Branchstalk picked herbs and pushed them into his pelt as be adventures into the woods. He collected herbs like this a lot, so he could get a lot and come back willing to take on anything. Branchstalk had to start traveling into other territories for the rest. Medicine cats had free range of all the territories so it wasn't a scary, dangerous mission. Branchstalk stepped into StoneClan territory and searched around for catmint. It mostly grew here. A part of him hoped he'd see Twistedleg.
He followed the river to the bridge and saw some poking out. Branchstalk snatched it quickly, proud of himself as he crossed back over. The river was calm today. "Hey Branchstalk." A voice called. He turned his head around to Twistedleg and Goldenclaw. "Hey, How are you?" Branchstalk asked, embarrassed that he was covered in herbs. Goldenclaw and Twistedleg beamed in amusement. "We're fine." The medicine cat answered, purring softly. Branchstalk nodded. "That's good. AlderClan is good too and so am I." He replied. "Well, a medicine cat is who uses their pelt to collect herbs is a mighty one." Goldenclaw pointed out. "Haha." Branchstalk replied with a bought of laughter. "I better get going." Branchstalk pointed out." Twistedleg nodded. "Alright, see you soon Branchstalk." He departed. The Gathering was soon. He was most likely talking about that. Branchstalk was going, Multistar told him that. He was pleased at least. Branchstalk wanted to see how the other Clans were doing.
Finally, Branchstalk made his way home. He pushed into camp and than the medicine cat den and shook out is fur. All the herbs fell out. Behind him he heard Lilacpaw burst out laughing. "Now I know how to collect herbs the proper way!" She teased. Branchstalk chuckled, sending some red leaves her way with his paw. Lilacpaw did the same and soon they were having a leaf fight. Lilacpaw surrendered and than laid down. "Why did you storm out last night? Who is not taking you seriously? You can tell me these things I'm your mentor.. and we kinda have to live in the same space as each other." Lilacpaw sighed. "You don't understand. It's easy for you because you've saved lives before Branchstalk. No one takes me seriously because I'm Branchstalk's stupid apprentice." Lilacpaw murmured. "I used to be Silverpaw's stupid brother. My sister was amazing at everything and I was just.. Branchpaw. It's not my sister's fault or the clan's fault for seeing me this way. Because that's how i acted. When I became a medicine cat and took that chance to make me something, I became just Branchpaw. Just Branchstalk. You have to do the same Lilacpaw. Take your chance to make you just Lilacpaw." Branchstalk explained, wrapping his tail around Lilacpaw as he licked her cheek. His apprentice went silent and seemed to understand before standing up. "I need to go." She murmured, before leaving the den. Branchstalk sighed, starting to groom himself instead.
"I stepped on a berry and accidentally licked my paw. Am I going to die?" Cloudtuft asked, showing the medicine cat his paw. "Nope, you're fine. It was a juniper berry." Branchstalk replied. Cloudtuft sighed in relief and Silvermoon snickered. "Death berries are red!" She purred in amusement. "There are other poisonous berries," Cloudtuft shifted his eyes at Silvermoon. "Well, you are a-okay." Branchstalk replied. Cloudtuft left relieved while Silvermoon stayed behind to chat. "I'm sorry that you have to feel like your kits are in constant danger." Branchstalk murmured. "Don't apologize. It's not your fault, it's Blackfeather's." Silvermoon grumbled. Branchstalk licked her ear. "Don't think of him. It only makes things worse." He replied. Silvermoon nodded. "I know, but I just wish my kits could be safe in their own territory." She sighed. Branchstalk pressed close to his sister warmly. "It'll be okay.. now that leaf-fall has started, they probably won't want to go outside because of the dryness and chilliness." He pointed out. "Still.." Silvermoon murmured. He wrapped his tail around his sister. "Why don't you just check on them? I know they're fine but.. it might cool your nerves to know they're okay." Branchatalk murmured softly. She nodded, heading off in the direction of her kits. Branchstalk stared at her as she left and turned around back into the medicine cat den.
"Comfry, goldenrod, horsetail, garlic and lavender heal wounds." Lilacpaw meowed, annoyance lining her voice. "Garlic is for rat bites. Lavender is for hiding the smell of the dead!" Branchstalk corrected. Lilacpaw sighed. "Yeah, Yeah.." She murmured before curling up in her nest. "I'm going to sleep." Lilacpaw grumbled. Branchstalk just shook his head, leaving the den and enjoying the cool night. He wished he knew how to handle Lilacpaw's energy and use it in a positive light. Branchstalk just curled up and enjoyed the night sky while he could.
YOU ARE READING
Firestorm (Book Three; Series One)
Fantasy"The dry season is coming. The Firestorm will start in the heart, and spread out until it's too late. The destructive union will take rein, and destroy us all." Branchstalk must handle the green-leaf rush of new kits and apprentices, whilst also f...
