Hi all. Short Chapter, but I'm breaking up the daylight Gathering into a few chapters and I like where this chapter left off.
The great news of the week is: Alibaba Pictures has bought the rights to, and is considering making an actual Warriors movie for real. (Future Snowleaf here, lol this was years ago and as of updating the chapter, still no news of a Warriors movie. RIP)
It was the morning all the Clans were supposed to meet in WindClan and Jayfeather's paws worked quickly and efficiently as he prepared the packets of traveling herbs with Briarlight's help. He had asked her if she had wanted to travel to the moors, but she had declined the offer.
"I don't want to be a burden," she had said.
She was going to be staying in the camp with a few of the others who had chosen not to join in the events on WindClan territory. He couldn't imagine how they would have gotten the crippled she-cat to the moors and back again, so in a cold and heartless sort of way, he felt relieved. Fate can be so cruel. "Be good and watch after the others while I'm gone," he told her, keeping the sympathy out of his mew as he folded up the final leaf packet. "I'll be back by sundown."
Briarlight gave him a lick on the foreleg since she struggled to reach his shoulder.
Jayfeather was proud of how well she could move now, even without the use of her hind legs. All those exercises were doing her wonders. Now all she needed to build up was her own confidence. He gave her a small lick in return before carrying one of the wrapped herbs out to the cats in the clearing.
He met Brightheart who was waiting just on the other side of the den entrance; she had volunteered to help him distribute the traveling herbs so he hurriedly thrust the packet in her direction. He wasn't sure when Bramblestar planned on leaving, but it had to be soon.
"What do you want me to do?" the queen asked as he licked his lips in a vain attempt to rid his mouth of the herb-taste.
"I want you to give a quarter portion each to the queens and apprentices. I'm going to fetch the other herb packet and handle the elders and kits."
"Good luck with Purdy," Brightheart warned. "I think he woke up on the wrong side of the moss this morning."
Jayfeather sighed. Elders! "I'm sure I can handle it."
As the she-cat raced away Jayfeather quickly returned to his den, snatched up the second leaf bundle, and located the scents of Purdy and Sandstorm. They were by by the fresh-kill pile so he took a deep breath and hurried over.
"I hope those aren't for me," came Purdy's grumble as the medicine cat stopped in front of him. "I don't need no stinkin' plants. I may be old, but I've traveled farther than you young'uns could dream of."
Why do elders always have to be so difficult all the time. He placed the leaf bundle on the ground and separated a small portion with his claws. "I'm sure you have, Purdy, but many of the cats are taking them anyways." He pushed a tiny piece of the leaf package towards the elder with his paw. "Even Sandstorm is going to eat them," he added.
"Young cats are always thinking they know everything."
He let out a long sigh. "Look, it's not even that much. I'm not giving full portions of the stuff because we'll be eating at the WindClan camp. See, I'll eat some with you to prove it isn't that bad." He took a nibble at the bitter herbs and tried not to let his eyes water.
Purdy just snorted.
Sandstorm purred with amusement. "I'll make sure he eats them, Jayfeather, go do whatever you need to do."
Jayfeather nodded. He didn't have time to force-feed the stubborn cat anyway. "Thanks." He gathered up a portion of the bundle that was meant for the kits and hurried away before the elder could complain again. He angled his ears back to hear Sandstorm gently negotiating with the older elder.
As he headed for the nursery, the delicious scent of fresh kill washed over his nose even through the bitter smell herbs he was carrying in his mouth. Lionblaze and Cinderheart had just returned with their patrol carrying heaps of fresh-kill. ThunderClan would have plenty of food to bring to WindClan so Onestar couldn't accuse them of stealing prey.
He swiftly slipped inside the bracken-enclosed nursery. The protective thorns tugged at his pelt and the excited squeals of happy kits met his ears. Daisy was doing her best to hold each of them down to give them a proper cleaning. She already smelled of herbs so Brightheart must have gotten to her already.
"We're going to WindClan! We're going to WindClan!"
"Be quiet, you three," the queen mewed curtly. "You are lucky Bramblestar is taking you outside the camp, but if you can't behave yourselves, I'll take you all back myself." She spotted him and a sense of relief washed over her. "The medicine cat is here so do what he says."
As if they would listen to me either. Jayfeather dropped his herb packet on the ground and took in a deep breath of air free from the tang. He separated the bundle into three tiny portions as the kits gathered around him.
"They smell bad," Dewkit complained, taking a cautious sniff at the plants. "I don't want to eat them." His two siblings, Snowkit and Amberkit added their disapproval as well.
Jayfeather rolled his eyes. He now understood why Brightheart had been so quick to offer him help distributing the traveling herbs; it was to escape from these tiny menaces- even if they were her own kits. The herbs weren't that bad. He had even added some nectar to the mixture so they wouldn't taste as bitter. "I guess you will just have to stay in the camp for the day while the rest of us have an amazing time in WindClan."
All three kits gasped and without another word, gobbled down their shares.
Satisfied, Jayfeather picked up the scraps in the leaf bundle and left the kits licking their lips, trying to decide whether or not they liked the sweetened medicine. He waved his tail to Daisy. "I think the others are starting to gather by the camp entrance if you want to take the kits-"
"Race you to the bramble-wall!"Amberkit cheered, pelting past the medicine cat before he could finish speaking.
"No fair, you had a head start!" Snowkit whined, racing after his sister. Dewkit chased after them as well, his tiny paws pattering the ground with equal eagerness.
Daisy let out a long tired breath as the kits hurried out into the camp clearing. "Thanks Jayfeather for the help," she meowed. "I thought after Lilypaw moved out of the nursery things would quiet down a little, but I was very wrong."
Jayfeather followed the queen through the den entrance. "Kits will be kits."
"You might not have an herb that can make them less over-the-top, do you by any chance?"
"Well, there's poppy seeds for-" but he caught himself, realizing Daisy had only been joking. Her rumbling purr of amusement made his ears turn hot. He dipped his head to her, scooped up the leftover herbs, and padded out of the den.
Outside, the early sun was just beginning to dry the dew from the leaves and almost the entirety of the Clan was gathered by the camp entrance.
"Let all cats going to the Gathering join me now!" Bramblestar's mighty meow rang through the camp but Jayfeather didn't think it was even necessary since most of the cats were already there. Jayfeather weaved his way through the crowd until he was in front of the medicine cat's den again. He spat the herbs down on the ground just as Briarlight dragged herself out to see the meeting as well.
Bramblestar cleared his throat. "Today, ThunderClan will travel across the hills of WindClan and join the other Clans to celebrate of the defeat of the Dark Forest. There will be no hostility and we will treat this like it were any other Gathering. I expect every cat to represent our strong Clan to the best of their ability."
His words were met with boisterous cheers of approval.
"We will split up into two patrols. I am leading the first with the fresh kill, the apprentices, and all of the warriors, except for Squirrelflight, Cloudtail and Whitewing. Squirrelflight will take the queens, kits, elders, and the two other warriors I mentioned and follow us at a slower pace. We will meet up in the WindClan camp."
Bramblestar finished speaking and the Clan began to sort themselves into the two groups. Jayfeather felt Briarlight's longing stare as she watched the warriors and apprentices organizing themselves. He knew she secretly wanted to join in the events, but it would have been impossible for her to make the journey. Her misery stung like a thorn in his side.
One of these days, I am going to make her better.
I hope you enjoyed the 2nd smallest chapter I will ever write for this story!
