Whiteriver's Truth

Chapter 25

Goldenstar, Mistyeye and Bramblefoot stood in front of them.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here when I was needed." Bravepelt lowered his head.
   "All is forgiven. It's in the past and was part of your destiny." Bramblefoot quickly turned his head away and Mistyeye's words and guilt was on his face.
   "What do you mean?" He asked.
   The cats seemed to ignore his question and Goldenstar stepped forward. "With this life I give you loyalty. Remember to stay loyal to your clan and do what you need to protect them." With that, he touched forehead with his and he winced before the golden cat stepped back.
   Now Mistyeye stepped forwards. "With this life I give you wisdom. Use this life to help guide your clanmates through tough times." Again, they touched foreheads and Bravepelt winced again.
   Mistyeye stepped back and left with Goldenstar back into the forest, as Bramblefoot stepped forwards, five other cats emerged from the forest. Among them was two cats she recognized, Silverdust and Riverleap. Whiteriver started to tear up as she saw her mother again as she thought she never would.
   Before Bramblefoot gave his left to Bravepelt, he stood in front of her. "Whiteriver, I hope you can forgive me. I had made my own decisions thinking you were straying away from ThunderClan, I have learned recently that this was part of the destiny that StarClan has set out for ThunderClan. I'm sorry." He bowed and then went over to Bravepelt. "With this life I give you judgement. Use it to judge the cats that may stand before you to determine the future of your clan." He then touched his forehead to his and again he winced, but he seemed to be getting used to it.
   Now Riverleap bounded forward, first to Whiteriver wrapping her tail around her. "I am so glad I get to see you again." She purred, licking her cheek. Then she stepped towards Bravepelt. "With this life I give you love. Show every cat that stands before you the love of a father to his kits." When their foreheads touched, all strength seemed to return to his body and when she backed away, Whiteriver saw a tear flow from his eye.
   Then another cat she recognized stepped forwards. It was Shadepaw, the apprentice that died during the RiverClan battle and her froster brother. "With this life I give you courage. Remember to use courage during difficult decisions." Then Bravepelt bent down and they touched foreheads and this time, he seemed to stumble and grief filled his eyes.
   Now Silverdust stepped forwards. "With this life I give you selflessness. Use this life to protect those in need and to put others above yourself." They touched foreheads and now Bravepelt fell forwards with a sob.
   "Are you doing okay. We can take a break if you need to." Swiftfeather meowed, gently placing her tail on his back.
   Bravepelt shook his head and took in a big breath. "I'm okay." He stood staring at the cats lined in front of him.
   Then a small red tabby kit stepped out. She looked like she had barely reached two moons when she had passed. The kit also looked familiar, but she couldn't tell why. "With this life I give you perseverance. No matter what happens, remember to not give up." The kit was so small so that Bravepelt had to bow his head and the touched noses instead. The strength seemed again to return and a new bound determination gleamed in his eyes.
   Next, another familiar face walked towards him. Sootface, Bravepelt's old mentor that died before he became a full warrior. "With this life I give you strength. Remember that the strength of your clan is stronger than yourself." He then touched his forehead and Bravepelt stood still, nonreactive to the feelings now.
   The five cats that had given their lives had bow disappeared behind the trees.
   "Where is the ninth cat?" Bravepelt quickly looked around now fear in his eyes.
   "Just wait, you were meant to become a leader. The last one should be here soon." Swiftfeather said although panic was on her face as well.
   Then a dark ginger tom stepped out into the clearing seeming to be panting. "I'm sorry. Please follow me." He meowed, quickly turning away.
   There was no hesitation, all three cats followed the tom and kept in pace even as the tom quickened. They weaved through trees and jumped over bushes until they crashed through into another clearing. The floor was now filled with tall grass and scattered purple flowers. Whiteriver bent down and sniffed them.
   The tom then stepped forwards. "There is a kit that will bring strength and challenge to you and the clans. It is a lesson to you and all cats. You were meant to go on that journey. I can't say why, but you will figure it out soon enough." He got closer to Bravepelt until their noses were almost touching. "With this life I give you determination. It will help guide you through all the tough times to keep your clan safe and to get where you need to be." He then touched his forehead and when he backed away he said nothing, but ran back into the woods.
   "Why did he bring us here?" Whiteriver asked.
   "Don't you recognize these flowers?" Swiftfeather meowed. "They weren't in the other field, they must be important."
   "It's Aster." Bravestar gasped.
   Then they woke up and were lying in front of the now dark crystal. Another cat was sitting beside them, Mistyeye. "Safe journey's Bravestar." She bowed her head.

***

   Tiredly, they walked back into the camp, the sun rising above the horizon, casting an orange glow on the earth below. Each paw step made Whiteriver ache for her nest, but she knew there would still be a lot more stuff to do before she got to succumb to a really needed sleep.
   Everyone turned their heads, keeping their eyes on the three of them as they walked into camp. Bravestar made his way straight to the high rock and he jumped up on to it. He stood tall and the cats below gathered, quiet and eager to listen.
   "I have received my nine live. I am now your leader." His voice rang through the clearing.
   The voices of cats cheering his new name bursted out among the camp. "Bravestar! Bravestar!" She was cheering the loudest. In the middle of the cheers she looked over to see her brother, sitting beside Shadowpaw, with an expression of envy on his face, staying quiet. It made her stomach turn.