Redtail watched Spottedleaf come out of the tunnel that led to the medicine cat clearing, and trotted over to her.
"How's Fireleap?" he asked, touching Spottedleaf's shoulder with his tail.
"Sleeping," Spottedleaf mewed, blinking as she focused on him. "She should be fine, thanks to the catmint."
Redtail took in her haggard appearance with a frown. "Seems like you should be resting as well. When's the last time you got a full night's rest?"
"Probably the last time you've been full," Spottedleaf replied, ears twitching irritably. She then sighed, shaking her head. "Sorry," she mewed, touching her nose to his shoulder. "Just…stressed."
"Pace yourself," Redtail meowed gently. "You don't have to do everything at once by yourself." He nudged her back towards her den. "Now go get some sleep."
Spottedleaf blinked at him and disappeared back through the ferns, and Redtail watched his clanmates as they brought in prey and rotated through patrols. Graystripe, Raventhroat, and Sandstorm left with Whitestorm as Tigerclaw, Fernpaw, Ashpaw, Darkstripe and Longtail returned. Swiftpaw, Brightpaw, and Thornpaw watched the warriors from the apprentice den, eyes glowing in the gloom.
Redtail trotted over to the Highrock. The lichen that usually covered the entrance to the leader's den had long since fallen off from the cold, although he knew that did little for the den's interior warmth.
"Bluestar?" Redtail called.
The leader poked her head out, ears flat against the cold as she squinted at him.
"What is it? If you're just here to tell me things in the clan are fine, you needn't bother. My eyes are working as well as ever."
Redtail's whiskers twitched. "Fair enough. Spottedleaf's assured me Fireleap should recover from her Whitecough, and that no one else in the clan has it."
"I would hope not, after everyone was given a dose of catmint," came the dry reply. Bluestar's gaze softened and she smiled slightly. "Give her my thanks."
"She's getting some well-earned rest, but I'll pass the message along when I can."
Bluestar watched Redtail leave and ducked back into her den, sinking into a crouch as she sighed. She wrapped her tail around herself and closed her eyes, purring contentedly. Her clan would survive, and that was all she needed.
Rusty was starting to loathe ice with a passion. On the farm, it was easy enough to avoid, but in RiverClan territory, it felt like every other step was onto another sheet of ice.
"It gets easier once you get used to it," Silverstream mewed as she supported him across another patch. Her steps were far more sure than Rusty's as they crossed the slippery surface.
Rusty shook his paws to get some feeling back into them and let out a grateful purr. "I'll take your word for it," he replied, breath clouding in front of him.
"Thanks for the prey, and sorry for making you come all the way out here."
"You're welcome, and I think a few slips are worth it to make sure a clan survives," Rusty mewed, flexing his paws to get the blood flowing again.
Silverstream chuckled, ears twitching as they went through some ferns, dislodging the snow clinging to them. "That's true. At least the kits find it more amusing, and it helps them with their coordination."
"They're growing quickly."
"They have to. Everyone does, really, when you think about it," Silverstream mewed thoughtfully. "Otherwise we'd never survive."
"It keeps coming back to that, doesn't it?" Rusty shook his head, shaking snow from his ears. "Always a struggle, but always worth it when you get through it, and you're stronger because of it. Usually, anyway."
"As long as you're willing to accept it."
Rusty glanced at Silverstream for a moment before looking away, whiskers twitching in amusement. "I can see why Graystripe is fond of you. You complement him quite nicely."
Silverstream blinked before snorting softly. "Yeah, he tries his best. Doesn't always succeed, mind, but what matters is that he gives it his all. For better or worse."
"And in a way, it's thanks to you two that RiverClan and ThunderClan are on friendlier terms," Rusty pointed out. "Were it not for your relationship, the clans would likely still be bickering over Sunningrocks."
"Which lead to the other clans giving it a try," Silverstream mewed wryly. She shook her head. "Amazing what a little camaraderie can do to make everyone's lives easier." She blinked at him. She then got a thoughtful look on her face as her tailtip twitched. "Do you mind if I ask you something?"
Rusty stopped and turned to her, ears perking up. "You may."
"Is there a molly in the clans you're interested in?"
Rusty blinked slowly before purring softly. "There is," he mewed, nose twitching.
Silverstream nodded. "I thought so. I won't ask who, as that's none of my business, and I wish both of you the best."
"I'll let her know you're thinking of her next time I see her," Rusty mewed in amusement.
Silverstream nodded. "It's always fun watching toms pine after someone. Oakheart tends to get distracted and keeps looking over the river whenever he patrols there."
"You think he's with someone in ThunderClan?" Rusty mewed.
"Ever since he came back with Mistyfoot and Stonefur, yes. Graypool was their foster mother back in the day."
Rusty tilted his head. "Interesting. They serve their clan well, and RiverClan is lucky to have them. I imagine Stonefur's death hit the clan hard."
"Yeah," Silverstream mewed softly. "Mistyfoot has been a stalwart deputy ever since."
Rusty dipped his head. "She'll serve the clan well."
Silverstream shook out her pelt and nodded, before glancing back towards the heart of her territory. "Thank you for the prey, Rusty. Have a safe trip back."
"I'll try my best," Rusty mewed, wrinkling his nose. "Thanks for keeping me out of trouble."
Silverstream snickered, whiskers twitching. "Always happy to help. Good luck with your mate."
Rusty paused at that, gazing off wistfully before dipping his head to the RiverClan warrior and vanished into the chilly air.
