"So you're really leaving tomorrow?"
Batwing looked at Berrypaw anxiously. The tom seemed to have recovered from his whitecough quickly, before it could spiral into the deadly greencough. He nodded. "I can't wait! I'll finally be a full medicine cat." His gaze softened, "And then we can be together." He breathed.
"I can't wait." Batwing rasped his tongue over his head. "You know, it's weird. You're older than me, but you're just now getting your full name."
"I know!" Berrypaw exclaimed, "But it's worth it." He circled around Batwing adoringly. "That reminds me. I have to teach you the basics of medicine."
"Why me?" Batwing frowned.
"You already know a lot about herbs." Berrypaw shrugged. "Alright, let me get some herbs." He rummaged through the herb storage, pulling out a bundle of various herbs. "Get me something for a bellyache." He commanded.
Batwing blinked and began to search through the herbs, before pulling out a piece of chervil. Berrypaw nodded slightly. "Yeah, the roots are good for bellyaches. Find me another herb." He flicked an ear. Batwing frowned.
"How is this going to help me learn?" He grumbled, before pulling out a chickweed plant, desperately gazing at Berrypaw. I hope I'm right...
"That's chickweed. It's good for greencough if we have no catmint." Berrypaw murmured, picking up a juniper leaf covered in berries. "Watermint is also good, too. But juniper is usually the one we have." He gazed at him sympathetically.
"I'll never get this." Batwing sighed.
"Nonsense! Here, I'll show you the herbs we use for wounds."
"I know that already." Batwing waved a paw. "Show me the ones that kill cats!" His eyes gleamed with excitement. The concept of poisonous herbs was something Batwing found interesting. An object often used to heal, killing someone.
"Batwing!" Berrypaw gasped, "Are you sure? I don't like using those. I'm meant to heal, not kill." His gaze darkened. "I don't like killing. Death makes me sad."
"Everyone needs to kill to survive." Batwing protested. Berrypaw hesitated.
"Don't use them on anyone." He warned before pulling out a few berries and seeds. "This is foxglove, holly berries, nightshade, and..." He gulped, "Deathberries. The name says everything." He quickly put them back. "There, you've seen them."
"Woah!" Batwing's eyes gleamed, "They don't look poisonous at all!"
Berrypaw seemed uncomfortable by his excitement so he attempted to calm down. "I don't like thinking about the bad herbs." He confessed. Batwing licked his head comfortingly.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It's natural for warriors to be interested in these things." Berrypaw looked up at him, affection in his eyes. "I'll miss you," He blurted.
"You won't be gone long." Batwing protested, but held him tightly with his forepaws in a hug. "I love you," He murmured gently.
"I love you too." Berrypaw locked eyes with him, love flooding out of both of their optics. Batwing purred happily.
"I can't wait until you become a medicine cat." His eyes glimmered with pride.
"Me too. Maybe I could make you my medicine apprentice." Berrypaw joked.
"Oh, ick! I mean, no thanks." He added as Berrypaw cast him an amused look.
"We'll finally be able to be together." Berrypaw breathed. The thought of them being together made Batwing's heart flutter. My dream might even become a reality, he thought, recalling how he had dreamed so long ago of them having a family together. His fur grew warm.
"I can't wait."
"Me neither."
