Firepaw snarled, staring at himself in a pool of water. His eye had, unfortunately, gone blind from the wound Brokenstar had given him. Giving the large scar and useless eye one last loathing look, he turned and stalked back towards camp carrying a clump of wet moss.
Returning to his den, because it was his and not Yellowfang's, he dropped the moss at the paws of Longtail.
The tom had an infected rat bite after the rodent had been eating monster-kill on the Thunderpath and Longtail spooked it.
Grabbing some things from the herb store, he returned to the pale tabby's side to inspect the wound. Glancing at the tom's face, he grumbled. "Lick away the old poultice while I get the new one ready."
Longtail gave him a long look before nodding, obediently lapping away at his wound.
Once the apprentice was satisfied with the cleaning, he chewed up the roots he carried and carefully applied it to the infected bite.
The warrior winced, but seemed relieved all the same. He cast the ginger a curious look, tail twitching. "How've you been, Firepaw?"
Glaring, the apprentice snarled. "I don't want your sympathy, Longtail."
Huffing, the warrior nodded. "Fine, fine." He paused, letting silence hang for a moment before piping up. "What were those roots you used?"
Firepaw blinked, looking over at him. "Why do you care? Anyways, it was Burdock root. They're especially useful for rat bites, like yours."
Smiling, the tom nodded. "That's useful, then. Are there other uses for it."
The ginger sat down, distracted by the question and very visibly less irritated. "Well, it can be used for other infections but it's really best to save it for rat bites, since there are other herbs that can be used for other infections."
Longtail nodded along, occasionally lapping at the soaked moss. "What herbs would those be?"
Smiling a little, the apprentice happily rattled off the herbs and their best uses, his tail twitching happily.
The warrior paused, picking up a sound. Narrowing his eyes, he glanced at the apprentice. "Have you eaten today?"
Firepaw paused, ducking his head as he returned to irritation, the light that was in his eyes flickering out. "No. I'm not hungry."
Frowning, the warrior nudged him with a paw. "How can you treat me if you don't eat yourself? Go get something from the pile for the both of us."
The apprentice wanted to argue, but couldn't bring himself to and just nodded.
Ducking out of the den, he nearly ran into a dark-gray pelt. Looking up, he found it to be the cat he wanted to see the least.
Yellowfang looked down at him, frowning. "Firepaw. How's Longtail?"
Growling, the ginger shoved past. "He's fine. Don't bother him."
She followed after him, tail flicking. "You remember what to use? I don't want you giving an infected wound the wrong herbs."
Firepaw spun on her, snarling, his fur bristled. "I know what herbs to use! I didn't just forget everything Spottedleaf taught me when she died!" He roared, eyes wide with fury.
The older cat's lip curled in a snarl, eyes narrowing. "I'm your mentor now, whether you like it or not brat. I'll be moving into the medicine den properly soon."
He growled lowly, claws flexing in the dirt. "You'll do nothing of the sort. Go back to ShadowClan, Yellowfang. We don't want you here." He angrily grabbed a pair of mice from the pile and stalked back to the medicine den.
Longtail noticed his increased agitation when he came back, frowning. "You alright? What happened from here to the fresh-kill pile?"
Firepaw glared at him for a moment, practically throwing a mouse at him. "Yellowfang." He grunted, settling by the warrior and tearing into the prey with an agitated vigor.
Nodding, the warrior calmly tucked into his own prey.
She watched the apprentice stalk off with a glare. Once he was out of sight, it melted into concern. Huffing, she changed course to walk to where Bluestar was sitting.
The leader greeted her with a nod, her head tilted. "Do you need something, Yellowfang?"
Sitting beside the gray-blue she-cat, she sighed. "It's Firepaw."
Bluestar blinked, concern lighting her gaze. "Is he alright?"
Yellowfang nodded, staring at the dark entrance to the medicine den. "He's grieving, hard. It's understandable, but he's becoming angrier, more volatile. I have an idea, but you may not like it."
The leader tilted her head, curious. "Oh? Explain, please."
The medicine cat frowned, still staring at the den. "I should return to ShadowClan." She paused, glancing at the she-cat before continuing. "Firepaw doesn't want me here. It feels to him like the Clan is trying to replace Spottedleaf. Before I leave, I will take him to the Moonstone where he may become a full medicine cat. ThunderClan will have its medic, and Firepaw won't have me as a constant reminder of what he lost."
Bluestar took a deep breath, tail curling around her paws as her eyes darkened with thought. "I see. I trust your judgement. If this is what you think is best, then that is what we'll do. The half-moon is in a few days. Tell him tomorrow."
The apprentice curled up in the too-large nest, breathing in deeply as he struggled to find the remaining scents of his late mentor.
Once he found the scent, he allowed himself to slowly wake up. Yawning, he stood and stretched. Getting out of the nest, he trotted over to his patient to check the wound.
Finding it to be getting better, he nodded with satisfaction.
Leaving the den, he went for the prey pile to get something for himself and his patient.
Jaggedtooth met him at the pile with a smile.
Firepaw nodded at him, too tired to speak, and carried a vole and a sparrow back to the den.
Dropping the bird at Longtail's nest, he sat just outside the den to eat.
He realized, much to his annoyance, that Yellowfang was walking over.
She stopped a tail-length away, her face neutral.
Firepaw snarled, looking up from his prey to glare at her. "What is it? I thought I made it clear I didn't want to speak to you."
Nodding, she sat. "I understand. That's what I'm here to talk about." Yellowfang paused, looking him over. "In three days, on half-moon, you'll get your medicine cat name. Then, I will return to ShadowClan."
He paused in his glare, eyes widening. "You.. what?"
Yellowfang offered the smallest of smiles, the gesture looking odd on her usually grouchy face. "You won't need to have me around anymore. Spottedleaf taught you plenty enough, Firepaw. You're ready."
Firepaw felt his fur prickle as they walked towards Fourtrees.
The other three medicine cats were waiting.
Runningnose was the first to offer condolences. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you while you were there, Firepaw. I felt it would make a bad situation that much worse."
The apprentice dipped his head, glaring at his paws. "It's.. alright. If I'd heard while I'd been there, I don't think I would've tried to escape in the first place.."
Barkface dipped his head to the ginger. "She was a wonderful medicine cat, Firepaw. She will be deeply missed."
Mudfur nodded, his tail twitching. "If you ever need anything, you need only to ask."
Yellowfang spoke up, lifting her chin. "Tonight, Firepaw will receive his full medicine cat name. Then," she looked at her former apprentice, "I will return to ShadowClan."
They departed shortly, not wanting to waste time as they needed to get to Highstones.
It was mostly silent as they walked.
Firepaw took the front, not wanting to see the others as he stalked ahead.
The moon had come up as they reached their destination, the group quietly entering the cave.
As soon as they reached the main cavern, the Moonstone was lit with moonlight.
Firepaw took a deep breath before again taking the lead, walking to the stone and touching it.
He woke up with the other medicine cats in the grassy fields of StarClan.
Spottedleaf was the first cat he saw.
His breath caught in his throat as he spotted her, instantly racing over and nuzzling into her starry pelt.
She purred, pulling him close. "I'm here, it's alright."
Firepaw kept from sobbing, simply pushing into his mentor until she spoke up.
Her breath gently touched his head as she spoke. "It's time now, Firepaw."
He hesitantly took a step back, not wanting to leave the she-cat's side.
Spottedleaf lifted her head as she began, her eyes sparkling with pride. "This tom has trained in the ways of a medicine cat and has completed his training. Firepaw, do you swear to uphold the medicine cat code?"
He nodded, fur prickling. "I do."
Nodding, she continued with a smile. "Then, I name you Firespirit, for your strong spirit and your blazing determination."
Firespirit took a deep breath, feeling a shiver run through his spine as he received his name.
His mentor padded over, touching noses, before murmuring in his ear. "I'm so very proud of you, Firespirit. You've gone through too much for such a young tom, but you've grown so much. I will be watching you from StarClan, my dear apprentice."
He blinked as he found himself in a gloomy forest, confused as to why he wasn't yet awake.
Mapleshade appeared, a wide grin on her face. "We don't have much time, but I will visit soon. Congratulations, Firespirit. You're now one of the most powerful cats in the Clans."
He didn't have much time to think about what she meant before he was finally waking up.
Firespirit took a deep breath as he split from the other medicine cats and returned to his territory. He drank in the scents and sounds as he walked in silence, relishing the moment.
Bluestar was on the Highstone when he returned and immediately called the Clan together when she saw him.
He sat near the front with a faint smile as cats gathered around.
Longtail, entirely recovered now, sat on one side.
Jaggedtooth sat on the other.
Bluestar purred as she looked at her Clan, her eyes bright. "Firepaw has returned with his name. Please, step forward so we may welcome you properly."
He slowly stood, lifting his head. "Firespirit."
The two toms on either side were the first to call his name, quickly followed by Bluestar, Tigerclaw, and Redtail, then followed by the rest of the Clan.
Firespirit closed his eyes, ears swiveling with each call of his new name.