Later that day, Vixenstar and Gooseholly had spent a good chunk of the afternoon going through battle tactics, hunting tactics and other major pieces of information the new leader had to cram in time for her ceremony – most of it had, surprisingly, stayed – but there were a couple things she'd forgotten, mostly to do with hunting and fighting.

Multiple times during their training session on the moor, they were interrupted by a warrior or apprentice acting as a messenger for someone else – Twitchpaw was the last straw, having come over nervously at one point and claiming that Blackbreeze had sent him to ask Vixenstar to come and help with an argument going on between the younger warriors. Gooseholly had given up and told her she should go, and continue training another day.

As they re-entered camp, Ivyweb came bounding over. "Oh, thank StarClan – you've got to put a stop to that group of hare-brains."

The silver tabby led Vixenstar and Gooseholly over to the mentioned group of warriors, consisting of Snowberry, Skyglow, Ravensoar, Orangesmoke, Eaglesong and Acornshadow. They were surrounding two more warriors, Havocstep and Blizzardbranch, who looked to be the centre of the issue.

"You're such a fox-hearted sleaze!" Havocstep spat, souring Blizzardbranch's expression.

The pale grey tabby tom drew himself up to his full height. "Oh yeah? Then that makes you an overbearing coward!"

It looked like they were about to lunge at each other, so Vixenstar – with difficulty – shoved her way through the group to face the two larger felines, looking up at them despite being tall for her age.

"What is going on?" The Queen hissed, trying to sound stern towards the older cats.

Havocstep hardly glanced at her. "At least I'm not a stalking creep!"

"Oh, you'll pay for that!" Blizzardbranch crouched, ready to leap.

"Listen!" Vixenstar screeched, drawing shocked expressions as she lost her patience. "Tell me what's serious enough to drag me away from my training session?"

Havocstep looked sheepish, but glared at who Vixenstar had assumed was his best friend. "Blizzardbranch is being a creep."

"Please, actually explain the situation." She insisted, relieved they were willing to speak. "Havocstep first, Blizzardbranch after."

"Well," Havocstep's anger drained away, and he almost looked embarrassed. "Can we talk about it in private?"

The surrounding crowd groaned as Vixenstar agreed, most likely wanting to hear the drama, and the Somali led the two toms to her new den. They settled inside, and she nodded to Havocstep again.

"Well," he repeated, "basically, Blizzardbranch is my best friend – well, I thought he was." Both toms scowled. "And he knows that I like.." his voice lowered considerably, "Snowberry."

Vixenstar struggled not to be amused by his over-exaggerated care.

"And, well, I've been working up the courage to ask her out, you know. Then this dung-face decided it'd be funny to fall for her too, and started following her around a lot and mooning over her even though he knows I like her!"

StarClan, help me, did Mammy and Baba have to deal with these kinds of issues?

Havocstep continued over her thoughts. "He keeps butting into my conversations with her, and getting between us!"

"Alright." Vixenstar nodded. "Now you, Blizzardbranch."

The pale tom looked relieved to speak. "Good, okay. So, to clarify, I wasn't 'stalking' her like you said earlier – I'm just trying to befriend her! You're being possessive over nothing, and I'm allowed to have a go too."

Vixenstar failed to resist rolling her eyes. "Now, really? Neither of you own Snowberry, funnily enough. She's not a moss ball for you to play with," she gazed at Blizzardbranch, "nor does she owe you her full attention." She nodded to Havocstep. "Just stay out of each other's way and try not to ruin a friendship over it? There's better things to be doing, like hunting and patrolling, rather than arguing. Alright?"

Blizzardbranch nodded reluctantly, looking shamed at being told off by a cat almost a third of his age. Havocstep looked more relieved, and agreed to behave.

As the toms left her den, she heard Havocstep challenge his friend to a hunting competition – and their receding footsteps suddenly sped up.

Vixenstar laughed to herself, then squealed mutedly and jumped up and down. She'd managed to sort out an argument all by herself! Just another small step towards becoming a great clan leader.

Upon hearing her name called out, the Queen calmed down. There was still much to do in preparation to represent her clan at the next Gathering, as well as making sure daily life ran smoothly! She exited her den, the scents of Dreamstar and Hawkstar from it lingering on her pelt comfortingly.

---

Oatfreckle and Oddpaw walked side by side, heading towards the Highstones – for it was half-moon, the time when they and the other clans' healers would gather together around the beautiful Moonstone to share dreams with StarClan.

This would be Oddpaw's second time going to the Moonstone, excluding Vixenstar's ceremony, and he was still as energetically excited as the previous time. However, unlike the first, the brown Manx tom had some rules to express.

"We mustn't speak a word about Vixenstar's ceremony." He'd been saying to the wide-eyed apprentice. "The rest of the clans must wait to hear about it from herself at the Gathering – as well-meaning as our friends are, the information may distort as it travels between the other clans. And that doesn't even take into account how controversial Vixenstar's position is."

Oddpaw nodded obediently, though looked upset about it. "What do we say if they ask about Dreamstar and Hawkstar?"

The yellow-eyed tom flicked his tail, focusing on the path to Highstones. "We speak as much of the truth as we can – they're doing fine, as I'm sure they are in StarClan, and leave it at that. Don't give unnecessary details."

At that point, they'd reached the Thunderpath and had to remain quiet to listen for monsters. A few passed consecutively before Oatfreckle deemed it safe to run, and they made it across with time to spare before the next monster growled past.

Then, it was the usual journey towards the Moonstone – except the air was bitterer than Oddpaw's first time, and the fur-less sphynx, despite his twoleg jumper, was shivering. They quickened their pace, the older medicine cat growing chilly too.

It seemed they were the last to arrive, the other six medicine cats and apprentices chatting quietly among themselves – falling quiet as the final two arrived.

"Finally, you're here." Butterflywish, RiverClan's medicine cat, complained. Despite his delicate name, the pale golden tabby had a sharp tongue. His new apprentice, Buckpaw, was smilier and greeted Oddpaw warmly – it would be his first time sharing with StarClan.

Scarecrow, ThunderClan's replacement for Ratstreak, lit up at the sight of Oddpaw – knowing the young apprentice best out of the other medicine cats, apart from his apprentice Songpaw. It would be his first time at the Moonstone too. Near him sat Foglight and Rosekiss, the ShadowClan medicine cats, who were fairly good friends with Oatfreckle and greeted him warmly.

"Oatfreckle! It's good to see you." Rosekiss spoke up first, her large pinkish-orange tail swishing happily. "How's WindClan?"

The short tom sat down with a thud, stretching his neck. "Yeah, they're fine – bit uneasy after that fox attack, but otherwise alright."

"How are their wounds?" Foglight asked politely.

"Healing well, I expect."

"Enough chit-chat now." Butterflywish grunted, getting to his paws. "We have a few jobs to attend to. As we are all aware this is Buckpaw's first time at the Moonstone as he started training to become a warrior, and Scarecrow is completely new to this. I will begin the ceremony."

The group settled into a comfortable, but serious, silence. Butterflywish beckoned his apprentice and Scarecrow forward, and it was difficult to see who was more nervous.

"StarClan, I present to you Scarecrow – a former outsider of the clans, willing to adhere to our traditions and beliefs in order to become a full medicine cat. He is a resilient, hard-working and kindly tom – welcome him with open paws." The golden tom repeated similar words for Buckpaw, then ordered the two toms to lay before the Moonstone and press their noses against it.

Oatfreckle watched as the two cats obliged, remembering his own ceremony fondly. Soon, Scarecrow and Buckpaw were asleep, and Butterflywish signalled for the rest of the medicine cats to do the same.'

Nestled between Oddpaw and Foglight, the yellow-eyed tom hoped to see a very specific cat in StarClan...

~~~

Opening his eyes, Oatfreckle sat up and found himself within the familiar grounds of StarClan. However, instead of having his medicine cat friends around him, and the cats of StarClan waiting to greet them, he was alone.

"Hello?" He called out uncertainly, relishing the warmer winds of greenleaf. Where was everycat?

"Oatfreckle."

He spun round, and his heart clenched in grief. "Mother.."

The faded ghost standing before him wore a similar expression, her icy blue eyes matching the tinged outline of her starless, dilute tortoiseshell pelt. "Oh, my baby."

Oatfreckle raced forward, crashing into her with a sob. "I've been searching for you for so long..."

"I know, baby, I know." She murmured comfortingly, nuzzling his shoulder. "As I have for you."

Oatfreckle broke away with mingled confusion and distress. "What do you mean? I've been coming here for every half moon meeting!" His expression soured slightly. "I thought you'd been avoiding me."

His mother's eyes widened with disbelief. "Oh, no, my darling! I could never! I know you were sure I was in the right to do what I did in life, but.."

"You weren't allowed into StarClan." He guessed dully, and she nodded solemnly.

"I've been roaming the Place of No Stars for many, many moons now." She admitted mournfully. "You've grown so much.. how are Teakit and Flutterkit? What's your warrior – or medicine cat – name? And theirs? I've missed so much!" She cried.

Oatfreckle purred warmly. "I'm called Oatfreckle now, a full medicine cat with my own apprentice – and my sisters are Teaflower and Flutterflower."

"I knew they'd insist on the same suffix." She purred in amusement. "They were so close, even at such a young age. How are they?"

"Both queens, Flutterflower with three kittens. Spiderkit, Willowkit and Apricotkit – Teaflower is a permanent queen." Oatfreckle informed her with a smile. "Oh, and Ravensoar mothered Flutterflower's kits."

His mother's smile fell slightly. "I should have been beside her when they were born. I should have done so much..."

"Maybe so," Oatfreckle admitted reluctantly, "but you were doing what you thought was right, and we can only love and thank you for that – I just wish you hadn't died in the process."

His mother's gaze darkened. "As long as that disgusting excuse for a tom was killed, I don't care." Her expression fluttered with sudden alarm. "I did manage to kill him, right?"

Her son nodded. "Yes, but.. I have seen him in StarClan's hunting grounds."

Her expression ignited with fury. "Tell me that is a joke."

He shook his head regretfully. "Weaselly as his name suggests, he must have wriggled his way through the trial."

"Trial?" She repeated in confusion. "He was offered a trial?! I was sent directly to the Dark Forest!" She sagged at the injustice of it all.

"Lets not dwell on the unpleasantness of it all – tell me how you managed to get here!" Oatfreckle insisted, trying to bring up her mood.

"Only if you update me on everything I missed!"

They talked for a while, far longer than medicine cats should have lingered in StarClan, and just as Oatfreckle was explaining about how Moorwing and Daisydusk had mothered him and his siblings, his biological mother was suddenly seized with pain.

"Cowslipchime!" He cried in surprise, hurrying ton help her.

She grunted in pain, straightening up. "They know I'm here – you'll have to finish next time you come here." Worried, he begun to protest, but was cut off. "No, please. You need to listen – StarClan are hiding things from you. I overheard them talking a while ago, when I was weak from my journey."

"What do you mean?" He whispered urgently.

"I haven't had a chance to gaze into their Great Lake – the way they watch over the living and receive prophecies – but I overheard them relay a prophecy to each other over and over." Her eyes glazed over. "'The small will fall and the young will drown, the brotherhood wounded the motherhood, and sent them cascading down. The cry of a newborn sun awakens empathy within only the tomb, for the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.'"

".. bit of a mouthful." He commented, trying not to panic. "Any idea what it means?"

Cowslipchime shook her head sadly. "No, but I'm sure you can work it out now you're a medicine cat. Listen, I'll try and stay out of sight until next half moon, but I'm not sure how long I'll last outside the Dark Forest – StarClan cannot see within it, but can see if anyone from within has escaped. I'll have to head back inside, and I'll try and time my exit to meet you again. Okay? I love you, baby."

Oatfreckle felt overwhelmed. "I don't want you to go again – it's not fair you were sent away and that fox-heart wasn't."

"I know, darling. I know..."

Oatfreckle felt that familiar sensation of fading, waking up again, and reluctantly gave in – closing his eyes.

---

Just under half a moon after sorting out her first inter-clan issue, Vixenstar was roughly awoken from a rather lovely dream – her parents had come down from the sky, their pelts sparkling, to declare Vixenstar could return to being an apprentice. Alas, that was pretty unlikely.

The culprit who'd woken her up was Oatfreckle, returning from his half-moon trip to the Moonstone. His fur was sticking up in random places, expression alight with panic, which made Vixenstar's heart jolt horribly.

"What's happened?" She asked groggily, attempting to sit up and determine the time of day – or night.

Oatfreckle sat down opposite her, looking forlorn. "I'm sorry to wake you, but I've received a rather worrying prophecy."

"Oh, StarClan, really?" The Queen asked regretfully. "Is my leadership going so badly?" Over that half moon since the argument, Vixenstar had thought everything was running fairly smoothly – aside from a few stinging comments, failed training sessions and stressful late nights. What had gone wrong?

Oatfreckle shook his head. "I'm sure it's nothing to do with you. But I was told 'The small will fall and the young will drown, the brotherhood wounded the motherhood, and sent them cascading down. The cry of a newborn sun awakens empathy within only the tomb, for the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.'"

Vixenstar blinked blankly. "Okay.. we need to pick that apart a bit. 'The small will fall and the young will drown'? Could we take that literally and say a kit will fall into the gorge?"

"I'm afraid StarClan don't work so simply." Oatfreckle laughed, but it sounded empty. "It must be more meaningful than that. 'the brotherhood wounded the motherhood, and sent them cascading down' is worryingly familiar, isn't it?"

Vixenstar shivered – the second half sounded eerily like how Hawkstar and Dreamstar had gone tumbling over the gorge, and made her heart ache profusely. "Indeed. And what about 'The cry of a newborn sun awakens empathy within only the tomb, for the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb'?"

"That is the most confusing – a 'newborn sun'? Or do they mean 'son' like the tom?" Oatfreckle pondered, and sighed. "'awakens empathy only within the tomb'..."

"...'for the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb'." Vixenstar finished for him. "What does that mean?"

Oatfreckle looked pleased to have an answer. "It suggests that the blood of an agreement – a friendship – is 'thicker' than the water of the womb, which connects littermates, mothers, fathers and their kits. Friendship is stronger than family."

Vixenstar sagged slightly. "This is the most confusing thing ever."

Oatfreckle frowned, realisation dawning on him. "Hang on... I heard something similar a moon or two ago. You know how Moorwing receives visions sometimes?"

Vixenstar nodded – everycat in WindClan knew of Moorwing's strange dreams and often prophetic words. It was part of the reason Oatfreckle chose to become a medicine cat. "What about them?"

"Sometimes they mean nothing, parts of her predictions remaining absolute nonsense." He explained hurriedly. "Sometimes they half come true – more often, at least part of it comes fully true." His gaze darkened, and the healer hesitated. "She said something like 'the clan will crumble beneath paws both big and small'... that relates to 'the small will fall' a bit, right? Then there was something about being held accountable for other cats' crimes, and old atrocities will catch up to those who wronged the wrongdoers."

Vixenstar's expression contorted in concentration. "That's... confusing."

Oatfreckle nodded. "She also mentioned about atoning for our sins, and driving out poison without worsening the symptoms...?" His energy visibly drained away. "Saying it aloud, it doesn't really link up much, does it?"

Vixenstar shook her head awkwardly. "I suppose not."

"Well," the tom continued tiredly, "Moorwing's visions rarely make sense until their predictions come true – she says she sees things in a rush and whirlwind, often picking out a few unnecessary bits. Perhaps the two prophecies do link somehow, and we're missing the connection?"

The Queen nodded eagerly, but failed to swallow a yawn. "I'm really sorry, Oatfreckle, but I'm shattered – I should get back to sleep."

The medicine cat nodded understandingly. "Of course – sorry again for waking you."

"No problem – I'm glad you trusted me to talk." Vixenstar informed him as he left.

As she settled back down to sleep once more, she realised just how deeply she appreciated being woken up to hear a devastating prophecy – as strangely as it sounded. Her clanmates were beginning to trust her more and more with their worries and concerns.

Perhaps everything would work out, in the end?