MEDICINE CAT GATHERING

[moonshade]

Alright guys, this is a bit late, but i need all the MED-Cats to post here, along with any apprentices.
This post should be over By April 18th, please

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[Shinko]

Blazetail charged through the forest, pine needles flying as he kicked them up with the breeze of his passage. For the first time in his life he longed for the slim, agile build of a CloudClan warrior. It was nearly moonhigh, and he and Fallowpaw were late. Stupid Falconbite and his moss! he thought uncharitably. That deputy knows tonight is the halfmoon, but he insisted on keeping me out going for moss for the elders long after sundown!

He turned to the cream and brown apprentice behind him, making sure she was keeping up. He was stronger than her, but he was also getting old, so with any luck that would balance out their speed and endurance.

Finally, he burst out of the trees and pelted over the last few foxlengths of ground to the place where all the medicine cats met to visit the Moonfall. "Sorry we're late," he gasped, taking great lungfuls of air, "We got held up back at camp. A bunch of our apprentices weren't careful about bringing in moss and we had an infestation of ticks in the elder's den."

[hawkstar]

"Worry not, fair medicine cats of DarkClan," Falconwing replied, twitching his long black tail. Although he was young, he spoke in a very wise, mature manner. "I was but a moment from being late myself," he went on. "Silverblaze, the foolish warrior I so often speak of, kept me busy with his ramblings of how 'foolhardy' it is to believe in StarClan. He believes these meetings are a simple waste of time so precious." A flash of fury crossed his single eye, but only for a moment. "I am a spring rabbit* in this world, especially in the world of medicine cats. May I ask advice as to dealing with Silverblaze? In his time of crisis, he needs StarClan more than all others, for with the belief in StarClan, may he communicate with those he hath lost. Flowerpool, Shadowstorm, Peachblossom... Young they were in their deaths." Falconwing finally ceased speaking, opening the floor to comments by other cats.

(sorry most of that was monologue... i like the way i made him speak XD we're reading Romeo and Juliet in school so im going through a weird poetic phase)
* = spring rabbit refers to the Twoleg phrase "spring chicken," meaning very young

[Shinko]

Blazetail bowed his head regretfully, "There is nothing you can do for a cat who has chosen to deafen himself to the words of his warrior ancestors. We had once such warrior in DarkClan when I was still an apprentice. Nothing anyone could say to her would make a difference in her beliefs." The ginger tom swished his tail, "As far as she was concerned, all that mattered was that she was loyal to the Clan and fought her hardest in its defense."

He stretched, going on with a glint of amusement in his eyes, "Besides, you know StarClan don't speak to ordinary warriors except in times of crisis. I told you about the time Hollyheart tried to ask them a question, did I not? They threatened to have off her tail!"

[hawkstar]

Falconwing shook his head, but not with disapproval.
"Gone, have four of his family to StarClan's ranks. Two taken by greencough so deadly, one by homicide so violent, one by suicide..." He sighed, thinking of Silverblaze and how much he needed to communicate with the family he had known for such a short time. There had to be a way. Could he perhaps ask StarClan to visit Silverblaze in a dream?
"Blazetail, would StarClan perhaps send to him a warrior upon request?" he asked. "I mean not to convert him, but my intention be simply this: give him means to communicate with his lost family."

[Shinko]

Blazetail snorted, "I don't know, Falconwing. But really, how much would it mean to him to see those who he has lost if, upon awakening, he believes it to be nothing more than a dream? If there is one thing the path of the medicine cat teaches us, it's that StarClan may offer us guidence, but it is ultimately up to the Clans to steer their own destinies. Your warrior must come to terms with his losses his own way." The ginger tom looked up into the sky. "Com on, we're wasting Moonlight. We need to get to the Moonfall" He turned at trotted off towards the sacred grounds of StarClan without waiting to see if the other medicine cats were following.

[hawkstar]

Falconwing took off after his fellow medicine cat, but Silverblaze was still on his mind. He didn't know the warrior very well, but he did know Hawkshadow, his mother. She was not one to take too much loss lightly. She seemed like she was looking for violence all the time. He had to assume Silverblaze was the same way. But then again, Nightshade was not. She simply dealt with the sadness by moping around all day. Perhaps he could gauge what Silverblaze would do based on his recent actions. He hadn't eaten in nearly three days, he never wanted to be with his fellow clanmates, he even refused to go on patrols. He constantly infuriated Mintfur and Moonstar by doing that, and once when they were in a heated argument, he just ran off... Falconwing had no idea what had happened next though.
As he ran, keeping pace easily with the others, his mind kept wandering. Silverblaze was none of his business; Nightshade and Hawkshadow could handle it. But all the same, he was a medicine cat. It was his duty to care for the clan, and that may not only apply to physical wounds. Completely distracted, Falconwing did not notice the rock in front of him until he had tripped over it. He rolled over himself, letting a loud yowl in pain.

[Shinko]

Blazetail turned, a snarl rising in his throat, "Watch where you're going, mouse-brain! We don't have much time left! We have to get to the Moonfall before moonset!" He hauled the younger cat up by his scruff. Sniffing the paw in question, he meowed, "You'll live. I'm sure you're more than capable of seeing to your own injuries. Come on, no more wasting time. We need to communicate with StarClan. These are difficult times."

Once more the DarkClan cat took off, and soon he and the others had entered the shaded grounds of the Moonfall.

[hawkstar]

"Apologize I must," Falconwing said, limping quickly behind the rest of the medicine cats. He stood before Moonfall, gazing at the incredible beauty of it. He had been here many times before, but each time it was like a stranger to him. He waited before moving to see what the other cats would do. He preferred to follow those older than him. He felt they were wiser than he was. "Shall we?" he asked, motioning his tail toward the Moonfall. He took one step but tripped on his own paw; of course, the paw that he had hit on the rock. He winced in pain, but couldn't hide his limp, even though he had only walked a few steps.

[Shinko]

Blazetail laid down, his tail curled around his feet, and stretched out his tongue to lap at the silvery water. As had happened so many times before, he felt sleep overtake him. In his earliest trips, he remembered fearing this sensation of being dragged into blackness and fighting it, but now he was comfortable with the journey to the starry hunting grounds of his ancestors.

He opened his eyes to the familiar stretch of grass, with thousands of starts stretched out above him. Standing before him was a cream she-cat with whom he was well aquainted. "Dawnsky," he meowed, dipping his head to his old mentor. They had often butted heads, but he respected the she-cat all the same.

She brushed her tail along his flank, "A darkness is growing, Blazetail. There is one, young in years but old in hatred, who threatens to undo the already precarious balance between Cloud, Rain, Dark and Leaf. Be wary."

Before the tom had the chance to ask Dawnsky what she meant, or question her about what to do for Falconbite, he found himself blinking awake.

[Aerostrike]

Fallowpaw lapped the icy water in haste. When she opened her eyes she saw her mother and father sitting in a patch of green grass. "Mother! Father!" She purred, running to greet them. "Fallowpaw. There is a prophecy, one that is very important. You must listen closely," her father mewed softly. She nodded. Her father nodded to her mother, who flicked her tail. "There is a darkness coming. A cat who is young in years but old in grudge and hatred threatens to unravel the balance between Leaf, Rain, Dark, and Cloud. You must be wary." Her mother meowed gruffly.

"What do you--" She was cut off by her father. "You must find out yourself. We cannot stay. The moonlight is fading fast," he meowed quickly. "Your clan's fate depends on you," her mother purred before her starry shape faded. "I won't let them down."

As she blinked her blue eyes open to the real world, the words of her mother once mare rang in her head. "Darkness....the breaking balance... the fate of DarkClan......" She heard again. She looked around. "Blazetail..." She whispered. "I have to tell you about the message," she whispered very quietly. /The cat in th prophecy could be anyone. I can't even trust the other apprentices..../ She thought sadly.

((Sorry this was late. ))

[hawkstar]

Falconwing, his paw still stinging, took his turn to lap at the pool. With so many worries on his mind, he found it difficult to fall asleep. However, he at last let sleep overtake his body.

His eyes shot open and he found himself in the same forest as always, only this time, he was alone. All he could see was darkness. His breathing quickened, although he knew he should not be frightened. The suspense grew when a bush began to ruffle. His heart was pounding now in the darkness. Suddenly, he saw two amber eyes peek out at him. He nearly jumped out of his skin when the strange cat spoke to him.
"I know who you are," the cat said, revealing himself at last. "And yet, you don't know me." He was a massive but slender brown tabby.
"For what do you want me?" Falconwing demanded, getting defensive.
"Calm yourself Falconwing."
"From where have you gained the knowledge of my title?" He was getting more defensive now.
"I am Sparrowwing, young one, and I have an important message for you."
"I'm listening." That was the only normal sentence Falconwing had ever said.
"Good. Now listen close to my words. You are in grave danger. There is darkness... horrible darkness... A cat who is but a new spring bud holds a long-lived anger deep within, as though they were the age not of a new spring flower, but of an oak that has seen the damage of many moons. The bond between the Rain, Clouds, Leaves, and Darkness shall be threatened, and perhaps even destroyed."
Falconwing looked around to find the entire forest being swallowed whole by a dark fog.
"Sparrowwing-" He looked back to where the strange cat who had once been Hawkshadow's love had been standing, but he was gone.
The ominous fog closed in on him, and he felt himself suffocating. His breath came in short gasps, and he nearly passed out. Suddenly, he heard a splash and felt himself struggling in water.

His eyes shot open to find himself struggling in the water. He climbed out and licked his shoulder with embarrassment. His dream had felt real... More real than they used to. He must have been fidgeting because he had fallen into the water. What was Sparrowwing talking about? He hoped he could get some help from his fellow medicine cats.

[Aerostrike]

(( I guess we go back to the clans after talking. ))

Fallowpaw stretched. Her senses sharpened back to normal and she nudged her mentor, Blazetail. "I think everyone's awake," she mewed softly. "Does anyone want to discuss anything? Any sick cats to ask advice of treatment or anything?" She asked, unsure of her words. She had never been to a medicine cat gathering before, and so, naturally, she did not know exactly what to say or do. "Or, we could just talk. Any suspicions of affection? Any supposed lovebirds?" She giggled. She flicked her tail happily. /This could be fun./ She thought mischievously. She twitched her whiskers in joy.

[Shinko]

((Guys, I don't think we're supposed to be posting here anymore. Moonz said to stop after April 18th.))

[Aerostrike]

(( Okay. I will just say that Fallowpaw went back to camp, with Blazetail... ))