Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2019 0:18:41 GMT -5
Rushwhisker had left Ferngaze at the border. He didn’t want her following him any farther. She needed to go back, to be part of RainClan’s healing. Ashflight, however had insisted on accompanying him farther, and knowing it might very well be the last time he ever saw his sister, his last remaining family, he didn’t protest.
“Leafbare in the mountains, on your own, is loads more difficult than in a Clan, Rushwhisker,” she was telling him frantically, “Maybe I should come with you, just until newleaf-”
“No, Ashflight… you’re finally home. You should stay. You have Russethawk, and someone needs to look after Frozensong for me. I know you and Ferngaze have become friends as well, and she’s going to need friends. I know… I know this is hurting her. I’m not sorry for what I did, but I am sorry for how it has to affect innocent cats,” Rushwhisker sighed, padding along with his paws dragging, head down.
“Head higher,” Ashflight said instead of arguing, not wanting an argument to be the last conversation she and her brother ever had, “Into the mountains, I mean. I know it sounds birdbrained, but dusky grouse move higher during leafbare. You’ll find them around pines. They’re not difficult to catch if you can find them, and they have plenty of meat on them. They can feed you for several meals, especially in leafbare.”
He offered her a sad smile, “I’ll do that.”
“And remember goldenrod. It’s a tall plant with bright yellow flowers. You can find it fairly easily in the mountains and its really recognizable. Chewing it up and putting it on wounds helps them heal faster. Ragweed looks similar but the flowers aren’t as full and bright. If you’re having trouble finding prey or you’re sick and feeling weak, it can give you strength and energy to get through. And juniper berries are good if you’ve come down with a cough and are having a hard time breathing. They’re blue-ish and grow on spiky bushes. Remember, okay?” The tabby and white she-cat stepped in front of him, her concern and her fear for him clear on her face.
His whiskers twitched in amusement, “I didn’t realize you’d become a medicine cat.”
Her tail flicked and her gaze narrowed, “I’m serious, Rushwhisker. Those herbs saved my life a couple times. Herbs are harder to come by in the mountains, but those three are pretty common. Don’t try eating anything else, those are the only three I ever learned about, but it’s not like there’s not other random plants in the mountains. Unless you’re lucky enough to have some other cat point out something useful, remember these three. They got me through a lot.”
He brushed his cheek against hers, “I’m lucky to have you.”
“Then stay!” she cried, desperately, pushing her muzzle into his neck fur.
“You know I can’t,” he mewed quietly, and after a moment he stepped away from her, giving her one final, quick nuzzle, “Go home, Ashflight. I’ll remember what you told me. I’ll be alright.”
“I’ll check the border for you, come newleaf,” she mewed softly, doing her best to hold back her emotions and not doing a very good job of it, “Come back to me. Just so I know you’re safe. I know… I know you won’t be able to stay, but….”
He touched his nose to her ear, “I’ll come back, so you don’t worry. This isn’t goodbye.” Stepping back again, the siblings stood together silently for a moment before Rushwhisker padded onward, leaving his sister behind. But it wasn’t goodbye, so neither of them said it.
Justice
Leafbare 11 Snow continues to fall but significantly lighter than before. The ground is still relatively sloppy and muddy.
“Leafbare in the mountains, on your own, is loads more difficult than in a Clan, Rushwhisker,” she was telling him frantically, “Maybe I should come with you, just until newleaf-”
“No, Ashflight… you’re finally home. You should stay. You have Russethawk, and someone needs to look after Frozensong for me. I know you and Ferngaze have become friends as well, and she’s going to need friends. I know… I know this is hurting her. I’m not sorry for what I did, but I am sorry for how it has to affect innocent cats,” Rushwhisker sighed, padding along with his paws dragging, head down.
“Head higher,” Ashflight said instead of arguing, not wanting an argument to be the last conversation she and her brother ever had, “Into the mountains, I mean. I know it sounds birdbrained, but dusky grouse move higher during leafbare. You’ll find them around pines. They’re not difficult to catch if you can find them, and they have plenty of meat on them. They can feed you for several meals, especially in leafbare.”
He offered her a sad smile, “I’ll do that.”
“And remember goldenrod. It’s a tall plant with bright yellow flowers. You can find it fairly easily in the mountains and its really recognizable. Chewing it up and putting it on wounds helps them heal faster. Ragweed looks similar but the flowers aren’t as full and bright. If you’re having trouble finding prey or you’re sick and feeling weak, it can give you strength and energy to get through. And juniper berries are good if you’ve come down with a cough and are having a hard time breathing. They’re blue-ish and grow on spiky bushes. Remember, okay?” The tabby and white she-cat stepped in front of him, her concern and her fear for him clear on her face.
His whiskers twitched in amusement, “I didn’t realize you’d become a medicine cat.”
Her tail flicked and her gaze narrowed, “I’m serious, Rushwhisker. Those herbs saved my life a couple times. Herbs are harder to come by in the mountains, but those three are pretty common. Don’t try eating anything else, those are the only three I ever learned about, but it’s not like there’s not other random plants in the mountains. Unless you’re lucky enough to have some other cat point out something useful, remember these three. They got me through a lot.”
He brushed his cheek against hers, “I’m lucky to have you.”
“Then stay!” she cried, desperately, pushing her muzzle into his neck fur.
“You know I can’t,” he mewed quietly, and after a moment he stepped away from her, giving her one final, quick nuzzle, “Go home, Ashflight. I’ll remember what you told me. I’ll be alright.”
“I’ll check the border for you, come newleaf,” she mewed softly, doing her best to hold back her emotions and not doing a very good job of it, “Come back to me. Just so I know you’re safe. I know… I know you won’t be able to stay, but….”
He touched his nose to her ear, “I’ll come back, so you don’t worry. This isn’t goodbye.” Stepping back again, the siblings stood together silently for a moment before Rushwhisker padded onward, leaving his sister behind. But it wasn’t goodbye, so neither of them said it.
Justice
Leafbare 11 Snow continues to fall but significantly lighter than before. The ground is still relatively sloppy and muddy.