Another chapter! Hopefully you are enjoying this and not getting too upset about my lack of updates to my other stories!!! I'm really sorry if so. It's just that this story is just coming more easily and having more priority in my head. I hope you can forgive me and know that I'm still working on the others!!!
Review, favorite and follow!
Arika Does Mapleshade have mental problems or just anger issues?
Answer: If you've read Crookedstar's Promise or Mapleshade's Vengeance you'd know that she's a cuckoo for cocoa puffs.
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"Get back here!" Whitepaw growled as he raced after Morningpaw, adrenaline pumping through his veins.
"Never," Morningpaw hissed, dodging his every move, "you will never take me alive, you tyrant!"
The two of them then raced out of the reeds, ran down the pebbly riverbank, and began chasing each other around in the shallow ends of the river. Morningpaw then used a log as a cover, as Whitepaw tried to grab her and pin her down.
"Just surrender, RiverClan scum." Whitepaw meowed, "I promise I'll make your defeat quick and painless."
"Yeah right," Morningpaw purred, panting quietly, "you're an absolute fish-brain, Brokenstar! You have never defeated RiverClan before in your life!"
"Then I'll just have to show you," Whitepaw purred back, then running towards the log. Morningpaw then squeaked in surprise, as Whitepaw jumped over the log and tried to tackle the much smaller apprentice down onto the ground. However, Morningpaw then barely managed to squirm past Whitepaw, getting away from him and running off.
Without a moment of hesitation, Whitepaw began racing after her, fully intending on catching Morningpaw.
He knew he would be able to outlast Morningpaw, Morningpaw herself knew that he would, Morningpaw was no longer muscular like she had been in her past life, the short-legged flame-pelted she-cat didn't have her old stamina or speed anymore. The one who was buff and active out of the two was Whitepaw.
The two of them then continued to run around the river's shore until finally, Morningpaw lost her footing and stumbled down onto the ground. Yowling victoriously, Whitepaw immediately leaned down and playfully batted Morningpaw across the ears as the she-cat apprentice exaggeratedly played dead.
"No! M-my life is flashing before my eyes! I-i I needed to save my Clan, I needed to--"
"Are you two about done?"
Whitepaw and Morningpaw sheepishly separated from one another as both their mentors finally arrived for their joint training session. Leopardfur scowled, turning from one apprentice to the other, disapproving. Mistyfoot nonetheless seemed more amused by their make-believe game than upset.
"ShadowClan will never defeat RiverClan, is that understood?" Leopardfur demanded, getting frightened nods from both apprentices. "Well then, Morningpaw you far exceed the rest of the apprentices, though lately it seems that you've been getting distracted--"
"Well, that is, err--" Morningpaw didn't know how to answer that, she hadn't realized that she had been distracted or that her training had been lacking as of late.
"I don't care," Leopardfur cut in bluntly. "Just knock it aside and focus."
Mistyfoot felt the need to speak up then. Bold of her. "Morningpaw isn't the only one that needs to be reminded to pay attention, Leopardfur. Perhaps it would be more beneficial if Whitepaw and Morningpaw were trained separately today."
Leopardfur looked annoyed at just how right Mistyfoot seemed to be, the dappled, golden tabby she-cat warrior reluctantly nodded, starting up a protest from the said apprentices.
"Why can't we train together?" Whitepaw whined.
"You brought us out here to train together." Morningpaw added on. "That was the whole point of today's training. Working together."
"Morningpaw, remember you need to be on your best behavior." Mistyfoot warned, instantly shutting down her apprentices' protests. It was also more effective with quieting down Whitepaw as well. Much to Leopardfur's annoyance.
Both apprentices were crestfallen, causing amusement for some unknown reason, to Morningpa at least, to appear upon both of their faces.
"Stop looking like that. It's not like you're not ever going to see each other again." Leopardfur said bluntly, rolling her eyes.
Mistyfoot was more sympathetic towards the apprentices as she added, "You'll see each other later today and can tell each other what you have learned." That brightened their mood somewhat and the two very good friends reluctantly said their goodbyes as they followed after their own mentor, off to train.
"I know that you and Whitepaw like to spend as much time together as possible, I was the same with Blackclaw, but that can wait for when you're both warriors." Mistyfoot meowed. "You both should put more focus on becoming warriors though, it's not that far away, trust me."
Morningpaw supposed that her mentor was right. Perhaps her spending so much time with Whitepaw was the reason that she has been so distracted lately. Maybe some time apart would do them both some good. At least just temporarily as they train.
With new purpose in her steps Morningpaw somehow managed to keep up with Mistyfoot's longer strides. They made their way to an open area that was surrounded by reeds. It sort of reminded Morningpaw of the sandy hollow training grounds back in ThunderClan, just more suited for RiverClan.
Mistyfoot crouched, signaling with her plumy tail for Morningpaw to attack. There wasn't any playfulness about their fight, it never was with how evenly matched in skills the two were, Mistyfoot had been caught off guard when she first faced Morningpaw in a training session but not anymore. Their training in the fighting ring was taken seriously and both she-cat's found great enlightenment out of it. The fight ended when Morningpaw managed to pin down her mentor. The pale blue-gray she-cat warrior was left heaving, and Morningpaw was left both satisfied and out of breath.
Morningpaw shook out her sleek fur as smudges of wet dirt smudged splotches of brown against her orange pelt. It was with somewhat self-awareness that Morningpaw was developing a bit of a RiverClan cat's vanity about appearance. She would admit that maybe she has been spending too much time around Oakheart to develop such a mindset.
"Soon both you and Whitepaw are going to be making the journey to Highstones'," Mistyfoot said suddenly, taking Morningpaw by surprise. "Have you ever been told about the Moonstone?"
Morningpaw wanted more than anything to tell Mistyfoot that she knew more about the Moonstone than the senior warrior did at this point in time. But would anyone ever believe Morningpaw if she told them that she was a reincarnated ThunderClan leader that had already lived through these points in life? They would think she was mad.
"I think Graypool had mentioned it in one of her stories?" Morningpaw decided to say instead. Morningpaw had become well acquainted with the elderly, patchy fur dark smoky-gray she-cat who also happened to be Mistyfoot and Stonefur's adopted mother. The stories the elderly she-cat had of Stonefur and Mistyfoot over the seasons dating back to when they were kits were a fun reminder when teasing her mentor after being through a long tiring day of training.
Mistyfoot's whiskers twitched, not falling for the setup of a potential teasing but also looking pleased by the mention of the only mother she had ever known. "Graypool holds a lot of wisdom for someone of her age. Though I believe a good reminder is in order for what to expect from the journey." Mistyfoot and Morningpaw settled comfortably in the clearing as the RiverClan warrior explained about the mystical Moonstone that was buried underground, how it was the leaders and medicine cat's way of communicating with their warrior ancestors, and a place of guidance to help figure out one's destiny.
"So Crookedstar's going to the Highstone to speak with StarClan?" Morningpaw summarized. "What for?"
Mistyfoot seemed to think it over before shrugging. "Who knows. It's something that only really gets discussed between the leader, his deputy and the medicine cat."
Morningpaw was left unsatisfied with that answer. She now wanted to know the reason behind Crookedstar's sudden desire to journey to Highstones to speak with StarClan. It must be about something important. Traveling to Highstones usually isn't made on a sudden whim. Morningpaw needed to know so that she may stay ahead of the curve and any future events that might be presenting themselves soon.
Before Morningpaw could inquire further, a shadow swooped over both she-cat's heads, a startling loud rapid squawk made the pair tense and quickly duck into the surrounding reeds. Crouching as low down as she could go, Morningpaw peeked out through the reeds only far enough for only her jade green eyes to see, watching with bated breath and terror as an enormous heron landed right in the spot where Morningpaw and Mistyfoot had just been training.
Morningpaw watched it cock its head, seemingly baffled as to where its prey had gone. Slowly, the long necked bird began walking through the reeds, it's long legs carrying the slate-gray body closer to Morningpaw's hiding place, the sleek, flame-pelted apprentice was frozen in place, if she moved now then she would give off her location to the heron, but if she stayed then she could be discovered. Just when Morningpaw was thinking of making a run for it, a large shadow loomed above her.
Morningpaw let out a cry of fear at the same moment as broad wings spread wide and a long, straight, and pointed bill dove for the helpless apprentice, who was overcome with fear. Morningpaw screeched in fear as she was picked up by her tail, being slung side to side by the power of the predator bird. Morningpaw was left dangling a few tail-lengths in the air for a couple of terrible heartbeat's. But then a miracle sent from StarClan appeared, yowls from all around pierced the air as Mistyfoot, Leopardfur, Stonefur and Whitepaw all appeared to pile on the heron that was about to take flight.
Leopardfur and Stonefur took each wing, preventing the heron from taking off with Morningpaw. Mistyfoot made an almost impossible leap and grabbed hold of Morningpaw's scruff, snatched the small apprentice right out of the heron's beak. But not before something snapped in her tail. The pain almost overtook Morningpaw's ability to focus, making her nearly miss Whitepaw sink his fangs deep into the heron's neck, snapping it like a willow branch. The heron let out a dying squawk as it fell to the ground. Whitepaw had impressively killed a heron. Though they had all saved Morningpaw's life.
Mistyfoot held tight to Morningpaw's scruff, refusing to let go of her apprentice before it was confirmed that the heron was truly dead. Once confirmed, the shaken flame-colored apprentice was set down gently amongst a patch of reeds and was quickly surrounded on all sides by her warrior Clanmates, all whom were worried about her wellbeing.
"Is she alright?" Leopardfur demanded over Mistyfoot's shoulder, as Mistyfoot was checking over her apprentice. "Did it hurt her?"
"I think it just broke her tail." Stonefur meowed from beside his sister, peering closely at the small apprentice's plumy tail that was clearly visibly broken near the tip.
"She's lucky." Mistyfoot meowed, letting out a shaky sigh of relief. "If you all hadn't appeared then I don't think I would have been able to rescue her all on my own."
"Lucky indeed." Leopardfur snorted. "Whitepaw spotted it flying around and insisted we come find you. Glad he did." Leopardfur's gaze softened as she looked back over her shoulder.
Numbly, as if in a dreamlike trance, Morningpaw slowly turned her head to follow the usually fierce tempered warriors gaze. Whitepaw was rooted in place beside the dead heron's head. His jaws still locked around its neck, blood seeping through his fangs and down his throat, turning his muscular dark brown chest and front snowy-white paws a startling shade of red. A demented, dangerous spark was in his amber eyes as he released the bird's neck, making its head fall to the dirt with a wet smack sound as it made impact with the ground.
Whitepaw abruptly turned on his paws and stalked his way towards Morningpaw, a new look of concern overtaking the previous hatred filled one. Stonefur stepped aside, allowing Whitepaw space to check over his fellow apprentice and friend. Making sure for himself that she was alright and going to be fine.
"Crookedstar might need to change your warrior name to Crookedtail now." Whitepaw meowed, sounding half hysterical and half joking.
Leopardfur came to cuff her apprentice over the ears. "Calm down," Leopardfur growled. "Morningpaw is going to be fine once we get her to Mudfur. He'll fix her right up."
Whitepaw vigorously nodded. Seeming to hang onto every word his mentor spoke.
Morningpaw was then picked up this time by Stonefur. The stocky, pale blue-gray warrior tipped his battle-scarred ears in the direction of the island and the group of five decided to unanimously head back to camp to report the incident.
They were met back at camp by a group of warriors that surrounded Oakheart. The large, thick reddish-brown furred deputy's broad head snapped towards their group, his clear amber eyes clouded with worry as his massive paws stomped over to meet the group and carefully nosed through Morningpaw's fur as she hung limply in the air.
"Really? You can't avoid trouble for one day, I should have been expecting this by now. It's been too quiet with you recently. Guess you'll be spending quite a while in the medicine cat's den. Luckily Mudfur set aside your own nest in his den."
Oakheart then turned his gaze away from his inspection on Morningpaw to then instead talk with the rest of the group. "What happened? Why is Morningpaw like this?"
"We were attacked by a heron." Mistyfoot meowed, her still worried gaze meeting her father's. Perhaps it was how calming her father's presence was but Mistyfoot calmed down as she kept speaking. "During our training session we were preyed upon by a heron. It nearly got Morningpaw. Whitepaw ended up killing it however."
Oakheart turned to look down at the other apprentice, impressed by his heroic actions, though Morningpaw's friend suddenly seemed to have found great interest in the sand as their deputy paid him attention.
"Whitepaw fought like a Leopard." Morningpaw rasped, wanting to make it clear to Oakheart just how much Whitepaw had truly saved her.
Leopardfur made a sound of agreement. Looking proud of her apprentice. "Yes, like a true warrior."
Oakheart then glanced at his son, waving his tail. "Take Morningpaw to Mudfur's den. I expect he has a nest made up specially for Morningpaw."
Morningpaw scowled as Stonefur took her away. Though the exasperated look she gets from Mudfur as she is brought in and ushered in a specially made nest just for her puts her in her place.
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Morningpaw watched from the sidelines alongside Mudfur as Crookedstar gathered the Clan around for a warriors ceremony.
Already the excitement warred with the melancholy feeling of countless other warrior ceremonies she had witnessed and conducted during her last life. Morningpaw could hardly remember the last warrior ceremony she had performed. Though she bet that it did not matter. Not when this warrior ceremony was about her best friend finally becoming a warrior.
Morningpaw jade-green eyes stare with pride as Whitepaw nervously shuffled in place. It was cute the way he acted all bashful and shy when he should be standing with his chin held high for all his wonderful achievements. Whitepaw deserved this more than anyone else.
As if sensing Morningpaw's overwhelming pride in him, Whitepaw relaxed and straightened up, clearly showing more excitement and anticipation.
Crookedstar also seemed to sense the anticipation and decided to not to wait a moment longer to commence the ceremony.
"Whitepaw risked his life to save Morningpaw yesterday. You showed courage and strength and loyalty. I see no need for an assessment. Leopardfur and Frogleap have both told me how much progress you've made this past moon. You've done more than enough to earn your warrior name. From this moment on, you shall be known as Whiteclaw."
"Whiteclaw!"
"Whiteclaw! Whiteclaw! Whiteclaw!"
"Whiteclaw."
The newly named Whiteclaw was crowded by his Clanmates, being congratulated on becoming a warrior. He humbly accepted each of their congratulations with a tilt to the head. Though his eyes seemed to search the crowd of cats till they fell on Morningpaw. His amber eyes seemed to shine brighter.
Morningpaw was beyond happy for her best friend.
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Fun Facts:
There it is folks!!! The iconic broken tail that I've put in my stories!!!
Morningpaw and Whiteclaw are such great friends! They would do anything for each other!
Whiteclaw is finally a warrior. Had to come up with an interesting way to make him become one after all the wild things he had been up to!!!
Yes! Morningpaw, Whiteclaw, Silverstream and a few others are all going to Highstones!!! How that's going to go…it's gonna go crazy!!! Though why I wonder would Crookedstar want to go to the Moonstone? That's for me to know!!!
Also I'm starting to realize a theme where Morningpaw is constantly ending up in the medicine cat's den. That was only supposed to be a few times, not every other chapter. But it just feels right!!! I now wonder what it would be like if I had an AU where a time traveling reincarnated female Firestar ends up becoming a medicine cat instead…NO, I cannot do another AU again!!!