Firepaw thought as he sorted herbs.
The clans were separated on all accounts other than a few.
For one, the medicine cats. Another was the borders that divided them.
The last was the dead. Their ancestors.
The Clan's ancestors. Not his.
He shook his head as the thought crossed his mind, straying into the darker recesses of his mind. Returning to his original train of thought, he considered the closest connection he himself had.
Medicine cats. He was one of the only cats in the Clans allowed to interact and travel relatively freely between the Clans.
And yet.
If Brokenstar had driven away WindClan so easily, Barkface unable to stop him, then what power did he, or would he, really hold?
They aided his search, but what could StarClan do to actually stop something like that?
StarClan held power, yes, but the power of influence.
They couldn't save a dying cat.
He could.
That brought forth his most recent thought.
If he could save a cat from WindClan, ShadowClan, or RiverClan, or even just a loner. Shouldn't he? He was supposed to, that's what Spottedleaf had said, but if Bluestar ordered him not to.
The warrior code states that a leader's word is law, but what of the medicine cat code?
Firepaw growled to himself, pausing to make sure he didn't damage the herbs he worked with.
To complete the circle of thoughts he was going in, he got to the point.
No cat should die because of pride or distain. His job is to heal and save cats, not to pick and choose who to treat because of their heritage. This should apply to his fellow medicine cats too. Yet they refuse herbs when a cat from a different clan needs it.
Finished with his work, an idea struck his mind.
Quickly, he ran to find Spottedleaf.
...
Firepaw felt a mix of nervousness and determination settle in his stomach as he padded towards Fourtrees beside his mentor.
Spottedleaf lay her tail over his shoulder, pride lighting her eyes. "Relax. I think this idea could be exactly what the Clans need. You just need to tell it to them."
He gave her an appreciative smile, looking back forward as they neared the gathering location.
Entering the clearing, they approached the other four medics.
Yellowfang looked skeptical and her eyes betrayed that her focus was elsewhere.
Barkface looked tired, but happy to see the young ginger.
Mudfur was neutral, more curious than anything as he stepped forward. "Firepaw, Spottedleaf. You called us here because you said you had something important. What might that be?"
Runningnose pressed lightly against his mentor, tail twitching. "If it's no bother, could we make this quick? I know you asked for all of us, but I'd feel better getting back to ShadowClan as soon as possible."
Spottedleaf looked down at her apprentice, gently nudging him forward.
Taking a deep breath, the ginger lifted his chin. "The medicine cats, while connected, are still separated by their Clans. Our leaders refuse to give up herbs for a cat in another clan because their own could need it. This is a valid concern, but it still causes death. The leaders don't want to give something up for nothing, so I have a solution." He paused, fur prickling with nerves as the other medics looked at him with mixed expressions. "A trade system. Each Clan can then get what it needs by trading herbs. We can use the normal half-moon meeting or a new one to do it, but once a moon we can bring herbs to trade for ones we need. We can ask for specific herbs and set up exchanges if necessary."
The RiverClan medic spoke up first, his brows furrowed. "Trading herbs? It could work."
Runningnose nodded, his eyes bright. "Firepaw this is a great idea! So many deaths could've been avoided."
Yellowfang tilted her head, eyes narrowed. "Perhaps. A trial period might be a good way to test this, though."
Barkface smiled fondly at the young apprentice. "This is a wonderful plan, Firepaw. Details can be worked out as we sit fit, but this could be exactly what the Clans need."
Firepaw staggered a little, relieved at the positive reception.
The medicine cats worked on planning it for a while, setting up the first trade meeting for just a few nights away. They asked for specific herbs to be brought and separated for the night.
...
Firepaw happily carried his bundle as he trotted beside his mentor.
Spottedleaf carried her own herbs, tail twitching happily.
They reached the clearing in little time, joining the two ShadowClan cats already there.
Yellowfang dipped her head in greeting as she sorted through her and Runningnose's herbs.
The two ThunderClan cats began to sort their own as they waited for the last two medics.
Barkface and Mudfur arrived together, each carrying herbs.
They exchanged greetings before beginning.
Spottedleaf spoke up first, smiling. "We've had plenty of watermint these past moons, along with some juniper and borage."
Mudfur perked up. "Borage! Mistyfoot could really use some. We don't really have much inside our border. I brought coltsfoot and daisy."
Barkface's tail flicked, eyes bright. "Daisy would be good. A lot of WindClan are still sore from the journey. I have nettle leaves and tansy."
Yellowfang nodded to the WindClan tom. "Nettle would be helpful for some rat bites the apprentices got. They've been swelling badly. We brought horse tail, feverfew, and some early catmint."
They began their exchange, trading for each thing they needed.
Firepaw felt relief swell in his heart as each cat was satisfied.
The ShadowClan she-cat looked at the ginger, eyes narrowed. She dipped her head with a smirk. "Well done, apprentice. I think this was a success."
Spottedleaf smiled at her apprentice, eyes bright. "You're growing and learning well, Firepaw. You'll have your name in no time at this rate."
He purred, pressing against his mentor's side.