"Good morning, Mountainstar." A friendly voice filled Mountainstar's head and she slowly opened her eyes to see Nettleheart standing in the entrance to her den. Mountainstar let out a heavy yawn as she blinked the sleep out of her eyes.
"Good morning." She purred, feeling happy that Nettleheart's face was the first she saw in the morning.
"It's nearly sunhigh so I wanted to make sure that everything was okay." Nettleheart explained.
"Yeah," Mountainstar sat up, stretching out her limbs as she did so. "I was up late last night with my kits. I haven't got to spend much time with them since they became apprentices." She recalled the night before fondly as she had listened to Wrenpaw, Finchpaw and Sparrowpaw talk about how much they were loving their new lives and telling stories of their training. Mountainstar felt so happy knowing that her kits were thriving in their new home.
"That's adorable." Nettleheart purred. "Well the sunhigh patrol is about to leave, would you like to join me for the hunting patrol?"
"Sure." Mountainstar nodded. "It's been a while since I've been hunting. I feel so busy being a Clan leader and yet I feel like I don't do much at all at the same time."
"You're doing more than you know." Nettleheart mewed, stepping further into the dimly lit den. "You keep us all united, without you none of us would even be here."
Mountainstar felt her heart get warm at Nettleheart's words. "Thank you, and I sure am happy to have everyone here."
"Let's get something to eat before we go out hunting ourselves." Nettleheart suggested and Mountainstar agreed, feeling her stomach growl at them mention of prey. Mountainstar followed her deputy out into the Clan, jumping down from her den and into the main camp.
She took a look around her camp and noticed that several cats were missing, including the apprentices. Mountainstar assumed that they were on patrol or training. She had to admit she missed spending time with her kits, but she also knew that they were out there living their best lives. They loved being warrior apprentices and Mountainstar loved watching them grow. Even their physical bodies had changed so much. They no longer looked like fluffy kits, they were getting bigger and their pelts were becoming more sleek and their bodies becoming more defined with muscle. Mountainstar felt pride everytime she saw them and was counting down the days when she could make them warriors, though she knew Petalpaw and Mossypaw would be earning their warrior names earlier as they were about two moons older.
However, Mountainstar was equally excited to make the two of them warriors as well, they would be the first warriors to be named in MountainClan and she was incredibly excited. Without thinking much more about it, Mountainstar followed Nettleheart as the two she-cats made their way to the fresh-kill pile. Even though the weather was getting colder, the MountainClan fresh-kill pile was still well stocked. They kept their prey tucked neatly into a crevice in the mountain wall where it was protected from the elements.
Mountainstar grabbed a mouse and Nettleheart grabbed a shrew and the two of them sat near the fresh-kill pile to enjoy their breakfast. "So who else is joining us for this patrol?" She questioned her deputy.
"Gingersky, Poppysong, Flintfoot and Sorrelfern." Nettleheart replied after swallowing a bite of her prey. "It's kind of a big patrol, but I want to make sure that we have enough prey for leaf-bare."
"You're sounding like a natural born Clan cat." Mountainstar purred with amusement.
Nettleheart chuckled. "Well I did this when I was a rouge too. I wandered a lot but during the cold seasons I would find one den to stay in until the weather got warmer and kept a stash of prey as much I could to avoid going out during the cold. I'm sure you know how rough the leaf-bares where we used to live."
Mountainstar nodded in agreement, leaf-bares had been especially harsh in the mountains where she came from. She recalled the first leaf-bare after her mother died, Tumbleweed had forced her to stay in the den almost the entire season where it was warm while he did his best to keep her entertained.
Mountainstar felt a sense of grief as she remembred both of her parents. She missed Tumbleweed dearly and ever since she learned the truth of StarClan she felt a sense of guilt, she had spent so long thinking her mother was insane. I'm sorry I didn't believe you...
"You okay?" Nettleheart's voice pulled her back from her thoughts.
"Yeah, sorry." Mountainstar shook her head, clearing away the guilty thoughts. "Just day dreaming." Nettleheart still looked concerned but she seemed to accept Mountainstar's answer for now.
"Well once we finish here let's head out." Both Nettleheart and Mountainstar finished their prey and discarded the remains. "Let's meet up with the others." Most of the other cats in the patrol with the exception of Poppysong who joined after talking to Fireclaw.
"Are we ready?" Nettleheart questioned and the rest of the cats nodded. Mountainstar followed alongside her Clanmates. Even though Mountainstar was the leader, Nettleheart was in charge of the patrol. She would never try and undermine her deputy, plus Nettleheart was a natural.
They ventured into the forest and Mountainstar breathed in the fresh-air. She loved her new territory, even if they had only lived here a few short moons it already felt like home to her. "Flintfoot and Poppysong, why don't you two go hunting towards the back of the territory where we came from. Gingersky and Sorrelfern, you two go hunting near the MoonClan border and Mountainstar and I will hunt near the LichenClan border."
Mountainstar noted with interest that Nettleheart kept Flintfoot away from the borders. After Timberstar let Mountainstar know that some of her warriors had been hunting over the LichenClan border, she had addressed her Clanmates and some of them came out including Flintfoot, Fireclaw, Antwhisker and Yewtail.
Mountainstar explained to them that they needed to respect borders more and that they were no longer living alone. She also explained that both LichenClan and MoonClan were allies, not enemies. Mountainstar knew that the Clans could fight, but she intended to keep the peace between her and the other Clans. The last thing she wanted was violence.
Once the group of cats split up, Mountainstar looked at Nettleheart. "Still keeping Flintfoot and the others away from the borders?"
Nettleheart nodded. "At least while hunting." She explained. "I told them they weren't in trouble but that they needed to respect the borders. I caught Antwhisker almost doing it again, I know it's hard for them but they've had time to learn. We can't allow them to get away with this much longer."
"I agree." Mountainstar nodded. "And if it happens again let me know and I will take action."
"Will do." Their conversation came to a close and the two of them ventured out into the forest nearing the LichenClan border. Mountainstar caught the scent of a squirrel and she veered away from Nettleheart as she began to track the prey. She lowered her body to the ground, and moved silently through the brush.
Eventually she spotted the small animal hiding seeds in the ground. Preparing your own stash for leaf-bare. Unfortunately, it won't matter. Mountainstar got into position and prepared to pounce. She crept forward slowly until she was close enough and pounced. Her claws connected with the squirrel and she killed it cleanly.
"Great catch." Nettleheart called, Mountainstar looked over her shoulder and purred at the praise.
"Thank you." Mountainstar waved her tail happily.
"Now it's my turn." Nettleheart flicked her ears and Mountainstar watched as her deputy dropped into a crouch and began tracking her prey. Mountainstar followed silently, and she couldn't help but admire the way that Nettleheart hunted.
She moved confidently, her lean muscles rippling under her pelt with each movement. When she was crouched and hunting the limp in her leg wasn't even noticeable. Her sharp amber eyes were intensely focused and each pawstep was silent and careful. Nettleheart approached her prey, which was a plump mouse, and in the blink of an eye she leapt forward killing the prey.
"Very nice." Mountainstar purred.
"Thanks." Nettleheart held her head proudly. "Let's keep going." She mewed after burying her catch and the two of them continued. They continued their hunt and right as Mountainstar was about to catch another squirrel, she heard a shrill cry of pain. The squirrel vanished into the forest and Mountainstar shot up in alarm.
"Did you hear that?" Nettleheart mewed in a panic, jumping into view. "It sounded like Sorrelfern."
"Let's go find her." The two of them broke into a sprint towards the MoonClan border where Sorrrelfern and Gingersky had been sent to hunt. The two of them ran as fast as they could through the trees, Nettleheart was falling slightly behind Mountainstar due to her limp but Mountainstar couldn't stop for her.
Fear was deep in her heart for her Clanmate and her heart pounded heavily in her chest. As they grew closer to the MoonClan border, the tangy scent of blood filled Mountainstar's nose and she grew even more terrified.
"Gingersky! Sorrelfern!" Mountainstar called out for her Clanmates.
"Over here!" The cry came from Gingersky. "By the river!"
Mountainstar saw the river bank through the trees and she skidded to a stop when she saw the two she-cats. The river border with MoonClan had a steep bank covered in a layer of pebbles. Gingersky was laying over Sorrelfern whose expression was twisted with pain and her breathing was heavy and frantic. Mountainstar could see blood staining her pelt as well as Gingersky's.
"What happened?" Nettleheart mewed as she approached and both her and Mountainstar carefully jumped down to the river bank. As Mountainstar got closer she could see a large wound going down Sorrelfern's foreleg. It was bleeding steadily, covering her entire leg in blood.
"W-we where hunting." Gingersky spoke, her voice trembling. "And suddenly Sorrelfern slipped, I thought she would be fine since it's not that big of a fall but there was some strange object on the stones that cut her." She motioned with her head towards the object.
Mountainstar turned towards the object, she saw something shiny and jagged laying on the stones, there was one end that was incredibly sharp and now covered in Sorrelfern's blood. "It's probably twoleg rubbish, sometimes they throw it into rivers." She turned back to the injured she-cat. "But we need to focus on getting Sorrelfern back to Mothflower."
"Can you stand?" Nettleheart mewed to Sorrelfern.
"I-I don't think so." Sorrelfern whimpered, her injured leg shaking violently as she tried to walk.
"What's going on?" Mountainstar looked over her shoulder as Flintfoot and Poppysong ran up, panting. "We heard someone cry." His eyes widened as his gaze was directed towards Sorrelfern.
"We need to get her back to camp." Mountainstar spoke. "Immediately." She took a deep breath to gather her thoughts. "Poppysong, run back to camp and tell Mothflower she needs to prepare for an injury. Flintfoot, get down here and help us carry Sorrelfern back to camp. She can't walk." Poppysong turned around and vanished into the trees while Flintfloot leapt down into the river bank. Flintfoot was the largest among them along with Gingersky so the two of them stood side by side as Mountainstar and Nettleheart heaved Sorrelfern carefully onto their shoulders before transferring her to Gingersky and Flintfoot.
"Nettlheart," Mountainstar turned to her deputy. "I need you discard the piece of twoleg rubbish that hurt her. Bury it deep, don't put it back in the river for it to harm another cat."
"Understood." Nettleheart nodded and picked the bloody piece of rubbish carefully in her teeth before hopping off to go bury it.
"Let's go." Mountainstar led her Clanmates back towards their camp, they had to take it slowly which made her nervous. She constantly looked over her shoulder at Sorrelfern, her eyes were closed and her face tightening with pain. Her injured foreleg was covered in blood and the wound was deep, it wasn't bleeding heavily but it was still bleeding. Mountainstar quietly thanked Gingersky for keeping pressure on it.
After a grueling journey back to camp they finally reached it. The climb of the slope was difficult on Gingersky and Flintfoot but they made it. The rest of MountainClan was instantly on alert and rushing to see what was going on.
"Please stay back." Mountainstar raised her voice to keep her Clanmates at bay. "Sorrelfern was injured and we need to get her to Mothflower."
The medicine cat den which rested just below the ledge in front of Mountainstar's den seemed farther away than it ever had been, but they finally reached it. Mountainstar stepped into the den along with the others and found a very panicked looking Mothflower. Her eyes were wide and her body was shaking. Come on, Mothflower. Mountainstar thought pitifully. Sorrelfern needs you.
"Please put her in this nest." Mothflower mewed, her voice trembling slightly and motioned towards a nest. Mountainstar also noticed Poppysong in the back of the den staying out of the way.
Flintfoot and Gingersky gently put the injured warrior in the nest, Sorrelfern letting out a quiet hiss of pain once her body hit the nest. Mothflower rushed to her side with bundles of cobweb that she used to cover Sorrelfern's wound. Mountainstar could see Mothflower's paws trembling.
"You three should leave." Mountainstar spoke to the warriors in the den. "Mothflower needs space to work, I will update you all soon thank you for your help. If you don't mind please go collect the prey we collected and left behind."
"I can do that, Mountainstar." Poppysong mewed.
"I'll help." Gingersky added and the three of them left, but Flintfoot left without another word. He looked scared and Mountainstar didn't blame him.
"Did you need any help?" Mountainstar asked calmly, trying to help her medicine cat relax.
"I-I-" Mothflower looked around, almost as if she was lost. "Marigold. I need marigold." Mountainstar remembered what marigold looked like from when Owlpaw had used it on both Wrenpaw and Nettleheart. She located the golden flower from Mothflower's disorganized and chaotic herb store and brought it to the medicine cat.
Mothflower peeled away the bloody cobweb and tossed it to the side before chewing the marigold into a poultice and applying it to Sorrelfern's wound. Sorrelfern winced and squeaked in pain but she didn't argue. It seemed as if Mothflower was more relaxed, but her entire body was still tense and fear was written all over her face. Mountainstar couldn't help but think that Owlpaw never looked like this. This is her first major injury. She can do this.
Just to be certain, Mountainstar stayed by her side while Mothflower worked. Her paws were crusted with blood and herbs, but Sorrelfern's wound was covered in herbs and once again in a thick layer of cobweb. She let out a sigh. "The bleeding is stopped and it's all wrapped up. Let me get you some poppy seeds for the pain."
"Thank you, Mothflower." Sorrelfern's voice was raw and dry from the amount of pain she had been in.
"Did you need anything else?" Mountainstar questioned.
"No, I think I'm okay from here." Mothflower shook her head slowly. "Thank you for your help, Mountainstar."
"Of course." Mountainstar dipped her head. "Let me know if you need anything else." Mountainstar turned out of the den to a very anxious Clan, they were all visibly worried about their Clanmate.
"Is Sorrelfern okay?" Turnipclaw questioned first.
"I believe she will be. Mothflower got her all wrapped up and treated. She just needs time to rest and heal."
"What happened?" Hazelspring asked.
"There was a piece of twoleg rubbish on the river bank that cut her. Nettleheart is currently getting rid of it."
"Do you think there's anymore?" Mossypaw asked from beside Fireclaw. "I don't wanna get hurt like that." She looked scared.
"I don't think so, but to be certain I will have Nettleheart send out some patrols to check our riverbanks for anything else. I will also tell Mothflower to inform the other medicine cats at the next half-moon so they can check their rivers as well."
Her words seemed to calm her Clanmates, but they all seemed a bit shaken up. They started talking among themselves and Mountainstar spotted Nettleheart standing by the camp entrance. Mountainstar swiftly padded over to her deputy. "Did you get rid of it?"
Nettleheart nodded. "Yes I did. I buried it deep and also wrapped it in oak leaves so it shouldn't be a threat anymore."
"Good." Mountainstar let out an exhausted sigh. "This is the first scary thing our Clan has encountered, I'm glad that Sorrelfern should be okay."
"Me too." Nettleheart mewed. "You did a wonderful job at calming the Clan down. Usually an injury like this would mean death for the former rogue and longers, and for the kittypets they don't have their twolegs to heal them. This is very scary to them, but they will all grow stronger from this. Sorrelfern included."
"I sure hope so." Mountainstar looked towards the medicine cat den, shrouded by the ledge. One of her main concerns, however, was not Sorrelfern. It was Mothflower. Mothflower had seemed so scared, but Mountainstar tried to give the young medicine cat the benefit of the doubt of it being her first serious injury. She had treated thorns in paws or wrenched claws but even when treating those she had seemed so scared. I know Mothflower has the potential to be an incredible medicine cat. She just needs to believe in her as the rest of us do.