Foxgaze's Haunting

Chapter 16

(Cat above is tailess Foxgaze)
"Darkclaw! Rabbitpelt! Agileclaw!"

The three young cats straightened up in pride as their names were yowled by the clan cats. Starkit whimpered to Willowfur "Mama! Why can't I be an apprentice yet?".

The queen sighed "Starkit, you know the rules. You're not old enough to be made an apprentice", she glanced over at Shatteredkit "Why can't you be more like your sister? See how she doesn't ask such silly questions".

Starkit snorted in frustration and stalked away toward the elder's den. Her stubby grey and white tipped tail held high.

A few sunrises had passed since the foxes had attacked camp. The remains of the dead fox had been dragged out and buried hastily to avoid it rotting in the cold, bright sun. Foxgaze leaned against Leafshade as she watched each of the three new warriors touch noses with Dawnstar. The three new warriors would stand vigil while the other cats would go to the Gathering that night. Bloody cobwebs had been wrapped around the stump of her tail and smelled heavily of herbs. Lakeheart purred as the cats began to disperse and head out of camp "Its great to have new warriors in the cl-"

Her mew was broken up by a dry fit of coughing. Leafshade shifted his weight and glanced at Lakeheart's exposed ribs "It's the beginning of leaf-bare Lakeheart, maybe you should take a break".

"I can take care of myself Leafshade" Lakeheart rasped, her throat still raw from coughing "Your main priority right now is Foxgaze. You know how easily her wound can get infected".

Foxgaze leaned away from the medicine cat tom. Her head throbbed but she ignored the discomfort and mewed "I'll be okay Lakeheart. You can rest if you think that is best for you" Foxgaze's voice trailed off as she caught Lakeheart's blue glare.

"I'm no helpless kit Leafshade and Foxgaze thank you very much. I've lived long enough to survive on my own." Lakeheart snapped as she stepped out of the medicine cat den. Foxgaze watched her leave and said to herself defiantly This is why I never could have made a good medicine cat. Dealing with sick, old cats has never been a skill with me.

"You should rest" Leafshade meowed. His clear green eyes seemed to pierce right through Foxgaze's fur "A well-rested cat is better than an exhausted one".

Without saying another word, Foxgaze stumbled over to her nest. She lay down with her head on her paws and watched Leafshade sort the pristine stacks of dried and stored herbs. She noticed how frustration tended to make his nose wrinkle.

"Do you think Lakeheart has greencough?" Foxgaze asked, her tone quiet.

"Yes. I think she has it bad" Leafshade sighed.

Foxgaze edged a little closer to him and wrapped her tail around his "It will be okay".

Leafshade looked up, his gaze was serious but also slightly something Foxgaze has never seen in his eyes before. He sighed and meowed quietly, so nobody would hear but her "Foxgaze, I think I'm in love with you".