And It's Beginning To Snow

[.&&. Snowsong.]

Paintedkit unsheathed his claws halfway and dug them into the Earth as Ripplepaw rasped his tongue over his tiny figure to hinder himself from wincing. When Ripplepaw paused and asked him where the pain existed the most, he waited for a short moment to feel the pain. When he finished, he nearly flinched. "Uhm... Well, both of my sides hurt the most... and the place near the back of my neck kinda stings."

He soon averted his gaze from Ripplepaw to his siblings waiting outside. A slight tinge of heartache seemed to get to him. Dawnflight was correct; he was only a kit, and he couldn't keep Rainkit from getting that wound on her ear, nor protect any of his siblings without getting so wounded that they panicked. He now felt half guilty for his actions, yet half glad he managed to save them.

[☆§wìftflame☆]

Dawnflight's breathing had eased slightly, bit she was still dizzy wile she watched in relief as she oldest kit was treated. She jumped when Paintedkit flinched, but relaxed so as his wounds revealed themselves to be relatively small, though they had resulted in a lot of lost blood. Feeling weak with relief, Dawnflight sat down heavily before surveying the damage on her other three kits. Rainkit's ear was still bleeding freely, though it didn't seem to be causing her too much pain, and Dewkit and Autumnkit both seemed unharmed. Between her front paws, Rainkit was still fighting to be released from her captivity. Sighing, Dawnflight loosened her hold. Rainkit scrambled free. Licking her forepaw, Rainkit ran it tentatively over her wounded ear, and gasped quietly when she saw blood. "Oh! Dawnflight, am I really hurt that bad?"[/b] With a shaky purr, Dawnflight meowed, "Oh, I think you'll live. Now, Paintedkit on the other hand..."[/b] Dawnflight looked sympathetically at the bloody kit. "How are you feeling, Paintedkit?"[/b]

[xradx]

Ripplepaw checked the back of Paintedkit's neck, and sure enough there was a deep cut which was still trickling blood. He carefully picked up a few marigold plants and chewed them into a smooth poultice. "This might sting a little, but it's worth it in the long run. The marigold will prevent infection." As he spoke he gentle rubbed the poultice into the cut on Paintedkit's neck.

He looked up at Dawnflight, who appeared to be feeling better. "He should be find, but bring him back to me everyday until his wounds heal. And make sure he doesn't do anymore play fighting until he is all better. Now who's next?" Ripplepaw sounded too proffessional to be an apprentice, but taking care of patients, especially kits, was something that he did not take lightly.

[☆§wìftflame☆]

Dawnflight nodded at his words before looking sternly at Paintedkit and meowing, "Well, you heard Ripplepaw. You are not leaving that nursery until you are completely healed, and you'll do nothing rougher than walking to the fresh-kill pile. You have to learn your limitations!"[/b] When Paintedkit had walked over to Dawnflight, Rainkit called, "I think I'm next, Ripplepaw."[/b] Rainkit didn't look as fierce as she had next to the fighting apprentices as she padded tentatively towards the medicine cat apprentice. He was so professional, so confident. He must know everything! Rainkit thought with wonder. Sitting beneath his yellow gaze, Rainkit said, "I think it's just my ear that hurts, the apprentice caught it with his claws."[/b]

[.&&. Snowsong.]

"Alright, alright, mother...." Paintedkit drooped his head slightly. The adrenaline pumping when he was protecting his siblings, the terror about facing death, yet the pride of showing how honorably he has; it was all too good not to miss. He scoffed slightly, disliking the fact that he had limitations. "I hate limits!" he yowled as he rolled, irritatedly, onto his back. "Why do I have to be so weak? I wanna be a warrior already!"

[☆§wìftflame☆]

Dawnflight closed her eyes, attempting to control her raging temper. Sometimes Paintedkit's intense ambition infuriated her. Hadn't the kit ever heard of patience? Dawnflight was about to shush the kit harshly when Rainkit stepped in tapping her brother on the shoulder with her feathery tail. "Come on, Paintedkit, you know we have to be apprentices first so we can learn to be the best warriors we can be - so we can help our clan!" Rainkit's voice was sincere as she spoke, but inside she herself wanted more than anything to be a warrior now and defend their clan and the warrior code. She wanted to be looked up to, to be admired. But, I guess I to get there I have to learn all that first. And maybe follow some rules, too. Rainkit sighed, and then padded back over to Ripplepaw, hoping he could give her something to make her ear stop throbbing.

[xradx]

Ripplepaw carefully inspected Rainkit's ear as he listened to the the kits' discussion on becoming a warrior. It was not nearly as bad as Paintedkit's injuries, but it was still a pretty bad cut for a kit. He quickly licked it clean with his tongue and then rummaged through his herbs. Wtih a combination of marigold, cobwebs, and a few toher herbs he treated the wound and checked over his work. It looked good, all though Paintedkit would probably have a permanant scar on his ear, but most warriors had scars, so that should not be a problem. Satisfied with his work he examined the other kits, who all appeared to be fine. "Anybody else need help?"

[.&&. Snowsong.]

Paintedkit sighed and calmed his nerves, though it took plenty of effort. "Alright... But, I still can't wait! It's going to be so awesome when we're made proud and famous warriors!" He steadily got to his paws, and then padded over to Ripplepaw. His gaze swept to the medicine cat den's interior features, and he hindered a gasp. "Wow, it looks so neat and comfortable."

[☆§wìftflame☆]

Rainkit gave Ripplepaw a quick lick on the shoulder in thanks before joining her brother. "I know, I can't wait either. Hey, do you think I'll get a scar on my ear? You'll definitely have some. This is so cool - everyone will know we've battled with cats already" Rainkit gave a bounce, revealing her excitement within. "Maybe now they'll make us apprentices sooner!" Rainkit seemed to have forgotten the advice of patience she had given Paintedkit moments ago as she imagined being the youngest kit ever to become an apprentice. She then giggled as she imagined the shock Dawnflight would go through at the news of their early apprenticeship. When Paintedkit commented on Ripplepaw's living space, Rainkit added, "Yeah, you have the coolest den ever! Why do you get a special place all to yourself?" Rainkit tilted her head to the side, suddenly wondering why she didn't have her very own den to live in.

[xradx]

Ripplepaw chuckled at the kits. Kits were always so playful and fun. The one thing he often regretted about becoming a medicine cat was that he would never have kits, but he kept that to himself as he sat watching and listening to the playful kits.

"Of course I have a big, comfortable den. It's not just for me, it's for the sick cats. You don't want them sleeping in a tiny, cramped space, do you?" He didn't totally expect the kits to understand, but he explained it anyway. As he spoke he noticed a few white flakes falling outside the den. He wasn't surprised, it was late enough in leaf-bare to be expecting snow, but he was still worried. Snow meant cold, and cold meant sickness. He had a feeling he would be putting the big den to use in the near future.

[☆§wìftflame☆]

"Oh, ok." Rainkit meowed. Suddenly glimpsing her waiting siblings sitting with Dawnflight, she bounded over to show off her 'battle scars.' "Look, Dawnflight, Autumnkit, Dewkit! I'm gonna have a scar to show off how I fought! Paintedkit too!" Dawnflight surveyed her kit's news with disapproving tolerance.

[OOC: crappy post. morning. ew.]

[.&&. Snowsong.]

Paintedkit allowed a smile to play at his lips, and then got to his paws. He gingerly shook himself, being careful, and then padded over to Rainkit. "Now, Rainkit, you know mom won't like seeing a scar on us so soon." He then shifted his gaze to his mother, a slight knowledge and intelligence managing to creep into it. "Mom, I know you hate it.. But it have a chance of being true; Rainkit and I may end up with scars from these wounds. But, mom, we shall wear these scars with honor, for it shows that we've been through battles but survived."

[☆§wìftflame☆]

[OOC: Where did Autumnkit and Dewkit go? Snowsong and I are the only kits replying! xD]

Dawnflight let out one last exasperated sigh before nearly stalking back to the nursery, doing hr best to contain her irritation with her oldest kit. Why must he always act so much older than he really is instead of just being the kit he is? Kits aren't supposed to talk like that! They're supposed to giggle and bounce and pick fights with their littermates - not apprentices! Dawnflight was still worrying herself about Paintedkit when she entered to nursery, it's warm, milky scent finally calming her down. Paintedkit was fine, surely. Just eager to act like an ambitious warrior. Curling up in her sun-warmed nest, Dawnflight just managed to chide herself for getting all worked up over the littlest things before the warm blanket of sleep closed over her and her eyes, small slits, finally closed. Still by the medicine den, Rainkit leaped toward's Paintedkit, aiming to tackle him. "Paintedkit, you're so silly sometimes! We got hit by some fighting apprentices - we didn't battle them! Sometimes I think you're missing out on having fun, acting all solemn and serious all the time."[/b] She smacked him playfully with a gray paw, dodging out of his way before he could retaliate. "Anyway, I bet we brave warriors need some food to heal out wounds of battle. Come on! I see a rabbit over there that can feed all four of us!" Signaling with her short tail for the other three kits to follow, Rainkit dashed towards the fresh-kill pile, making sure to flick her brother's nose with her tail as she went.