private @Doemoon
A light burning and tickling sensation started at the back of Cloudfeather's throat. The white tom started to feel his chest tighten, a sudden sense of fear setting in with realization. He looked down, Nests lined his den, in each of them, a cat with a fit of coughs like he had never witnessed. Stumpynose's gray flank rose and fell so slowly, the elder's breaths more shallow with each gasp for air. He stood over the old warrior. Her short snout fell, resting on the plucked heather bedding. Her flank fell still. Cloudfeather's jaws clasped so hard, it felt his teeth might shatter. "Rest in StarClan, mother." The blind medicine cat shook himself. "Hawkpaw," he called to the back of the den, his voice rasped and tone dead. "Tell the diggers to prepare another burial."
He stepped over Stumpynose's body gently, tail brushing her still warm body as he made his way to Brightstorm. The tom sat down, though stayed silent. The ginger-and-white she-cat lifted her head wearily. "How's mother?" She asked. Her voice was weak.
Cloudfeather was numb, unable to believe what had just happened. He had seen so much death in his life, but now, that everyone he loved was dropping like flies around him, he was losing himself. The tom barely displayed any emotions. "She's fine," the tom lied. "Just focus on getting better for Foxpaw. She'll be a warrior soon." The tom glanced over his shoulder. Through the darkness, he could see the figure of Coalbreeze sprawled out onto his own nest. You were put back in here too soon.
***
Foxpaw let out a grunt as she lost her balance and fell to the ground. The she-cat let out an annoyed groan. "Okay, okay," the she-cat rolled onto her paws again. "Do I have to do this, Jumpwing?"
The tom nodded in response. "Yes, actually, you do. Stoneheart is recovering, so you'll need to train with us until he's better." The tom glanced at Doepaw, and then Foxpaw. "But you both worked hard today. We can stop if you'd like."
Hawkpaw left the elders and returned to the medicine den. His brow furrowed in anguish. This was not the way he had hoped leaf bare would go. It was barely the on start of it and so many had succumbed to the illness or died from it. Doepaw was padding on ahead when she realised there was an absence of red fur beside her. She halted and spun back to the she cat. Watching her as her own name was caught in Foxpaw’s throat. As Doepaw pondered over what to say it finally occurred to her that Foxpaw’s mother, grandmother and possibly even uncle were sick... adding Coalbreeze to the list didn’t bring her comfort. Doepaw slowly padded up to her clanmate. The two had never got along well before, they struggled to even remain friendly most of the time... however, Doepaw was aware that her rivalry with the ginger and white she cat had to come to an end at some point. Better now than later. Doepaw rested her tail comfortingly on her shoulder. “Family is something of a privilege and those who have it take it for granted... every second of it. I may no longer have a family to call my own.” She paused thinking about the tension that caused a rift between her mother and her brother and herself. “But...” she persisted, shaking her head clear of those thoughts. “I have a clan whom I can refer to as family. Whatever starclan decides for those infected with greencough... you’ll have the clan as family. You’ll have me as family.” Doepaw dropped to her paws, sitting by the she cats side. “I can’t promise they’ll be okay because truth be told their fate lies in the paws of starclan... but what I can promise is that you’ll be okay no matter the outcome.”
Twigleg nodded slowly. Though she was pained, she almost felt relieved. Guilt came over her instantly. As a mother, her first thought was that it may have been her son, but she felt empathy for Cloudfeather and Brightstorm's loss. It was a loss, losing a kind and wise elder for all of the clan. "Thank you, Hawkpaw." Inwardly, she supposed Doepaw was right about that, although she didn't say anything in response. Her question sparked a short-lived curiosity. Foxpaw glanced toward the camp. "I'm not sure," she admitted. "He's been turning everyone away. He won't even see anyone himself unless they're sick." Memories flashed behind her lids as she closed her eyes for a moment, rewatching as first, her grandmother fell sick and joined the medicine den. And then her mother. And finally, her uncle was pushing everyone in the clan away and he didn't even explain why. Foxpaw shook her head as she padded next to Doepaw. "I think... I think Cloudfeather might be sick..." Foxpaw felt her lip quiver and she stopped short in her tracks. "Doepaw–" she heard her voice tremble. The ginger-and-white she-cat glanced down at her paws and clenched her teeth. She could feel her eyes watering slightly. Stop being weak, Foxpaw.
Hawkpaw held his head low. “Stumpynose I’m afraid...” he sighed. He lifted his head to meet Twigleg’s gaze. “There was nothing we could do.” Doepaw watched the she cat curiously. “Well there’s no point in leaving you if we are heading back the same way.” She meowed. The iced air nipped at her fur, it was getting cooler and the sun was starting to set in the sky. She could tell they were in for a long leaf bare. After all, it was the end of leaf fall and there was already a green-cough break out, so long as it didn’t turn into black-cough... Doepaw hesitated before continuing. “You think Cloudfeather will let us see them?”
Foxpaw was jerked from her state of thought. She gave her head a shake. She attempted to clear her throat before speaking, feeling as if her throat was closing in on itself. "Nothing at all," she said. "You know, you don't have to lead me back. I know how to get back." They weren't supposed to be out there alone at all without a warrior. She was surprised that Jumpwing actually let's Doepaw go wherever she pleases. She was sitting in the cover of a boulder sharing tongues with their classmates when Twigleg stopped to listen to Hawkpaw. She let out a breath as she looked at the medicine cat. "Who is it this time?" Her voice was tense with worry.
Doepaw nodded to her leader and bounded ahead. She finally stopped when she came to realise her clanmate trailed behind. Inwardly groaning the she cat padded back to meet the ginger molly. “Alright what’s up with you, your fighting is off and you’re moping around like a badger just out of hibernation. It’s getting on my nerves.” She grumbled. Hawkpaw came upon a group of diggers. He padded up to them. Clearing his throat he began. “I regret to ask of you to dig a new grave.”
Jumpwing gave a nod of his head. "You may," he agreed, drawing back in a relaxed stance. The tod blinked at Foxpaw. The ginger she-cat was oddly distant, the fire she usually had just wasn't there. It wasn't looking good in her training, either. He figured it related to her family being cooped up in the medicine den with the sick. "Show Foxpaw back if you would. I have to make a quick border check." Foxpaw looked up, her eyes cloudy in thought as she looked back at the camp. The mention of Coalbreeze's name made her wince. Brightstorm, Stumpynose and Coalbreeze, too? Who else would end up in that smelly den that she cared about? She didn't bother protesting this time, simply nodding as she padded in a slow pace.
Hawkpaw solemnly left the den in hunt for the diggers. It had almost been a whole moon since greencough broke out amongst breezeclan. Nothing could be done for the cats. No matter how much Cloudfeather and Hawkpaw helped the cats states only seemed to worsen. Hawkpaw sent a silent prayer to starclan that he and his mentor would at least remain okay, in an attempt to save those they could. Doepaw glanced at foxpaw. The she cat was clearly exhausted and Doepaw couldn’t help but allow a small chuckle to escape her lips. She had obviously never trained with Jumpwing before. However, Doepaw still wanted to finish early in hopes Cloudfeather might change his mind and allow her to visit Coalbreeze. Much like the rest of the clan he had succumbed to the illness and was currently fighting for his life in the medicine den. “May we?” She meowed her tail and ears perked in hope. “I want to see if cloudfeather will let me visit Coalbreeze.”