#maplefern

Today was the day of his Border Trial, and he really thought it’d be uneventful. Maybe he’d happen upon some other cats at the border who he could rightfully tell to watch their backs as he proudly made it known that he was a proud member of SeedClan. But this... this was not what he expected.

“You... You’re the CherryClan Healer...” Softpaw whispered in disbelief.

The black and white she-cat hissed, her fur bristling fearfully. Her tail tucked protectively over a bright-eyed young kit, while another hid under her belly. Just when he thought he saw them all, a third gray kit peeked out from behind.

Softpaw didn’t know what to say. There was a CherryClan cat in their territory. It was the Healer from CherryClan. She had three kits.

“Healers can’t have kits and... wait what re you doing out here? And these kits they... they don’t look newly born...”

“Because they’re not,” she quickly hissed back.

Softpaw’s ears fell back. “Your name is... Sorry I’m still an apprentice so um...”

The black she-cat remained rather stiff, bright yellow eyes warily fixed on the SeedClan tom. “...Maplefern. And I’m no Healer, nor CherryClan cat. I’m simply a rogue now, and me and my kits will promptly leave your territory. So please, I-”

Before she could finish, the black she-cat winced. The blue-eyed kitten quickly scrambled away from Maplefern, turning back to look at his mother with wide and concerned eyes.

“Mama, does it still hurt?” he softly asked.

“You said we have to stay out until you’re all healed,” the gray tom kit spoke up as well, nudging his mother worriedly.

The smell of blood suddenly hit Softpaw’s nose. His silver eyes widened, noticing the small drip of blood coming from underneath Maplefern’s flank.

She’s injured...

The kits were young, but not unable to walk. Softpaw guessed they were two moons old or so. These were rival clan cats but... if what Maplefern said was true, then she had no one to help her, nor her kits. If she died... then her kits would surely die too.

Softpaw felt a twinge of guilt. Goldeniris said they couldn’t trust cats from outside the clan, but the code also stated they were to never harm kits, and that Healers were peaceful and kind cats, not to be injured either.

The apprentice sighed, flicking his long tail. “Come on, you need more help. Fallendapple has had good luck with herbs this season and can help you.” He stepped forward, picking up the gray tom kit by the scruff. “And your kits.”

“Put me down!” the gray kit cried, squirming in Softpaw’s mouth. “Mama! I don’t want to leave Mama!”

Maplefern’s ears fell back, lips curling as she readied to hiss and strike the apprentice, but stopped. As she looked down at her two remaining kits, her fur would lie flat.

“...Fine. Do know I can tend to my own wounds though. Me and my kits will be gone once I am healed.” She picked up the brown tom kit underneath her, nodding for the last kit to follow.

The dark tabby tom kit paused, looking warily at Softpaw before ducking behind his mother. He stayed close to her, Softpaw following suit as he carried the timid gray kit back with them.

The SeedClan leader paused, before nodding, flicking her tail as she left the healer to her task. Fallendapple would feel the fur on her back lie flat, sighing with relief. She didn't need eyes prying over her shoulder.

"Hollowkit, can you please come with me. Fallendapple needs to work," Softpaw pleaded, voice almost whining as he only had Bluekit listening to him. "You too, Slatekit."

"I want to stay with Mama," Hollowkit whimpered, snuggling close to Maplefern.

"Me too!" Slatekit crawled atop Maplefern's back, trying to tuck himself back into the crook of her belly and next to his littermate.

Fallendapple hissed. "Don't do that! Can't you see I'm trying to work here." She sighed with exasperation, looking to Softpaw expectantly. The apprentice could only stare at her, as if asking if she couldn't see his futile attempts.

"Those herbs are cool! What are those?" Bluekit asked eagerly.

----------

Goldeniris watched from the other side of camp, tail twitching angrily. She growled under her breath, shoving a red feather over to the pale colored tom next to her.

"Thanks for the bedding," Quillbeak muttered under his breath. "Does this mean you're not going to pass Softpaw?" he asked, side eyeing his clanmate.

"I wouldn't, but Kestrelstar would have some words for me if I did," she hissed. "I understand avoiding unnecessary conflict, but this will only make more of a mess. Sheltering a code-breaking healer and her three kits? CherryClan kits no less!" Goldeniris kept her voice low, unable to understand why her leader would waste valuable resources like this. Whisperstar was out for blood, and she'd surely create problems for SeedClan if she learned they took in Maplefern!

Quillbeak paused a moment, before looking back towards Fallendapple. He watched the spotted brown she-cat work diligently, even as one of those kits clung onto their mother. For a moment his eyes darkened, and his matted tail would flick in annoyance.

"Avoiding unnecessary conflict? If you ask me, I don't think we create enough conflict. Kestrelstar puts up with too much." He slowly lifted himself to his paws, gaze fixed upon the brown and white kit across the camp.

Hollowkit gave his mother a gentle nuzzle. A chill ran up his spine though, causing his fur to rise. He looked around, still fearful of this new camp - before he locked eyes on the pale tom who stared at him from what felt like so far away for such a little one.

The dark brown tabby caught the speckled brown she-cat’s attention. As she padded over, she’d cast a quick look at the ginger tom beside him.

“Lakeburn,” Fallendapple greeted, dipping her head to the brown tom. “Fireleopard. Moonbumble.” Both cats dipped their heads as well, though Fallendapple was quick to notice they were one short amongst their little group here.

“Moonbumble, where is Maplefern tonight?”

The black and white she-cat had a rather glassy expression, not even acknowledging the SeedClan Healer. Lakeburn gave her a small nudge, causing the she-cat to straighten up as her ears pricked to attention.

“Oh umm-umm-umm... She won’t be joining us this evening.” Moonbumble’s voice was quick, if not a bit curt. It was evident enough to the group that pressing further just begged for the soft spoken she-cat to get anxious. Fallendapple would instead dip her head respectfully, taking the she-cat’s words as they were.

Lakeburn offered a smile to the group, waving his tail as if to escape the subject. Alas Fallendapple could see though that his smile never quite reached his eyes. “I see everyone looks quite healthy. We should be grateful the flow of prey has been kind to us.”

It’s Newleaf, Lakeburn. Of course prey is plentiful!

Fallendapple thought said remark, but would never say that. In fact most of her remarks went unsaid because Fireleopard was always willing to say such things. It came as a shock to the brown she-cat when there was not a peep out of the ginger tom. Instead he sighed tiredly, leaning forward as he found it difficult to sit up straight.

“Indeed. I think we best enjoy it while it lasts,” he mumbled in a raspy tone.

Moonbumble remained quiet, only lifting her eyes up as Chivestar’s gray tail was raised to the moonlight.

Cats were settling into their chosen spots, and the leaders had all taken their place at the front. As the murmurings became hushed and quiet, the gathering would officially begin.

This time, it was Chivestar’s turn to go first. The SorrelClan leader padded forward, placing a fresh sprig of green leaves at his paws. “SorrelClan has little to speak about I’m afraid. A pretty boring past moon,” he chuckled, eyeing the cats as if they may just chuckle, but alas no one dared even purr. Chivestar cleared his throat. “Well, this evening I brought Basil. With it I bring good wishes to the others, and good wishes for my clan these next few moons. Bumblepaw has completed his Hunting Trial. He caught a sizable black bird that fed us all well. We especially needed it after the heavy rain.”

Fallendapple noticed Lakeburn’s pelt prickle as Chivestar spoke. His fluffy brown tail twitched slightly, and yet his facial expression itself remained calm, if not happy looking. The she-cat glanced back up at the leaders, blue eyes traveling to the large tom that was Ryestar. The CoyoteClan leader had a rather sorrowful expression, stepping forward as he placed down an ominous pale blue flower that every cat knew. The silence of the gathered cats was chilling, and those of CoyoteClan lowered their heads with somber gazes.

“I have brought the Forget-Me-Not. With great sorrow I must announce that our deputy, Barleytail, has passed on to join our ancestors.”

Fallendapple whipped her head around to look at Lakeburn, who had lowered his head, but his expression was just neutral. It was hard to tell what the medicine cat was thinking, and even his tail had been tucked closely to his side, as if he knew he may have given himself away just mere moments before.

“Our camp’s trenches struggled with the heavy rain. We faced a terrible flood and Barleytail... she bravely saved her apprentice, Rainpaw.” Ryestar attempted to speak clearly, though his elderly voice choked as he tried to take a steady breath. “Rainpaw had been injured during his border trial after a monster caused grave injury to his leg. Barleytail made sure he made it out safe. She always put her clan first, and was the image of a true CoyoteClan warrior. We will never forget her.”

Sympathetic expression crossed many of the gathered cats. Chivestar had flattened his ears, realizing his comment about the rain hit a sore spot for CoyoteClan. Kestrelstar would dip her head in respect, while Whisperstar paused before dipping her head as well. Ryestar’s eyes held little anger, merely sadness as he nodded back to his fellow leaders.

“Plummoon has been made CoyoteClan’s new deputy. StarClan spoke to Lakeburn that very evening, where the was just almost full. Against the starry sky, our ancestors spoke to Lakeburn, giving us guidance when we needed it. I believe Plummoon will be an excellent deputy for CoyoteClan.”

Plummoon...

Fallendapple was surprised. The tom was rather... ordinary, all things considered. He was known for being careful, passive, and not being much of a presence all things considered. He often faded into the background, and never would anyone have expected him to be the right fit for a position as important as deputy.

“Odd choice...”

“It’s as StarClan wills.”

Fallendapple’s pelt grew hot, realizing she had spoken aloud. She slowly turned to meet Lakeburn’s calm expression. Despite no anger being evident on his face, his eyes were deep blue pools of hollowness. It was almost scarier than Lakeburn actually being aggressive towards her.

“It’s an odd choice, Lakeburn,” Fireleopard spoke up.

Both medicine cats turned to look at the smaller ginger tom, who sighed. “But everything is odd now, isn’t it? Please remember Fallendapple is young, and have some understanding.”

“... Yes, Fireleopard.” Lakeburn would dip his head in acknowledgement to the older medicine cat. respect glimmering in his gaze as his dark blue gaze looked away from Fallendapple’s.

“And Fallendapple, do remember we aren’t exactly working with much. You have a lot to learn, and you should mind your tongue.” Rather than being a stern scolding, Fireleopard’s voice was low. Fallendapple couldn’t deny he was right. After all, it was either Plummoon or Aphidsun, and the young ginger she-cat was a very new warrior. Many might say StarClan wasn’t even needed to make this choice.

Ryestar would finally step back, giving Whisperstar her turn. The small white she-cat would place down a purple flower with long, curled petals, raising her head high. “For this gathering I have brought an Iris. The iris means many things - things that CherryClan needs right now. Faith, wisdom, valor...” The older she-cat sighs as she continues. “Apricotfeather has announced she is expecting kits. We look forward to new additions to our clan.”

Murmurs of congratulations traveled through the gathered cats. Fallendapple tilted her head to get a better look at the gray tabby she-cat, her belly beginning to get plump. Sitting at her side was a silver tabby tom, who grinned sheepishly as other cats came up to him to wish congratulations.

They must be mates then.

“Umm-umm-umm-umm...” Moonbumble stuttered.

Fireleopard’s ears curled back slightly at the sound. Lakeburn would whisk his tail over the she-cat’s back, rubbing it gently to assure her. Fallendapple had come to know Moonbumble well enough, her fellow medicine cat Maplefern having done well to educate her on the white and black she-cat’s tics. Eventually though, Moonbumble stopped, dipping her head as she acknowledged the blessing that were new kits, especially in these times.

Whisperstar would continue. “We are patrolling our borders carefully. Do not think we have forgotten about Bushclaw’s murder. Whoever it was will see justice.” The white she-cat stepped back with a pointed gaze, before turning to Kestrelstar with a content expression.

Finally, the dark gray tabby took her place, dipping her head to Whisperstar before setting her rather bushy purple plant down. “This evening I’ve brought Thyme, a plant representing courage and strength. This moon I have focused on keeping my clan unified. Just as we take care of ourselves, I believe we also need to take care of each other.” Kestrelstar eyed Whisperstar, who glared back at her with a narrowed gaze.

“For instance,” Kestrelstar spoke. “Whisperstar, not too long ago, my patrol encountered what we believe is a loner lurking on your territory. He smelled distinctly of CherryClan, as if he was part of your clan, and yet I’m fairly certain he is not one of your cats.”

Whisperstar’s eyes widened, blinking incredulously. “Impossible! There’s no way some loner could go undetected.”

“I promise you, it’s true,” Kestrelstar spoke firmly. “He was a pale ginger tom, with dark her markings. He had an odd name. Churro.”

“Umm-umm...”

Whisperstar would scoff. “Well... we’ll keep our eyes out then. If this is your attempt at looking out for one another, then so be it, Kestrelstar. If this does prove to be true, then you will have my gratitude.”

Fallendapple had heard a bit about the strange loner Kestrelstar’s patrol had encountered. Howlpaw had babbled about it to her while Goldeniris insisted they too should check their own borders more. Outsiders weren’t uncommon, but cats were wary of them after The Great Division. Who willingly wanted to throw themselves into the broken up fragments that were their once single territory. Fallendapple loved her clan, but she couldn’t imagine outsiders finding clanlife appealing in its current state.

Kestrelstar would continue. “Softpaw has completed his Hunting Trial, bringing him one step closer on his path to becoming a warrior. We also have a new apprentice - Howlpaw. It is my honor to be training him myself.”

“Howlpaw! Howlpaw! Howlpaw!” the gathering cheered.

The fluffy gray apprentice straightened up with a sheepish smile.

“Ryestar, I truly am sorry for your loss. Know that if you need extra herbs, Fallendapple can provide some to your clan.” Kestrelstar flicked her tail towards the speckled brown she-cat, eyes turning to her.

Fallendapple would tense for a moment before nodding. “Of course, Kestrelstar.” In truth, she had mixed feelings herself on her current herb supply, nevermind handing it over to another clan. Fallendapple glanced away, catching a familiar gaze across the clearing. Quillbeak nodded to her, understanding in his wary gaze, before the two cats turned to look back to the gathered leaders.

Ryestar would simply dip his head graciously to Kestrelstar. With nothing left to share though, the gathering was commenced. Havenbramble padded over to Apricotfeather, congratulating her personally on the little bundles that would be coming. Fallendapple would watch as Lakeburn went to congratulate her as well, and she’d debate following him herself.

“Do you know how many you’ll be having yet?” Havenbramble asked cheerfully.

“Um, I believe Moonbumble thinks it’ll be a larger litter,” Apricotfeather replied, lowering head with a hit of embarrassment.

Moonbumble had padded over with Lakeburn, nodding as she offered a soft smile to Havenbramble. “She’s already showing and there’s still much time before she’ll actually have her kits. It’ll be umm-umm-umm great life for CherryClan, as Whisperstar said.”

“I’m sure you’re very proud, Tadpolefern,” Lakeburn spoke up, nodding to the silver tom sitting beside Apricotfeather during the gathering.

“Hm?” Tadpolefern blinked, perking up with a slight tilt of his head. “Well yeah, Apricotfeather is going to do great! I’ll make sure to bring her everything she needs, and those kits are going to be strong warriors! Oh, or maybe one will even become a medicine cat. We could use one, right Moonbumble?”

“Umm-umm-umm-!” Moonbumble’s ears fell as she shook her head. “I mean umm-umm-umm yes quite!” She smiled with a soft giggle, scrunching her shoulders up as she rolled her head.

Fallendapple wasn’t one to mingle with the other clans too much. It still felt... odd. Then again she had never known a world where they didn’t live world’s apart. Her instinct was to find Quillbeak, walking alongside him as they returned back to the safety of SeedClan’s camp. As the medicine cat turned to try and find her clanmate, a raspy voice would stop her.

“Do you have a moment, Fallendapple?”

Fallendapple tensed. Seeing Fireleopard, the she-cat lashed her tail slightly with narrowed eyes. “What is it?”

“I wanted to apologize for my behavior last gathering.”

Huh? Fireleopard apologizing? Was she dreaming? This ragged tom never apologized. This kind of tune shocked Fallendapple, the she-cat having to pause as if Fireleopard might pull one over on her. But... he didn’t. Instead the ginger tom apologetically dipped his head.

“I’m a grown tom. I shouldn’t have been acting like a sniveling kit. The Healer Code states we shouldn’t fight under the stars, and for that I’m sorry - to you and your clan.”

“I...” Fallendapple blinked, her fur beginning to lie flat. “...Thank you, Fireleopard. That... That’s kind of you, really.” A genuine smile passed on to Fallendapple’s face, the she-cat whisking her fluffy tail around to cover her paws. “You were right earlier as well though... about me having much to learn.”

A light chuckle escaped the SorrelClan tom, before he coughed. Clearing his throat, Fireleopard sighed and nodded. “As you were, Fallendapple. Do take care of yourself this next moon.”

“And you as well,” Fallendapple called after. She’d watch as Fireleopard sauntered towards a brown and white she-cat, who touched noses with him before following alongside him with the other SorrelClan cats.

“There you are.”

“Eep!” Fallendapple whipped around, tired of these cats spooking her. Maybe she was the problem - too easy to scare.

Quillbeak eyed her, tilting his head. “You should know my paw steps by now, especially with our training.” His tail tip twitched. “What did that old pile of burrs have to say to you?” he asked, lip slightly curled as he watched the other clan cats leave.

Fallendapple would frown, glancing down at her paws. “Nothing really. He actually um... and you might find this kinda funny but uh... he apologized to me. For what happened at the last gathering.” She looked up hopefully at Quillbeak, chuckling to herself as if she also found it a bit funny.

“Oh please,” Quillbeak scoffed, waving his tail dismissively. “They probably heard Kestrelstar volunteer us herbs and now want to stay in our good graces. You shouldn’t be so naive, Fallendapple. You know we can’t spare herbs for CoyoteClan, much less SorrelClan.”

She thought of their brief moment of eye contact, agreement on their current supply. What Quillbeak said was true but... was that really why Fireleopard apologized? Was she naive to think he actually meant it...