[Lost In The Pines]- Chapter 9 is up

(Art by Searipple101,Story and characters by Blueheart22)

"Hush little one. Everything will be okay" a soft she-cat's voice sounded from the nursery. A large black and white Tom gripped the tiny tan and black kit by the scruff and pulled him away from his mother. The scent of the two were like night and day, completely different.

"Please don't take Palekit from me Hawkstar. I'm begging you." The she-cat pleaded.

"Quiet!" The black Tom snapped. "For one, Dovestar said she'd give us one of the kits. Your clan has killed one of ours, do you understand?" The leader turned away from the kits mother and took a step. "I'll treat him as if he was my own."

"Palekit!" The little light grey and black tabby kit yowled. "Don't take my bother you fox-heart!" She cried. The mother wrapped her tail over the kits mouth and bowed her head.

"Just. Please take care of him Hawkstar." The tan tabby mewed sadly.

"Of course Larkfeather. I'll be sure he turns into a great warrior."
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Chapter 1-

Duskpaw pushed Frostfang's fur out of the way of the tick he was digging up. His face twisting with disgust as the scent of mouse bile filled the den.

"Can't you do that outside?" Redclaw growled. "It's stinking up the whole place."

"If I do this outside, then the whole clan will start complaining. I don't know about you, but I rather have a grumpy elder on my tail than the whole of Shadowclan." Duskpaw mewed.

"I don't know. I would rather fight the whole clan than listen to Redclaw's whining" Featherpaw joked. "Are you almost done? Hawkstar wants to see you"

"Yeah. Just about done." He mewed, pulling the last tick out. "I'll see you two later. Try not to get at each other's throats" He padded up to his littermate and flicked his tail. "You think after seasons of being mates that they'd learn to get along." He muttered.

Featherpaw snorted and rolled her eyes. "Come on furball, Our leader is waiting."

The two apprentice's stopped in front of the tall black Tom as he looked down at them. "It's almost time to get your warrior names." He looked at his two kits, fire in his eyes. "It's time Riverclan learns their place"

Featherpaw looked at him confused. "Why are you telling us this and not the clan? Why after moons of peace are we starting another war?"

"Because." The leader wrapped his tail around the two of them. "Riverstripe, your mother, was murdered by those fox-hearts" he growled. "I wanted you to be the first ones to know." He turned away and slunk back into his den. Duskpaw looked over at his sister who stood there with no emotion in her eyes, just coldness. The kind of frost that only appeared when she was badly hurt and trying to stay strong.

"Yes Hawkstar. Understood." They both said before leaving to go back to their duties.

Chapter 2-

Greypaw stared at the herbs at her paws with intense focus. "Juniper berries for belly aches" she mewed softly to herself. A bright light flashed in her eyes and she squinted. "Dawn already?" She felt exhausted from studying all night. She stretched and yawned while Larksplash padded into the den.

"Greypaw?" She said softly. "May I come in?"

"Of course. What can I do for you?" The little medicine cat asked her mother. The tan tabby shuffled her paws and looked down at the earth looking very nervous.

"I've been having dreams again and now I can't sleep." Greypaw blinked slowly. The she-cat looked pathetic. Her pelt unkept, her eyes dull, her tail drooping.

"I'll give you some poppy seeds to help you sleep. In the meantime, why don't you tell me about Palekit again. I know you like talking about him. Her mother nodded and brightened a bit as she lapped up a few black seeds and headed to the nursery. She felt bad for her but at the same time felt she needed to get over the lost kit. She shook her pelt and headed towards the nursery. Greypaw calmly listened to her mother talk about the tan and black tom and how Hawkstar had taken him to Shadowclan to slaughter him like one of their kits were. She licked Larksplash's pelt to calm her down until she became drowsy.

"You know, you would have been a good queen if you weren't a medicine cat" She purred to her kit.

"I know Larksplash, but the clan needed a medicine cat. Besides, I don't mind not having a mate or kits. If you really wanted, why don't you and Heatherheart have more kits? Surely then one of them would have kits of their own" Greypaw told her.

"Oh no. My kitting days are over" she said quickly. "I'm content with helping the other queens." Greypaw nodded and left the nursery when she fell asleep.

"Ready for the gathering?" Dovestar asked the tiny grey tabby. "You look as exhausted as a fish swimming upstream." Greypaw sighed and nodded,

"that's exactly how I feel" she told the leader. Dark grey fur passed her sight. She glanced over at the tom, longing to say something but knew it would be in vain. The brown and white leader laid her tail tip gently on the medical cat's shoulder.

"It will take him more time to go back to normal. He lost his only son, it's hard on him" Dovestar whispered. Greypaw felt fur start to stand up but was quick to flatten it.

"He's had plenty of time" she snapped. Greypaw thought back to moons after Palekit was taken, when she had to deal with her mother and father being to busy morning over her brother to play with her or care for her. To her, Heatherheart was just another stubborn Tom In the clan and Larksplash was mostly a pile of fur and bones that sat in the nursery all her days. She had no other kits to play with and had to learn to eat fresh kill early. She turned her back on Dovestar and went to join the others that were going.

Chapter 3-

"Twistedhawk, Whitefire, are these apprentices ready for their warrior name?" Hawkstar asked, standing over the clan on Large Pine.

"Yes Hawkstar. I have nothing else to teach Featherpaw" Twistedhawk's gruff voice echoed. Duskpaw looked down at his old mentor. His heart started to pound, awaiting her answer.

"Yes Hawkstar. He's ready" Whitefire purred softly. Hawkstar nodded at the two, pride in his dark blue eyes.

"Then by the power of Starclan I, Hawkstar, ask for these apprentices to be looked down upon." He touched Featherpaw. "Featherpaw, we thank you for your bravery and skill. We welcome you as Featherwhisp.

"Featherwhisp! Featherwhisp!" Duskpaw yowled his sister's new name as load as he could along with the rest of the clan.

"Duskpaw" Hawkstar laid his muzzle on his shoulder. "We thank you for your loyalty and dedication to your clan. We welcome you as Duskbreeze."

"Duskbreeze! Duskbreeze!" The black and tan tom saw pride in his father's gaze as he looked at Duskbreeze.

"It's time to leave for the gathering." Hawkstar mewed and started to name off all the cats that were going to be attending the gathering. "And remember" he mewed after two groups of cats separated. "We aren't to say a word to Riverclan about our attack. I want this to be a surprise" The black Tom's dark blue eyes glistened with humour. The clan murmured softly in agreement at their leader's instructions. "I know you two are supposed to gaurd the camp." Hawkstar whispered to them. "But I feel you should come tonight." The large tom bounced off the pine tree to join the group of cats already leaving for the gathering. Duskbreeze followed Featherwhisp as she left to chat with Twistedhawk.

"Just think of all the things you can do now that you're a warrior." The gold tom mewed to the black she-cat.

"I know" She purred and pressed against Twistedhawk. "I can't wait" Duskbreeze widened his eyes. He never heard his sister purr before. In fact, he didn't think she was capable of that action. Twistedhawk, looking a little uncomfortable and blushing, stumbled away from the little she-cat so his pelt wasn't touching hers.

"Excited?" Whitefire mewed, surprising Duskbreeze to the point where he jumped at the sound of her voice. That made the white she-cat chuckle. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's fine. I was just thinking about things." He said, continuing to watch his sister flirt with the older warrior.

"I see." She looked at the two cats and said thoughtfully. "Have you been thinking about you you'd like as a mate?" Duskbreeze blinked and shook his head.

"Actually I haven't thought about that at all." He mewed to his former mentor. She gave him a sweet smile.

"Well don't rush. You have all your life to think about it. I didn't have a mate until well into being a warrior." Whitefire said before rushing over between Twistedhawk and Featherwhisp. Duskbreeze shook his head and smiled as his mentor friendly shoving an embarrassed Twistedhawk. Soon, they arrived and scents of all the clans hit his nose.

"Greypaw!" Duskbreeze yowled when he saw the Riverclan medicine cat apprentice prance in. He padded over to the dark grey she-cat tabby and purred. "How's everything?"

"Just fine. It hasn't been very busy thank Starclan. Although Larkfeather has been complaining again." She sighed. Duskbreeze purred at the grumpy she-cat's complaint. "Did you pass your assessment?" She asked at last.

"I sure did. My name is Duskbreeze now." He purred. Greypaw sighed again.

"I hope Wollyear gives me my medicine cat name soon. I practically do all the work while he suns himself on the rocks. He says 'It good practice. One day you'll thank me'" She snorted. "That fat mousebrain might as well join the elders." Duskbreeze looked up at the Leader's tree noticing the gathering news was about to start.

"Sorry but it looks like we have to cut this short." Duskbreeze mewed. Greypaw waved her tail in dismissal and slowly made her way to Wollyear.

Chapter 4-

Greypaw wrinkled her nose when she sat by her mentor. The tom smelt like he rolled in dung. He's eyes were unusually grim as he stared up at the leaders. "This is bad" he murmured, looking up at Hawkstar.

"I'll start first" The big black tom nearly shouted. The other leaders looked at each other as the rude tom shouldered his way forward.

"Go ahead Hawkstar" Dovestar mewed softly. Hawkstar gave her a harsh glare and lashes his tail.

"I will Dovestar." Greypaw started to think about how Duskbreeze looked nothing like the gruff tom. Compared to his sister, who had apparently became Featherwhisp, he looked completely out of place. She tilted her head in interest as Hawkstar continued. "Shadowclan demands more land from Riverclan. The war they have started has scared away most of our prey. Riverclan can fish from the rivers while Shadow can only hunt on land." Greypaw almost snorted at the thought of Shadowclan cats trying to swim. The cats long fur would weigh them all down.

"Maybe if you all learned to swim and fish, you wouldn't be hungry" Dovestar replied. "Instead of relying on other clans to pity you" Finchstar, the Thunderclan leader, snickered at Dovestar's sass while Flamestar rolled his eyes.

"Typically Riverclan and Shadowclan. Always fighting useless battles" Greypaw heard and perked her ears. "I'm glad I'm not in those clans" a Windclan apprentice mumbled back to his clan mate. "Shhh furballs. I can't hear" Greypaw said annoyed. The apprentices rolled their eyes until a senior warrior jabbed them with a paw.

"Sorry about that Greypaw." Branchwing apologized. "Have some respect for a medicine cat! She may save your life one day!" She growled. Greypaw remembered stories of how Wollyear saved her live after a nasty dog attack. Greypaw nodded slowly, accepting her apology. When she turned her head, the Shadowclan leader was already leaping off to round up his clan to leave. She missed all of it.

"Riverclan refused Shadowclan's request like always. We might have a war on our paws soon" Wollyear whispered to her. "Just in case you missed it" he grinned. Greypaw blinked and nodded her thanks. She got up to talk to Duskbreeze one more time before she left. The tom was talking to Featherwhisp when she walked up. She was about to speak when Hawkstar came in between them.

"Shadowclan refuses any communication with Riverclan until they give up land" he growled.

"I think you forget that medicine cat's don't share the same conflict as the clans." Greypaw mewed sternly. "I am allowed to talk to who I want." Hawkstar lashed his tail.

"Not to my son." He growled. "I suggest you walk on home now" he turned away, pushing Duskbreeze away as he complained to his father.

"Who put dirt in his freshkill?" Greypaw murmured to herself as she left to join her own clan.

Chapter 5-

Duskbreeze laid restlessly in his nest next to Featherwhisp. He flicked his tail in annoyance when he opened his eyes after countless tries to get some sleep. He got up slowly and snuck out of the den to go for a midnight stroll. He greeted Twistedhawk as he passed by the night guard.

"Where are you going Duskbreeze" the golden tom whispered.

"I'm just going for a walk. I couldn't sleep at all." Duskbreeze mewed quitely. "I'll be back in no time" Twistedhawk nodded and let him pass. Soon the strong smell of pines and sap wrapped around him. He breathed in deeply and purred. The tan and black tom looked around the territory to figure out where he'd go first and decided to head near the Riverclan border. When he was near the border, he heard yowling and splashing. He perked up his ears and ran quickly to the ruckus.

"Hold on Larkfeather! I'll get you out!" Greypaw's voice was slightly muffled by the sounds of angry waves crashing over the older she-cat. Without thinking, Duskbreeze jumped into it. Instincts kicked in and he started paddling towards Larkfeather.

"Duskbreeze! Get out of there! You can't swim!" Greypaw's voice was hard to hear as his head bobbed in and out of the water. The tom kicked harder and grabbed the scruff of the tan she-cat. The nearly drowning cat felt limp in his jaws as he brought her to the Riverclan shore. Without saying anything, Greypaw rushed over and started pushing on her mother's stomach and opened her jaws. Water gushed from the she-cat and she opened her amber eyes. She looked dazed and confused when she looked up at Duskbreeze.

"Palekit? Am I in Starclan? But you look all grown up." She started coughing out more water.

"Duskbreeze can you get some thyme? There should be some over here somewhere." Greypaw asked, sniffing her mother. Duskbreeze nodded and hurried over to a patch and bit off the green herb like Greypaw had once described she's done. He rushed over to the two Riverclan cats. She thanked him and gave the herbs to Larkfeather. The frail she-cat chewed and swallowed the herb all while looking at the tom. When she was done she looked at him with wonder.

"You're real. Palekit." Larkfeather whispered. Graypaw shook her head.

"No Larkfeather, that's Duskbreeze from Shadowclan." She mewed softly.

"Nonsense! I know my own kit when I see them!" She rasped. "Shadowclan didn't kill you" she smiled and purred. "Both my kits are here. I'm so happy." Duskbreeze tilted his head a tad.

"Shadowclan doesn't kill kits." He shook out his wet pelt. "And my mother was Blacktail. I was born and raised in Shadowclan." He told her.

"Look at you! For Starclan's sake, you look exactly like me!" Larkfeather almost shouted. Duskbreeze looked down at his reflection in the river. She was right, he looked almost exactly like her. But that would mean Hawkstar had lied to him. The whole clan would have. "Come back to your kin Duskbreeze." She mewed softly. "We've missed you so much when Hawkstar took you."

"Took me?" Duskbreeze repeated. He took a step back. "So even if I was your kit, you let me be taken? Did you even fight for your kit?" He asked harshly. He was starting to panic, his chest hurting and his eyes wide. "I'm not your kit you crazy old she-cat." Greypaw flattened her ears, clearly uncomfortable.

"You swam to save me." She responded and looked at his paws. "Look, those are Riverclan paws." She avoided his questions.

"If I was your kit, why didn't you try to protect me?" He growled again.

"It was Dovestar's decision" she mewed sadly. "She agreed with Shadowclan when one of Hawkstar's kits were accidently killed in a battle between Riverclan and Shadowclan that they'd take away one of our kits. They took you away from me Palebreeze."

"It's DUSKbreeze." He corrected her. He narrowed his own amber eyes at her. "Why would I go back to a clan who was so quick to give me up? Why would I leave the clan that raised me or the father the taught me so much? What about the sister who'd help me pull ticks off elders?"

"You have another sister and father who'd love you even more." She glanced over at the uncomfortable Greypaw. "Heatherheart would be so happy to see you Duskbreeze." Larkfeather mewed. Duskbreeze looked over at Graypaw and flicked his tail.

"No offense to Greypaw, but she will never be my sister. Only my good friend and someone I respect as a medicine cat." He turned around looked at the river. It has calmed down a lot in the time they had stood talking. He jumped in and started crossing the river back to the pine forest, hearing Larkfeather cry out for him to come back. He ignored the she-cat's pleads and ran across the forest until he reached the camp

"What happened to you?" Twistedhawk asked. "You're soaked."

"I fell in a river. I'm fine" the tan and black tom grumbled impatiently. He shook his pelt and headed to his nest. He wrapped his tail around him, tail-tip over his nose and shut his eyes.

Chapter 6-

Greypaw headed back to camp with a soaked Larkfeather leaning on her side. The she-cat lashed her tail in annoyance at the event that took place at moonhigh. How hadn't any of the others noticed the similarities between Palekit and Duskbreeze? Both toms with tan and black fur and in Shadowclan. What angered her the most was she didn't recognize her own brother. She slowly made her way to Wollyear's den and set her mother down in a nest.

"What happened here?" The old medicine cat rasped. He padded over and sniffed her. "She's not hurt at all. Maybe just let her get dried off here and then back to her nest in the nursery." He said before giving Greypaw a chance to explain. "By the way Greypaw." Wollyear turned to his apprentice. "It's about time for me to join the elders. I can hardly get up to the stone anymore."

"Are you saying I'm going to get my medicine cat name?" Greypaw asked. "Are you sure you're ready to join them?" Wollyear nodded and grinned at her.

"You'll be fine." He flicked her ear lovingly. "You can still come see me sunning on the rocks." Greypaw blinked and then realized she'd miss him snoring in the nest next to her's. The tom was more of a rather than Heatherheart ever was. "Also, I heard Emberkit has a gift for remembering things such as herbs." The old tom winked at her. "Maybe he'd be a good medicine cat. Anyways." Wollyear licked his matted chest fur. "I'll take you to the stone tonight. The others will be coming too." She nodded, slightly excited and slightly saddened."I'll tell Dovestar what's going on." The brown tom turned around and left the willow and stone den and headed up to the white she-cat. Greypaw sighed and laid down in her nest. She wanted to get some sleep before cutting into Shadowclan's territory to get to the Light Stone.
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"Greypaw. Do you promise to uphold the medicine cat code and spend endless nights awake in order to heal your clan?" Wollyear asked his apprentice.

"I do" She held her head up high and looked into his eyes.

"Then I give you your full name. From now, you will be known as Greypath." Wollyear touched noses with her and whispered into her ear. "Follow your heart. No matter what others say." He turned away to let her near the Light Stone. Soon, light filled the small stone and she touched her nose to it and then closed her eyes, entering a new world.

"Greypath. Congratulations." A small ginger, white, and grey spotted she-cat purred.

"Berryfoot!" Greypath ran to touch noses with the starry cat. Her father's littermate purred with joy and licked her head. "What are you doing here?" She asked.

"I've come to deliver a message" She mewed.

"A prophecy?" Greypath's ears perked up in surprise.

"Not quite." Berryfoot's voice trailed off. "More like advice" her blue eyes looked into Greypath's gold ones and wrapped her tail around her. "Listen to your kin Greypath. You'll feel divided, but do what's right or your path and destiny will become very dark." She looked over her shoulder and mewed quitely before leaving. "I have to go. Remember my words. Please Greypath, follow your heart."

"What!" Greypath tried to call her back, but it was too late. She opened her eyes and hissed in annoyance as she woke up.

"Come on." Wollyear mewed as the other cats said their congratulations and goodbyes. "It's time to go home." Greypath thought there was a hint of sorrow in his eyes as they started to walk.
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The two cats stepped paw into Shadowclan's pine forest. There was silence between the two until a snap and a loud cry sounded in the air. Greypath turned to see a fox trap snapped around Wollyear's belly. Greypath stared in horror at her mentor as he went limp. He was gone.

Chapter 7-

"I am sad to announce that Wollyear our medicine cat has joined Starclan" Dovestar mewed to the clan. "He will be dearly missed but I know he'd want us to move on instead of mourn for him. Greypath will continue to serve as our medicine cat and will train Emberpaw to be as skillful and knowledgeable as he once was." The little ginger Tom bounced up to Greypath and touched noses with her.

"Wollyear! Emberpaw! Tabbypaw!"

When the cheering subsided, Greypath beckoned Emberpaw with her tail. The tiny tom purred and followed quickly his eyes wide as he stared at all the herbs and scrunched his nose at the scent.

"What's that one?" He pointed at one of the herbs with a paw.

"That's horsetail." Greypath replied. "You'll learn them soon enough. For now, get some sleep." Dovestar decided to have the apprentice ceremony at moonhigh, the day Wollyear died, so the clan would be in better spirits.

"Alright" Emberpaw sighed with disappointment and curled up in his nest. Greypath looked at her mentor's old nest. It all was still there, brown tufts of his fur and everything. She curled up and closed her eyes and soon opened them to find herself in front of Wollyear. He looked as young as the day they've met. His fur no longer matted and mangled but sleek and glossy. His blue eyes bright and tail bushy.

"Wollyear!" Greypath purred and touched her nose to his pelt. The brown tom purred and touched his nose to her ear.

"Greypath." He stared at her. "When Emberpaw is trained enough and when it is one night before the moon is full you must leave. Follow the wind and your heart to your new path. You will find a cat that needs saving, and in return he will save you." Tears formed in his eyes. "Trust in the wind and your own heart. Not in your clan and Starclan or you will end before you've started. Please listen to me Graypath. I will always look over you even when others abandon you." The old medicine cat left. A trail of star dust painted his path. Another cat peeked out from the bushes.

"Don't listen to that fool Greypath. You belong in the clans. Do not abandon the cats who love you. Who raised you. You're one of us." The thin she-cat scurried away in a hurry. "Trust us."

Chapter 8-

"Hey Duskbreeze. Mind coming with me? Hawkstar asked me to go hunting and said to take someone else with me." Whitefire asked. The sleek she-cat's eyes shone with excitement.

"I don't see why not." He replied and made his way out of the fallen pine branches that made up the warrior's den. He shook his fur, getting any pine needles that might have been stuck in his fur out. "Where are we heading off to?"

"The bog. No one's hunted there for awhile. I'm sure there's plenty of frogs there." She grinned and licked her lips at the thought of biting into one of the bog frogs.

"Sounds good. Who else is coming along?"

"Just us." Whitefire said looking around the camp. "Everyone else is busy."

"Alright. Let's go then." Duskbreeze lead the way out of camp, Whitefire close behind him. "We'll have to take the long way. Featherwhisp and Twistedhawk said the adders are starting to get feisty."

The two of them walked in silence for many heartbeats until Duskbreeze broke it.

"Whitefire, did you know I was from Riverclan?" The white she-cat stopped walking for a second. Her ears perked and eyes wide in surprise.

"Yes. The whole clan knows that." She said slowly.

"How come no one told me I was a kit from Riverclan? No one ever told me that Greypaw and I are kin. Why?" Duskbreeze stared long and hard at his old mentor. Not an angry or upset stare, but a curious one.

"Hawkstar felt if you knew you were from a different clan that you'd leave him and go back. He didn't want to lose another kit Duskbreeze." Whitefire pressed against him. "Please believe me when I say he loves you like he does his own blood. You mean just as much to him as Featherwhisp does or as Dawnkit did."

"I believe that. I just wanted to know why." He mewed. He stood there for a heartbeat or two before saying something else. "I think I need to leave for awhile. It doesn't feel right being here at this moment." Duskbreeze looked up at the sky. "I feel like I do belong here but for some reason I need to go outside the clans and become someone I need and want to be." He turned his head back to look at the she-cat. Her fur had turned silver by the moonlight and ruffled by the night's wind. "I hope you understand. I will come back but right now, I need to leave and find myself. You've been a good friend of mine and an amazing mentor. I'm thankful to have you in my life."

"Duskbreeze." Whitefire whispered, trying to think of something to say but she couldn't think of any other words.

"I want you to come with me. I don't want to do this alone. Will you trust me enough to do this with me?"

"I don't know Duskbreeze. You're asking a lot of me." Whitefire's voice trailed off.

"I know I am. I promise on my place in Starclan I will protect you with all my strength. I can't do this alone. I need someone as positive and kind like you by my side on this journey. Please Whitefire. Trust me." Duskbreeze pleaded.

Whitefire sucked in a deep breath and sighed. Her eyes filled with determination. "Alright. I'll come along. But if you get yourself killed I'll never forgive you."

"Understood." Duskbreeze purred. "We'll meet near the Riverclan border just before the gathering."

"Why the Riverclan border?"

"I just have this feeling." He mewed. "And my feelings have never steered me wrong."

Chapter 9-

"Greypath, do you really think I'm ready for my medicine cat name? I mean, it took you seasons to get yours!" Emberpaw looked at her nervously.

"I have faith in you Emberpaw. You've learned the herbs faster than any cat I've known or heard of. Besides, what if something happened to me and you didn't get your name?" She looked away from the ginger tom and watched the rivers disappear as they walked through Shadowclan territory to reach the stone. The dark pines forest seemed very sinister. The tree's limps looked as if they were stretching out to grab her and the owls hoots made her jump. She didn't understand why her brother would want to live in such a scary place.

"Are you talking about what happened to Wollyear?" Emberpaw's voice broke her thoughts. "Greypath, Medicine cats rarely die by things like that. I don't think that would happen to you."

"I'm glad you think that but let's just be safe and give you your name anyways." She flicked her silver ringed tail. "Besides, it's too late to go back." She nodded at a Shadowclan patrol as they walked past. "We're almost there." Greypath stopped as they reached the stone. "It is time for you to get your medicine cat name. Emberpaw, you study long and hard to become the best medicine cat you can be. From this day forth, you will be known as Emberheart. Now, touch your nose to the stone."
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Greypath sat by the Riverclan and Shadowclan border waiting by the sandy bank. "Emberheart will be fine by himself. This isn't his first gathering." She repeated to herself.

"Greypath? What are you doing here" Duskbreeze asked. Whitefire walked right behind him looking confused as well.

"I was told to wait here on this night by Starclan." She told him simply. "And here we all are."

Duskbreeze looked blankly at her. "Were you told to leave the clans?"

"I was told to follow the wind as well as my heart." Greypath flicked her ear. "It looks like my path is to make sure you don't get yourself killed."

"This journey is supposed to be only me and Whitefire. I'm supposed to get away from the clans and code and kin." He lashed his tail in annoyance.

"Obviously not if Starclan send me here." Greypath snorted. "If I don't go with you, I'm going to have to report this to Dovestar. And you know how she is about making sure the other clan leaders know what's going on."

"I don't see the harm in it. It might be good to have someone who knows herbs." Whitefire said, her eyes locked onto the Riverclan medicine cat.

"Alright. Fine. You can come." Duskbreeze sighed.

"You didn't have a choice mousebrain. I would have followed you two. Now, lead the way." Greypath smirked.