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One moon had passed since the former RidgeClanners were forced from the safe confines of HeathClan's camp. Their tired, worn paws were dragged across the rugged earth once again, Leafdance and Nightfrost leading them outside of Clan territory and into the unknown. The younger complained while the older pondered, but they all felt the exact same terror about the situation. Would they ever have a true, safe home again?

Eventually they wandered across an abandoned Twoleg den that appeared weathered and destructed. The wooden walls were ripped open and moss and loose tree branches clung to the roof and the sides. A fallen tree broke the structure in half but despite all the damage it was their only shield from rain and harsh winds. While Nightfrost was wary about the shelter, Leafdance insisted it would be the only decently safe place they would find for moons of searching and eventually all of the others agreed.

Now Lynxpaw was restricted to sorting herbs and resting in a small corner of the structure. The walls of her so-called den were burdened with holes and ripped bark, but it was a somewhat desolate escape from the conversations stirring outside. Leafdance and Nightfrost constantly bickered over what to do next. Daisytuft proposed ideas of gaining HeathClan's trust again and Pebblestep urged to fight back against Cottonstar. Every cat seemed to be a part of the conversation but Lynxpaw, who instead peered out of the corner of her eyes as she sorted herbs into neat, organised piles.

Her input would be an earfull in her opinion. She could not help but blame the Star Realm for the disasters they were facing. Lynxpaw knew they would eventually have to do something if they wanted to save the Clans. HeathClan was already shrouded by a darkness Mousestar was blind to and now Lynxpaw and a few homeless, former RidgeClanners were the only ones left without darkness clinging to their ranks.

Instead of speaking up, she merely sighed and watched as the days slinked on by. The night sky was freckled with faint outlines of stars and Lynxpaw could only stare through narrowed eyes. Why was the Star Realm so hesitant on gifting her answers? If the danger towering over the Clans was their fault, why were they not fighting to banish it? The questions left her wide awake at night and fighting to stay awake during the day.

Now as the sun rose in the distance, Lynxpaw stepped outside her residence and examined her Clanmates. Leafdance had left earlier to finally aid Mottledpaw in her Warrior assignment, something the calico had been pleading for since their arrival in HeathClan. Redpaw and Hawkpaw had gone hunting with Fawnleap, leaving Flareheart and Pebblestep watching over the camp. Nightfrost was presumably hiding away and speaking with Daisytuft again, an event that shocked and annoyed Lynxpaw.

"Lynxpaw!"

The medicine cat apprentice's ears moved forward as her gaze traveled over to the source of the voice. Featherkit was approaching her, Thicketkit mewing after her as the tom was groomed by his mother a few foxlengths away. Lynxpaw blinked as Featherkit halted before her, a flower held between her teeth with pale, pink petals.

The she-kit dropped it at Lynxpaw's paw, smiling up at the apprentice. "I found this outside and decided I'd give it to you," Featherkit nervously mumbled, shuffling her paws. "I want to thank you for helping us so much. Momma said without you that... We all might have been dead by now. I know we lost my father and others but I do believe my momma. You have kept us alive just as much as Nightfrost and Leafdance have."

Lynxpaw's mouth was left gaped open, left speechless by the kit's gift and words. Her heart swelled with pride but at the same time a feeling of guilt crawled through her skin like rain on a ripped patch of her pelt. She eased a smile onto her face and glanced over towards Shiverbee. The Queen grinned back before twitching her ears and calling to Featherkit.

"Thank you, Featherkit," Lynxpaw purred to the tiny she-kit before she turned away. "It means a lot to me."

The silver kit nodded as she shifted directions and bounded over to her mother. Lynxpaw inhaled and stared down at the wilting flower at her paws, its petals already drying with rough edges and fading color. The medicine cat apprentice stood to her paws as she held the stem of the flower between her teeth, bringing it back into her sleeping corner of the structure.

Lynxpaw tucked the flower into her ragged nest, smiling as Featherkit's words replayed in her head. They flooded her with relieve, but then again brought back harsh memories of those they had lost. The poor kit had witnessed the death of Marshleap, Foxpaw, and even her own father, yet she was still light on her paws and benevolent. Was every cat able to handle these situations emotionally or was Lynxpaw still the only one struggling?

Suddenly, her ears perked as a loud conversation started from outside her corner. The apprentice whirled around and poked her head out, spotting Leafdance, Redpaw, Hawkpaw, Fawnleap, and Mottledpaw. They all carried prey, a promising sight that drew Lynxpaw out into the clearing in an instant. Nightfrost and Daisytuft also strut over to the crowd, Flareheart and Pebblestep racing over to Leafdance's side.

"We have enough prey to feed every mouth today!" Leafdance announced, cheerful yowls following. He then silenced every cat with a flick of her tail as he turned to eye Mottledpaw. "My apprentice has also passed her assessment. Today, we welcome a spectacular new warrior amongst our ranks!"

Lynxpaw lit up at the announcement of her friend having had passed her assessment. Mottledpaw chuckled and her visage glowed as sunlight sprinkled across her green gaze. Lynxpaw stared in awe for a moment, her ear tips igniting as she admired the molly. She then snapped out of her trance as Leafdance beckoned every cat around him and Mottledpaw. Focus, no time for such kit-like distractions, Lynxpaw told herself as she squinted and directed her ful attention to Leafdance.

The tom turned to eye Mottledpaw, the calico bowing her head to her mentor. Lynxpaw noticed how Leafdance hesitated at first, his gaze flickering amongst the crowd before it landed back on his apprentice. The tom never held a ceremony before, but with no leader to hold traditions the task fell into his paws. Every cat looked up to and admired the bold, dashing warrior, and now he had to aid to keep them as balanced as he could.

"Mottledpaw, you performed extravagantly today. Your hunting and tracking skills are marvelous and you have shown me how prepared you are to be a full Warrior and serve your... Clan." Leafdance paused for a moment, the tom obviously pondering about his choice of words. Lynxpaw's ears dropped for a mere moment. Were they even truly considered a Clan anymore or just a band of runaways? They had their traditions and their kin, but with no ranks and home, they was nothing there to withstand their RidgeClan name.

Leafdance broke the awkward silence after a few tail flicks and continued on. "We have been through a lot in the last moon or so, but throughout it all you have proved yourself to be loyal and strong. You've aided your fellow apprentices in keeping their training schedules and helped out on plenty of hunting patrols. I'm sure every cat here would agree with me that you will make a fine Warrior!"

The crowd purred and cheered along to show their agreement. Lynxpaw's ears perked up and a smile creased over her muzzle as Mottledpaw glanced her way. She'll make such a great Warrior, Lynxpaw thought, nodding to her friend.

"So we are gathered here today to not only take a breath and relax, for we have been through so much, but to welcome Mottledpaw as a full Warrior amongst us!" Mottledpaw and Leafdance shifted towards each other, the tom then pressing his muzzle gently to her forehead. "From this day forth, you will now be known as Mottledrose. Let your name remind all of your delicate, benevolent nature yet the thorns you show to any who dare show malicious intentions. You will make a fine Warrior and may the stars keep that promise among them!"

"Mottledrose! Mottledrose!"

Lynxpaw beamed and joined along in the joyous cheer. It had been moons since she witnessed a ceremony, but somehow this one didn't feel much different. They were all still cheering and congratulating the new Warrior. Every cat held a grin and talked amongst one another. The familiar, enchanting atmosphere clung to Lynxpaw like dew to grass in a waking morning, and she wished it would stay like this forever.

"I can't wait until it's me receiving my Warrior name." As the cheer died down, Lynxpaw turned to spot Hawkpaw stepping over to her side. Her brother grinned and nudged her playfully. "Soon enough, we'll both have our full names and we won't have to pick Daisytuft's pelt for ticks anymore!"

Lynxpaw scoffed at her brother's words. She stopped and spotted Mottledrose approaching them, the new Warrior beaming as if she was the horizon at sunrise herself. "Hey, looks like I really get to order you apprentices around now," She teasingly meowed.

"Oh, please-"

"Wait."

Lynxpaw was interrupted by Hawkpaw, the tom's ears pointed to the sky and his muzzle twitching. Confused, Lynxpaw's gaze darted around to spot others lifting their noses to scent the air, fur spiking along their spine and eyes wide. Leafdance rushed to the entrance of their damaged shelter, Flareheart and Pebblestep following him as they stared into the forest ahead.

Lynxpaw grew tense but she eventually followed every other cats actions. Lifting her muzzle to the air, she caught on to the scent that made her clanmates deranged and startled. HeathClan? Why would HeathClan be this far away from their home? Are they ambushing us?!

Mottledrose growled and stood in front of Hawkpaw and Lynxpaw protectively, Fawnleap bounding over to the young Warrior's side. "HeathClan cats approaching. Just as much cats as we have, I suppose from the strength," Fawnleap mumbled to Mottledrose loud enough for Lynxpaw to hear.

"They're coming from downwind. Either this is a mouse-brained attack or they want us to know of their presence," Mottledrose replied, her calico tail lashing to and fro.

Lynxpaw peered over Mottledrose and her mother to catch glimpse of the events unfolding ahead. Her eyes widened as she watched a familiar, russet pelt emerging from the undergrowth. Mousestar's pelt was stained in dried blood though, the foul scent mixing with her normal, heather hinted one. Several more HeathClanners followed in her pawsteps, all different ages littered in different shapes and sizes of scars. Lynxpaw's clanmates seemed to falter and calm down at the sight of the battered HeathClanners, but the apprentice's heart still kept to a steady, swift pace.

"Mousestar?" Leafdance spoke up to break the silence, his voice calm but Lynxpaw could still catch a hint of hostility wavering off of the tom. Mousestar wasn't so generous last time their Clans had interacted, so the tom had every right to be suspicious and on edge at her arrival. "Why are you here? What has happened to you?"

"Thank the Star Realm we finally found you," Mousestar breathed out. Despite the possible hostility of the situation, a hopeful smile emerged onto her face. "Your medicine cats were right. They were telling the truth. I was too blind and stubborn to see the hidden intentions of my own Clanmates."

Lynxpaw's heart stopped at Mousestar's words. Were their scars and wounds from their own Clanmates? She remembered the sinister looks that some of the HeathClanners had showcased and a chill crawled down her spine. She peered over to Nightfrost, her mentor sharing a horrified look with her before he bounded over to stand with Leafdance.

"You might need to join them, Lynxpaw," Fawnleap mumbled to her daughter, stepping aside to let her forward.

Lynxpaw inhaled, nervousness crashing over her as she padded over to join Nightfrost. Once she was at his side, she froze as she watched Mousestar glimpse her way. The leader's smile fell at the sight of her, and Lynxpaw recalled the hostile interaction they had when Mousestar banished them from residing within HeathClan. Now she regrets not listening to me, Lynxpaw told herself. Don't worry Mousestar, I know how hard this can be.

"I should have listened when Lynxpaw warned me," Mousestar started, hanging her head to show her utter disappointment in herself. "I was too stubborn. Too keen on the fact that there was no way there could be traitors within my Clan. Two quarter moons after you left though, Newtclaw tried to murder me in my sleep. Luckily, I was still awake and on high alert. I expected most of my Clan to come to my rescue as I rushed out of my den, but suddenly we were attacking one another. Newtclaw had followers. Newtclaw... Why would he want to kill me? He was such an amazing deputy. Has Star Realm cursed some of our own!?"

Lynxpaw swallowed at Mousestar's words. Before any other cat could speak though, Mousestar continued on with her explanation. "Luckily, some of us were able to escape. We lost so many, whether they turned treacherous or died to their own kin. I didn't know where to find safety, for now HeathClan and RidgeClan both belong to such foxhearted fools! I then remembered Lynxpaw... I remembered how I chased you all off. I remembered the direction in which you fled and for a quarter moon we searched desperately for you."

Every former RidgeClanner was silenced by Mousestar's news. Their once hardened, annoyed gaze towards the she-cat shifted into a soft and understanding one. Every cat now understood what one another was going through, and uneasiness lifted itself like evaporation a scorching day.

"Mousestar, we are so thankful you found us. We don't have enough food for all of these mouths as of right now, but we're sure your Clanmates would be willing to provide help," Leafdance softly explained to the leader. He then casted his gaze over the HeathClanners and sighed. "Most of you are injured though and have been without rest for days. I suggest all of you get checked out by Nightfrost and Lynxpaw immediatedly before hunting arrangements are made."

"Let me help as well." Lynxpaw's heart jolted and a hopeful grin emerged onto her face at the sight of Robinwing as he stepped up beside Mousestar. A tiny, gray dappled tom followed him with a bundle of herbs held in his jaw. "Fernpaw and I are willing to assist as much as we can, even if it means just gathering extra herbs."

Mousestar dipped her head to her medicine cat before Leafdance spoke once again. "Good. Each of you can tend to one cat at a time. Treat any wounds that need to be treated. If any cats need rest, send them instantly to get some, if not, they report to me in order to be assigned to a hunting patrol." The tom then turned to Flareheart and Pebblestep, beckoning Mottledrose over as well. "I hope you three don't mind taking a short hunting patrol for right now. I promise you three plenty of rest once you return home."

They nodded to Leafdance before he whirled back around to face Mousestar. "Make yourselves at home. Every cat here is expected to treat you with courtesy and respect. Please report any problems to me if needed," Leafdance informed, dipping his head to the molly.

Mousestar grinned at the tom before she lead her Clanmates forward. Lynxpaw watched as Nightfrost beckoned Robinwing and Fernpaw over to where their herbs were stored, the spotted molly bounded over in an instant. She was caught off guard when the dappled tom swirled around to greet her, his paws tingling as he chirped on.

"Hey! You must be Lynxpaw! I've heard so-"

"Fernpaw!" The apprentice was interrupted by a demanding scoff from Robinwing. "You and Lynxpaw can be properly introduced another tom. Go check on your siblings for me, okay? If they have any wounds, report back to me while I'm with Mousestar and I'll make sure you grab the proper herbs."

Fernpaw's ears fell but he followed Robinwing's orders without hesitation. Lynxpaw blinked after the tom, watching as he padded over to his supposed siblings. She pondered about the apprentice and his exotic nature for a moment, but was interrupted when a familiar, ginger pelt appeared before her.

"Lynxpaw?"

The medicine cat apprentice's heart lurched and she held her breath at the sight of the she-cat. "Cherrypaw?"

"It's Cherrytuft now, actually," The HeathClan molly lowly chuckled. She met Lynxpaw's gaze for a moment before her eyes fell to examine to nasty, sore wound on her shoulder. "I suppose you may need to desperately get this one checked on. I suggested to Leafdance that I hunt before I get treated but he noticed my limp and demanded you check on me."

Lynxpaw nodded in agreement and stepped forward to examine her wound closely. "A deep bite wound for sure," Lynxpaw spoke aloud. "Hmph, it needs to be treated for infection and you'll have to rest up for a few days before any hunting or running about. Any other wounds?"

Cherrytuft seemed to freeze at Lynxpaw's question as if she was face-to-face with a badger. She slowly lifted her front paw to show Lynxpaw a missing claw and a swelling pad. "I lost my claw... I did it myself. I was just... I didn't want to hurt him."

Lynxpaw blinked at Cherrytuft's words. The she-cat breathed in and glanced away from the medicine cat, shaking her head frantically. "I don't know what got into him. I was trying to protect Mousestar and he kept me from doing so. Every word I said he... He just kept on trying to hurt me as if he couldn't hear me! I broke his jaw in the process and lost my claw... But stars I didn't want to hurt him! Why would Webpaw even want to hurt me?"

Lynxpaw's heart fell and the world around her grew dull and dim. She remembered when Cottonstar killed Heroncall with no hesitation. When her own Clanmates chased after one another as if they were battling rogues. Why would Webpaw have any intention of hurting Cherrytuft? The bubbly, amiable tom appeared as if he would never even harm a mouse.

"I'm sorry, Cherrytuft," Lynxpaw breathed out, though she knew her words just vanished into the air with little to no effect. "The Star Realm warned me but I didn't expect it to be this bad. I-"

"Just treat my wounds," Cherrytuft coldly snapped, though as Lynxpaw flinched away she could spot a flicker of regret in the mollies eyes. "I'm sorry it's... I'd rather not talk right now."

Lynxpaw merely nodded in understanding. She dismissed herself to retreat to their herb storage and pick out the proper ones to treat Cherrytuft. As she padded away, every paw step felt heavy and her bones felt as if they were clattering to nothing but ash and dust. Her breathing was rapid and she felt as if she was moving slow, but in reality she was at an average pace as she wandered towards the herb pile.

She wanted nothing more than to crumble to the ground in that very moment though, and cry out for the Star Realm to have mercy on their suffering.