[Deleted]

    Shadowchasers mood had seemed to be on an upward trajectory as of late, this struck Smokefur as odd given the stressful nature of a medicine cat's work. She could accept that some cats moods shifted with the seasons, the corresponding weather changes and aesthetic of their territory seemingly easily being adapted to certain feelings, however leafbare hardly seemed like the season for happiness. The air was frigid, the wind bitter, and yet their work must carry on. As touched on briefly before the life of a medicine cat was seldom easy, and leafbare only served to make it worse. More cats ended up needing their services, especially if the clans temper hadn't cooled with the air, and their was a shortage of the precious resources necessary to treat them. Alas this fact had caused Smokefur and Shadowchaser to set off into the frigid morning air on a mission to collect herbs around the RainClan border. "This weather makes my bones ache..."

Fawn

[Fawn]

curiosity is not a sin...

...but we should exercise caution with our curiosity

Shadowchaser

Shadowchaser, his expression set firm with concentration as he followed the last border patrol's path towards the wooded marsh, immediately slowed. His eyes softened, the slender chestnut tom waiting until he could brush pelts with the older healer, her silver-and-black-swirled fur mingling with the rich brown of his coat. "We can go back, if you like? Newtstripe and I can collect what we need."

Just saying the other tom's name aloud returned the warmth to Shadowchaser's body. Short-furred and less active than his Clanmates, Shadowchaser was just as prone to the cold bite of winter as anyone else - probably even more so. But for a few eager heartbeats, Shadowchaser didn't feel leafbare's sting. Picturing the ginger tabby had become a soothing habit instead of an ache that flared up like the pains in Smokefur's bones.

Do you have an apprentice of your own yet, Dewfrost? For him, this excursion to RainClan wasn't just a necessity; he was looking forward to seeing their neighboring healer, the sense of kinship he felt stronger even than his friendship with Sandblaze. With StoneClan so far away, he did not have the opportunity to socialize as much as he liked outside of medicine cat meetings.

medicine cat of nightclan

@poptart | 200 Words | jk rowling | background image | table by phoenix

[Deleted]

    Smokefur would contend that Shadowchaser's suggestion to return to camp and replace her with a more spry companion wasn't entirely a bad one. It likely wouldn't serve her well in the long run however, the exercise was good for her after all, and Smokefur's active mind would surely be driven to madness if she never spent time outside of her den. Smokefur also found it peculiar that Shadowchaser already had a replacement selected, the fact that it happened to be Newtstripe had her mind turning over as she attempted to find significance in his choice. So far as the aging medicine cat could tell it was significant as Shadowchaser and Newtstripe had what appeared to be a falling out of sorts. It may had been an assumption on Smokefur's part, however the two went from nearly inseparable to almost no contact seemingly instantaneously. It was intriguing enough that Smokefur decided it was time for some soft prying, "We have already come this far, it seems like you are stuck with me today. Perhaps you can take Newtstripe with you next time?"

Fawn

[Fawn]

curiosity is not a sin...

...but we should exercise caution with our curiosity

Shadowchaser

Shadowchaser smiled softly at her phrasing. "Yes, maybe next time." It was something to look forward to - something to brighten up this dreary winter they were experiencing. Something to take his mind off the war with their neighbors. Shadowchaser kept close to Smokefur, an air of distraction about him as the ginger-furred tom she spoke of filled up his thoughts.

It was a blessing from StarClan that they were speaking again. They had patched their friendship enough that it no longer collapsed the second they weren't around one another; the metaphorical cobwebs were holding, and the healing process had finally begun in earnest. There were still many awkward days ahead for Shadowchaser and Newtstripe, but Shadowchaser was confident that they could weather it.

The RainClan border felt indistinguishable from NightClan's usual territory, if not for the encroaching scent markings of the fish-preferring group. "Should we wait for a patrol?" Shadowchaser came to a stop at the borderline, not wanting to get off on the wrong foot with RainClan. They had enough trouble with TreeClan as it was.

Of course being a medicine cat gave them certain priviledges - but that was no reason to barge in like they owned the place. Chestnut ears pricked at the sound of pawsteps in snow and the faint brush of pelts against naked shrubbery. It seemed like they wouldn't have to wait long at all.

medicine cat of nightclan

@poptart Phoenix (snewt!) | 230 Words | jk rowling | background image | table by phoenix

[Deleted]

    Smokefur had hoped her tactful questioning would elicit a more telling reaction from Shadowchaser, however it seemed his response was no less subtle than her own. The older medicine cat thought for a moment that she may have detected a slight smile from the tom, however she hadn't stopped to observe him closely enough to be sure. Continuing on with their small quest Smokefur began to contemplate other ways she could pressure Shadowchaser to divulge information on his relationship with Newtstripe, however it seemed she may have run out of time as the border with RainClan loomed ahead. After Shadowchaser asked if they should wait for a RainClan patrol Smokefur replied quickly, "I'm sure it would be for the best, it would unwise to test the goodwill we have with RainClan at this time." With that the medicine cat began to pace in an attempt to keep herself warm whilst they waited for a likely inevitable patrol to show.

Fawn

[Fawn]

curiosity is not a sin...

...but we should exercise caution with our curiosity

Shadowchaser

"Shadowchaser, Smokefur." The voice of the RainClan patrol leader was cordial - but curt. Shadowchaser's amicable demeanor - pricked ears, bright eyes and friendly raise of the tail - suddenly felt out of place. The RainClan cats were sharing glances at each other, and not a single cat said the words Shadowchaser had been expecting.
'Are you here to see Dewfrost?'

Could it be that...

"Has something happened to Dewfrost?" Shadowchaser took an anxious step forward, concern glimmering like starlight in his eyes. He forgot about the coldness and the depth of the snow. All he could focus on was the breath he was holding tight in his chest, like a forbidden wish to StarClan. Please let everything be alright.

"Dewfrost lives," said the pure white tom with the eerie blue eyes. It took a second for the tom's name to register in Shadowchaser's head. Coldrush. He was a good ten moons or more older than Shadowchaser, but even he had heard of the white tom's infamous parentage.

Still, Shadowchaser smiled with relief, feeling each individual strand of hair on his pelt lie flat again.
"Good, I'm glad. May we see her? Smokefur and I need to collect herbs as well." It was the main reason for their visit, but Shadowchaser wasn't one to simply walk all over their neighbors' territory without first greeting their medicine cat.

Coldrush didn't even blink.
"No."

Shadowchaser's smile faltered. No?

Coldrush continued. "Silverstar has decreed that our borders are closed. Not even medicine cats can enter RainClan territory - StarClan's permission or not."

medicine cat of nightclan

@poptart | 256 Words | jk rowling | background image | table by phoenix

[Deleted]

    Smokefur didn't look as nearly as excited, or amicable, as Shadowchaser when they were approached by the RainClan patrol. In truth she likley didn't have to look any particular way, she was old as the valley itself it seemed. Everyone knew of NightClan's eldest medicine cat, and it was likely at this point in time they knew what she was all about. This also happened to be a boon for Smokefur when the warriors informed them that the border was closed, and they would not be granted passage into RainClan on this day. Unlike her younger companion her demeanor didn't change, and it didn't surprise Smokefur that Silverstar wasn't going to help NightClan's 'war effort' as it were. There wasn't any way the two medicine cats could overpower the trained warriors, and sneaking into the territory was also likely a terrible idea, thus Smokefur opted to leave. "Well I perhaps understand Silverstar's hesitance, however Darkstar may not. We will still advocate to help Dewfrost however we can, but I highly doubt Darkstar won't bind our paws, and she is perhaps the last cat in the valley I would wish to cross."

Fawn

[Fawn]

curiosity is not a sin...

...but we should exercise caution with our curiosity

Shadowchaser

The RainClan cats subtly began to relax at Smokefur's words, though they delivered something of a warning at the end. Shadowchaser gave himself a shake, trying to jostle himself out of his shock to regain the composure his mentor had no trouble keeping hold of. He wanted to catch her eye, to immediately discuss what this could mean for NightClan, but he knew better than to babble about their Clan's affairs in front of another.

Coldrush's expression never wavered from that cold neutrality.
"What Darkstar does or doesn't do is NightClan's business, not ours."

Shadowchaser frowned. Does that mean they wouldn't let Dewfrost accept our help? Even if we gave it freely? Their neighbors were not being very neighborly. If anything, Shadowchaser had the distinct impression that RainClan was shutting out the rest of the valley - no doubt a retaliation to the war brewing in the northeastern portion of the valley. He couldn't stop his heart from plummeting a little.

Friends were a precious thing. Friends who understood what it was like to be a medicine cat were even rarer still.

"I suppose we'll see her at the next half-moon, then." Shadowchaser mewed, melancholic. He looked at Smokefur, his question clear.
Shall we go?

medicine cat of nightclan

@poptart | 205 Words | jk rowling | background image | table by phoenix

[Deleted]

    The response Smokefur had offered seemed to be well received, the RainClan patrol seemingly had begun to relax. This was a fact that amused the aging medicine cat, even if she had no intention of outwardly displaying said amusement. They may have been NightClanners but they were likely some of the softest medicine cats in the valley, and she couldn't have fathomed what they possibly thought she and Shadowchaser would try. Perhaps they were wary of an old she-cats' scorn, and just maybe it was wise to be at least cautious of such things. As Shadowchaser gave a slightly defeated reply to the sassy response Coldrush offered Smokefur looked at the tom and read his expression, and it was indeed time to go. As she turned to leave she offered one last reply, "You may think Darkstar isn't your problem, but I promise she will find a way to prove your wrong."

Fawn