[AbsurdJinx]

Originally Posted by Charmer

@king kaleb! (for stalking)

Nightpaw nodded silently, taking comfort in Juniperpaw's words though she could see she was bothered as well. She set to work gathering the herbs that Shadowclan medicine cat had left, with Juniperpaw there to help. At Juniperpaw's offer, she struggled with how to reply. She wasn't sure what the best thing to say was. Would Daydream run off and not want to talk to her either if she showed up at the border with Juniperpaw? Would they have the chance to talk out what happened? What would make this situation better? Worse? In the end, Nightpaw settled for, "I think I can carry it all on my own, but you can help if you want to."

Shinefang shook his head at Juniperpaw's questions. "It's not the first time I've lost a cat. It won't be the last. I'll be just fine," Shinefang replied coolly. And he was certain this was true. Even if this had rattled him, he'd recover. Just like every death, he'd just need time. "They're going to be fine," he said to the Riverclan cat, knowing that in spite of her stoic demeanor, no cat liked to hurt their friends, and there was bound to be guilt. "They can't stay mad forever. They'll cool down once the pain eases." He grabbed a large beach leave off his shelf and placed it with the shecats, along with a wrapped packet of poppy seeds. "They took hardly any, and I have them to spare," he said.

@king kaleb!

Juniperpaw wasn't sure if Daydream wanted to see her so soon, especially not after their recent... obstacle. And if Nightpaw decided she could carry it all, then she was sure the warrior apprentice could handle it. She nodded briskly, and flashing Nightpaw a teasing smile she responded, ``I suppose I'll entrust you with the care of these herbs.`` Nightpaw had absolutely no involvement in the tension between Juniperpaw and Daydream and she had absolutely no intentions of dragging the poor apprentice into it. She would do her best to keep the mood of the situation as far away from Nightpaw as possible.

She turned her attention to Shinefang and actually felt sadness flood her at his response. It's not the first time I've lost a cat. It won't be the last. Juniperpaw wouldn't wish such pain on anyone, not even her greatest enemy. Then she wondered if Shinefang spoke from his experience as both a warrior and a medicine cat or just a medicine cat. Is this what being a medicine cat would mean? Heartbreak and guilt at every turn? The negativity overpowered the positivity, Juniperpaw found, and she wasn't sure if she could deal with saving or failing lives as well as the issues of her personal life. I wish Geckoleaf were here to help me. Juniperpaw had never felt comfortable sharing everything with Daydream - maybe because they obviously were struggling with their own issues? But maybe, just maybe, she could confide in Shinefang.

When the older tomcat spoke of Daydream, Juniperpaw could only turn away and flick her ears in acknowledgement. She was sure this event would always haunt her, even if Daydream decided to forgive her. When the subject changed, Juniperpaw took a moment before turning back. ``Will you be alright without me, Nightpaw? I was thinking I'd stay behind with Shinefang for a short while.`` Juniperpaw cast the older tom a brief, questioning glance as she wondered if it would be okay for her to stay a little longer. She believed him when he said he'd be fine alone, but she knew she wouldn't be. She didn't want to return to RiverClan where her den was empty and she'd be allowed to wallow in her misery. At least with Shinefang she'd be kept busy with his jokes about his `handsome appearance`, which never failed to amuse her. And perhaps she'd find the courage to tell him about her losses and how to cope with them.