Wild Shadows (Book Two; Series One)

Chapter 3

(slight tw: mention of worms, the kind that could be inside your animals)

Branchpaw plucked the marigold off it's stem, dropping it in the pile herbs he was collecting. Spring always tended to be a quick season. Branchpaw collected the final herb, which was bindweed. "Finally," He meowed, accomplishing his duties for today. Branchpaw gathered up his pile of herbs and walked back to camp. There, he would meet up with Badgersight and Pebbleheart.

"I didn't want to become a medicine cat!" Pebbleheart hissed. This happened a lot.. Pebbleheart and Badgersight always bickered and argued. "Well I already have a more devoted and better apprentice than you! Why don't you just ask your precious kin Multistar to change roles!" The old she-cat growled. "Maybe I will! Badger-snap!" Branchpaw was surprised. But, the medicine cat den was crowded.. and with Smallkit coming in here sick every other day.. they needed more room. Maybe this would be good. Branchpaw puffed out his chest, and walked in with the herbs. "Badgersight.. I have the herbs." He murmured. "Thank you Branchpaw.. lay them down there and go.. I need to finish a conversation." The old she-cat growled. Branchpaw nodded, leaving the den. But before he did, he took some herbs. Branchpaw padded into the nursery.

"How's Smallkit?" Branchpaw asked with a small smile. "He's sleeping right now.." Hollyeyes yawned. "Seems like you need some sleep." Branchpaw joked to his mother. She just smiled. "How are your kits Rosefoot?" He asked the nursing queen. "They're very good Branchpaw.. Thank you.." She had three small kits. Two she-kits and one tom. The tom was a white, fluffy one. His ears already had tufts of fur on them. The two she-cats looked like Rosefoot, pale ginger tabbies. But one of them had white paws. That was Sweetkit. The other was Lilackit. Lilackit was the weakest one, but she still was stronger Smallkit.. and Smallkit was almost six moons. "I'm gonna need to wake Smallkit.." Branchpaw murmured. "Go ahead." Hollyeyes yawned, stretching and curling up. "Rosefoot, where are the other kits.." Branchpaw asked, as he gently nudged Smallkit up. The small black and silver kit yawned, looking up at Branchpaw. One of his eyes was smaller than the other. "They went to go get a story from Lilystorm, Smalltail, Redheart, and Greystorm.." The she-cat replied. "Thank you." Branchpaw dipped his head, leading the kit outside and to the side of the den. "Okay.. how are you feeling?" He asked Smallkit. "I don't know. I feel really icky all the time.." Smallkit replied. Branchpaw gave the kit yarrow. "This will taste very yucky.. and what I'll do is very yucky, but I need to see if it's just a tummy-ache alright?" He murmured to the kit. Smallkit nodded, eating the yarrow. A couple moments later, he vomited and complained. Branchpaw looked at it, and was shocked. Worms squirmed inside it.

"Ew! Wormies." Smallkit complained. Branchpaw was stunned. How could these be inside a tiny kit? "Smallkit.. come with me.." He whispered. "Okay!" He purred, following Branchpaw. Branchpaw lead the bouncy kit into the medicine cat den. "Badgersight.." Branchpaw murmured. "Yes?" The elderly medicine cat meowed, shaking her fur. "I have icky worms in me!" Smallkit mewed, looking up at the she-cat. Badgersight widened her eyes. "H-How?" She murmured. "I think he ate a piece of prey with them.." Branchpaw speculated. "When was the last time you ate?" Branchpaw asked. "A couple sunrises ago! The prey tasted really bad, and Hollyeyes told me to toss it!" Smallkit replied. He examined the tom-kit, looking at his ribs which poked out. "But, Hollyeyes said I need to stop suckling, or else I'll never be a warrior!" Smallkit added and Branchpaw prodded around his tiny body. "Let him stay in here for now Badgersight. I'll get him some clean prey." He murmured. "Now we need to worry if the whole Clan has worms!" Badgersight growled, swiping her claws against a stone. "Badgersight.. it's okay.. we can handle it." The apprentice tried to soothe. "Your right.. just.. get the prey." The medicine cat murmured, exhausted.

Branchpaw picked up a mouse. But first, he checked inside it, looking in it's pelt and mouth. It looked fine. He brought it in and dropped it in front of the kit. "Thanks Branchie!" Smallkit purred, eating the mouse. Branchpaw smiled slightly.