Chapter 13.
Hello, people of Wattpad! You might be thinking, finally! Here she goes again, apologizing and talking about how she will try to update faster. Ok, well, the truth is, I am going to do exactly that: sorry, but I'm hoping I can do more this summer! I didn't realize how much time a summer camp I am doing would take up. The other truth is that I'm lacking enthusiasm about continuing this story. I did receive some really positive feedback earlier when I was rereading it to refresh my mind about the going-ons, so that boosted my spirit. For now, I am going to try to finish it, and then write something else! Maybe my other idea for a fanfiction...
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Three sunrises past. The whole of RiverClan slept well now, and worked on making its way to complete recovery. The walls looked as good as new, and only a few warriors still carried battle wounds, of which some might keep until they pass. Tonight would be the half moon, when all the medicine cats meet at the Moonpool to talk peacefully about Clan life and share tongues with StarClan.
Beechpaw mulled this over while sitting in the medicine den, half listening to one of Duskfur's stories of when she stayed in the medicine den. On a rare occasion, Duskfur slipped in a fact the apprentice didn't already know, but this was not one. This was one of those times when Beechpaw carried other things on her mind that sounded more interesting or important than hearing about when Willowshine mixed up a bowl of traveling serum.
The day had already gone on like this for a while. Now, the sun shone well over it peak, and Beechpaw thought she better get going before long, or else the other medicine cats might think she wasn't coming. "Then, Willowshine put in some - oh, what was it? - coltsfoot! She sprinkled a small leaf into the mix and stirred it about..."
Beechpaw smiled kindly at Duskfur. "Thanks for the information, Duskfur, but I should really get going to the Moonpool, or else I'll be late!"
"Great StarClan! Your right - it's getting late. You'd best be on your way or I'll be going on forever! Do you want me to come with you? You might need someone to guide-"
"No, no! I'll be fine. I've done it lots before. I'll go now. Bye!" Beechpaw hurried out of the medicine den before Duskfur could mew another word. She spotted her mother, Petalfur, lounging in the sun.
"Good luck, Beechpaw!" Petalfur called. "Will you be fine by yourself?"
Beechpaw sighed as she heard the question for the second time. "Yes, yes, I've done it plenty." Before anyone could say anything else, Beechpaw disappeared outside the camp entrance.
A lovely day shone upon Beechpaw. The river babbled swiftly and sunlight drifted between the new leaf buds. As she splashed across the river, a bird swooped down, and nearly sent her washing down the river. She quickly regained her balance, spat at the bird, and jumped the rest of the way across.
Beechpaw quickly jogged through the rest of RiverClan territory towards WindClan, and paused at the border. The warm sand felt good under her paws, as she continued along the lake. In the distance, she spotted a cat. After getting closer she recognized it as the WindClan medicine cat.
"Whiskerpelt!" Beechpaw called. The older cat turned, and Beechpaw bounded to catch up.
"Hello, Beechpaw! How are you doing? I hope RiverClan is well?" Whiskerpelt stopped and waited. Beechpaw padded up to his side and they continued together.
"We are fine. Everything is mostly back to normal. I've gotten some help with medicine skills from Duskfur, and it's going smoothly."
"Good, good. I'm so sorry about Willowshine. It was quite unfortunate. The battle wasn't really necessary, either." Soon they reached the creek that ran down from the Moonpool, and walked towards the source. They caught up to Antstep, the ShadowClan medicine cat, and nodded a greeting to each other.
Only after the threesome climbed up to the top of the small ditch where the Moonpool lay did they see the ThunderClan medicine cat, Seedlight, already sitting at the mirror-like water's edge. When she heard the others' paws, she turned around quickly, sat up, and licked her chest. The others shuffled down towards her.
"Hello Beechpaw, Antstep, Whiskerpelt. Shall we start?" Seedlight mewed.
"I guess," Beechpaw replied. Beechpaw frowned. Would she get to see Willowshine? What would StarClan see her as - a medicine cat or an apprentice? Despite her troublesome thoughts, she sat down at the edge of the Moonpool with the others, took a sip, and fell asleep.
She awoke lying in a small hollow, ringed by trees. A few pink and yellow flowers bloomed happily at her feet. Everything shone bright green. At the far side sat a cat. "Willowshine?" Beechpaw whispered.
"I am here, Beechpaw," came the answer.
"Willowshine!" Beechpaw leaped up to her old mentor. "I've missed you! How much I wish you were still back in RiverClan. I've gotten help with medicine cat duties, though, from Duskfur, but it's not the same. She is almost always telling me something I already know, or an old useless story."
Willowshine nuzzled her. "I miss you too. It is nice to see old friends who have passed on, though." She sighed. "But do you know what is going to happen today?"
Beechpaw tilted her head in confusion, then widen her eyes. "Are y-you going to...?"
Willowshine smiled and nodded. "Yes. You will get your medicine cat name." She then peered up at the ring of trees bordering the hollow. "You know, I know you're there. You can come out now," she mewed in a louder voice. One by one, three cats came out, all of them the medicine cats from the other Clans. The last one that appeared surprised Beechpaw - a light gray tabby she-cat. Icestar.
"Icestar? How did you get here? Why are you here?" Beechpaw questioned.
Icestar only shrugged. "I went to sleep last night and woke up here. I heard your conversation with Willowshine, though, and I think that is why." She nudged Beechpaw. "Go. We should start."
Beechpaw stepped over to Willowshine and sat. The other Clan cats gathered around the two. The young medicine cat kneaded the ground in anticipation. Willowshine looked up at the edges of the hollow, where many star-lit cats suddenly stood at the brim. "I, Willowshine, former medicine cat of RiverClan, 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. Beechpaw, 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?"
Beechpaw quivered with excitement. This was finally it! She would be a real medicine cat. All the other cats smiled at her. "I do," she tried to talk normally, but it came out as a whisper.
"Then by the power of StarClan, I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Beechpaw, from this moment you will be known as Beechleaf. StarClan honors your skills and perseverance. By keeping going when you were alone you have proved to be a truly loyal Clan member." As a leader would do when giving an apprentice their warrior name, Willowshine set her muzzle of Beechleaf's head, and the new medicine cat liked her mentor's shoulder.
"Beechleaf! Beechleaf!" Seedlight cheered. The others soon joined in to celebrate the occasion. The other StarClan cats watching also joined in the chant. Beechleaf felt very happy for the first time it what felt like a long time. She received many congratulations, some of which from cats she did not recognize. Before long, the StarClan cats started to fade away, and Beechleaf knew she would be back in the real world before long. Although, she felt fine with going back, as she was content.
When the Moonpool faded into view, Beechleaf stood and stretched. The others stirred around her, and slowly made their way up to the brim of the hollow. "Congratulations, Beechleaf," Whiskerpelt mewed when they reached the lake and split off from the others, skirting the edge towards RiverClan. "I haven't met nor heard of any other cat who had to go through StarClan to get their medicine cat name."
"Th- thank you?" Beechleaf wasn't quite sure whether the last part was a compliment or just a statement.
Whiskerpelt glanced down at Beechleaf and smiled, before setting his eyes back on the trail. "You're welcome." The two continued on in silence for a while before Whiskerpelt again spoke up. "Well, this is where we part ways. Goodbye, Beechleaf!" He trudged up a small hill heading towards the WindClan camp.
"Goodbye! May StarClan light your path!" Beechleaf called back. Before long, she reached the RiverClan boarder and entered the shade of trees, much to her contentment. The open fields of WindClan never seemed right to her.
She reached the river and almost stepped paw onto the first stepping stone, when, glancing down at the muddy bank, she spotted something that made her freeze. A paw print. Quickly, Beechleaf padded a little closer. A big paw print. Bigger than a cat's. She bent down to smell it and instantly was met with an atroucious, distinctive smell.
Badger.
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Sooo, what did ya think? Mwahaha! Cliff hangar! I like to leave you guys with those. ^.^ It was kind of a long chapter. Surprise that it was in Beechpaw- er, leaf's point of view! Also, thought I would give you a picture of her:

Cute, right?! I thought the swirly thing looked cool. The pattern was called something like a bull's eye. Also, I have an announcement for this book...
I'm gonna put it in the Wattys 2016! Ya, I know it's a very slim chance I'd win anything, but heck, why not? This is the third chapter I wrote in 2016 (impressive, huh? *rolls eyes*), so it is officially legitimate to enter. I might start another story that I want to put in the Wattys, too, that I had a really good idea for. Well, please help out by voting! Thanks!
-Emrysstar
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