A paw prodded Nightpaw until he open one eye. He saw Littlepaw looking at him.
"Time to get up. The way to the Moonstone is long so we got to get there early. After all it takes Runningnose all day to get there, despite us not having to cross any other clan territories." He went to wake up Turtlepaw while Nightpaw gave a yawn and stretch.
He blink slowly as he walk outside. He saw Ashfoot stepping outside, her head turn to mew something to Morningflower. He begin to wash when he notice her looking at him. She walk towards him, and he finish washing, ears flicking nervously.
"You the kittypet right? I heard the others talking about you. Guess we are both strangers in this clan. I also heard you was on the patrol that discovered our camp. You didn't happen to see any cats there?" She ask softly with concern in her eyes.
There must be a cat she is worry about. Nightpaw thought as he answer. "No. The camp was completely empty. There was fresh kill but didn't see anyone there. Maybe Brokenstar will send another patrol to check it out more fully before we leave. Yes I'm the former kittypet." He put emphasis on the word former.
Her eyes flash as she notice but didn't say anything about it. She smile at him before Runningnose interrupt them. He is holding three leaf wraps.
"Ah there you are, Nightpaw. Got traveling herbs for you." He drop a leaf wrap in front of him before turning to Ashfoot. "Hello Ashfoot. How have you been adjusting? Is Eaglekit alright?" He put down the other two leaf wraps that he was holding.
"Yes he is fine. I miss the taste of rabbits so going to ask Brokenstar if he can send a hunting party. I will give him permission so there should be no trouble. It is hard to make my kit sleep when he see everyone else is awake. Thank you for checking up on him when we arrive. Nice talking to you, Nightpaw. Should head to talk to Brokenstar before patrols are sent." Ashfoot went to Brokenstar den with her tail dragging behind her.
He watch her go inside, feeling sorry for the fierce queen. He knew what it like to be an outsider. But to have your whole clan gone is something he hoped will never happen to him or the clan. Despite most of the clan accepting him, he still feels a separation between him and the others.
"Must be hard to get kick out of your own home. I will check on them later. Anyway, where is Turtlepaw and Littlepaw? Brokenstar, Mintshade and Marigoldfur already got their herbs." Runningnose murmur as he glance at him, concern in his eyes.
"Right here." Turtlepaw and Littlepaw both walk outside, with their fur already groomed. Nightpaw gave a small sniff, not liking the bitter scent. Maybe I should wait for them to eat it first. Won't be my first time dealing with poison.
"Here is your herbs. Littlepaw, what herbs are in it?" Runningnose asks as he drop them.
Littlepaw gave a small sniff before eating it. "Sorrel, daisy, chamomile and burnet. It keeps the hunger at bay and gives you energy." He grimace at the taste.
Nightpaw ears flatten as he saw the pity glance that Runningnose gave him. He quickly ate his, hoping others didn't notice his hesitation. "Why can't we just eat fresh kill?" He asks while trying to get rid of the taste.
"It's a way to purify our body when we go talk to our ancestors in Starclan. Think of it like a test before we can communicate. You can handle one day of not eating right?" Marigoldfur walk up to them with Mintshade behind her. She gave a small sniff before walking towards the entrance tunnel.
"That makes sense, I guess." He mumble as Brokenstar left his den.
"Don't mind her. She is just nervous. Leaders don't visit the Moonstone unless it is important." Mintshade gave a friendly blink before joining her.
"Blackfoot, take care of the clan. Ashfoot did give us permission but don't go overboard. Keep an eye on both Thunderclan and Riverclan. You know how they get when they think we are the villains." Brokenstar was meowing as he walk towards the group.
"Ready? Follow close to us apprentices, as it is your first time heading to the Moonstone." He pad quickly out the tunnel with the others close behind. Nightpaw follow besides Littlepaw who grin as they walk towards Carrionplace. He never going to get used to the stink as they went pass it. The ground is soft on his paw pads though he begin to get tired due to how long they been walking. His paws begin hurting but he kept it to himself as he didn't want the others to think of him as weak. Soon they reach the edge of the territory. Brokenstar stop, looking behind him to see how they were holding up. There was a small thunderpath leading to Carrionplace.
"Monsters don't come on this path often. They just drop their rubbish and leaves. Look across and you should see highstones." He said as he sat down.
"What is beyond highstones?" Turtlepaw asks as her eyes sparkle with wonder as she stare at the mountains. Nightpaw sat down to catch his breath, looking at the others, seeing they weren't as tired as he is. He can see that they been walking for hours due to the position of the sun. The sun was just rising when they left, but now it seems to be close to setting. No one spoke during the journey and he was busy keeping pace with the others. Nightpaw look at the highstones, trying to see the top as he clean his paws.
"Some say there are animals that live in those mountains. A huge cat, like a lion without the fur around it neck. But that just stories." Nightpaw jump as Littlepaw whisper to him.
"No one knows. There are rumors of course." Brokenstar answer as he shot a glare at Littlepaw who quickly shut his muzzle. "But we don't need to know. Our clans have lived in the territories for years and we have no reason to leave."
"Besides why should we ever travel? Our territory has everything we need." Mintshade added as Marigoldfur gave a curt nod.
"After we rest, we will continue to the Moonstone. We must make it before the moon rises. You will understand why." Brokenstar look to Nightpaw before walking across the small thunderpath towards highstones.
He motion to Nightpaw to join him as they walk across the path. He caught Turtlepaw's curious gaze as he walk through the group to walk besides Brokenstar. His tail tip twitch a bit as he wonder if he was in trouble.
"I understand that you don't believe in Starclan. That is why tonight, I'm giving you permission to come with me to the Moonstone. Seeing is believing and you need this to understand. After tonight your life will change. Are you ready for this? You can back out if you want." He glance sideways at him.
"What do I need to do? Since it is called the Moonstone, I'm guessing it a huge rock. What is going to happen when I go there?" He hate how small his voice became but he can't help the nervousness in him. It was like he got fleas in his pelt trying to break out.
"You will share with Starclan. Just lie down and touch your nose to the stone. Starclan will share with you. Don't be afraid as they mean you no harm. I don't know what they will share with you as it is different for every cat. But we must not talk until we are out of the cave. You can share your vision with me or Runningnose as they aren't always clear." Brokenstar stop at the entrance to a cave.
He didn't notice how close they were. The stones underneath his paws reminded him of Twolegplace so he was used to hard surfaces. Looking behind him, he saw the others wince and begin digging the grits and stones from their paw pads. He sat down and begin to work on his own.
"You can hunt around here but need to be back before the moon rises." Marigoldfur said as she look at the apprentices.
Mintshade and the others left to go hunt while Brokenstar, Marigoldfur and Nightpaw sat down. He look at the cave entrance, feeling like his world is about to turn upside down. He can smell nothing or hear anything from the cave. His ear twitch as Brokenstar begin to pace, glancing at the sky. He didn't know how much time has pass when a paw prod him and he jump with a small hiss.
"Easy. It is just us. Want to share these mice? They were so slow, like they never been hunted before." Littlepaw mew with four mice in his mouth.
"What were you thinking about? Seem so deep in thought." Turtlepaw asks as Littlepaw pass the mice around.
"Brokenstar want me to go with him to the Moonstone. He knows I don't believe and I'm wondering what I'm going to see. I decided to go since believing is seeing." He huff softly, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He begin to eat.
"So lucky. Though it makes sense. We grew up on Starclan but to you, it seems like stories. I wish I can see the Moonstone." Turtlepaw voice carry a hint of jealousy as she tear into her mouse.
"Don't worry Turtlepaw. Every apprentice will share dreams with Starclan before we become warriors. It is a rite of passage so to speak. At least that what Mossclaw told me before he became a warrior. He is the youngest warrior. But for Nightpaw, this is important." Littlepaw assure her. "This way he can be a true Shadowclan warrior. Besides what if he wants to be leader? All Leaders have to share with Starclan to get their name and lives." He continue with an earnest look over his shoulder at Brokenstar.
Leader? I didn't even think of that. I just want to fit in and become a warrior. Wouldn't that mean both Brokenstar and Blackfoot have to die? Before his anxiety can spike, Brokenstar stood up.
"It's time. Marigoldfur, Nightpaw and Littlepaw will go in with me. Mintshade and Turtlepaw will stand guard outside. Keep your nose on the tail of the cat in front of you. It is very dark within the tunnel." He is standing in front of the entrance with Marigoldfur behind him. Nightpaw stood behind her and felt Littlepaw's excited breath on his tail tip.
As they walk, he couldn't believe how dark it is. He know his eyes are open but he might as well be blind. Brokenstar sometimes murmur as he led the way, warning them of a tight squeeze or turn. He begin to wonder if they will ever reach the cave when fresh air tickle his whiskers. Soon he felt the space open up but it was still dark. At least they can stand shoulder to shoulder now.
"Wait for it." Marigoldfur whisper as she move aside to let them through. Looking up, he saw stars in a hole above the cave so it wasn't completely dark like the tunnels. Suddenly a flash of blinding light lit up the Moonstone and he closed his eyes against the glare. He open them and his mouth drop open. The Moonstone lit up the cave, where Brokenstar and the others' fur glowed silver in the light.
"Quickly, we mustn't waste the moonlight. Nightpaw, lay close to me and put your nose on the stone." Brokenstar lay down and did it himself as he join him.
A cold chill enter his body when he touch the stone and he close his eyes. After a few moments, he wonder if he was doing it right. Opening his eyes, he saw that the cave is gone and he is in a grass meadow. He roll in the grass and pat it with his paws. It felt like real grass. He sniff and it smell like he was outside. Looking up, he saw the night sky full of stars. Blinking, he saw the stars begin to move and they fell in front of him, turning into shapes of cats. A white cat with long whiskers and gentle blue eyes pad towards him while the others left. It seem Starclan cats fur glimmer like they have stars in their pelt.
"Welcome to Starclan, little one. My name is Sagewhisker and I was the pevious medicine cat before Runningnose. Starclan elected me to come to you since you didn't believe until now. Follow me and come quickly as the place is far." Sagewhisker begin to run and the scenery begin to change from grass meadows to mountains and he felt like they was running for miles.
Despite the running, he didn't feel tired at all. They came across what look like a twolegplace with houses and roads but no monsters. Is this where kittypets go? His eyes widened as he saw a pure white cat with wild fur walking around. His father! Last he saw his father, he got hit by a monster while crossing the Thunderpath. He was sitting on a fence and it happened so fast that he couldn't react.
"I assume he can tell you what you want to know better than I can." Sagewhisker purr at his face as his father begin to run towards them.
"Welcome back Sagewhisker. If it isn't midnight. Heard you join the clans. Don't worry about the others as I'm keeping a good eye on them. I have to tell you this. Listen carefully." His father eyes went completely white and he spoke with more voices than his own.
"Beware the claw that hunts the sun, for only shadows can smother it's fury." Nightpaw tilt his head in confusion.
"Dad? What does that mean?" He asks as Sagewhisker begin to push him away. They ran back to Starclan hunting grounds.
"Fluffy is going to join us here. It is time for you to go. Remember the prophecy." Sagewhisker repeat it once more before he felt his body becoming heavy.
Slowly opening his eyes, he saw everyone looking down at him. He try to speak but Marigoldfur quickly place her tail on his muzzle. Oh right. Can't speak until they leave the cave. Brokenstar lead the way back out and it seem quicker this time. Soon they reach the exit and only words Brokenstar said is hurry. Looking up, Nightpaw saw the sun is rising and realize they spent the whole night there. No wonder medicine cats aren't back until the next day. As they ran, he saw Turtlepaw giving him a glance every now and then. They stop before the path, taking a small break.
"What's going on?" Mintshade asks as they catch their breath. Brokenstar glance at them before answering.
"Raggedstar told me we would be under attack when we return. Either by the rogues or Thunderclan. Maybe even both. So we must get back as quick as possible." His eyes narrow as he ran off.
As they ran, Nightpaw saw Turtlepaw besides him. "So what did you see?" She whisper as she glance at the warriors ahead of them. Littlepaw was on his other side.
Quickly filling them in, he watch as their eyes got big with wonder and excitement. "Tonight we need to get everyone together. Maybe we can figure out what they meant." He whisper back as he stare forward determinedly. Soon sounds of fighting was heard as they near the camp.
They stop as they saw a mass battle going on in front of the entrance. In fact Flintfang is blocking the tunnel, clawing any rogue that came too close.
Brokenstar jump into the battle as he claw a large brown tom off of Wetpaw. Mintshade and Marigoldfur both help out Yellowfang who is fighting a skinny tortoiseshell tom with a spiked collar. Nightpaw saw Swampcloud backing away from the same ginger tom that was clawing his brother. Seeing red, he ran towards the fight, and bit the rogue leg. He felt satisfied as he taste blood and heard the rogue let out a pained yowl. Swampcloud didn't waste the distraction and claw his cheek. Letting out an angry hiss, he let go, jump on the rogue back and begin clawing it, jumping off when the rogue try to fall on him. He landed besides Swampcloud as the rogue quickly stood back up.
"Seems Snag found some more prey. Wait, I know you. You was the one who claw up Scraps real good. Been wanting to repay the favor." He hiss.
"All you going to get is scars." Nightpaw hiss back as he charge at Snag. He aim a claw which Snag dodge but Swampcloud came at him on the other side. With a nod to each other, they team up and force Snag back towards the middle of the battle. As the battle raged, a brown and white tabby molly call out a retreat.
"Bloodclan retreat! We did our job. We are done here." Soon many cats break apart and ran back towards Twolegplace.
Swampcloud and Nightpaw look at each other in confusion. Blackfoot look around, seeing Brokenstar and the others that came back.
"They been attacking for a while. And then as you seen, they run away. No idea what their end goal is but no patrols had been out yet. Seem they trying to get us tired. Everyone who need healing, go to the medicine den. Those who can, go on hunting patrols." Blackfoot sat down and begin to lick his wounds.
"You did good, Nightpaw. I can see why he wants you to take a warrior's assessment soon. Thought he was just bragging. After all you haven't been training long." Swampcloud gave him a friendly bump before leaving to hunt.
Looking around, he didn't see Littlepaw or Turtlepaw. Hearing a muffled voice behind a tree, he reach it and saw quite a sight. Both Littlepaw and Turtlepaw is holding down a white furred molly with green eyes. Turtlepaw had a paw on the molly's head, pushing her down so her mouth is in the ground. It was the molly's voice he heard before.
"Nightpaw! Found this one trying to spy on us. She thought she could hide behind this tree when the others left. Help us drag her to the others." Turtlepaw's eyes is full of relief when she saw him.
"We had to use our skills to get the jump on her. Here, take my place while I go get a warrior. Wonder if I will become a warrior just for this." Littlepaw's eyes shine as he move so Nightpaw can take his place on holding down the molly body.
Nightpaw place his paws on her, noticing how she didn't seem to resist when he took his place. She raised her head and he was taken aback by the hatred in her eyes.
"Thought you clan cats are honorable. Let me go you fox hearts!" The molly hissed as Turtlepaw force her head back down.
"She been saying stuff like that for a while." Turtlepaw said as she met his curious glance.
"Why do Bloodclan hate us? What did we do to them? We don't deal with Twolegplace. We are only defending ourselves. Nightpaw look down at the molly whose eyes was closed. Being suspicious, he dug his claws into her side, forcing her to wince.
"Those are excellent questions, Nightpaw. Good job, Turtlepaw and Littlepaw." Brokenstar voice sounded as he look up, seeing them approach. Brokenstar walk up with Rowanberry, Ratscar and Stumpytail. Littlepaw is in front of them, leading the way.
"Let her up. Can't see her clearly with you both on her. Bloodclan cat. Don't even think of running." Ratscar hiss as they surrounded her.
She slowly got up, blinking slowly with her body tense as she look around. Nightpaw and Turtlepaw both step away after letting her go. He saw her freeze when her eyes met Ratscar. Everyone watch as Ratscar mouth drop open.
"Snow?!"