A Hard Talk to Have

It had started a couple days after the Asylum cats appeared. Mossbloom's cough returned with a vengeance, each one seeming to leave her more and more weakened. With every day she could see the fur at her muzzle growing more white, and finally one morning she woke up in a coughing fit and knew it was time. She couldn't care for herself, let alone her clan, in this condition. Perhaps, after all these long moons, it was time. First, though.... Once she stopped coughing, she sat up in her nest and groomed herself carefully. This was a talk she was not looking forward to. She had loved training Daisybloom, and the time they spent together sorting herbs in the sunshine made up some of her dearest memories. But it was time. Daisybloom had trained long and hard, and she was ready, even if Mossbloom herself was not. Stepping out of her nest, Mossbloom went to find Daisybloom before escorting her back to the medicine den, hoping that the Asylum cats would respect at least a little privacy. This was hard enough to think about or acknowledge without strange cats listening in. Once Daisybloom was settled and looking at her expectantly, Mossbloom took a deep breath. "Daisybloom.... I think it's time that I should retire. I know that this may be a bit of a shock, and I know that the timing isn't... Ideal, given the current state of the clan, but... I just can't keep up anymore. These sicknesses keep returning, and they only seem to be getting worse. I can't take care of myself in this state, let alone attempt to care for my clan... For you. I've taught you everything I know, Daisybloom, and you've done spectacularly. I know that I'm leaving the medicine den, and ThunderClan, in good paws with you." She mewed, becoming breathless towards the end of her confession. She took a couple heartbeats to relax her shoulders, and the drooped suddenly, her age showing itself as she seemed to falter. "I... I don't know what all this means. I've never... All the others have.... No one else made it to retirement. It almost doesn't seem fair... But I need to do this, for the good of the clan, and for myself. I want to be around to see you training your apprentice, and I'll always be here to help guide you and the others, should you ever want and need it. I will always offer what guidance I can, or be a listening ear if you need it. Please don't ever forget that, Daisybloom." The old calico mewed, raising her green eyes to meet the other she-cat's.

As Mossbloom approached, Daisybloom jumped a little bit. The Asylum cats were always lurking around, and any sudden movement was linked to them initially. Realizing it was just her mentor, she relaxed her shoulders, standing up and following the calico. Sitting down in the medicine den, her blue eyes met the she-cat’s green. Her heart was beating quickly. The molly seemed so solemn, this couldn’t be good news. She gulped, trying to push her doubts and fears back. She listened to the words flowing out of the older cat’s mouth, letting them reach her ears. Once she finished, the tabby truly comprehended what had been said. Her eyes grew a bit watery, sighing as her gaze hit the den’s floor."I-I knew, that this would be coming, and I know it’s probably for the best, but..." She looked up, eyes shining. "I don’t know if I’m ready. To be the only medicine cat, to train an apprentice, especially now."

She took a few deep breaths, letting Mossbloom finish. She nodded, flicking her tail. Even though it hurt, she understood. Her mentor deserved rest. After all these moons, the least Daisybloom could do was try. "Ok. You deserve to rest, and I’ll try to take care of Thunderclan for as long as I can. Thank you. For everything." She smiled, still unsure. But this was her role. It had always been her role to fulfill, and she would do it. She had learned so much from when she had first became a medicine cat apprentice, and although she was still nervous, there wasn’t much she could do about it.

Mossbloom stepped forward as she noticed the tears forming in Daisybloom's eyes, feeling them threatening her own as well. "Daisybloom..." She murmured softly, wrapping her tail around her apprentice as she pressed their sides together and listened to the she-cat. "I don't think anyone is ever totally ready, it is a whole new adventure, and while it's difficult it's also beautiful. I know you'll be fantastic, and I'll always be by your side. You can always come to me, even if it's to help sort herbs, I'll be more than glad to help any time you want or need. I know you'll take good care of our clan, and you'll be great. You always have been." The older medicine cat pressed her head to Daisybloom's shoulder, keeping it there for a few heartbeats as she let a few tears fall. Stars, this was hard.

When Mossbloom finally pulled back, she pressed her nose to Daisybloom's cheek. "I need to go talk to Nettlestar now... I wanted to talk to you first though. Thank you, Daisybloom. You've been the best apprentice an old medicine cat like me could ask for." With a final smile, she stepped away, took a deep breath, and pushed her way out of the medicine den and through the ferns outside the entrance of the den.