Let the Healing Begin!

[Aeria Gloris]

((Next morning))

Moonstar stayed in his den, far too much in pain to move properly. "StarClan...Can't move at all..."

He felt far too warm and wondered if he was infected. That would be just what I needed.


Posted by Aiday

Sweetpaw twisted her head around, still unused to having one eye. Shaking her head to try and clear the dizzy feeling rising in it, she started walking. She neared the middle of camp, before the dizzyness took over, and she dropped to the ground.

Sweetpaw was standing on a high cliff, the sound of a waterfall echoing in her ears. a shadowy figure was walking towards her, a-Sweetpaw-look-a-like, but with flowing blonde hair. "Leafkit!" Sweetpaw yelped. She ghostly sister smiled, before speaking, "Sweetpaw, There is a group of Cats not to far from Windclan, The Tribe Of Rushing Water. They need your help, but you are not the only one. Other apprentices will be going. Oh yes, and on the way you will meet two of these cats, and you must lead them home."


((She passed out in case you were all wondering, so have some people freak about it I guess.....)

Posted by RedOracle

In an instant Blazetail rushed to Sweetpaw's side, nudging the young apprentice with her nose. "She's fainted!" she called to the others. Shifting from foot to foot the orange tabby grabbed the calico by the scruff and began to drag her to Darkblossom's den. "I'm taking her to the medicine den."

Birdface came up beside the other warrior and took some of Sweetpaw's weight on her shoulders. "I'd better help. Come on." Blazetail gave a nervous but grateful nod. The sooner they could get Sweetpaw some help the better. The two took the apprentice to edge of the den and stopped.

"Darkblossom," Blazetail called. "I'm sorry but Sweetpaw's fainted. I don't know what happened, she was fine earlier." Please don't let it be sickness! she thought.

[Poffin]

Webwhisker nudged Mudstream, who looked positively agitated as she sat by the medicine den. Her eyes kept darting from the moss-hung entrance to the tom beside her. "Relax," the gray tabby urged. "Sweetpaw will be fine."

The calico queen dipped her head at this, mumbling sheepishly, "it's not her I'm worried about. No patrols spotted my kits yesterday. No one knows where they are! I want to have Moonstar check outside the territory for them. Pebblepaw and Streampaw must be found!" She dug her claws into the peaty soil. "I'll go crazy if something's happened to them and I wasn't there to protect them!"

Webwhisker understood. He probably would feel the same way if he had any kits or other family missing. "Tell you what," he meowed. "I'll go ask Moonstar about it now. He may be injured but he's still strong. He should be able to give me a yes or no answer about sending patrols." With her grateful meows following him, the gray tabby entered the medicine den and bowed respectfully to his leader.

"Moonstar, Mudstream and I wish to send out new patrols to find Pebblepaw and Streampaw. Since no one found them in the territory we must assume they are outside it. May I ask Sunheart to help me organize new search parties to check outside ThunderClan's land?"

[Aeria Gloris]

"Yes, of course!" The two apprentices just had to add another rock on the mountain of worries on Moonstar's mind. "Go ahead, Webwhisker. We need to find those apprentices. I'll...I might also have to think up some sort of disciplinary action."

He struggled to his paws, angered by how weak he must have looked. "Also...we should get ready for Whitefeather's arrival. I should stay just outside my den, make sure there's no trouble from them, or our own clanmates."

[Aeria Gloris]

((Just arriving from RiverClan! Feel free to "greet" xP.))

Mousepaw followed Whitefeather, throat becoming tremendously tighter as ThunderClan's scent wafted over her. Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid. StarClan, please make them understand that we only want to help. Haze, protect me. Protect Whitefeather...

She walked through the bramble tunnel, eyes frantically looking about for some sense of who and what she would be facing.

Finally Mousepaw emerged, nearly dropping the herbs as she came face to face with the ThunderClan gorge. Vast. Dangerous. Enormous. She could still smell the blood from the battle, and scented fear.

She stayed absolutely still, knowing they would notice her sooner or later. She immediately noticed three cats turn towards her.

One was a lithe, black she-cat with striking green eyes. Mousepaw saw a brief flicker of hostility in her eyes, soon replaced by resignation. I've seen her before, though...Darkleaf! Yes, she came with Moonstar in the days after the flood!

Behind her, Mousepaw saw two apprentices glaring directly at her, no kindness in their eyes. All she found was absolute hatred, and it made her flinch. The ginger and white tom padded away towards one of the dens, but the gray tabby she-cat remained, her eyes trained on Mousepaw.

StarClan, help me.


((Hopefully this was okay, White! If not, feel free to throw a brick! xD))

[PickeBicke]

A sudden tension in the air, the sound of a multitude of breaths and conversations dying, had Snowberry glancing about to see what had happened. It took a moment for her cool gray eyes to find Mousepaw, standing awkwardly at the entrance to camp, her mouth burdened with what seemed to be herbs. The quick stab of anger she felt was quickly smothered.

It would do no good to start fighting all over again. Resolutely, the cream warrior got to her paws and went to greet the new arrivals. She remained a few feet away but dipped her head politely at the two, even managing a small smile. Though it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Welcome to ThunderClan. You must be the apprentice sent to help Whitefeather. I'm Snowberry." She gestured behind her to the medicine cat den. She had heard her leader wish to stand outside it and appear strong.

"Would you like to see Darkblossom and Jaypaw right away? Moonstar should know you're here too."

Fogtail snorted, watching the older warrior interact with Mousepaw. Biting a chunk off his mouse he turned to Roseheart and whispered, "how long do you think they'll have to stay here?"

[~Fabala~]

The she-cat bit back a furious snarl as she watched the RiverClan apprentice walk into their camp. Her mother's murderers, back again.

Roseheart observed the small she-cat, concluding that the little thing was as much a coward as the rest of the RiverClanners. "Flowingstar must have forced that apprentice to come with Whitefeather," she meowed tersely to Fogtail. "I can't imagine anyone volunteering for the job. She just wants to make herself look good.

"I don't care what they do to 'help,' just as long as they do it quick. The sooner we can get that fish stench out of here the better."



(Dang, gurl! O_o)

[Evangelion]

"Sweetpaw?!"

The medicine cat apprentice had run towards her clanmate, panicking and hoping she hadn't received an injury during the battle that had gone undetected.

Checking her heartbeat, Jaypaw quickly determined that Sweetpaw was still alive. Merely fainted, whether from pain or shock she did not know. "Sweetpaw, please wake up...Come now, I'll try to see what I can do for your eye."

She then turned at the sounds of someone approaching the camp, and felt such a surge of relief when she saw Whitefeather and the apprentice appear. Looking up at the warrior standing over Sweetpaw. "Please watch her, Blazetail. I'll be back as soon as possible."

Jaypaw padded over towards the RiverClanners, not ashamed to display her happiness at their arrival. She meowed happily, "I'm so glad you're here, Whitefeather! Please, come right into the den. Darkblossom's still inside..." Hopefully she's already noticed Sweetpaw...

She continued explaining, "There's so many to look at...Sweetpaw lost an eye, and she's just fainted. Moonstar's in terrible pain, but the good news is that he still has his eye and may recover his vision. I hope StarClan can provide some advice when we go to the moonpool tonight."

She then turned her light amber eyes onto the brown apprentice, noticing her fearful stance. Jaypaw kindly greeted her, "Hello. My name is Jaypaw. Want to tell me your name?"

[FunAdvice]

Firepaw did not bother to stifle his enraged hiss when he saw the RiverClan apprentice and medicine cat enter the camp. When he saw Foxpaw coming towards him, he growled lowly, "I don't care what Darkleaf said. I'm making sure that fish-heart knows that she's not welcome here."

His green eyes flashing dangerously, he stared at the cat Snowberry called Mousepaw.

[Whitestream]

Whitefeather entered the camp cautiously, leading ahead of Mousepaw in case any cat opted to attack. His mouth was watering at the taste of the herbs he'd carried from RiverClan and his heart was hammering fearfully against his chest. This was it, his big chance to prove himself as the independant RiverClan medicine cat, fully named... He couldn't mess this up. He hung back in the entrance for a few heartbeats before steeling himself and pushing forwards, leading out into the heart of the camp where he was greeted instantly by a ThunderClan warrior.

"Welcome to ThunderClan. You must be the apprentice sent to help Whitefeather. I'm Snowberry."

Her meow at least seemed welcoming enough, though he heard the hard edge of suspicion he had feared upon arriving in the camp, he dipped his head to her politely, placing his herbs upon the earth at his paws.

"Hello, Snowberry, this is Mousepaw and she'll be helping myself, Darkblossom and Jaypaw."

He replied, saving Mousepaw the pressure of replying, an acrid scent hit his nose and he swung around, noticing the fallen apprentice with Jaypaw hovering over her, he was about to rush to them when Jaypaw approached him instead.

"I'm so glad you're here, Whitefeather! Please, come right into the den. Darkblossom's still inside..."

The tom could sense her hesitance and imediately he recalled what had been said about Darkblossom being injured, Oh, StarClan, please let her be alright!

"There's so many to look at...Sweetpaw lost an eye, and she's just fainted. Moonstar's in terrible pain, but the good news is that he still has his eye and may recover his vision. I hope StarClan can provide some advice when we go to the moonpool tonight."

As Jaypaw continued his anxiety began to fade as he words brought images of herbs to his mind and treatments began to formulate, he smiled warmly at the she-cat, in truth she wasn't much younger than him but the difference felt like aeons to the tom, he'd aged to swiftly but not fast enough and now he was facing the care of two Clans and the gravity began to hit him... The anxiety rushed back hard.

"Thanks, Jaypaw. I need to go announce myself to Moonstar, I could take him some alder bark for the pain while I do so, I brought some myself."

He offered, tail tip twitching nervously.

"No thank you, Whitefeather. Moonstar will be treated by ThunderClan cats only."

Darkblossom's voice was like claws across a bare rockface, Whitefeather turned around and gasped audibly at how different the medicine cat looked. Her shoulders were hunched and her once humerously irritable expression was twisted with mistrust and dislike, her claws were unsheathed and the wounds across her shoulders and chest stuck out against her black and white fur.

"Jaypaw, you go with him, you can treat Moonstar while you're there. You,"

She growled, turning her sightless gaze onto Mousepaw.

"Can come with me. We'll be working with Sweetpaw. When you two are done with Moonstar, you can do a sweep of the camp and ensure that any cat wounded in the battle is now alright."

Whitefeather bristled, glancing over at Mousepaw he nodded his head to her enouragingly, he didn't like the thought of leavign her with this clearly unstable cat, she wasn't the Darkblossom he remembered, who understood what he was going through and was eternally empathetic... He didn't know what this cat would do and she was clearly trying to split them up. At some point, he decided, he'd have to talk to her.

[Aeria Gloris]

Mousepaw looked up at Snowberry, feeling a small amount of relief when the warrior greeted them. She did not look very glad to see them, but it was a start. She put the herbs down, but could not quite find her voice to return the she-cat's greeting.

The scents were still too different and overwhelming. Mousepaw was too afraid to say or do something, for fear that she would humiliate herself or shame her Clan far more than it had already been shamed.

She then looked around, alarmed when she heard someone cry out for Whitefeather's attention. A slender, pretty she-cat ran towards them, and the relief in her amber eyes made it clear that this was no enemy. She must be Darkblossom's apprentice.

When the slightly older apprentice introduced herself as Jaypaw, the brown she-cat meowed softly and shyly, "I'm Mousepaw...It's nice to meet you."

Mousepaw felt a small measure of relief when Whitefeather and Jaypaw began speaking, knowing that her clanmate felt right at home speaking to a fellow medicine cat.

"Thanks, Jaypaw. I need to go announce myself to Moonstar, I could take him some alder bark for the pain while I do so, I brought some myself."

Meeting Moonstar...I can't wait to tell Flamepaw and Ravenpaw! I just wish we didn't have to see him like this.

"No thank you, Whitefeather. Moonstar will be treated by ThunderClan cats only."

She felt the fur along her spine stand on end at the sound of the gruff, unyielding voice. Looking towards the source of the voice, Mousepaw's gaze fell on a black and white she-cat with fluffed fur. Darkblossom... She thought Whitefeather would be pleased to see his fellow medicine cat, but she immediately felt his tension and dismay.

Then Mousepaw noticed something familiar about the way Darkblossom was looking at them. The stare was blank, and lacking in any sort of focus at all. It was exactly like Flamepaw's gaze. That's right. Darkblossom's blind, just like Snowfeather was.

Darkblossom then began growling authoritatively, "Jaypaw, you go with him, you can treat Moonstar while you're there. You,"

Mousepaw squeaked audibly when the medicine cat addressed her directly. "M-m-me?!"

When Whitefeather addressed her, she felt no fear or apprehension at all. But this she-cat's rough manner made her nervous.

She heard a stifled snicker from the middle of the camp. Once again, Mousepaw caught sight of the gray tabby she-cat, who was looking at her with sneering contempt. Mousepaw frowned, but decided to not cause any trouble by responding.

She almost missed the rest of Darkblossom's orders, "Can come with me. We'll be working with Sweetpaw. When you two are done with Moonstar, you can do a sweep of the camp and ensure that any cat wounded in the battle is now alright."

Mousepaw looked over at the unconscious apprentice with some degree of apprehension. Why on earth would Darkblossom want her to help with something that was clearly beyond her ability? Moonstar's conscious, at least! That apprentice looks like she needs more help than I can give.

She saw Whitefeather's nod, but sensed his misgivings. Mousepaw could not afford to falter in front of ThunderClan. She wanted to do her part to repair RiverClan's tarnished image. She willed herself to remember everything Poppyblossom and Haze taught her. Poppyblossom says to remember the honor of the Warrior Code. Haze says to be constantly vigilant. Listen to everything, and remember to remain honorable.

"It's okay, Whitefeather. I can help Darkblossom if she really needs me to. Moonstar should be yours and Jaypaw's priority." She turned to the leader's den, and saw that the ThunderClan leader was right outside of it.

He was staring directly at her with his one eye. Mousepaw quickly turned to Darkblossom and stammered, "I...I brought, uh...There are herbs here. I can carry them all if you want."

Without waiting for a reply, she picked the bundle back up and quickly padded towards the fallen apprentice. She spared one single glance for the two warriors standing over her, but stared down at the apprentice.

She swallowed as she looked at the mess that was Sweetpaw's face. To her relief, the apprentice was still breathing. "So...How do I start?"

-

It can't be...No, StarClan, it just can't be!

Every single moment of that day came rushing back into Moonstar's mind. The joyful hate in her eyes. The sharpness of her claws. The glint of her fangs.

The jagged scar that ran across her face.

He remembered how the black she-cat led a patrol into his camp twenty moons ago, roaring a battle cry and slashing at the cats. They buried so many bodies that day.

Now he saw her face again. There was no scar, and her fur was dark brown with a wisp of white on her tail. Every other characteristic was starkly different, but the RiverClan apprentice's face was a direct copy of Scar's.

Who is this apprentice...?! How does she look like that carrion-eater, Scar?

Daughter, a voice nagged in his mind. Her daughter.

The dead of ThunderClan whispered it in his ear. Moonstar watched as the apprentice walked towards Sweetpaw. He saw no malice in the way she carried herself. All he saw was, dare he say it, genuine care.

I'll ask Whitefeather...I want to know how that beast's get came to be in RiverClan and is now in ThunderClan.

[Evangelion]

Jaypaw looked at Darkblossom with a degree of suspicion and worry. She was sure Sweetpaw would be a priority, needing both medicine cats. Why wouldn't she trust Whitefeather and the warrior apprentice to treat the fully conscious Moonstar?

But she was surprised when Mousepaw immediately listened to Darkblossom. She's not at all like her Clanmates. She just seems...frightened.

Turning to Whitefeather, Jaypaw meowed, "Well...It looks like Mousepaw can handle herself. You and I can go see Moonstar."

Meanwhile, Stormkit was peeking out of the nursery, green eyes wide with apprehension as he watched the RiverClan apprentice walk towards Sweetpaw. Even more when he saw Jaypaw leading Whitefeather towards his father.

Knowing Moonstar would not want him to disturb a strange medicine cat, Stormkit instead opted to investigate the apprentice. He slowly approached, his nose wrinkling as her fish scent reached him. Ugh! As if the ones that attacked didn't smell bad enough!

Standing a foxlength away from her, he called, "Hey! Why aren't you with your friend, treating my Dad? Jaypaw and Darkblossom can take care of Sweetpaw themselves."

[Aiday]

Sweetpaw jerked awake, leaping to her paws. She was trembling from nose to tail tip. Her mind raced over what her spiritual sister had said. The Tribe Of Rushing Water?? I'll have to ask Moonstar. Finally noticing the cats around her, she gulped nervously.

~~~~~

Yellowpaw watched the RiverClaners with interest. She might be one of the only ones who understood that it was only a few cats, misguided cats, that attacked camp. She felt no hostility towards the cats. They were just trying to redeem their clan!!! Getting to her paws, she edged her way towards Whitefeather, "Hello! I’m Yellowpaw. If you need any help, feel free to ask." She smiled kindly at the white tom.

[Whitestream]

Whitefeather noticed Moonstar standing out the front of his den and gasped, the damage to the leader’s face causing his pulse to speed up, Swansong, how could you? His fur was on edge, fluffed out and bristling as he approached Moonstar, not failing to note the way he had his sight fixed on Mousepaw, the ThunderClan leader did not look amused. He smiled kindly at Yellowpaw, relieved to find at least some cat friendly before turning back towards the battered silver tabby.

“Hello, Moonstar.”

He greeted politely, dipping his head in respect.

“As promised, here I am, with Mousepaw, Poppyblossom’s apprentice, to help me.”

He informed the other tom, allowing himself a good natured – if timid – smile, Moonstar had always shown him kindness and he would show the tom al the respect he deserved, but if he put one paw in the wrong way to Mousepaw then Whitefeather would be forced to amputate.

“Jaypaw, do you have any celandine? And some marigold?”

He asked, turning to face Darkblossom’s apprentice with a gentle smile, forcing his nerves down into the pit of his stomach.

Elmnose spotted the little brown furred apprentice as she trotted into camp with Ashpelt and Honey beside her, each cat was carrying a piece of prey, in Honey’s case, two, and as they approached the freshkill pile the small warrior gave Mousepaw a vicious hiss, eyes catching on the cat she was hovering over. Behind her, Honey gasped and darted forwards, taking a seat protectively behind her young friend, eyes watching Mousepaw warily as she lapped at Sweetpaw’s ears.

“Get away from her, Fish-Face. No cat wants you here.”

Elmnose spat, claws unsheathing and pacing forwards, fangs bared, she didn’t care if this was only an apprentice, she recalled her mother’s death and the slaughter of Creampaw and her whole being shook with rage…

“Stop.”

Sunheart’s voice was firm, even as Ashpelt stepped forwards to halt the young warrior, Elmnose herself looked over at her father, the rage still burning in her eyes. Stepping forwards, Sunheart brushed up against his daughter, shouldering her away from Mousepaw. When he spoke it was to her and her alone, and her shoulders fell with the shame that his words brought on.

“This began because Sparktail attacked their medicine cat on a peaceful mission. Now how many cats of both sides lay dead? Too many. Including Sparktail, your own brother, and your mother. If you attack that apprentice now, then how many more will die for your actions? Your sister and brother? You? I couldn’t recover if you did. So don’t shame yourself, or your uncle. Don’t you dare shame, me. Maybe some work will cool you off, go help Yellowpaw and clear out the nursery.”

With that said, he gave her a reproachful stare and watched as, tail drooping she padded over to Yellowpaw, flicking her ears at the apprentice.

“We have to go clear out the nursery.”

Sunheart sighed, watching her go and turning back to the RiverClan apprentice , Sweetpaw and Honey.

“Nice catch, Honey.”

He greeted, waving his tail towards the pile, where her squirrel and mouse were gathered, she shot him a smile before returning to her fussing over Sweetpaw, reminding the deputy once more of the two moons the pair had shared and the close bond which had resulted between to two she-cats, Honey’s hunting would be useful during leafbare, if she’ll stay that long. He noted, looking down at Sweetpaw who had been injured valiantly defending her camp, She’s too young for this… like Creampaw.

“How are you feeling, Sweetpaw? I just wanted to commend you for how bravely you fought during the battle.”

He murmured, lowering his head so only she could hear, there was no need to embarrass her. Pulling away he fixed his gaze onto Mousepaw, shifting his weight as he pondered what to say to her.

“I apologise for Elmnose’s hostility, she lost her mother in the fight and her grief is making her hateful. I hope clearing the nursery with an apprentice will remind her to keep her emotions in check.”

He explained, Mousepaw was young, hopefully she would understand what it would feel like to lose her own mother, and accept the punishment he’d given Elmnose without further comment.

“Good. I can’t have her scaring away my help.”

Darkblossom’s mew sounded almost back to her old self as it sounded from just behind, Sunheart. He glanced over to see her setting down a parcel of herbs and beckoning to Mousepaw.

“Right, so I want you to remove her current dressing, be gentle with it. I’ll prepare a poultice to soothe the inflammation while you do that.”

She meowed calmly to the RiverClan apprentice, and it was only as Sunheart examined her that he saw the tension in her muscles, and the fear behind her sightless eyes, She’s holding together for her patient… StarClan help her! He prayed silently, backing away to give the assembled cats room.

[Evangelion]

Her ears lowering in dismay, the apprentice meowed dejectedly, "We have very little left, Whitefeather. We've been using it on Moonstar and Sweetpaw, as well as on all of the other injuries. With so many warriors on patrol, and Darkblossom hurt, I didn't have time to gather some herbs."

Jaypaw suddenly heard the angry hissing coming from the direction of Mousepaw and Darkblossom. "Uh-oh...Elmnose, please..."

She watched tensely as the warrior threatened the RiverClan apprentice, but felt enormously relieved when Sunheart appeared to prevent any trouble. "Thank StarClan..." She looked up at Whitefeather, her embarassment very apparent. "I'm very sorry about all of this. You're only here to help!

"I should go get the celandine and marigold..." Jaypaw retreated to the den she shared with Darkblossom, carefully dividing the herbs so there was enough for her and her mentor to use. Bringing her half, she padded back to Whitefeather and placed it before him. "Do you think we'll be able to save Moonstar's sight in that eye?"

[Aeria Gloris]

Mousepaw looked up at the silver tabby in surprise, half-expecting hostility, even from the youngest members of the Clan. But this kit was not just any kit. Like her, he was a leader's kit.

Managing a small smile, Mousepaw meowed, "Darkblossom asked me to help her. Whitefeather and Jaypaw are taking care of Moonstar. You said he's your father? I'm one of Flowingstar's kits. My name's Mousepaw."

Just then she heard Sweetpaw finally stir, and erased the smile from her face. Softly, she meowed, "How do you feel?"

Then someone hissed viciously, making Mousepaw almost leap away from Sweetpaw. “Get away from her, Fish-Face. No cat wants you here.”

She shrank down in fear as she looked up at the warrior glaring at her, a she-cat with brown fur. "But I...! I'm just--"

I'm just trying to help!

Wishing she was not such a coward, Mousepaw almost missed Sunheart's appearance. ThunderClan's deputy came between her and the she-cat, who she came to understand was Elmnose, Sunheart's daughter. Spottedtail killed her mother.

She felt embarassed to watch Elmnose being punished in front of her, who was, after all, part of the Clan who had killed her mother and clanmates.

Once Elmnose was gone, Mousepaw kept holding her breath. She had no idea what Sunheart would say to her, if he ever addressed her. Then his eyes turned to her. She braced herself for his poisonous words.

“I apologise for Elmnose’s hostility, she lost her mother in the fight and her grief is making her hateful. I hope clearing the nursery with an apprentice will remind her to keep her emotions in check.”

He spoke so warmly, without a trace of accusation. Mousepaw looked at him, confused and wanting to ask him so many questions. Why are you being so kind? Did Moonstar order you to behave?

She swallowed, letting her held breath out and meowing, "It's okay. I...I'm sorry too. I know that no one's happy I'm here. But all I want to do is help your Clan." And protect Whitefeather.

She heard Darkblossom meow, “Good. I can’t have her scaring away my help.” Then the ThunderClan medicine cat began to instruct, “Right, so I want you to remove her current dressing, be gentle with it. I’ll prepare a poultice to soothe the inflammation while you do that.”

"Okay," she answered. Mousepaw turned to Sweetpaw's injured eye, nose wrinkling as the stench of blood flooded her nostrils. Don't lose it, Mousepaw. It's just blood. She mewed to the apprentice, "Hold still, okay? It might hurt a little..."

She glanced up at the gathered cats and brought her paw up, gently touching Sweetpaw's face and slowly unsheathing her claws. Suddenly she heard a barely suppressed hiss and swiftly looked up. The gray she-cat was still looking at her.

Mousepaw heard Haze whisper in her ear, Put her out of your mind and concentrate. Focus on Sweetpaw.

Right.

She hooked her claws onto the dressing and gently pulled it off of Sweetpaw's face. She felt bile rise in her throat when she saw the bloody mess that was an empty eye socket. Oh, StarClan... She swallowed, suppressing the urge to vomit, and held the used dressing in her paw. "Alright, it's off."

-

Moonstar continued to stare at the RiverClan apprentice, watching how she reacted to the warriors around her. She's nervous. Skittish. Quick to calculate just like her mother was.

Flowingstar is truly mad if she actually took in a BoneClan kit.

Turning to Whitefeather, he asked in a feigned, disinterested voice, "That apprentice you brought...her face looks very familiar. Whose kit is she?"

-

"I can throw this away. I'll be right back..."

Mousepaw slowly padded away from Darkblossom, still holding the dressing. She tried to look as harmless as possible, but half wished someone would follow.

I need to breathe...All that blood is making me sick.

But she still walked away, making sure she was clearly in view of everyone.

A voice softly hissed in her ear, "You're lucky Sunheart was around, fish-breath. Or else, Elmnose would've done us all a favor and shredded you apart."

She was roughly shoved, barely able to keep her balance. Grunting as she spun on her paws, Mousepaw dropped the dressings and faced her assailant.

It was the gray apprentice, amber eyes filled with hate and the urge to fight.

Mousepaw stared back defiantly, but kept her claws sheathed and fur flat. "Look...I don't want to fight you."

The apprentice smirked cruelly. "Why? Are you just waiting for me to turn my back so you can attack me, like your foxheart Clanmates did? They're all liars, just like that Flowingstar! What makes you think we believe a word she--"

Mousepaw hissed back, "Don't insult my mother! She punished the warriors involved! She's an honorable leader!"

"So she's your mother? Then your dung-faced mother should've let us have those warriors so we could kill them all. Them and that stupid apprentice that ran away!"

"Mistpaw!"

Mousepaw bared her fangs against the horrid insults Mistpaw threw at her, but straightened when she heard the older voice call. Mistpaw's eyes went wide as they turned towards the source.

It was that same black she-cat that had joined Moonstar, green eyes blazing with fury as they looked at Mistpaw. Darkleaf.

The warrior loomed over Mistpaw, whose ears had gone flat. "What did I say to you yesterday? Didn't I tell you not to cause trouble?"

Mistpaw shot back, "She's the one causing trouble! She shouldn't even be here!"

Darkleaf raised her voice over the apprentices objections, "Don't question Moonstar's orders again. Do you understand? All you're doing now is shaming your Clan, your mentor, and yourself. Now go join your brother. I don't want to hear anything from either of you today." Her voice was unquestioning and firm.

Mistpaw glanced at Mousepaw with loathing, and padded away from them.

The brown apprentice kept her frown, but looked down at her paws. "Thanks. I'm sorry for provoking her."

The black warrior turned her gaze on her, considerably softened, but still reserved. "So, you're Flowingstar's daughter?"

Mousepaw nodded.

"Did you volunteer, or did your mother order you to come here?"

At that, Mousepaw swiftly turned to her and replied firmly, "No one ordered me. In fact, Whitefeather asked me to come, and I said yes, because he's my friend. And tomorrow, he'll ask someone else to come, and they'll be happy to come. Because not everyone in RiverClan is as stupid as the ones that attacked." She stopped, realizing that she had just spoken to a warrior as though she were the elder. Great...Now she'll probably hit me. Nice going, Mousepaw.

Instead, Darkleaf looked bemused. She meowed with a degree of admiration, "Relax, I didn't mean to offend you. Ever since this whole thing started, RiverClan brings out sort of a paw-jerk reaction in me. Will you go back to Darkblossom?"

Mousepaw looked at the warrior, slightly pacified and glad the situation didn't turn out worse. "Uh...Yes. I think she needs me to help put the poultice on Sweetpaw."

She turned back and made her way back to Darkblossom's side, knowing Darkleaf was still watching her."

[Whitestream]

Whitefeather sighed softly at Jaypaw’s admission, I’ll have to bring some from RiverClan’s own stores… He realised unhappily, that was sure to go over awfully with his Clanmates, most still thought him mad for agreeing to this in the first place. Rallying himself he smiled warmly at the apprentice, worrying that she might have thought he was mad at her.

“That’s alright, I can bring some from RiverClan when I come tomorrow.”

He said calmly, smiling more broadly as she decided to head off and fetch what she could. Moonstar’s question caught the young tom off guard and for a heartbeat, he had no answer. What does he know? The idea that ThunderClan’s leader might know of Mousepaw’s true lineage made him more nervous than he would ever admit, he met the leader’s gaze, as he had so many moons ago in RiverClan’s and he felt the same thrill of power in the older tom’s gaze as he had back then. Yet, as he met the cool – seemingly indifferent – gaze of ThunderClan’s most powerful cat his own green eyes blazed fiercely.

“Mousepaw is Flowingstar and Owltalon’s daughter.”

He replied firmly, I don’t care what you think you know, this is what I do know.

((Replying here for Hawktalon as well.))

Sunheart’s eyes were caught by movement, and smiling at Sweetpaw and Honey he politely excused himself from the group, turning instead to the calico tom who was pacing about. He looks bored, he might as well take his boredom somewhere useful. Padding forwards he stopped beside the other tom.

“Specklepelt, it seems that Darkblossom and Jaypaw are running low on herbs. Why don’t you take a patrol out to gather some?”

He meowed, golden gaze cast past the bored warrior to where Darkleaf was reprimanding Mistpaw, If I punished Elmnose, I’ll punish her too. No ThunderClan cat will be allowed to challenge Moonstar’s decree.

“Ask Darkleaf if she and Foxpaw would like to come with you, and Ashpelt if he’s not too tired. Just check in with Jaypaw as to what they need before you head out.”

His voice as loud enough for the retreating Mistpaw to hear, and he shot her a pointed glance, Should I carry it further? Make her relieve Yellowpaw and clear the nursery with Elmnose? No… It’s probably best those two stay apart, I don’t want either of them getting any ideas and besides, this will punish her enough.

“Your patrol can hunt while you’re out, and tell Darkleaf to report on Foxpaw’s progress to Moonstar when you get back, I’m sure he’d love to know how he’s shaping up.”

[Poffin]

Webwhisker dipped his head in thanks to Moonstar, backing way respectfully. He could hear the whispers starting outside of camp and knew that the RiverClan medicine cat and assistant had arrived. He had best organize the patrols now before everyone got too riled up.

"He said yes," he informed Mudstream, smiling as he noted the relief crossing her features. Jerking his muzzle towards the warrior's den he added, "But we should start getting everyone ready now. You will have to wait here in camp in case Pebblepaw and Streampaw come back but you can put together a patrol for me to send out, too."

The calico queen nodded mutely. She understood that his plan was reasonable even if her mind and heart screamed at her to be out there looking herself. "Thank you Webwhisker. That sounds good."

The two split up them with him heading to the warrior's den and her looking about camp. The sooner they got the groups together the sooner they could get out and search. "Spottedfern, Flamestripe, Gorsefang, Birdface, would you please be a patrol together? Pebblepaw and Streampaw are gone and Moonstar said we can send someone out to find them," Mudstream said desperately. "Please?"

Webwhisker wasted no time choosing his cats either. "Liontail, Frostear, Silverwing, and Emberfur! I need you guys to form up into a patrol with me. We need to search the territory and find Mudstream's two kits. They've been missing for at least two days now and no one knows where they are."

[Lifesong]

Sootclaw, roused by the commotion in the camp padded out from the warrior's den. He looked across at Spottedfern and went to her. His short black fur was still ruffled as he as his amber eyes met hers.

"What's going on?" he asked the dark pelted tortoiseshell, his eyes twitching as he felt the tension rising around him.

The she-cat looked at the young warrior with disdain. She had very little time for questions, especially from these young warriors who wanted to know everything.

"Am I supposed to know?" she replied coldly, "If it's something important we will be told of that I'm sure," and with that she turned her attention away from him.

Feeling a little hurt, Sootclaw braved a response to the feisty she-cat.

I let you know I'm not some useless mousebrain! He thought.

"Yes, that I can understand, but I'm going to see if I can do anything to help." With a wave of his tail and his head held high the young warrior padded away from the hard-headed tortoiseshell. "Which is better than what you are doing you mean lump of fur!" he hissed under his breath.

As she watched him go, Spottedfern tried to sort through the shifting emotions inside her. The young black tom was interested her but she would never tell him that, or even admit it too herself.

Toms are all the same. She thought to herself.

But Sootclaw had prompted a reaction from her, so with a resigned sigh she followed after him.

[Evangelion]

Stormkit looked on with curiosity when Mousepaw said she was Flowingstar's kit. Doesn't really look like Flowingstar. At least I look like Moonstar.

When Mousepaw retreated, the kit looked up at Darkblossom and commented softly, "She smells pretty bad, doesn't she Darkblossom?"

-

Jaypaw looked on with concern when Moonstar asked about Mousepaw. She noticed the hostility in Whitefeather's reply, but chose to move on for everyone's sake.

"What'll we do with these herbs, then?"

[Aeria Gloris]

“Mousepaw is Flowingstar and Owltalon’s daughter.”

Of course she is. Moonstar caught the defensive edge in Whitefeather's answer, confirming what he already knew. He's covering for Flowingstar. Because he knows who that kit's mother is.

He kept staring in the apprentice's direction, taking note of how she faced Mistpaw and stood up to Darkleaf. Does she even know where she came from? Of course, I wouldn't put it past Flowingstar to keep it a well-kept secret. It would do no good for everyone to know she was raising a BoneClan kit.

How could Moonstar even think of trusting the RiverClan leader now? She was harboring a BoneClan kit! Why hadn't she let it die instead of nursing it herself? Anything even remotely related to BoneClan was dangerous, and needed to be destroyed. Those warriors she and Shadowstar took in were bad enough. At least they showed some repentance! But this is Scar's kit!

"How well-behaved is she? Is she at all violent or disagreeable?" For the sake of peace, he would put on a front of trust to Flowingstar, but he would not trust that apprentice. Not when she looked like Scar.

-

Mousepaw had sunk a wad of moss into one of the clean puddles. After placing it beside Sweetpaw's head, she mewed to Darkblossom, "Is there anything else?"