Warriors: burning flowers

Chapter Two: Wilting vines

Chapter written by Kodiak's co-author, clippy(the only part that isn't is the nightmare scene)

Oleanderpaw was led to a den by his mentor, Coalpelt, this den was more specifically the medicine cats den, like a cave, carefully and manually dug from a small grass covered plateau, the entrance was a bit tight yet enough for Oleanderpaw and Coalpelt to slip into it.

He was quite timid when entering, his tail slowly swaying almost in between his hind legs, sooner than he thought, a medicine cat, a large black tom with a weird-looking tail pattern, has approached to attend to them, "Aye there," the older tom said with a goofy lopsided grin.

Coalpelt goes straight into the point, "Strawberrymane, Oleanderpaw says something about receiving a weird.. nightmare?" the mentor was unsure, glancing at Oleanderpaw expecting something from the younger apprentice to come, "Yes.. I saw s-so muc-h bl.. ood," Oleanderpaw had a sting of sudden fear when mentioning what he saw.

All the apprentice's words turned into some random mush, making it barely understandable for the medicine cat, "Dark dreams you say?" Strawberrymane repeated what he understood, this must be something important if such a skillful medicine cat seems a bit confused about.

The confusion didn't stretch long on Strawberrymane's face, the tom ends up speaking calmly, "I'll give you some chamomile, it is calming and cooling on the body, heart and mind as well." which earns a slightly happier and comforted Oleanderpaw, "Does it really help!" bluntly the apprentice barked that out.

"Shhh, there's probably sick cats trying to sleep here," Coalpelt scolds, looking a bit embarrassed, bowing his head as an apology to Strawberrymane, "It's fine, really no need to be worried." Strawberrymane chuckles, a bit satisfied with how more cheerful Oleanderpaw seems to get at the mention of getting better.

Oleanderpaw's memory of that hellish and vivid scene seems to be long forgot about, they brighten up, tapping their paws comfortably on the ground as they did a few jumps to showcase their happiness with the suggested herb, and within seconds, Strawberrymane went ahead to go and grab the chamomile from the herb storage; it was a few rocks on top of each other in a horizontal way that made it more like a table, and it was easier to see each herb that way.

Oleanderpaw almost forgot to notice, how scents were flying around right now, a few overwhelming his senses, while other smells being pleasant, Coalpelt didn't seem to have the same affect probably due to how the much older cat adapted to it, "Don't worry little one," Coalpelt coos, the tom's tail flicking around gently, "Your dreams will soon be forgotten and erased." Coalpelt reminds.

Oleanderpaw felt a father-like edge to those words, "Really?" the purple eyed apprentice questions, paws rubbing against each other in a slightly awkward manner, "I'm sure about that," the concern soon escaped from Coalpelt's voice, very clear warmth appearing there instead.

The small conversation and reassurance was cut off when instead of Strawberrymane, Lightingwing was standing there, "Oleanderpaw!!! You finally aren't a little bitty kit!" the shecat yowled out, getting both Coalpelt and Oleanderpaw to jump up in surprise, a herb with small white petals and a wide yellow center trapped and acting like some prey stuck in her mouth.

Oleanderpaw remembers this cat very well, when he was sick as a kit, Lightingwing was always taking care of him, this was a very familiar feeling, despite him not really enjoying the checkups when he was a kit, he feels grateful for how many times this shecat nursed him back to health, "Lightingwing!" Oleanderpaw speaks with the same level of excitement.

Strawberrymane came back with now a more thoughtful look on his face, "Lightingwing," he called which was a bit unsuccessful in getting the shecat to respond back, as she seemed hyperfocused on Oleanderpaw, Strawberrymane just swipes a paw over his muzzle in annoyance.