A Companion for Life *((Autumnpaw//Havenstar))*

[Shadow]

Autumnpaw flattened her small ears as a roaring filled them. She squinted, blinking as droplets of water spewed into her golden eyes. She gasped softly as she took in the sight in front of her, and stopped hesitantly to avoid slipping. She inclined her head and looked up.

In front of her was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. It was water, but concentrated, and more of it than she'd ever seen in her life. It blew down in sheets, crashing against the bottom to make the deafening noise that filled her ears. The amazing thing to her was that it just kept coming, like a cycle of wild energy. The water descended down a mountain, the only one she had seen up close in her life. The path she was walking on twisted and turned behind the water.

Gulping, she ran ahead, trying to catch up to Havenstar, her new leader. She had just recently found HorizonClan after wandering for moons. Grateful as she was for her new-found home, she was intimidated at not only learning her apprentice duties, but the ways of a different lifestyle as well. Today she was traveling to receive her companion, a part of her soul that was given to her in animal form by StarClan.

"Havenstar?" she called respectfully to the tom, almost slipping as she trotted up next to him. "Do we have to go back there? It looks really scary... does it hurt?" She paused. "Do you know what kind of companion I get? I hope it's not a snake..." She stopped, knowing not to bombard him with questions. Her mother had taught her it wasn't polite to ask too much at one time. Her eyes teared slightly as she remembered her family, and she shook her head. They're gone, she told herself. Don't think about it.

Instead she focused her thoughts on her companion. What she had told Havenstar was true. She desperately wanted it to be anything but a snake. She glanced at her front left paw, where a scar sat from her recent painful, swelling experience. If it's a snake, I'll ask for another one, she thought, but in her head she knew she would never be that disrespectful to the ancestors who had shaped the Clans.

[Moony~!]

Havenstar smiled warmly, "Ah, Autumnpaw. I can only answer so many of those questions. Yes we're going in there, whether it hurts depends on the heart of the cat entering, and-" He cuffed the she-cat's ear with his right paw, "How am I to know what kind of companion you get? I may look old but I'm not one with Starclan just yet." Though his eyes glimmered with laughter deep inside him his words haunted him. Yet, surely he had said yet. Why though? Did he think, somewhere in the back of his mind, that he would be gone soon? He twitched his ears irritably, why was he so scared all of the sudden? He was being worse than a thrush in a bush with a cat prowling by in green leaf!

He stared at the cave before him, how he remembered the day he had gotten his companion. The little critter was missing now, but somehow he knew he would return. Then he remembered the day he had received his nine lives. It seemed so long ago, even though it was only three or four moons. His eyes clouded at the thought. He was already down to seven. He knew he had many left, but two lives in four moons? That was just ridiculous. First the attack of Fangclan, Fern gone, attacks everywhere, news of rouges and something... something was up. All the companions slowly dissipating. Pumpkinkit still laying in the medicine cats' den wasting away while Giliapaw and Nightstorm frantically tried to cure her. More cats were falling ill with the same sickness, it was a wonder that the kit had held on so long!

His clan was falling before his eyes and all he could do was smile, take cats to Starcove because of the busy Medicine Cats, and give cats new names. He felt so helpless, so useless. He stood there for a long while, and many heartbeats passed. Then he took in a deep breath and set forward into the cave, flicking his tail solemnly for the young she-cat to follow.

[Shadow]

Autumnpaw tipped her head slightly in confusion before hoisting herself back up to follow Havenstar. Why had he paused like that? His expression looked... sad, and it worried her. Resisting the urge to ask him all about it, she instead mewed, "I only have one last question. What do we do once we're in?" She padded along behind him, trotting right up to the falling water.

She fluffed up her fur and squinted as more drips of water ricocheted off the mountain's hard wall and found their way into her pelt, soaking her right through to the skin. Shivering, she ran faster, unsheathing her claws to painfully grip the slippery rocks.

To her surprise, Havenstar walked right behind the sheets of magnificent water. Taking deep breaths, Autumnpaw followed, not letting out her breath until she was safely past the powerful force of nature. Almost instantly the roar was numbed to a dull hiss, the noise blocked out by the mountain's thick wall. The little she-cat blinked as her eyes adjusted to the sudden darkness. She looked around in awe. Instead of asking all the questions that bounced around in her mind, she was silent, looking to Havenstar for guidance.

[Moony~!]

Havenstar stood silently and waited for Autumnpaw to follow. His fur was dampened but still as poofy as ever, his amber eyes gleaming with admiration at the sudden silence. When the she-cat appeared he once again flicked his tail for her to follow. He picked up some moss and dipped it in the water. He carried it over to a shallow dip in the ground, created a pool of water, and then he drank from it. Almost instantly his eyes grew heavy and he curled up next to the pool his spirit traveling up a long misty past. Abruptly his spirit slowed as he waited for Autumnpaw. Perhaps she would share his dream, perhaps not. All he knew was without Autumnpaw he was not to travel to Starclan, for this was not his journey. It was hers. She could have help if Starclan wished, but if she did not appear he would sit here and wait until Starclan sent him back.

[Shadow]

Autumnpaw gasped as Havenstar immediately fell asleep. Being a very new apprentice, she had never connected with StarClan ceremoniously this way, or through dreams. Shaking with nervousness and anticipation, she tugged some moss off the wall and dipped it in the water. Making a small puddle for herself, she took a few cautious laps. I wonder what falling asleep so quickly will feel like she thought excitedly. I wonder if I'll fall asleep at all. I hope- She fell asleep before she could finish the thought.

With a mrrowl of surprise, she woke on the misty path. Blinking, she looked ahead, spotting Havenstar among the barren landscape. She purred in happiness that he was there, padding forward to meet him. She was just about to open her mouth to ask him what to do when something sparkled in the distance. Curious, she walked on slowly but surely, her steps making little noise on the moist floor.

Almost instantly the scene changed. Autumnpaw and Havenstar were in a very green forest, the mist still twirling around the trees. The little she-cat, scared now, opened her mouth in a hesitant mew. "Hello? Is anyone there?"

"Hello."

Autumnpaw jumped and turned as a cat came out of the mist. "Mother!" she cried as she realized who it was. Springing up, she ran as fast as she could to the magnificent cat's side, purring and rubbing against her long pelt. "How.. how did you find me? How did you find this Clan's StarClan?"

Her mother purred. "StarClan is the same for every Clan, no matter what beliefs and traditions. I found my way here not long before you. The cats here were nice enough to teach me their way of life, as they will to you. Do not fret, my little one, for I will be here throughout your life to help guide you."

"Mother," Autumnpaw whispered, close to tears. She sniffed loudly, pulling herself up into a sitting position. "Will you.. are you the one who will give me my companion?"

"I am," the she-cat replied, dipping her head. Her eyes widened slightly as she noticed Havenstar for the first time. "Greetings," she mewed. "You must be Havenstar. Welcome." She bowed low to the ground, as was tradition in ValleyClan when meeting a powerful new cat.

[Moony~!]

Havenstar dipped his head and replied, "Yes, I am Havenstar." Then he sat there waiting to see what would happen. (I'm brain dead, all I can do. And I'm really lazy right now...)

[Shadow]

No problem, I just wanted to give you a spot in case he wanted to talk or something. ^_^

I just realized that I never said the she-cat's name.. uh.. *goes to look it up*

ic:// Snowfeather smiled softly, then turned her attention back to her daughter. "Autumnpaw," she started. "Today is the day that you will receive your companion. He is a part of your soul, and shall never leave you. You will protect each other, learn with each other, live one connected life. You will not hurt any of his species, as for respect. Are you ready to receive your lifelong friend?" she recited.

Autumnpaw nodded excitedly. "I am," she mewed gravely.

"Then by the power of your warrior ancestors, I give you Crimson." She closed her eyes and concentrated. A section of the ground by her feet shimmered as a small animal formed. Its body was long and beautifully colored, red, white, and black. Autumnpaw gasped as she saw what it was. Fear overtook her, freezing her limbs. A snake! Of all the things to get, she got a snake! Why couldn't it be a vole, or a squirrel? Pushing aside her fear, she forced herself to look at Crimson.

He slithered to her feet, looked up, and blinked at her. "Hi," he greeted her softly.

"Hi," she whispered.

"Let him climb on your shoulder, if you will," her mother purred softly. With a gulp, Autumnpaw obeyed, lowering her body so that Crimson could sit beside her head. She held back a shudder as he slithered up her leg.

"May you two have a long and wonderful life," Snowfeather mewed softly, giving her daughter a final lick on the cheek before disappearing into the mist.

Autumnpaw mewed nothing, just looked to Havenstar, eyes wide.

[Moony~!]

Havenstar watched the whole scene with serene, unworried eyes. Then when the Starclan cat disappeared he stood to his paws and stretched meowing, "Well, you have your companion. Crimson, eh? I like it." He eyed the snake for a few moments with a little caution then meowed, "Come, let us get go." He walked along the path flicking his tail for her to follow then when the path ended he stopped, then jumped into the abyss.

Moments later he was back in starcove smiling broadly. He blinked slightly looking at Autumnpaw warmly, another cat had joined the clan. Another cat had entered the ranks of Starclan, and another cat had gained a companion.

[Shadow]

Autumnpaw looked forward with unblinking eyes. Had her mother really been there? I should have asked her about father, and Thornpaw, she scolded herself. "Hold on," she whispered to Crimson, then bounded forward after Havenstar.

Slowly opening her eyes, she realized that she was back in the starcove. For a moment, she was disoriented. Had she really dreamed? Did she really have a companion? A snake? Her heartbeat accelerated as she felt something shift on her shoulder. Yes, she had a snake now, and she had to deal with it. However, she felt better now than she had a couple of heartbeats ago. The way she'd seen other companions, it didn't matter what kind of animal they were. They would be friends, she was sure of it.

Looking up, she smiled back at Havenstar. "Thank you," she whispered quietly, mind wandering to other things. Not only did she now have a companion to look after, new traditions to learn, but now she would soon receive a mentor as well. She remembered with a pang in her stomach her apprenticeship ceremony in ValleyClan, how she looked into the proud eyes of Breezefur and accepted him as her mentor. Her memories changed, remembering how she had seen him slain right before her eyes, and her mood saddened slightly.

[Moony~!]

Havenstart dipped his head. "I guess we'll head back to camp then." He flicked his tail for what seemed the hundreth time and padded through the descending water that lay before him. It had been successful. He just hoped this poor soul wasn't about to loose her companion as so many had had happened to them recently. As he padded through the liquid it seemed to just roll off his fur as if it was merely air. This was only part of the magic of Starcove. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, before plunging all the way through and padding swiftly across the path.

As soon as he escaped the magical feeling of Starcove an ominous feeling replaced it. As if there were a deep.. dark shadow looming over his head. He looked up, blinking with much confusion before meowing loudly. "Autumnpaw hurry up, something's strange here. We must get back to camp." His ears swiveled back and forth and he glanced from side to side. Something was coming, he could sense it. Oh.. if only Trulaen was here!

[Shadow]

Autumnpaw jolted, then bounded after her leader.

"Whoa!" Crimson cried, almost sliding off the she-cat's side. Autumnpaw stopped, shrugging her shoulder so that the snake could re-seat himself.

"Sorry," she apologized, giving him a small smile. "I guess we're going to have to work on that."

"We'll get it soon enough," Crimson assured them, coiling tightly into her fur. "Now we should go!"

Autumnpaw nodded, trying to be smoother as she bounded after her leader. They were lagging behind, and she picked up a run. Joy filled her heart as her small paws pounded across the ground. Her body lowered closer to the ground as her legs stretched out, and her tail streamed out behind her. She caught up to Havenstar in a matter of seconds, slowing her run only enough to keep up a steady pace with him.

"That was incredible!" Crimson gasped in her ear. "You're a very fast runner."

Autumnpaw smiled. "Thanks," she purred. This won't be so bad, she thought happily. Crimson's a great companion. However, her happiness slowly faded as she looked at Havenstar's expression. Something was definitely wrong. "Havenstar, what's happening?" she cried to her leader, her voice jostled from their speed.

[Moony~!]

"Nothing." Havenstar meowed, trying to hide his concern, then he sped up his pace trying to keep his eyes from meetin Autumnpaw's.

-x-

When Havenstar entered the camp he entered to sense feelings of hostility. He glanced around at his clanmates trying to catch sight of what was causing this unrest. He narrowed his eyes as he caught sight of an apprentice staring blankly at him with cold stony eyes, Quaintpaw was what he was called, Havenstar thought. He would have to speak to that cat later. Then he caught sight of Briarstream who apparently was looking in a certain direction with much contempt. He followed the she-cat's gaze with much confusion until he caught sight of Twistedsong. Whom, unlike many others, was looking straight down with loving care in his eyes. He once again followed the gaze of the fellow clancat and saw a small ball of yellow orange fur. He blinked slightly and looked at Twistedsong in a questioning way. "Twisted..?"

Twistedsong's head snapped upwards to look at him and then he meowed coolly. "I think Whisper knows what to say, don't you?" He blinked faithfully down at the she-cat. Whisper should figure that she must speak to the leader about joining the clan. He couldn't do it for her. She wasn't seriously injured. She may as well get it over with now. He licked her ear comfortingly and whispered through clenched teeth. "This is Havenstar!"

[Shadow]

ooc:// Thank you for taking my Autumnpaw to the starcove, Mooneh. ^_^

ic:// Autumnpaw shrugged, then bounded after her leader. She skidded to a stop in front of the camp's entrance, then hesitantly picked her way through. A streak of yellow caught her eye, and she stopped, inhaling through her nose. A new scent! Squinting, she realized it was a kitten. "I wonder who she is?" she whispered to Crimson.

Crimson snaked his head back and forth, trying to get a good view. "Maybe a queen was near kitting time, or maybe it's a new arrival, like you- us," he suggested. "We should give them some space..."

Autumnpaw nodded, surprise flirting through her mind. Crimson's reply was what she would have thought, and said, sooner or later. Wow, she thought to herself. I guess he really is a part of my soul. "Shall we?" she asked, dipping her head and flicking her tail in the direction of the apprentices' den.

"Sure," the snake replied. He clung to her as she padded forward, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the new lighting. "Do you have a place to sleep yet? Any good friends?"

Autumnpaw sighed. "No to the latter," she told him glumly, settling down in the spongy moss and soft grass that served as her bedding.

[Moony~!]

ooc: No problem ^^ Now I will put this in old threads.