echoes of empathy [o]

By the time they had settled back into their old camp, had gotten dens fixed as best as they could for the night, Echosong brought out what herbs they had left, and what he had spent hours looking for. The lambs ear was still strange to him and the garlic was slightly harder to find but he had found what he needed. “If anyone is…if anyone is needed help getting back on your paws..come see me or Fawnshine.” he called out, his tail swishing behind him in the snow as he glanced at his aunt with a grin. He was so glad to finally be able to start healing everyone, and it seemed like the entire clan was out hunting for herbs with them.

He sat and waited, humming a tune, hoping those who needed a little extra healing would come reach out to him. As his song weaved through the camp, he saw a few pelts emerge from their dens and come towards him.

Echosong could feel the tension within the past few days, he had been gathering herbs like a mad man, on one paw to heal his clanmates, and on the other to prepare for the inevitable injuries of war. The tom was very anti-war, his mother had always promoted peace, though in recent moons the amiable medicine cat had been quite ready for battle. The more he thought about it, the more the tom couldn't shake the feeling that Skyclan had indeed pushed ThunderClan too far, and a response was not only warranted but necessary to ensure thier clan's safety and honor. Justice, however it may manifest, must indeed be served. The scales were tipped in favor of confrontation and Echosong was prepared, he had hardened his heart against the possibility of losing one of his dear clanmates. He had all of the necessary trainings and herbs needed. The only thing left was to heal the last few sickies they had. Mottlestar and Nightdancer being two of them.

His blue eyes met Mottlestar's and there was a fire in them that hadn't been there before, he had half the mind to bop his beloved leader on the head for not coming to him and his aunt sooner. Mottlestar was too selfless for her own good.

With a gentle smile, Echosong huffed in response and put together a small bundle for her, In times of sickness, the well-being of our clan mates, especially our esteemed leader, takes precedence above all else, silly Mottlestar.

"We need you at your strongest, yes?" he meowed softly mirroring her head tilt. As a moment of silence fell over them as she ate the herbs, the tom narrowed his eyes and leaned in a hair, "We'll make them pay Mottlestar. For they life they took, for thinking they can walk on us...claws and fangs, claws and fangs." he echoed, his words unknowingly mimicking their Starclan guides. Echosong blinked, nodded once to Mottlestar and turned to his next patient.

Another selfless Thunderclanner, the tom gave her a sharp look and shook his head, "Every ailment deserves our care, regardless of it's perceived urgency, yes?" he questioned, daring the she-cat to tell him otherwise. But he gave her the same annoyed but love filled huff he gave Mottlestar and prepared her herbs that would heal her of the cough. "At least you came to us now." he mused, giving her some credit.

"Mama.." he meowed softly turning to Comfreyheart as Fawnshine assisted Wiggleworm. The medicine cat gathered one of the bundles they had prepared and pushed it towards her, bumping her shoulder with his head affectionately, "This should fix the sickness, yes yes!"