Double Whammy (Open)

By now, Deernose had discovered that his condition was chronic. Intransferable, but uncurable. It had weakened his immune system, leaving him vulnerable to the breakout of Whitecough and Greencough. Currently, he showed the middle stages of the Whitecough. He was refusing treatment, saying things along the lines of, "So and so needs it more than me." The brown tom had stayed away from his Clanmates, only speaking with those who were also ill.

Needless to say, he had alienated himself. No one exactly knew who he was anymore; maybe just as the tallest cat in Windclan, the tallest dwarf. When was the last time someone had greeted him, just to converse? He felt like an old man. "It's far past time to join the elders," he often found himself thinking. But no, he assured himself that he had many more seasons available to him.

In reality, he doesn't. If he didn't accept any medicine, the two illnesses within him would bring the tom down. Right now, sleep was egging him on, even as he was sitting, watching, waiting to volunteer for a patrol. He shook his head, and noticed a cat approaching him. Scanning their face, body language, he attempted to calculate their purpose, and whether it was safe for them to be near the sick warrior.

CloudPatches coughed as he carried a few leaves of catmint. Spotting DeerNose he stumbled towards him. "DeerNose. Have you been given herbs yet? I can't remember who I gave them to or anything. My mind feels like it's full of bees." He coughed heavily turning his head away.

Deeming it realatively safe, Deernose relaxed, letting himself cough quietly. At the medicine cat's question, he lied. "Of course. It just hasn't kicked in yet, I suppose." As if to prove the last sentence, he wheezed to breathe. "Not having much luck with yourself, are you?" the older tom added, noticing how vicious the other's coughs were.

CloudPatches nodded and looked around. Heh not really. I always thought Medicine Cats never got sick I guess I was wrong. I just hope leaf-bare ends soon I'm tired of looking at snow." He chuckled a bit before coughing again.

"True, although I'm not completely sure if you were more likely to get sick because you were around the patients, or not because you were the medicine cat, after all." Deernose mused, shivering slightly. He wrapped his tail against his black paws, attempting to defend himself against the biting cold. "How long do you think this dreadful weather will last? Surely not another half moon!" The brown tom crouched, folding his legs under his chest.

CloudPatches smiled and nodded. "I think it may last a bit longer then a half moon. That's counting the melting time of the ice." Sighing he curled up tucking his paws under his body. Licking his long fur he felt happy to be furry.