Chapter Text
Leafpool woke abruptly from her vision. The tabby medicine cat twitched her tail in annoyance. Why does StarClan have to be so cryptic with their messages every time? Just for once, can’t they just tell it how it is? Yellowfang, you say you aren’t representing StarClan, yet you speak exactly like any other StarClan cat! Leafpool thought irritably. As the medicine cat thought, she realized she wasn’t the only cat awake. Mothwing sat across from her, her golden pelt shining silver in the moonlight.
Mothwing tilted her head at Leafpool curiously. “Awake already?” The golden she-cat inquired.
“Yes,” Leafpool responded. “I had such an odd vision.” Mothwing blinked affectionately at her fellow medicine cat and longtime friend. “Why don’t you tell me about it?” The RiverClan cat suggested. “I might be able to help you decipher it, especially since, as you know very well, I won’t have my own vision to worry about.” Leafpool liked that idea. She needed to share her worries with some cat, but she didn’t want any of the other medicine cats to overhear.
“OK, but I don’t want any cat to overhear. Can you stay after the meeting?” Mothwing nodded understandingly. “Of course, my friend. It must be unrelated to medicine cat duties then, no?”
Leafpool’s tail twitched anxiously. She was worried the other cats would wake and overhear their conversation. “Yes, It’s something rather… personal. I don’t want you to worry, though, it’s something that only affects me.” Mothwing tilted her head at her friend. “Why would you think that I would be any less worried if it only affects you?” Leafpool was surprised but grateful for her friend's kind words. “Thank you, Mothwing. But can we wait to talk about this any more? I
wouldn’t want us to be overheard.” Mothwing responded, “Yes, that makes sense.” She opened her jaws to say more, but at that moment, the other cats started to stir.
Littlecloud was first to rise. He yawned loudly, then turned to face the two she-cats who were already awake. As he did, the other medicine cats started to rise from their own visions.
“See anything important? StarClan had nothing to share with me tonight.” He said to the she-cats. “No, we haven’t seen anything important enough to share.” He nodded, pleased. “Good,” He said contentedly. “No trouble should come to our Clans, then, thank StarClan.” The rest of the medicine cats awoke, and shared that they, too, had not received anything that needed to be shared. As they padded out of the bushes, to head back, Mothwing called out, “Leafpool and I are going to stay back for a bit to catch up. Go on ahead without us.” The other medicine cats agreed and said their goodbyes, each padding towards their own territory.
The two she-cats settled down in a spot a few fox-lengths from the Moonpool, where it was a bit more sheltered from the wind. “So,” Mothwing started. “What is so important that you could share it with me, but not the other medicine cats?” Leafpool looked at the ground. “I- It’s about Crowfeather. I didn’t really expect to see StarClan tonight. I thought they would be mad at me for breaking the code, but Yellowfang came to me…” Leafpool told Mothwing everything that happened in her brief encounter with the StarClan cat. “So, from what I hear, your plan to stay with your Clan as their medicine cat isn’t going to work out for you?” Mothwing asked when Leafpool finished speaking. “I… Yes, I think that’s what Yellowfang meant.” She sighed sadly. “I had hope that this was all over, and everything could go back to normal, but I suppose nothing ever is perfect.” Mothwing looked at her with a sympathetic expression. “Maybe you should talk to Crowfeather. You two could try to work it out together.” Leafpool appreciated her friend’s optimism, but she wasn’t quite so hopeful.
“I was planning to avoid him completely.” Leafpool admitted. “Out of sight, out of mind, you know?” Mothwing’s whiskers twitched. “For some reason, I don’t think that will work in this situation.” The tabby cat looked away. “You’re probably right,” she said. “I don’t think I could forget about him even if I tried.” Mothwing responded, “does this mean you aren’t trying to forget?” Leafpool narrowed her eyes. “Well…yes. I am trying to move on with my normal life, but I just can’t pretend I don’t care! Oh Mothwing… What am I going to do?” Leafpool sank to the ground, unable to stand any longer. She curled up sadly. “I don’t know what to do, Mothwing! You’re the only cat that I can talk to about this! I haven’t even been talking to my Clanmat
es, I'm so afraid I'll say something that makes it obvious how much I've been thinking about him!” Mothwing settled down beside her friend, licking the tabby’s shoulder comfortingly. “Leafpool, I really think the best option right now is just to tell him. Talk to him about it at the Gathering, OK?” Leafpool nodded slowly, considering the suggestion. “And what do you suppose I do until then?” Mothwing told her just to wait, it would only be a half moon after all. “And of course, you can always come to RiverClan to see me if you need. We have some extra catmint, it’s a good excuse to come, and also, it can never hurt to be prepared for leafbare.” It can’t hurt to visit Mothwing, can it? “OK, thank you, Mothwing. It could certainly be helpful to talk to someone I trust.” Mothwing looked back in the direction of RiverClan territory. “It’s getting late. Someone might start to worry.” Leafpool agreed quickly. “We are both our Clan’s only medicine cats. We shouldn’t stall too much longer.” Mothwing nodded. “Well, let’s walk to the lake’s edge together.”
The two she-cats set off down the slope. They parted at the water’s edge, their goodbyes short.
Leafpool hurried back, her pawsteps thumping against the near-frozen ground. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding when she crossed the border into her home territory. The forest beside her, that had seconds ago looked dark and imposing, had morphed, in her eyes, to beautiful and moonlit. She relaxed, letting her pace slow. All her worries about her vision melted away in the light of the stars. She tilted her muzzle up, inhaling the scents of the fresh night air. She padded through the forest, the trees looming over her as if protecting her. She slid quietly into camp, not wanting to wake cats from peaceful dreams. She nodded to the warrior on guard duty, and slid into her den. She settled in the soft moss of her nest, closing her eyes. Sleep came to her easily, and her only thought as her consciousness slipped away was hope of restful sleep.
Sunlight streamed into the den. The bright light woke the tabby she-cat sleeping peacefully. Leafpool blinked, the bright light shining in her eyes. She yawned and stretched. She stepped out of her den, shaking off the bits of moss still stuck in her fur. The camp was already awake, elders trying their best to soak up the morning sun, while the dawn patrol returned. Leafpool padded over to the fresh-kill pile, choosing a small vole to eat. She crouched outside the medicine den, watching the kits play by the nursery as she ate her meal. She finished her vole, standing up to go check her herb stock. Before she could disappear into her den, however, her sister ran up to her. Leafpool turned her head away, determined as ever to stay away from talking to her Clanmates. To her surprise, Squirrelflight pounced on her like she did when they were kits. Leafpool struggled, but Squirrelflight, being a warrior, had the advantage. In no time, the ginger she-cat had her sister pinned down. “Leafpool, you need to talk to me. Please.” Leafpool huffed in annoyance. “Squirrelflight… You wouldn’t understand.” Leafpool knew that protesting wouldn’t work, she’d put off this conversation for too long, and Squirrelflight wasn’t going to wait a minute longer. All her worries from the night before came flooding back.
Leafpool’s sister dragged her out of camp, finally stopping when they were far enough away that no cat would hear them. “What has been up with you lately?” Squirrelflight practically yowled. Leafpool huffed. “Quiet down, I’m sure they can hear you on the other side of the lake! If you’re going to be that loud, we might as well have this conversation in the middle of camp!” Squirrelflight's gaze softened, just a bit. “Sorry, I’m just… worried about you, OK?” Leafpool relaxed. “Sorry, Squirrelflight. Sorry for ignoring you, too. I shouldn't just pretend I’m the only cat who ever has problems.” Squirrelflight looked at her sister sympathetically. “No, Leafpool. It’s fine, really. I just want to make sure you’re okay. I mean, I can tell something's wrong. It’s Crowfeather, isn’t it?” Leafpool’s ears pricked in surprise. “How do you know?” Squirrelflight’s whiskers twitched. “It’s pretty obvious, mouse brain. I mean, you come back from a little ‘outing’ with him, and suddenly you're all sulky and stuff. It’s really not hard to tell.” Leafpool winced. “Is it really that obvious?” Squirrelflight nodded. “Yes, definitely. You need to get it together, Leafpool. If you don’t, some piece of fox-dung is going to start spreading rumors.” The tabby medicine cat nodded. “I know. I’ll try my best, OK?” Squirrelflight looked at her sister suspiciously, but didn’t disagree. “OK, great!” The ginger warrior said, suddenly cheerful. “Later! I want to go hunting before sunhigh!” The she-cat darted off, the underbrush rustling as she went. Leafpool sighed, but she was happier than before. She’d been avoiding her sister, but she knew her littermate knew her better than anyone. If anyone could figure out something was wrong with ThunderClan’s medicine cat, the first one to do it would always be Squirrelflight. Though she's probably right about me being super obvious, Leafpool admitted to herself.
The medicine cat padded back into her den, because checking her herb stock was actually important, not just a way to get out of talking to her sister. She sorted through the dried herbs.
That should be enough marigold for leaf-bare, I think. She sorted the leaves and roots into their little piles. Hm, yarrows a little low, maybe I should ask for some at the next half moon meeting. Ugh! I have enough poppy seeds, but they're getting stuck to my pad! She shook the tiny seeds off her paw, tucking them into a large dock leaf for safekeeping. Oh no, the only thing I’m really in need of is catmint… Oh well, I guess I truly have a good excuse to go see Mothwing. I’ll save it until I really need her, though, or until some cat gets sick. Hopefully not the second one, though.
She decided to go check on the kits.
“Hi, Sorreltail!” She said to her friend. “How are your kits doing?” Sorreltail lifted her head at the sound of her friend’s voice. She had been curled in her nest, probably napping. “Sorry, did I wake you?” The queen shook her head. “No, It’s alright. I should probably get up to check on the kits anyway.”
“Ferncloud can handle them for a few more minutes, at least.” Sorreltail laughed. “Well, I hope so, but four kits are always a pawful!” As if on cue, she heard a kit squeal outside the den, and then a giggle. “I got you!” A little voice said. “Hmph. I wanna be the hunter this time. You can be the mouse.” Another kit replied. “I hope they’re not too much trouble!” Sorreltail exclaimed quietly, so the kits wouldn’t hear. “Ferncloud has watched many litters of kits. She won’t let them get into any trouble.” Sorreltail laughed. “Well, kits always find ways to get into trouble.” The medicine cat nodded. “I know that all too well. I’m the one who has to heal their scrapes and
sore paws, after all!” The two she-cats kept talking, chatting about anything they could think of. A few minutes later, a gasp interrupted their lighthearted chatter. The nursery entrance rustled, a gray cat hurrying inside. “Sorreltail! I looked away for just a moment, and now I can’t find Poppykit!” Sorreltail stood up quickly. “Oh no!” The two queens rushed out of the nursery, with Leafpool close behind. Ferncloud led the other she-cats over to a spot outside the nursery. Molekit and Honeykit were playing obliviously. However, Cinderkit sat up, her ears pricked. She seemed to know something was going on. Odd, Leafpool thought. She’s only a couple moons old, and yet, she seems so much… older? Wiser? Leafpool didn’t know. “Stay right here, kittens.” Sorreltail told her babies. All three nodded, and resumed what they had been doing.
“I’ll stay and watch them.” Ferncloud offered. “What about your kits? Don’t they need you?” Ferncloud shook her head. “Icekit and Foxkit are asleep. They should be fine.” Leafpool nodded, and turned to Sorreltail. “Where should we look for Poppykit?” Sorreltail blinked. “I don’t know! I’m going to tell Firestar.” Leafpool agreed. Soon enough, a search party was being sent out. Leafpool decided to get some herbs, in case the kit was hurt. She padded into her den, and over to her herb store. When she looked down at the pile of herbs, she yowled in surprise. A little cat was sprawled between the piles. Cats rushed in, to see what was wrong. “I found Poppykit.” Leafpool explained. “But I don’t know if she’s okay…” Leafpool picked up the kitten by the scruff, and placed her gently in a nest. Sorreltail and Brackenfur tried to come to their kit’s side, but Leafpool stopped them. “I need space to figure out what’s wrong.” She said. The worried parents reluctantly backed off. She nosed the kit, gently checking her breathing. While she examined the kit, a flash of gray fur in the corner of her eye caught her attention.
She turned, only to see none other than Cinderkit. The little kit approached her sister, sniffing her. “She needs yarrow.” The little cat decided. “I think I saw her eat something odd earlier.” Leafpool was shocked by the little kit’s diagnosis. “Alright.” She looked at her herb store. Oh no, I think some are missing! Poppykit must have tried to fix her bellyache herself! She picked up a bit of the yarrow, carefully preparing it to feed to the kit. She put the medicine on the kit's little tongue, and closed her mouth. She swallowed. I need to hold her up. Otherwise she’ll choke on the vomit. To her surprise, Cinderkit was already trying to hold up her sister, even though Poppykit was bigger. Leafpool helped, propping the kit up as she vomited. Little bits of green were mixed in, proving Leafpool right that she ate herbs. Poppykit’s eyes slowly fluttered open.
“My bellyache is gone…” the kit said sleepily. Leafpool bundled up the dirty moss, and set the kit in a fresh nest. “Yes, little one. All gone.” She would ask for the details of what happened later, now the kit needed to rest. “Go to sleep, you need rest.” Poppykit shook her head. “I don’t wanna! I want to play!” Leafpool sighed. She picked up some poppy seeds. “OK, follow me. You can play in a moment.” I hate having to trick her, but she needs to rest. She led the kit across camp and into the nursery. “Here, Poppykit. Eat this, then you can play.” She held out a poppy seed to the kit, who obediently lapped it up. “Sorreltail!” Leafpool called. Sorreltail hurried in. “Is she okay?” Leafpool nodded. “I gave her a poppy seed so she will sleep, but I need you to make sure she stays in her nest until she falls asleep.” Leafpool whispered. Sorreltail agreed quietly, then went over to her kit. Leafpool padded out of the den, nodding to Ferncloud, who was watching the rest of the kits.