Darksong's Struggle

Chapter 11

The cats returned to camp at sunhigh, and Darkpaw blundered past his littermate's and towards the medicine den. He wanted to get away, but not only that, he wanted to see how Deadfrost was doing. He had to show he was a good medicine cat apprentice, and not just a disabled little tom who couldn't even fall in a stream correctly.

A chill wind blew through his already dampened fur, and he shivered, ducking into the medicine den to avoid the worst of the cold. The den was chilly, but the body warmth of the patients warmed Darkpaw's pelt, gradually drying it. He avoided the herb store so he wouldn't dampen the leaves, and tasted the air to search for Fennelfeather.

He located a tuft of his mentors fur on the entrance to the den, snagged on a sharp rock. He carefully bent down to sniff it; fresh, but it wasn't recent either. He must've gone outside of camp. Guess I'm in charge.

Darkpaw did not want, nor think he would be good at staying here without Fennelfeather, but he guessed he had to. Turning, he padded back into the tunnels and slipped into the patients' den, where the smell of dried blood mingled with the sharp smell of tangy herbs and bitter leaves.

"Hello, Darkpaw." The mew came from Ashleap, who was laying in her nest with her hind leg outstretched so her muscles didn't scrunch up the poultice on her flank. Dry blood was crusted on her fur, around her flank wound, and the leaves were stained slightly crimson, but she didn't seem to be bleeding. Darkpaw sniffed the air, and couldn't scent the bittersweet scent that had been on Deadfrost's leg.

Ashleap was looking at him expectantly. Darkpaw blinked. "Hello."

The warrior looked at him strangely. "Fennelfeather came in here this morning and started fussing over us, specifically Deadfrost, but I couldn't see anything wrong with her. There was this weird smell, though."

"Oh. Yeah." Darkpaw shuffled his paws. "I noticed that this morning, and Fennelfeather checked on her, then sent me off. So I don't really know much about it."

"Did she... look different?" Ashleap questioned.

Darkpaw blinked. "Her leg was swollen and a bit red, and she felt... hotter."

"Oh?" Ashleap blinked. "I couldn't see her from this far, and Fennelfeather doesn't want to risk reopening the wound. He also doesn't want me to disturb Tigerflower... something about her needing to stay asleep."

Darkpaw nodded. "Oh. Okay then."

"I hope Deadfrost is okay." Ashleap mewed. "She has a mate she needs to get back to." Her eyes flashed for a moment. "Did you know that me and Deadfrost share the same kits?"

"What?" Darkpaw blinked.

Ashleap smiled softly. "Badgersplash and Snakesplash. They are my biological kits." Her eyes shadowed. "My mate died the day I gave birth. He got hit by a monster while chasing a finch onto the thunderpath." She looked away, burying her nose in the moss nest. "I was too stressed out, and my milk wouldn't come. So Deadfrost nursed them with her other children, until I recovered."

"Oh." Darkpaw blinked. He had never known that. He supposed Ashleap didn't want to talk about it, but at the same time, there was a sparkle in her eyes as she talked about her kin. "Who... what was your mate like?"

"His name was Splashfeather," Ashleap mused. "He was brave and funny. He's Heatherblaze's sister. He always took care of her, and gave her space when needed. He was the best mate a cat could ask for." Her eyelids closed over her gaze, and she sighed peacefully. "I hope he's alright. I miss him."

Darkpaw opened his mouth to say something, but the warrior was already asleep, snoring quietly. Darkpaw sniffled, the sadness of the tale sinking in.

He jumped as the sound of pawsteps echoed in the cave. Turning, he saw Fennelfeather slip into the den. He carried a bundle of herbs, which Darkpaw didn't bother to try and pick out. He wiped his eyes, removing any trace of vulnerability. Fennelfeather nodded to him before ducking into the herb store and emerging later with empty jaws.