The Outcasts

00

               Although the afternoon was hot, warming up kits like Soulkit and Crowkit, it was still a new-leaf's first half-moon. Cardinalpaw prepared herself- this was the first gathering she'd attend without her former mentor, Reedshade. Cardinalpaw had never received her full name, however Reedshade- in his last few moments- had told Cardinalpaw that the other medicine cats would give it to her, and StarClan would help train her when he was gone. Cardinalpaw had hoped he meant he himself would teach her from StarClan- but Reedshade was wonderful at keeping secrets, so Cardinalpaw never knew where he went. Although the old black tom may fool her when it comes to secrets, we was warm-hearted and Cardinalpaw would give anything to see him hunting once more in StarClan's hunting grounds.

       Cardinalpaw left her thoughts behind as her paws carried her to Applestar's den, where her deputy Buzzardflight was reporting how well prey was running after such a harsh leaf-bare. Cardinalpaw raised her voice, knowing it was rude to interrupt- but, she was a medicine cat, hopefully Applestar would listen anyway? "Excuse me?" Cardinalpaw asked.

      "Oh, excuse us, Buzzardflight. Cardinalpaw will be going to the Moontree soon; is that correct?" Applestar asked. Cardinalpaw only nodded, feeling her heart race at the authority she had now that Reedshade was dead. Cardinalpaw watched Buzzardflight leave the leader's den, and she felt the urge to stick her tongue out at him. She didn't, however, give into temptation. 
     
        "Yes." Cardinalpaw responded, "I'd like you to go with a warrior, just in case." Applestar ordered. Cardinalpaw dipped her head at the older she-cats orders, wondering why. Perhaps because she was still considered a 'paw by most of the Clan, or maybe Applestar was just being cautious in case Reedshade didn't teach her the right self-defense moves. But he was a warrior before he was a medicine cat and taught Cardinalpaw well, so Cardinalpaw assumed that Applestar was either just being a cautious leader, or because of popular opinions.

          Applestar and Cardinalpaw left the den side-by-side. After a moment of watching the camp, Applestar raised her tail, allowing Silverflight and Hawkstripe to approach. As the two toms neared, Applestar ordered, "Go with Cardinalpaw to the Moontree, but do not follow past the line of water that separates the tree from the grass. That is for Cardinalpaw and the other medicine cats to go beyond." The warriors dipped their heads at her, but they were clearly angry. They had been the ones who started the whole commotion about how Cardinalpaw was still an apprentice. Cardinalpaw guessed Applestar was only sending them so they could see StarClan approve of her full name.

          Once the three cats left, not a single word rippled through them. "You know," Cardinalpaw began slowly, "I'm still your medicine cat. And I'm getting my full name tonight, so I'll only accept your bickering until I receive my suffix." She warned. "Or what?" Silverflight snorted. "Or I won't treat any of your serious wounds." Cardinalpaw replied with a growl, speeding up ahead of the two.

          Around them were trees, slowly fading into nothingness as they reached the grassy hills. Cardinalpaw could clearly see the Moontree ahead. The stream flowed right in front of her, so she jumped over it and told the warriors to wait. She ran up to the others, shivering at the cold breeze.

          "Hi, Cardinalpaw!" Sunpaw of SmokeClan greeted from beside Russetleaf, his mentor. "Hi, Sunpaw! How's your Clan doing?" Cardinalpaw asked him. "Fine, we had a small fit of greencough but Russetleaf and I quickly cured it. Though, now we're running low on catmint." He sounded puzzled. "I can get you some from my storage. I have a lot, since it's new-leaf. There shouldn't be any sicknesses passing through in the green season, so I'd be happy to give some to you!" Briarbreeze of CoalClan purred.

          "This is nice and all," Softcloud of TundraClan began, "But Cardinalpaw needs her full name. Russetleaf, you are the closest to her, so you will be giving her the name we decided on before she arrived." She meowed. As the oldest medicine cat, it seemed to be her duty to boss the others around.

          Russetleaf dipped his head anyway, and looked carefully at Cardinalpaw. "I, Russetleaf, medicine cat of SmokeClan, call upon my warrior ancestors, especially Reedshade, 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. Cardinalpaw, 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?" He asked.

          Cardinalpaw let out a shaky breath she didn't know she had been holding in. "I do."

          Russetleaf nodded. "Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Cardinalpaw, from this moment you will be known as Cardinalfeather. StarClan honors your skill and respect, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of BreezeClan." He finished.

          "Cardinalfeather! Cardinalfeather!" The others chanted.

           After the meowing calmed down, Sunpaw nudged her slightly. "Wow, congratulations!" Sunpaw purred to Cardinalfeather. She nodded shyly, "Thanks, Sunpaw."

          "Let us now share with StarClan." Briarbreeze smiled, bending down to take a sip of the icy water. She fell to her side instantly in sleep. Softcloud laid down and lapped at it, closing her eyes. "Good luck," Russetleaf smiled at Cardinalfeather as he and Sunpaw each drank from the pool. Cardinalfeather lapped at it gently.

          When Cardinalfeather opened her eyes again, she was in a forest. It seemed just like BreezeClan's territory- and after a few moments, she realized it was in fact her Clan's territory.

          A mouse scrambled out from a few rocks piled together. Then a breeze swam through the forest, and the mouse fell to its side, lifeless.

          "Weak prey will be destroyed by a swift breeze..."