#gillfeather

"Gentle, Mulberry." he chided all the same.

"Yurph my preph." Mulberrykit mumbled around his tail fluff.

"It's rude to use your teeth on other cats." Almondfern said sternly, and his tail was released.

"Sorry." Mulberrykit said, hanging his head.

"Just don't do it again, alright? Your mother and the other medicine cats don't need to see cats with kit bites." Almondfern said, purring to let the kit know he wasn't mad.

Hazelkit's paw slipped and went in his ear at that moment, but he just gently shifted the kit to the side. He could have played with the kits all day, to be honest, and he let them practice their pouncing and battle moves on him, the older kits no longer interested in him since they were so close to being apprentices. Unfortunately, it didn't last. After sun-high, the kits were getting cranky, in need of a nap, and Skypelt called him to patrol with Quietback, Aphidrise, Laurelbright, and Furledseed, the older warrior taking the lead.

They covered themselves in protection and Almondfern wanted to huff, because as much as he liked serving his clan, he had to put on many times more protection than the rest, and it took forever to come out of his fur.

But he followed the patrol all the same, not about to disobey, and they headed out far from camp. Border, at the moment, but they were planning to hunt on the way back. They headed toward the border of the unclaimed lands Foggyclan was up against as well, and Almondfern had to admit, he didn't mind patrolling with two of his sisters. He was rather quite fond of it, actually, even if the last patrol, Tulipscratch had fallen in the river. That had been an accident, after all, and you could never predict an accident.

There was a chill to the air today, but new-leaf, as warped as it was likely to be, was starting to peak through in the weather. Not in the growth, though. The rainfalls had taken care of that.

They patrolled the territory, but they were lucky. Few foxes and badgers settled on their territory, dogs were not common, and it had been some time since threatening rogues had been around. Weedclan still caused their usual trouble, but Foggyclan had always been respectful of them.

They patrolled thoroughly and Almondfern flicked his tail across Laurelbright's shoulder, nudging Furledseed, glad for their company. Furledseed rolled her eyes, but Laurelbright purred, and they continued on their way. They were not traveling all the way to the border, as a patrol to do that would have required setting out earlier in the day, but they were going a good distance toward it.

So far, everything was clear. Nothing of concern, and they would likely find prey on the way back.

As they walked, Almondfern found himself wanting to talk to Quietback, ask the older tom for advice on kits and mates, and if the clan would really be worried if he liked a cat for another clan, if he wanted a mate from another clan... But he wasn't sure how to bring it up. And maybe it was better to discuss with Goldstar.

He shook his head and held his tongue for now, and Quietback ordered them to spread out and scent the area at one point.

They obeyed, staying within yowling distance of each other, and Almondfern found a thick clump of growth worthy of green-leaf, wet with raindrops, obviously from a rainfall that had come and gone not too long ago.

He was about to go around it, not wanting to get his protection wet if he didn't have to, when he heard a faint sound. Stopping, he pricked his ears, and waited. He waited so long that, for a moment, he thought he had imagined it. Then he heard it again.

A pitiful mewling sound, like he had heard kits make when they were hungry or distressed, and his heart lurched.

He plunged into the ferns, searching carefully, and, in a hollow formed from the tangled roots of a bush, he found a kit.

No nest, no scent of another cat, just a tiny, shivering kit with a silvery, white-dappled pelt, its eyes and ears firmly shut. It let out that faint, pitiful sound, so faint Almondfern couldn't believe he had heard it, its tiny body shuddering with each breath.

"QUIETBACK! APHIDRISE! LAURELBRIGHT! FURLEDSEED!" he yowled, sliding into the cramped hollow.

The kit didn't make noise now, but they flailed at his presence, struggling to crawl to the warmth of his body. The others came running and found him, and Almondfern looked up.

"Abandoned. No nest, no scent..." he said quickly, his heart breaking.

"Go. Take it to camp, now!" Quietback ordered, and Almondfern didn't need to be told twice.

He picked up the little scrap of fur, as light as feather, and he ran as fast as he dared with his delicate passenger.

He had only run like this when they had been bringing fire to the Burning Caves, he thought, and he didn't let that slow him. The kit squeaked occasionally in his jaws and he ran and ran, right past Wiggity Wack, who was sitting guard outside the camp. He didn't stop until he reached the medicine cat den, nearly slamming into Jackdawnudge.

He skidded to a halt and placed the kit gently between his paws, his chest heaving.

"Jackdaw- the- kit- need-" he panted, struggling to breathe, struggling to speak.

Jackdawnudge didn't need him to explain, though. He picked up the tiny kit after ordering Lester to find Stoneleaf, and began to vigorously groom the little thing. Almonfern collapsed on the ground, catching his breath, and watched as Jackdawnudge groomed and rubbed the kit for all his was worth. Stoneleaf came into the den, sitting nearby, but she didn't move as Jackdawnudge worked.

Between licks and rubs, it soon became apparent that Jackdawnudge was speaking.

"Come on, you little scrap. Come on." he was saying, occasionally saying something else.

Lester took a turn when Jackdawnudge tired, and it seemed to take an eternity, but the kit was soon warmed up and squealing weakly.

"There you go, little one. There you go. Stoneleaf is goin' to feed you, don't you worry." Lester purred as Almondfern let out a sigh of relief.

He hovered as Stoneleaf settled in one of the empty patient nests, Morbius watching through half-closed eyes; the medicine cat kept her on low doses of poppy in hopes of keeping her calm and still enough for her spine to heal.

Stoneleaf nuzzled the kit to her swollen teats and it took several tries, but the kit soon latched and began to nurse.

"He's very weak." Stoneleaf said softly.

Almondfern swallowed hard.

"I want to keep him." he blurted out, and Jackdawnudge glanced at him.

"Don't go gettin' too attached, Almondfern. He might... He's not outta the woods yet." Lester warned gently.

"I want him." Almondfern repeated stubbornly.

He would nurse this kit back to health, he would protect them... Maybe it was because he and his sisters had been found and taken in by the clan, but he wanted to do what his mother had done for them. And it wasn't fair, for him to die just because he had been abandoned. It wasn't fair.

"Go wash up, and when you're dry, you can help me with him. Maybe come up with a name?" Stoneleaf said kindly, and Almondfern did just that.

He cleaned the protection from his fur and by this time, word of the kit had spread around the camp. Gillfeather came and helped him dry himself off, grooming his pelt just as she had when he had been a kit. When he was dry, he went back to the medicine cat den, finding Stoneleaf curled around the little kit.

She shifted in the roomy nest until there was room for both of them and they curled up with the kit together, Almondfern gently rasping his tongue over the kit. His whole body seemed to shudder with his breathing and when he flipped him over, Almondfern could see his heartbeat jumping through his tiny chest. He snuggled closer, knowing his fur held warmth; his sisters always crawled into his nest on cold nights.

"Do... Do you think he has a chance?" Almondfern asked Stoneleaf fearfully.

"I think he does. Amberleaf was a sickly little kit, and he pulled through. Starclan might not be ready for this little one just yet." Stoneleaf said soothingly.

They lay together, keeping the kit warm, and Almondfern pondered names for a while. Tried a few out and discarded them.

"Mistkit." he said eventually, drawing the kit to his belly.

"That's a lovely name. His fur is a misty gray, too." Stoneleaf said, purring.

Mistkit squeaked and lifted his head, snuffling blindly, and Almondfern nuzzled him gently until the squeaking calmed.

He sent a prayer to Starclan, hoping they would have mercy, hoping they would give him a miracle. Kits didn't deserve to die. He would do everything in his power to make sure Mistkit didn't. He hoped it would be enough, and he hoped Starclan was looking out for them.

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His next few days revolved around the medicine cat den. Stoneleaf had the other kits to look after, of course, but Yellowlily moved into the nursery to keep an eye on them when she came and looked after Mistkit with him. The warriors brought Stoneleaf the best prey, though that wasn't new. She had been nursing kits almost non-stop for moons, and they wanted to make sure she had enough to eat, and enough milk.

Stoneleaf showed him how to care for Mistkit, how to clean him and groom him, and Almondfern found himself wishing he could produce milk. It would be much more convenient, honestly, and he felt bad whenever Mistkit tried to suckle from him. He was a hungry little thing, but he also had trouble suckling for long, Almondfern noticed. He just wasn't strong enough. He licked and rubbed the kit vigorously, stimulating him, keeping him warm and getting his blood flowing, keeping him tucked against his belly with his tail draped over him.

Almondfern knew he shouldn't have gotten attached, should have been cautious... But he fell in love with Mistkit from the first day. He talked to him even though his ears were sealed, telling him about the clan, and about the other kits there were for him to play with once he was strong enough.

Morbius watched from her nest, her eyes always poppy-glazed, but she asked Almondfern questions, and there was always at least one medicine cat present. On the morning of the fifth day after finding Mistkit, Almondfern woke shortly after dawn and shifted, yawning and then turning his attention to Mistkit. He leaned down to lick him and paused, realizing there was no little snuffling breaths, no squeaking, no fidgeting as his tongue rasped over the silky fur.

"Mistkit?" he said, his voice a whisper.

Stoneleaf stirred beside him and Almondfern nuzzled the kit, but he was still and cold.

"Mistkit?" His voice was louder now, thick with fear, and Almondfern didn't want to believe, he didn't...

His yowl pierced the silence of medicine cats' den and Stoneleaf shot up, the medicine cats shooting from their nests, Confetti, who had been sleeping with Morbius, leaping into the air and hissing.

"No, no, no... Please, Starclan, you can't... Grandpa! Grandpa!" Almondfern cried frantically, Jackdawnudge bounding over.

But there was nothing to be done. Mistkit had slipped away in his sleep, too weak, left too long by the time Almondfern had found him. His sobs chased Stoneleaf and Confetti away, and Plumsong tried to say something to him, but Almondfern ignored him. He curled around Mistkit's still body, his own shaking, his muzzle wet with tears.

Skypelt came and tried to take Mistkit from him, but Almondfern smacked his claws across her muzzle. He shocked himself, but Skypelt left, and Almondfern realized with a start that Amberleaf had been sitting nearby for some time.

He stared at Amberleaf for a long moment and Amberleaf stared back, saying nothing, just watching and waiting.

Eventually, Jackdawnudge came and settled down beside the nest.

"Almondfern, I know you loved that little kit. You took good care of him. But you need to let him go." he said gently and Almondfern shook his head.

"Why is Starclan so cruel?" he whispered, staring at his grandfather.

"This wasn't Starclan, Almond. We'll never know the truth, but you found no nest, no scent, and he was only a day or two old when you discovered him. This is the fault of the cat who left him to die. There was nothing you could have done other than what you did. You loved him and cared for him. That was more than he got from the cat who left him." Jackdawnudge said and Almondfern sniffed.

"I don't want to burn him." he croaked.

"You have to. You know that. Better than letting an Unseen get him." Jackdawnudge said.

He leaned forward and pressed his muzzle to Almondfern's cheek.

"Starclan will take care of him. It's just his body now. His spirit isn't there." he said and Almondfern swallowed.

He looked at the tiny, delicate body between his paws and his vision blurred.

"I'll take him." Amberleaf offered from where he was sitting.

"No. No, I... I'll do it." Almondfern whispered, because he had to.

He needed to. And he knew Jackdawnudge was right, and that he had to let him go. He did not have the luxury to sit here and mourn, especially when it was a few-day journey to the Burning Caves.

He forced himself to leave Mistkit's body and Gillfeather helped him coat himself in protection, licking his tear-soaked fur comfortingly.

"I'm so sorry, honey. I'm so sorry." she murmured, nuzzling him.

She offered to go with him, but Almondfern shook his head. In the end, it was Amberleaf who went with him, and Almondfern slid on an herb-sling, Mistkit's body tucked into it. Lester added the herbs that had once been used, and coiled around him comfortingly.

Then they set off slightly together, and Almondfern had never been close to Amberleaf, but he was grateful for the other cat's company. He wasn't sure if he woud have been able to complete the journey on his own.

He had taken his turn as a firewatcher and enjoyed the work, but he had never taken a body himself. He had the sudden terrible thought that one day he would have to do this for Jackdawnudge, for his mother and her siblings, maybe even for his siblings... His chest tightened and he swallowed hard at the thought.

Amberleaf said nothing and did not touch him, just gave him a reassuring nod, and that was better than words. Almondfern was glad he was not alone, and he was glad it was not a member of his family with him. Because he would need their comfort when he got home, and it wouldn't be the same if they were here. And it was only because of Amberleaf that he ate. The younger tom hunted for them both, dropping prey in front of Almondfern, and he ate it because Amberleaf would watch him. He also knew better than to waste prey or his clanmate's efforts.

It took several long, quiet days to get here, and part of Almondfern wanted to ask if this was what it had been like when Amberleaf had helped take Flintfur, but he did not. It was rude and invasive, and if Amberleaf wanted to talk about it, he would have said something.

Almondfern kept the sling close, not wanting to lose Mistkit, and they kept watch for Unseen. They encountered two rainfalls on the journey, but no Unseen, and it was... Peaceful. He didn't know what else to call it. But, eventually, they got to their destination, and Almondfern's heart was twisting.

They were greeted by cats from the other clans- Civetbeak and Quailpaw were here as firewatchers right now, the apprentice having begged to go, but they must have been further in the caves. First, there was confusion about where the body was. Then a sense of sadness spread through the cats; the death of a kit was something all the clans could mourn with a better understanding together.

They were lead into the caves and Almondfern was surprised to see Softflight here, but he did have to admit, he was grateful for her company. He didn't know the rest of these cats well. They were allowed to rest and Almondfern left Mistkit's body wrapped in the sling, trying to delay things, but he couldn't. He had to give Mistkit's body to the fire, and not delay it.

Amberleaf came back with a bundle of flowers in his jaws, daisies that were cheerful and white, and Almondfern thanked him. They all gathered on the edge of the fire pit, the heat incredible, and Almondfern wanted to say something. He really did. But he couldn't think of anything.

"Starclan, take care of him." he said, eventually, a prayer, a demand, an order.

He gently eased Mistkit from the sling and took a deep breath, gently nuzzling the little, cold body.

"I loved you, little kit. I love you. I'm sorry you didn't get a chance to live. But you are loved. You are precious to me." he whispered, tears slipping down his muzzle.

Then he gave Mistkit to the flames, and he and Amberleaf scattered the daisies in after.

Almondfern didn't mean to, but he turned and buried his head in Amberleaf's shoulder, sobbing, and he felt Amberleaf flinch. He backed off immediately, backed away from the scorching heat of the flames and curled up, crying again. Softflight curled up with him, and the others quietly went further into the caves.

Softflight said nothing, just curled against him and groomed his ears gently, comfortingly. Almondfern curled into her and swallowed, mourning again, wishing that Mistkit had a least had a chance. Wishing that he had not been abandoned for whatever reason, or that he had found him sooner or...

Eventually, Softflight and Civetbeak got him up. They took him to the nests where the firewatchers slept, and he curled up, his heart no lighter than before.

Amberleaf settled in the nest nearest him, and, eventually, Almondfern spoke.

"Amber?" he said softly, his voice hoarse.

"Yeah?" Amberleaf said.

"Thank you for coming with me. I couldn't... I don't think I would have made it here without you." he said, swallowing.

"You're welcome." Amberleaf said, and said nothing else.

They would spend the night, and, in the morning, they would head back. Right now, all Almondfern wanted to do was stay in the nest. And when Softflight curled up with him for the night, he pressed close to her, resting his chin on her shoulder, eventually drifting off to sleep.

5/4/2026-5/9/2026

Flowers used:

Daisy- Innocence, often used to represent children and at funerals for them.

Bonus: Mistkit

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Sometimes, it was easy to forget that Amberpaw had died and come back to life, but other times it suddenly just... Hit Flintfur, and he found himself staring at his apprentice.

Like tonight, as Amberpaw, grooming himself before getting ready to be coated in protection, exposing the scar on his throat.

It was still a secret from most of the clan, and definitely something the medicine cats had edged around when they had talked to the others about it. They had no explanation.

The general thought was that Starclan had blessed him- Skypelt was convinced that Starclan had given him another chance- but what Amberpaw had described did not match with the accounts of Starclan any of them had, or Goldstar losing a life. It was very hard to tell, and to Flintfur, he felt it was more ominous than anything.

They already had proof that the monsters on the beach had been the dead queen and kits Plumsong had found, and now Amberpaw had died yet hadn't... Were souls not going to Starclan now?

Not that Flintfur was complaining that Amberpaw was still alive, but the thought that Starclan was so closed off that souls couldn't find their rest did bother him.

If Starclan had given him another chance, despite their silence, Flintfur knew it would have been Ashtalon's doing. His friend had loved Amberpaw more than anything, and if he could have saved him like that, he would have.

Flintfur looked away before Amberpaw caught him staring and they all coated themselves in protection- Well, most of them. Those going to the Gathering, anyway.

Goldstar (of course), Flintfur, Plumsong, Lester, Skypelt, Quietback, Aphidrise, Stoneleaf, Petalcurrent, Buzzardglide, Almondfern, Amberpaw, Tulippaw, and Fogpaw. It was too soon for Yellowpaw and Quailpaw to go, and just in case something happened, Flintfur and Goldstar wanted to wait until their kits had a little more training first.

Lester's litter was meowing from where Yellowlily was curled around them, the queen Foggyclan had sent them gone now that they were weaned, and they were pestering Lester to go, begging her to stay.

She got away, though, and soon they were heading out, walking away from the see, toward the Pool of Five Oaks. Not only was the place where medicine cats met with Starclan, but it was where they held Gatherings, a way to ensure peace, because no cat would dare cause real trouble directly in front of Starclan.

They had to walk the border that divided Foggyclan and Weedclan, sliding to the Foggyclan side because Foggyclan was allies. Weedclan... Well, they had peace now, but that moon-long bout of fighting and border crossing that wasn't quite a war was still fresh in everyone's minds, despite it have been two cycles ago.

They set out earlier than the other clans since they had the furthest to go, and they met the Foggyclan group on the way.

A good collection of cats, coated in protection too, and at the head were Icywind and Snowstar, the sisters, without protection, almost completely identical.

Flintfur had to confess, he understood what had happened that day on the beach with the dead whale and the monsters, but part of him had lost respect for Icywind with that. She had led her clanmates to die and though she hadn't known, it was a risk that had been obvious, and five of her warriors had died.

It had been moons ago now, but Flintfur could not shake the feeling, and he knew he was likely being unfair, but emotions weren't simple.

So he nodded politely and the two groups walked together, talking as they did, and it wasn't too long before the clans arrived at the Gathering place together.

Weedclan and Kinkclan were already present, surrounding the grass-and-moss-covered ground around the large pool, which reflected the moon perfectly.

Each leader sat in one of the great oaks, but not until all the clans had arrived, and in the meantime, the leaders mingled with the other warriors.

Flintfur noticed that Weedclan had forgone their protection, for the most part, and Skypelt curled her lip at that, but there was nothing to be done.

"Peace." he muttered, watching as the apprentices went to find each other.

Amberpaw was reluctantly dragged along with Fogpaw, because Tulippaw would not have insisted on him coming, and Flintfur went to mingle with the other deputies.

Runningstar approached Goldstar before Flintfur got too far and he noticed Hollowclaw was missing, and Runningstar looked apologetic.

Dapplestar joined them and Flintfur dipped his head to Canarywing and Fleetwhisker, of Kinkclan and Weedclan, respectively. Icywind trailed and soon all the clans presen were mingling, waiting for Ferretclan a little impatiently.

Finally, though, they arrived, led by the Curlstar, who greatly dwarfed the shape of his deputy, Webweaver. Upon their arrival, the clans began to settle, though the leaders first met with each other, and so did the deputies and medicine cats.

Plumsong and Lester (it was Lester's first Gathering) were in a group with Tansynose, Cloudrunner, Pinestrike, Birdtail, Redpaw, and Shardpaw, and Webweaver ran up to join the other deputies. Only a little bigger than Yellowpaw and Quailpaw, Flintfur kept thinking she was a young cat, when in truth she was about the same age as Quietback, and he touched noses with her.

Finally, though, things broke up and the deputies and medicine cats went to sit at the bases of the five oaks, the leaders climbing into the branches and settling on the lowest. Luckily, the Pool of Five Oaks was not that large, enabling the leaders to be heard from every nook and cranny of it, the way the land was carrying their voices easily.

Tonight, Curlstar began.

Ferretclan was doing well, despite everythig, it seemed, the leader announcing the birth of two litters and new apprentices, and sometimes all this news surprised Flintfur. He had been born into a larger clan, but he had become so used to Hyacinthclan tht it had become normal to have few kits and apprentices compared to other clans.

They reported an encounter with one of the unseen monsters, but no one had died, holding still and being quiet was definitely the method to deal with them.

Runningstar went next, reporting the death of one of Weedclan's elders to a rainfall, the cat found dead after going for a walk, not wearing protection, found in the territory. He also apologized for the encounter with Hyacinthclan on the border (though he had already done so through Wiggity Wacks) and that was a bold thing for a Gathering, though Flintfur knew neither Weedclan nor Hyacinthclan wanted to have a war this time.

They said prey was running well, and Fintfur wondered if any other clan had fond prey with black running from its eyes, but the medicine cats had reported that the others had not reported anything, and they were a little more free with information.

Snowstar was third, and announced that a warrior had lost their life while dealing with a badger, and that several others had been injured. Flintfur found himself glancing at Amberpaw and wondering if any other cats had experienced the same thing, and it was just being called 'injury' by the leaders.

Now was not the time to ask, however, and after Snowstar went, it was Dapplestar's turn.

Her news was the most disturbing. She reported that one of their warriors, Dashclaw, had died because of an infected wound and they had buried him sooner than was normal, as the warrior had requested it. But a rainfall had come during the burial (very soon after death) and with it had come one of the unseen monsters, and... The monster had dug up the body and consumed it.

There were murmurs of horror throughout the crowd and Dapplestar continued, describing the gray, fog-like time of silence that seemed to have exploded from the body after it had been eaten, just like with the Foggyclan cats on the beach, just like Palethicket.

Unease went through Flintfur at this and he exchanged looks with the cats around him, and he could tell which cats had witnessed this, judging by the looks on their faces.

The horror still prickled through Flintfur, even though this was the third time it had happened, about these cats who were no longer cats consuming the dead and causing these strange, gray silences.

Near him, Lester was shuddering visibly, no doubt remembering Palethicket, and Flintfur could see Plumsong running his tail down the she-cat's flank.

Questions were called out and Dapplestar did her best, but there was really no way for her to truly answer. Right now, most everyone knew about the same as the next cat.

If only Starclan would or could talk to them.

Flintfur glanced at the sacred pool they were all gathered around and looked up at the full moon, thinking of the Beach of Stars. Where were their ancestors? Was something truly cutting them off, or they had they merely abandoned them for some reason they didn't know?

He didn't truly hear everything else Dapplestar said, too wrapped up in his thoughts, and then it was Goldstar's turn to speak.

She said everything they had planned on, proudly announcing their kits becoming apprentices, but she kept quiet about what had happened to Amberpaw, and they had agreed that was for the best. Just to be safe. They didn't want anyone to think that Amberpaw was cursed or a monster, or that Hyacinthclan was as well.

She mentioned the black-eyed prey they had come across as well, but that was it, and soon, the Gathering would break up. Cats had a little more time to mingle, but then the leaders were calling them and the clans divided once more.

They went separately from Foggyclan and Weedclan now, giving them a head start despite the fact they had further to go, though they didn't give them too much of one.

Just enough so they wouldn't bump into each other and mingle, and Flintfur walked beside Goldstar, looking forward to cleaning the protection off his fur and curling up with his mate in their nest.

They were most of the way home when a rainfall came. They scattered, hiding beneath bushes despite the trees around them, and Flintfur blew on his conch; the other clans didn't use them but they knew the signal now.

The sound carried across the land and they waited it out; the rainfall never lasted long. Flintfur pressed himself to Goldstar as much as he could, taking comfort in her, remembering how he had once enjoyed the rain but now there was always fear that it would have that scent that indicated it was more than the usual kind.

Soon enough, it passed and the stars and moon were visible again, and they headed the rest of the way home. They broke through the trees, heading down toward the little cove where they made their camp, but as soon as they were free of the trees and the bare cliffs and hills, Flintfur halted.

Someone ran into him from behind, but he barely noticed, everyone soon stopping and staring.

"What is it?" Tulippaw gasped, staring.

Because far on the cliffs, far, far away from the Beach of Stars and their camp, stood on the Two-leg Stone Tree. It wasn't really a tree, being built of stone and completely branchless, and it was always a thing that stood in the distance, out in the territory no clans had claimed.

Once, when they were new here and looking for a camp, they had gone to look at it, and it had been so strange and abandoned. Nothing they could really find or be bothered with, though if they had managed to get inside that strange stone tree, it would have likely made an excellent camp, particularly in these times.

And yet, now, that skinny black shape in the distance, always unnoticed and unimportant, had a star shining from its top.

9/16/2025-9/29/2025

They helped each other put protection on and with it on, Tumbledaisy's pale coat, so unlike the dark gray and black of the rest of them, matched theirs.

They kept it together as they headed out on their border patrol, heading in the direction of the lighthouse, and their going was a little slow, between Tumbledaisy needing to be guided and Civetbeak's weak leg.

Petalcurrent didn't care, but the landscape that was constantly being changed by the rainfalls wasn't fair to her siblings, especially Tumbledaisy, who had spent so much extra time during her apprenticeship memorizing every part of the territory so she could navigate it on her own through any season.

They headed out, walking for a time, patrolling the border with Weedclan for now, but there was nothing to worry about. The markers were clear but there was no sign of the other clan and no stray scents over their border.

As they walked on, chatting and nudging and batting at each other playfully, Petalcurrent knew that Jackdawnudge would tell them to act their age, especially since Gillfeather had grown kits, but their father wasn't here.

"Tail time!" Buzzardglide abruptly declared at one point, bringing up something from their kithood.

"We're not apprentices anymore." Civetbeak said with a shake of his head.

'Tail time' was something they had been doing since they were kits, and it was merely forming a line and holding onto the tail of the sibling in front of you while, usually, either Petalcurrent or Buzzardglide led the way. With siblings who were partially deaf and blind or could get light-headaches unexpectedly, holding onto each other and guiding each other had just seemed like a natural thing to do. It was how they had helped Tumbledaisy learn the territory, and how sometimes Petalcurrent had been guided with her bad eye.

"So? We hardly all ever get to patrol like this! We can have a little fun. I miss our kithood." Buzzardglide said, looking down at their brother.

Though the youngest of the litter, Buzzardglide was the biggest and tallest of them, and she was not opposed to using that superior size to her advantage. If they had been apprentices or even young warriors, she would have been squishing Civetbeak beneath her right now.

"Don't be such a stick, Civet." Tumbledaisy said, giving him a friendly bump.

Civetbeak looked exasperated, but in the end he joined them, Petalcurrent in the front, Gillfeather holding her tail, Tumbledaisy having Gillfeather's, then Civetbeak, and Buzzardglide brought up the rear, holding onto to Civetbeak's tail to ensure he wouldn't go anywhere.

Petalcurrent mrrowed with laughter and lead the way, enjoying the moment, feeling like a kit again, free and silly. No need to worry about being a serious warrior or the rainfalls or the Unseen right now (though they were staying alert for those), just her and her siblings patrolling together, like they always had.

It was fun and relaxing, checking the borders and patrolling like this, but soon, the fun came to an abrupt end.

"Did you hear that?" Tumbledaisy asked, having obviously let go of Gillfeather's tail.

They all stopped and listened, but Tumbledaisy had always had a keener sense of smell and hearing than the rest of them, and of course Civetbeak couldn't hear anything Tumbledaisy might have.

"What?" Petalcurrent asked, not hearing anything either.

"I thought... A voice." Tumbledaisy said and began to lead them.

They followed after her, trusting her judgement, and then...

"Help... I... Free... HELP!" a voice was crying in the distance, ragged and faint, not clear because of how far away it must have been.

Petalcurrent's fur stood on end.

"Someone needs help!" Buzzardglide said, starting forward.

"What if it's a trap?" Civetbeak asked, catching her tail.

"A trap-? Civet, come on! Who would come all the way out here and trying to lure cats into a trap?" Gillfeather exclaimed, shaking her head.

"I... Let's proceed carefully, alright?" Civetbeak said, wilting a little under their gazes.

"Agreed." Petalcurrent said, and they went in the direction of the cries.

They were ragged and faint, even as they got closer, and it soon became clear it was a cat in need of help. They came to the base of a small cliff, just a few cat-heights above them, with plenty of rocks at the base, and Petalcurrent caught the scent of fear, and not a clan cat's.

Then she spotted the source as another cry went up. A dark golden-brown cat was laying awkwardly at the base of the cliff on a rock, paws churning, her fluffy fur in disarray, and after glancing around quickly, they darted over.

"Hey!" Buzzardglide cried, racing over.

The cat lifted their head, eyes widening, something relaxing in their body when the patrol surrounded them.

"Oh... Oh, thank the ancestors..." the cat croaked, her body trembling.

Her head dropped and Petalcurrent had spent enough time in her father's den to see that she was probably going to pass out, reaching over and gently patting her face.

"Hey. Hey there. We're warriors from Hyacinthclan. Who are you? What happened?" she said, patting insistantly.

The cat's eyes focused on her.

"Hyacinthclan... I found you. I'm... Morbius." she got out, taking a shuddering breath.

"Oh! You're from the St- the lighthouse." Buzzardglide exlcaimed and Morbius nodded.

"Y-Yeah. I came looking for you all, and then there was a rainfall and monsters. I tried to run, and I couldn't see the drop in the dark." Morbius said, paws churning as she tried to get up.

"Don't move." Civebeak said quickly, resting a paw on her as Buzzardglide and Gillfeather began to check the she-cat over.

"Where are you hurt, Morbius?" Petalcurrent asked, licking the other cat's head comfortingly.

"I can't get up." Morbius said, her becoming even stronger now. "My back legs... I can't..."

"It's all right, Morbius. We're going to take you back to our camp. Our father is a medicine cat, he can help you. And we've got three others who can help out, too." Tumbledaisy said reassuringly.

Civetbeak tugged Petalcurrent aside.

"I think her back must be broken. If she can't move her back paws..." he said worriedly and shook his head. "We'll have to be careful moving her."

"So we will. We can't leave her here, and she was obviously coming to us for an important reason." Petalcurrent said, though that took some figuring out.

In the end, since Gillfeather and Petalcurrent were of similar heights, they walked with Morbius carefully slung over their backs, Civetbeak making sure she didn't slip, Buzzardglide leading the way back, Tumbledaisy holding her tail.

Morbius passed out or fell asleep and there was nothing they could do about it, but she came around after a time, at least, and it was rather late when they reached camp. Tumbledaisy had blown the conch in the series of blows that meant they were returning, so the clan wouldn't worry, but there were still warriors to meet them before they got to the camp.

Skypelt, Quietback, and Yellowlily, all looking worried, and they escorted them the rest of the way back to camp, helping the best they could with Morbius, Quietback running ahead to alert the medicine cats.

By the time they got to the den, most of the clan had gathered at the entrances of dens to watch, and Jackdawnudge, Plumsong, Wasp, and Lester were ready for them. They gently got Morbius down and began working by the fading light, and there was nothing to do but wait.

Petalcurrent and her siblings made their report to Goldstar, walked down to the ocean close to the camp to wash the protection off, and then got some fresh-kill, as there was nothing else to do. It was dark by the time Goldstar went into the den with Skypelt and Quietback, and then, eventually, their father emerged, making his way toward them.

"Dad- How is she?" Petalcurrent asked, leaping to her paws.

"Her back is broken. We will do what we can, but there is no telling how it will heal. The best we can do it keep her still and help with the pain and to fight off any infection. The rest is up to her body on how it heals." Jackdawnudge said, settling down with them.

"That's all?" Buzzardglide asked, sounding shocked.

"The back isn't like any other bone. It's harder to treat and harder to heal." Jackdawnudge said and sighed heavily.

There was nothing else he could tell them, though he did check them for injuries, and they lay with him as he ate, sharing tongues with him after.

Petalcurrent hated that there was nothing they could do for Morbius, but if anyone could help her, she knew it was their father and Plumsong. They had both treated her and her littermates when they had come to the clan in such sorry states and their permanent conditions discovered, and they had treated every bad injury that had come to Hyacinthclan.

Only three cats had been unable to be saved in that time (at least the ones who made it to the medicine cats) and for a clan of thirty-seven moons, that was impressive.

Though she was frustrated and wished there was something more that could be done, Petalcurrent knew that Morbius was in good paws.

12/13/2025-12/16/2025