowpaw replied, his fur rustling as he dipped his head.

"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Crowpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Crowleaf. StarClan and BushClan honors your courage and dedication and welcome you as a full warrior of BushClan."

Silence filled the clearing with a gentle rasp of fur, signaling the warrior's acceptance of their future duties and life outside of being an apprentice. Every cat began to cheer and greet Crowleaf openly, a renewed sense of vigor seeming to uplift their spirits. Icepath blinked warmly, unsure where Crowleaf was now as she kept her head angled towards Morningstar, knowing there had to be one more ceremony to be done. Their leader waited, a soft thump of his tail being the only signal that he may have raised it for silence. Once the clearing quieted down, Morningstar began to speak again.

"We have a few more ceremonies we must do before we get back to camp." Icepath blinked, confused as the murmurs surrounded her for only a heartbeat before quieting once more. "I ask for StarClan, my warrior ancestors, to look back down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand their noble code, and I commend them as a warrior in their turn. Rubypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan even at the cost of your life?"

"I do." The former loner answered.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Rubypaw, from this moment on you will be known as Rubyflower. StarClan honors your kindness and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of BushClan." Morningstar finished warmly. The same silence returned, the rasping of the fur and the loud meows greeting the new warrior. When they were hushed again, Morningstar spoke up his mew more grave and serious then ever before. "It has been moons, the seasons have changed ever since his passing. However, Pigeonstream had a single request that Nightstar did not keep. As such, I will do the ceremony Nightstar never did."

"Thank you." Her father meowed.

Morningstar stood up, his tail raised to the sky. "I, Morningstar of BushClan, ask my warrior ancestors to look upon Drizzlepaw. He had learned the warrior code and given up his life in the service of the Clan. Let StarClan receive him as a warrior. It has been many moons, I know, but I wish to give them this name in honor of their life. He will now be known as Drizzlespirit. We miss him dearly, and we wish for his acceptance of his full warrior name."

Silence reached her as she bowed her head. Now it all made sense why the warrior ceremonies were done in the gravesite. Morningstar wanted to not only place a reminder on Drizzlepaw's-no, Drizzlespirit's senseless death and how it may be the last now. Her heart seemed to ache, finally they all had their full names. Even if Drizzlespirit would always be much younger then the rest of them within StarClan's hunting grounds. He was not only remembered, but honored for his spirit as an apprentice. They stayed put until the sunlight had grown stronger, only then were the bodies fully buried and they padded into camp. The ones who had the least wounds went to hunt, while the others rested. Icepath, on the other paw, kept herself busy by checking on the worst of the injuries. She had her rest as well, but as the only medicine cat, she had very little time to be catching up on sleep.

.

The quarter-moon passed in peace, Icepath still had no answer from Morningstar on what to tell Hawksight at the half-moon meeting. She waited patiently by the Twoleg Bridge, she still felt too tired to make the journey. Foxgaze had an infection, so she had to have Poppyclaw watch over him as she got to know what was going on now that Willow was the leader of the group across the river. After a few more heartbeats, the familiar tap of claws on the bridge came to her ears. She looked over, knowing she would never see the dark brown tabby she-cat, but wanting to appear attentive. Soon the long furred she-cat had joined her side her steps sounding much more cheerful then the half-moon meeting before. The stark white she-cat relaxed, feeling as though the stars had been right all along.

"How are things for FearClan?" Icepath asked gently as they began to walk.

Hawksight mewed cheerfully. "Oh, we aren't FearClan anymore, Icepath."

"You aren't? Then what is your group now?" She asked, letting her whiskers and fur brush against the older medicine cat.

"We became WillowClan after the battle." She explained, excitement in her voice. "Everyone was renamed and everything. We even went to the Moonstone so he could get his nine lives and a new name."

"So he's Willowstar now?" Icepath felt herself being swept up in the excitement.

"Yes!" She chirped. "Of course, nothing is perfect, but we are doing our best to get these cats to understand."

"I bet Poppyclaw would have a lot to tell you about the best ways to do that." She murmured sadly.

Hawksight sighed softly. "That's true. I guess we both need his guidance still. Anyway, what's going on with BushClan? Nothing too terrible since the battle, I hope."

"Morningstar didn't want to give an answer right away to what Willowstar wanted. He wanted to make sure things are going well as we healed up." She replied, keeping close. "I think next half-moon after the no-moon he should have an answer."

"Understood."

"As for anything, the only problem is one of the warriors' injuries got infected. Not that I'm surprised, the tom thought it would be a good idea to keep hunting instead of resting. All the leaves and branches wipe off the poultice I put on his wound like I warned him it would do." She explained dryly.

"That is typical of a young warrior tom." Hawksight purred in amusement.

"I can understand Flametuft doing it to show off to a she-cat, but Foxgaze already has a mate so I have no idea what he thinks he's doing other then giving me work."

"I'm sure he's trying to prove no wound can stop him." Her fellow medicine cat pointed out. "That or he's trying to work off the grief."

Icepath nodded. "I wouldn't be surprised. He did loose his father, Talonshine, in that battle. Of course, Morningstar was also Talonshine's kit."

Hawksight fell silent, her body heat being the only thing that let Icepath know the WillowClan medicine cat was even there. "I'm so sorry for their losses."

"It's alright. It's not your fault." She assured her. "Warriors fight and the elders fought like warriors to their last breath. All we can do now is make sure the wounds heal."

"I know, but I can't help but feel guilty." Hawksight murmured. "White, black, or gray; I will always feel guilty for a cat no matter what the path their paws take. No cat truly needs their path to end as violently as it had that night."

"I agree, but no one can tread a good path forever." Icepath pointed out gently, "Any cat can do what they think is right, whether it truly is or not we cannot judge that as well as the stars that see everything."

"I understand that." She moved, finding the zig-zagging path they always took across what was left of the moors. "But in the end my brother, Shadow, left with a few of the other cats."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's alright. He was far from the brother I once knew." She explained. "Grief transformed him and I'm sure the loss of his kits will teach him to be a much better cat in the future."

"We can only hope." She pointed out as she walked along with her.

"Anything else happen for BushClan?" Hawksight changed the subject, obviously wanting to know of any good news.

Icepath indulged her. "We have two new warriors, but don't tell WillowClan. Just in case Morningstar wants to tell himself should he choose to meet next full moon."

"I'm glad that some good happened." She breathed.

"Thank you, we are glad too. Even my late brother who passed moons before had his warrior ceremony." Icepath mewed, "It was a way for all of us to feel like even in death good things do come."

"That is true, kits, ceremonies, and bringing the spirits of others up."

"That they do." She mewed softly.

"May I know the names of your new warriors, or should I wait for that meeting that may or may not come?" Hawksight asked, the roar of the monsters growing louder and louder as they walked.

"Rubyflower, the tom who was with Tumbleheart when they escorted me last half-moon." She reminded her.

"I see now, very nice to know." Hawksight purred softly.

"The other is named Crowleaf." She informed her, "He is a kind-hearted tom."

"Crowleaf is a new tom to the Clan." Hawksight pointed out slowly, "Right?"

"He is, he came with Tumbleheart and Rubyflower from Twoleg Place."

"And you should have a new deputy, correct?"

Icepath blinked, daring to move her whiskers away from the grasses that brushed them to look up at the long furred she-cat. "We do, it's Twilightsky, if you remember him."

"I do, I just hope he can handle the responsibility." She breathed, her steps full of purpose as they made it to the bottom of the hills. "The thunderpath is ahead, it's time for us to focus."

"Right." She murmured, looking back ahead. The roar of the monsters were much louder then before. "We cross on 'now,' correct?"

"Like always." Hawksight mewed gravely. "I won't let us be separated. I promise."

Icepath felt her heart flutter in her chest, the older she-cat was always so careful and keeping her in mind. She had never felt this way before as she carefully pressed herself to the older medicine cat, ready to run as she bunched her muscles. The roar of the monsters filled her ears before a lull came. A familiar one that made her certain of what was to come. Hawksight gave the order and she raced with all her might. Their paws pounding on the thunderpath's rough surface as they stuck together. She veered slightly off course, but Hawksight was still with her, making sure she made it to the other side. With a purr of amusement in her throat, they stumbled onto the other side as the trembling earth gave way to a massive roar of a huge monster.

"See, safe." Hawksight purred shakily.

Icepath was panting, nodding as a feeling swelled in her heart. However, darkness overcame her mind. StarClan had the rule for a reason, the rule that medicine cats cannot have mates. Keeping it to keep the peace between every kind of cat that could ever be born. How could it ever have been wrong? After catching their breath, they padded into the brush and made their way towards Mothermouth. Her thoughts still spiraling like a leaf caught in a current of water. How could any cat control their emotions so powerfully to never fall in love? Was there really such a cat who could? She wished she could meet them and hope they had tips so she could learn. Sadness filled her at the thought of not being able to feel like this. Hawksight always made the trip so worth it and less lonesome.

Perhaps, she was just feeling a strong connection to friendship? That had to be it, if it was anything more then that, it wouldn't be good for her position in the Clan. Blinking her frosty indigo eyes, she felt the coarse grass give way to stony soil. The warmth in her chest from the crossing still remained as she waited for Hawksight to give her the okay to head into the tunnel. The moonlight was faint just like any light her eyes could detect. The shadows had grown ever since twilight. She was dependent on the WillowClan medicine cat to know if the moon had risen properly. Soon, they descended into the tunnel and wound their way to the Moonstone. Like always, she was a few steps behind her friend making sure that her nose just barely touched the fur of Hawksight's tail.

With the echo of the pebbles clattering at their paws, the walls of the tunnel squeezed around them before opening up as they entered the cave. The moon had yet to take it's place, they were a little earlier then usual. Then again, in this season the sun began it's descent back into slumber much faster then usual. They could have simply missed their mark or were over cautious. Either way, the two medicine cats sat and waited for the half-moon to enter the crevasse high above their heads. All Icepath could hear was the sound of their breathing echoing all around before a growing white light appeared into her vision. Like always, the light of the Moonstone was so bright it almost vanquished the darkness she was trapped within. She heard Hawksight rise to her paws, so she followed suit. She trusted her friend's judgment as they both approached the mighty stone.

"May StarClan give guidance." Hawksight murmured to her warmly.

Icepath spared a glance to her, almost seeing the dark brown tabby in the Moonstone's bright light. "May they enlighten you as well." She replied solemnly before crouching and touching her nose to the chilled leaf-fall stone.

In that instant, everything fell away from her, the wind billowing through her thick white fur as she felt the ground become solid beneath her pads again. Opening her eyes, she was greeted by grand swaths of heather, hissing all around her with the tall moorland grasses and gorse that shuddered noisily nearby. The familiar sounds of paws thumping through the moorland's rolling hills towards her. A night-black she-cat had appeared, as strong and powerful as she once was in life. The scars she bore still remained as her fierce yellow eyes glowed with pride. Close behind her was the bushy-tailed founder of their Clan, his amber eyes seeming to be bright as he, too, closed in on her.

"You have done most excellently in bringing our prophecy to the leader." Nightstar purred in pride.

"All I had done was advise." Icepath pointed out, "Hawksight had done more than I have for your so-called lost star."

Bushstar nodded, "That may be true, but you advised Morningstar properly to be a helpful aid. He is still new to being a leader. It won't be for at least a few more seasons until he can hold his authority properly before his Clan."

"You have to remember, Icepath, medicine cats are beyond the Warrior Code. Morningstar is your leader, but helping a fellow medicine cat of another Clan is also the proper thing to do. Or at least that is what some of the much older StarClan warriors have told us." The night-black she-cat pointed out, looking to her own former leader.

"They say it is the proper way as they tread on a different path than most." He conceded, before drawing himself to his full height. "Nonetheless, Those StarClan elders are speaking with Hawksight to help her with her new Clan. We would have gone, but we were told it was more important that they visit her tonight. Another night, they will visit you."

"But when?" Icepath asked softly, her own curiosity burning deep inside her.

"When the time comes." Bushstar promised, a warmth in his gaze, much like a proud father-figure. "You will know when that time comes."

Nightstar nodded her agreement. "A prophecy may have ended, but it is never the last one. There is always more that calls upon you, or asks for you to pay some attention to so that you may either help or advise the cats it effects. As a medicine cat, you must be prepared to decode those messages, omens, or visions. We can only help you so much, but never be afraid to come to us for even a whisker of help."

"And remember to discuss it with Hawksight." The founder added in a much softer mew. His reddish-brown fur seeming to spike in uncertainty. "There are other Clans in this vast world and word has it they are not doing very well. So, we must be different and try different things so that the stars can learn how to help as well."

Icepath listened, feeling as though her connection to StarClan was far more valuable and important. She felt whatever anxiety that would grip her heart like claws on prey, weaken it's hold. At last, she could see that not even the cats of the stars were wise enough to figure everything out and learn from one another and watching the living world. A bitter warmth filled her from the inside out as she accepted this tiny detail about StarClan. It was not perfect, but it was at least attempting to learn from mistakes in other places. Mistakes that had, somehow, led to the other Clans in the world down their paths. Ever so slowly, she gave a warm, slow blink to the leaders who came before the one she now had.

"I will do all I can to keep the friendship between me and Hawksight." She meowed softly.

Nightstar began to back into the brush. "I hope so, you two do well when you need guidance so far."

Just as the brush swallowed up Nightstar's fading form, Bushstar's amber eyes locked onto her frosty indigo ones. In a soft murmur, hardly a whisper, he spoke. "Even if that friendship turns out to be more, there is no need to be afraid. It is only natural since you two meet up often and understand each other's hard work and plight."

A chill ran through Icepath, her fur rising before she jolted awake before the Moonstone. Darkness was all around her as she heard Hawksight stirring with a massive stretch. She followed as well, her muscles feeling chilled and weary as her heart raced as though she had been running nonstop for moons. Bushstar accepted her heart and it's yearnings. She should never take a mate, but even she knew that neither her or Hawksight could ever have kits. Sure they would be worried for each other, constantly during battles, but they didn't fight. Could it really be so wrong? Or was the peace of the Medicine Cat Code making it for every attraction possible more complete?

Shakily, she padded into the open after Hawksight, the bitter cold of leaf-fall made her shiver and huddle up close to the WillowClan medicine cat. Her ears burned with embarrassment, but the long furred striped tabby didn't move away from her. She pressed her body back, letting her warmth sink into the stark white she-cat's fur. They stood there for what felt like countless moons, her heart seeming to slow it's beat for only a moment. Was her crush simply a crush or was it something more? Should she voice it or should she squash it down and ignore it? Swallowing thickly, she opened her jaws to speak.

Hawksight meowed first. "It's pretty cold out here. Maybe we should start heading home before we turn into frosty ice-cats?"

Icepath hesitated, before nodding her agreement. "Let's."

She made her choice. She wasn't going to think about it anymore, she was just going to see where her path takes her. Even if it means finding out if what she felt was love for the older she-cat. They were both fully grown she-cats, they could make the mature decision when they got there. Until then, she was going to figure her emotions out and even ask Hawksight about such feelings once she knew what they were. There was no rush, they had many moons to be meeting for half-moon and it would be worth every paw-step they took together. Even if it lead to no where, the path of her heart would guide her and she believed in it along the way.


Author Note:

Finally finished this monster of a chapter. Not as monstrous as other chapters, but I wasn't sure I would be able to finish it.

A lot of things got in the way of me writing lately. First it was the muscles in my lower back and now it's personal family health matters, but like everything my family will get through it together. As we do, I will keep writing to escape from those dramas and pain in the real world. If anything, so I can be someone else for a bit.

Also, I am trying to get better at writing, spelling, and pacing. I know I fail here and there, but I am trying my best. So any critique about how I can improve is always helpful! And I'm glad that people can enjoy this story. I will keep doing my best to do better as well, so no worries there. Next story I write, hopefully, will be even better then this one. It's all I ever hope for since I do enjoy writing this story.

Last of all, I hope everyone is enjoying the new pokemon games (well, they're remakes, but they can be new to some people!) I know I will be, but I do have one good announcement for this story. I will be updating three times next week because it is my birthday next week. Two on the usual update days and one on my birthday. And I will happily have more to this AU done in due time, such as Calling of the Stars beginning soon so I can prepare the next ALS story to follow this one!

May you all have a fantastic day/night or whenever you are reading this and thank you for even bothering to read it! - NightSky