A/N

It's kinda weird being on spring break when school is totally online now tbh lol.

Brambleflower: I plan to show how Duskcloud feels in the next chapter actually! She's sort of a side main character you know? Not totally the focus like Raven or Running but important like Turtleheart.

Chapter 9: Honey Hearts

Runningpaw could smell the sweet of maple trees even from across the border. He was looking out over SkyClan territory, where it was covered in shadow, rays of sun peeking through the thick leaves. Though he despised being unable to see the sky above him, Runningpaw liked the oranges, reds, and yellows on the trees and ground.

The sound of crunching leaves came from his left, and Runningpaw spun. Two SkyClan cats slipped out from behind the ferns and looked at him.

"You," said a silver tabby she-cat. "Are you Runningpaw?"

He dipped his head. "I take it you are my escorts?"

The SkyClan she-cat nodded. "Sheeppaw, help him carry his herbs."

The white she-cat, Sheeppaw, swooped in as Runningpaw laid down the parcel of herbs he had been carrying. He was thankful, as they were starting to make his mouth tingle from holding them too long.

Sheeppaw shuddered from the bitterness, eyes squinting from the taste. "Um, thank you," Runningpaw muttered.

"'is nothin'," Sheeppaw said through the herbs.

"My name's Willowfur," the warrior said. "We have not met before."

"It's nice to meet you," Runningpaw said. Willowfur only dipped her head, and silently took the lead with her apprentice at her side.

Runningpaw hesitated, feeling anxiety creep into his chest as the sky was blocked out by trees. Trunks were gnarled and twisted, some scarred with claw marks of cats before, with dry and dead brown leaves being crushed under their paws. The different types of trees stretched out into the distance, the thick canopy blocking out the sun. The forest was dotted with brambles here and there, and rutted with ditches that Willowfur avoided for Runningpaw's sake.

He hurried forward, but his one paw got stuck in a gopher hole that fallen leaves had covered up. His face grew hot from the stares he received from the SkyClanners.

"Keep up," was all Willowfur said.

Runningpaw brushing himself off, cursing under his breath. A towering wall of brambled loomed ahead. Sheeppaw slipped through the tunnel first with a jump, and Runningpaw was about to follow when Willowfur stopped him.

"Watch out," she growled, disappearing as well.

Cautiously, Runningpaw followed. He scrambles backwards upon finding out the wall of brambles was a ruse, and the camp in fact resided in a gully, deep with a steep incline. Skidding his paws forward, Runningpaw clumsily made his way down into the ravine, jumping at the last few steps so he wouldn't fall.

"Honeypool is waiting for you in there," Willowfur said, pointing her tail in the direction of thickly clustered holly bushes. Sheeppaw handed him his herbs back, and he nodded his head in thanks.

The smell of SkyClan was a bit suffocating, having never been in or around their territory ever before. Their light scent was almost always masked by the other clans at the Gathering, though it was heavy in the air in their camp.

Suddenly, a scent that didn't belong filled his sense of smell. A familiar one. Cool, husky, with a touch of bitterness. Runningpaw stuck his head through the holly leaves, looking down into the low dip that was the medicine den.

"Ravenpaw!" He called. Delight rushed through him.

The ShadowClan tom turned his head slowly, ears up in surprise. His amber eyes went wide. "Runningpaw? What are you doing here?"

"Cloverwing planned a few days for me to train with Honeypool," he explained. "Did I mess up?"

Honeypool shook her head. "Not at all. Must have slipped my mind. It's no matter, come join us."

Runningpaw sat next to Ravenpaw, his heart beating loudly. He hoped Ravenpaw couldn't hear it. He forced his tail tip to keep still, though he eagerly wanted to flick it from side to side. Never did he think he'd be spending the day with Ravenpaw.

"I'll be choosing my apprentice soon, so this is good practice for me!" Honeypool purred. Something felt off.

"How are you holding up?" Runningpaw asked quietly, nudging Ravenpaw a little. There was genuine concern in his deep blue eyes.

"Better now that you're here," Ravenpaw whispered. His eyes were lacking their spark, and his fur clearly hadn't been washed in a few days. Though he was obviously lying about his mental state, Runningpaw knew then was not the time nor place to push the issue.

"Can either of you tell me what we use burdock roots for?" Honeypool asked.

Ravenpaw spoke first. "Burdock root treats rat bites. You clean the roots and make it into a pulp." His voice was monotone and dead.

"What about where to find it?" She pressed.

"It likes shade and it's usually somewhere near waterways," Ravenpaw answered.

"Good," Honeypool said. "Go find some."

Ravenpaw faltered. He blinked in surprise. "Where?"

"I won't tell you," she said. "I want you to use your senses and find it yourselves. Both of you."

Runningpaw stood quickly, head spinning from the sudden assignment. Ravenpaw picked himself up slowly, like it pained him to do so. His posture was poor, with slouched shoulders and emotionless body language.

"Are you coming with us?" Runningpaw asked.

Honeypool nodded. "I wouldn't want you getting lost, but I won't help you."

Runningpaw took the lead nervously, with Ravenpaw just behind him. "Well, we're looking for burdock, so we should try some places with water, like ponds. Right, Ravenpaw?"

He looked to the ShadowClan tom for his agreement, but he only looked blankly at him. "Uh, sure," Ravenpaw muttered.

Runningpaw cast him a concerned glance, but Ravenpaw was staring off ahead. It was abundantly clear he didn't want to be there.

"Okay, well, it needs shade," Runningpaw said, hoping Honeypool didn't notice anything strange. He scanned the area just outside camp, and his eyes landed on a large treeline across the landscape. "There should be some over there," he said, flicking his tail in that direction.

Runningpaw looked at Honeypool, hoping for some hint, but she only shrugged. Stomach knotting with nerves, Runningpaw headed for the treeline. As they walked, Runningpaw let his tail brush against Ravenpaw's flank subtly, pretending it was merely a mistake.

For a moment, it was easy for Runningpaw to imagine Honeypool wasn't there. That it was just him and Ravenpaw, shielded from harsh weather under the canopy of branches and leaves, warmed by each other in the same nest. The daydream felt so natural, that he jumped when Ravenpaw called his name.

"Sorry, what?" Runningpaw mewed.

"I said I heard some water," Ravenpaw said. "I think there's a stream nearby."

Runningpaw angled his ears, trying to pick out the sound of running water. Sure enough, a little to the east of them, was the sound of trickling water against rocks. All the forest sounds made it difficult for him to discern things from one another.

"Good ears," Honeypool praised him. Ravenpaw turned his head away in response.

The scent of mice and squirrels was everywhere, and the grass and trees smelled different than that in WindClan. They were disturbing prey as they walked, the crunch of fallen leaves giving their location away. There were still a lot of leaves that the trees needed to shed, but Runningpaw could feel the cold lingering in the air.

"I can smell chervil," Runningpaw said, sniffing the air. "But I can't tell if there's burdock here."

"I'll try closer to the water," Ravenpaw meowed.

Runningpaw kept his nose close to the ground, searching for the distinct bitterness of burdock. SkyClan had an abundance of chervil, with the soft leaves of sorrel growing beside the trunks of trees. The sound of running water was gentle and soothing, unlike the harshness of the border river. It was calm sometimes, but the little stream was so small Runningpaw doubted even the tiniest of fish swam in it.

"Over here!" Ravenpaw announced. Runningpaw looked over his shoulder to see the ShadowClan tom digging up the burdock delicately. He shook the loose dirt off the roots and presented it to Honeypool.

"Good job," she purred.

"Please," Ravenpaw scoffed, his tone cold and biting. "Burdock is easy to find in a heavily forested place like this. I thought you were going to challenge us." It sounded like he was baiting her.

Ravenpaw was always one to speak his mind, but even so, it always surprised Runningpaw. Is he allowed to talk to her like that? StarClan, Cloverwing would have my pelt if I dared to sass her like that.

Honeypool blinked, unfazed by his remark. "Everybody needs an easy warmup. Warrior apprentices don't start the day off with the hard stuff. But, if you want a challenge, you can try and find some stevia."

Ravenpaw fell silent. "What's that?"

"It sounds familiar," Runningpaw muttered. "I think Cloverwing told me about it, but I can't remember."

Honeypool looked almost proud of herself for stumping them. "It only grows on SkyClan territory. It blooms around leaf-fall, so this is the last chance to collect before leaf-bare comes."

"How do you expect us to find it if we don't know what it looks or smells like?" Ravenpaw huffed.

"You'll have to find it based on my description," Honeypool mewed. "Consider it a competition."

Runningpaw felt a wave of nausea pass through him. I hate competing... "Can you- uh- can you tell us what it looks like, at least?"

"It's got broad, green leaves, and it smells very sweet," Honeypool clarified. "And careful harvesting it, because it has very brittle stems."

Ravenpaw rolled his eyes and picked a direction to walk in. Runningpaw did a little run to catch up with him. The ShadowClan tom was speed walking, leaving Honeypool in the dust, paws stomping.

"Do you know where you're going?" Runningpaw asked, keening his head to look at him. He had an annoyed look on his face.

"Does it even matter?" Ravenpaw grumbled. "She just wants to see us fail."

Runningpaw sighed. "You did ask for a challenge."

The ShadowClan tom groaned. "I guess I did."

"Hey," he said. "If anyone can find it, it's you. You're… amazing."

Ravenpaw's tail swished low, stirring up leaves. He flicked an ear, and grimaced, but he said nothing back. Did I say something wrong? Is he mad at me?

Ravenpaw let out a heavy exhale. "Well, if there's one thing I enjoy, it's proving people wrong." He flicked his tail tip. "C'mon, then."

The black tabby trotted ahead, his fluffy tail swaying back and forth as it made leaves of oranges and reds fly up in the faint breeze that murmured through the air. Dappled light and shadows danced across his midnight fur, shimmering with golden rays. The scuffing of squirrels up in the trees was strange to Runningpaw, but he was purely focused on Ravenpaw.

His blue eyes followed the rippling fur that covered his lean, muscular shoulders, moving elegantly with every step. The glint of his fiery amber eyes was reflecting the gold of the sun in them, illuminating their bright orange hue. There was something beautiful about the sad, melancholic way he always moved and spoke, never failing to mesmerize Runningpaw.

Ravenpaw turned around to look at Runningpaw, and the WindClan tom averted his eyes, feeling hot in the face. His heart pounded, and when he looked up, Ravenpaw was still looking at him with a slight smirk on his face.

"Wh- what?" Runningpaw stuttered. He caught me staring at him!

Ravenpaw turned and faced forward again, continuing on. "Nothing." There was a teasing note to his voice.

The undergrowth grew thicker, with clusters of elderberry bushes and tangled vines and ivy tripping him up. The air became slightly humid from how dense the forest grew, trapping the warmth inside. There was a ridge leading down into a hollow, and in one clean jump, Ravenpaw hopped down.

"You go that way," Ravenpaw mewed. "I'll check down here."

Nodding, Runningpaw slinked off into the undergrowth, careful not to stray too far from Ravenpaw, just in case. A sharp, cold wind cut through the trees, making Runningpaw shiver. It blew a flurry of leaves off their branches, and he watched as they danced in the air and drifted to the ground. Ferns rustled around him as he sniffed out the area.

Under the roots of a beech tree, there was a vole picking at the nuts on the ground. Guilt flashed through Runningpaw when the vole scampered away in fear when it noticed him. If I was any good at hunting, I could've caught that…

A sweet smell caught his attention, and Runningpaw tracked it down quickly, only to find a patch of bright-eye growing eagerly in a patch of sunlight. He could smell the nectar, and he crouched low as he watched a hummingbird flutter over and stick its thin beak into the flower.

"Runningpaw!"

He jumped at the sound of his name, and the hummingbird darted away.

It was Ravenpaw calling him. "I think I found it!"

He broke into a run, hopping over tree roots sticking out of the ground and dead vines looping around fallen leaves. He overstepped, and tumbled down into the hollow were Ravenpaw was sitting a few fox-lengths away. Runningpaw rolled into a patch of scrubby crabgrass, sprouting around a thicket of brambles.

Embarrassment filled him, and he was about to apologize, when Ravenpaw suddenly burst into laughter. Runningpaw positively melted at the angelic sound; a bit husky, but soft, and pure.

"What?" Runningpaw mewed, feeling a bit exposed.

Ravenpaw sighed softly. "Ah, it's just… you're cute."

Runningpaw felt his whole body catch on fire. He nervously twitched his whiskers. "I- I am not cute," he protested feebly.

Ravenpaw let out a quiet snort. "See, even that was cute."

"No, it wasn't!" Runningpaw retorted. Eyeing Ravenpaw's relaxed stance, he swayed his haunches back and forth, and pounced on the tom. Ravenpaw let out a surprised grunt, and then smirked.

"Is that how you want to be?" Ravenpaw teased, knocking Runningpaw over.

The WindClan tom rolled onto his back. "And what if it is?"

"Then, I'd have to… do this!" Ravenpaw bowled into Runningpaw, and the two wrestled in the hollow, rolling around the dry grass and crushing tiny daisies under their weight. Their laughter echoed around the slade, batting at each other with sheathed, soft paws.

"I see you found the stevia."

Runningpaw let out an 'oof' as Ravenpaw shoved him off him. The ShadowClan tom sat up quickly, shaking the grass bits out of his fur and avoiding eye contact. There was a look on his face Runningpaw hadn't seen before. Is he… ashamed?

Honeypool leapt down into the hollow. "You're allowed to have fun, once in a while," she said kindly, and a little wry. Ravenpaw kept his head low. "But, you will be carrying the stevia for me."

Runningpaw watched as Ravenpaw silently turned and began harvesting the stevia. Very little flower buds had opened, and though he was careful, Runningpaw could see the tom's paws shaking slightly. Wordlessly, Ravenpaw gathered the leaves up and the two of them followed Honeypool back to the SkyClan camp.

"We use stevia for kits primarily," Honeypool explained as they walked. "It boosts the immune system in leaf-bare so they stay strong. Not to mention it tastes pretty sweet!" She let out a little giggle, but Ravenpaw made no indication he was even listening to her.

Runningpaw decided to try and pick up the conversation. "Um, would it be good for elders, too?"

Honeypool nodded. "Yes, although we prefer to use alternatives for the elders. Kits have a hard time taking bitter herbs, while the elders are more accustomed to it."

Honeypool disappeared through the thorny tunnel leading into the SkyClan camp, and this time, Runningpaw was extra careful as he made his way down the steep ridge down into the ravine of the camp. Ravenpaw was just a mouse-length behind.

"Honeypool, you're back!"

The three medicine cats looked up to see a light grey and white tabby tom approaching them, a thrush in his mouth. He was clearly aged, but still fit, as seen by the shape he was still in.

Honeypool's eyes softened. "Hi, dad."

Dad? Runningpaw looked over to Ravenpaw, who now had an extremely icy glare on.

"You must be Runningpaw and Ravenpaw," the tabby tom said politely. "I am Gorsewhisker, Honeypool's father."

"It- it's nice to meet you," Runningpaw stammered. Ravenpaw's energy had changed so abruptly upon seeing Gorsewhisker that it was throwing Runningpaw off.

Gorsewhisker seemed to be oblivious, as he turned to Ravenpaw next. "You know," he said. "I was actually born in ShadowClan, you know. I knew your parents quite well. Madly in love, even as apprentices."

Ravenpaw was bristling now, and a low growl was building up in his throat. Honeypool noticed the tension, and stepped in between them.

"Ravenpaw, why don't you take the stevia and burdock to the medicine den?" She suggested, though it was more of an order than anything. "Now."

Lashing his tail, Ravenpaw stalked off and disappeared through the holly guarding the entrance to the medicine den. Runningpaw watched the interaction, completely baffled.

"Um, what just happened?" Runningpaw mewed, looking back and forth.

"Runningpaw, go grab something from the fresh-kill pile for Ravenpaw and help him sort those herbs," Honeypool said, completely ignoring his question.

He lingered for a moment, half listening to Gorsewhisker praise Honeypool's intelligence and capability before he inevitably caved, and trotted over to the fresh-kill pile. There was a plump, juicy mouse on the top, and Runningpaw snatched it up by the tail and carried it into the medicine den.

Ravenpaw was slouched over the herbs, sorting them into incredibly neat piles. His ears twitched when Runningpaw came in, but he said nothing.

"I brought some food," Runningpaw mewed, dropping the mouse.

Ravenpaw didn't look up. "I'm not hungry."

Quietly, Runningpaw began to eat the mouse, watching Ravenpaw work. Honeypool's stores were organized much differently than Cloverwing's, which was more of an organized mess than anything. It was also different from Ravenpaw's stores, who had everything in such immaculate order that one thing out of place made him furious.

"You don't know who Gorsewhisker is, do you?" Ravenpaw asked. Runningpaw shook his head, and Ravenpaw sighed.

"Gorsewhisker is of ShadowClan blood," he began to explain. "A SkyClan cat by the name of Honeyheart fell in love with him."

Wait… I know that name. Runningpaw felt a chill run down his back. Oh.

"Honeyheart wanted Gorsewhisker all to herself, but because they were in two different clans, she couldn't account for any other she-cats courting him," Ravenpaw meowed. "So her solution was to murder any she-cat who showed even the slightest interest in Gorsewhisker. Sound familiar now?"

Runningpaw gulped. "You're talking about the she-cat slasher," he said shakily. "You mean that Honeyheart is Honeypool's mother?"

Ravenpaw nodded. "Honeyheart killed eight she-cats to ensure Gorsewhisker's love. Including my mother's sister."

"Hollypaw."

Ravenpaw and Runningpaw looked up to see Honeypool standing in the mouth of the den. She walked slowly in, Ravenpaw's dark amber eyes following her steps as she sat down in front of them.

"You know her name?" Ravenpaw asked hesitantly.

Honeypool nodded. "I know the names of all my mother's victims."

"How can you possibly be okay with knowing that!" Ravenpaw blurted, his eyes sharp and narrowed.

"I never knew my mother," Honeypool said coolly. "She died just after I was born. I love my father, but I don't like Gorsewhisker. Cats died because of them both, which, you know… Not the image I want for myself as a messenger of StarClan and an advisor to my leader. I don't need the relationships anyways. I'm a medicine cat."

"Your mom killed eight cats for one," Ravenpaw growled.

"Not worth eight cats," Honeypool said evenly.

"Well, none of it would have ever even happened if Gorsewhisker had been allowed to switch clans in the first place," Ravenpaw pointed out harshly. "She only killed ShadowClan cats because Gorsewhisker was in ShadowClan, and she wasn't."

"Maybe so," Honeypool hummed thoughtfully. "What a funny idea to entertain. Maybe in another world, clans never went to war over half-clan kits. Maybe families were never torn apart by loyalties. The best way to prevent this stuff from happening is to follow the rules. Maybe they'll be changed someday, but not anytime soon.."

"But it still happens," Runningpaw said meekly. "Doesn't that mean something? If it keeps happening… regardless of the rules?"

Honeypool let out a deep sigh. "You two are very bright young toms. If you do as you're told, no one gets hurt. My mentor, Toadcroak tried giving aid to kittypets, and was torn apart by a dog. My sister, Quailpaw, joined ShadowClan as an apprentice, and died. StarClan works in interesting ways."

Ravenpaw blew his lips. "That's still hardly convincing."

Honeypool raised her chin. "As long as these rules exist, it will hurt less if we follow them."

Ravenpaw thinks these rules shouldn't exist anyways, Runningpaw thought. Honeypool's words about obeying the rules made his heart twist for some reason. We haven't broken any rules… So why do I feel like this?

Ravenpaw turned away. "You didn't choose to be Honeyheart's daughter, but Gorsewhisker chose to be her mate. Even knowing what she did. The rules are flawed."

Honeypool looked to be understanding. "I'm not saying the laws are perfect. Times change. Under another leader, my littermates and I might have been left for fox-food. But we live under the rules now, and maybe once cats stop breaking them, they'll change."

"Rules need to be broken if you want them to change!" Ravenpaw blurted. His eyes were lit with a fiery passion.

As quickly as he had said it, the passion in his eyes burned out when Honeypool gave him a blank look. Ravenpaw turned away, successfully subdued, and separated the burdock and the stevia into their respectful places.

The air was full of awkward tension that made Runningpaw feel uncomfortable. It made him feel like he was choking. "So- um- Honeypool?" He asked, trying to change the topic. "We're staying for a few days, right? Where- where should we sleep?"

He noticed an old, dry mossy nest hidden in the shadows of the den. There was an indent in the center, indicating it had been untouched since whoever slept there last. It wasn't Honeypool's nest; hers was close to the entrance.

"Oh, did you make a bed for us?" Runningpaw asked, eyeing the nest. It was a nice gesture, even if the moss was stale looking.

"No!" Honeypool gasped. Runningpaw flinched considerably, and she softened. "I- I'm sorry. That's… that's Toadcroak's old nest. I haven't the heart to get rid of it. You can pick wherever you want to sleep in here. Just not there."

"Oh." Runningpaw glanced over towards Ravenpaw. He was sitting hunched over the burdock, unenthusiastically picking dirt off the roots. "Do you want to come collect moss with me?"

Ravenpaw either didn't hear, or ignored him. Honeypool cleared her throat. "You shouldn't make Runningpaw collect the moss for your own nest, now, Ravenpaw," she said.

Ravenpaw stood abruptly and walked out of the den. Runningpaw blinked in surprise, and Ravenpaw poked his head in. "Are you coming or not?" The ShadowClan tom asked.

Runningpaw scrambled after him and caught sight of the tom climbing up the slope out of camp. His fluffy tail disappeared through the thorny wall, and he had a sinking feeling he had been left behind. However, when Runningpaw finally made it to the top of the hollow, Ravenpaw was waiting for him.

"Are you alright?" Runningpaw asked.

Ravenpaw huffed. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, for one, you showed up at the willow soaked in your own mother's blood last quarter-moon and I haven't seen you since," Runningpaw pointed out sharply. "You were gone when I woke."

"Sorry I had business to do," Ravenpaw growled.

"And that! You're so much snappier than usual," Runningpaw meowed. "You can tell me if something is wrong you know."

"You realize this whole thing was a ploy set up by our mentors, right?" Ravenpaw snapped. "They think I have some sort of soft spot for you."

Runningpaw flushed. "Well… don't you?"

Ravenpaw scraped at the base of a pine, picking moss from the roots. "Maybe," he grumbled.

"You don't have to talk if you don't want to, but I'm here for you, Ravenpaw," Runningpaw meowed, tilting his head to look Ravenpaw in his eyes. They were damp.

"Hazelstripe just wanted me out of camp," Ravenpaw growled. "Like I'm some burden. I just… haven't been able to do much of anything since…" He trailed off, staring at the ground. "All I want to do is be alone. Can't he respect that?"

"That's the last thing you need," Runningpaw said. "Trust me, I know."

"How?" Ravenpaw whirled on Runningpaw. "How can I live knowing she's gone because of me? Because I failed? How could you possibly know what that's like?"

"Because I lost my father," Runningpaw said gently. "I watched him rot away and there was nothing I could do to make it different."

"But your mother doesn't blame you for it, does she?" Ravenpaw asked. It was a loaded question he already knew the answer to.

Runningpaw shook his head. "No, she doesn't."

"My father hates me now," Ravenpaw growled. "He looks at me with such disgust when there used to be love. And I'm angrier than ever."

"At your dad?"

"No. I should be, shouldn't I?" Ravenpaw peeled a long strip of moss off the tree trunk and flung it into the growing pile. "But he's got every right to hate me."

"Then who are you angry at?" Runningpaw pressed. He was picking off moss from the upper part of the tree while Ravenpaw focused on the roots.

"Ugh, I don't know," Ravenpaw growled.

"Is it Hazelstripe?"

"No, no."

"Me?"

"No!"

"StarClan?"

Ravenpaw shook his head wildly. "Maybe? No? I don't know! I'm just angry!"

"Then who?" Runningpaw asked, trying to get the tom to look at him. "Who are you so angry at?" Seeing Ravenpaw so distraught tugged at his heartstrings and made his chest ache.

"I'm angry at myself!" Ravenpaw hissed. His voice cracked, sounding furious but as if he was about to cry at the same time. He was glaring at Runningpaw. He had backed up and crouched low to the ground when Ravenpaw hissed at him, thin fur bushed up.

Ravenpaw relaxed. His eyes welled up, and he turned away.

"Ravenpaw…-" Runningpaw tried, but the ShadowClan tom cut him off.

"Don't. Just… don't," he sighed pathetically.

There was a long silence that seemed to stretch on forever. Even the forest seemed like it had gone quiet. Everything had completely froze.

"I think we've gathered enough moss," Ravenpaw muttered. "C'mon."

As Ravenpaw marched away with his moss, Runningpaw dejectedly grabbed the other pile of moss and followed. The ShadowClan tom roughly thrust his way through the thorn entrance to the camp and marched directly to the medicine den.

He ignored Honeypool greeting him, and found the darkest corner of the den to messily craft his nest. Honeypool sent Runningpaw a look, silently asking 'what's his deal?' but he only looked away in defeat.

Pink light glowed weakly in the medicine den, making shadows dance on the walls. A chill was setting in the camp as the sun went down, and Runningpaw curled into himself in an attempt to stay warm.

A queen poked her head into the medicine den. "Honeypool?" She asked, taking a wary step inside. The golden she-cat spun around to face the queen. She was tiny, with a stubby tail to match her innocent appearance.

"What is it?" Honeypool said.

"Um, Mintkit has the sniffles," she said meekly. "I know it's probably just a chill from playing, but with leaf-bare on the way…" she trailed off, tail lashing anxiously behind her.

Honeypool dipped her head. "You can never be too careful." She paused for a moment, then turned to Runningpaw. "Why don't you help Ducktail?"

Runningpaw obeyed, looking over her stores for the herb he needed. All I do back home is tend to the kits and elders, too, he lamented in his head. Cloverwing has barely let me do anything of importance since I treated those rogues.

"What are you looking for?" Honeypool asked. He had been scanning her herbs over and not found what he was looking for.

"Coltsfoot," Runningpaw mewed.

"Ah," Honeypool said, realizing something. "We don't have coltsfoot in SkyClan." She walked up beside him and pointed to a bundle of peppermint. "We like to use peppermint because the smell opens up the airways."

Nodding, Runningpaw grabbed some of the fresher looking leaves, and some lemongrass as well. Though Ravenpaw had his back turned away from him and Honeypool, Runningpaw could see his ears perked up, absorbing the information.

"What's the lemongrass for?" Honeypool asked, testing him.

"It's good for a common cold," Runningpaw replied. "And just in case the kit gets a cough, too."

Honeypool gave him an approving look, and he followed Ducktail to the nursery. It was bigger than the WindClan one, with honeysuckle dangling over the top and the leaves covering the entrance.

"Mintkit, baby, come here," Ducktail said into the shadows.

A well-sized tom kit scampered up, the edges of his nose crusted a bit. He looked about five moons old, if not more. Runningpaw was willing to bet Ducktail was glad he was her only kit, because if there were others, the nursery would be too crowded.

"This nice cat is going to make your cold go away, okay?" Ducktail mewed.

Mintkit blinked up at Runningpaw, and then to his mother. "I told you I'm fine, ma. I just got cold playing with Olivepaw and Dawnpaw."

"It's better to be safe than sorry," Runningpaw said. "Don't you want to become an apprentice? If you're sick, it'll be postponed."

Mintkit's amber eyes went wide. "Well… I guess I can take a little medicine. But only a little!"

"That's all you'll need," Runningpaw said. He had the tom kit eat some of the lemongrass leaves, to which he was audibly disgusted with.

"You know, you smell weird," Mintkit meowed. "You're not SkyClan, so what clan are you?"

"I'm the WindClan medicine apprentice," Runningpaw answered. "An ordinary apprentice wouldn't be allowed in your camp like this."

"That's 'cause medicine cats follow different rules than warriors do!" He exclaimed.

Ducktail purred. "Yes, that's right."

"I would be a medicine cat but then I can't fight," Mintkit said. "I wish I could do both."

"You can still help your clanmates as a warrior," Runningpaw said. "I'm sure Honeypool would appreciate the help." He pushed the peppermint leaves forward. "Breathe in the scent deeply to clear your nose up."

Mintkit sniffed the leaves and gave a little purr. Runningpaw turned to Ducktail. "Make sure those stay by him while he sleeps. He should feel better by the morning."

Ducktail sighed happily. "Thank you."

"He's young and strong," Runningpaw said. "He looks like he'll be made an apprentice soon."

Ducktail nodded. "Oh, any day now." She cast a glance over to the leader's den, a space in the wall of the hollow across the clearing where vines hung. "Alderstar just doesn't want to admit he's growing up."

Runningpaw cocked his head, not understanding.

Ducktail let out a chuckle. "Alderstar is my mate. Mintkit's father."

"Oh." Runningpaw didn't bother to hide his surprise. Mintkit looked like a carbon copy of his mother, aside from his long tail.

"Isn't that cool!" Mintkit exclaimed. "My dad is the coolest because he's leader."

"Now, now, Mintkit," Ducktail scolded gently.

"It's true!" Mintkit huffed.

The image of a clearly nervous Alderstar at his first Gathering popped into Runningpaw's mind. The SkyClan tom had been leader for as long as Runningpaw had been the medicine apprentice, and although he was definitely much more confident, he still had trouble seeing past his first impression.

"Will you be in SkyClan long?" Ducktail asked. She seemed extremely friendly, more talkative and open than the other SkyClan cats appeared to be.

"A few days," Runningpaw replied. "My mentor wants me to spend a few days in every clan so I have a vast knowledge of medicine."

"Oh, very nice!" Ducktail exclaimed. "Well, I wish you the best of luck!" She smiled widely, dipped her head, and ushered a yawning Mintkit into the nursery.

"I'm-" Mintkit paused to yawn again. "I'm not tired, ma."

"What if I told you a story?" Ducktail asked.

"Well… maybe I might be a little tired," Mintkit mumbled.

Runningpaw chuckled to himself a little as he picked up the leftover lemongrass leaves and headed back into the medicine den. Honeypool was licking her chops, sitting over the bones and feathers of a thrush.

"Is Mintkit always like that?" Runningpaw asked.

"Like what?" Honeypool mewed.

"Stubborn," he said.

Honeypool let out a 'mrrow' of laughter. "He's quite stubborn, yes. But he's passionate, too."

"He mentioned an interest in medicine," Runningpaw said. "Have you talked to him about becoming your apprentice?"

"In passing," Honeypool admitted. "Though, between you and me, Alderstar has already picked Mintkit's mentor."

"If he wants to be a medicine cat, why would Alderstar do that?" Runningpaw was confused. He'd spent his last moon in the nursery learning basic herbs with Cloverwing. He was practically guaranteed to be her apprentice.

"Every chance he gets, Mintkit begs Olivepaw and Dawnpaw to teach him moves early," Honeypool chuckled. "He's got a good heart, but it's not the heart of a medicine cat."

Runningpaw let out a fond purr. He was reminded of Turtleheart when they were kits in the nursery together. She loved playing every hunting and fighting game she could, with anyone who'd entertain her, and she would always bug the older apprentices to show her things.

"You've had a long day," Honeypool mewed. "You should get some rest."

Truthfully, Runningpaw wasn't all that tired, but the walk from WindClan to SkyClan had been a long one, and his legs begged him to lay down. His nest was opposite of Ravenpaw, who appeared to be asleep with his back turned in the corner of the den.

He was hit was exhaustion as he laid down in his nest, even though it felt different from the heather nests he was used to back in WindClan. It was strange to have something over his head as he slept, with no stars shining openly down on him. Only on the nights with the worst weather did WindClan cats settle into old badger sets for safety, but it never got any less foreign.

Runningpaw woke sometime later from a dream that felt fuzzy in the back of his mind. He tried to remember it, but his dry mouth told him he was thirsty, and the dream faded away.

He stumbled to the edge of the den and lapped at the water dripping down into a puddle. It was cold and icy with the night, and a shimmer of moonlight reflected in the water. Runningpaw licked his lips and glanced outside. The moon was still roundish from the full moon, but it wouldn't be long until the half-moon.

The hair on his neck raised with the sensation he was being watched. He instinctively turned around just in time to see Ravenpaw quickly looking away. Runningpaw blinked in surprise.

"Ravenpaw?" He whispered, unsure if his eyes were playing tricks on him in the dark. "Are you awake?"

There was a beat of silence. "...No."

Runningpaw curled into his nest. "Look… I know you're upset with me. That's okay, you know."

Ravenpaw shifted. "I'm not."

"You're not?" Runningpaw was surprised.

Ravenpaw was quiet for a moment. "I… I want to apologize. For earlier. I shouldn't have yelled at you."

Runningpaw shook his head. "It's okay."

Ravenpaw finally turned around to look at him. His amber eyes looked exhausted and red-rimmed. "No, it's not. I shouldn't have said what I did about your father. I know you miss him. I'm sorry." He sounded so tired.

"Well, I forgive you," Runningpaw said. "I may not feel exactly what you're feeling, but I'll try to be there when you need me."

"When did you stop hurting?" Ravenpaw asked quietly. "She… she's always on my mind. I see her when I close my eyes. How did you get it to stop?"

"I… I don't really know," Runningpaw admitted. "It scabbed over, I guess. I think of him less as time passes. But sometimes, I do think of him, and it hurts all over again."

Ravenpaw's voice was barely audible. "Did… did you ever get… nightmares?"

Nightmares? Runningpaw thought. Is that why he wasn't sleeping? Has he been awake this whole time? "Ravenpaw, how long has it been since you've slept?" Runningpaw asked, chest tight with worry.

He looked at the ground. "A few days. Sometimes I fall asleep for a moment… and then I see her. And I wake up."

"I never got nightmares when my dad died," Runningpaw meowed. "I don't know how to help."

Ravenpaw's eyes looked up at him and then back down at the ground. "Could you… come closer?"

Runningpaw felt his heart catch in his throat. Mutely nodding, he scooted closer to the ShadowClan tom. He laid down, back just a few whiskers away from being pressed into Ravenpaw's belly.

Hesitantly and holding his breath, Ravenpaw closed the distance between their bodies. He stretched a foreleg over Runningpaw, pulling him gently closer. He nestled his muzzle into the crook of Runningpaw's neck, long whiskers tickling the WindClan tom's ear fur.

"Um-" he stammered. "Is this-? Are you-? I mean…" Ravenpaw struggled to find the right words.

"I'm comfortable," Runningpaw whispered. "If that's what you're asking."

"Okay," Ravenpaw muttered. "Good."

Ravenpaw was insanely warm, a blanket of soft, thick fur relaxing Runningpaw and shielding him from the cold of a fading leaf-fall. Sleep tugged at him again, but his heart was pounding. Ravenpaw's scent was heavy in his nose, lightly musky and alluring.

With a deep sigh, Ravenpaw seemed to melt into him. His breathing deepened, and Runningpaw was surprised how quickly he had gone to sleep. He must have been exhausted!

Runningpaw wondered what Honeypool would say if she woke up before them and saw them. I'm just helping him go to sleep, Runningpaw told himself. Nothing more… right?

He thought about how Ravenpaw held him. His heart leaped and his stomach was doing flips. If this was something more… I wouldn't mind. He entertained the thought of it, picturing running through fields of tall grass with Ravenpaw. He thought of warm green-leaf days, sitting under shady trees to cool off. He thought of piling up the fallen orange, red, and yellow leaves only to collapse into the heap together and stir the leaves up all over again. He thought of catching snowflakes on their tongues together and counting the stars. And as he drifted off, he thought of watching leaf-bare give way to new life, with birdsong and flowers blooming.

When sunlight shone on his eyes in the morning, Runningpaw felt the absence of Ravenpaw. He blinked the sleep from his eyes, and saw the black tabby grooming his face in the ray of sunlight that leaked in the den. It made his fur glow.

Honeypool had yet to wake, lying still in her nest. Ravenpaw noticed Runningpaw was awake, and he managed a smile. He looked well rested.

Runningpaw found himself wishing to wake up next to Ravenpaw every day, for the rest of his life. And he almost thought Ravenpaw was thinking the same thing.

A/N

Bleh honestly I don't know how I feel about this chapter. I like some parts better than others, but there are some parts that feel slow or out of place. Regardless, I hope you enjoyed and leave your thoughts down below! Till next Tuesday, and stay safe and at home everyone!