A/N: Please don't kill me by the end of this chapter... please! :P
Hard chapter to write...
I would like to thank Silver wolf rain, Dragonflywing, Wishheart01, xWillowsongx of RiverClan, Skourby77, and Stormfeather of LakeClan for reviewing!
a) Wildcreek- 2
b) Wildspirit- 2
c) Wildshadow- 2
So, we have a tie in every single name! But... *drumroll* I have found a couple different names for you to vote on! XP
#1) Wildsong
#2) Wildflight
#3) Wildfeather
Personally I like Wildsong the best, but let me know what you think!
Ch. 16
Feathersky sighed… what can I do if I can't find more catnip? She miserably looked at the ground. The crushed plant that once provided a small amount of the precious herb had been destroyed; most likely a kittypet had found it and smeared it into the ground. Her claws unsheathed as she pictured slicing into the cat that destroyed her supply.
At least she had Mosskit. It was a shame that the little light brown tabby wasn't yet her apprentice. It would be a moon and a half before that happened but he had helped organize the herbs and learned quite a couple. At the rate he was going he could get his full name with his siblings, who required around two moons less of training! She had to admit that she was proud of him, even if she didn't act like it.
Carefully she cleared the ground where the sprouts would come up once again, but it was unlikely since it was leaf-fall. The ground was moist so Feathersky let it be and returned to camp, her pelt prickling with fear and anger.
"Feathersky, did you find any?" a worried Blizzardstar met her at the entrance.
Feathersky shook her head, "The supply was all destroyed, I can try going out once again tomorrow, even try the twoleg place, but there is nothing I can do for tonight except for pray."
Blizzardstar's eyes darkened, "What if it spreads to Crystalkit, she's so weak compared to her brothers and sisters. I'm worried that it will be the end of her."
"Keep her away from her brothers and sisters and away from my den, that's all you can do," Feathersky rested her tail on the white leader's shoulder, "Bonekit and Rainkit are strong, they'll make it."
She walked away from the leader and climbed the medicine stone, entering one of the dens. Two of Blizzardstar's kits laid in nests, wet moss beside them.
"I did everything you told me to do," Mosskit hopped into the den, "Ordered soft nests from the apprentices, ordered them to go get moss for water, got some of the cold water out of the stream. Oh, and I laid out the feverfew, coltsfoot, and two poppy seeds."
"I like you, kit," Feathersky laughed, "Now, what are all the herbs for?
"Feverfew… that's the one for chills and fever?" Mosskit questioned, "Coltsfoot, that helps with breathing and of course the poppy seeds help with sleeping."
"Ok, go ahead and bring them," Feathersky ordered, moving over to Bonekit and Rainkit, "How are you both feeling?"
"Not so good," Bonekit whimpered, a chill racking his body.
Rainkit didn't reply. Mosskit entered the den and placed the leaves at Feathersky's feet. Feathersky quickly sorted them out into equal piles for each of the kits.
"You're going to have to eat these," she nudged them towards both of the kits.
Bonekit shifted in his nest and willfully complied. Rainkit didn't make a move.
"Rainkit, now, eat," Feathersky said sternly, but truly she was very fearful that the kit wouldn't make it.
The white she-kit continued to not move. Feathersky moved forward and checked her breathing.
She's hanging on by a thread. Oh StarClan, don't let her die!
"Mosskit, get Stormpaw," Feathersky raced up to her herb store, her eyes darted madly everywhere.
She knew what she was looking for she wouldn't find. Her small batch she managed to collect before the plant was destroyed had been used up already on the two kits. Her heart was chilled.
Blackcough. She has blackcough.
"Mosskit said you needed me?" Stormpaw asked.
Feathersky's eyes lit up, "Yes. I need Bonekit out of the den with Rainkit. Trust me, it's for his sake. Don't tell him his sister's fate or he could lose heart. Get Blizzardstar. Tell her Rainkit has Blackcough."
"Blackcough," Stormpaw gasped, "Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure. The twoleg place should have catnip- practically every kittypet has some. I need to go there tonight. Mosskit has some basic training, so just tell him what to do and he'll know. Goodbye," she rushed out of the den, "And good luck!"
It was already dark, but needless to say the medicine cat could see, even by the dim starlight. She tripped several times, and occasionally brambles tugged at her paws, but she arrived at the border. She sniffed out into the dark but suddenly felt weight on her back, forcing her down into the ground.
"Where do you think you'll be going this late at night?" a silky voice purred.
Feathersky, even with her meager skills, kicked up at the cat's belly. The apparent black cat was sent sprawling into the darkness, "Who are you and what do you want?"
A pair of bright yellow eyes met hers suddenly, causing Feathersky to leap back.
"You were about to leap into my territory, do you know what that means, rogue?" she hissed, allowing her claws to flash in the moonlight.
"I'm no rogue," Feathersky spat.
"Whatever you are, this is my territory. I'd advise you to stay off. I've already had enough cats stealing my prey."
"I'm not here to steal your dumb prey. I need to get to the twolegplace," Feathersky retorted.
The black she-cat smirked "Kittypet? You don't smell like one."
Feathersky hissed, "That's because I'm not, I'm a clan cat and I'm on an important mission. One of our kits is near death and I need catnip to heal her. But because of some dumb mousebrain, our supply was destroyed.
The she-cat took a step back, "You could have just told me, I have my own garden."
"Kittypet?" Feathersky mocked her, "You don't look like a little kitty to me, darling."
She hissed, "I'm Nadia. And for your reference it's no stickleg garden- well it used to be. But I've taken care of it for moons."
The medicine cat's patience was running out, and Nadia seemed to notice for she told her that she would be right back. Feathersky sat down and waited, the seconds seemed to stretch on forever. Finally the two glowing yellow orbs met hers, the scent of catnip wafted up her nose.
"Here. I hope she gets better, and if you need anything else let me know," Nadia purred.
"Thank you. We're still looking for new members of our clan- if you would like to join," Feathersky invited.
Nadia shook her head, "This is my home."
Feathersky nodded, took the herbs into her jaws and waved her tail goodbye before bounding back to camp.
Please be still alive, Rainkit, please be still alive.
Forestpath met her as soon as she entered camp, "Did you find it?"
The medicine cat was taken back at his sudden change of personality, sure he had seemed less shy recently, but now he was the first one to greet her?
"Yes," Feathersky jumped up the stone pillar and entered the den where Rainkit was being kept.
"Is Bonekit moved?" she asked.
Stormpaw, crouched down beside Blizzardstar, nodded, "And I sent Mosskit away, I didn't want him to catch it."
"Good," Feathersky laid down the leaves and chewed them, mashing the pulp down the kit's throat.
She meagerly swallowed. Feathersky took a deep breath; then sighed.
"That's all that can be done for now. I'll go give some to Bonekit and then hold vigil," Feathersky yawned.
"No, it's fine. I'll watch over her. Stormpaw, I'm sure, can treat Bonekit. You need to get some sleep, you're exhausted," Blizzardstar ordered, "Now go."
As much as Feathersky would have liked to argue the medicine cat realized the leader was correct. She left the den and curled up in her own nest. At first sleep didn't come, but when it took her it took her quickly.
In the morning she was awoken by a wail.
No, not Rainkit!
She rushed out of the den and came face to face with Blizzardstar, a limp figure hanging from her jaws. But instead of Rainkit's muscular white and gray body the figure was a faded ginger and white. Feathersky's heart plummeted. The white leader's worst fears had come true.
"I found her like this this morning," Blizzardstar mumbled through a scruff of kit-fluff.
"She's got it," Feathersky could smell the sickening scent rolling in waves off of Crystalkit's pelt.
"Then she won't make it, will she?" Blizzardstar's voice was pained, but Feathersky could tell she was trying her hardest not to break down.
"I'm sorry. She won't be able to face Greencough. I mean, I can give her catnip but that just helps the body fight the infection. She's just not strong enough. I can give her poppy seeds if you would like, that would ease her journey to StarClan," Feathersky sighed.
Blizzardstar hissed, "I-I…" the leader's eyes drooped. "Sorry. Where should I put her?"
"In with Bonekit. He'd like to say goodbye," Feathersky shook her head, "I should check on Rainkit."
Suddenly the white leader broke down, sobs racking her body.
"There's no need for that," Stormpaw's tired amber eyes rested on Feathersky, "Crystalkit will shortly be joining her sister in StarClan."
Feathersky closed her eyes, her paws swaying underneath her.
Two kits. Two tiny little kits.
A/N: Once again, please, please, please don't kill me!
R.I.P. Crystalkit and Rainkit.
As Breezeheart's siblings went through the ordinary process of apprentice, warrior, etc. Crystalkit and Rainkit also will. I know that wasn't mentioned in the books but I don't see why I can't do it here!
So... this might have been the saddest chapter since Blizzard was exiled. :(
Don't forget to vote on the three new names + below is your chapter question. One more chapter then a small intro to the next book (already written) and we charge toward Together We Fight! Can't wait! I love to have new characters to work with, especially when one is based off your 4 moon old kitten!
Q) Would you like Nadia the loner to appear in future chapters?
A) Yes
B) No
:D REVEIW! and don't forget about my forum...
~Willow