THUNDERCLAN CAMP
The patrol had faired quite well on their hunting trip and the freshkill pile looked overflowing as Bravepaw added his catches to it. Looking up Bravepaw noticed Berrybranch's long, charcoal colored pelt disappear into the medicine den with Elmfur following behind her.
Bladestar had suggested Elmfur teach Berrybranch the basic herbs and cures that they would most likely need on their journey, and also she could help Saige's family recover quickly. Bravepaw didn't envy Berrybranches' task. It normally took many moons before a medicine cat apprentice learned everything there was to know about medicine cat stuff. Berrybranch was only going to have two days to learn the basics and one of them had already gone by!
"I don't think Elmfur has had a moments rest since you've come back from the Moonstone," Grayleaf's voice suddenly cut into his thoughts, "With taking care of clanmates and teaching Berrybranch and all. Would you mind bringing her some prey? I wouldn't be surprised that since she's been so busy she's forgotten to feed herself lately!"
"Sure, I will," Bravepaw replied," Do you what know her favorite prey is?"
"I'm sure she would like that plump sparrow Owlclaw caught this mornnig. Why don't you bring her that and then she may want to share some with Berrybranch too," Added Grayleaf.
Picking up the sparrow by the back of its neck, Bravepaw quickly scampered across camp to the medicine cat den. Dipping his head as he entered he heard Elmfur's meow as she was instructing Berrybranch speedily, "And this here, Berrybranch, is Feverfew. Of course these are almost dried out, but you can still see how they look like little daisy-like flowers. This hopefully shouldn't be too hard to find, it seems to grow most abundant in areas where the sun can reach it best. Here you go. You can take a good whiff of it to see what it smells like." Berrybranch took a deep sniff, then turned her attention back to the medicine cat as Elmfur continued, "Over here then, of course, there's-."
"E-hem!" Bravepaw cleared his throat loudly from around his feathered prey, wishing to interrupt Elmfurs constant rambling.
"Oh Bravepaw," She meowed half startled, "What are you doing here? I didn't even hear you come in."
"Grayleaf thought you might like this sparrow to share with Berrybranch." Bravepaw meowed as he set the bird down at her paws.
"Oh, well that was very thoughtful, Bravepaw. Thank you." She smiled as she looked at Berrybranch,"I'm sure I've been talking your ear off trying to cram all the knowledge of these cures and herbs into your head in one day. You must be half starved, and frankly I've been so busy lately I've been neglecting my own poor old stomach as well."
Berrybranch's stomach gave a growl almost as if it agreed with Elmfur statement.
"Well I guess I could eat," Berrybranch grinned as she looked down at her stomach, "Why don't we take this outside so we don't make a mess in here?"
Bravepaw, glad to get away from the funny smell of all the different kind of herbs, eagerly bounded out of the medicine den exit as the other two followed.
Looking out surveying the camps normal life Bravepaw spotted Willowpaw carrying soaked moss over towards the elders den. Although she looked like she was dropping more than she was actually bringing over.
"May I help?" Bravepaw asked trying to keep the grin off his face. Willowpaw looked as if she had fallen into the river herself while trying to soak the moss, her pelt was plastered onto her in strange clumps and her tail with its cream colored tip which had somehow managed to stay dry was flicking back and forth in frustration. For a minute she looked relieved then meowed in a cooler manner, "If you'd like."
Bravepaw quickly trotted over to her and grabbed part of her wad of moss as they continued on toward the elders den, Willowpaw taking the lead.
"Oh thank you, that looks refreshing," Dewdrop meowed appreciatively as they set the moss down by her paws.
Even though she was many seasons old her well-groomed beige fur and light brown eyes, concluded that she was once in her prime, a very pretty young warrior.
"More like about time! I thought I was going to die of thirst!" Oakfang croaked as he came to join them.
"You surely weren't that thirsty, were you Oakfang? Dewdrop asked, trying to act as concerned as possible without betraying the humor of her question.
"Well…uh… No, I suppose not, but I was getting pretty close!"
Bravepaw thought about how small Dewdrop looked compared to him now. He hadn't realized that he had been actually growing so much, he still remembered the fond memories of when he was a kit and used to come and sit with Dewdrop in her warm den as she told him stories of the clan and the warriors of old. How long ago those days seemed now!
"Oh, Dewdrop, guess what!" Willowpaw exclaimed, "Briarnut has moved into the nursery just as you thought she would!"
Dewdrop gave a soft chuckle, "Well when you've been around as long as I have, Willowpaw, you learn to pick up on things like that I guess. It will be nice to have some kits running around again. It's been far too long without kits already in my opinion."
Bravepaw mused to himself, "Huh, Briarnut is expecting again! I have noticed Briarnut has certainly gained weight.(Of course I'd know never to say that to a she-cat without being positive they were going to have kits though! I'm rather attached to my ears and wouldn't want them clawed off! ) But I just figured that was because prey has been running so well."
"Has Barkstripe been feeling any better?" Willowpaw asked Dewdrop.
"I think he is. I'm certain the water has helped immensely. Elmfur was in here earlier and requested we give him lots of water. She said it would help with the pains in his head," Dewdrop replied.
"Can we get you anything else?" Bravepaw questioned.
"No, that's alright, I think we're fine here. You two can run along now."
Scampering out, Bravepaw almost ran straight into Edgeclaw!
"Whoa! Here you are!" Edgeclaw meowed, "Velvetfoot told me she saw you head this way. I was wondering if you'd like to come help me search for some borage leaves for Elmfur."
"I'd love to!" Bravepaw exclaimed, while giving a little bounce of excitement.
"I was wondering if I was going to be able to spend some time with him before they left."
"Good. Are you ready to go now?" Edgeclaw questioned, noticing Willowpaw beside him.
Bravepaw turned towards Willowpaw as he asked, "Do you need any more help?"
"No, that was my last trip! But thank you for your help!"
"You're welcome," Bravepaw responded cheerfully. Then he and Edgeclaw made off on their search.
"I'm going to miss being able to talk to you whenever I want." Edgeclaw meowed, his face showing sorrow at the thought, as they made their way through the trees.
"Yeah, me too," Bravepaw agreed. "Do you know how you guys plan to get the rogues to leave Saige and her family alone?"
"Well, I guess we'll have to wait till we get there to see what we're really up against. I guess we might start by warning them, and telling them to leave. But I doubt that will make any difference, considering what Saige has said about them. They don't seem like the kind that will give up easily." Edgeclaw meowed, then veered left as he exclaimed, "Hey, I think there's some borage!" He took a quick sniff, "Yep, this definitely the stuff Elmfur showed me. I'd know that stinky smell anywhere."
Bravepaw nipped some neatly near the roots, careful to not uproot the stem, he then mumbled around his leaves, "Do you think this will be enough?"
"I would think so." Edgeclaw replied between his own clenched jaws which were also holding borage.
As they turned back towards camp, Bravepaw couldn't help feel a pang of sadness. Realizing this might be the last time, he and Edgeclaw would have a chance to do this for quite some time.
Author note/ I would like to give a big shout-out to AtlierSky for following and reviewing my story! Thank you! :) Also, I know this chapter doesn't have a lot going on but it was basically just character development. Hope u enjoyed!