Nutwhisker's POV:

Nutwhisker padded into the elders den where Loveheart, Fluffystream and Dawnheart lay. The former deputy lifted her head sleepily, whiskers twitching at the sight of the medicine cat. The scar over her left eye was still red and infected.

Nutwhisker crouched down to examine her scar closer. "Does it still hurt?" He asked, pressed his paw gently against it.

"Yes." Dawnheart hissed, moving herself away from Nutwhisker.

Nutwhisker sighed and put down his herb bundle to pick out the right herbs for her scar. The other day, her scar had suddenly flared up- bright red and swollen. It was a mystery as to what had caused it, but Nutwhisker seemed to be healing it slowly. It was less red than the night before.

He picked out the celandine and chewed it. Then he spat out the pulp and gently applied it around her eye. The celandine would stop any infection that may go into her eye. Next he took out the chervile root and applied that to Dawnheart's scar. That would stop and prevent any infections. Throughout the entire procedure the grey she cat stayed perfectly still, probably fearing that Nutwhisker would get herbs in her eye. Finally, Nutwhisker wrapped some cobwebs around her eye to make sure limited dirt got in and the poultice stayed put.

The brown furred tom sat back slightly to look at her forepaws. All that was left were uneven stubs. A pang of sorrow swept through him as he sniffed the stubs for any signs of infection. If he had been a more skilled medicine cat, he'd have been able to save her paws. Instead, he had to slice the remaining tendons off and send the deputy to the elder's den for the rest of her life.

"Stop staring at them." Dawnheart sniffed, tucking her forelegs under her chest.

Nutwhisker shook his head to clear his thoughts and turned to Loveheart and Fluffystream. "Need anything?" He asked.

Loveheart gave her fur a quick lick. "I'd like some mousebile to remove these ticks."

Nutwhisker nodded, glancing at Bigstep. The old tom shook his head, eyes half-closed sleepily. The medicine cat turned away and headed out of the elders den, his green eyes blinking against the harsh- yet also weak- morning sunlight. His pawsteps were light against the sandy ground of the main clearing and he quickly weaved among the few warriors hanging around camp before ducking into the medicine den tunnel. He paused as he reached the cave, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the sudden darkness. Then he padded to the left, grabbing the leaf wrap of mousebile for Loveheart. He passed Watersplash on the way and waved to his fellow medicine cat. "Hello."

Watersplash purred in reply. "Good morning Nutwhisker." Her head was ducked behind the curtain of lichen they had created on the other side of the den so that the nests had a decent amount of privacy.

Nutwhisker smiled to himself as he climbed out of the medicine tunnel and trotted back across the edge of the main clearing. He entered the elder's den and seated himself next to Loveheart's nest. "Where are the ticks?"

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After removing Loveheart's ticks, Nutwhisker threw away the remains of the mousebile, reminding himself to collect a fresh batch later on. The busy medicine cat then left the medicine den and padded into the nursery cave. He smiled when he saw Timberkit, Amberkit and Sweetkit all playing happily beside Silverwing. Nutwhisker stared at Timberkit with a small twinge of longing. He wished to be a proper father to his kit. Why did he choose the path of a medicine cat?

Silverwing looked up at Nutwhisker as he entered the cave. "Oh hello Nutwhisker. Come to see Timberkit?" The queen smiled sweetly, her gaze kind.

"I was just coming in to check on everyone actually." Nutwhisker chuckled as he watched Timberkit pounce on his den-mates. "The nights are getting chilly and kits are most susceptible to whitecough during these next few moons." He looked up at Silverwing. "Have there been any signs of discomfort? Coughing or sneezing?"

"Nothing like that.." Silverwing glanced at her own kit, Amberkit, and her voice dropped to a low whisper. "But I have noticed Amberkit has been having nightmares recently."

"Nightmares? Of what?" Nutwhisker narrowedhis eyes.

"I don't know," Silverwing shrugged, "but she writhes and whimpers all night long. I can never wake her. I'm so worried for her."

Nutwhisker looked over at the little she kit and sighed. Why is NoName attacking a kit's dreams? There is no logical reason.

Silverwing spoke up. "What is it?"

Nutwhisker glanced up at the silver she cat. "N-nothing. Nothing to worry about." He dipped his head and hurriedly exited the den.

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