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Feathertail picks her way through the rocky path, only half-listening to Stormfur’s chatter. Bramblebloom is leading them, and her memories of this passage are the weakest, and it’s hard to forget why, when a leg she doesn’t have anymore keeps hurting.
“Feathertail?” Stormfur says.
“Huh?” She’s been too distracted by navigating, and the rapidly growing pain, to pay attention.
“Are you alright?” Stormfur’s expression is neutral, but Feathertail lets herself lean against him.
“It hurts a lot,” she admits. “Ever since we started climbing.”
Stormfur furrows his brow, purring softly. “Do you want to rest? Or — I’m sure Splashberry could find something for you to take, or…”
She shakes her head. “It won’t help. I just need to—” Her jaw clenches as she’s forced to stop walking by a sudden spike of pain that makes her eyes water, and Stormfur steps back uncertainly.
“Feathertail?”
“Okay,” she admits. “I need to do something.”
Stormfur leans forward uncertainly, licking her cheek. “I’ll get — what do you want?”
Her tail lashes. “I…I just…”
“Okay, let me…Mistyfoot!”
Stormfur half-pushes her into an alcove, and Feathertail sees Mistyfoot begin to weave back through the lines of cats to them.
“What’s wrong?”
“Feathertail’s…she’s in pain. I was going to find Splashberry, but…”
I didn’t want to leave her alone, Feathertail fills in.
“Right.” Mistyfoot dismisses him, moving to shelter Feathertail from the passing cats. She licks Feathertail’s forehead, and Feathertail can’t suppress a whine.
“It hurts.”
“I know, love,” Mistyfoot says. Carefully, she moves closer to Feathertail, purring. Feathertail presses her head against Mistyfoot, uncaring of the countless cats who are probably watching, and Mistyfoot stands with her as they wait for Splashberry and Stormfur to get back.
Eventually, Mistyfoot gives Feathertail another lick, before sitting up a little straighter. Feathertail infers Splashberry has arrived, although she doesn’t move to check.
“Stormfur’s going to see if the others have any herbs,” Splashberry says, and Feathertail lifts her head, just meeting the medicine cat’s eyes. She’s not sure if she’s hearing compassion or pity in Splashberry’s voice. “How’re you feeling?”
“It feels like my leg is getting ripped off again,” Feathertail growls, and Splashberry flinches, although she quickly recovers her neutrality.
“There’s only so much we have,” Splashberry says. “No poppy seeds, but if anyone has anything else left, we’ll get it to you, alright?”
Feathertail sinks onto the ground, her head on Mistyfoot’s paws, and Splashberry crouches down, her face filled with worry.
“Did it get worse?”
“I’m just tired,” she mutters.
Splashberry is about to say something, but she lifts her head. “Did you find something?” she calls, turning her head away from them.
“I’ve got willow,” someone says. “Might help.” A brown tom places a few leaves in front of her. “Feathertail, can you eat those?”
She does, the bitterness an almost welcome distraction.
“Why does this keep happening?” Mistyfoot asks. “Shouldn’t it be better by now?”
Splashberry and the other medicine cat — Barkface, Feathertail guesses, but she can’t quite remember now — are quiet for a moment.
“I’m not sure, but Lilywhisker — she died before all of you were born — had to retire because of ongoing pain after a similar injury.”
“I’m not retiring,” Feathertail says, glaring at Splashberry.
“I didn’t say you would have to,” Barkface soothes. “Just that it might keep hurting. But you were just injured — give it a few more moons before you start worrying about anything like that.”
Mistyfoot leans down to touch her nose to Feathertail’s head. “I’m sure we’ll figure it out,” she says. “No one will make you retire early.”
Feathertail blinks gratefully at her, and starts to sit up. She’s not feeling better — she doubts the willow will do anything more than make the others feel like they’ve helped her — but the stabbing pain has lessened, and she knows they risk falling behind the group.
Mistyfoot nuzzles her cheek, and Feathertail leans against her. On top of the pain, she’s tired, and it shows.
“I want you resting as soon as we stop for the night,” Splashberry says. “No hunting, no helping gather supplies, just rest, do you understand?”
Feathertail nods, feeling sufficiently like a chastised kit, and they start walking. Stormfur and Greystripe are waiting for them, and Feathertail’s ears fold back, embarrassed.
“Bramblebloom doesn’t think we can reach the Tribe tonight,” Stormfur says. “We’re going to stop soon, so everyone can rest.”
Feathertail nods, training her eyes on the ground. This ground is rocky, and it makes her uncertain about her footing. Splashberry and Barkface eventually pull forward, but Stormfur and Greystripe stay nearby, and the whole group stops just as Feathertail feels she can’t keep going.
“I’m going to go see the others,” Stormfur says, and Feathertail follows him. Her feet feel raw, like the stone has been scraping them, and as soon as they reach the other three, she sits, starting to groom herself. She can see worry in their eyes, but she ignores it. Feathertail isn’t in the mood for any more pity.
“So, I think we’ll hit the Tribe tomorrow,” Bramblebloom says. “Hopefully it won’t be a full day of travel; everyone is getting tired.”
There’s frustrating silence. They’re all sitting together like they have something to talk about, but there’s little to be said. On a day when Feathertail wasn’t exhausted and strugglingly to function against pain, she knows exactly what Bramblebloom would suggest they do.
“Go hunt,” Feathertail says. “I know you want to.”
Stormfur licks her temple. “There should be better hunting grounds once we cross out of the mountain,” he says, and she flicks her tail. There should, but while Feathertail doesn’t need to prove she can hunt on a mountain, being forced not to is frustrating.
“I’m staying here,” Whitepaw announces as the others leave. “I stick out like golden grosbeak in the winter.”
“But—” Bramblebloom’s mouth snaps shut as he seems to realize that Whitepaw is aware of the fact that she is always white, and is staying behind for Feathertail’s benefit. “Okay. You’re going hunting tomorrow morning, though.”
“And I suppose you’re my mentor now?” Whitepaw tilts her chin up, smirking. “Since when do you get to tell me what to do?”
Feathertail snorts at her brazenness. “We’ll be useful,” she says. “I’m sure there’s plenty of nest making to be done.”
Stormfur looks at her hesitantly, and she can feel he’s moments away from calling Splashberry, so she shoos them off. “Catch me something good,” she orders.
“I’ll do my best.”