The next morning proved to be yet another calm day in RainClan territory. Mousepaw had been a little concerned about what Reedstar announced had happened at the gathering, but he felt better after a good night's rest.

And it seemed he wasn't the only one.

"Oh uhm, good morning Angel!" Mousepaw says cheerfully, noticing the cream warrior grooming herself. She stops mid-lick to return the greeting.

"Morning Mousepaw."

"Is your leg feeling better?" He asks, softly walking closer for a better look.

"Mm, not bad." Angel answers.

Upon closer inspection, Mousepaw could see she was right. The gash on her leg had made Mousepaw woozy before, but now it seemed to have scabbed up. The coloration seemed normal too, so it wasn't infected either.

"It is looking a lot better!" The medicine apprentice exclaims, "Well then, if it doesn't hurt then you should be able to go back to normal now- just don't pick at it, and come back if it reopens or hurts."

Angel nods and gets up with a prolonged yawn and stretch. "Thanks again, little buddy." The graceful warrior tells him as she steps out of the cave.

Mousepaw follows her out, unsure where his mentor went. That thought was quickly answered as he saw the tabby sharing a fish with Guppyheart.

Mousepaw started to head over towards them, but was cut off my a ginger and white tabby suddenly dashing out from behind Guppythroat.

"Specklepaw-!" Mousepaw yelps in surprise, "What's wrong?"

His brother straightens up at little and looks to him seriously. "Nothing...Yet."

"Y..yet?" Mousepaw echos, confused.

"Well now it ain't gonna be never." Specklepaw answers decisively.

Mousepaw gives him a lost look. Specklepaw lets out a sigh and says, "Y'know the BreezeClan. They won't kill our medicine cat too."

"Uhm." Mousepaw wasn't sure how to respond to that.

"Ya don't gotta worry about a thing Mousepaw, I'll protect you." Specklepaw says, flexing his claws.

That was. Uh. Mousepaw was thankful for the sudden sharp laugh that came from Petalstripe. "Ha-!" Oh. So apparently she and Guppythroat had heard the entire exchange.

"You'd think the Deputy's apprentice would be a bit faster in the brains compartment." The medicine cat snickers to herself loudly. Guppythroat shoves her with her paw playfully.

Specklepaw's fur raises, likely from both aggression and embarassment. The tall apprentice whips around fiercely to face Petalstripe. "What's that supposed to mean?" He snaps.

Mousepaw tries to reassure himself Specklepaw wasn't about to start a fight with his mentor but you could never be so sure with that hotheaded apprentice.

Petalstripe looks to Specklepaw with a condescending expression. "Well first of all, for someone who's so concerned with protecting our medicine cat-apprentice- you don't seem too concerned about me." She points out.

Specklepaw flattens his ears for a moment. "Oh right," He says sheepishly but then lets out a disgruntled snort, "Whatever, you can handle yourself.." Specklepaw grumbles, "You know he can't."

Petalstripe opens her mouth to say more, but Guppythroat lightly puts a paw on hers. Mousepaw was relieved for that, Guppythroat would know what to say to calm Specklepaw down.

"Specklepaw, its okay. BreezeClan doesn't want to kill our medicine cats, just Gingerleaf." The calico explains.

"You don't know that!" Specklepaw hisses, "They might come after you next-"

Petalstripe interrupts with another laugh. "As if they've already killed him? Please, what kind of leader would let that happen? If she has any sense, we'll probably see her in the next few days."

Specklepaw fumes silently, not wanting to admit they were right. His tail flicks in agitation.

"W..well I think its nice you care so much.." Mousepaw says, trying to comfort him.

"I'll be sure to take you along when HailClan asks for our help," Guppythroat purrs, "You can protect their medicine cat all you want." She adds, nudging her apprentice.

Petalstripe rolls her eyes. "Come on Mousepaw, we've got other work to do than throw this kit a pity party."

Specklepaw shoots her a dirty look.

Mousepaw kneads his paws nervously. "W..well, maybe he could help us- just for today. It might make him feel better, and uhm we could carry more herbs with an extra helper."

"He's got things to do too," Petalstripe says dismissively, "Y'know, warrior things."

"I wouldn't mind coming along," Guppythroat says. Petalstripe pauses to look at her.

"We were about to take a break anyway. Specklepaw caught four fish this morning and that was more than I did." The deputy explains.

Specklepaw perks up a bit from the praise, but only barely.

Petalstripe looks the group over, eyes lingering on Guppythroat. "Mm.. Well I was going to have you check on Swanclaw's kits, the elders, and keep an eye on the camp.."

Mousepaw's ears lower slightly in disappointment. He gives his brother a sympathetic look.

"-But our herbs are pretty low after the flood, and that could wait until after we get back," Petalstripe says with a click of her tongue, "I'll leave it up to you, Mousepaw."

Mousepaw smiles at her, a fuzzy feeling from being trusted to make a decision.

"Uhm, I think I'll..."

Original Poll Options:

14 Votes

1. Gather herbs with everyone. - (85.7%)

2. Stay in camp. - 7.1%

3. Do something else. - 7.2%