[Charmer]

Originally Posted by AbsurdJinx

Juniperpaw wasn't looking for a `thank you`, and she hadn't been expecting one anyways. She accepted Shinefang's advice - or explanation - as his appreciation, even if it wasn't. She had, after all, been searching for an answer, and that was better than a simple `thanks`. Besides, she highly doubted Shinefang would ask anyone for help, the proud furball, even if the tuft of fur bothered him all day. However, she wasn't interested in tearing down Shinefang's dignity by pointing out his age and disabilities - she only did that when there was an obviously-playful mood but right now, there was no such mood.

As Shinefang spoke, Juniperpaw inched closer to the tomcat and sat at his side. Warmth seemed to radiate off him and engulf her, offering her comfort. She let her tail wave slowly behind her, a way to keep her body busy during the serious conversation. She was a very busy-bee and liked to keep moving; when she wasn't moving her mind was working and not always in the most positive of ways.

She did not meet Shinefang's gaze, and instead stared at the ground to the side of her forepaw. A sorrow-filled expression clouded her features and instead of answering Shinefang's questions - which were sure to have her burst out wailing - she croaked, ``So the pain doesn't go away? It'll always hurt?`` Juniperpaw leaned against the older tom, feeling uselessness fill her. If being a medicine cat only caused pain, then why did such a rank exist? Why weren't there other medicine cats in the clans to comfort one another at their losses? Cats who better understood the pain of the medicine cats? Juniperpaw wasn't sure if she was prepared for the sacrifices of a medicine cat.

Shinefang felt the younger cat flush against him, warm against his pelt. She seemed so small. Too small to be confronting these hard lessons. He thought of his daughters, who he never got to raise because the foxhearts of Starclan had snatched them before they could even take their first breath. Not for the first time, he wondered if he would have been a good father. He saw the younger cat's face seem to sink with despair. Had he been too harsh? No. He had only told her the truth. Better she hear it from him than wonder if she was the only cat moons and moons later who still carried the ache. In a rare moment of affection, Shinefang wrapped his tail around the apprentice and brought her closer, putting a paw on her shoulder. "Oh Junebug. It gets easier. And you'll get stronger too," the old tom gaze a chuckle. "You're already so strong." There was sincerity in his eye, and a warmth rarely seen beneath his gruff exterior.