The battle was finally here. Troutpaw trembled at the sudden freezing wind as she padded beside Hoppaw, who looked like he was struggling to walk.

"The cold isn't helping my paws," he explained. "I've got sores all over!"

"Go back to camp," Troutpaw meowed, sneezing. Hoppaw shook his head.

"I can't just back out because of a sore paw!" he exclaimed. "I want to be there to fight for our Clan!"

Troutpaw smiled a little. "I can't stop you," she sighed, walking on.

She padded up to Leafpaw's side and the other apprentice greeted her with a friendly smile.

"Is it just me, or does today feel hotter?" Troutpaw mewed to Leafpaw.

"Hotter?" Leafpaw echoed. "But it's been freezing since..." She trailed off, noticing Troutpaw's change of expression.

"I... think I've got a fever or something," Troutpaw mumbled.

Leafpaw felt Troutpaw's forehead. "You are burning up. I'm going to tell Nutberry about this."

Troutpaw was too tired to object as Leafpaw got Nutberry to examine her. The WaveClan medicine cat scrutinised her and sighed.

"I'll have to bring you back to camp," she meowed to Troutpaw, who looked disappointed.

Shellstar, who noticed the commotion, stepped in. "We need our medicine cat in the battle," he mewed worriedly. "There will be many cats with injuries that may need immediate attention."

Nutberry stared at Shellstar, as if she disapproved of his words. "Leafpaw, Smallpaw," she called.

Leafpaw snapped to attention while Smallpaw rushed up towards Nutberry.

"I need your help," Nutberry mewed briskly. "Take these cobwebs and marigold. Use the cobwebs to help patch up our Clanmates' wounds and the marigold to soothe the pain of their injuries."

"Are you sure they are up to the task?" Shellstar asked doubtfully.

"They will have to do," Nutberry responded. "I will bring Troutpaw back to camp and come back as soon as possible. Fevers in weathers like these can get dangerous."

Troutpaw knew that Nutberry was referring to whitecough, which could easily turn into greencough. The thought of her catching such a deadly disease caused shivers to go down her spine.

Without another word, Nutberry whipped around and led Troutpaw towards the direction of the camp.

There was an awkward silence between the two she-cats as they re-entered WaveClan territory, which was covered with a few red and brown leaves. Leaf-bare seemed to be inching closer as every day of Leaf-fall pass by.

They padded into the camp, which was relatively silent except for a few warriors guarding the camp, who were murmuring to themselves.

Orangefur nodded as he spotted Nutberry. His eyes rested on Troutpaw and he gave Nutberry a questioning look. Nutberry ignored him and walked into her den, with Troutpaw following close behind.

The scent of herbs attacked Troutpaw's nose as she entered. The young apprentice had to resist sneezing from the pungent smell.

Nutberry picked out a few strange plants and gave them to Troutpaw. "This should help bringing down your body temperature," she meowed as Troutpaw chew hesitantly on the herbs.

"Rest in the medicine cat den for now," Nutberry mewed. "I'm going back to the Oaks. If you need anything, ask one of the warriors."

"Understood," Troutpaw mewed, lying down on a nest. After the medicine cat  left, she closed her eyes, hoping that she could sleep off her illness.

Shivering but feeling slightly better, Troutpaw unknowingly dozed off.

~~~~

Troutpaw jolted awake with a pounding headache. She blinked to clear her vision and spotted Nutberry preparing a poultice. 

"Oh, you're awake," the WaveClan medicine cat mewed, pausing her work. "Feel any better?"

"A little," Troutpaw replied. "I have a headache though."

"It should clear soon," came Nutberry's response.

Troutpaw nodded and sat down, gathering her thoughts, which was not easy because of her headache.

"Wait," she meowed, realising something. "How was the battle? Is it over?"

Nutberry stopped her work. "Troutpaw, about the battle," she began, "we... won but..."

"But?" Troutpaw looked confused. "We won, didn't we? What's wrong?"

"Something wrong actually," Nutberry sighed, signaling for her to sit down. "When the Clans got to the Oaks, the rogues tried to ambush us, but since they have small numbers, we easily overpowered them. They retreated afterwards, but... they don't even look defeated. It has been bugging me."

"They want revenge?" Troutpaw suggested.

"The rogues do not even look vengeful," Nutberry meowed worriedly. "I'm worried that there is a bigger plot in all this."

"Whatever it is, we will get through it, won't we?" Troutpaw tried to sound confident.

"Let's just hope," came the quiet reply.
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I am planning for Crashing Ties to have 40 chapters. It's not over yet! :)