Storm: The Storm That Poured

Chapter 9:

        Mistpaw stood before the Moonstream, the other medicine cats next to her. 
        "Mistpaw, step forward." Icepool called her name, making her blink out of her daydream. "I, Icepool, medicine cat of Sunclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard in your ways to understand the ways o a medicine cat, and with your help she will serve her Clan for many moons." Icepool paused, letting Mistpaw take in the moment. She looked up at the sky, wondering if anyone she knew was watching.
        Icepool continued, Mistpaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?"
        "I do," Mistpaw breathed.
        "Then by the powers of Starclan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Mistpaw, from this moment you will be known as Mistcloud. Starclan honors your wisdom and initiative, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of Sunclan."
        She let Icepool touch her muzzle to her head, while the other medicine cats greet her.
        "Mistcloud!" Softglow cheered, and the others followed.
        "Now, let's get on and share tongues with Starclan," Icepool smiled at her.
        Mistcloud laid herself down, wondering who she would see tonight.
        "Mistcloud, congratulations!" a voice came from next to her, and she opened her eyes to Cottonleaf next to her.
        "Cottonleaf! Does Starclan have anything else to say? Cedarstar has been taking the message seriously before the drought even started," Mistcloud meowed to the Starclan medicine cat.
        "Be prepared, for you must prepare yourselves, not even Starclan can save you. . ." Cottonleaf replied ominously.
        "But what does it mean?"
        "For that, I cannot tell, you must use your hearts to decipher what it means," Cottonleaf told her. "But rest your mind, do not overwork yourself before the true danger reveals itself," she assured her.
        "You have to tell me what it means! How can I rest my mind when I'm worried about your message?" Mistcloud protested. "Are the other medicine cats getting the same message?"
        "Now that, I can tell you. Rest easy, they are getting the same message I am telling you. You must go and discuss it with them." Cottonleaf flicked her tail encouragingly.
        "I understand," she meowed, and closed her eyes.

        "Icepool, do you have any idea what it could mean?" Mistcloud asked on the way back to camp.
        None of the other medicine cats had a clue to the meaning of the message. Mistcloud wanted to know terribly, but her mentor didn't know either.
        "Mistcloud, I want you to keep in mind we have to worry about the rogues, and with leaf-bare coming up, sickness." Icepool replied.
        "Okay, Icepool, I will." Mistcloud sighed, her thoughts still focused on Starclan's message.
        "Cedarstar, they're back!" Minnowpelt exclaimed, who was waiting at the camp entrance when they walked in.
        "Minnowpelt, I can see." Cedarstar's face lit up with a welcoming smile.
        "So, I would like to say some good news," Minnowpelt came closer, in a hushed tone.
        "What is it, Minnowpelt?" Icepool tipped her head.
        "I'm expecting Fishclaw's kits, I've seen enough cats have kits to know how having kits feels, and I felt movement yesterday." Minnowpelt had gray hairs around her muzzle, and her eyes were filled with something only a seasoned warrior could have.
        "That's amazing!" Mistcloud gasped.
        "They look to be due in just over a half moon, so for a quarter moon, you may keep up your duties, but after that, you go right to the nursery." Icepool meowed.
        "I-" Minnowpelt started to protest, before Cedarstar interrupted.
        "Quite right, just because you're deputy doesn't mean you can't get treated like a regular queen." Cedarstar cut her off, and Minnowpelt glared at him.
        Cedarstar grinned playfully. "Moody she-cats."
        It was her turn to glare at him, before purring.
        "Mistcloud just received her full name." Icepool looked at her, then back at Cedarstar.
        "Should we give them the message?" Mistcloud whispered into her mentor's ear.
        "Yes." Icepool's eyes widened as she tried to think of a way to tell them. 
        Mistcloud swallowed hard, "Well, when we met with Starclan, Cottonleaf told me 'Be prepared, you must prepare yourselves, for not even Starclan can save you. . .'" 
        Cedarstar's mouth dropped to the ground, and Minnowpelt's ears pricked.
        "Well, let me know when you think you know what it means," Cedarstar mewed as an entering patrol walked in.
        Mistcloud and Icepool nodded, and Mistcloud went off to find Lightshine.
        Lightshine and Waspflight were curled in their shared nest, lined with fresh moss.
        "Hey, Mistpaw." Lightshine meowed, her meow slurred with sleepiness.
        "It's Mistcloud, now." she whispered to her. 
        "Mistcloud," her sister started. "How was the Moonstream?" Lightshine sat up, her eyes narrow with sleep.
        "It was fine," she lied, not wanting her to have to worry. She knew Cedarstar would want to tell the Clan, but she wanted to save her sister as much time from worrying as possible.
        "Want to go on a walk?" Lightshine's eyes cleared up, her dark blue pools shining with happiness.
        "Yes, let's go, I need to collect some herbs as well." Mistcloud started out, and she could hear her sister telling Waspflight where she was going.
        "Be careful of the rogues," Waspflight warned, his voice thick with compassion.
        Mistcloud and Lightshine walked out of camp, not far so their Clanmates could hear them if they needed help. 
        "Waspflight's been talking about when we should have kits, but honestly I don't feel ready. We still have our whole lives. Did Starclan share something with you?" Lightshine asked.
        "Yes, a danger is coming, but you need not worry, Icepool and I are trying to figure out what danger it is." Mistcloud told her reluctantly. She didn't want Lightshine to even think about it.
        Dark clouds rolled above, and she could hear loud noises, signs of thunder and lightning within the dark clouds.
        "We better get back soon. I wonder when Cedarstar will give me my first apprentice. There are plenty of other warriors who need apprentices before me." Lightshine pondered, her voice dreamy.
        "Only time will tell."