The morning had been bustling - not so much for the white furred tom, just in general. With everyone rushing around full of energy and sharing tongues. His tail lashed with irritation, he should be out there hunting and fighting - not stuck in the camp most of his days tending to cats who would just rather complain and aid in adding to his near constant headache.

With a wave of his tail he tidied up a pile of herbs before he shuffled around the den taking a mental inventory on what he had in stock. However that was interrupted by a foul smell. He could smell the tom before he even called his name. Turning to the entrance his miscoloured eyes were already narrowed as the long-furred tom poked his head in. This fool, he had been in clear pain before and just brushed it off - and sure enough here he was limping into his den.

"You're lucky I am. By the smell of it you have a wound that is in desperate need of cleaning.." he muttered as he looked him over, taking in the sight of the paw, "tell me your story so I know what I'm dealing with." he ordered and took a seat, his tail resting over his paws as he patiently waited for the other to share his foolish tale of what brought him in to his den that five greenleaf afternoon.

The brown and white tom's fur burned under Frozenkingdom's glower, and he hobbled over to the older tom like a chastised kitten.

"Well, I stepped on a thorn while out on a sunrise patrol," he mewed, dangling the infected forepaw in front of the healer. "It was about five days ago, I think. I pulled it out and, well, afterwards I had to walk through a couple of mud puddles to get back to camp."

His normally placid face was twisted into a grimace as he recounted the tale.

"I probably should have gotten my paw treated, but I didn't want to be a burden." The tom met Frozenkingdom's mismatched gaze with earnestness. "I've stepped on hundreds of thorns without herb treatment before -- and walked through grosser substances."

He spoke quieter, tail beginning to droop. "I don't know why this is happening now. If you're busy, I can come back later. I don't want to burden you."

As the other tom began to explain he could feel the heavy sigh deep in his soul. Was he seriously so daft he didn't come and get it checked out immediately? If it was no big deal he could've cleaned it for him and sent him on his way - now he stands here wounded and thinking about leaving it for another day's problem. Why if it wasn't frowned upon he would just box his ear right then and there. He didn't have the energy to keep track of everyone.

"You would've have been a burden you fool," he growled out and turned his back on the tom as he started to shuffled around for the right mix of herbs. Motioning his with tail for the other to join him he mumbled, "Hurry over here so we can get this cleaned up and wrapped. You won't be allowed to go on patrol for a few days now, should've let it rest and see me sooner. Now I'll have to have a word with Basilstar and explain why his Deputy is currently out of commission."

Turning to face the other he had the herbs next to him and cobwebs ready, along with a ball of moss now in his mouth wet and ready to go. He just waited there patiently for the other to cooperate and sit down so he could do his job.

Basilstar walked into the Medicine Den, his mew gentle but underlined with many worries, “I don't think that will be necessary, Frozenkingdom.” His golden eyes flickered to Wapatofur’s paw before speaking again, his attention once more on the annoyed white tom, “This is about Wapatofur’s hurt paw pad, no?” Basilclaw remembered a windy day when Wapatofur came back with a peculiar shift in one of his forepaws. Bothered by this, Basilstar had tried and very much failed to ask if something was the matter. Clearly, Basilstar should have not put his faith in the hopes of Wapatofur going to visit the Medicine Den himself. “I can imagine that his absence will diminish our hunting and patrol pace by quite a lot. Because of this, I would like a full report on what happened, where it happened, and how we will ensure that you will not make this mistake again.” Glancing in Wapatofur’s direction, his distinctive compassion was mantled in a sharp edge that cut the consideration of his terms. His suggestion was undoubtedly a command.

Ears flicking first, his head turned to face their leader with an unamused expression. "You would be correct, it would seem someone was neglecting their duty to keep themselves fit to serve the clan.." he added backhandedly. However there was a gleam of amusement that reached his mismatched eyes as Basilstar started to give Wapatofur heck for not having come to see him sooner. A small chuckle escaped the tom as he shook his head,

"Maybe I should step up and start leading the patrols." he snickered. Sure if he had a good day he probably could go and get things done as good as any other warrior, his body still retained all his training - granted on the same note if it was a bad day, who's to say he could even make it out of his nest. It was really bittersweet. In fact just thinking of it brought a twinge of pain to his chest, cursing once again the life he had lost.

"You wouldn't have been a burden, you fool."

Wapatofur flinched at the medicine cat's sharp words. He was still getting used to Frozenkingdom's brash disposition, even though he consciously knew the white tom's meow was worse than his bite. Still, the thought that he had disappointed Frozenkingdom -- a competent healer whom he greatly respected -- made the fluffy giant want to turn tail and run. But, of course, that wasn't an option right now.

"You won't be allowed to go on patrol for a few days now, should've let it rest and see me sooner. Now I'll have to have a word with Basilstar and explain why his deputy is currently out of commission."

The brown and white warrior sputtered, eyes wide. He had messed up big time. He had become the burden he had feared. 

Wapatofur opened his mouth to beg for mercy, to please not worry their beloved leader about this silly mistake, when Basilstar materialized at the den entrance, evidently well-aware of the situation.

“This is about Wapatofur’s hurt paw pad, no?”

The young deputy bowed his head, unable to look his black-and-white superior in the eyes, pelt sizzling with shame. Not too long ago Basilstar had asked him about his paw, and he had lied, or at least omitted the truth. What a stupid thing to do, and now the clan would be hurting because of it. 

“I can imagine that his absence will diminish our hunting and patrol pace by quite a lot. Because of this, I would like a full report on what happened, where it happened, and how we will ensure that you will not make this mistake again.”

Eyes still studying the ground, Wapatofur shuffled his paws like a remorseful apprentice.

"I'm very sorry, Basilstar," he squeaked. "I never meant for this to happen, I swear. I stepped on a thorn five days ago near the OrchidClan border while leading the Sunrise Patrol. Later I walked through some mud puddles."

Wapatofur shot quick glances at his exasperated audience, eyes pleading.

"I thought I would be fine -- I really tried to clean the wound on my own -- but it just got worse and worse," he choked out. "Please, Frozenkingdom, shouldn't a few hours' rest be enough? The clan needs me."  

"I thought I would be fine -- I really tried to clean the wound on my own -- but it just got worse and worse," he choked out. "Please, Frozenkingdom, shouldn't a few hours' rest be enough? The clan needs me."

The Medicine Cat snickered at the Deputy's pathetic suggestion. Shaking his head he could almost not believe that the other was even trying to have this conversation with him. He had to give the tom some respect he wanted to just keep working, he couldn't exactly say much when he was the same way - however continuing on a foolish path would only hinder all parties.

"Wapatofur." he mewed curtly, "you need to rest and keep it clean. You can still delegate and send patrols out and arrange to oversee training sessions. However if you press on this nonsense about being paws on, then you might as well start building you nest in the Elders den. You won't be good if that foot gets worse.. it needs time to heal if you want to continue to serve and help your clan." he grumbled before turning away from the other two toms.

Shuffling further into his den the white tom dragged out a burdock root and a leaf, setting them down he gave a sigh and took a bite of the root and started to chew to make up a pulp to put on the Deputies infected paw. Hopefully Basilstar would back him up here.

Basilstar’s yellow gaze softened without his knowledge. Wapatofur looked very much like a certain gray kitten who was regularly scolded and skillfully getting right out of trouble again. The brown tom was apologizing without understanding that he was making Basilstar squeeze his jaw, trying not to burst into laughter. The large cat was just too endearing; he and Thistlekit were very much alike. Which was comical, considering Wapatofur’s usual calm, mature appearance, and size.

Basilstar nodded in agreement with Frozenkingdom’s harsh but rational tone. It was difficult to be so hard on a rather new Deputy, but he managed to remain formal, “Wapatofur, I am not angry with you, but surely you consider yourself a significant part of our Clan? Tell me, what's the point of having a Deputy if he wants to chuck his health away for honor? If I desired that cat, I would have chosen your sister.” Basilstar purred softly after a moment, “But I didn’t. I chose you.” These two cats were crucial to GaleClan. There was no Medicine Cat or Deputy he trusted more than the two before him. “Now,” Basilstar started, “I am going to allow you to keep your duties of organizing territory and hunting patrols, but the Medicine cat is right. You must stay here.” He finally let himself relax. It always felt better to be friendly than how some cats thought leaders should look.

“Frozenkingdom, thank you for taking care of him.” The black-and-white cat dipped his head before slipping out to announce Wapatofur’s current injury. He had to find someone to take Wapatofur’s place temporarily while he healed.

The pale cream tabby walked sleepily from the nursery. Waterlilykit had just had a long nap- one she wished and knew had to come true someday. She looked up and squinted; the sky was happy today. The blue was like the color of rich and fully bloomed Myosotis Iatifolia. The sunlight gleamed down upon the earth with the warmth of a cuddle. Clouds up high were swirling- the spaces and curls looking like a smile attached to an unseen face. Waterlilykit flicked her tail in a friendly greeting before quickly padding off.



She already knew where she’d be going. After the death of her mother and littermates and no Queen to care for her, she’d been spending much more time with Frozenkingdom than usual. Oddly enough, he suddenly didn’t seem to mind it as much and never shooed her away. Waterlilykit could stay in his presence as long as she wanted (Sadly not when taking naps). Waterlilykit had never had a father or adult male kin, but he gave it to her. That treatment, though he did so in his own way. Even if she wasn’t all too sure what having a father would feel like.



Waterlilykit, heading to the Medicine Den, blinked in surprise at Basilstar leaving the entrance. Then again, Basilstar and Frozenkingdom were friends too- or from what she could gather. Basilstar must have expected her because he looked down at her, giving a big purr and a nod before moving on.



Waterlilykit poked her head inside the Medicine Den and crept deeper within. Her wide, light brown eyes glanced actively across and around the room, as if it were her first time. She loved this place. The streaks from the water long past on the ancient interior made the walls look like many familiar shapes. Some vertical lines looked like tall grass, others looked like a strangely formed rabbit, and some looked like looming, skinny trees.



The pale she-cat finally noticed a large, brown, and white tom. He was lying in a moss nest and looked to be protecting one paw. Waterlilykit sped forward towards Wapatofur, exclaiming, “What happened!? That looks like it hurts a lot.” Her heart was heavy and full of worry. The green-eyed tom had a swollen, painful-looking pawpad. Poor Wapatofur…



Waterlilykit turned in her favorite white cat’s direction, “Frozenkingdom, what’s wrong with him?? Will he be okay!?”

It was very dismissive, but Frozenkingdom muttered some kind of response to the leader as he dismissed himself. Too lost in his thoughts about what kind of blend to mix for the foolish deputy it wasn't until an all too familiar voice piped up did he take notice to the small cream shape that had snuck into his den. The smallest of sighs escaped him - she never seemed to get enough of his den.

"Waterlilykit, Wapatofur was just a little silly and hurt himself. He'll be fine so long as he listens to my advice." he noted, giving the deputy the lightest bit of shade as he tried to keep it simple for the kitten to understand. "Don't you worry, I will have him back up and running soon - and then I'm sure he'll use his healed paw to run around the camp and play lots of games with you." he mused, a dark humor reaching his mismatched eyes as he glanced at the large fluff ball beside him.

Was it a little mean? Maybe. A little petty even? Yes. But if you didn't take care of yourself, Frozenkingdom was sure going to be the one to make sure you suffered at least a little bit. He didn't work his tail off the be a great warrior, and then a great Medicine Cat just to watch his clanmates flounder around like a fish out of water. If he couldn't be a warrior, he was going to be damn sure his clanmates were healthy enough to pick up the slack.