(Seeing as though I've broken 800 views, I decided to write a 'semi' mother-son love in this, though the cats don't know it themselves, or do but stubbornly refused to acknowledge it. Just to slightly relieve the stress between them. Yes yes you're welcome and I love you guys too. For now in there is gonna be just the warriors for a bit, maybe a break or two from them to the other travellers. :P)

Jayfeather woke up the next 12 days in a terrible state, his eyes dull from the lack of sleep and is fur ragged. Squirrelflight had began to worry about him and even Leafpool started to take notice, she just didn't show it. When Jayfeather walked over to the fresh kill pile Rosepetal ran over to him quickly, worry dripping from her. "Is everything alright Jayfeather? You look like a fox has gotten ahold of you!"

Jayfeather pathetically shrugged, dragging a vole out of the pile. "Nothing really. I'm fine." Jayfeather knew it was a weak lie, but he couldn't tell them why he was liked this, and honestly, he didn't want too.

Bramblestar walked over to him next, frowning. "Are you getting proper sleep Jayfeather?" Jayfeather froze momentarily before he continued eating. Bramblestar growled in annoyance. "You are in no shape to do anything Jayfeather. You're staggering all over the place and you really stink." Jayfeather hissed, offended.

"And when did you turn into a medicine cat Bramblestar?"

Bramblestar snorted, looking him over. "I don't need to be a medicine cat to see the obvious. You are relieved of your medicine cat duties. Cinderheart will take over."

Jayfeather gawked. Lionblaze's walked over to his brother, nudging him. He hmphed when Jayfeather staggered, nearly falling. "Yep. Not fit. I'll go get Cinderheart." He turned and trotted into the warriors den, Jayfeather growling in annoyance. "I am perfectly capable of doing my duty, Bramblestar. A little bit of weariness won't hurt me."

Bramblestar narrowed his eyes. "A little bit Jayfeather?"

Cinderheart ran over, Lionblaze beside her looking a bit sheepish. Cinderheart frowned at Jayfeather. "You look awful."

Jayfeather snapped at her, fur bristling. "Thanks!" Cinderheart flattened her ears.

"And grumpy. What is it you need Bramblestar?" She looked at the leader, waiting for his answer. Bramblestar nodded toward Jayfeather' pawing the ground restlessly.

"Jayfeather is obviously not healthy to do his job. I need you to take over for him until he gets better."

Cinderheart's eyes widened, shaking her head. "I can't do that Bramblestar, and you know it. After the battle I made my decision to be a warrior, not a medicine cat. This completely goes against that."

Bramblestar sighed. "I know Cinderheart, but this is really important. What if there is a attack?"

"And what if he never heals? Then what? I'm stuck as a medicine cat!" She countered, frowning. Bramblestar groaned, shaking his head.

"Cinderheart I know you don't like it, but it will only be for a day or two, just until he gains his strength again."

"Uh, hello? I'm still standing here. I can take care of myself!"

Cinderheart and Lionblaze looked at him, Bramblestar shaking his head again. "You aren't fit, Jayfeather."

Cinderheart huffed. "He claims to be alright. After all, the medicine cats knows best. Let him keep working."

Bramblestar snapped at her. "You know he isn't! That's why I'm asking you to take over for a while!"

"And that's why I'm trying to tell you there is more than one cat with knowledge of medicine skills!" She snapped back, clearly getting agitated. Jayfeather snarled. "No! She's no exception!"

Cinderheart growled at him. "Stop being such a sourpuss for once! You re tired and I'm a warrior! There's no one else who can do your job."

"She is not allowed to use her skills! Its forbidden! She is not taking my place!"

"Well maybe if you went ahead and took an apprentice we wouldn't be having this problem!"

Cinderheart turned and stalked away, back to the warriors den. Bramblestar sighed as he looked at Lionblaze. "Go out and look for Leafpool. Take another cat with you to take her place in the hunt." Lionblaze nodded and talked to Cloudtail before running out of camp with the white tom. Jayfeather yowled in horror, blind blue eyes wide.

"No! Bramblestar you can't do this!"

"Jayfeather, stop it right now. Your tired, exhausted. You need rest. Exhausting yourself further will make your matter worse, and Cinderheart has a point. No one can take over your job but Leafpool."

Jayfeather shook his head, staggering backwards. "No. I won't allow it."

"Allow what?"

Leafpool walked in, mouth firmly around a dove, making her voice muffled around the feathers. Lionblaze took the dove from her and Leafpool purred, giving him three brisk licks on his head. Lionblaze growled weakly in annoyance and embarrassment. "I'm not a kit anymore," he muttered. Leafpool chuckled.

"I know."

Leafpool's eyes shone in amusement as Lionblaze glared at the two apprentices that walked out with their mentors, snickering at him.

"Lionblaze is a kit!" Molepaw chirped.

"A big kit," Cherrypaw crowed.

Lionblaze muttered under his breath as he took the prey to the pile. Bramblestar purred his amusement. "I think you embarrassed him."

Leafpool smirked. "That's a mother's job isn't it?"

Bramblestar frowned at a memory that popped inside his head. "Oh yes. It definitely is." Leafpool chuckled again and Bramblestar noticed that she was clearly ignoring Jayfeather, like she said she would. He cleared his throat. "Leafpool, I need you to take over as the medicine cat of the clan for a while."

Leafpool narrowed her eyes, looking Bramblestar over with suspicionjon. "Why? Doesn't your medicine cat do his job properly, or is he slacking?"

Jayfeather growled and turned to face her, only his senses were dulled from the lack of sleep and eating, so he was facing directly at the space in between her and Bramblestar. "I can do my job just fine!"

Leafpool snorted, the sound coming from the right of him. His fur grew hot in embarrassment. "Obviously. You are facing the wrong way because I am standing here, kit. You smell and your senses are dull. Did you know that you gave Cherrypaw beech leaves for her bellyache, not mallow leaves? She was mewling about her stomach still hurting just last night. You are lucky I tended to her before Poppyfrost skinned you alive," Leafpool remarked, flattening her ears in disappointment.

Jayfeather flushed even more in embarrassment. He had done that? "That's still doesn't mean-"

Jayfeather flinches as Bramblestar snarled at him. "You are not to do anything until Leafpool deems you fit enough to work again. You are relieved of your duty Jayfeather. That is an order." Jayfeather groaned. His head was pounding as he flattened his ears. He gave a defeated sigh.

"Fine."

Bramblestar looked over to Leafpool, the she cat narrowing her eyes at Jayfeather. Already her medicine cat mask was on, critical eyes scanning over her patient. "Come on Jayfeather, to the den." She laid her tail lightly on his shoulder and he snapped at her, causing Leafpool to bare her fangs at him and growl. Jayfeather whimpered as the growl only made his head hurt worse. Leafpool sneered. "And you have a headache." Jayfeather hissed weakly.

"Just do your job and treat me. You are the medicine cat now."

Leafpool didn't miss the laced in sarcasm in his voice and she scoffed, shaking her head and walked over to the medicine cat den. "Great Starclan, kill me now to save me from this insufferable tom," she muttered loudly to herself. If he wanted to get to the den alone them fine by her. She didn't care. She padded into the den and waited. With a annoyed growl she poked her head out of the den. "Jayfeather! Get in here... Jayfeather?"

~ooo~

Jayfeather froze at Leafpool's previous words. Images of his previous dreams flashed through his mind. Leafpool lying in blood, her side shredded to nothing, her lifeless green eyes staring dead into his own blue ones. Flameblood was there, bathed in her leaking life force, yellow eyes twinkling evilly, full of laughter. Taunting.

Leafpool's pained yowls filled his head and he flinched as he remembered being rooted to the spot, unable to help her and watching helplessly as Flameblood mercilessly tortured her, tearing her apart slowly, painfully. Sometimes he would see Killerfang there too, treating the wounded she cat only so her brother could tear at her again, and sometimes she helped Flameblood in attacking her, both yowling eagerly at the blood spilled. All the while Leafpool giving him a pitiful look, seeking his help, begging him to make the vicious cats stop. His heart sped up. He couldn't help her, he couldn't do anything.

He started coughing. The smell of blood was everywhere, suffocating him, strangling him. He couldn't breath, nor could he move. His dreams were going to kill him.

~ooo~

Leafpool called Jayfeather's name again and again. Worried, she rushed over to him when she saw him standing there trembling and panting harshly. His eyes was clouded in pain and fear, making him look like a terrified kit.

She panicked when he started coughing, like he was chocking on something. It was either a panic attack or he swallowed something, he wasn't getting air inside of him, so she butted against him hard, knocking him on his side. Jayfeather gasped and yowled in surprise, lashing out with his claws. Leafpool barely managed to jump out of the way in time, staring at him with wide eyes. Lionblaze came running over, his fur bristled and eyes fearful.

"What's wrong with him?!"

Leafpool shook her head as she just stared. Jayfeather turned his head around now, taking deep breaths as his ears twitched, straining to take in every hidden sound. 'Everything is dark, blessedly dark. I'm not dreaming. I'm not being attacked,' he whined to his self gratefully, not knowing if he said it out loud or not, but then again he didn't care. He was away from it, away from them. He was safe.

Jayfeather felt someone pull him up and he unconsciously leaned against them, shaking like a leaf. He was so cold, and the body beside him was so warm. Another appeared on the other side of him and he realized he was being lead to the medicine cats den. He barely heard Leafpool shoo Lionblaze out of the den as he sunk into his moss bed, completely tired. He wanted to close his eyes, but he couldn't. He didn't want to. He would dream if he did.

Leafpool was licking his fur the wrong way, as if he was a newborn. He was too weak to protest, so he laid there, letting her do her work. He felt warmer at least. He didn't know when she stopped, but he groaned as Leafpool shoved something to his lips. What was it again? Juniper berries?

"Its already chewed, just eat it Jayfeather," she murmured lowly.

Jayfeather opened his mouth and ate them, starting to feel calmer as soon as he swallowed them. His trembling stopped and he took in deeper breaths, eyes shutting slowly. He whined in protest when she nudged his head. "Lemme sleep," he whimpered.

Leafpool fought hard not to laugh. She was suppose to be mad at him for Starclan sake! "Not until you eat these." She pushed the leaves and seeds to his lips. Jayfeather sniffed them. Poppy seeds and feverfew. He though he ran out of those. He frowned. He couldn't remember at the moment what they were for and Leafpool snorted down at him. "They aren't poisons. Its for you headache, and your mind. You can't sleep if you don't eat them."

Jayfeather groaned again. He didn't want to sleep, but it was so tempting, so he ate the leaf and chewed on the seeds, eyes closing and staying closed as he fell asleep.

~ooo~

Leafpool stared at him, her eyes betraying her. She was alone with him and he was sleep after all. It wouldn't hurt to watch him. Or touch him. She pressed her nose into his neck fur, purring softly. This morning had scared her. Jayfeather looked as though he saw death, and the way he lashed out, the way he yowled and trembled. Something was wrong with him, and her knowing him, he wouldn't tell. He was too stubborn. She sighed. If only things turned out differently.

Leafpool curled around Jayfeather and began the process of cleaning his fur, something she hasn't a chance to do when he was a kit. She chuckled as he squirmed and tried to push her away, muttering something about annoying she cats, but other wise stayed asleep.

She was able to successfully turn him over to get to his other side and complete cleaning him just as Brightheart walked, complaining about the bee stings she got from accidentally rattling a beehive. Leafpool didn't miss the softness in her eye as the she cat walked in on her cleaning Jayfeather. Shrugging it off, Leafpool walked further back into the den to get the necessary stuff she needed to treat Brightheart. She paused as she looked up at the top of the den, eyes pleading. Leafpool then closed her eyes and prayed.

'Whatever is troubling Jayfeather, Starclan please let it leave him.'

She gathered her ingredients and padded back to Brightheart, treating the bee sting that was on her left shoulder. Neither she cats noticed the two shadows rise from Jayfeather's body, nor the green and yellow eyes that stared lovingly at Leafpool before disappearing.

~dreeeaam~

Jayfeather looked around the dream forest cautiously, ears perked for the familiar sounds of shredding of fur and flesh, yowling, laughing. He narrowed his eyes as stood there, muscles tense. Nothing was happening. What was going on?

He paced, though he froze as he looked down at his paws. He could move! He wasn't frozen to the spot like always, thank Starclan! He grinned as he took off running in the green area, relishing in the feeling of the wind in his fur. He had almost missed the scent of flowers as he ran around, stopping dead in his tracks as tilted his nose in the air. The wind blew, bringing him that strong scent of flowers again. His fur bristled as he frowned in confusion. Where did that come from?

He followed the scent, tail flicking with anticipation as the scent grew suffocatingly strong. He neared the edge of the forest, blinking as he saw only white. He squinted, cocked his head and peered into the blankness, trying in vain to see any other color.

He still saw white.

He growled lowly in frustration. How could there be no more forest? That was impossible! Flower petals danced around his entire body as the wind blew, whispering in his ears, tempting him to walk into the whiteness. Jayfeather whimpered as he took a couple steps back. No, he wasn't going to go. It was just another one of Flameblood and Killerfang's tricks is all, and he was NOT going to fall for it. But the wind persisted, beckoning him forward as the swirling flower petals caressed his fur, rubbing teasingly under his nose as they gave off their sweet scents. He couldn't help but follow them then.

He was led out of the forest and into a tall grassy plain. It was midnight, and the stars were winking down at him as though welcoming him to watch them.

"You are here."

Jayfeather tensed as he heard the voice, almost yowling out loud as a red she cat appeared in front of him, silver outlining her body. She was really fluffy, her long tail wrapping around her paws as she sat patiently in front of him. Her green eyes were sharp and warm and her fur blew slightly in the small winds that floated through the air, silver sparkles flying with it.

"Who are you," Jayfeather mewed cautiously. Was she the she cat he dreamed about, Cherry? She looked too fluffy to be that cat.

The red cat chuckled and shook her head, standing and stretching. Her eyes were full of amusement as she looked to the sky, tail raised and curled. "I am not here to harm you, just to talk to you. My name is Silverclaw." She raised a furry paw, letting her silver claws slide out. Jayfeather stared at them in awe, admiring how they seemed to glow in the moon light. Now he could see how she got her name.

He looked up at her, assessing her as he tried to work out why she was here, what she wanted to talk to him about. Silverclaw put her paw down and walked away, beckoning him with her tail. Jayfeather followed, frowning as he smelled her scent. She smelled of nothing but flowers. Why? Silverclaw stay silent for some time, keeping her gaze planted at the sky. Flower petal danced around them and it didn't seem like they were going to leave. Jayfeather as going to question her about them, but the she cat started talking.

"You know that a great danger has befallen your clan, and that you all will die without our help." Jayfeather bristled. Thunderclan will not die. They were strong cats. They won't just be wiped out if the forest! Silverclaw seemed to read his mind, because he laid her tail on his flank. "You will. My clan fights dirty, very dirty. They won't stop at nothing until they have what they want, and see as though it is your territory they want, you all will be dead, or at least some of you will run away in retreat."

"But the cats that are coming to us, they will help us drive them away. We don't need to worry about your clan."

Silverclaw shook her head. "I know, but something is going to happen to them, to my daughter and her apprentices. If that something happens to them, then they will die and your clan will die or be forced out of the forest for it. For that reason I have called you here to help them."

Jayfeather stopped, frozen in fear. If those cats die, the clan will die. And if Thunderclan dies then the other clans will be targeted next. No! He can't let that happen! He looked at Silverclaw, eyes determined. "So then what do I have to do?"

Silverclaw purred, her ears flicking as she stared at him. "You will walk with my granddaughter Sakura during the day while she walk with her brother and sister at night. You will guide her through her days, for they will run into something dangerous, something that will kill them if not told about it as soon as possible. I will give you this ability, so that what ever is up ahead of them you will tell her and let her know. You will be walking among the others in her party, but they will not see you. Only she will."

He has already the power to walk in others dreams, now he guides cats in the daytime as well? He was going to be old before he knew it. Jayfeather nodded, feeling a prickly of uncertainty. "How will I be able to do this though? I have things to do with my clan, cats to heal. I can't see to my clan and your cats at the same time."

Silverclaw smiled, eyes glinting in light of the stars. "Yes you can. For now you are resting, so whenever you sleep is when you can see her, but when you are up and moving again you will be able to talk to her and tend to your clan in the daytime. Its just like talking to another cat beside you, only you can see her."

"Like talking to a ghost?"

"Exactly."

Great, so now his clan was going to think he was crazy. "I'm still confused. How can you do that? Its impossible even to the ancestors!"

Silverclaw looked away. "To your ancestors maybe, but my ancestors come from a far away land. It is what our clan is truly based on. On that land, our humans had slanted eyes and a heavy obsessing with pink flowers that grow on trees. They called those cherry blossoms. I forget what that land is called, but my mother and father were from there. I was a rouge kit when I came to my clan, because my parents died a moon after they got me there. Their mission was to lead me to the clans in another far away land that had the same origins as me. It seems that their founders were like me."

Jayfeather was now completely confused. What was she talking about? "I'm, I guess I can do this, but I still don't understand it." Silverclaw grinned.

"You will in time. Another reason you are here is for battle training."

Jayfeather backed away. "Ok that's too much. I'm going to leave now."

Silverclaw stood and stepped towards him, eyes glinting dangerously. "You do understand how ruthless my clan is. You need this."

"I'm a medicine cat. I don't fight. I don't need training."

Silverclaw snorted, glaring at him. "If you say so Jayfeather, but mark my words. One day you will see just how bad you need this, and when you do I will be here and waiting." She looked away again, her tail flicking in irritation. "Stubborn tom."

Jayfeather bit back a reply. She was mad at him for not taking her training lessons. Why? It was useless! "After the full moon your day with my granddaughter will start. Be ready." She turned and walked away, the flowers following her. Jayfeather shook his head as he too walked away. These other ancestor cats were really working on his last nerve.

~ooo~

Jayfeather woke up to the sound of cats talking. He yawned and stretched, purring loudly in satisfaction. He hadn't slept that good in almost half a moon! His dreams has been surprisingly, warm, comforting and relieved, after the talk with Silverclaw that is. What was with that anyway? He vaguely remembered being cleaned, almost forgot about why he was in his den in the first place. Then it hit him, and he groaned. Leafpool was taking his place, and he was pretty sure he had hit a full blown panic attack earlier today.

He blindly glared weakly at Leafpool as she walked into the den and over to him, squirrel in her mouth. She sat it down in front of him, her eyes felt cold and hard, though not as cold and hard as they usually felt. They felt like they were a little happy, a little soft. "Eat." She commanded. Then she went to the back of the den.

Jayfeather growled at her, slightly confused, but more so annoyed and a little, warm? He couldn't place a paw on it. He took a bite out of the squirrel and realized he was ravenous. How long had its been since he's eaten? He wolfed the squirrel down quickly, flinching slightly as he heard Leafpool chuckle. He hissed. "What's so funny?"

Leafpool didn't hold back her purr of amusement, making Jayfeather growl at her. "Seeing you eat your food like its your last. Its reasonable though, seeing as though you haven't ate properly and slept well into the next day."

Jayfeather's eyes widened comically. He had slept from one day and into the next? That long? Leafpool laughed, shaking her head. Jayfeather scowled. He didn't like her laughing at him. "Cut that out," he snarled.

Leafpool fixed a critical stare on Jayfeather, causing him to squirm uncomfortably. He heard Leafpool pad over to him, pushing her nose to his head, then into his fur. "Your still weak, and malnourished. It will take you at least a week for you to recover."

A week?! Jayfeather growled. It wouldn't take that long. She just wanted more time as a medicine cat! He was sure of it! He growled again, his time at her. "I'm not stupid. It won't take me that long for me to recover. Three days tops."

Leafpool flicked an ear, agitation rolling off of her like rocks. "Apparently you are. Your body is tired and weak Jayfeather. You need to give it time to rest and heal, and being that you went 12 days through this mess with out telling anyone," her voice had gotten cold, making Jayfeather wince, "you have damaged yourself. Your body absolutely needs this, Jayfeather. Five days tops to say that you are healed, and extra two days just to make sure. And if you can't see it, I'm sure you can feel it. You are thin, withered. Like a beanstalk."

Jayfeather slammed his tail on the ground. "That's insane! I have a job to do!"

"And you can't do it in your situation." Leafpool mewed calmly, making Jayfeather even more frustrated.

The brambles of the den entrance was pushed apart, Cinderheart walking in with a panting Brightheart leaning on her. "She has a fever," Cinderheart mewed, leading Brightheart to an available moss bed. Leafpool quickly walked over to her, scooping up some feverfew along the way.

As Cinderheart made to leave Leafpool stopped her, glance at Jayfeather. "I'm not calling you to help me, just your opinion. Exactly how long do you think it will take for Jayfeather to recover?"

Cinderheart scrunched up her face as she looked him over, eyes sweeping over his form quickly. "Five days at the longest. Let him stay for a day or two just to be sure."

Leafpool sent Jayfeather a 'I told you so' glare and hmph. Jayfeather snorted and turned his head. "Thank you Cinderheart." The gray tabby she cat nodded and left. Leafpool went in the back of the den, sorting the herbs.

Brightheart hummed comfortably. "How was your sleep Jayfeather?"

Jayfeather shrugged. "It was rather comfortable actually."

Brightheart's eye danced mischievously, even though they had a feverish glaze over them. "I expected it to be, see how Leafpool had curled around you and cleaned you like you were still a kit."

Both Leafpool and Jayfeather coughed violently, Jayfeather sending a deadly glare Leafpool's directing while Leafpool directed that same glare to Brightheart. Brightheart chuckled softly, couching only slightly. "Looks like bee stings don't work well with your body like it does the others," Leafpool mewed dryly, walking over to the spotted she cat. Her fur was hot with embarrassment as she treated Brightheart, feeling Jayfeather's blind, piercing gaze in her fur.

Brightheart had obviously done it on purpose, and when the she cat went to sleep Leafpool avoided Jayfeather, though it was hard seeing as they were in the same den together.

"Leafpool," Jayfeather mewed in a deadly low voice. Leafpool ignored him, checking the herbs. Jayfeather growled lowly.

"Those herbs are nice and checked over, I'm sure of it." Leafpool could've sworn the cat had sight, but she knew his senses were more sharper now that had some rest. The perks of being blind.

"Is what Brightheart said true?!"

Leafpool flinched as he snarled at her, and was ever grateful when Bramblestar bursted into the den, demanding her to see to Squirrelflight. Leafpool snatched up the correct herb and quickly ran out of the den, eager to get away from Jayfeather and to her sister. After all, her kits were due any day now.

~ooo~

Jayfeather laid in his bed, positively fuming. Leafpool had cuddled him, cleaned him, like a kit. Her kit. He growled to himself. He had let her take care of him, and she took advantage of the moment. She wrapped herself around him like she was his mother, warmed him and cleaned him like he was her kit. Made him feel warm, safe. Like the queens in the nursery, she had been there to chase away his bad dreams, his nightmares. Soothing.

Jayfeather squirmed uncomfortably. He actually liked the feeling, the feeling of having a mother close by, to warm and protect him, to chase away his fears. It was so welcoming, so loving. Jayfeather allowed his self to melt into the the feeling of his mothers embrace, relishing in the feeling.

Wait. Hold on, stop the bird.

He jerked and shook his head when he started purring, uncurling his self from his comfy ball form he made his self into when Leafpool was wrapped around him. Leafpool was not his mother! She had said so herself, she disowned him! And that's just how he wanted it. He didn't need the warmth, the love and oh so heavily motherly presence. He wasn't a kit anymore, he was a grown cat! He didn't need her, he never did!

He hissed angrily, half at his self for considering her his mother, half for refusing the warmth. He squirmed into a comfortable position that was NOT a ball and closed his eyes.

Brightheart chuckled some and cough. "Don't try to ignore it Jayfeather, it won't work. Just try to accept her a little bit."

Jayfeather ignored her, favoring his sleep. When he dreamed he dreamed of warm embraces and motherly love, and will soon find his self curled in that hated position of a ball, still imagining his mother curling around him protectively.