Warriors: Empire's End ~Book 5 Series 3~

Chapter 7

Cinderkit's POV:

Morning sunlight filtered down the nursery tunnel, rousing Cinderkit from her deep sleep. Around her, her littermates were still resting, as were the  rest of the nursery residents. Shadeheart was snoring in Bluesnow's gentle embrace; for once he had slept in the den with his family. It was a nice sight to behold.

However, she couldn't admire it for too long. Today was Wrenpaw's secret medicine cat ceremony, and Shinewing had invited Cinderkit to join them on their trip to the MoonFall!

It was forbidden for the healers to leave camp, but in order for Wrenpaw to be properly recognised as a full medicine cat she had to visit StarClan at the MoonFall. The journey took them to the gathering area in the rocky beach, to a secret waterfall that StarClan had blessed. Cinderkit was honoured to assist the medicine cats in their dangerous adventure, this would be her first time out of camp! She would be able to see the sea at last!

Barely able to contain her excitement, the little grey she cat bounded up the nursery tunnel and into the main clearing. It was still early, not many cats were in camp, and the ones who were didn't even bother to notice the she kit as she crept behind the medicine den, where Shinewing had dug a secret escape tunnel for them. The air was cool, and Cinderkit bushed out her fur to warm herself up.

"Psst!" Shinewing's voice whispered nearby, and Cinderkit caught sight of her faint golden eyes on the other end of the tunnel. "C'mon, over here."

Cinderkit quickly dove through the leaves and twigs, easily squeezing through due to her size, and straightened herself to see Wrenpaw and her mentor waiting proudly for her on the other side.

"Isn't this so exciting?" Wrenpaw giggled, her body trembling with what seemed to be pure joy. Cinderkit, too, was excited; far too excited to reply to the apprentice. All she could muster was a brisk nod of her head before she took off after Shinewing across the leafy ground.

The trees had already started turning all shades of yellow and gold. It was a beautiful sight, almost breath-taking. Cinderkit stared up at the towering trees in wonder. One day she would be able to climb those great heights, and then she would be able to see all of the world around her.

The three medicine cats trekked for a while, and Cinderkit was already feeling fatigued as they stepped onto the vast, open beach. She started to lag behind, especially as the terrain grew uneven, and her paws slipped and skidded on the sand as she bounded after Shinewing and Wrenpaw. "Slow down!" She panted at the two she cats. "I'm tired."

Shinewing stopped, her apprentice skidding to a halt with her, and turned around to face Cinderkit. "We have to get there by sundown, you can rest then."

"How far away is it?" The grey she kit whimpered over the crashing waves, falling onto the sand to catch her breath.

Shinewing looked back at the direction they were headed before murmuring to her. "Quite far. The journey will take all day, but we can't afford to stop."

Cinderkit whined, rolling along the sand in a tantrum. "That's too far! I need to stop! My legs hurt!"

The two medicine cats exchanged glsnces before Shinewing walked over to the little grey she kit, picked her up by her scruff and placed her on Wrenpaw's back. "Better?"

Cinderkit clung to the apprentice's fur, nodding her head. "Yes, yes, thank you."

"You're heavy." Wrenpaw complained as they headed off again.

Cinderkit giggled. "I'll give you plenty of exercise then!"

The three medicine cats laughed together as they stalked across the sand. The midday sun shone brightly down on them, blessing their sacred journey to the MoonFall.

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The three medicine cats arrived at the MoonFall by sundown. Cinderkit dropped from Wrenpaw's back to admire the great sight before her.

The MoonFall was beautiful. It was further past the abandoned gathering clearing, around some giant, salty-covered boulders. At the top of the rocks was where the water came from, cascading down as a waterfall into a wide pool of crystal clear water. The pool was sheltered by the sea water and wind by the tall boulders that surrounded it. It was so well protected and hidden. If you didn't know where to look, you'd never find the MoonFall.

Behind them roared the sea as it crashed against the cliff side below them, but they were safe and protected at their blessed pool. All around them was the sound of rushing water, whether it was from the sea or from the waterfall. It made Cinderkit's whole body tremble with awe and amazement.

Long shadows plunged the pool of flowing water in darkness. But the moon was just rising, and it cast it's pure, white light over the MoonFall to counter the shadows' grip. Cinderkit breathed in the salt-filled air as she looked up at the sky. The stars of Silverpelt were beginning to show. It was time to meet StarClan!

After their short rest, Shinewing and Wrenpaw padded to the water's edge. "This is so exciting." The golden she cat murmured quietly. "I've never done this ceremony before!"

Wrenpaw giggled. "Are you sure you know the words?"

"Of course I do." Her mentor smiled. "Now sit down here, let the water lap at your paws." Shinewing sat with her apprentice, the two of them facing the waterfall. Cinderkit hung back, watching in respectful silence. It was an honour to be witness to such a sacred ceremony, and in such secrecy too... She wondered if her family had noticed her absence.

"I, Shinewing, medicine cat of LightClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help she will serve her Clan for many moons to come." Shinewing started, her yellow gaze rising to the top of the glittering waterfall, before turning down to her apprentice. "Wrenpaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?"

Wrenpaw nodded, her eyes shining and voice soft as she spoke. "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan," Shinewing continued, "I give you your medicine cat name. Wrenpaw, from this moment you will be known as Wrenflight. StarClan honors your intelligence and enthusiasm, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of LightClan."

Cinderkit watched as Wrenflight's whole body shivered in excitement, and she touched her nose to Shinewing's shoulder. "Thank you." The brown furred she cat murmured, closing her eyes briefly.

Shinewing smiled. "Now, lay by the water and let yourself dream, StarClan will meet you." She glanced back at Cinderkit. "Would you like to try?"

"Me?" Cinderkit's mouth hung open in shock. "Won't StarClan not answer me because I'm a kit?"

"Desperate times call for desperate measures." The golden she cat replied softly, beckoning the little grey she kit to approach the rippling water. "I would like to begin your path to being a medicine cat as soon as possible, and what better way to kick-start it than to be blessed by our ancestors?"

Cinderkit stumbled to the water's edge, feeling the cool liquid lap at her paws as she stopped on the worn-down rock by Shinewing's side. "W-What do I do?"

"Lay down, like Wrenflight, and sleep." Shinewing meowed, sinking into a relaxed crouch herself as she glanced over at her apprentice. Wrenflight was already dreaming, it seemed, her eyes were peacefully closed and her breathing was slow and rhythmic.

Cinderkit copied her mentor's lead, laying down on the cold rock and letting her forepaws hit the MoonFall water. Shinewing nodded encouragingly before she closed her eyes and rested her head on her paws. Cinderkit followed the golden she cat, and she soon found herself falling into unconsciousness...

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Yes, kits can now magically make the journey to the MoonFall, don't ask