Jaypaw was restless in his sleep. Multiple images flashed through his mind, though they never seemed to fit together. When he awoke he felt as tired as ever. He hadn't had a decent night sleep in days. He yawned and gave himself a few quick licks.
"You're awake at last." Leafpool mewed. "We're running low on juniper berries and burdock root. Will you help me gather some more?"
Jaypaw didn't reply. He didn't want to but Leafpool would make him anyways. He got up and stretched and they headed out of the den. Jaypaw heard Icekit and Foxit tussling outside the nursery and Brambleclaw ordering out patrols. The two medicine cats followed Sandstorm's hunting patrol out of the tunnel.
"We should check on Star while we're out here." Leafpool suggested. Jaypaw didn't reply. His head was still spinning with his nightmare.
Star lifted her head as the patrol passed and the two medicine cats approached her.
"Good morning." Star greeted. Each cat in the patrol nodded in acknowledgement and padded on. Jaypaw felt his pelt burn with anger. The clan pitied her! He then realized they had something in common. Last night Star had told them her story and he didn't think much of it. But now, he realized, something in that story connected them, along with something she was hiding. He would sense it, though he couldn't tell what.
"Good morning Star." Leafpool greeted.
"Morning." Jaypaw said thoughtlessly.
"Did you sleep well?" Leafpool asked kindly. Star shook her head.
"It was…" Star paused to think. "…very restless." She sighed.
"Another nightmare?" Leafpool guessed.
"Yes." Star admitted. Jaypaw's heart skipped a beat. How long had she been having these nightmares? And how long had Leafpool known?
"How are your wounds?" Leafpool continued.
"They're almost healed." Star smiled. "I should be able to leave soon."
"You'll leave when I say you can." Leafpool teased. Jaypaw felt a pang of regret flow off of Leafpool like rain. He began to wonder what was going on in her head. Should I ask her while we're gathering herbs? He wondered.
"Are you going out to gather more herbs?" Star asked Jaypaw.
"We are." He flatly said.
"Would you like to come with us?" Leafpool inquired. Jaypaw prayed to StarClan she would say no. He wanted to talk to Leafpool alone.
"I would be honored." Star smiled. "If you like I can grab something that could help carry the herbs so you can gather more."
"Do you really have something that can carry that much?" Leafpool's eyes were wide with surprise.
"Of course." Star smiled. "We'll just have to head over towards the WindClan border." She pointed with her huge paw in the direction of the WindClan border.
"You know where it is?" Leafpool was shocked. Jaypaw couldn't help but grunt.
"Well what else am I supposed to learn while I sit under this tree all day long, nothing?" Star chuckled. "I listen to the cats in the clearing and who come in and out of the tunnel. I also recognize the smell that comes off of the patrols that come from that way."
"That's impressive." Leafpool nodded. Jaypaw rolled his sightless eyes. Leafpool seemed to underestimate her. Then it struck him. She seemed to underestimate him at first too. It's as if she couldn't even imagine certain creatures could do things a cat could do. She even couldn't imagine a cat with disadvantages doing what a normal cat could do. Jaypaw's fur burned in anger. He bit back a retort and kept quiet.
Star got up and steadied herself on all fours. As they walked Jaypaw could tell she hadn't walked like a normal twoleg for some time. By the way she landed on her paws it was normal now for her to walk like a cat or other four-legged creature. Jaypaw's heart began to pound and a voice seemed to whisper in his ear again. That who walks on two will walk on four and a curse will become salvation. Jaypaw began to wonder if it was coming true.
Just a little chapter to lead into something interesting in the next. Hope it wasn't too boring for you all
