Chapter 11

The day passed fast, Milkleaf gave Maplebrook the "okay" to train Applepaw again, and they practiced fighting moves, "After all," Maplebrook mewed, "Who knows when NightClan will be coming back? It's better to be ready, though I am proud of you for the job you did yesterday."

Applepaw did her little victory strut around in a circle and fell over laughing with Maplebrook, "Thank you," she smiled.

After that they went hunting, together they brought back 2 mice, a magpie, 3 voles, and water vole, that Applepaw caught. Maplebrook praised her speed seeing how water voles are usually too fast to catch.

That night Milkleaf gave the announcement that it was half-moon and she along with Littlepaw would be going to the Mooncave. Every half-moon, Medicine cats' and their apprentices meet at the Mooncave to discuss life in the clans. They trade herbs and stories, but tonight was not like other half-moons. Tonight Littlepaw was going to become a full Medicine cat.

Milkleaf and Littlepaw met up with Cloudstem and Herbpaw and then the ceremony began, "I, Milkleaf, medicine cat of GrassClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help, she will serve for many moons. Littlepaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan, and protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?"

Littlepaw's answer was strong and clear, "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan," Milkleaf finished, "I give you your true medicine cat name. Littlepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Littlestream. You have proved to be a medicine cat by using the herbs and plants to make correct poultices, and helping your clan in times of trouble."

Cloudstem and Herbpaw and Milkleaf called her name over and over, "Littlestream! Littlestream! Littlestream!"

Littlestream thought she heard other voices, besides them from outside the cave, but she shook that thought out of her mind.

Afterwards, Cloudstem and Milkleaf exchanged stories, "Greencough had spread through our camp and a kit died, but we recovered."

"Which one?" Cloudstem asked with concern.

"One that we found in the forest," Milkleaf mewed, "We don't know how she got there, but the greencough killed her." Cloudstem nodded his head thinking.

"WaterClan is flourishing, no sickness has come and the pond is feeding us well. I really have nothing to say."

"Alright, but can we borrow some catmint? Just in case the greencough comes back?"

"Okay, we'll bring some to your camp soon," Cloudstem then added, "See you when we bring the catmint." And they walked back to their territory.

"Its time we get back to our territory Littlestream," Milkleaf started to walk away, but Littlestream stopped her, "Yes, what is it Littlestream?"

"I heard other voices, from the outside of the cave," Littlestream recalled, "When you were cheering my name."

"Maybe you heard StarClan, they would deffinetly be cheering your name after what you did." Milkleaf looked fondly at Littlestream, "Come on, we have to go back."

It started raining heavily, and Applepaw walked up to the medicine cats as they walked into camp, "Wovenstar took Bronzepelt and Goldenfur to the Mooncave but it's raining so hard we think they'll stay there until morning," she reported.

And she was right. In the morning, Wovenstar came back, soaked, but with Bronzepelt and Goldenfur. They went straight to the medicine cat den, and got some feverfew and lavender for their chill. Unfortunately, Cloudstem and Herbpaw hadn't come with the catmint yet, so they couldn't make the poultice that cures chill.

Wovenstar suggested sending a cat over to WaterClan and getting the catmint for them.

"I'll go," Milkleaf volunteered.

"I'll go with her," Littlestream concluded.

"No, you should stay here in case medicine is needed," then Milkleaf walked off.