[Hellion]

There really hadn't been much for Petalrain to do in recent days. She hadn't get gotten an apprentice, not that she wanted one, and found hunting alone to be quite boring. Petalrain instead felt that her days were starting to muddle together, the she-cat needed something exciting to happen. Not that she considered herbs to be exciting. Instead Petalrain's intentions were to join her mother as she gathered herbs, her her 'escort' and maybe get to something interesting on their walk. She might be a new warrior but she was fairly confident in her ability to protect her mother with anything that posed a threat. It was with that goal in mind the tabby she-cat ventured toward her mother's den.

Unlike herself, Petalrain didn't barge right in. Realizing in that moment she didn't feel welcome within her mother's home. It wasn't that she didn't love the she-cat but quite the opposite. Petalrain feared that with her mother's new found rank within StoneClan that she would forget about her. The entire idea was quite kit-like and almost silly but it was a real fear for the hazel-eyed she-cat. A fear strong enough to make her pause before entering to greet her mother.

"Dawnblossom?" She asked, avoiding calling her 'mom' despite the strong urge. She wasn't quite ready to face the possible truth that Dawnblossom would never be her mom again, at least not in the sense she wanted her to be. Instead of remaining like an weird lurking cat, Petalrain made careful steps into the den and spoke again.

"Do you need some help collecting herbs? I'm not doing anything today," She asked searching the darker cave for any sign of her mother's calico pelt.

_{@zen
Note: Takes place before the medicine cat meeting, around mid morning.}

[Deleted]

So let go, let go, jump in. Oh well, what you waiting for?

---

With her dark calico pelt, StoneClan's new medicine cat blended into the shadows of her cavernous den well. She sighed, pawing a few shriveled marigold leaves toward a similarly pathetic looking few scraps of dried oak leaves. Neither marigold nor oak grew in StoneClan territory, but they were both incredibly useful for preventing infection. The herbs Dawnblossom could find within her own territory could cure infection after it set in, but there was little to nothing that grew in StoneClan's territory that would help prevent it in the first place, which was much preferable. Her tail twitched nervously. It seemed she was due for a trip into another Clan's territory soon. She glanced over to where two short, thick chervil roots sat beside each other, tucked away in a little nook out of the way. It would be nice to get more of those as well... it did such wonders for belly aches, and kits and elders alike were prone to such complaints. Chervil did not grow in StoneClan territory either.

She sighed again, taking a long, deep breath. She had promised Ivywhisker she would care for StoneClan in her stead, and she would not let her fear and distrust of the other Clans stop her from keeping her promise to the younger she-cat's spirit. She thought of her lost sons and mate. If traveling into one of the other Clans' territories could have saved them, she would never have hesitated to do so. She jerked suddenly, hearing her name in a familiar voice, and turned her pale yellow-green gaze toward her daughter, padding closer to her. Part of her wished for nothing more than to wrap herself around her only remaining kit and spend the rest of the day with her, tucked away here in her den where it was safe. She knew those feelings were only surfacing because she had been thinking about the family she had lost, however, and she forced it away. Petalrain was a warrior, not some helpless kit that needed her protection. She had fallen ill and beaten that enemy as well, when her brothers and father had not. Her daughter was strong and healthy. She did not need her anymore... not like all of StoneClan needed her.

Her gaze softened slightly despite her best efforts, however, as Petalrain offered to help her collect herbs today. It was not something most young warriors enjoyed or offered to do freely. Most had to be ordered to do so, and Dawnblossom had often seen them groan over it when they didn't know she was watching. It didn't bother her, there was a reason they were warriors and not medicine cats, but it felt good to know her daughter was not one of them. She purred softly, “I could certainly use the help. The more we can carry the fewer trips we shall have to make.” Especially if they were going into enemy territory. Her ears twitched at the thought... she shouldn't think that way. Medicine cats were meant to stand outside of Clan rivalries. It was hard to let go of that fear, however, when the scents of their neighbors on either side of the border brought back terrifying memories of being driven from their home, so much blood, so much needless death.

She stood, shaking out her fur to hide the fact that it had begun to prickle uncomfortably. She pushed the tiny bundle of leaves back into a nook in the rocks and out of the way. “I am quite low on a number of herbs that grow best in TreeClan territory.” She did well to keep her uncertainty from her voice, conveying nothing but calm and confidence in her tone. She knew she would be able to find all three herbs there with relative ease, but she was less sure how TreeClan might react to her presence on their territory, or exactly how she should go about doing so. Should she wait for a TreeClan patrol to see her and tell them her business there? But that could take half the day. Should she ask Lionstar for permission, or perhaps just ask the TreeClan medicine cats for a favor or a trade? But that begged the question once more, did she wait for a patrol or simply stroll onto their territory and try to find her way to their camp and hope some cat came upon them and led them there? Dealing with the other Clans on a regular basis was something she was not at all prepared for when she took over as medicine cat, and it was something she would have to learn as she went, and push through her discomfort for the good of her Clan.

The fact that her daughter would be coming along as her escort made her all the more uneasy. What if something happened? A warrior escort was meant to protect her... would she be expected to run and leave her daughter at the mercy of whoever or whatever attacked them? She couldn't do that... and yet... not doing so would leave StoneClan without a medicine cat... and if she stayed what could she possibly do to help? She would be useless in a fight and would only get them both killed. She shouldn't even be thinking this way. Her daughter was a warrior. That was all. She needed to treat her just like any other warrior. She was sure she would run if any other warrior escorted her and they came upon trouble. She would run as fast as she could and get help. She gave her chest fur a few self-conscious licks before turning back to Petalrain. She was her mother and she was her medicine cat. She had to know what she was doing, she could not let her see the confused turmoil of thoughts roiling around in her mind. “All right. I'm ready to leave if you are,” she mewed as she padded past the younger she-cat and toward the den entrance, flicking her nose affectionately with her plumed tail out of habit.

---

It's all right, 'cause there's beauty in the breakdown.

[Hellion]

Petralrain was greeted by her mother's pale yellow eyes and suddenly felt like a kit all over again. She wanted to sit beside her mother and just find comfort in her soft fur, but those days were over. Petalrain wasn't innocent anymore, she saw the darkness of illness and felt it cling to her pelt. It was a reminder that Dawnblossom couldn't keep her safe, not like she used to. However, the lost innocence wouldn't make Petalrain care anyless about her mother. In fact she was glad the she-cat was around to help her if ever she needed it again.

As Dawnblossom accepted Petalrain's offer to join her, the tabby she-cat sat just inside her mother's den and waited for the signal to go. At first her nose was angry with so many strange and different smells overwhelming her, but she got used to it soon enough. It wasn't so bad as long as she didn't think about it.

Her attention had lazily settled on watching her mother sort herbs and make bundles. It was all silly to her considering she couldn't tell either of the herbs apart but her mother seem to be efficient. Which was really the only thing that mattered. There was the added benefit that came in the form of Dawnblossom's connection to StarClan, but Petalrain didn't truly care. StarClan was no friend to her and rarely did she seek out her warrior ancestors for help.

As her mother went on to explain breilfy that certain herbs grew better in other territories, Petalrain wondered if they should take more warriors. TreeClan was a distant ally, considering they shared no common border. It was unlikely a patrol would find them let alone attack a medicine cat. Perhaps that was what Dawnblossom was relying on, warriors following the code.

However, if any cat would prove agressive toward her mother, Petalrain was more than capable of defending them both. At least until Dawnblossom got away, her mother was more important to the Clan than young warrior. Not a morbid thought but a practical one. Petalrain didn't have a death wish and wouldn't be eager to start a fight, but simply defend.

Petalrain had gotten herself a little lose in thought while she waited. Ending up counting the cracks in the stone where her mother tucked away the herbs. When she finished that mental task, Petalrain directed her attention to her pelt and gave it a gentle grooming. She wasn't looking for a tom but it didn't hurt to be presentable if any stumbled upon them.

It was midway cleaning her paw that she saw her mother give herself a few reassuring licks. Petalrain knew her mother wasn't the best of fighters and likely a little nervous considering she wasn't with Ivywhisker anymore. Petalrain wanted to give her mother peace-of-mind but wasn't sure how, did StarClan provide her some sense of confidence?

The question was ignored in favor of following after her mother out of the den. "Lead the way," She told her, giving a small smile.

_@zen

[Deleted]

So let go, let go, jump in. Oh well, what you waiting for?

---

Leading the way out of camp, Dawnblossom mulled over just what she planned to do, still trying to figure out the best way to handle this. She had no idea where TreeClan's camp was... but she was certain the best course of action would be to ask for help from their medicine cat, to let TreeClan know they were there and not just sneaking around on their territory doing StarClan knows what until someone found them. It would be more efficient, anyway, than traipsing all over TreeClan territory trying to find the right herbs when they could simply ask where things were, or possibly arrange a trade of supplies if Littletimber had enough in his stores to give them some. That might be preferable to TreeClan, rather than having two outsiders wandering around and learning their territory.

Yes. They would attempt to make it to TreeClan's camp and hope perhaps an understanding patrol would find them on the way there and lead them to their destination. She hoped Littletimber would prove helpful. She had yet to actually meet the tom, though she had seen Ivywhisker with him at Gatherings and she told her a little about him. TreeClan had helped them in the past... surely a few herbs would be nothing compared to helping them win back their home? Her thoughts turned to LightningClan and RainClan, her pelt prickling at the thought of asking them for such help. She wasn't certain she was brave enough to face Rookfrost, to ask for his help. Not to mention, StoneClan and LightningClan had always been antagonistic, fighting over that stupid stretch of stones on their border.

She didn't see why LightningClan wanted them anyway, the best prey to find there were lizards, who liked to sun themselves on the rocks, and the occasional hawk or falcon trying to nab one of them. Every cat knew LightningClan ate rabbits and hares and not much else, and such prey was a rare find at the Sun Stones. She found herself siding with her own Clan on the dispute, and shook her head. She was supposed to stand outside Clan rivalries, even if her peer in LightningClan did not. What did she care for a stretch of stones? She would give up all the lizards that would ever be found there if it meant none of her Clanmates would ever shed blood over them again. What a pointless dispute, a waste of time, energy, and herbs. Those stones were not worth bleeding over.

As they made their way across StoneClan territory, toward StarClan's Claws where they would be able to pass into TreeClan territory, a thought occurred to Dawnblossom. She paused, glancing back at Petalrain, “Have you eaten yet? I would hate for us to get to TreeClan territory only to find out you haven't. We may be allowed to hunt herbs there, but prey will be another story.” They most certainly would not be allowed to take prey from TreeClan territory, and she didn't expect anything different. She herself had eaten earlier that day, and would be fine to continue, but she had no idea what Petalrain had been up to so far today, and perhaps she hadn't gotten a chance to get a bite to eat yet.

---

It's all right, 'cause there's beauty in the breakdown.

[Hellion]

Allowing her mother to take the lead was easy for the she-cat. Petalrain for a moment was taken back to her nursery days. Following after Dawnblossom as her mother joined them for a shot game. From a kit's perspective Dawnblossom was her entire world. At Least until she realized just how big the world was, nevermind the fact she also quickly learned how cruel it was. Her tail waved back in forth as set herself to be behind her mother. In their current situation Petalrain was an escort. It was her duty to protect one of the most important members of the Clan. Petalrain was merely a pebble compared to a boulder.

Upon learning that they were going to head toward TreeClan, the tabby she-cat felt a prickle of excitement. She rarely saw or even talked to cats from TreeClan, the lack of border prevented a steady stream of interactions. Perhaps it was for the best. Petalrain wasn't sure how she felt about the tree lovers.

Trying not to get distracted by the all the possibilities revolving around TreeClan, Petalrain wondered to herself why they didn't seek out LightingClan or RainClan for help. Her question was self answered by an old memory, well an old memory of a story. An elder who often offered to look after her and her brother while mother and father went hunting, told them about StormClan. It was the styled name of the combined forces of LightingClan and RainClan. They managed to chase StoneClan out of their home, long before Petalrain was even born. She figured that was why her mother made the choice to visit TreeClan instead in spite of the walk.

Following after her mother had started to become boring. To past the time Petalrain became to occupy her thoughts with all the different ruts she saw in the ground. With a kit-like sense of wonder she imagined that was where a large battle took place with cats as big as trees. A smile covered her face as she thought about how heroic those cats must have been, how strong.

A tad too late, Petalrain was barely quick enough to stop before running into her mother. A soft 'sorry' was whispered as she regained her composure and land looked at her mother to reply.

"I ate this morning, just a little mouse, but I'll be okay." She replied and it was partly true. Petalrain had an appetite. It wouldn't be long before her stomach started to rumble considering how petite the mouse was, but she wouldn't stop their little mission on her behalf. Trying to give her mother a boot of confidence, Petalrain offered a smile and tried to look excited consider she was just day-dreaming about gigantic heroic cats.
_@zen