Mistystar's Freedom

Chapter Three

The smell of dew was strong. At first, Mistypaw could ignore it, yet when she heard rustling at the entrance, she raised her head. Threw sleep she could see a black figure, and after a few blinks she realized it was Blackblossom. The grey calico couldn't help but sneeze, the smell hard on her nose. "It rained a bit last night, It's still wonderful weather though." The warrior had purred. "Anything wet is awful." The apprentice growled gently before getting up. She noticed the others were gone. "Where are Bumblepaw and the others?" Mistypaw asked in confusion. "Oh, don't worry about sleeping in, they each had to get up early today for their Warrior assignments. If they pass it, they'll be warriors by sun-down."

Mistypaw couldn't help but let out a small gasp. Although the two toms towered over her, she never thought the other mollies were much older then herself. "Will I be the only apprentice?" Mistypaw asked as she padded out of the den with her mentor. She noticed the clearing was pretty empty, other then a sandy ginger tom who had a wrapped leaf in his mouth. He quickly glided across the clearing to a fox hole, which he slipped inside. "Oh, Opalkit must be having those coughing fits again." The warrior sighed. "Opalkit?" Mistypaw asked. Before Blackblossom could reply, the grey calico's belly growled.

Mistypaw could feel her ears and face heat up, yet the molly only purred. "Let's eat, and then we'll talk."

★★★★

"Opalkit's mother and father; Meadowmask and Crookedear were warriors who fought in the war. Crookedear died defending Nightstar and his first son, Owlpatch. Meadowmask died about the same time defending her kits. Opalkit's siblings had been slaughtered, yet she remained thanks to Owlpatch. He also died doing so." Silence fell on the warrior as she tucked her paws closer to herself. Mistypaw noticed a wave of emotion in her eyes. Something she sometimes had seen with her own mother.

"Yet-" The molly kept going. "Some time after the battle, Opalkit started to get bad coughs. Our medicine cat had thought it was sickness with it being leaf-bare, but as green-leaf approached he knew for sure it was something else. At times she can hardly even breath." Mistypaw couldn't help but feel terrible for the kit. "But Furzefoot and Fernwhisker are working hard to help her recover. It's only our wish to Starclan to watch Opalkit become Opalpaw."

Mistypaw nodded, her gaze noticing Furzefoot was padding back out of the den. He shot her a gentle look before heading back up the slope to his den. The apprentice inwardly sighed before getting up. "Let's get going." She mewed softly. The warrior nodded and got up herself. "This is your very first day outside of camp in our territory. You'll be expected to know your land as soon as you can, for it could help you in battle." The apprentice glanced up in confusion. "But, I thought the other clans left?" "Well, you could have to fight foxes or badgers, or even two-legs."

The grey calico couldn't help but shudder at the thought. With careful paw-steps the molly followed after the black and white cat, making sure to keep herself steady as she scrambled up the slope. The warrior's nimble body made it easy for her, so she waited at the top for Mistypaw.

With a huff the apprentice pushed herself up, feeling as though she had climbed a mountain. "It gets easier once you learn how to get up quicker." Blackblossom promised as they paused at the top. "Aspenstar, the great leader of Aspenclan, had chose this spot to hide from his enemy. Those who don't know what they're running into will fall straight down."

Mistypaw nodded slightly, noticing how much larger the slope had been from when she had first came. 'I must of been so wrapped in my thoughts that I didn't notice.' She thought to herself as they padded out of camp.

★★★★

It was growing sun-down as the cats padded back to camp. Mistypaw was sure her paws would fall off. She limped beside Blackblossom, who had kept it slow. "Don't worry, you'll get used to the long treks." Her mentor promised with an affectionate twitch of her whiskers. Mistypaw only nodded her head, focused on getting back home.

When they entered camp the apprentice slid down the slope and padded over towards a shady spot, plopping down while panting. With the Green-Leaf air muggy, it made everything feel hotter then need-be. She panted a few more times before noticing someone had brought her moss. She looked up to see a brown tabby tom, who's fur was long and silky. Mistypaw blinked in surprise, too tired to think of what to say. So, instead she leaned down and lapped at the moss, thankful for the cool water to roll down her throat.

Once she finished the tom sat down, a warm expression on his face. "Hello Mistypaw. I'm Bramblestorm." Mistypaw looked up before sitting up herself. "Well, it's nice to meet you Bramblestorm." The tom looked a bit uncomfortable, but he flicked his whiskers as he spoke again. "I'm happy some kin of mine joined our clan. I tried to get your mother to join us when you were born...but she was so scared. The war had just happened, and she lost her mate to it. I don't blame her for saying no." Mistypaw was a bit surprised but she only nodded.

★★★★

It seemed to be moons before Nightstar padded from his den. Olivepaw, Bumblepaw, Specklepaw, and Lilypaw sat below; their eyes shining. Mistypaw sat beside her mentor, excitement tingling threw her fur for her new friends. Nightstar waited until his clan settled down before he spoke. "Today is an important day for Aspenclan. After the war, we truly thought we would never have our home back. Today, however is a new start to our story. Starclan gave my mate four kits who would prove themselves to be valued warriors to our wonderful home."

The tom looked over to the four warriors who had settled down together. Mistypaw had noticed Bramblestorm was among them. Her gaze turned back as she realized Nightstar was speaking. "Hawkface. Is it true that Olivepaw is ready to become a full warrior of Aspenclan?" The tom's deep voice made Mistypaw tingle with respect. The black calico nodded her head, "He is." "Then I, Nightstar, leader of Aspenclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn." Nightstar jumped down beside Olivepaw, his yellow gaze focused on the tom who sat solemly. "Olivepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

The solid black tom nodded, "I do." "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Olivepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Olivegaze. StarClan honors your Independence and your Loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Aspenclan."

Mistypaw excitedly cheered, the words 'Olivegaze' raising into the air. It was when Nightstar raised his tail did she grow silent like the other cats around her. He then turned and did the same ceremonies for the others; Bumblepaw becoming Bumbleflame for his Kindness and Courage, Specklepaw becoming Specklepuddle for her Warmth and Wisdom, and lastly Lilypaw who became Lilystream, for her Spirit and Dedication. The clan cheered for them and Mistypaw made sure to cheer as loud as she could.

It was when the clan started to head off to bed did she get up and pad over to the new warriors. They had been excitedly chatting among themselves but fell silent when Mistypaw came over. "I'm so proud of you guys! You're new names are amazing." She giggled when Specklepuddle licked her chest in embarrsment. "We'll make sure to make you a nice nest when you become a warrior." Lilystream mewed softly before turning. "Let's get going guys." The two mollies had left, leaving Mistypaw with the two toms. "I'll be sure to help out with some apprentice chores." Bumbleflame promised, his whiskers twitching with amusement and his eyes warm. Mistypaw nodded and watched him leave; leaving her with Olivegaze.

The tom was silent for a long heart-beat, but suddenly he mewed, "Hey, look. I'm sorry I've been such a jerk. I just didn't know if I could trust you." Mistypaw blinked, a bit surprised. "It's fine." She said softly. She felt her face heat up as the tom put his chin on her forehead. "Well, take care." He mewed kindly before turning and following his siblings.

Mistypaw could feel her heart beating loudly as she watched him pad up the slope, his pelt vanishing in the dark night.