When Fireheart awoke the next morning, he felt far better. He was still tired and his muscles felt heavy but the heavy was more of a 'sleep induced' heavy rather than a 'endless weight pressing down on him' heavy. He stretched, parting his jaws with a wide yawn and got to his paws. He extended his forelegs, arching his back as he stretched, extending his claws and his toes. He twisted and shook out his coat. He licked his paw, wiping his face and behind his ears.

"You look better."

He glanced up to Spottedleaf approaching him with a collection of herbs in her mouth. She set them in front of him.

"What are these?" she prompted.

Fireheart glanced down at the herbs, nudging a daisy-like plant.

"This is coltsfoot- for my cough," he started as he used a claw to point to another plant, a small plant with small yellow flowers. "And this is tansy, to stop my chill from becoming greencough."

Spottedleaf nodded approvingly, "Yes. And you'll have to keep taking these until your cough fades."

"Okay," Fireheart agreed.

Spottedleaf seemed surprised, "Okay?"

"Okay," Fireheart said again. He crouched down and began eating his herbs. He screwed up his face and gagged a bit, as he swallowed them.

"Wow," Spottedleaf blinked. "So this is how it feels to have a patient accept that I'm helping with minimal fuss."

"I tried protesting my herbs once as a kit and suffered for it," Fireheart admitted. "And I was pretty miserable yesterday. I know better now."

Spottedleaf chuckled, "Good for me. Run along then Fireheart- remember, if you start coughing, come right back."

Fireheart nodded obediently and trotted from the den, purring as the new sunlight warmed his pelt. He figured Spottedleaf must've slipped him some poppy seeds because he'd indeed slept through the rest of the day and through the night. It was even halfway past sunhigh already.

"Fireheart! Are you allowed to be up?"

Fireheart turned to see Whitestorm approaching him with a stern expression.

"Yes I'm allowed," Fireheart said quickly. "I'm to come back if I start coughing and I have to take herbs every day until I get through a whole day without coughing but I'm allowed to do one task today."

Whitestorm chuckled, "Okay Fireheart. Since you were so keen yesterday, you can hunt. Bring back a little prey then come straight back- and if Spottedleaf tells me you weren't being truthful, today is the last day you're allowed out of camp for the rest of the moon."

Fireheart gawked at him, "...I'm glad I'm telling the truth then."

The deputy chuckled and motioned him that he could leave. Fireheart purred and trotted off, slipping through the gorse tunnel and into the forest, sniffing around curiously. There were several areas of scattered feathers and broken branches- someone else had hunted here and he'd found nothing else for a while.

Fireheart ended up all the way back at Sunningrocks before he'd finally found live prey. His eyes locked on a vole snuffling along the edge of the Sunningrocks. Fireheart wondered if there was a nest of voles somewhere on Sunningrocks- he always finds voles specifically in their crevices. He pounced, snapping its neck before it even knew there were cats around.

He turned to head back into the forest when a voice called his name. Fireheart turned his head to see Silverstream crossing the river onto ThunderClan territory. He mentally sighed- he'd hoped that in his sickness that he'd hallucinated the entire thing between Graystripe and Silverstream. Since it seemed that he didn't, he moved towards a brush heavy location where it'd be hard for anyone on either side of the river to see him and motioned with his tail for Silverstream to join him.

He set his vole down as Silverstream crept over.

"You came over- is Graystripe's chill getting worse?" she asked worriedly.

Fireheart flicked his tail, "I'm here to hunt for my clan. I don't know if it's worse but it certainly will if he keeps sneaking out here to visit instead of resting."

"I'm in love with him," Silverstream asserted. "I won't stop seeing him."

"I'm not going to stop you," Fireheart said. "I'm more worried about him getting caught because Leopardfur would maul him if given half the chance."

"I won't let anything happen to him," Silverstream said.

Fireheart flicked his ear dismissively, "Alright. I believe you won't let anything happen to him without a fight. I just think that you're one cat against an entire clan."

Silverstream frowned, "My clan wouldn't turn on me for being in love. Or if they did, Father wouldn't let them exile me."

Fireheart tilted his head, "Wouldn't that be worse? Living, surrounded by cats who you're supposed to trust with your life, glaring at you with suspicion?"

Silverstream stayed silent, appearing to think over his words.

"I'm not saying you both can't be in love, I'm just worried about you both. I visit my siblings all the time- I just do it in a way where ThunderClan couldn't possibly retaliate against me or my siblings."

"...it's not just love," she admitted. "He's something… peaceful and warm. The geese finally migrated with the coming of leaf-bare but the river upstream froze. We're starving Fireheart. We can't crack the ice- most of the good fish are frozen beneath it and with all the birds migrating, there's no nests to raid for eggs."

"If anything that's worse," Fireheart told her as he eyed her form. "Your clan won't appreciate you associating with a ThunderClanner when we stopped you from taking the moor."

Her lean muscled body revealed ribs and startling lack of plump belly. She was still far larger than he'd ever be, somewhat towering over him but it was clear now that he was looking for it, that she was hungry. Pity twanged at his heart and he wordlessly pushed his vole towards her.

It said a lot about how hungry she is that she didn't even hesitate to gulp down the vole, that fish she caught the day before had probably gone straight to the elders or the nursery.

"You shouldn't meet here at least," Fireheart told her as she ate. "ThunderClan patrols are going to start flooding Sunningrocks the more they smell your scent. Try meeting farther down the river if you must."

Fireheart stretched and gathered his paws beneath himself, "I've got to find some prey before I head back to camp. Be safe Silverstream- for Graystripe's sake if nothing else."

He didn't give her a chance to respond and retreated to the forest.

Fireheart got lucky on the way back, managing to find a stray squirrel and a small shrew. He would've kept searching but he'd started coughing again. His body trembled from the strength of the coughs and he was already tired. Unlike yesterday, he called it a day and returned to camp with his small haul, a bit worried that Whitestorm would find him and ground him to camp. Besides, it had started drizzling in the short time between leaving Silverstream and catching prey. He had no intention of sticking around to get wet.

"Spottedleaf hasn't eaten yet."

Fireheart almost leapt out of his pelt as Whitestorm himself seemed to materialize from nowhere. He registered what the deputy said and nodded, dropping his shrew on the fresh-kill pile and took his squirrel to the medic's den. He searched around the main clearing, sniffing in the crevice holding the herbs.

As he pushed his way into the medic's clearing. He looked around, zeroing in on her standing over a nest looking saddened and exhausted. Fireheart re-adjusted his grip on the squirrel and padded over. He slowed down, staying quiet as he approached realizing there was a kit buried in the moss.

Spottedleaf was gently nudging a poultice around the tiny tabby's mouth, it whimpered and kept turning its head away. Worry panged his heart when he recognized the kit as Elderkit.

Brindleface already lost Tulipkit, he thought to himself in despair. Ashara please!

"Is that for me?" Spottedleaf asked, noting the squirrel in his mouth. When he nodded she accepted it from him and motioned towards the kit hopefully.

Fireheart accepted the silent request for help as he sniffed around for the herbs he needed for his cough. When he had them he returned to Elderkit's side, letting the kit see him choke down his herbs, wrinkling his nose with each bite.

"When you're a warrior," he murmured. "You'll have to eat icky herbs all the time. Think of it like warrior training- cats who eat their herbs are stronger."

Elderkit eyed him doubtfully but hesitantly began lapping at the poultice. Spottedleaf looked up from her squirrel and dipped her head in thanks to him. Poor kit, if only they had honey to spare. He was about to leave when Spottedleaf motioned for him to come closer to her. He obeyed, creeping out of earshot of Elderkit kit.

Spottedleaf leveled him with a serious expression, exhaustion seeming to weigh her down even as she spoke to him.

"Bluestar has whitecough," she said.

"But whitecough isn't that serious," said Fireheart.

"This is different. It came on suddenly and that stubborn molly's been hiding how sick she was. I only know now because Thrushpelt found her passed out in her den."

"But she seemed fine during the apprentice assessments," Fireheart fretted. "Barring a bit of sniffling

Spottedleaf shook her head, "She's been coming down with a chill of her own for a while now. That's the only reason I can think of for her whitecough to be so severe- then she wanted to check on the other sick cats. She's sleeping in her den right now, Thrushpelt is watching over her."

Fireheart pressed against Spottedleaf's side, fear creeping down his spine like a hidden spider web being blown against him. She didn't try to tell him it'd be alright, didn't do anything more than lean against him- a silent comfort at the sobering thought that if Bluestar lost this life, then his mentor would only have one left.

The drizzle had become a proper rain overnight and continued through the early morning. Thankfully though Rayushu enjoyed testing and teasing his creations, he seemed to know that ThunderClan was struggling as it is and didn't allow Kopapaxi to turn the cold morning rain into a storm. By sunhigh, the clouds had cleared out and the sun shone warmly on the camp.

But despite the happily chirping birds and gentle wind, the camp was sullen and somber. Word of Bluestar's sickness had spread quickly around the camp and everyone was struggling to focus as they waited for word on Bluestar's condition.

Fireheart hadn't slept in the warrior's den that night- his nerves regarding Bluestar were too intense and Spottedleaf was still worried that he'd share his cough if he slept in there. His long rest the day before has resulted in him taking a short nap, waking up at dawn to fret about Bluestar until the sun warmed his coat. He shook the dampness from his coat, eyes locked on Bluestar's den in the fallen tree by the Highrock and strained his ears. He heard nothing inside- if Thrushpelt was still there, he was napping or laying down.

That's good, Fireheart tried to soothe himself. No noise is better than wheezing or crying.

He'd given both Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw the day off of training. The two siblings were curled up next to each other by the apprentice's den, lounging and grooming each other's fur. Fireheart knew he'd let them down- that Brackenpaw especially had been excited to go out- but he couldn't find it in himself to willingly leave camp when Bluestar was so ill. He sank his claws into the earth- what if she lost a life? What if Bluestar died while he was out training? No, safer to stay in camp and let the apprentices rest.

Whitestorm seemed to understand his decision, he hadn't criticized him when he realized Fireheart was still in camp. The deputy had simply carried on with the day's duties, likely struggling to handle all of the sick cats.

Tigerclaw wasn't here to judge either- much to his pleasure, the tabby tom had taken all of the pains in his tail out on a border patrol along the ShadowClan border. Swiftpaw and Dustpaw had even joined them so it was likely going to be a very thorough patrol that would take up a lot of time.

Good, Fireheart mused grimly. I have enough to worry about without Longtail, Darkstripe and Tigerclaw arguing like a litter of week old kits.

He glanced up when he heard skittering paws in Bluestar's den- impressive when the ground is covered in a thin layer of moss and sand- and Thrushpelt came flying out, fur on end veering directly towards Spottedleaf's den. He reappeared with the healer seconds later, her mouth full of various herbs and they raced back to the den.

Thrushpelt paced on the outside of the den, his tail lashing frantically with fear. After a moment he released a pained sounding whimper and sank down in front of her den, his paws sinking into the ground. Fireheart bounded over, a nervous expression on his face, liding to the ground beside him.

"What's wrong?" Fireheart asked, ears pinned against his head.

He couldn't bring himself to raise his voice any louder, feeling that if she spoke up the gods would hear him and sicken her further.

Thrushpelt looked up, pale green eyes dull with sadness, "Bluestar's whitecough has become greencough."

Thrushpelt sat up when Spottedleaf yelled his name from the den, his defeated gaze became serious and cool, "Guard her den. Make sure no one comes in. If anyone else catches greencough, it'll be all over camp in just a few tail shakes."

He sprinted into the den ready to help Spottedleaf with Bluestar. Fireheart barely had any time to process that there was greencough in the camp when a sharp yowl rang out from the gorse tunnel. Fireheart focused as Dustpaw appeared in the clear, fur standing on end like a startled porcupine and teeth bared. He hadn't stopped running when he came through the tunnel, sprinting directly up to Fireheart and skidding to a halt in front of him.

"I've come from Tigerclaw," he panted out. "I have an urgent message for Bluestar."

"Bluestar is sick," Fireheart said. "No one is allowed in but Spottedleaf."

Dustpaw growled a bit at him, "You don't understand. Tigerclaw needs to see her at the Deer Trail."

"What's wrong?" Fireheart prompted.

"Tigerclaw asked for Bluestar," Dustpaw told him sharply. "Not a-a softbelly like you!"

Fireheart didn't even realize he'd raised his paw until it was done. Dustpaw stared at him in shock, a brand new cut in his right ear that probably strung but Fireheart couldn't find it in himself to feel bad or even apologize.

"Bluestar has greencough," Fireheart growled. "She's not leaving this camp and you're not going in that den."

"He's right."

Fireheart glanced up at Spottedleaf's voice. He shrunk back immediately from the fury dancing in her green eyes and the low, dangerous tone she used. In all the moons since he'd joined the clan, Fireheart had never seen the gentle medic look so pissed. Even when she spoke about Redtail and his potential killer, she'd never sounded anything more than sad. But now, she sounded furious.

Dustpaw seemed just as intimidated, taking a pawstep away from her and crouching low as he shakily reported, "Tigerclaw has found evidence of ShadowClan trespassing. They've invaded our territory and stolen prey!"

Under his fear and worry for Bluestar, a small ember of rage burned in Fireheart's belly. After all they'd done for ShadowClan, the generous offer of peace, they were abusing ThunderClan's good will and stealing from them. He glanced towards Bluestar's den- when his leader was better, he hoped she led a raid against them.

Spottedleaf however was unconcerned with Dustpaw's report and turned to face Fireheart instead.

"Does the Sun Kingdom have catmint?" she demanded. "Green-gray plant with purple flowers?"

"I know what catmint is," Fireheart said. "Yes, we have a sector of the gardens dedicated to growing it through leaf-bare. There's a small bit of it we save for anyone asking for it."

"Good," Spottedleaf said firmly. "I need as much as you can carry or as much as they'll give you."

"What about Tigerclaw?" Dustpaw interjected, tail lashing impatiently.

"He's grown tom," Spottedleaf stated. "He'll have to handle it himself- if Bluestar can't recover from greencough, it won't matter what ShadowClan's done."

"Deal with what himself?" Cinderpaw asked, breaking in. Fireheart had seen her sit up when Spottedleaf had exited Bluestar's den out of the corner of his eye, creeping ever so closer from the apprentice's stump while her brother had gone into the apprentice's den for a nap. "What did ShadowClan do?"

Fireheart flicked his tail, signaling for her to be quiet as Dustpaw pressed the issue.

"ShadowClan could be in our territory right now," he insisted.

"Where's Whitestorm?" Spottedleaf asked through gritted teeth.

"On patrol with Sandpaw, Mousefur and Brightpaw," Dustpaw said instantly.

Spottedleaf hissed quietly, "If ShadowClan is in our territory then we can't afford to send out any more cats. We have all of four warriors here- if they invade the camp, it could be serious."

Fireheart flicked his tail, "If I'm quick, I can get the catmint, bring it back and then go meet Tigerclaw to take back his message from Bluestar."

"Tigerclaw wanted Bluestar to see the evidence herself," Dustpaw snapped. "ShadowClan left the remains of a kill just laying there on our side of the Deer Trail!"

"Do you think Tigerclaw's word alone is unreliable?" Spottedleaf snapped, her ears flattening. Fireheart backed away slightly, the medic had run out of patience for Dustpaw. "I have no time for immaturity. The camp is in danger and could be invaded, we have a limited number of warriors here and Bluestar's life is at risk. I don't know what your problem with Fireheart is but you need to get over it."

Dustpaw had lost all of his bravado in the face of the furious medic, ears pinned against his head and muttering, "He's by the Deer Trail still. He set the rest of the patrol on in case ShadowClan left more evidence or was hiding on our side- he's waiting by the burnt tree."

"Go," she told Fireheart instantly.

The ginger tom sprung to his paws and began racing for the camp entrance. He was already halfway across the clearing when small pawsteps scraped the ground behind him and a cry of, "Fireheart wait" rang out.

"Go back to your den Cinderpaw," Fireheart said firmly. He didn't even turn his head, he couldn't afford to feel guilty about hurting her feelings in such a serious situation.

"But I could deliver the message to Tigerclaw while you're getting catmint!" he protested.

Fireheart stopped and shot her a fierce glare, "If there are ShadowClanners roaming these woods then you don't need to set a single paw out in the woods. Go back to your den or I'll have you confined to camp for the rest of the season."

Cinderpaw looked crushed as he turned back around. He didn't have time to worry about her feelings on the matter and pelted off as fast as he could towards his old home. He reached the Neutral Stretch in almost no time at all and didn't bother slowing down at the clawed trees. He couldn't afford to wait for a patrol with so many things riding on him being quick.

His paws followed the familiar trail down the ravine, nostalgia seeped into his bones as he came upon the entrance to the camp. He recognized Biketi and Xibo guarding the entrance to the camp, they tensed when they saw him but relaxed, seeming to recognize him as well.

Fireheart was thankful for that as he burst into the camp of the Shining Sun for the first time in moons. His noisy entrance and fear scent drew a lot of attention as he panted looking around wildly for any cat who could help him.

"Greencough," he blurted out, as soon as the second one of the guardians was close enough to hear him. "There's an outbreak. We need catmint, please-"

The molly didn't hesitate to turn tail and sprint towards the entrance to the tunnel gardens. Fireheart sat down catching his breath, urgency squeezing his heart. He couldn't do anything but wait now.

"Firepaw?"

His head snapped around at a familiar voice. His eyes locked on a short furred, lean muscled black and white tom with friendly green eyes.

"Ravenwing?" he said hopefully.

His friend rushed over and slammed into him, purring loudly, "Ravenwing?"

Fireheart nuzzled his friend, licking the top of his head fondly, "Yeah. Bluestar made you a warrior with me and Graystripe even though she thought you'd died. Your name is Ravenwing now and mine is Fireheart."

Ravewing purred, "Like my mentor. That's nice- what are you doing here, Fire- I mean Soryn?"

Fireheart's mood dropped instantly and his ears dropped, "...Bluestar has greencough and whitecough is spreading through the clan."

Ravenwing winced and pressed into his side, "It'll be okay Fireheart. Bluestar will pull through. I-"

"Raven!"

Fireheart glanced up to a small collection of cats watching them curiously as one tom was swishing his tail. As they beckoned his friend over, the guardian who'd gone to retrieve catmint for him returned and came bounding over.

"That's my cue," Ravenwing said regretfully. "It was nice seeing you again, Soryn."

"It's okay, I've got to go too. Live well Ravenwing."

They touched noses then Ravenwing bounded over to the collection of cats as Fireheart gratefully took the large mouthful of catmint from the guardian, bowing his head in thanks. Fireheart makes a mental note to hunt down an adult porcupine and give the entire pelt to the Shining Sun for the next trade. A hard goal but by the flames, he'd do it.

He sprinted from the clearing, his paws barely hitting the ground as he sprinted through the forest as if Sweetsoul had granted him her speed and he reached the camp in record time. His fear for Bluestar smothered any latent desire to chew on the juicy plants in his mouth. Spottedleaf was waiting for him at the entrance to the gorse tunnel, impatiently shifting her paws. When she noticed him, she darted over and took the herbs from him and instantly vanished through the tunnel.

Fireheart took the time to catch his breath and shake out his coat from the various leaves and thorns that had snagged him in his desperate sprint. It was like he'd done a forest sprint for the first time all over again. His lungs felt better than they had the day before but he'd still been sick, he still had a lingering cough and his lungs were too sore to do it again.

Fear, he supposed. Makes you lose breath faster.

As he took in his next gasp of air, Cinderpaw's excited scent flooded his mouth making him sneeze. He sniffed the area around him as a new fear struck him.

Had Cinderpaw gone out to meet Tigerclaw after he'd told her to stay?

He sprinted into the gorse tunnel and when he didn't see him lounging in the open camp clearing, he raced for the apprentice's den and stuck his head inside. Only Brackenpaw was in the den, curled up snoring and Cinderpaw's scent was somewhat stale.

"Where's Cinderpaw?" he asked.

Brackenpaw jolted away and stared at him blankly, "Wha-?"

"Where's Cinderpaw?" Fireheart repeated, his anxiety growing.

"Don't know," Brackenpaw muttered. "Haven't seen her since I came in for a nap."

Fireheart backed out of the den, searching the clearing one more time. There was still no sign of Cinderpaw anywhere. Frostfur sat outside the nursery, staring intently at Bluestar's den where Thrushpelt was pacing outside.

What could he do? He needed to go meet Tigerclaw, he didn't have time to go find Cinderpaw himself and most of the other available warriors were busy or out of camp.

Graystripe, he thought suddenly. Graystripe could go find Cinderpaw while Fireheart met with Tigerclaw. He raced into the warrior's den to their shared nest. Frustration and anger overwhelmed him at his friend's empty nest.

This, he thought furiously. Is no time to be frolicking with RiverClan!

Fireheart shook his head in annoyance toward his friend as he ran to the gorse tunnel. Cinderpaw would have to fend for herself until he'd informed Tigerclaw that Bluestar was sick.

As he made his way to the Deer Path, Cinderpaw's scent remained strong in the air and Fireheart suppressed an annoyed snarl. He couldn't afford to exhaust himself by wasting his breath complaining about his foolish apprentice. Just after he'd told Bluestar that she could listen when it was important! When he caught her, Cinderpaw would be confined to camp for flame's knows how long. Maybe he'd even ask Bluestar to delegate her to only being allowed to attend lectures, clean nests and clear the dirtplace tunnel.

As he ran, a shadow was cast over him. He glanced up at the previously cloudless sky, confusion filling him as clouds rolled over the sun concealing its light. An eerie feeling seeped into his pelt. A nervous, nauseous sensation rolling through his stomach. He pushed himself to go faster, faster, faster-

Fireheart skirted around the edge of Snakerocks when a loud agonized shriek came from nowhere and everywhere at once. Fireheart felt his blood turn to ice and his fear swelled to the forefront of his mind.

His vision from all that time ago emerged and he tore faster than he thought was possible. Fireheart burst from the bushes into the clear strip of space that was the Deer Trail, panting eyes roaming wildly. He finally located the blackened and charred tree that Dustpaw must've been referring to- he'd never seen this tree before so it must've been struck recently. Fireheart raced over but no matter where he looked, he didn't see Cinderpaw.

Fear settled deeper into his heart as his paw sank into the warm crumbling earth. He raised his paw, observing the cinders and ash attached to his pelt that was a small circle around a tree. The scent of boar filled his lungs, blotting out any of the other scents in the area and the hoof prints were messy and scrambled like something or someone was being chased.

Fireheart was about to keep looking for Tigerclaw when his eyes caught sight of a small gray body lying motionless on the trail.

"No," slipped from his mouth unbidden. "No no no no no no-"

He staggered over to Cinderpaw, horror and shock had stolen his breath. His ear flicked, catching the crunching of leaves and crackling branches. He looked up long enough to ensure it wasn't another boar. The second he confirmed it was Tigerclaw, clumsily climbing down from a sturdy branch on a tree he returned his attention to Cinderpaw.

Usually so rambunctious and excitable, she looked so small in her silence. Fireheart cautiously moved closer to her body, forcing himself to take in her injuries. His apprentice was covered in blood to the point that she looked like she was patched with a darker colored pelt. One of her hind legs was visibly twisted, sticking out at an odd angle. It was clearly broken and it would probably be painful to set. There was a gash in her throat matched by another just under her shoulder- visibly a result of their tusks. There were several bleeding punctures and her thigh was missing a massive chunk of fur.

Fireheart released a strangled cry and restrained himself from burying his face in her pelt as her breathing was ragged and weak. He was barely holding himself up, grief and pain making him feel as if he was carrying the weight of the world on his back.

"She's alive."

Fireheart glanced up, to the sharp amber eyes of Tigerclaw.

"What was she doing here?"

"She came to find you," Fireheart croaked.

"You sent her here?"

"Don't be beetle brained," Fireheart snapped. "I told her to stay in camp. I told her to go to her den. I said she wouldn't leave camp for a moon if she came here."

Fireheart bowed his head, blinking back tears. I was supposed to scold her- she was supposed to be awake, complaining about being grounded. He squeezed his eyes shut. I couldn't make her listen.

"We have to get her home," Tigerclaw grumbled and leaned to pick her up.

Fireheart felt himself bristle, feeling the massive tabby moving towards his apprentice. He opened his eyes and quickly but gently grabbed her by the scruff. She was too big to carry completely off the ground now, so he dragged her as gently as he could into the woods mindful of rocks and brambles as Cinderpaw dangled limply from his mouth.

"I checked Snakerocks, I don't see any sign of- what happened?"

Fireheart didn't even acknowledge Darkstripe's appearance, remaining focused on getting Cinderpaw back to the camp- to Spottedleaf. Despite her weight, he lifted his head higher, holding her as far off the ground as he could. His heart broke over and over with each weak noise of pain that escaped her when her bad leg moved too much.

This was his fault. He should've checked to make sure she stayed. He should've been more stern. He should've brought her with him, so he could've grabbed her and gotten her away from the bore. He should've been a better mentor.

Fireheart hardly remembered anything of the journey back to camp, his mind filled with a spiral of angry and pained thoughts directed towards himself, this is your fault, if you were even half the mentor she needed you to be, this wouldn't have happened. What will you tell Brackenpaw? What will you tell Brightpaw and Thornpaw? What about Frostfur? His mind screams at him.

Spottedleaf wasn't in her clearing. Elderkit had been joined by one of Dappletail's kits- Mistlekit he thinks- and they were curled up together, asleep. Fireheart gently laid Cinderpaw in one of the premade nests Spottedleaf had set up. He snagged a few feathers from some of the others and tucked them around her, in an attempt at comfort.

He sniffed around, locating a pair of firm, straight sticks, some cobwebs, ivy and some nettle. Spottedleaf was busy but he knew better than to leave a broken limb in an odd position. He sent a mental apology to Cinderpaw and begged the kindlers and the Souls for this to go well. Then, taking a deep breath he twisted the leg back into the correct direction.

Cinderpaw didn't have the energy or strength to properly scream but her body went completely rigid, making it that much harder for Fireheart to continue. He swallowed down the bile rising in his mouth as hers opened in a wordless shriek, placing cobwebs on the gashes in her leg. He placed one stick beneath her leg on top of the ivy and the other on top, wrapping the ivy around the sticks tightly, binding her leg in place. He probably should've chewed and added the nettle to the wound before he bound it but he was too frazzled to think straight.

He settled into the nest beside her. Anything else he would leave to Spottedleaf. He'd just barely avoided throwing up while setting her leg and she was still covered in blood. Fireheart began licking the blooded spots, cleaning the wounds as gently as he could while untangling the matts of her fur. He had just finished her flank when he heard rustling.

"Fireheart?"

He glanced up, an overwhelming wave of relief crashing through him at the sight of Spottedleaf. He leapt from the nest with Cinderpaw gesturing to her.

"She's in here, I set her leg- I don't know if I did it right," he babbled, moving aside for her to observe Cinderpaw herself.

Dismay dawned on molly's face and she raised her paw. Fireheart always knew that the first time he'd see Spottedleaf using her medic's spark would be uncomfortable or frightening but he hadn't imagined it would be while she looked over his very first apprentice. Her paw emitted a gentle green glow, her eyes sparkling with new emerald flecks as she placed it on the apprentice's flank. The soft green light spread to the rest of Cinderpaw paw's body and her face grew darker and darker with every passing second.

Finally she removed her paw from Cinderpaw and sat in silence for a long moment.

"...Treesoul help me," she whispered, finally turning her attention to Fireheart. "She's hurt very badly. I'll do what I can but I'm afraid this is up to Riversoul and Treesoul now."

She shook her head, devastated, "And Bluestar's life is already at Treesoul's mercy. Go sit with her- there's nothing more anyone can do for her but to be there."

With that, the molly began collecting herbs racing throughout the den as if Fireheart didn't exist. He pulled himself to his paws and dragged himself from the medic's den. He stumbled blindly from the den, he felt like he should be with Cinderpaw every step of the way but he'd just interfere with her healing at this point. And Bluestar had become like a second mother to him- if she was to die, then he would be there when it happened.

He glanced up, eyes mostly glazed over at the shadow of Tigerclaw standing off to the side of the gorse tunnel entrance. His head was held high as ever, clearly seeking out Whitestorm awaiting his patrol. A blaze of rage clawed its way through his haze, furying bubbling in his veins at the unbothered- unshaken- appearance of the tabby warrior.

Couldn't he look at least a little sorrowful? Cinderpaw had been looking for him! And for no reason at that- Fireheart had scented no ShadowClan nor had he seen even trace scraps of fur and bones. They'd been right on the border of ShadowClan and all he'd smelled of them were scent markers on the other side of the trail- likely from their own dawn patrol. He shook his head- starting something with Tigerclaw would be disrespectful to Cinderpaw and Bluestar. So he walked by the tabby warrior in silence, merely climbing into her den.

Thrushpelt was still inside, his eyes glowing in the shard of moonlight that pierced the cracks in the log. He could see Bluestar curled in her nest, Thrushpelt gently licking his best friend's head.

"She's been given catmint and feverfew," Thrushpelt said softly. "We can only watch and wait."

Fireheart nodded in silence and walked closer, laying down just before her. He didn't want to be too close just in case his chill hadn't completely faded but he wanted to be close enough to press his face into her fur. Thrushpelt nodded at him and draped his tail over her hips, resting his head beside her with worry in his eyes.

"Come on Blue," he whispered. "You can beat this."

She was so still. Stiller than Cinderpaw even thought- she didn't have the strength to cough anymore, her sides simply trembled and her breathing became ragged when she tried. Her passive breathing was already weak and rasping, faltering and arrhythmic to his ears.

Bluestar stopped breathing just before the light of dawn.

Fireheart was on the verge of dozing off when he realized that he couldn't hear anything- nor could he feel the shuddering of her chest. Thrushpelt sat up, clearly feeling the same thing. Despair was in his eyes as the silence drowned them- no sound came in from the clan outside nor the creatures of the forest.

Her flanks stayed completely still and Fireheart felt a chill like a snowy breeze rushing through his pelt rolling off his mentor. In the remaining light of the moon, the leader's star on Bluestar's brow glowed and her eyes lit up.

Thrushpelt closed his eyes and Fireheart bowed his head. Bluestar was losing another life.

The spokes of the star returned to their original positions and the glow from her eyes died down. Bluestar took in a gasp of air, coughing a bit as she started breathing once more.

"Thrush?" she croaked weakly.

"I'm here," he soothed. "I'm here, Bluestar. And so is Fireheart."

"Fireheart?"

He pressed his face a bit more firmly into her side, "Right here."

"I've lost another life," she said tiredly. "If I lose this one… I will not come back."

Thrushpelt glanced at Fireheart, "He knows?"

"Since the rat attack," Bluestar confirmed, forcing her eyes to stay open.

Thrushpelt settled back in next to her, licking between her ears. He appeared to be doing it to soothe himself as much as he was soothing Bluestar. She seemed to recognize this, a weak purr rumbling from her chest that Thrushpelt quickly matched.

"Should I get Spottedleaf?" Fireheart asked softly.

Thrushpelt paused in his grooming, "All she needs is rest at this point. It's morning and you've been here since before sunset. Go get some sleep, Fireheart- I'll keep an eye on her."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes, just tell Spottedleaf what's happened and then sleep. You need your rest."

Fireheart dipped his head, the purr he tried to offer getting caught in his throat resulting in a stuttering sigh. He pushed out from her den, the dangling lichen brushing against his muzzle.

The bright light of day hurt his eyes and he squinted. It said a lot about how tired he was that it took him a few cold, wet steps to realize that it had snowed overnight. His grief and exhaustion became tinged with a little awe. He and his litter had been born in nayimasasio when the rain drenched the ground and made the hearth flicker with every warm storm so this was the first time he'd experienced snow personally. He gave an experimental flick of his paw in the snow, watching as most of it plopped back onto other snow while a few flakes danced through the sky.

He shook his head and started towards Spottedleaf, shaking his paws every few steps at the unusual cold and wet feeling his paws were cursed with. Whitestorm had delegated some duties to Tigerclaw as he was ordering cats around in the center of the clearing. The still falling flakes being tossed down by the Snowbringer settled on his thick fur without melting, forming a thin glittering layer that sparkled in the daylight.

"-leaves to keep the cold out of the nursery," he said firmly. "Then dig out a hole to store prey in the snow and pile snow atop it. We can add a marker above it to identify it but the cold will ensure the prey will last longer- might as well make use of the snow while it's here."

Meanwhile Whitestorm himself was delegating hunting patrols to fill the store that Tigerclaw was creating. Longtail and Mousefur practically ran him over racing to him, their apprentices hot on their heels.

"Fireheart?"

He glanced up as he passed him.

"Get some rest," said Whitestorm kindly.

"I want to see Cinderpaw first," he said.

Whitestorm dipped his head accepting this and allowed Fireheart to pass him. He didn't go too far when Tigerclaw stopped him next.

"How's Bluestar?" he prompted.

Fireheart's tail lashed, betraying his fury. Yes, Bluestar was his leader but Tigerclaw hadn't even asked about Cinderpaw earlier. Mistrust mingled with his grief- besides, he'd heard Bluestar lie to Tigerclaw about her number of lives.

"I'm no medic," he said finally. "She's tired and wheezed all night but she's been lucid enough to talk all morning."

Tigerclaw's eyes flashed and he snorted, storming away to help pad the nursery as he caught Fireheart's silent message. Sick but still strong enough to lead. Fireheart walked the last few tail lengths to Spottedleaf's den, poking his head inside.

"Spottedleaf?" he called hesitantly.

"Come in Fireheart.

He walked out into the medic's clearing and his eyes locked on Spottedleaf, laying in the nest beside Cinderpaw. Her eyes were red and she seemed just as exhausted as he was.

"Is she going to live?" Fireheart asked her timidly. His memory brought the images of her broken body back to the forefront of his mind and his stomach began churning again. He hadn't eaten in a long while and frankly, he wasn't hungry. Just the thought of food was making him feel nauseous.

Spottedleaf sighed and sat up.

"I'm not going to honeycoat it Fireheart- she's hurt badly. Other than her broken leg and the gashes all over, my spark revealed that she has pain inside as well- one of her ribs is cracked."

"She'll get better though right?" Fireheart said desperately. "Maybe she won't be up this new-leaf but she'll be back to training by the next one right?"

Spottedleaf watched him with a saddened, heavy eyes and climbed out of Cinderpaw's nest. Fireheart felt fear flood him as she moved closer to him and muttered that he should sit down. He did, although it was less sitting more that his legs couldn't hold him up anymore.

"Cinderpaw is in the paws of Riversoul now Fireheart," she said softly. "Throughout all of my healing, she whimpered and trembled but never woke up. Her spark is pulsing weakly- she's in a healing sleep. I don't know when or even if she'll wake up."

Fireheart's front legs ceased to hold his weight. They buckled and he collapsed, trembling as an agonized sob tore itself from his mouth. Spottedleaf wrapped her tail around him, licking his head. His lack of sleep, the stress of greencough, Bluestar's death all took its toll and Fireheart could hardly see through his tears.

Cinderpaw had been entrusted to him by Bluestar- by Frostfur- and he'd failed. He'd failed and now his apprentice was injured, trapped in a long sleep that few cats ever woke from and it was all his fault.

"D-does Frostfur know?" he choked out.

"She was here till dawn," Spottedleaf murmured. "Fireheart. You need to understand; this is not your fault. Cinderpaw ran off on her own- you told her to stay in camp. The boar was the one who harmed her."

"I couldn't make her stay," he said, burying his face in her pelt. "I couldn't make her listen and now-"

"You carried her back," Spottedleaf told him firmly. "You set her leg. You told her to stay. This isn't your fault, Fireheart."

He trembled, memories of Cinderpaw tumbling through his mind intermingled with flashes of her broken body. He couldn't handle it anymore, his mind turned back to Bluestar.

"Bluestar lost another life," he forced out.

Spottedleaf didn't react too intensely, she just bowered her head, resting her chin on top of his.

"You know?" he rasped.

"Medics always know," she murmured. "It's a medic's gift- we can always read the mark."

"And no one else will?"

Spottedleaf shook her head, "She'll be as vibrant and fierce in this life as she was in all her lasts."

Fireheart stayed bundled up in her pelt for a little while longer before she uncurled from around him, "Would you like some poppy seeds?"

Fireheart shook his head, "No. If ShadowClan is nearby, I can't afford to be out of commission."

Spottedleaf nodded and nudged him to his paws. He slunk into the warrior's den, Graystripe was back. His rage at his friend's absence the night before which had been a dull pang became sharp as if pressed on. He made no attempt to talk to him- he'd forgotten that his nest was merged with Graystripe's. He climbed into it and made a point of keeping their pelts from touching, curling into a small ball.

"So you're back then," said Graystripe. His voice was sharp and there was an underlying tone of irritation.

Fireheart didn't even flick his ear to say he'd heard him. Graystripe prodded him sharply in the back with a paw but Fireheart continued to ignore him. He'd been awake for an entire day, eaten nothing, drank nothing and spent his entire morning grieving the death of his mentor and the possibly fatal injury of his first ever apprentice.

"I know you're awake- you only just laid down," Graystripe hissed.

Fireheart curled into a tighter ball.

"You tried to warn off Silverstream- stay out of it. I'm going to keep seeing her even if you don't like it."

Fireheart turned his head and stared blankly at Graystripe. The conversation he'd had with Silverstream felt seasons old already.

"I don't care Graystripe," Fireheart said and turned his head, resting his chin back on his paws. "Do whatever you want."