Chapter 5

Chapter 5

               

“Oh, lift your head up, Graypaw!  We’re almost to Smooth Paths!” Ashfeather’s enthusiasm began to cheer the blue apprentice up.  Ashfeather had soon learned that she’d struck a sensitive spot in the gray cat, and had done all she could to make Graypaw feel better.

                “Okay!” Graypaw exclaimed.  She could see that the grass was growing scarcer and scarcer as the trees had back at the CreekClan border, and it was being replaced by flat grayish-orange stones.  The smooth surface felt strange below the she-cats’ paws, for it had only been traveled by Ashfeather few times, and it was a first for Graypaw.  Soon the river split in two, dividing CreekClan territory and Smooth Paths.

                “Here we are, StarClan territory,” Ashfeather informed.  Graypaw smiled with excitement.  After a few minutes of walking, all the grass vanished from the ground.  Only a smooth, rocky surface existed in its place.

                “Now you can see where the “smooth” in Smooth Paths came from.  Soon you’ll see the “path” part.  We’re almost to Moon Path.”  Graypaw continued to follow her brown and orange mentor.  Ashfeather steered around toward a large wall that began the mountainous terrain.  A huge gap in rocky wall led Graypaw to curiosity. 

                “Ashy, what’s that?” Graypaw asked, pointing her tail to the gap in the rocks.  Ashfeather smiled.

                “That’s the Moonpath entrance, Graypaw.  We meet the other medicine cats right outside.” Graypaw looked at the entrance and made out the shapes of about fourteen other cats, but it was hard to tell.

                “Sounds good.”  As the two medicine cats approached the entrance to Moonpath, fourteen other cats dipped their heads in greeting.

                “You’re the last to arrive,” A reddish brown tom said.  Graypaw remembered him from Ashfeather’s stories as Boulderpelt, the NightClan medicine cat. 

                “Let’s go, then,” Ashfeather replied.  Together the large group of cats walked into the cave quietly, but excitement was in the air.  Stripes of gold lined the walls of Moonpath, and little brown tracks lied on the ground where the cats walked.  Graypaw was tempted to break the silence, but she remembered Ashfeather’s punishments if she embarrassed FireClan.

                “Graypaw, you’re representing all of FireClan tonight,” Ashfeather had said.

                “Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Graypaw replied.  “You’ve gone over this before.

                “This is serious.  If these cats see you acting so frivilous, they’ll think all of FireClan is lazy and non-caring!  Do you understand me?”

                “Yeah, yeah, of course I do, Ashy.  You can count on me!”

                “Graypaw!  If you embarrass us, I’ll make sure your diet will include only forest prey.”

                “So?”

                “That means no fish.”

                “What!?” Graypaw stared at her mentor.  “You’re kidding!”  Ashfeather shook her head.

                “Graypaw, I need to make sure you’re serious.  With this deal, I know I am.  Now come on, let’s go tell Flamestar we’re leaving.”

                Wouldn’t want to risk fish!  It tastes too good!

                So Graypaw just quietly followed the group, nailing the bottom of her mouth to the top, fighting the temptations to shout, “What a fishtastic day it is today!”.  Of course, she didn’t.  Fish was too important to her.  Besides, it was also for Sharpfang.  He would get too fat if she let him have all the fish.

                Graypaw was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t notice the group stop.  She bumped into a small she-cat no bigger than herself.  The cat turned around and glared at her.  She had a beautiful silver pelt, and large brown eyes.  Graypaw felt a bit jealous of the cat, for she had simple dappled gray fur with matching simple gray eyes.  Graypaw glared back at the cat and turned to her mentor.

                “Today Graypaw will receive her medicine cat name!” Ashfeather announced.  Graypaw looked at the crowd and blushed.

                “No way!” A brown tom exclaimed.  He smelled of fish, and Graypaw recongised him from the Northern Clans gathering.  He must have been from CreekClan.  “Moonpaw is going to receive her medicine cat name too!”  The small silver she-cat looked at Graypaw.  Graypaw shrugged and gave her a ‘why fight when we’re both receiving our names and we’re both medicine cats?’ look.  Moonpaw smiled back at Graypaw.

                “Alright then!  Sounds like we’re in for a fun night here!  Let’s start with their ceremonies.”  A tan she-cat spoke.  Graypaw didn’t recognise her.

                The cats parted ways to reveal two of the criss-crossing tracks, meeting and then going their separate ways.  Right behind the joining tracks was a pile of the gold lining the walls, shining and glittering in the dark cave.  Even though Graypaw had been to Moonpath before, the sight always sent shivers down to her tail and made her gasp.

                “Help these noble medicine cats to do their best in healing, and to follow your noble code.  Moonpaw and Graypaw, do you promise to follow the code and heal your clan the best you can, even at the cost of your life?” Ashfeather and the brown tom said together.

                “I do,” Graypaw and Moonpaw said at the same time.  They looked at each other and smiled.

                “Then from this day forward, Moonpaw, you shall be Moonfaith.  May StarClan light your path.”  Moonfaith raised her head and looked to the pile of gold.

                “Graypaw, from this day forward you shall be…”  Graydapple!  Graydapple!  Graydapple!  Please be a cool name!  Graytail!  Grayshine!  Graycool!  Grayawesome!

                “Grayfur.  StarClan honors your bravery and courage.”  Graypaw could barely hide her dissapointment.  Grayfur?  Can you be any simpler?

                “Ready to share dreams with StarClan you two?” the brown tom asked Grayfur and Moonfaith. 

                “Yes!” Moonfaith replied.

                “Yes,” Grayfur replied.  Resisting tears, Grayfur curled up next to her mentor on the cold floor and began to drift into sleep.