[Thymepaw]
ˢᵏʸᶜˡᵃⁿ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵉⁿᵗᶦᶜᵉ
With leaf-bare fast-approaching, cats from all clans were beginning to prepare themselves for the harsh weathers ahead. Extra prey was dug into the ground to freeze and preserve, medicine cats bustled around looking for the last traces of herbs that they could muster to provide for their clan through the harshest months of the year. This day was no different, Skyclan's camp had been bustling with activity all day, Firestar was preparing his clan as if it was going to be a tough leafbare, and every cat was doing what they could for the preparation. Every cat except one older apprentice.
Thymepaw panted as his paws thumped against the rock-hard ground leading him through the territory and up toward the falls, a bundle of herbs was clenched in his jaws- scraps to most cats, but he carried them with a sense of pride and purpose, racing his way up the rocks with the expert navigation of a trained Skyclan cat. As he reached the base of the falls, the tom ducked his head as water spray over him, but he persevered, pushing his way behind the gushing water, dropping his precious bundle in the small cave behind.
He sat slowly, catching his breath with rapid gulps, gaze anxiously flicking around the cave- he'd been careful not to be followed, rolling in some of the dead leaves littering the territory to rub off his scent, as well as taking the long and winding path that would lead him here instead of the easy way. Thymepaw knew that not every cat would see his actions as something normal, and something to be proud of. A small shred of guilt, like a small bone, wormed around in his stomach as he awaited his visitor.
That guilt vanished in a moment when he heard familiar, heavy and ambling pawsteps approaching the cave. As a plump, matted young tom poked his head through the gap between the cave and the waterfall, Thymepaw rushed to meet him. He bumped noses with the cat clumsily, mumbling a hasty apology as he pressed his shoulder against the other tom, clearly weak from travelling all the way here. The loner wheezed, his chest crackling as he did so. He was barely older than Thymepaw, but he looked seasons older, with the way his pelt had matted together as the sickness had stopped him from grooming it.
"Thank you for giving us your help..." The loner murmured, stooping his head to pick up the bundle of herbs. "Missy will be grateful...with her kits coming so soon, they'll need us all to be feeling better in no time..." Another cough shook the tom's body as he turned around, heading toward the exit. This was how fleeting their meetings always were- Thymepaw would bring the herbs to their meeting spot, Jack would come and collect them, and take them back to his group of sick cats.
Thymepaw had offered to get them a medicine cat's help, but Jack had refused, claiming that they had a healer, and just needed herbs. Thymepaw had agreed, despite knowing that it was against the warrior code to be helping out an enemy so easily. But these cats didn't pose any harm or threat to his clan, so why shouldn't he offer them herbs? Sure, it was getting tougher through leaf-fall, but as long as they were better by leafbare, all would be fine.
"Jack," The older apprentice started, and the older tom lifted his head, ears pricking. "Are you sure you don't need a medicine cat?" He mewed, his concern evident in his voice. The tom had padded away from him, but Thymepaw hurried back to his side, rubbing his face along the tom's cheek. "You need to eat some of those herbs yourself, you know..." He mewed, a gentleness to his voice. His heart thumped uncomfortably in his throat. Thymepaw knew that visiting the loner had let his heart give away to growing fond of him, but he knew Jack would never return those puppy-love feelings. It was a strong desire to care for him, and nurture him until he was better.
Jack's head turned away as he flicked his ears.
"They can manage without me, but I can't sit by and watch them die." He half-heartedly nudged Thymepaw's cheek with his nose, before padding away, and leaving Thymepaw listening to his footsteps slowly fading, eventually drowned out by the waterfall.
Heaving a sigh, the smoky grey-and-white tom padded from behind the falls, casting his gaze anxiously around, before a scent that was all too familiar hit his nose. Skyclan scent-!
Panic took over, and Thymepaw hurriedly skittered down from the rocks, slipping into a thick clump of bracken and holding his breath, hoping that whatever cat was there... that they hadn't noticed him, nor the weird scent now clinging to his fur.
Starclan save me. He thought.
Thymepaw exhaled a long breath that he hadn't even realised he had been holding. His paws shook with relief, and he hurriedly pushed his face against Northpaw's shoulder. Hoping his relief and gratefulness showed in the way he breathed out a shaky breath, he trotted to catch up to Jack, who had been standing awkwardly a small distance away, watching as the clanmates argued.
The ginger tom nodded and flicked some of his matted fur from his eyes with a grumble. The rogue wondered if he could convince a twoleg to cut it for him once he was better, it had gotten unmanageable as he hurried himself around trying to help out his kin.
"...Ain't as bad as that, I don' think." Jack piped up, leading the way as Thymepaw hurried to his side in case he stumbled. The two walked, their pelts brushing ever so slightly with every few paces, and Thymepaw felt himself burning with self-consciousness.
"Judging by the cats I've personally seen... it's more of a whitecough, but there's... other symptoms. Some cats are being sick, and can't eat at all, some are lethargic, others are complaining of nearly constant bellyache..." Thymepaw's ears flattened. "There's this little kit, she's one of the least affected, but she's..." He frowned.
"I'm still worried. She has a lot of injuries, and infection will set in easier with the sickness going around. She's strong, but a dog got to her the other sunhigh." He glanced back toward Northpaw, eyes wide and pleading. "Thank you for changing your mind, Northpaw... it means a lot." He'd always be grateful for her help, and he knew it.
Jack veered off to the side after what felt like hours, heading in the direction of a run-down, abandoned twoleg nest that stunk of sickness. Kits wailed from inside, and Jack's eyes widened beneath the fringe of his overgrown head fur. "That ain't voices I've heard 'fore..." He started- "Missy's kits must'a come early!" There was equal parts joy and panic in his voice. The twoleg nest was separated from the clan territory by a large thunderpath. It was mostly abandoned, with the occasional monster travelling down it.
Jack's pawsteps got quicker rather suddenly, and he padded onto the thunderpath without much consideration. Before the ginger and white tom had time to register what was happening, blinding light clouded his vision, and with a sickening thud, he was sent spinning across the thunderpath.
Thymepaw let out a howl of despair, "JACK!" He yowled, racing after his first love, crouching at his side on the opposite side of the thunderpath, his tail fluffed and the fur along his spine sticking up in all directions.
There was nothing he could do.
Northpaw
Skyclan Apprentice
The black and dark ginger molly was flicking her feathery tail back and forth, her bi-colored eyes looking back from Jake to Thymepaw, biting the inside of her cheek. It was frustrating that the black and white tom wasn’t thinking of his clan, or the safety of it.. Letting out a small groan of frustration, the small Maine Coon shook her head for a moment before turning around for a moment. Northpaw didn’t like the idea, especially if some sort of outbreak happened within Skyclan and Cherryblossom couldn’t properly help everyone because of the herbs that Thymepaw had taken. It would help Jake’s group, but could cause his own clan to suffer. Would Thymepaw possibly be okay with letting out his own clanmates suffer for kittypets that he barely knew?
“I hope you know what you’re doing Thymepaw, and you don’t regret it.” Northpaw said calmly, her eyes narrowed at the larger tom. The black and dark ginger molly had certainly inherited her father’s personality when it came to logic and leadership. However, Northpaw had inherited her mother’s kindness and refused to not help a group of felines, not when they could be treated and helped. Taking a deep breath, the small Maine Coon turned towards the two toms before approaching them. Her gaze remained focused on the kittypet for a moment. She was cautious, did Jake have good intentions or was he using the poor Skyclan apprentice to his own advantage. “Please lead the way Jake, I would like to be home before the sun goes down.” Northpaw simply said before hearing Thymepaw’s words. So the whole group was coming down with the sickness, they needed to stop the spread before anymore felines would become sick. Letting out a soft hum, Northpaw acknowledged the information. Now, Northpaw and Thymepaw had to figure out what herbs would help with the sickness. Looking towards the herbs that Thymepaw had brought, she looked at the black and white tom “Is it some kind of greencough case that we’re dealing with? What’s the symptoms so far?” Northpaw questioned, the tip of her feathery tail was twitching and she couldn’t help but become anxious. Could Northpaw and Thymepaw save all these felines without damaging the herb store in Skyclan?
[Thymepaw] ˢᵏʸᶜˡᵃⁿ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵉⁿᵗᶦᶜᵉ
The grey and white tom's tail lashed indignantly at Northpaw's protests. She just didn't understand! If she gave them a chance, then she'd understand how bad it was, and how helping was only the right thing to do! He visibly rolled his eyes and groaned at her mention of the rogue group that had attacked before their birth.
"Who cares about some rogue group that are long gone! These cats aren't rogues!" Thymepaw sounded exasperated, he felt like he would never be able to explain to Northpaw how much he felt like he was meant to help them. "I'm not taking enough to put cats in danger, I know better than that."
Thymepaw scowled, he tracked Northpaw with his gaze as she started pacing. "It won't get to that, so it doesn't matter. Once Jack's group are better, they'll move on. Skyclan will never know." The tom glanced over at the mentioned loner, before returning his gaze to Northpaw. "They don't have to know."
His ears perked up with curiosity as she asked how bad the sickness was. Perhaps she was coming around. Thymepaw quickly stood and shook himself out, feeling relief beginning to bubble up inside of him.
"Cats have died already, and others are getting close." He started, "I know it's a risk. But it's a risk I'm willing to take. If more cats die when I could help them, I don't think I could ever sleep at night." Thymepaw mewed.
"I know you probably don't feel the same, but this is my choice to make. If it means getting cast out from my clan for helping those who need it... maybe it would be for the best. I couldn't live in a clan who would so willingly sentence cats to die."
Northpaw
Skyclan Apprentice
“Thymepaw.. This is wrong!” Northpaw hissed quietly to her friend, his bi-colored gaze was rested on the loner. The black and ginger tortoiseshell let out a small groan in frustration, what was he thinking? “May I need to remind you about that rogue group that almost took over our clan before we were born?” Northpaw said, referring to the Horde. The small molly remembered the stories of the massive rogue group that ambushed Skyclan in their home, how Firestar had lost his first life from their leader, Karma. Both of her parents have lectured her into promising that herself and her littermates would stay safe from outsiders. Letting out a small sigh, Northpaw shook her head slighly.
“We are facing our own crisis in Leaf-Bare, we have our own pregnant Queens expecting.” Northpaw pointed out to her friend, raising an eyebrow at him. The tortoiseshell Maine Coon hadn’t expected from the black and white tom, thinking about others instead of his own at Skyclan. Letting out a frustrated sigh, the small molly began pacing back and forth. Northpaw was really trying to see the other point of view, Thymepaw wasn’t thinking about his loved ones but rather strangers that he hadn’t know his whole life “And how would be able to handle a situation if not only these loners don’t have herbs, but your own clan mates too?” Northpaw asked calmly, trying to give the male on her point of view on things. While Skyclan was thriving, it is unknown when an illness would strike.
Looking at the lone male, her bi-colored eyes went to Thymepaw once more. A frown appeared on her lips “How bad is the sickness?” Northpaw questioned, her feathery tail waving back in fourth. The small Maine Coon was curious, as she knew that it must be somewhat serious. But again, Thymepaw always had a more gentle heart. With Firestar as her father, Northpaw had inherited his thick skin. Looking at the other male, Northpaw had seen that the former kittypet was practically skin and bones. A sense of unease had settled in the young apprentice, if the weather was harsh on a bunch of loners, how would Skyclan handle it? “This is a huge risk that you’re taking.” Northpaw warned Thymepaw quietly.
[Thymepaw]
ˢᵏʸᶜˡᵃⁿ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵉⁿᵗᶦᶜᵉ
Thymepaw's heart dropped into the very pit of his stomach as Northpaw addressed him directly. He had done it now, he knew he could never get away with what he had done. His tail drooped as he trailed behind her, before beginning to lash furiously as she spun around and started chastising him. How could she just say that? Didn't she care at all? He felt hot when she mentioned his relationship with Jack. They weren't official. They hadn't even discussed it, Thymepaw didn't even know if he liked toms!
"I- We're not-!" He stuttered, before scowling at Northpaw. "It doesn't matter! You were following me! It's none of your business where I'm going or what I'm doing!" His voice shook as he spoke, the definitive waver to his tone showing that he was more upset than anything else. He knew all too well if she told Firestar, he would be in big trouble.
"They're suffering!" He mewed, voice strained with his own despair and his determination to convince her to keep her mouth shut. "One of the she-cats in the group is going to have kits soon, and these cats are sick... would you really let them suffer because of the stupid warrior code?!" He snapped. "Jack doesn't want to steal our herbs, he needs them for his group!"
Northpaw
Skyclan Apprentice
Northpaw knew something was up with Thymepaw, and she was right!
Her bicolored eyes were watching the Skyclan tom interacting with another tom, expect the other male wasn’t from Skyclan. Her training with Foxnose was going smoothly, her uncle had taught her for moments like this! The small black and dark ginger Maine Coon was watching the scene in front of her with widened eyes, Thymepaw was committing treason! Not only giving herbs to outsiders, but also cuddling up to them! The young apprentice was hesitant on what to do with this kind of situation. If Northpaw told her father about this act of treason, she knew that Thymepaw would be seriously reprimanded by Firestar and deemed a traitor to Skyclan.
Why did Thymepaw have to suddnely make things so complicated?
A s sigh escaped Nortbpaw, the small Maine Coon molly suddenly stepped out of the bushes that she was hiding from and into the clearing. Noticing that Jake was looking straight at her with a mortified look, Northpaw ignored him while looking at Thymepaw “Thymepaw, we need to speak.. Now.” The black and dark ginger molly said, her feathery tail flicking back and forth in annoyance. Looking towards Jake, her bicolored eyes showed no emotions towards him. It was something she had inherited from her father. Turning around, she led the black and white tom towards the edge of the clearing and away from prying eyes. This were serious allegations that would get into consequences unless Thymepaw would stop with his actions.
“Thymepaw.. What you’re doing is against the warrior code!” Northpaw hissed quietly to him, her ember and violet eyes were full of concern to her friend. Looking back at the kittypet, the black and dark ginger molly scowled at him. He must had used his charms on poor Thymepaw! While her eyes were narrowed, she turned back to look at the black and white tom. “I will have to tell my father about this, he has the right to know.” Northpaw pointed out when seeing her friend’s mortified expression. Turning around, she looked towards Jake and Thymepaw and shook her head “You know this relationship is against the code… Why are you doing this?” Northpaw said quietly to him