xx. Delivering Defiance

[Brownie™]

Will I ever wake up...

Arrowpaw awoke, looking up at the bright sun. The shining rays leaped onto him, dancing on him and dazzling, making his fur shine. It was morning, but late morning. He had slept through the early morning as usual. The lazy apprentice got up, worried that Moonleaf had wanted him. Oh... curse me sleeping late! I always do!

Getting up, he licked his pelt, shaking it off and getting it clean. He could atleast be presentable is a warrior came by and noticed him... or even another apprentice. Being the medicine cat apprentice, he got certain extras, but more was expected of him. I won't do this again... or.. Moonleaf should've woken me if she wanted me.. so it isn't my fault.. is it? Debating on whether it was his fault of not, he continued cleaning his pelt, waiting for someone to talk to.

...and be what my father wants me to be?

[Blackstar]

Darklight limped into the medicine den, cringing with each step. He'd been out hunting by himself when he had stepped on something sharp. when he'd looked down to see what he'd stepped on, all he saw was his own blood leaking slowly out of the wound on his paw. He hadn't waited around, but had begun back towards the camp at once. Moonleaf, are you here? he called as he brushed through the entrance of the den. He looked around, but he couldn't see her. she must be out collecting herbs or something Blacklight thought to himself. Then he noticed the medicine cat apprentice in the corner, freshly groomed. Arrowpaw, could you take a look at this?

[Brownie™]

[I'm moving this to the Medicine Cat den. Its more suited there]

Arrowpaw turned his head, only to see Darklight limp into the den, complaining. Oh, dear, I hope I remember what to do! He was the new Medicine Cat apprentice, and his knowledge was small, and mainly from what he had taught himself.

"Oh, where does it hurt?" Running around like a squirrel, trying to find the poppy seeds; he succeeded in finding themthem, placing them gently in front of Darklight. "This'll help the pain."

[Blackstar]

Darklight looked at the poppy seeds, curious, then licked them up and swallowed them. He wasn't used to injuring himself. Instantly the pain numbed from his paw and he sighed. Thanks. he said to the apprentice. He lifted his right forepaw towards arrowpaw to show him the wound. I stepped on something sharp. he said, wondering if the object was in his paw still. His black fur shined in what light was coming in the den from above, making him appear brown. He flicked his tail, the white tip skimming over the ground, raising dust into the air.

[Brownie™]

Nodding, he looked at the paw, scanning every inch of it. "Ah, I see." Without a thought, he pulled the thorn from the paw, placing it down gently. "Stuck good 'n tight, just a plain thorn, can be a bother, though." Surprised that he had done this without Moonleaf's help, he smiled, happy and more awake. I have to tell Moonleaf! Excitement entered him, as he thought of impresing his mentored shone inside his little body. Sparkling and glowing twilights seem to dance around his eye, until a wave of shock came back.

"Anything you need?" he asked, almost forgetting he had another warrior with him.

[Blackstar]

Blacklight smiled at the apprentice. thanks, perhaps....uh....a herb to keep it from getting infected? he replied. He usually didn't get cuts and scrapes, but when other warriors had, he noticed that they had strange smelling chewed up herbs on their wounds. He'd once asked what it was for and the warrior had told him Its so that it doesn't get infected and make it hurt even worse than it did before. Blacklight remembered that moment now and wanted to see if it would help him now.

edit//:oops i called you a kit..

[Brownie™]

Feeling embarrassed, the apprentice's head lay low, not moving as he thought of the right herb. There's always something! "Of course," he replied, giving a fake smile. His tiny, green orbs shrunk in size as he emotions took play over his body.

Finally finding the right herb, he placed it in front of the cat. "Not the nicest, I find, but the best for not getting infected." Pushing the small leaf forward, he backed away, looking at the herb stock, thinking of other herbs he might ask Moonleaf to get, or maybe he would be getting.

"Gone on any patrols recently?" he asked, trying to start a conversation. The warrior's life had always interested him... and his father was pushy before he became a Medicine Cat. It wasn't really his business to know, but he liked conversation, not getting much of it, besides Moonleaf.

[Blackstar]

Blacklight looked at the herb, he'd seen it before in the forest, and it smelled familiar, like one of the other warriors' poultices. As Arrowpaw spoke to him he looked up. well, yes. I was on the dawn patrol this morning. he replied. He thought back to that morning, when he had joined the other warriors to patrol the borders. It had been a little chilly, but he didn't mind, his black fur helped him to heat up quicker than the other warriors on the patrol had been able to. Patrolling both borders was a long journey and he'd been happy to rest a little before going out hunting by himself.

[Brownie™]

Arrowpaw nodded, dabbing some wet moss on the cut, just to make sure. Might as well take all precaution and look smart, he thought to himself, trying to make up for his earlier mistake. "I've only ever been on one patrol but I ran into one yesterday while herb picking." Feeling better about himself, he placed the moss back, trying to keep the den some what organized.

[Blackstar]

Blacklight watched the apprentice work away, cleaning the cut. Oh yeah, how was your patrol? he asked, curious what the apprentice had gone on patrol for but not wanting to be impolite. He slowly blinked his bright green eyes against the sunlight, contented in the warm summer air. every once in a while a breeze would rustle the leaves making the forest sing in joy.

[Brownie™]

Arrowpaw only looked at Darklight, frowning. "I don't do patrols... as a Medicine Cat apprentice, I do so much herb training and history lessons, there isn't any time!" He knew he shouldn't be complaining, he wanted this position more than anything. Healing was his passion, and he didn't want to fight. But the thought or no patrols of hunting was a little depressing.
"I've ran into warriors before on patrol, and done a tiny bit... trying to follow them and pretend I was searching for herbs at the same time." He laughed, embarrassed a little for saying that.

[moonleaf]

Moonleaf slipped into camp with a bundle of herbs in her mouth. She set them down at the entrance to her den, and nodded to Arrowpaw. Could you please organize these for me? She asked. There was some horsetail and yarrow, and a small bundle of juniper berries as well. She was confident her apprentice knew where everything was by now. She turned to Blacklight, smiled. Arrowpaw has taken care of you? Just let me check to see if he's made any major mistakes She teased Arrowpaw, glancing back to see if he was listening. It all seemed to be good, and she nodded, satisfied. So how'd you manage this Darklight? I don't think I've seen you visit too often.

[Brownie™]

Arrowpaw nodded to his mentor, giving Darklight a last look before he went to collect the herbs. Bringing them back, but staying a distance away, he saw Moonleaf checking the bandage and wound. Oh, StarClan... please let her say I did ok! He was always eager to impress his mentor, always trying to show off and be the best. He knew he wasn't, but he tried... hard. "Did I do ok?"

[moonleaf]

You did great. You got it all out of his pad, and the herb is well chosen to stop infection. She gazed proudly at her apprentice. She licked her paw thoughtfully, and decided that she was glad that Arrowpaw had chosen the path of a medicine cat. He would be great, she decided.

[Brownie™]

Feeling proud he nodded, even though he knew the infection was not his idea and he could hardly take credit.. StarClan were always watching. But then again, he should just say nothing and smile.

"Thank you, Moonleaf. Being a Medicine Cat can be exciting!" His enjoy of the medicines always showed in him, along with his bright spirit and eagerness for learning.