a shallow cry echoed through the medicine den, and a scornful expression upon the medicine tom's face soon caused the wailing warrior to quieten down.

❝ bluecrest, it's not that bad now. c'mon... hold still, i'm nearly done, ❞ grumbled gentlebear as he eyed at the she—cats slightly bloodied paw, and the arched claw that leaned to the side. ❝ this might sting, ❞ he mumbled softly.

bluecrest nodded and gritted her teeth as the tom—cat cleaned around her broken clan. once the wound was cleaned, a mixture of marigold was applied, and a bundle of cobwebs were wrapped around it.

❝ there, that'll hold. keep off that paw for as long as you can. i'll check it again tomorrow, ❞ he hummed.

bluecrest shook the paw lightly. the feeling was odd, but manageable. ❝ thank you, ❞. the warrior rose to her paws and slowly stumbled out of the den.

as bluecrest limped out, fishpaw bounded in with wide, distressed eyes. the young apprentice held up her paw, a tiny piece of wood embedded into her pad.

❝ i got a splinter! ❞ wailed the apprentice as she took a step closer, blubbering from the pain. ❝ i tried to catch a bird up a tree, ❞

gentlebear's expression softened and he motioned for fishpaw to sit. ❝ let's have a look. it's just a small splinter, nothing to worry about, ❞

fishpaw settled down, trembling slightly. gentlebear pulled her paw towards his face and examined it. the splinter was a dark line against the pink of her pads. he leaned his muzzle down, gently biting the end of the protruding wood piece, and gently sliding it from her skin.

gentlebear sensed the she—cat tense, so he stopped.

❝ you're doing great. just hold still for a second, ❞ he reassuringly purred, his voice a calming balm. then, with a quick jerk, he drew the object from her paw and spat it out on the floor beside him. he applied a small dab of poulticed marigold on the small red dot and wrapped her paw with a strip of web.

❝ there we go, all done. try not to climb any more trees today, hey? ❞ gentlebear teased with a smirk on his muzzle.

fishpaw heaved out a relieved huff. ❝ thank starclan, i thought it had to have my paw chopped off, ❞ she whimpered before standing. ❝ i wont even look at a tree from now on, ❞

as fishpaw stood up and scampered out, gentlebear took a moment to breath. the constant flow of his aid kept him on his toes, that was for sure.

chalkpaw stepped in slowly, her eyes glittering with curiosity. ❝ i saw bluecrest and fishpaw leaving, is everything okay? ❞ she queried, approaching her mentor.

gentlebear snapped out of the small daze he was in and turned to his apprentice. he nodded. ❝ bluecrest had a broken claw, and fishpaw had a splinter. all is well and they'll be fine, ❞

chalkpaw stayed silent for a second. ❝ whats next on our agenda? ❞ she purred, eagerly drilling her paws into the ground below.

musing, gentlebear shook his head slowly. ❝ we can have a quick look at the stores, see if anything needs to be thrown out, ❞

gentlebear strode over towards the herb storage, and before the pair could begin, the calm was interrupted by a long shadow that stretched from the entrance. the tom—cat turned to see smokecough leaning over, a worried look drawn over his face.

❝ please, ❞ smokecough rasped, ❝ you need to come look at crookednibble. she's not eating, and she just doesn't seem herself, ❞

concern clouded gentlebear. he nodded, turning to his apprentice. ❝ continue up here, i'll be back, ❞ he watched as chalkpaw nodded her head, and he took a step backwards, following after smokecough.

as they approached, gentlebear stared at the elderly she—cat. she remained in her nest, in a curled ball.

❝ crookednibble? ❞ gentlebear called quietly. the elder didn't respond, but faintly flicked her ear, to show she had acknowledged him.

smokecough's eyes widened with dread. ❝ she's not eaten in a few days. i'm really worried, ❞

gentlebear rotated his ears upon the patter of paws. he stared at chalkpaw, his gaze pooled with panic. he gulped, shallowly and quietly. ❝ chalkpaw, please go and ask some warriors for a patrol. say it is urgent, and by my orders. borage leaves, juniper berries and honey: quickly now, ❞

chalkpaw nodded her head quickly and the she—cat vanished quickly, having turned on her heels, bolting out of the elders' den.

gentlebear turned his attention to crookednibble. he placed a paw upon her side. he gently pressed down on her limbs and gut, pushing lightly as he felt for any abnormalities.

❝ crookednibble? ❞ gentlebear asked again.

the elder's eyes fluttered open briefly, and a weak, but grateful gaze met his. ❝ gentlebear... i'm just so tired. let me rest, please, ❞ she whispered hazily.

❝ i know. but i need you to stay awake for a little bit longer, just while chalkpaw runs out and gets me the herbs i need for you. can you do that? ❞ gentlebear let his eyes drift towards the worried elder pacing behind him.

crookednibble blew a breath from her nose and shut her eyes once again. her head gently nodded, and a soft 'mhm' buzzed in her throat. the she—cat seemed to loosen up from her tensed, curled position upon the delicate touch of gentlebear's tail that wrapped around her body.

gentlebear stepped out of the elders' den. he took a deep breath of fresh air. crookednibble managed to eat the poultice of juniper berries and borage that he had crushed up, after chalkpaw returned. he mixed it into some honey, to make it more palatable. he was thankful that she had managed to stomach the odd concoction.

he scanned the clearing and closed his eyes.

❝ brother! ❞ grasslion's voice beckoned, muffled by some prey in his mouth, but the affection was clear.

gentlebear's eyes blinked open and drifted across to the fresh—kill pile, where his brother stood with two plump squirrels drooped from his jaw. grasslion's tail flicked as he urged for his brother to join him.

gentlebear's heart lifted at the sight. it'd been some time since he had taken time to sit down and share a meal with his brother. the demands of his life as the medicine cat drowned out such moments. with a nod of his head, he padded across camp.

grasslion spat out the rodents and nudged one with his nose towards gentlebear. ❝ come and sit ❞ he meowed.

gentlebear settled beside his brother, his tail draped around his paws. he took the offered prey, feeling its warmth seep into his paws as he clasped it tightly.

grasslion leaned down and tore into his own meal, chewing thoughtfully before swallowing. ❝ you've been busy? how are things in the medicine den? ❞

gentlebear sighed after taking a small bite. a mixture of weariness hitched his tone. ❝ hectic. bluecrest had a broken claw this morning, and fishpaw a splinter. i visited ravenmeadow and her rambunctious kits the other morning too — they're doing well, ❞ began the tom, unloading the burden of his occupation onto his littermate.

❝ crookednibble is sick, but she's a fighter, and i'm sure she'll pull through. smokecough is sitting with her now, ❞ he continued, turning his nose towards the elders' den for a brief second. ❝ and chalkpaw is learning quickly. she's going to make a fine medicine cat one day, ❞

gentlebear stopped, realising he'd talked on for so long that he could've bored his brother to sleep. he huffed and slowly shook his head. ❝ sorry... ❞ he uttered.

grasslion's chest pulled in and he huffed out a small sigh. ❝ it's okay. i'm sure everyone will pull through, you're probably thunderclan's best medicine cat, ❞

a comfortable silence fell between them as they ate. the fresh taste of warm copper tickled gentlebear's throat as he chewed. he's missed this — the simple pleasure of sharing a meal and conversation with the one he cherished the most.

after a while, grasslion broke the silence. ❝ i've been worried about you, you know? ever since the attack at the sunning rocks... i... i just wish i could've done more when it happened... ❞ he mumbled.

gentlebear paused. the memory of what happened played on the back of his mind. his eyes closed as he battered his eyes back to reality. ❝ it was frightening to say the least, but i'm okay, ❞

gentlebear finished what remained of his squirrel. he pushed himself upright into a seated position. ❝ that was amazing. thank you, grasslion, ❞

his brother dipped his head and flicked a whisker at him. ❝ now, don't be a stranger, brother. i best get a move on, i have a patrol to tackle, ❞ purred grasslion while he stretched out.

gentlebear sucked his teeth to hold back a brief huff of laughter. ❝ yeah, yeah, ❞ he drawled, his eyes rolling playfully. he watched as his brother walked across camp at a hurried pace.

❝ words ❞

slowly, gentlebear padded towards the medicine den. his mind clear and free. a shadow moved erratically in the corner of his vision. smokecough stumbled out of the elders' den, his eyes vacant.

gentlebear's heart sank.

❝ smokecough... what's wrong? ❞ gentlebear's voice was tight with fear.

smokecough's words just tumbled out in a panicked stutter. ❝ crookednibble... she's not waking up... ❞

a wave of dread and sickness crashed over the tom—cat as his body tensed up, his eyes staring absently. he kicked his paws heavily into the ground, his legs almost buckling as he took flight, darting towards the elders' den.

skidding to a halt outside, gentlebear hesitated. he stared into the dim interior where crookednibble lay motionless. he stepped into side, moving slowly.

❝ crookednibble? ❞ his voice was hushed.

the only response was the silence that filled the den. his heart hammered heavily as he approached her, every step feeling like a lifetime had passed by. with a paw raised, he slowly placed it upon her stomach, hoping for the faintest rise of breath.

but, there was nothing.

a tear slipped down gentlebear's cheek. he blinked rapidly trying to clear his vision then looked up to see smokecough, who stood at the entrance.

❝ how is she? ❞ his voice wavered, and was almost as quiet as a whispering mouse.

gentlebear took a deep breath in an attempt to ease his quivering voice. ❝ i'm sorry... she's gone... ❞ he choked out.

a shuddered breath fell from smokecough's lips, and his eyes glistened with moisture. he stepped into the den and lowered his head towards the deceased she—cat. ❝ she was... a great friend, ❞

gentlebear's throat tightened.

slowly, he stood up. ❝ would you like to stay with her for a while? ❞ gentlebear spoke gently to the tom—cat, who stared down at her body, his head nodding.

gentlebear stepped out of the den, leaving behind the grieving elder behind. the camp outside seemed unaware of the sorrow that had just unfolded.

for now, he'd allow for smokecough to have his peace with his fallen companion. alerting redstar on what had happened was currently on the tom's agenda.