Okay so this chapter is a little bit long but it's pretty important. Anyway, Sagepaw is going to find out soon what he needs to do to save the Fire Tails, so stay with me! And if you do read this story, please please please review it. Reviews are appreciated and welcomed with wide open fox paws. thanks.

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Chapter 9: Scratched

"Dolosus sure did a number on you," the fire-colored fox said, his thin stumpy tail waving around in the air as he tended to Sagepaw's wound.

Sagepaw winced as the juice from the plant leaked out on to his belly, hitting the open slashes. He gritted his teeth in pain and after a few moments the stinging sensation disappeared.

"There," the male fox said, pushing aside the pile of moldy-looking leaves, "you should be better in no time. You're lucky, those wounds were shallow. The scratches will ache for a few days but soon you'll forget you ever got hurt."

"Thank you," Sagepaw murmured to the fox, humbled by his concerned and caring manner. Who knew foxes could be as gentle and kind as medicine cats?

"I don't believe we've been properly introduced," the thin-tailed fox said, his eyes glittering with interest, "my name is Macresco, and I am the Fire Tails' Curer."

"Do you take care of sick and injured foxes?" asked Sagepaw.

"Yes," Macresco seemed pleased, "how did you guess?"

"Back where I come from," Sagepaw said carefully, "we have cats who devote themselves to our Clan and heal others. They're called medicine cats."

"Really?" Macresco seemed very interested, leaning his head in towards Sagepaw, his ears pricked forward. "What herbs do your medicine cats use to help stomachaches?"

Sagepaw let out a quiet sigh of relief. He had been afraid that Macresco wanted to find this cat paradise and make a meal out of its inhabitants, but the elderly fox just seemed curious, even a little impressed.

"I'm sorry but I don't know," Sagepaw said, "I wasn't training to be a medicine cat."

I wasn't training at all, Sagepaw said to himself, remembering how Tawnypelt, a StarClan cat, was his mentor now because he didn't have one from ShadowClan.

"Well that's alright," Macresco said, looking slightly crestfallen, "I'll tell Vorago and Domito that they can come in now." The scrawny fox darted out of his den, which Sagepaw remembered was called the Curer's Abode, and disappeared from view. Sagepaw inspected his paws, pulling out tufts of orange fox fur from his claws with his teeth while he waited. The Curer's Abode was Sagepaw's favorite den so far. It was open and sunny, a huge bed of moss wedged between two great rocks. Cracks in the rocks served as storage spaces for Macresco's herbs and plants. Bowl-shaped leaves growing in the corner of the den held water, probably collected from rain or dew. Although the stench of fox was even greater in Macresco's den, Sagepaw found himself getting used to the once-unsavory smell. No other foxes were residing in the Curer's Abode at the moment, Macresco had said that most of the foxes in the Fire Tails were healthy and happy.

"Sagepaw?"

Vorago entered the den. Her huge tail looked even bigger compared with Macresco's skinny one and her amber eyes were shining with excitement. She seemed lighter on her feet, her steps high and bouncy. Sagepaw nodded to her, a little taken aback by this new and improved attitude.

"Are you okay?" she asked, bending down to sniff his pelt.

"Yes," Sagepaw replied, stiffly getting to his feet, his stomach hurting a little.

"Domito went to tell Acerbitas and Ictus what happened," Vorago continued, her words loud enough for Macresco, who was stacking his herbs, to hear, "since it's almost sunset anyway, we're going to meet the rest of the foxes in the Gracious Circle."

"Alright," agreed Sagepaw, a little nervous about confronting the whole group of foxes once again.

"Don't worry," Vorago said, sensing Sagepaw's agitation, "you just helped fight off a patrol of White Teeth. You've earned your place in the Fire Tails."

"You two should go now," Macresco suggested, gazing up at the yellowing sky, "the sun is sinking. Acerbitas will be waiting."

"Aren't you coming?" asked Sagepaw. He had taken a liking to the generous male fox.

"No, I cannot," Macresco replied, his voice tinted with sadness, "Curers are not allowed to leave their den unless it is absolutely necessary. I do not attend the Gracious Circle, nor do I join the Sun Greet. I cannot take a mate and I cannot have cubs. The way of the Curer must be isolated and studious. I must excel at what I do, I am the only one who can take care of the Fire Tails. It seems harsh but the rewards of being able to save lives and watch births are worth it."

Sagepaw peered up at the Curer. He was getting older. Silverly fur had gathered around his muzzle and his eyes were bleary and dull.

"Why don't you train an apprentice?" Sagepaw asked. He had noticed that none of the foxes seemed to be mentors or apprentices.

"A what?"

"An apprentice. A fox you train to follow in your footsteps, to be the best it can be. You'd teach your apprentice how to serve the Fire Tails."

Macresco looked stunned. "That's such a...different idea," he muttered, "but it makes sense. When a Curer dies, all his knowledge dies with him."

"Who trains the cubs around here? Don't they have mentors?" asked Sagepaw, incredulous at the differences in the two species' cultures.

"We don't train the cubs," Vorago jumped in, "they must learn on their own how to survive. Sometimes their parents teach them fighting skills or hunting tactics. But they mostly grow up alone. Until they find their mate, that is."

"But if each cub was given a fox as a mentor, the cub would grow up to be a stronger and fiercer fighter, and a better asset to the Fire Tails," Sagepaw argued, "that's how it works back in the Clans. One cat mentors an apprentice. You teach the apprentice all about Clan life and borders and hunting and fighting. If you did that here, all the foxes would be a stronger group."

"We are not very unified, that is true," Macresco said slowly, as if he was thinking hard.

"Oh, come on, Sagepaw," Vorago suddenly interjected, "let's go to the Gracious Circle. Acerbitas and Domito will probably be waiting for us. And plus, all this boring 'apprentice' talk is putting me to sleep."

Sagepaw twitched his whiskers in amusement and respectfully bowed his head in a goodbye to Macresco. "Thank you once again," he said.

"No, thank you," Macresco replied, still obviously deep in thought.

"May the sun shine over you," Vorago said to Macresco, flicking her tail at Sagepaw, indicating that he should watch their interaction.

"Forever and always," Macresco automatically responded.

Vorago nudged Sagepaw and then padded out of the den, leaving the Curer behind, lost in his swirling and endless thoughts.

"What was that about?" asked Sagepaw, once they were a little whiles away from the Curer's Abode. The cat and the fox were trotting side-by-side, passing by tall oaks and stepping on stems of flowers and blades of silvery grass. Sagepaw was happily surprised to recognize the area through they were walking. Domito had followed this path when he showed Sagepaw the Gracious Circle.

"It's our way of saying hello and goodbye," Vorago answered, quickening her step, "it's important to remember to say it, otherwise the fox might get offended. You must remember to say 'may the sun shine over you' when dealing with an alpha fox or an important member of the Fire Tails. Macresco is a scatter-brain, so he wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't said it, but a fox like Regnum would call you out for it right away. He'd probably bite your ear off too."

Sagepaw didn't answer, but mentally reminded himself to memorize the greeting and the proper response. He began to trail behind; his belly's wounds sending sharp jolts of pain up his abdomen and along his spine.

"Not far now," Vorago said absently, "come on Sagepaw, set aside the pain. You're not a little kit anymore."

Sagepaw nodded and sprang forward, running along lightly, his black and white pelt shifting in the sun's dying beams like birds flying through clouds. His stomach began to ache but he ignored it and bit his tongue instead. Suddenly they slowed down and turned a corner, brushing past two very large bushes that marked the entrance of the Gracious Circle.

"We're here," Vorago whispered over her shoulder.

Sagepaw lifted his head up and inhaled. The scents of many foxes hit him at once. Everyone must be waiting for him. Sagepaw didn't think he could bear the multitude of amber eyes focusing on him again, accusatory looks on their faces. He shuffled backwards a little. He missed home now more than ever.

Vorago looked back at him and her expression softened a little. "It's okay. I promise they're not going to tear you to shreds."

Sagepaw found himself trusting Vorago's words. Why did he trust this fox? She had kit-napped him and practically ate him. But something in her eyes seemed sincere, real, safe. Taking a huge breath, Sagepaw steadied himself against Vorago, fixing his eyes on her white paws.

"Okay," he said, determination and desire to impress the other foxes rising up into his throat, "I'm ready."