Chapter 26

Duskpaw lead the way to the Star Tree. Twigshade plodded behind her with slow steps. She was forced to slow her pace to an easy walk so he could keep up. Duskpaw could just make out Leafcloud waiting for them in the dark. She quickened her pace to meet the other medicine cat. Behind her she could hear Twigshade's steps quicken.

"Hi Leafcloud," Duskpaw greeted her when they got close.

"Hey Duskpaw, Twigshade," she mewed sweetly. She got to her feet and walked next to Duskpaw. "How's your clan been?" she asked.

"Fine. Lichenheart's kit is now an apprentice and Silverpaw got her warrior name. She is now Silvertear," Duskpaw mewed. She made sure not to mention the battle with Oceanclan or Creamfoot's death.

"She's young to have her warrior name," Leafcloud commented.

"She deserves it," Duskpaw mewed. Before they could say anymore they reached Thunderstreak, Sparklepaw, Sealfeather, and Sandpaw.

"Duskpaw," Sparklepaw mewed. Duskpaw ran forward to greet her friend.

"Hi Sparklepaw. How've you been?" she asked.

"Just wonderful. The clan is doing greet. How's Frostclan?" she asked.

"We're doing great too," Duskpaw mewed. Sparklepaw smiled. Sandpaw glowered at Duskpaw as she talked to Sparklepaw. Sealfeather did too. When she glanced at them they turned tail and began to walked towards the Star Tree. Duskpaw glared after them.

"What happened between you guys?" Sparklepaw asked.

"Oceanclan attacked Frostclan," Duskpaw whispered. Sparklepaw gasped. "Maplestar lost a life and Creamfoot was killed," she mewed quietly.

"I'm so sorry," Sparklepaw mewed. Duskpaw looked down. She still missed Creamfoot desperately but she had been so busy helping the clan recover from the battle she hadn't had much time to think about it.

"We're here," Thunderstreak mewed. Duskpaw looked up to see that they had reached the Star Tree. She walked forward to find her spot but Thunderstreak blocked her. "Before we share tongues with our ancestors I would like to do something," she mewed. Walking to the tree she sat next to it. "Sparklepaw please step forward."

Sparklepaw looked baffled but she walked to Thunderstreak. Thunderstreak was smiling as she looked down on her apprentice. "Sparklepaw has been my apprentice for many moons and has trained hard to learn all the herbs and speak with Starclan. She has never faltered from healing a cat or forgotten herbs when it matters. I believe it is time she receives her full name," Thunderstreak mewed. Duskpaw smiled at her friend. Sparklepaw looked astonished.

"Sparklepaw, is it your wish to continue learning all you can about being a medicine cat from me and to one day take my place as the medicine cat of Stormclan?" Thunderstreak asked.

"Yes," Sparklepaw answered.

"Then from now on you shall be known as Sparklewish. Starclan honors your memory and skill in healing and commend you with the title of a full medicine cat," Thunderstreak finished. Sparklewish looked like she would burst with pride and excitement. Thunderstreak stepped out of the way and Sparklewish walked to the Star Tree. Touching her nose to the rough bark and laid down to sleep.

The other medicine cats followed her lead. Duskpaw settled down next to her friend and touched her nose to the tree. Slowly she drifted to sleep.

She awoke in the same starry forest as usual. The only difference was Orcafin was waiting for her instead of Softsnow.

"Hi Orcafin," she greeted the former Frostclan warrior. he smiled and dipped his head to her.

"Hello Duskpaw," he greeted her. "I've come to tell you something," he dropped his voice to a whisper. Glancing around to see if anyone was watching them he put his muzzle next to her ear. "Snowyowl is not what Softsnow thinks he is. Trust him Duskpaw. Now his paws walk the right path," Orcafin whispered.

"Orcafin," Softsnow mewed in surprise. The white she-cat was weaving through the surrounding trees. Orcafin pulled away from Duskpaw when he heard her voice.

"Greetings Softsnow," he dipped his head to the she-cat. She blinked suspiciously. "I was just telling Duskpaw to tell my mother that I love her," Orcafin lied. He turned to Duskpaw. "I should probably be going. Remember what I said," he mewed before turning to leave. Softsnow watched him leave through narrowed eyes.

"Well done Duskpaw," Softsnow turned back to her. Her eyes were much happier now. "You did well taking care of your clan after the battle," she praised. Duskpaw smiled at her.

"Thanks," she purred. Softsnow smiled warmly at her.

"You will make a fine medicine cat one day," she mewed. Then her eyes clouded over. Duskpaw gasped as Softsnow fell to the ground. She hurried to the white she-cat's side.

"Softsnow," she mewed urgently. Softsnow took a deep breath and sat upright. Her blue eyes were clear and her breathing regular. She looked at Duskpaw with great sadness. "What happened?" Duskpaw demanded.

"Leaf-fall is almost here. After it comes Leaf-bare. You must serve your clan well through those tough times. They will need you the most then," she sighed.

"What will happen?" she asked.

Softsnow didn't answer her. She stared at the ground for some time before looking into her eyes. "Trust in Starclan Duskpaw," she whispered before she began to fade away. Duskpaw lashed her tail in frustration as the forest began to fade too. Why couldn't they just tell her what was going to happen? Why did they always give her such pointless warnings?

Blinking open her eyes she found herself next to the Star Tree. The other medicine cats were waking up too. Sparklewish's eyes shone. She must have had a good dream. Duskpaw wished she had had a good dream.

"We should probably get going," Thunderstreak yawned. "Come on Sparklewish," she called her apprentice as she headed towards Stormclan territory. Sealfeather and Sandpaw were already walking away and didn't wait for her as she paused.

"Bye Duskpaw," Sparklewish mewed before she ran after her mentor. Duskpaw watched her leave before turning to follow Twigshade and Leafcloud home.

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Snowyowl stretched tiredly. Early dawn light was streaming into the den. Its warm rays shone on Silvertear. The silver tabby was sleeping next to him. She was curled in a tight ball and sleeping soundly. Snowyowl stared at her for a moment longer before he got to his paws and walked out of the den.

Shardclaw was sitting underneath the White Tree ordering patrols. Snowyowl walked towards him.

"I want Tundrafoot to lead a hunting patrol with Lichenheart and Foamfur," the grey tome ordered. Tundrafoot nodded and raced out of camp with his patrol following. "Stormstep will you lead a hunting patrol?" he asked the grey tom.

"Sure. I'll check the Oceanclan border while I'm out," he offered.

"I can take Heronpaw and Silvertear to do that," Snowyowl interrupted. Shardclaw nodded to him.

"Sure Snowyowl," he mewed. Snowyowl bounded to the apprentice den to get Heronpaw. Sticking his head in he saw the young tom snuggled in the back of the den. Snowyowl prodded him awake.

"Dawn patrol," he mewed. Heronpaw yawned and stretched. Snowyowl went to fetch Silvertear while his apprentice finished waking up. Silvertear was already getting up when he arrived at the den. "Dawn patrol," he mewed.

"Okay," Silvertear purred. Blinking sleep from her eyes she followed Snowyowl out of the den. Heronpaw was waiting for them in the clearing. He raced over to them when the walked into the clearing.

"Let's go," he mewed. Snowyowl flicked his ear with his tail.

"Good idea," he teased. Heronpaw grinned and swatted him playfully. Snowyowl nudged him back. Silvertear butted in between them before they could do anymore.

"We have a border to patrol toms," she mewed. Heronpaw rolled his eyes and Snowyowl grinned as they followed her out of camp.

A/N:

I'm back from the lake. It was awesome. Sorry this chapter was short and boring but I'm sun burnt and tired from the trip so it's all I could write at the moment. I'll try to get a better one up soon. My school starts on Thursday so updates will be less often after that, sorry. Oh and if you remember me saying that things were going to start falling into place well um I'm sorry to say but they aren't yet. That happens after Duskpaw gets her full name, not Silvertear. Sorry if I got you all excited. Well hope you liked this chapter and please remember to review.