"Jayflight, I'm going to try and find catmint, keep watch and tell Honeydew if Frogleap's, Juniperpelt's, or Sunpaw's conditions get worse," Minnowsplash, ShadowClan's grumpy medicine cat, explained. "And PAY ATTENTION TO THEM," he added, narrowing his eyes.
"Got it," she replied as the young tom exited the den briskly. Honeydew had taught Jayflight the basics of medicine so she could help whenever either cat needed it. She didn't mind the work, but why couldn't she just go on patrol with Sleekstep instead of listening to Minnowsplash grumble all day!?
"Oh, Sleekstep, you are the only thing keeping me sane here," Jayflight thought dreamily. Recently Jayflight had been around the medicine den a lot more, because Frogleap's whitecough had turned into greencough, and Sunpaw had caught it from him. Juniperpelt's greencough persisted after over a quarter moon of tormenting her. Marshtail and Birdsong had caught whitecough, and it was due to turn into greencough any day.
Jayflight tried to spend as much free time as possible with Sleekstep, but not too much, because she worried some observant cats might suspect things. For once, Jayflight didn't want anybody like Mothwings in her life.
The one cat she knew was already suspicious was Bayoustar, the strict leader of ShadowClan. Everything about Bayoustar frightened her, from his piercing hawk-like gaze to his thick, billowy pelt. Jayflight had once told Sleekstep that it would make more sense if he was named 'Scarystar.' Deep down, she knew Bayoustar only had his clan's best interest at heart, but only his clan. Certainly not her or Honeydew.
Jayflight refocused when two slimy coughs escaped from Frogleap. She remained sitting, glancing around the cavern she stood in, listening to Honeydew sort herbs, checking back on the ill cats every so often, when Minnowsplash returned, empty-pawed. Jayflight opened her mouth to say something, but Honeydew beat her to it.
"Can't find any catmint growths?" She asked.
"Well, obviously, why else would I come in here without any herbs…" He mumbled in reply.
"Should we ask some other clan for catmint?" Jayflight piped in.
"That's a terrible-" Minnowsplash started.
"VERY GOOD IDEA," Honeydew cut in, stressing the syllables so Minnowsplash would get her point. "Minnowsplash, thoughts?"
"Only if I don't have to be the one asking," he said.
"Ugh, fine," she said, rolling her eyes. "Jayflight, follow me." They exited the den, then headed out of camp together. After a bit of walking in silence, Jayflight began to wonder which clan they were going to, hoping for RiverClan.
"Which clan are we going to ask?" She said, silently hoping for RiverClan.
"ThunderClan," Honeydew replied. Jayflight hid her disappointment, then realized it was a better idea than heading to RiverClan or WindClan, because ThunderClan's proximity to twolegplace would give them an almost guaranteed supply of catmint.
They approached the Thunderpath, checked for monsters, then dashed across.
Before Jayflight knew it, the pair had come within sight of the ThunderClan camp, surprised no cat had seen them yet. Just outside the gorse tunnel that led into the camp, a ThunderClan was standing guard. The large cat noticed them and called out.
"Hey! Stop!" He got up and trotted forward.
"What is your business this close to ThunderClan camp?" He said deeply. Jayflight shivered. The muscular tom was a head taller than her, and his striking amber eyes seemed to cut into her.
"We request an audience with Robinstar. ShadowClan's catmint supply is empty, and a few of our cats are sick," Honeydew spoke, remaining calm.
"You do not smell of ShadowClan," he replied, a low growl rising in his throat.
"I am one of RiverClan's medicine cats, and we were asked to stay at their camp for the duration of leaf-bare to help ShadowClan through their rough season," Honeydew continued. The large tom thought for a few moments, then huffed quietly.
"Alright. Follow me and don't cause trouble," he said, then turned and headed off towards the gorse tunnel. Jayflight was nervous. This was the first time she had been to the ThunderClan camp.
The three cats entered, and Jayflight started quickly glancing around. This wasNOTHING like the RiverClan camp. Dens were made from branches instead of reeds, there was no trickling river, sand covered the ground, and rocks and moss were far more frequent.
"I am so happy I don't live in ThunderClan! How do they even tolerate this camp!?" She thought, wide-eyed. The cats of ThunderClan were sharing tongues but had been interrupted by the trio. Jayflight was given several hard stares before the white tom reached a jutting rock with a moss-covered den underneath.
"This must be the leader's den," she thought. The white tom cleared his throat.
"Robinstar, cats from RiverClan wish to speak to you," he said. There was a bit of noise from inside the den, then Robinstar emerged.
She was slim but tall, like Sleekstep. Her fur was a warm brown except for a reddish-orange chest and a darker brown for her legs and tail. Her gaze was steady, and she did not radiate hostility, unlike Bayoustar.
"Hello, Honeydew. What is the reason for your entry?" She spoke. Her voice was deep and cool and did not show any signs of confusion or fear.
"Jayflight and I have been summoned to ShadowClan to help them through leaf-bare, and we are in urgent need of catmint. It would be very appreciated if your medicine cat would spare some," she replied in the same demeanor. Robinstar looked hesitant, then spoke again.
"I will check with Dawnsky. If she agrees, I agree." Robinstar then turned and headed towards a rock tunnel. Honeydew, Jayflight, and the white tom waited there quietly until eventually the leader returned.
"We have plenty of catmint. ThunderClan would not hesitate to help ShadowClan," she said. Honeydew breathed a sigh of relief, then trotted to where Robinstar had gone. She came back out with several catmint leaves and motioned for Jayflight to follow.
"Snowfall, please escort Honeydew and Jayflight to the Thunderpath," Robinstar said to the white tom. He nodded, and soon the trio exited the camp. Jayflight became bored again, and before she knew it, she was back at ShadowClan camp.
"Thank you, Jayflight. You're done for today," Honeydew said once they had entered. Jayflight silently celebrated, then entered the warrior's den. She found the dark grey cat, resting, then crouched to his level.
"Sleekstep, wanna go on patrol?" She said, bristling with excitement.
"Well, of course!" He said, rising quickly. They left the den together, smiling.
...
Bayoustar observed from his favorite clan-watching spot as the same pair emerged from the warrior's den, yet THE FIFTH TIME IN TWO SUNRISES. When would they ever get tired of each other!?
Sleekstep had never been more active, and Jayflight had never been more suspicious. Every time those two were together, they were happier. He knew what love at first sight felt like, remembering how he was with Firelight, his mate.
Bayoustar had been putting it off as 'just friends' for far too long now. He knew. He knew everything about them.
And he knew they were in love.