Disclaimer: I do no own the Warriors series. Only the characters I have made up.
EarthClan's Medicine Cat slipped silently out of her Den, shivering slightly in the sharp morning air. Fireshadow's expression was strained as she looked into the Nursery.
" Swiftstorm." She meowed to a silver tabby she-cat, who was immediately awake at the sound of her voice.
" Streamkit is worse. We haven't lost her yet but…" Fireshadow's tired voice trailed off. Swiftstorm curled tighter around her remaining kit.
" There must be a cure!" She meowed, desperation clear in her voice. Fireshadow shook her head slowly.
" No Swiftstorm. There is no cure."
A small, dark grey she-cat padded to the centre of camp. Breezestar glanced at the Medicine Cat's Den, eyes concerned as an apprentice walked over.
" How many so far, Eaglepaw?" The Leader meowed quietly watching the Medicine Cat apprentice.
" Three Breezestar. One dead, one ill, and one recovering, thank StarClan." Eaglepaw answered quickly.
" Streamkit died this morning, after Fireshadow saw Swiftstorm. But Silverpaw is getting better, and Rosethorn is still sick." He reported, flicking his tail sadly in the direction of the small, limp body of Streamkit, lying at the edge of camp. Breezestar looked at it for a moment, before tearing her gaze away.
" How is Swiftstorm?" She asked, naming the dead kits mother.
" She is taking it badly, as is to be expected. Fireshadow is with her now." Eaglepaw replied, pricking his ears as a retching sound came from his Den.
" Rosethorn." He meowed, dipping his head to his leader, and running to the Warrior.
Rosethorn lifted her head weakly, and looked at Eaglepaw.
" Who are you?" She mumbled, before she coughed, and retched again. Eaglepaw watched her sadly. She was far into the illness now, constantly delirious, unable to hold food down, vomiting, weak…But what worried Eaglepaw most was the fact that, although Streamkit had been a sickly young cat, Rosethorn was a strong she-cat, rarely affected by sickness. He turned away, as a bundle of fur stirred in another nest.
" Silverpaw?" Eaglepaw meowed, padding over as Fireshadow entered.
" What do you want, you useless mouse brain. I'm thirsty and there is no water." The apprentice replied grumpily, but setting blue eyes upon Fireshadow.
" How is mother?" Silverpaw asked. She had already heard about the death of her younger sister, Streamkit. Fireshadow sighed.
" Upset." She answered quietly, looking at Silverpaw, before turning to Eaglepaw.
" Two more cases; Lilyflower and Flamepaw." She added. Eaglepaw stared at her.
" The Deputy?" He meowed, before raking two piles of moss together. His mentor nodded.
" But she seems to have a milder strain of the disease." Fireshadow explained, as Lilyflower entered unsteadily, and was led to a nest. Rapidfire came next, a small ginger tom held in his jaws. He put Flamepaw in the remaining nest, and turned to the Medicine Cat.
" I have to go. Keep a close eye on Flamepaw, he seems bad." The tom said padding out of the Den. Fireshadow turned to Eaglepaw.
" I'm going to the Moonstone. Stay and watch the sick." She meowed, gulping down some herbs and running out of the Den. Eaglepaw stared after her.
" StarClan help us." He murmured, before turning back to the ill cats, his steps making no noise as he sorted out some herbs.