The Path to Recovery [Closed]

With the sun high above her in the sky, Tinypaw laid just outside of the Medicine Cat den and stared off into the distance sightlessly. After the recent gathering, she had been given an ear-full from both her mother and Mintpaw about the severity of her injuries. Though she had tried to wave off the two worried she-cats the bleeding wounds on her side hadn't done much to help her case and now she was confined to camp until further notice. It wasn't the worst thing in the world she supposed, what with her newest best friend to pass the time with.

Ever since the dog attack Shrikekit had constantly been at Tinypaw's side, chatting her up and playing games (and the occasional prank) with her. When she was feeling particularly positive she would even tell Shrikekit stories about the territory and the special places she liked to go when she wanted to watch the sun set or to be alone. Along with that she also had Brokenpaw and Drizzlepaw, one or the other always bringing her fresh-kill or sharing tounges with her when they were in camp. Tinypaw honestly had nothing she could complain about really, but despite it her paws itched with the need to climb. Now, with a perfect day going to waste, Tinypaw finally decided to pester Mintpaw. Sitting up, Tinypaw called out to Mintpaw, hoping that she was still only sorting herbs like she had been when Tinypaw had escaped the den for fresh air. Though she had been laying there the whole time she had spent most of it spaced out. "Mintpaw?"

Mintpaw had been relaxing just inside the newly-built Medicine Cat den, her murky green eyes half-closed, when Tinypaw sat up. Immediately the taupe tabby was on her paws, trotting towards the young apprentice with her ears perked. "I suppose it's time to c-change those bandages, hmm?" She mewed, already peeling the layers of cobwebs off of Tinypaw's wounds. "Remember; the less y-you move, the sooner you'll be able to get back on your paws. That fox really did a n-number on you." The apprentice talked as she worked, chewing various herbs and making different poultices. "W-warrior apprentices. Always scampering off towards danger when they should be practicing their hunting skills. I'm surprised I haven't gotten s-sick with worry yet." The young tabby stepped back with a small snort, putting the last finishing touches on Tinypaw's bandages. "What w-was it that you wanted to ask me, T-Tinypaw?"

Tinypaw was excited when Mintpaw came padding out of the den but huffed, sighing when the medicine cat mentioned her bandages. Shifting so Mintpaw could easily get to her wounds, Tinypaw chuckled when the taupe she-cat started on a rant. With the time she had spent in Mintpaw's den after the dog attack, Tinypaw barely even noticed the stutter anymore and found the ranting of the other she-cat quite endearing and cute. As Mintpaw finished Tinypaw sat back up, giving Mintpaw the sweetest smile she could muster. "Can I go outside of camp today? Just for a walk? I'm sooooooo bored." Tinypaw widened her eyes and tried to look as innocent as Drizzlepaw usually did even as her tail lashed energetically behind her.

"Hmm..." Mintpaw stepped back and looked the apprentice up and down as if appraising the young she-cat. "L-let me think, T-Tinypaw... no." The taupe she-cat huffed and turned towards her herbs, sorting through them and picking out a few. "A-and don't even think of sneaking out. You're c-confined to camp until your wounds heal, n-no matter how long it takes." The apprentice's tail flicked as she came across a bundle of moldy herbs. "F-find a way to amuse yourself- perhaps you c-could crack the elder's fleas or s-something." Her tone grew lighter to show that she was joking, although she had been quite insistent about Tinypaw staying in camp. "T-this is the m-most crucial part of your recovery, T-Tinypaw." She mewed after a short pause. "If you re-injure yourself, y-you might never fully h-heal."

Shrikekit was laying in his own nest when this commotion went down. He was too big for the nursery but he hadn't earned his name yet so he was stuck here for now until Rippedstar felt it was convenient to give him his full name. The tom perked up at the mention of wanting to go outside of the den from Tinypaw. "She wouldn't let me leave when I was sick either so that isn't anything new." The tom said bluntly.

Tinypaw deflated as Mintpaw rejected her as quickly as Tinypaw would usually reject Tawnyfur's training sessions, the usually quiet and timid she-cat giving Tiny far more sass and mirth than usual. Scrunching her nose at Mintpaw's mocking suggestion, Tinypaw flopped herself down onto her good side with a sigh. As Mintpaw went on to say she could never recover, Tinypaw huffed a sigh again as she sat up, any budding thoughts of sneaking out gone. She might be lazy but she didn't want to be crippled."Fine fine. No exploring for me."

As Shrikekit exited the Medicine Cat den and approached Tinypaw the fiery-pelted she-cat perked up. "Oh yay! My little buddy!" Tinypaw giggled at her pet name for Shrikekit, not caring now (just as she hadn't when she had given him the name) that he was larger than her. "Mean, Lovable ole Mintpaw here just confined me to camp yet again. Want to play a game?" She had grown to enjoy leaving her laziness behind to play with the (only barely) younger tom. Especially since she was not allowed in the trees or out of camp, the she-cat's laziness as of late had turned into restlessness.

Brokenpaw came back into the camp after being out on a hunting patrol with a large group of warriors and apprentices. They couldn't be too careful these days with the possibility of other dogs being nearby, but the clan still needed to eat. So there were fewer patrols with larger amounts of cats for safety, and to grab more food at one time.

When he walked through the camp with his kills, he noticed Tinypaw laying outside the Medicine Cat den. He knew she was still healing and was probably just there to be checked out, but a slight worry went through him that maybe she was there because something was wrong. He was still ashamed for not being in the camp or protected Tiny from the attack by the dogs, so the guilt of possible further complications of her injury plagued him.

Once he had deposited one of his kills, he took his caught bird and wandered over to the Medicine Cat den. Overhearing part of the conversation on his way over, once he got closer he said seriously, "I should think you wouldn't be exploring Tinypaw, you're in no condition to do anything but heal." In his regular tone he continued, "Hello Mintpaw, sorry you have the task of keeping this ward safe from herself. It's truly a daunting task in itself." He turned back to Tinypaw and offered a smile, "Hey Tiny." Acknowledging Tiny's new friend he said, "Hi Shrikekit," and jokingly added, "Please tell me you're here to help Mintpaw and I tie up Tiny so that she can't do any damage to herself." Brokenpaw laughed a little. It felt good to be able to release some of his burdens by joking with Tinypaw.

Mintpaw faked a disgruntled expression when Shrikekit spoke, but her murky green eyes glittered. "Y-young cats t-these days." She grunted jokingly, frowning. "A-always complaining a-about everything." The taupe she-cat tipped Shrikekit a quick wink and flashed a smile, her long whiskers twitching. The short-legged she-cat turned just in time to see Brokenpaw trot forward. "She certainly d-doesn't make m-my job any easier," She mewed, whiskers twitching once more. "She's a r-reckless Warrior Apprentice through a-and through."