Near the end of Ebony's Roots...

Speckleflower hissed sharply as her leg gave a shiver of pain. It had become worse lately, even though the hot sun of Greenleaf warmed her up. She glared at Oakspark, Redhawk and Ashblaze; her denmates. They were all very cranky and annoying. Tom cats!

Speckleflower longed for the thrill of being a warrior. Fighting badgers and foxes, bickering with ThunderClan, patrolling and hunting...She hadn't stretched her legs in ages!

Just because she broke her leg didn't mean she had to be carted off to the elders' den. Larkleaf in ThunderClan had something similar happen to her and she became a medicine cat. And now she was healed.

How can I heal myself? It hurts too much to move and no one's helping me.

"I wish I could be Touched!" Redhawk was moaning. "My stiff joints are killing me!"

"I need some new bedding!" Oakspark snapped back.

Speckleflower rolled her eyes and glared at Ebonywind; the cat who had caused her to break her leg. Stupid idiotic mouse-brained furball!

"Hello, Speckleflower!" A cheery voice mewed, entering the den.

"Oh, it's you, Sandleaf," Ashblaze grunted, limping forward to nuzzle his sister. As usual, Sandleaf's eyes darted to Ashblaze's missing foreleg.

"Hi, Sandleaf," Speckleflower purred.

Sandleaf had been constantly visiting her, and as a result, they had become friends. Sandleaf was very sympathetic and sometimes helped Speckleflower to sneak out during the night to gaze at the stars.

"Hi, how's your leg today?" Sandleaf mewed politely.

"Worse," Speckleflower sighed. She heaved it over so Sandleaf could see. It was swollen and very hot.

"I think it's infected," Ashblaze snorted.

"Well, it would be nice if our medicine cats healed it in the first place!" Speckleflower retorted.

Ashblaze shrugged.

"Sandleaf, they're driving me crazy in here," Speckleflower rolled her eyes.

"How can I help?" Sandleaf mewed.

Speckleflower was stumped. No one had offered to help her before. A memory of what had happened mere seconds ago came to her.

"I wish I could be Touched!" Redhawk moaned.

"Touched!" Speckleflower exclaimed. "I need you to find the White Dove for me!"

Sandleaf looked uncomfortable. "But no one knows who the White Dove is."

"Find out!" Speckleflower mewed, irritated.

Sandleaf dipped her head and left. Speckleflower felt bad but she couldn't do anything. It wasn't like she could chase after her friend.

A few days later, Sandleaf returned from a gathering, bursting into the elders' den, breathless.

"Did you find out?" Speckleflower demanded.

"I did! The White Dove is-"

Speckleflower slapped her tail over Sandleaf's mouth, glancing at the other elders. Sandleaf nodded and Speckleflower hobbled out of the den and into the forest. "Where do I need to go?"

"Go to a cave, it's just out of ThunderClan territory. It has a glowing river and stuff. I saw Echoflight of ThunderClan taking Amberclaw of RiverClan away from the gathering. Dawnmist of ThunderClan was following as well." Sandleaf panted.

Determination struck her and she continued to limp towards ThunderClan territory. It was alright until they passed the border. Unease struck her and she tripped over a stick, falling to the ground. Pain rushed through her leg and she growled in frustration.

"This stupid leg!" she complained, Sandleaf helping her stand up again.

It was past sunset by the time they actually trekked through ThunderClan territory. Stars had began to appear when they reached a cave. Speckleflower took a deep breath and stepped inside to have Amberclaw run into her.

"I'm sorry!" Amberclaw mewed immediately.

"What was that for, you mouse-brain?" Speckleflower snapped.

"Aren't you an elder?" Dawnmist of ThunderClan interrupted them, having come out too.

"Why're you here?" Echoflight mewed at the same time.

"White Dove! You've got to help me!" Speckleflower begged Echoflight.

The black she-cat looked a little hesitant. "How did you find out?"

"Sandleaf saw you, Dawnmist and Amberclaw leaving the gathering early. I need this, please. My leg is broken, and my Clan's medicine cats won't do anything and they're just so selfish and I really need to actually walk!"

"I don't know," Echoflight murmured.

"Give her a chance," Amberclaw urged. "I figured you out too."

A small bubble of hope blossomed and Speckleflower held her breath.

"She's determined enough to limp here, by the looks of it. It must've hurt," Dawnmist observed.

"Alright," Echoflight gave in. "But we're increasing our privacy and security. Anyone could've noticed!"

"No, I'm just really observant." Sandleaf supplied helpfully. "And I want to help Speckleflower. I feel bad for her."

"Okay then," Echoflight nodded. "Sandleaf, it's your job to help bring Speckleflower out every night that I see her."

Sandleaf looked stung. "What? No way! It's not you, Speckleflower," she added, seeing Speckleflower's hurt look. "I'm loyal to my Clan!"

"Well, I can't go there," Echoflight flashed back. "I'm expecting kits soon!"

Four audible gasps were heard around the room and Echoflight looked embarrassed.

"How come you didn't tell me, you furball?" Dawnmist growled playfully. "And with who?"

"Frogfern," Echoflight told her. "He...figured me out before we talked to Luckystar. And he's much nicer now. He told me he was only mean because he was scared of me and didn't want us to become close. But we did, after I started to help Amberclaw. Larkleaf told me today that I was expecting kits. It was going to be a surprise to Frogfern, so don't go telling him."

"Congratulations!" Amberclaw nuzzled Echoflight, purring.

"They'll be strong and healthy," Sandleaf mewed confidently.

Every cat turned to Speckleflower, but her words were stuck in her throat.

"Don't mind her," Sandleaf spoke.

Speckleflower ducked her head away, her fur bristling. Why should she compliment a ThunderClan cat?

"So, what would you like help with?" Echoflight turned to Speckleflower briskly. "Sandleaf, you should wait outside. Or, if you want to stay, you can, but please don't interrupt us."

"I want to run and fight. I want to patrol and hunt." Speckleflower whimpered. "Ever since my leg broke, I can't do anything!"

Amberclaw glanced at her sympathetically. "I can't imagine that."

"Alright, Amberclaw, Dawnmist, we're going to need to reschedule some things. You two can go back to your nests, unless you want to stay. I can't send Speckleflower back without at least trying to help her." Echoflight directed.

Gratefulness washed over her. Echoflight was being really kind to her.

Maybe she would regain use of her leg. Maybe she could unretire. Maybe she would become a normal warrior again.