Over a half moon later, Rosekit still found herself in the underground burrows of MoorClan's camp. It was a self-imposed restriction. Though the days seemed to pass more slowly here, at least she didn't have to put up with Spiderkit.
The medicine den was cool and the sweet scents of herbs filled the small space. This was where she spent most of her time, careful to avoid getting under Crowleaf's paws. Every night she would return to the nursery, only to rise while Dapplefrost and her littermates were still asleep and return to the hollow that had begun to feel a lot more like home then the nursery ever did.
Crowleaf was missing this morning but his scent still lingered fresh in the air. Rosekit assumed he had gone out to gather some herbs, or perhaps visit some of the other cats in the Clan. She did not really know what a medicine cat did in their spare time.
The tom had left a strange herb out on the floor of the den, the long green stalks laid out in a neat row. Their fronds stuck out nearly parallel, each offshoot an array of tiny yellow flowers. Curious, the kit padded closer, lowering herself closer to get a good look. The petals looked soft, and she wondered what they tasted like.
"Someone's up with the dawn again today," a dry voice said from the entrance to the hollow. Rosekit leapt up, nearly scattering the herbs.
"It's only dawn?" Rosekit asked innocently, tilting her head at the black tom.
Crowleaf purred. "Perhaps you should go see for yourself." He disappeared temporarily into the herb storage, dropping off the bundle of cobwebs he padded in with.
The ginger kit scrunched up her nose. "But Spiderkit and Stonekit and Dapplefrost will be out there."
"So will Oatheart and Creamfoot and Olivepool," the tom's voice replied from within the storage walls. "But you can't avoid your family forever, you know."
When he reappeared, Rosekit held his gaze for a long time. She looked away first.
"I know," she sighed.
Crowleaf gave a decisive nod, as if there was no more to the matter. He began to pick up the golden herbs lying around the den, gingerly placing the stalks next to each other.
"What is that?" the kit asked, approaching the pile cautiously.
He dropped another shoot on top of the rest. "Are you sure you want to go down that road?" he asked, drawing his brows together. Rosekit considered her options; if she said yes, she knew they would be here until sunhigh at least. Once Crowleaf started talking about herbs it felt like he never stopped. She had asked about herbs before but, truthfully, did not remember much of what he'd said.
Finally, she nodded her head, looking at the medicine cat expectantly.
"This herb is called goldenrod," Crowleaf began. "It is very common in our territory, and least common where SeaClan lives – sometimes, Lilyfeather trades some of their herbs for ours."
The tom continued, Rosekit half listening and half staring at the delicate golden petals, a sea of soft yellow in the musty hollow.
//
She finally left the dark of MoorClan's camp tunnels that sunhigh when Crowleaf insisted she accompany him to the surface – he had an errand to run for Tallstar and, apparently, it was very important she come along. With a slight trot to her step at the thought of being instrumental to his task, Rosekit followed as told.
"What will Dapplefrost say when she sees me leaving with you?" the kit questioned as they passed the empty nursery.
"Dapplefrost won't say anything," Crowleaf assured her. "We're not leaving camp."
YOU ARE READING
//Un//made
Fanfiction// Sequel to Unmasked and Unmarked "Where is your courage, your strength? Where are your loyalties? Because mine are right here, with the Clan, and I would die fighting for it if necessary." Shademask remembers DarkClan all too well and is still tor...
