The Crimson Bee

[Waspwing]

At first I ignore the stench of yet another cat entering my den. True, it was nothing like most of his clan mates. But then again, which of them didn't already smell bad? I continued to count a small pile of herbs, glancing at each different leaf, root, stem and berry.

As soon as Scarlet's voice appeared I was on guard. Instantly most of my pelt had already fluffed up to make me look around twice my size. I knew that even with my best threat I wouldn't even make Scarlet consider attacking me. Which is why I didn't bother turning around. "Hello, Scarlet." I mewed, still sorting a few herbs. "What brings you here? Finally in need of Treeclan's help?" If she actually did need the clan's help, that would be outstanding.

Another thought came to mind. How did she even get in the camp? Perhaps she had been escorted by Koisplash. It wouldn't be surprising, however, if a newbie warrior had just randomly brought her here. Stupid younger warriors never knew the difference between neutral rogue and Deathclanner.

Finally I turn around, my fur flattening. I eyed the blood covered bee. What was this supposed to be, an ironic peace offering?

[Waspwing]

I roll my eyes at the crimson she-cat, ignoring the fact that she messed up the herb piles. Not like they were every that tidy. Especially not with Harrowingpride here. He hadn't had the time to really organize his herbs since she had arrived. He wasn't about to fix this again now, either.

"Gee, thanks for the info." I snort at her, rolling my eyes. "What, do you expect me to give out herbs during the battle?" I walk away from her and lap up a bit of water from my little pool. "I mean, I already would heal my clan mates and everything. But I'm not so sure I trust giving any to you, Scarlet." I didn't look at her while I spoke, just started rolling a moss ball out of the den.

[Waspwing]

My ears slightly lower as she tries to explain to me a plan for when the battle happens. "My dear Scarlet, I know exactly what to do during this battle. And believe me, trusting any of my clan mates with herb bundles is out of the question. If a warrior has life threatening injuries, I'll make sure they're healed as soon as possible. However, I don't have herbs to spare right now. I'd prefer to keep as many as possibly as close to me as possible." My impatience started to kick in, making my tail lash. "Plus, I'm going to be talking with Beechstar about who should be fighting the battle and who shouldn't be. I don't want to see any newer apprentices in the fight, or even youngish warriors." I paw at my herb supply. "I tell you what, Scarlet. If you can manage to get me some more herbs, I can help you out even more in the future." I whisper into the red cat's ear, flicking my tail tip. "Just because you'll be leaving after the battle doesn't mean we can't help each other out from time to time."

[Waspwing]

Hm, this deal was already becoming difficult. "You know I can't decide on your sleeping and hunting here. However, I can decide who can and cannot get healed by myself." I stop and narrow my eyes. "Why do you need to hunt here, anyway? You have all the space you need outside the Clan's territory. Unless you'd feel safer hunting inside a territory." I let myself smirk, knowing very well Scarlet was far from caring about her safety.

"Anyway, I can agree to heal you when needed. So long as you supply me with the herbs I need." I grumble, sitting down. "Talk to Beechstar or Koisplash about your other demands, though."

[Waspwing]

I narrow my eyes. Out of all the herbs, Catnip was by far the hardest to find, and the most helpful. However, nobody would be getting Whitecough or Greencough any time soon, hopefully. "I can give you a quarter of all the catnip I find, Scarlet. But during Leaf-Bare that might have to change. In case you had forgotten, I use a small amount of herbs for the entire clan. Not for myself. Plus Catnip is the most important herb I could ever have, and generally the hardest to find. But like I said, you would get a quarter of it."

I flick my tail tip. "There is one more thing you need to promise me for this deal to be complete. You stay clear of my patients, and the Nursery when you come here. Think you can control yourself from doing that?" I had never imagined Scarlet being so cooperative. Perhaps a small 'friendship' was starting to form. That could be very good, or very bad.

[Harrowingpride]

Shut up. Shut up. SHUT UP.

The voices were making their way into her slumber, and disturbing her sleep. She shuddered, as they woke her. On top of being sick she was now irritated. She shuddered as she felt the sickness coursing through her. Sleep may be only temporary cure, but it was sufficient enough to keep her from going over the edge. Before she could turn to yell at Waspwing and the stranger who awoke her, she convulsed, and vomited.

It left her feeling weak, and shaking. She turned her head towards the two cats glaring. Now that had a good look at the stranger, she knew she was not of this clan. A certain rage filled her. Bad enough to be woken up, but by an intruder? She got to her feet, ready to tear the cats ears off.

She could be a danger to the kits. No sickness would stop Harrowingpride from defending her kits.
Thoughts of what she was doing here, and why Waspwing was speaking to her casually never crossed her mind. Perhaps it was her ailment clouding her thoughts, or the panic of thinking her kits were in danger but her claws were extended.

"Who are you?" She rasped out with a convicting tone.

[Waspwing]

He rolled his eyes at the she-cats, heading over to his herbs to get something. "Harrowingpride, I'm going to try to give you some more Juniper Berries. They seemed to have helped last time, for a certain amount of time. I'm going to give you something to eat, too. Pick something you'd really like to eat and I'll get it for you in a bit."

He didn't even bother reaction to Scarlet's laughter. There was nothing he could say to stop her, not that it really mattered. "Anyway Scarlet, I guess it's safe to say that we now have a deal." He murmured, placing several Juniper Berries in front of Harrowingpride. "I'll also get one of the new apprentices to swap out your bedding. For now you can sleep in one of the other nests."