"*To Become True*"

[whitepaw]

Littleleaf shook with nervousness as she padded through the forest. She had not gone to the gathering, but had gone to the moonpool instead. Littleleaf thought of what could've happened to her dear mentor, had he died or just vanished? Littleleaf awoke and he had disappeared. Thinking Darksoul had just gone searching for herbs or whatnot Littleleaf pushed it away. After several days, Littleleaf had become worried. No messages from Starclan, nothing. And that is why Littleleaf had gone to talk to Smallstar. Littleleaf had requested to go to the moonpool to become a true medicine cat. She was to leave the day of the gathering with an escort.

Littleleaf hadn't walked very far when she thought of all this, and when she awoke form daydreaming she finally felt the frost nipping at her feet. Littleleaf whimpered and lifted her feet, fluffing out all her fur so she could block the cold. The wind whispered around Littleleaf as if Starclan was trying to speak to her. Almost begging, Littleleaf cried,
"Where! What are you trying to say?" Littleleaf sighed. What a long journey to make, and she wondered where her traveling friend was. Probably behind her.

Littleleaf's eyes were swollen and tired, and her legs felt like jell-o. Littleleaf felt unusually tired, perhaps because she had been so busy preparing the other cats for the gathering. Ever since Darksoul's disappearance, Littleleaf had been stressing if she was doing everything right. Littleleaf always worried if she lost herbs, misplaced deathberries or gave the wrong herb. All this had led Littleleaf to little sleep, she was exhausted and stressed. Littleleaf was certain to get to the Moonpool and prove she was the true medicine cat and was truly chosen by Starclan. After all, she had found little leaves, unusually small, near the medicine cat's den. Littleleaf was delighted, and knew she had to be true. There was still a journey to be made, and Littleleaf couldn't bear to think about her frost-bitten paws and freezing pelt. This led Littleleaf to starting a conversation, perhaps she would be liked more if she had a relationship with cats in the clan? Littleleaf slowed her pace to match her traveling partner's.
"So, you don't mind going on this trip instead of the gathering?" Littleleaf asked, trying to sound natural.

(I used other cat and traveling partner etc. .because I forgot who was going with her :P)

[Fernpaw]

((It's fine. ^^))

The red she-cat stared angrily ahead as she sloshed out of camp behind the Medicine Cat. To think, she of all warriors was the escort to the stupid furball of a Medicine Cat Apprentice no less! Smallstar must have bees for brains if she thought Russetfur would [/i]love[/i] to do this! Of course she would have nothing better to do on a full moon than play body guard for a few hours. Russetfur's hard amber eyes were narrowed into slits and burning into the toriteshell pelt a few tail lengths in front of her. The warrior growled under breath and walked slowly on behind Littleleaf.

"So, you don't mind going on this trip instead of the gathering?"

"No of course not, anything to help out my clan," she spat crossly and continued to glare at the forest ahead with the she-cat by her side.

While the Russetfur was glaring at the forest ahead of her she stopped paying attention to where she put her paws and ended up placing her hind paws on a thin dirt ledge that crumpled away from beneath her paws. The thin furred warrior let out a startled yowl as her hindquarters slid out from underneath her and she began to slide down the muddy bank toward the swollen lake.

"Meow!" Russetfur reached up with her front claws and dug them into the soft earth, but could not get a grip. The warrior's amber eyes stretched wide as terror began to grip the she-cat she clawed helplessly at the mire, leaving deep furrows in the mire. The russet colored cat struggled in vain to try and propel herself upward with her hind legs. "Help me you stupid furball!" she screeched at the Medicine Cat Apprentice. All of her efforts only seemed to make her slid down faster until to tumble into the lake below.

The shock of the cold water forced the breath from the she-cats lungs as she plunged head long into the murky brown waters. Not knowing which way was up or down she clawed at the water and forced herself upward. When her grizzled head broke through the surface, Russetfur gulped down huge mouthfuls of air. Terror griped the long limbed warrior like a hawk's talons on a piece of prey, I don't know how to swim! The young warrior began to flail her paws around wildly, anything to stay afloat as she felt herself being dragged back under. StarClan help me!

A small black and white tom padded into her thoughts and whispered, "remember what I taught you, can do this!" Just as suddenly as the cat had come, he was gone. Then the memory all came back to her. It had been a warm day in Greenleaf just after the Gathering, Talonpaw and Russetpaw were out hunting when the black and white tom had stopped by the lake to bask in the sunshine for a few moments. "Hey, you want to go swimming," he had asked her. Russetpaw had stared at him with apprehension in her eyes and shook her head no. "Come on, I'll teach you. This RiverClan cat taught me how last night. It's as easy as hunting frogs in the marsh." Reluctantly she had agreed and joined him. They spent the rest of the afternoon swimming around in the shallows until they had been caught that is. They were in trouble for a whole moon! That had been the only time since she had gone for a swim.

Panting the warrior turned toward the shore and began to paddle her way closer back to safety. Her drenched fur weighed down her paws and was sapping her strength, if only I had been born RiverClan! The lake water was so choppy it made it hard to see very far as the dirty water stung her eyes and filled her nose and mouth. Gagging at the taste of it Russetfur continued to swim weakly toward shore. Finally she felt the prick of stones on hers pads as she reached the shallows once more. Too, tired to care she flopped onto the rocks on the shore, too tired to haul the rest of her body out of the water at the moment.

((Sorry for the long post and being so dramatic. =3 I just had so much muse for her, and besides she needed a way to be humiliated.))

[whitepaw]

Littleleaf padded along side Russetfur, waiting for the red pelted cat's repy. Russetfur seemed confused, or more angry at what she had to do. Littleleaf would understand why a cat like RUSSETFUR would like to join a gethering, but assisting a medicine cat apprentice, becoming a true medicine cat was a great honor wasn't it? It was, right? Littleleaf began to slip on the ice as they approached the lake, and drove her claws into a nearby branch. As she clung, she heard a yowl come from Russetfur. At the same moment it all came in a flash. Russetfur yowling and hissing for help, clawing herself up the lake bay. Losing grip, Russetfur slipped into the ice cold lake. Littleleaf's face was printed with horror.
"Russetfur!!"Littleleaf cried in terror.
Scrambling quickly across the icy terrain, Littleleaf reached the edge of the icy lake where she about fell in. Glazed eyes, Littleleaf could only hope Russetfur could swim. Littleleaf kept yowling out encouragement to Russetfur, only to hope she would reach bay quickly. Thinking back to her training, Littleleaf ran the herbs through her mind. Colds? First, Russetfur would have to be warmed. If she wasn't she could catch a terrible cold, greencough or whitecough. Possibly blackcough? Littleleaf then read the herbs through her mind. Aha! Lavender. That stock was low, and Feverfew also cured headaches. Perhaps things for ache joint from the swimming. Then a terrible thought flashed in Littleleaf's mind. What if Russetfur had broken a bone hitting a rock in the lake?!? Anyway, any herbs Littleleaf would have to travel far back to camp. She couldn't risk that. Sniffing around, Littleleaf found some feverfew near the shore. It was poor, very poor but it would have to do. Looking over her shoulder, Littleleaf was delighted to see Russetfur stagger out of the water safely, just tired.
"Russetfur! Thank Starclan!"Littleleaf leaped over to Russetfur quickly.
Almost at once Littleleaf lapped her tongue over Russetfur's fur. Her fur was wet, cold, and soggy. Pushing the bare herbs toward Russetfur she signaled with her tail for Russetfur to eat them, since she was busy licking her fur. Littleleaf gave one last lick then left it to Russetfur, if they got a move on then Russetfur could warm up. If Russetfur caught any other type of cold then Littleleaf would stop, but for now they had to get to the moonpool and recieve Littleleaf's true name. Galloping quickly over the icy surface, Littleleaf navigated through the freezing snow and ice to the moonpool. It was a little later until Littleleaf finally reached to moonpool, seeing the glistening water Littleleaf gasped and breathed in the smell. There were chunks of slush in the water, but almost immediatley Littleleaf dropped into a crouch on the cold floor and touched her nose to the now even colder water. Littleleaf ignored Russetfur for the moment, if she needed something Russetfur would have to find her. Littleleaf drifted into a sleep, seeing Starclan warriors appear before her. . .
"I-I can't believe it,"Littleleaf gasped aloud. This was a better image, more beautiful than she had ever seen before. The Starclan warriors, medicine cats! So many cats Littleleaf had heard of from a kit. Littleleaf couldn't believe her eyes.

[Fernpaw]

((Your fine, I love your post. ))

"Russetfur! Thank Starclan!"

Russetfur hissed as the little tortoiseshell came bounding over to her. The red warrior bared her teeth in a threat, but the Medicine cat Apprentice paid no attention to the she-cats threats. "Get away from me!" she hissed. Still Littleleaf continued to lap at her fur to try and warm her up. With a sigh she bent her head and chewed up the herbs in front of her paws. Russetfur flinched at the taste slightly as the bitter weed slid down her throat.

When the little Medicine Cat was finished she bounded away from Russetfur and started for the Moonpool with a nervous look in her crystal gaze. The warrior shrugged off the look from her thoughts, but another gazed full of concern flooded her mind's eye and would not leave. The image of those two eyes would be burned into her soul forever. Impatiently she shook her head to clear her thoughts.

With her thoughts now clear and focused she hared after Littleleaf as her dappled tail disappeared from view. The cold wind whipped through her sodden fur, but the warmth generated from running through the forest made it not as harsh.

At last, the two cats reached their destination, the Moon Pool. Littleleaf wasted no time in waling down the tumble of rocks to the icy pool below. Russetfur watched quietly at the top as the dappled she-cat stretched her head forward to lap at the glittering surface. When the little medicine cat walked with StarClan the russet cat picked her way carefully as her paws slipped on the icy surface.

On silent paws she walked to the edge of the half frozen water and glanced down at her reflection. The cat who gazed back at her with steady eyes was not her. She blinked and the black and white tom was gone. All Russetfur could see was her own image swimming in the pool of stars as Silverpelt glittered over head. The hard amber eyes set in the face of a scruffy pelted warrior did not seem like a killer, just an annoyed, wet cat, but then she imagined she saw the starlit water turn deep red. Spooked, she backed away from the edge of the water and sat down to wash as she tried to clear the image from her mind, but it clung like bramble thorns.

Now is not the time to develop a conscience! You must stay focused on the path ahead; the time is nearing when you shall arise as leader of ShadowClan and the whole forest! What you did in the past does not matter any more, they are forgotten souls anyway. Besides, StarClan never cared before, why should they care now? No one cares for the monster I’ve become. The she-cat consoled herself with her thoughts as the night stretched on.

((Ferny I hope that doesn't break the rules about StarClan (the account) being the only one to send messages and stuff.))

[STARCLAN]

She was young. Oh so young to be filling the place of her predecessor. In the state of the forest and the clans it was hopeless to even dream for an easy life and such could be felt for those in StarClan. Those who had already felt the hardships of the living world, only arriving among the stars to feel the pain of their clan mates and the angst of their assumed betrayal. Hope from the youthful felines isn't always pure but the she-cat who lay on the shore of the little pool had already dealt with her mentor being away for moons at a time, and perhaps this had made her more mature for her age.

A thick layer of fog rolled over the lake and necklaced itself around the peaks of the mountains. Starry cats walked solemnly through the pine trunks while others stepped from bough to bough like squirrels. But others there were none. Soon one feline became more prominent, and it was he who had approached Littleleaf before any others. His eyes began to take form, although they stayed as brilliantly white as his body. "So this is ShadowClan's next medicine cat." His voice was revenged by scrutiny. He had taken no time to judge her age. "Can you really take care of the warriors who have been maimed by battle? Can you really assume that your life might not be your own at the end of the day?" His body language flared as he spoke. His ears flipped back and forth while his tail waved furiously. He stepped forward until he was level with Littleleaf's nose. "Can you really be our medicine cat?"

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[whitepaw]

Littleleaf trembled with excitement. A whole new wave of experience just washed over her, going into her ears and seemingly locking into her eye lids forever, or even her brain. Flashes of bright white light, shaped in cat form approached her. One, to be exact. The others looked as if they were flying, glancing oddly, curious but acting as if they knew this would happen sooner or later. And they did. The other cats lept lightly to the tree-tops or stalked prey with great success. Endured in the such magnificent looks of the cats Littleleaf hardly noticed the isolated cat that approached him. He looked at Littleleaf sourly, curiously. It was as if Littleleaf was not the right one for the job, or the cat didn't approve of her. Littleleaf's lip quivered, but she tried to keep a straight, determined face as the lithe, sleek star-light cat approached her. Although he looked as if he were made of the stars, which perhaps he was partially now, Littleleaf could still make out the pattern on his coat. Taking particular interest in this magnificent way, she almost didn't notice him getting closer to her.

Littleleaf squinted her eyes, but looked up, forcing her to thrusts her eyes open to the forming eyes of the cat, although most of him was still angel-white. Littleleaf gasped for a moment, then she watched as his eyes narrowed. It was almost at once that Littleleaf realized she probably looked inexperienced, small and not ready. She tensed her muscles, closed her eyes then let the fog roll across her ankles, the wind brush her neck-fur and the small of the cats fill her lungs. Once ready, it seemed as if the Starclan cat had been ready at the same moment she had been. Questions started from the cat's mouth and Littleleaf was suspended in air, not finding any answers to the questions he asked powerfully, without emotion. Littleleaf watched everything he did in slow motion, everything. Nothing was missed, and Littleleaf narrowed her eyes, ears flipped back lip flared. She had to prove to this. . this cat! Whoever he was that she was ready. Not by fight, not by anger, by knowledge. Once Littleleaf had proved she knew all the medicine cat herbs, how to recieve messages and how to interpret them, once this cat knew she was prepared for the beyond, Littleleaf would be satisfied. but not now.

Taking a deep breath, Littleleaf looked up at the miraculous cat, flipped her ears back, uncurled her lip and blinked her eyes twice before thinking over all the cat's questions. Littleleaf knew she had an answer for all these questions, but she also knew that she could answer them all in one. Littleleaf flipped back into reality. She had been taking too long. This cat would probably had a sneer on his face, a snarl, and angry glare. Littleleaf thought over everything once again. Of course, Littleleaf knew she was ready. Littleleaf knew she was nervous, though, since Darksoul's disappearance. Littleleaf knew she could help warriors scarred in battles, remember the herbs and help cats through birth. Littleaf also knew that she wasn't the center of attention, she'd have to take on an apprentice one day, and she wanted to leave behind life of a warrior, mates, kits, and love. Littleleaf knew she wanted to live the life of saving, helping, and being kind. She liked to save lives, to help through sad times. Littleleaf wasn't afraid, just nervous.
"I'm ready," She whispered.

[Fernear!]

“Thinking you’re ready is different from truly knowing. Only experience will grant you that confidence” His voice cut into hers sharply and swiftly, barely giving her enough time to finish her heartfelt words.

“Medicine is our greatest connection to something greater than what we know. It’s amazing we could have even grasped even the gist of a world full of dangers. It’s not something to take advantage of, nor is it going to stay stationary. It is ever-changing, as are our lives.”

His words grew calmer as he spoke and the former fire that crowded his emotions faded slightly. The wind blew the scents of a thousand fields. The potent pollen, the sweet leaves and the hidden roots held their identity.

Before the water there was a cold ghost. It twisted itself around the pair’s legs and in-between their close bodies. The contact was resolute and overbearing compared to the former, serene air. It was soon after its arrival that a suspended stream of water enveloped the two felines and near-by trees. It smoothed itself out becoming as sleek as ice while at the edge white-caps roared in silence, never slipping or advancing. Underneath this pale blanket, ochre spilled out from the earth. Its red pallet painted the area below the dainty paws, but alarmingly, it didn’t move onto the bodies. It left a mark on the ground as deep as the loss of a loved one on one’s life.

“If life brings you unexpected endowments then do not reject them.” He paused. His face was fading.

“And remember that adversity will only propel you.” Former starry cats began to reappear; he continued to withdraw.

“Be strong and be forgiving, Littleleaf. It is your duty, as a medicine cat of the lake.” He was gone. The forest quickly caught the wind as the water flowed into darkness, into the lifelessness of a dream closing.

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