Blood and Tears Can Tighten Bonds

With Goldeneye around, Fallowpaw was lost in her own kind of world. She was able to tend to her Clan and fulfill all the futures that she was meant to, but she had no sense of order in the things that she did. Soon, she’d have to continue her training with Mintwhisker, or Mapleleaf. She didn’t want to do that, not even a little. The she-cat wasn’t very aware of her surroundings at the time, laying down in the middle of her den, thinking. The sun was just rising, this setting up another day without her Mentor. She had been having a difficult time sleeping lately, undoubtedly due to the circumstances at paw. With a guttural huff, the Medicine Cat Apprentice lifted her body from the ground and shook the dust and dirt out of her fluffy fur. She’d have to go out on another herb patrol today; something she detested doing considering the threat that Shade posed. She had decidedly never gone out with any apprentices when she had to go on these patrols, only sticking to the best trained and experienced warriors of the Clan. She began padding over to the Leaders den, grimacing as she reached the entrance. She hoped she didn’t wake Jaystar. ”Jaystar?” She mewed, standing directly outside of his den now. ”It’s time to head out now, if you’re ready.” She added softly, glancing toward the rising sun.

The leader was awake when the she-cat entered. Since Goldeneye was gone, the tom had been worried about the young apprentice. The medicine cat loved her and was concerned about her training when she left. As the leader... and his mate... he had the responsibility to look after her. Fallowpaw was a young, talented she-cat but she was still learning. She needed some guidance. Even if the tom wasn't the most suited for that, he had to try to at least protect her and be some she could rely on.

The tall gray tom left the den to meet up with the apprentice. He smiled and greeted her with a gently nudge. "I am. Have you eaten something?" He mewed as he walked with her to the exit of the camp. His work today was to be a bodyguard for Fallowpaw. She was their only medicine cat and Riverclan needed her. He couldn't allow anyone to hurt her.

"No, not yet. I'll eat when we get back." The truth was, she really wasn't hungry. Despite the ample amount of prey RiverClan was able to catch, she had no desire to eat. The only reason she had is that the she-cat knew that she had to if she wanted to properly care for her Clanmates. The notion that RiverClan needed her was a comforting one, but the further realization that if something were to happen to her RiverClan would be without a healer was scary. The pressure was probably too much for such a young cat, but even so, she shook it off for the sake of those she loved. Goldeneye would be proud. She peered through the entrance to her den, eyeing the herb storage. She had just enough Beech Leaves to carry what she'd need to get, and hen a little more. She silently reminded herself to search for more while they were out. Celadine, Chervil, Lavender, Marigold, and Sweet-Sedge were her top priorities for the day. She'd need to restock on Rush too, due to Viperstorm's recent encounter with a WindClanner at the Gorge. With the mental list in mind, she picked up the Beech Leaves and nodded towards the exit. Fallowpaw was scared, and she was sure that Jaystar could tell.

The tom nodded at her answer and he followed quietly. When they reached the exit, Jaystar could sense her fear and insecurity. Who could blame her? It was probably the first time she left the camp without her mentor. She was alone, taking the burden of healing a whole clan. He knew first-hand how that felt.

The tall warrior touched her back with the tip of his feathery tail and offered her a reassuring nudge with his shoulder, as he smiled. "Don't worry... Nothing will happen to you. I'll protect you as you do your job. I'm sure you will do it great." Without thinking about it, he glanced at her in a fatherly way and he placed one paw over hers. It was more of a natural instinct. Since he was young, his mother failed him to show him love and his father died too quick. He didn't have parent models and that was why he tended to not do the same mistakes and act as a father to the younger cats. It was not the first time. He felt something similar when he trained an apprentice.

With purr he put his paw on the ground again and flicked his tail, announcing it was time to go. The leader, as many times before, crossed the stream around the camp in just a few heartbeats and he shook off most of the water by shaking his fur and paws. Thanks to that, his glossy fur was a little more messed but he soon fixed that with a few licks. "So, what are we searching for, Fallowpaw? I once searched for plants for Goldeneye but you will have to guide me anyways. I'm not an expert in herbs as you are." He mewed, complimenting the skills of the young she-cat.

Fallowpaw's paws stopped when she felt Jaystar's tail brushing against her back, and her whole body froze up as he nudged her shoulder, even if it was rather gentle. She managed a stiff nod at his reassuring words and... Relaxed her shoulders, for the first time since Goldeneye had been gone. To say the least, she was a bit startled by Jaystar's next reassuring move. Not because she didn't appreciate it, absolutely not... Because she hadn't expected it. Her eyes fell to his large paw, on top of her noticeably small one. The significance of such a small, likely mindless gesture from the older tom struck her in quite an odd way, but she couldn't say that she found it unpleasant. A good parental figure was something that she'd never had before, but just maybe... Just maybe, she'd found one?

The Medicine Cat Apprentice nodded her head in a show of appreciation for the kind words and warm gesticulations, following after her Leader as he crossed the stream with ease. Her paws moving with their usual grace, she made her way across right after Jaystar. She shook the water from her long fur, sending droplets of water flying in every direction, yet thankfully avoiding Jaystar. She blushed lightly at his complimentary remarks, shaking her head. "I'm not as great as you make it seem." Gently, she put the Beech Leaves down in fon of her paws. "Just to start off with, I need to find some Chervil." She pushed a few Beech Leaves towards Jaystar, knowing that he'd seen them in use before and that they were used to carry herbs. "Look for a large leaf, very similar to what you know to be a fern. The only exception is that it has a white flower in the middle. You'll know it when you see it, I promise." She began padding off in the direction of Sunningrocks, where the leafy plant could usually be found in the nooks between rocks.

The leader nodded at the she-cat instruction. The name sounded in his mind as a long memory and he tried to recall how it looked like and its smell. He made his way to the warm Sunningrocks, a place that always gave him memories, good and bad ones. This place reminded him on his apprentice-hood with Cinderpaw, his first friend and mate. It was also the place he used to relax with Goldeneye whenever they had time. But it was also the place where he saw a warrior die in front of his paws because or a pointless revenge. This was a place of war, where cats from Thunderclan and Riverclan fought to each other for more hunting lands. It was a peaceful spot but also a former battlefield.

Jaystar looked at the other side of the river, where Thunderclan could be seen. The woods were a reminder of a long enemy. He respected Leopardstar despite everything that had happened but his clan wasn't in good terms with him. It was a shame but it couldn't be helped. The leader couldn't give them the Sunningrocks when it was a large point of fishing for them.

Lost in his thoughts, stepped into a green spot next to some rocks surrounded by short reeds. He lowered his head and spotted the white flowers with delight. "Fallowpaw! I think I found something. Can you check if this is what you need?" He mewed with a smile to the small she-cat.

Fallowpaw's small paws lead her to Jaystar's side, examining what he'd found among the rocks. She ducked down to study the small white flowers, lifting her head and nodding when she was satisfied with what she had seen. "That's definitely Chervil. I'll go grab a leaf." She turned back to her pile, grabbing one and heading back to the spot where the herbs could be found. She snapped the small stems with her teeth, careful not to bite too close to the leaf. She had acquired a good bit of it, so she leaned down to pick one more when she heard the sound of a guttural growl slightly behind her. When she turned around, her eyes widened in horror as a large orange and black fox was rushing straight towards her. She yowled as it grasped her thin torso in its powerful jaws, crushing her as it bit down forcibly. "J-J-Jayst-!" She was cut off as it bit down harder, forcing tension on her ribs and nearly cracking them in half. If it held her any longer, it just might.

The Fox used Iron Bite, dealing -30 Damage and using -20 Stamina Points.

Fox:
150/150 HP
350/330 SP

Fallowpaw:
5/35 HP
90/90 SP

The leader watched with horror how the fox showed up of nowhere, biting the small she-cat with its huge jaws. He forgot completely about the herbs and guided mainly by his instinct, he stretched his haunches to leap to the animal's head. The large tom grabbed its neck and he shook it violently, making sure to sink his fangs as deep as he could so it could drop the small medicine cat.

Jaystar used Scruff Shake, dealing 10 damage and costing 25 stamina. Fox is stunned for 2 turns.

Jaystar
120/120 HP
275/300 SP

Fox
80/90 HP
260/280 SP

The member 'Jay Bird' has done the following action : Dices roll

---

'Effect Dice' : 4

Fallowpaw squealed when the fox's fangs slipped from her side, and she was dropped to the ground with a thump. Immediately, blood began to spill from her wounds. She panted, looking down at her wounds in horror. She... She'd have to do something about it, or she'd pass out before she could make it back to camp. Her blue eyes fluttered as she gazed across at her surroundings, spotting some cobwebs on a broken root several tail-lengths away. Careful avoid Jaystar and the tom, she lifted herself up with a grunt and headed towards them, wincing in pain with every movement. Once she had gathered them, she put most of them on one of the Beech Leaves, which she had put beside the root anyway. She put the rest where she was bleeding the heaviest, applying pressure to the wounds. She looked around frantically for other things she might need once Jaystar chased off the awful predator, aiming to help heal him when he was finished.

---

Growling ferociously, the fox tried it's best to avoid the large cat who had snapped at his neck, failing miserably and dropping the tiny she-cat in the process. He yowled, trying to get out of the Leader's iron grip and, once again, failing.

The Fox is Stunned for One turn.

The leader gave one more shake to its neck before jumping away. He wouldn't be stunned for too long and he had to take his shot now. When his paws touched the ground, the tom moved faster toward its belly and he slashed it. The blood covered his grey fur but it didn't matter as long as Fallowpaw could be safe. Jaystar soon backed away after that strike and he closed his jaws firmly. It was the first time he fought a fox on his own, alone yet it had to be done. Riverclan couldn't risk losing Fallowpaw... he wouldn't be able to bare with that pain.

Jaystar used Belly Rake, dealing 20 damage and costing 10 stamina.

Jaystar
120/120 HP
265/300 SP

Fox
60/90 HP
260/280 SP

Again, the large red fox endured the tabby cat's blows, staying stiff despite the fact that his belly had been torn to shreds as a result of his shiny claws. No, this tom would not get out without a price. Just... Just give him a minute or two. He'd get up. No problem there, huh?

The Fox is no longer Stunned.

Noticing how weak the huge animal got in his attack, the agile leader decided to strike one more time. He rushed to the beast and before his jaws could close around his back, he managed to slip under his body again and slash his already torn belly one more time. He knew that the fox was now capable of a strike but he had to keep all its focus on himself so Fallowpaw could recover. "Run and hide, Fallowpaw! I can deal with this fox!" He shouted.

Jaystar used Belly Rake, dealing 20 damage and costing 10 stamina.

Jaystar
120/120 HP
255/300 SP

Fox
40/90 HP
260/280 SP

Fallowpaw merely shook her head as she watched carefully from a few foxlengths away, wishing that she could help Jaystar in some way. She knew, however, that she'd only make things worse for him if she tried, so she stayed back and waited with her cobwebs quietly.

---

The russet creature couldn't take much more, that was for sure. Using all the strength it had, it lifted up a massive forepaw and brought it down upon the blue-grey tom, sending him crashing to the ground. Despite this wonderful opportunity to strike again, the fox turned around and ran in the opposite direction, knowing how dangerous these forest cats were in numbers.

The Fox used Heavy Blow, dealing -25 Damage and using -20 Stamina Points.

Fox:
40/90 HP
240/280 SP

Jaystar:
95/120 HP
255/300 SP

---

As soon as the fox had fled, Fallowpaw was at Jaystar's side immediately. The wounds that she now bore in her pelt stung and her muscles ached already, but getting Jaystar up and the pair of them back to camp was more important to her. The fox had sent him to the ground, leaving him vulnerable to another attack at any given moment, and she didn't have time to waste. She might not be able to do much for him at their given location, but she would most definitely try her best. Using the cobwebs she'd gathered from the roots, she gently pressed them into the claw marks left behind by the foul creature's powerful paws. "That should stop any bleeding until we get back to camp to properly treat the wounds, Jaystar." She offered a light smile as she shifted her shoulder to help him to his paws, not giving him a choice on whether or not they'd continue their search for herbs or not. They were getting back to camp, and now.

Fallowpaw used Minor Heal, giving +3 Health to Jaystar and using -10 Stamina Points.

Jaystar:
98/120 HP
255/300 SP

Fallowpaw:
5/35 HP
80/90 SP

"Ugh, I hate foxes..." He growled when the tom could finally shake off the dizziness of the hit. The animal was far away now and it was pointless to follow him. Before he could even complain about the wound, the small she-cat was by his side making her best to aid him. Thanks to her treatment, the blood soon stopped and it wasn't as painful as it was before. Of course, it was still uncomfortable but he was relatively fine, especially after an attack like that one.

Jaystar smiled at the medicine cat, grateful. "Thank you... Don't worry too much about me. I have received worst battle wounds and I'm sure I can walk just fine but a little slower. You should treat yourself too... But before going back..." The large tom moved slowly, his front paw limping slightly, to the place where they first found the herb that Fallowpaw was looking. He picked up gently so there would be no damage and then returned to the she-cat. "That fox was bad luck but it would be a shame to return without something in our paws... We should come back later. I will be happy to go out with you again." He purred, smiling.