Greysight.
Greysight's eyes shot open, and after a short moment of collecting herself, she realized she was lying in the warriors den. The light sound of crows cawing echoed outside the den, and she could tell from the temperature of the cool air that it was already far into the morning.
She didn't realize her fur had been standing on end, but she tried to shake the feeling and stood up, stretching her legs. She sniffed the air curiously and twitched her whiskers lightly, but there were no other cats nearby.
'That's strange...'
Greysight couldn't help the feeling of anxiety that grew in her chest, was she going crazy? She could have sworn she had been hearing voices, that couldn't be normal. 'Maybe it's just me.' she thought tiredly.
Greysight left the warmth of her nest and padded out of the vine-like structure and into the clearing. She could immediately tell there were only six cats in the camp. Greysight had no doubt that Darkpelt had taken out a patrol.
The tom had been furious yesterday, she figured he was trying to make up for "lost time", unfortunately for everyone else. Her ear twitched as she picked up the sound of raucous coughing coming from the elder's den. A small frown made its way across her face and she began to head in the direction of the noise.
The vibrations of approaching pawsteps made her stop as she realized they were coming towards her. It wasn't difficult to recognize Roseclaw's form or scent, Greysight could immediately tell something was wrong by the tentative way the medicine cat was approaching her.
Roseclaw's blue eyes were downcast, and she couldn't help the feeling of guilt in her chest. It was quiet for a moment as Greysight turned towards her, an almost frightened expression on her face.
Greysight swallowed back the worry she felt, "How is Longtail?" she meowed quietly, already knowing what Roseclaw was coming to speak with her about.
"...It has become a lot worse, probably the worst case of greencough I've ever seen. We've run out of catmint and there's nothing I can do."
Greysight's eyes widened, "But we have to get some! You can't just let her suffer!"
Roseclaw watched her friend sympathetically, "I know. Which is why I think it is necessary for us to travel to another clan. The other medicine cats should be able to understand. I've spoken to Sunstar, but he thinks we should wait and ask at the Gathering tomorrow night... but I don't know if she can make it that long."
Greysight felt like her head was spinning, and she immediately felt overcome by anger and frustration. Roseclaw noticed the blind she-cat's sudden change in demeanor and watched her worriedly.
Greysight gritted her teeth and turned away from Roseclaw, heading in the direction of the leader's den. The she-cat was across the camp in seconds and didn't bother to announce her presence as she stomped into the leader's den, disturbing Sunstar's nap.
"What are you doing here? Get out! You're disturbing my rest." Sunstar snapped immediately, glaring at the she-cat who chose to distract him while he was trying to fall asleep.
"We can't wait until the Gathering tomorrow, Longtail needs those herbs now!" she hissed. "You may not care, but I do and I'm not about to let my mother suffer."
Sunstar's eyes widened in disbelief, Greysight had never shown such disrespect towards him before. He stood up so that he was now facing Greysight at his full height, towering over the she-cat. Greysight's nonexistent gaze never faltered. 'I'm not afraid of you.'
"We don't have to go to TreeClan." she continued, on an assumption that TreeClan was the cause of Sunstar's refusal, "I know Morningstar would be more than happy to help us, and Brisingstar as well. OceanClan has always had a strong alliance to DarkClan, and if I remember correctly, the two of you have a history together. I know they'll help us!"
"How dare you try to tell me how to lead my clan! Know your place! It was I who allowed you to become a warrior in the first place, don't forget that!" Sunstar hissed.
Greysight lowered her head so that a shadow now fell over her eyes as she dug her claws into the ground. "I know," she replied, her voice had become strangely calm, "But she's my mother...You may have never loved her, but I do! I can't believe you'd just let her die like this!" Greysight could feel her anger building.
"What's wrong with you?! All you do is shut yourself away in this forsaken rock all day, you call yourself a leader, but you do nothing! You never did anything!" Greysight hissed.
"Am I not good enough for you?! Was I ever good enough? I didn't choose to be blind, you have no idea what I went through as a kit trying to get recognition from you!- And Lostheart!" she began, "Where were you when Silentshadow died?! You were never there. Instead of being there for her, you shut her out. But not just from yourself, from everyone!"
Greysight's head shot up, revealing her furious eyes, the strain evident in her voice.
"Did you ever bother to ask her how she felt?! Did you ever even think about how she might feel?!"
Sunstar's face was contorted in rage, his normally vibrant green eyes as dark as the dead moss beneath him. A low growl rumbled in his throat and he opened his mouth in an attempt to reply to the blind she-cat when Greysight cut him off.
"If it was Silentshadow you would have gone in a heartbeat!" she shouted. Sunstar's enraged face froze at her words, and his tense structure began to slowly relax.
"Don't speak about what you don't know." he hissed darkly, turning away from Greysight. "Have it your way, go to OceanClan and speak with Brisingstar, I don't care. just get out of my sight!" he sneered.
Greysight gritted her teeth together, holding back the thoughts going through her head and raced out of the leader's den. She knew she had gone too far with that last comment, but she couldn't believe Sunstar was being so cruel.
Roseclaw had been waiting for her outside, and instantly rose to her paws with a feeling of worry as she saw the expression on Greysight's face. She had been sitting too far away to hear the exchange between the two, but she knew it couldn't be a good thing.
"What did he say?" Roseclaw asked eagerly.
"We're going to OceanClan. Find Lostheart and Mintpaw, they're coming with me. I want you to stay here with Longtail, hopefully Tidepool will understand and give the herbs to Mintpaw."
Roseclaw nodded quickly, "Okay, I'll be right back!" She knew Mintpaw was in the medicine cat, but she wasn't sure where to find Lostheart. 'I'll get Mintpaw first.' she decided.
Just as she thought, the young siamese was lying in the medicine cat with a disheartened expression on her face. Roseclaw knew Mintpaw was going through a tough time right now with Longtail being so sick.
Her approach made Mintpaw look up, and the she-cat's eyes brightened slightly.
"Sunstar has given the order for us to ask OceanClan for the catmint," Roseclaw began, "I have to stay here and take care of Longtail, would you be willing to go in my place?"
Mintpaw's eyes widened slightly, surprised that Roseclaw was entrusting her with such an important task. "Of course!" she stuttered, a feeling of hope re-surfacing in her chest. 'If I get the catmint, Mom will get better!'
Roseclaw smiled fondly, "Greysight is waiting for you at the camp entrance, you better hurry."
Mintpaw gasped and nodded her head, I'll get the catmint, I promise!" she meowed as she ran out of the medicine cat den.
Roseclaw padded out after the apprentice and gazed around the camp, 'Where are you Lostheart?'
She began to feel worried that she wouldn't be able to find her sister in time, but she let out a breath of relief as a flash of red caught her eye and she was able to locate Lostheart lying in one of her favorite shaded places.
The she-cat's fur was so dark that she blended right in. Roseclaw padded over quickly, not wanting to waste any time.
"Sunstar has ordered Greysight to ask OceanClan for herbs, Greysight wants you to go with her and Mintpaw."
Lostheart said nothing and stood up, turning so that she could see where Greysight and Mintpaw were waiting for her at the camp's entrance.
"Hey, Lostheart..."
Lostheart blinked and returned her gaze to Roseclaw. The white she-cat looked extremely tired, and Lostheart could tell something was bothering her. It was unusual to see her with such a broken expression.
"What is it?" Lostheart asked.
Roseclaw averted her eyes and shifted uncomfortably for a moment under her sister's gaze. "Do you think I'm a good medicine cat? It's just...I never seem to help anybody."
Roseclaw thought back to the day when she was unable to save Blizzardpelt, the she-cat had bled to death because of her. Now Longtail was sick, and she felt completely useless.
"It's not your fault we don't have any herbs. You may be young, but you're doing a great job as medicine cat, I know Mosspelt would be proud of you."
Roseclaw's eyes fell and she didn't appear to feel any better from Lostheart's words. "Lostheart, there's...something else too..."
Lostheart gave no reaction as Roseclaw looked away in shame. "I probably should have told you sooner...I'm afraid Sunstar won't let me be the medicine cat if he found out, so I've kept it to myself...It's just..." Roseclaw trailed off as if it was difficult for her to say.
The white she-cat sighed, "I've never received a dream from StarClan, I lied." She closed her eyes, fearing what kind of reaction her words would cause.
"I know."
Roseclaw blinked and she looked up at Lostheart in disbelief.
"It doesn't matter, you're our medicine cat. When we're sick or injured, you're the one who cares for us, and you always have. Don't worry about it."Lostheart meowed, padding past her sister to join Greysight. "I've never thought any differently of you.."
Roseclaw watched Lostheart pad away, the fact that Lostheart had known all along shocked her. 'Why didn't you say anything?'
Roseclaw immediately felt guilty for never having told her. She was surprised Lostheart wasn't angry at her, but quickly shook her head, a small smile coming over her face.
No, Lostheart wasn't like that.
Lostheart knew Greysight and Mintpaw both had a lot riding on this, they had to get the herbs, failure wasn't an option. She thought back to her exchange with Roseclaw and wondered why her sister had chose now to tell her.
When Roseclaw had first told her she was going to become a medicine cat, Lostheart was doubtful. Especially since Roseclaw didn't have any clan blood, however, she never thought too much on it. It wasn't until later when she was talking to Greysight after a training session that the she-cat mentioned it, assuming Roseclaw would have told her sister.
Lostheart never said anything then, but she was a little hurt that Roseclaw had kept it from her. It seemed like the she-cat had completely forgotten about her after their mom died. Roseclaw had befriended Greysight, and she was left alone.
Greysight was leading them to the OceanClan border with a quick pace in her step. Lostheart could already taste the salt in the air and hear the sound of the ocean as they approached the end of their territory.
"Now we wait." Lostheart meowed. The three cats stood at the edge of the forest, looking out at the broad expanse of sand and water ahead of them. It wouldn't be long until an OceanClan patrol came by.
Darkpelt, Thistleprick and Raggedear padded back into camp after running a patrol over the entire expanse of DarkClan's territory. The first thing they came to realize was that Moonfur was sitting alone by the fresh kill pile.
Browneyes was eating a mouse in the clearing, but he looked up when he noticed the return of the other toms. He could see the way Darkpelt's eyes were scanning the camp and knew he wouldn't be pleased with the clan's recent developments.
Thistleprick and Raggedear exchanged glances as the tom let out an annoyed growl and padded towards Moonfur. The pale she-cat didn't appear to be too thrilled when Darkpelt came over and began glowering down at her.
"Where are the other she-cats?"
"Sunstar sent them to OceanClan." Moonfur replied, nonchalantly.
"What? Why?" Darkpelt demanded.
"Roseclaw needs more catmint to take care of Longtail, there isn't any left on our territory, so Sunstar sent Greysight, Mintpaw, and Lostheart to ask OceanClan for some more."
Darkpelt grumbled something under his breath and padded toward the leader's den. Moonfur didn't bother watching him go.
Raggedear and Thistleprick padded up to Moonfur, but Thistleprick appeared to be distracted and was looking around the camp as if searching for something.
"Hey, where's Roseclaw?" he asked curiously.
"Roseclaw is taking care of Longtail, don't go bothering her, she's busy." Moonfur meowed seriously.
"I won't, thanks Moonfur." he meowed, padding away and giving her a slight flick of his tail. Raggedear sighed and sat down where he stood, tired from traveling around the territory.
"It's really sweet the way you're always looking after him." Moonfur meowed happily.
Raggedear let out a small laugh and Moonfur swore she could see a small smirk quirk in the corner of his mouth. A silence overtook the two cats leaving Moonfur feeling extremely awkward.
Her gaze flickered to the tom from the corner of her eye and she quickly looked away when Raggedear caught her gaze. Her pelt heated up in embarrassment at being caught watching him, and she averted her eyes, choosing to look at anything but the tom.
"GET OUT!"
The silence was broken as the sound of Roseclaw's angry screech pierced the air. Moonfur and Raggedear both looked toward the elder's den curiously as Thistleprick was pushed roughly out, falling onto his back.
"Alright, I'll see you later then." Thistleprick meowed, pulling himself to his paws, seemingly unaffected by Roseclaw's response.
He laughed and padded over to the pair, choosing to sit beside his brother. Browneyes and Darkpelt came over to join them as well and eat their fresh kill as the clan waited for Greysight's return.
The cats mostly ate in silence until Thistleprick decided to speak up. "You know Darkpelt, I feel like having a mate would help you chill out some."
Darkpelt snorted, ignoring the tortoiseshell's remark. "She-cats do not hold the same fascination for me as they do for you."
Thistleprick only laughed, and took another bite of his vole. Browneyes had been worried that Darkpelt would get angry, but he was able to relax as he saw the tom's reaction. He smiled to himself, happy that Darkpelt was beginning to open up more.
Despite what he may say, Browneyes knew Darkpelt liked spending time with the other cats, if he didn't then why would he bother to sit with them?
Raggedear had remained silent, and Browneyes watched him curiously when he realized the tom hadn't taken a bite to eat for quite some time.
"Are you okay Raggedear?"
At the sound of Browneyes's question, Thistleprick turned to look at his brother as well. Raggedear blinked and looked up, noticing the way the other cats were now watching him.
Thistleprick laughed, "He's just tired, why don't you go for a walk Raggedear?"
Raggedear nodded mutedly and stood up, padding away from the group.
"I'll go too," Moonfur meowed, "I could use a walk myself."
Thistleprick stood up, blocking her path, "Come on Moonfur, don' leave me here with these toms." he meowed good naturedly.
Moonfur rolled her separately colored eyes and stepped past him, "I think I'll pass." she meowed. However, she blinked as Thistleprick stopped her again. "He's really tired, you should stay here."
Moonfur looked past Thistleprick to the space where Raggedear had retreated into the forest. "I think something is bothering him, I want to talk to him."
Moonfur was surprised when she saw a flash of annoyance in the tom's violet eyes, but it was quickly covered by his familiar grin. "He's fine. Me on the other hand, I could really use someone to talk to."
Moonfur quirked a brow at Thistleprick's odd behavior. "I don't think so. I'm serious, I really think I should-"
"Moonfur, don't."
Moonfur blinked, surprised at the serious tone that had suddenly come over Thistleprick's voice. "Okay, fine." she meowed, a bit worried by the way the tom was acting.
"Promise?" he meowed, eyeing her suspiciously. It was clear he didn't believe her.
"I promise."
AUTHOR'SNOTE
Admittedly this is a pretty crappy chapter :I Ugh, sorry about that, I'm such a fail writer. I think I mentioned in the previous chap I uploaded some little pics to my tumblr, but if I didn't then there ya go