[Fawn]

curiosity is not a sin...

...but we should exercise caution with our curiosity

Shadowchaser

Herbs were sorted, and given to the cats set to travel to the Moon Tree tonight. It wasn't long after sunhigh, and as Shadowchaser looked over the groggy-eyed warriors who were usually sleeping at this time, he couldn't resist a little chortle of amusement. Due to the threat of foxes after that horrific Gathering, the usual two-cat patrol had been doubled - even with only one medicine cat going.

Shadowchaser hadn't felt comfortable going, and leaving NightClan without a healer - even if it was just for one day. The seasons were changing, and while the forest was now full of color and crisp air, it was also full of... anticipation. The forest was pregnant with suspense, and Shadowchaser couldn't shake those feelings away so easily. Or maybe... Maybe he felt dread. Maybe he felt guilt over misinterpreting StarClan's message so tragically. Those thoughts were pushed aside. Now wasn't the time to dwell on those things.

The walnut-pelted tom saw them off with a gentle wave of his tail, feeling the last of the greenleaf sun warm his hide as he stood just outside of NightClan's entrance. "Safe travels, everyone. May StarClan light your path."

While the sunlight was still overhead, Shadowchaser intended to take an escort of his own for herb-foraging; couldn't hurt to be overstocked. After the Gathering - just thinking about it made him shudder - there was no such thing as being too cautious.

medicine cat of nightclan

| jk rowling | background image | table by phoenix

@poptart Fate of Five Staff BlooRey DVD @zen Hellion williams Justice

Note: Shadowchaser will not be attending this season, and Sandblaze will be played by staff or treated as a background NPC to make the ceremony go faster.

Dewpaw will become a fully fledged medicine cat, so let's make sure we get this thread done!

[Deleted]

Smokefur wasn't at all surprised that Shadowchaser had elected not to attend the medicine cat meeting after the tragedy that had befallen the last gathering. She had taken note that the young tom could be slightly reactionary at times, a trait found in many of her clan-mates made clearly evident by the enlarged patrol that would be escorting her to the moon tree. Smokefur had long ago learned not to dwell on the past, a philosophy that Shadowchaser had always struggled to embrace. It mattered not to Smokefur however, as Shadowchaser was a grown tom and would be afforded the luxury of choosing his own path. As the patrol left and journeyed through clan territory Smokefur was acutely aware of the tension each of her escorts held, something she refused to succumb to as she admired the beauty of the forest during leaf-fall. If anything she found the sight of the warriors clearly on edge amusing and was thankful for the distraction it provided keeping her mind off her joints. Not so soon after the patrol arrived at their destination, without so much as a whiff of fox, and Smokefur found herself unsurprised. Dismissing her escorts the medicine cat settled in to wait for the rest of her peers to arrive.

Word Count: 211

Tags: Fate of Five Staff BlooRey DVD @zen Hellion williams Justice  Fawn

Notes:

[Deleted]

As Tigerpaw helped Kindleflare prepare traveling herbs, he did his best just to focus on the task. A patrol of four warriors would be going with them, a precaution after the horrifying fox attack at the Gathering. The ginger tom shuddered as he thought about it. He still had nightmares about Dawnblossom, about the scent of blood and fox and teeth tearing a horrible wound into the moon. It was so clear now just what StarClan had been trying to tell him. But it frightened him and he done his best not to think about it. He shouldn't have done that. There was more to being a medicine cat than herbs and sickness. He understood now what his sister had meant, and he couldn't help but wonder if the medicine cats had done enough to try and stop the tragedy that had occurred. If he had gotten a warning, surely all the others had as well? Could they have prevented it, with their combined knowledge, with all the warning StarClan had given them? Or was it unpreventable, and it had simply been a warning so they could prepare for the aftermath?

And what new terror might StarClan share with him this time?

He and Kindleflare set each bundle of herbs before their escort and after everyone had finished, two of the warriors took the lead out of camp. He stuck close to Kindleflare's side, ears twitching and eyes wide as he kept glancing around, starting at every noise in the tall grass and letting out soft squeaks of fear, his paranoia about the foxes only growing worse the farther from camp they went. Kindleflare would lay her tail over his flank and give his ear a quick lick, encouragement and reassurance, but it did little for his racing heart. By the time they reached the cavern that housed the Moon Tree, he was panting, already exhausted by his fear, and with a hesitant look back at their escort as Kindleflare parted from them, he followed his mentor to where Smokefur already sat waiting.

Shadowchaser wasn't there.

Tigerpaw's pelt pricked with alarm as he hurried to sit between the two she-cats. The fact that Smokefur was from NightClan did not matter tonight. No NightClan cat was scarier than a horde of foxes, especially not a medicine cat. His voice rose in pitch, a product of his fear, as he spoke, “Sh-Shadowchaser is okay, isn't he?” He peered over at Smokefur with wide eyes, his stub of a tail quivering. The tom had been kind at the last meeting. Foxes hadn't gotten him too, had they?

Hellion williams Justice @poptart BlooRey DVD

[BlooRey DVD]

Ginger paws padded over familiar territory, though tonight the air seemed stagnant. Each of the six cats present, two medicine cats and four escorts, could undoubtedly feel the dark presence of recent events looming over them. Although the ginger and white healer did her best to steady her thundering heart for the sake of her apprentice, fear and sorrow still pricked at the fur along her back. For tonight, she knew of one medicine cat who would no longer walk among them. The Gathering, a time of supposed peace, had brought nothing but panic to all. And to some, it had delivered the swift claw strike of death. Swallowing bile at the memory of Dawnblossom's untimely end, Kindleflare glanced toward Tigerpaw as the young tom emitted a sound reflecting her own fear. Scrabbling for a reassuring smile, the LightningClan healer draped her tail over Tigerpaw's flank and pressed her shoulder closer to his. Dark amber eyes darted to the powerful black and white form of Nightstep as he headed the patrol. Her brother had refused to not be a part of this patrol, not after what had transpired at the Gathering. Kindleflare did feel a drip of comfort knowing her brother was here, though at the same time, she wished he were safe back at camp. As the Moon Tree's cavern drew into view, Kindleflare attempted to straighten her shoulders and dispel any remaining fear. Sharp yellow eyes glanced over her worriedly, but the medicine cat smiled shakily back at her sibling. "W-We shall d-depart from you h-here. You m-may wait f-for us nearby." She mewed, and despite the clear dislike in his gaze, the tuxedo tom nodded his head. With a tap of her tail to Tigerpaw's shoulder, Kindleflare guided her apprentice toward Smokefur's singular form. She felt a small prickle of alarm at the lack of NightClan's second medicine cat, but before she could say anything, Tigerpaw had voiced her concern. Lowering herself into a sit and dipping her head in greeting to Smokefur, Kindleflare waited quietly for some form of response.

Hellion williams Justice Fawn @poptart @zen
Note: 61 moons old

[Hellion]

[smear:ffffff]Swanfeather[/smear:343B4F]

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living

90 Moons || Medicine Cat of RainClan || She-Cat

"A nap should ease my joints," Swanfeather decided as she finished prepping the traveling herbs. There wasn't much left to be done and plenty of time to spare. Toward her nest she limped, groaning slightly before settling down and curling up. Sleep came to her quickly, calling her gently and pulling her into something almost rejuviating

However, her nap became fitful in the blink of an eye.

Dreams had become a rarity for her since the loss of her connection to StarClan. So when she stumbled into some sort of dream her first thought was that she had died in her sleep. Panic rose up in her chest, prompting her physical body to thrash in her sleep. Calling out to anyone to appear she started to walk but stopped immediately. Soft crunching noises caught her attention. Looking down she saw the smallest dewdrops had changed into crystals, glittering all the nearby leaves. Even the distant shape of trees seemed to glitter in whatever light source was shining in her dream. Creating a small circle she felt the faintest wind fluff up her fur, pulling her attention toward the distant tree. For a brief moment there was a feline-shape standing near the base but before she could call out to them she woke, gasping for breath.

Lurching upward despite the protest of her aching muscles, Swanfeather felt unrested. Heading out of her den she went right for the nearby creek to drink. The sun was just starting to set and if they planned on making it in decent time in her condition they needed to leave soon. Calling for Dewpaw and the decided warriors to escort them, Swanfeather brought the herbs out of the den and waited for the party to gather. Her expression was one of exhausted pride. Dewpaw was to be made to a full medicine cat at the gathering, she felt it strong in her heart that the dream before had been a sign for what her name should be. It would take the long and hopefully quiet trip for her to fully decipher it, but it would be worth it.

--

Arrival at the Moontree came as a relief. The gathered cats would prove witness to Dewpaw's achievements. Dismissing her warrior escort she headed for the middle of the cats, clearing her throat she called for their attention.

"I would like to have your attention. It is my honor as RainClan's medicine cat to name us a new full medicine cat with Starclan's blessing." Flicking her tail she beckoned Dewpaw closer, her tired eyes smiling despite her face stern.

"I, Swanfeather, call upon my warrior ancestors to look upon my apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help, she will serve RainClan for many moons." Her voice became strained. The realization that her own moons were coming to an end hit her, prompting the elderly she-cat to look toward the half-moon hanging in the sky.

"Dewpaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of the medicine cat, stand apart from Clan rivalry and protect all cats equally?"Uphold the very vow I broke," She wanted to add but kept those six words to herself. Waiting for Dewpaw's reply prompted her to scan the crowd briefly.

Did the other's know? Could they see how far Swanfeather had strayed? How desperate she became to make it all right before her time was up.

Ears flicking at Dewpaw's reply, Swanfeather let her stern expression shift to that of pride.

"By the power of StarClan I name you Dewfrost. StarClan honors your compassion and dedication, and welcome you as a full medicine cat of RainClan," Her voice again wavered as she went forward to touch her muzzle to Dewfrost's head, whispering "I'm proud of you,"

I dreamed that love would never die

WORDS || williams Justice || I know that Falcon isn't present yet but i wanted it to happen before i got busy again. just assume falcon is present if justice is okay with that

[williams]

dewfrost,

There was an energy to Dewpaw's paws she could not place. It was often that her paws had too much energy. She had been an energetic kit, and even as a medicine cat's apprentice, Swanfeather probably grew several moons greyer just at how quick her apprentice seemed to move all the time. Like the rushing river, Dewpaw didn't want to stop moving, fearing that if she stopped, she would miss something. Something called to her, and now that she was older, the she-cat knew it was probably the threads of Starclan weaving their way back into Rainclan's daily lives. She had to gently nudge them to their correct destinations, a skill she had learned from Frostfang in their meetings.

So, Dewpaw did. Her day rushed by, a fast-pace compared to the slow deliberation her mentor seemed to make, standing at the edges of Dewpaw's vision but never interacting. Dewpaw by now had learned to accept that, her mentor's affections shown through her words rather than actions. Once or twice, the she-cat remembered giving Swanfeather a smile, a confirmation that they were still inhabiting the same space, but then she was swept away in something else.

Their walk to the Moon Tree was the slowest Dewpaw thought all day. She kept at Swanfeather's side dutifully, a quiet support that she hoped her mentor would accept. Her mind though, traveled past their paws, excited to meet Frostfang, tell him about Swanfeather, about her day, about the foxes. This fast pace of thought only stopped when Swanfeather got everyone's attention. Dewpaw tilted her head in confusion. Swanfeather only said hello, she didn't address the group, so, what was happening. Then the words settled over her, a comforting blanket that spoke volumes of Swanfeather's love for her apprentice, more than any gesture ever would.

"Dewpaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of the medicine cat, stand apart from Clan rivalry and protect all cats equally?"Do you promise to restore what was lost?

"I do." Her response was strong, the voice of her father, the love of her mother shining through. This was the little kit that stood between Rushwhisker and Swanfeather, ready to meet her destiny. She had reached Starclan for Rainclan, and her name representing that. Dewfrost

"I'm proud of you." Underneath the noise, a purr rose up, practically vibrating Dewfrost's entire self. Her words jammed in her throat but her blue eyes said it all: thank you Swanfeather they said.

416

words

Justice @poptart Fate of Five Staff BlooRey DVD @zen Hellion

***