The Return Voyage (closed)

Cold snow crunched underpaw as Sablestrike set a leisure pace for the two on their way back to camp, the herbs that they had traveled for slung around their necks and secured with leaves. He had originally lamented having to take this trip to secure herbs as his absence would mean one less warrior providing for Shadowclan, but he had gotten over that quickly. Even with the few others that weren't sick Sablestrike wouldn't have fully trusted any of them to be a suitable escort for Heatherberry, but beyond that the tom was glad to have time with the medicine cat to himself. Both of their hectic schedules hadn't allowed for any meetings, and while he had remained in an anxious silence both to Riverclan and back, Sablestrike wouldn't let it stay that way.

"It's er, been a while, hasn't it?" His determination to speak was cut down. How was it that he could speak so easily and freely with every other member of his clan, but when it came to this one medicine cat his brain seemed to fall apart? Did Lighttail's accusation actually have weight to it, or was this just her getting into his head? The tom let out a sigh, breathing in deeply the rank scent of ragweed. The shock of such a potent scent sent the tom into a minor coughing fit. Recovering with a shake of his head Sablestrike spoke. "Stars this stuff stinks. I don't know how you can handle being surrounded by such pungent herbs." In a way that was something else to admi- What are you thinking? Another good shake of his head to clear out those thoughts. Sablestrike turned to stare at Heatherberry, unconsciously smiling as he did. Even if she made every hair on his body stand at attention, her company was greatly appreciated. Loved, even.

The medicine cat was more excited about this chance to be together than she was nervous now that they were done with RiverClan and heading home. Though she couldn't help but feel her chilled ears heat up whenever she brushed her whiskers against his when she had draped the Ragweed around his neck. As miserably nerve-wracking as it was to meet with RiverClan, Heatherberry found the company of ShadowClan's Deputy to add warmth to their journey home and calm the strangling anxiety within her stomach. Anyone could have come with her, but she was grateful that it had been him. Hardly a night went by that they even had a chance to do more than nod as they passed each other. With everything going on... It wasn't all that unusual to barely speak a word after their last few meetings. Even though she did want to speak with him so badly, Heatherberry just couldn't find the words to start a conversation.

She watched the tom shift a uneasily beside her, feeling as though he may be the first to break their silence. And to her relief he was. "It really has been, huh? I've missed--" Her soft voice was cut off as the tom shook his head and with it came the pungent fumes and a curse of how rank these ones in particular were. It drew a hearty laugh from her, one they made her head tilt upwards and her paws stumble in a bit. "I hope you don't find me as repulsive. Though, you do get used to the bitter and sour smells herbs when you're forced to handle them all the time." She noted his smile and locked it away in her thoughts. "Besides being assaulted by scent, how has everything been?"

"No, no of course not." The tom waved his tail dismissively. The mere thought of seeing Heatherberry as repulsive almost drew a laugh from the tom. How outlandish. "You're like a flower compared to these things, much more pleasant to be around." Stars there was so much more he wanted to add to that thought, but the conversation was quickly changing to another topic. Probably for the best, he didn't want to slip up and say something that he shouldn't.

"It's been quite interesting, to say the least, but very tiring. I've been doing my best to keep Shadowclan fed, thank the stars I'm not doing it alone." There were few warriors that had been untouched by the sickness as he was, but without their help these past moons Shadowclan would have been in a far worse position than what they were. "I've had a few interesting run-ins, actually. That Sootstorm fellow that became deputy, I met him before the gathering while out gathering poppy seeds. I can't say much about him, but from what I've seen he seems like a fine warrior. I know we're not on the best of terms with Windclan, but he gives me hope that we could find ourselves in a peaceful relationship." Perhaps that wasn't the best conversation topic given Heatherberry's past with them. Noticing way too late Sablestrike hastily switched topics.

"I also found myself on the other side of the lake somehow. Chased a rabbit all through the lakes just to meet Skyclan's deputy, and she's sort of magnificent." There had always been a tiny fear that the giant molly would dismount her branch and lay into him for poaching prey on her territory, but she had been surprisingly level-headed about the whole thing, short as their meeting was. "I think when we return to the forest I may look towards getting to know my fellow deputies more. They don't seem as bad as I once thought they were, but that's enough of that. How have you been doing?" Sablestrike had noticed she too hadn't been spared by Starclan. He fought the urge to apologize for not checking up on her until now, but she did seem to be handling herself better than the others.

A bashful smile came from Heatherberry as being compared to flower. She did appreciate that the tom could just say whatever came to mind so easily, whether purposeful or not. She nodded, fully engaged in the conversation about how his days had been faring. Just about as well as she had expected with this ongoing plague, but she was glad he was not one of the ones to be so thoroughly effected; she herself held on for dear life, the bundle of herbs she had taken via Burdockroot's experiments the only thing keeping her standing.

Her ears perked at the mention of Sootstorm, WindClan's newest deputy. While she had every opportunity to speak with him during gatherings, she somehow felt she wasn't allowed to. It was nice to hear that someone else had the opportunity to scope out the newest edition. "Well, if you hold him in high praise, I don't think there is anything to worry about." She hummed in response. Her relationship with WindClan was still sour in her head, the blood of her brother and sister still not washed from her mind. With the addition of Daisyfang and the high praise Sablestrike gave of Sootstorm... Perhaps one day they really could find peace.

The conversation flowed into talk of SkyClan and their deputy, Wolfblossom. Maybe she should have felt a little jealous hearing that the large deputy was 'magnificent', but there really was not arguing. Wolfblossom was, in all sense of the word, magnificent. Wolfblossom had been kind during Heatherberry's own run in with her, their talk of politics and familial values almost aligning. She found herself nodding in agreement. "Yes, I've met Wolfblossom myself; she is far more level headed than I have come to expect from most leadership these days." Not that she personally knew any other clans leadership, but after Nightstalker...

She shook her head. "I have to admit that I've seen better days, but the experimental herbs Burdockroot cooked up have been a real lifesaver so far. Other than this cure... Not a lot has happened between now and our time in the forest. Nothing you don't already know, I mean. Though... I think Echomist and Leopardstar are finally talking again. Might be too soon to be sure, but... I hold hope." She sighed, though a hopeful smile still remained on her face. "We'll get through this, you know? ShadowClan will, I mean. I think... You have been doing a wonderful job keeping things running for Leopardstar in her sickness. You were made for this." Her eyes turned to him briefly as she slowed her pace. They didn't have to return to camp so quickly, right? She could pretend she had to rest a little before continuing... Right? They barely got time together as it was. He would forgive her for telling a little lie, surely. "Could we stop here for a bit?"