Author's Note: Feel free to leave a review about how you feel the series is coming along. If you have any suggestions for this series, let me know and I'll consider them.

Chapter 14: They Will Never Be the Same

Whitecough took roots in the Thunderclan camp afflicting many. Darkstripe knew this bout was going to be one of the worst outbreaks in a long time, so he decided some more risky deals were necessary. Queen, the retired dealer, still had a large supply of catmint from her and her neighbors' homes. Darkstripe couldn't imagine Queen retiring forever, so he decided to give up some of his treasures for as large of a supply of catmint as possible. It took half a day for Darkstripe to dig up all his stashes and pick what would be valuable. These items held important memories for him, but the clan came first. He dragged Fireheart over to give him his deal.

"We need catmint and I know queen can get it for us even if she is retired. I've collected many things that should still be valuable. They aren't as much right now since every cat is trying to survive and these are luxuries, but I know Queen is good at long term deals."

"She's my sister. She'd help us."

"You don't know dealers very well if you expect anything for free. I'm sure she'd know we're desperate and trade for items she'd usually pass on, but she's still a dealer, so she expects something out of it. I gathered some things that hold memories for both of us or have high trade value in Greenleaf. Can you please take them to her and get as much catmint out of it as you can? I have to see if I can get any other dealers trading for it."

Fireheart took the random collection of items. Some were shiny like shells or smoothed rocks. Some were feathers of rare birds. One was longer than him, was blue and green, and appeared to have an eye on the end. There was also a parcel of dried plants and random kittypet toys that were dusted with age. The hurt in Darkstripe's eyes as he left the items showed that some of them held deep memories. Fireheart knew he'd never be forgiven if he even lost one of these items on the way to Queen's.

When Fireheart arrived, Princess/Queen saw the many budles of things. It was obvious she recognized many of them as she carefully laid them out. Despite having clearly just kitted recently, Queen took the effort to sort the items.

"What did you bring all this for Lightning?"

"Our Clan has an outbreak of Whitecough. Darkstripe gave me all this to trade for as much catmint as you'd allow."

Queen batted Fireheart lightly in the face for the use of the wrong name, but her mind was clearly elsewhere. She brushed up against many of the items with a nostalgic touch. She glanced them over again almost to make sure they were real before staring Fireheart down.

"This year must be especially bad. I'll get you as much as I can."

She looked longingly at the items again.

"For you and Thunder."

Queen then brightened up with a light chuckle.

"I've tried for moons to get Thunder to tell me his real name and now I do. I feel a bit cheated how easily you parted with it."

Queen dipped into her house and came back with a large bundle of catmint.

"I expect you back in about three days. I'll have gotten more by then"

Despite the amount Fireheart brought back, it still wasn't enough to treat every cat. Bluestar passed on the herb since she had lives to spare. Darkstripe on the other paw was barely seen around camp. When he was, he'd have a bundle of herbs or prey in his jaws. He'd leave just as quickly as he appeared. Fireheart knew Darkstripe was running himself ragged, but every able cat in camp was as well.

Bluestar's Whitecough turned to Greencough. There was not much Yellowfang could do before Bluestar lost a life. It was soon after that Dustpaw came running in to camp spouting something about Tigerclaw needing Bluestar on the Shadowclan border. Fireheart couldn't go since he needed to pick up more catmint from Queen. He tried to convey that he and Bluestar couldn't go only for his rowdy apprentice to take it upon herself to let Tigerclaw know. Fireheart couldn't stop her, so he departed quickly to pick up those much-needed herbs. On his way back, tragedy struck. Cinderpaw had been hit on the thunderpath. Fireheart wasted no time bringing Cinderpaw back to camp and only briefly noted Tigerclaw's presence at the scene. Whitecough was fading from the camp, but Fireheart had lost much nonetheless. His apprentice was told she's never become a warrior by both Bluestar and Yellowfang.

Darkstripe finally made an appearance after the Cainderpaw accident. His usual smarmy nature was not present as he seemed to pace and worry like a queen. He soon pulled Fireheart aside after talking with Yellowfang. He seemed calmed down.

"Your apprentice is going to be ok." Darkstripe mewed in a soft voice. It was almost maternal.

"But Yellowfang said she'd never become a warrior."

"Yellowfang doesn't know the cats I know. I've seen blind cats best other cats in their prime. I've seen cats with two legs fight in ways we could never imagine. She could do it, but the question is would she want to?"

"What do you mean?"

"She will never be the same after that injury. It will always define her if she becomes a warrior. She'll have to learn everything from scratch. Alone. You'll never have the skills to teach her how to compensate. You can only assist. She'd have to figure the rest out on her own. No matter what she does, the injury will always hamper her potential, and others will see weakness because of it. I'm not saying she shouldn't try, but I think this is a time she needs to find how she wants to be remembered. I mean look at Deadfoot. He's not known as the deputy of Windclan. He's known as the cat who made it far despite his injury. I think Cinderpaw could be a good medicine cat if she felt she wanted to pursue that. Then she'd be remembered for her abilities instead of her injury. She's a smart cat. I think you should talk to her about this."

As much as Fireheart wanted to disagree, Darkstripe's points were sound. He'd give Cinderpaw her options and support her no matter what path she chose. Cinderpaw did not take the news very well. She wanted to be a regular warrior, but that future had been snuffed out ever since the accident. Darkstripe was right about Cinderpaw. She was a smart cat who considered her options. She settled on trying to be a medicine cat apprentice until she knew if this was the right path for her. Fireheart felt pride in her maturity and resolved himself that he'd always support her no matter what she did. He departed the medicine den a bit lighter than he'd entered. Like Darkstripe had taught him, he would grow stronger after experiencing this tragedy. He'd harness the pain of loss from this experience to temper his decisions in the future.