Leafpool's Wish/Chapter 5

Chapter Summary
 Leafpool's POV 


 * Berrykit is limping into Leafpool's den. Hazelkit explains that he had stepped on a giant thistle. Leafpool examined his paw, seeing a small thorn in one of his paw pads. Brightheart steps in to deliver the cobwebs she was sent to gather. She is asked to take the thorn from Berrykit's paw, which she does easily.


 * When the kits leave, Brightheart asks Leafpool if there's something she needs to tell her. Leafpool is uneasy, asking what she means. Brightheart states that she feels as if she is Leafpool's apprentice; doing all of her medicine cat duties. Leafpool acts like that was her motive as Brightheart declines her offer and leaves her den, leaving Leafpool feeling alone.


 * Three sunrises later, Leafpool is in her den, mulling over her decisions. She thinks about how she keeps trying to avoid Mousefur before she sees Cloudtail carrying Whitepaw's body on his shoulders. Leafpool records that the apprentice's breathing is shallow with a weak heartbeat. Brackenfur explains that Whitepaw was practicing for her assessment, chasing a rabbit, and was found collapsed. Leafpool notices a swelling on Whitepaw's face, and she asked if the hare had struck her. Thornclaw revealed that it had, and Leafpool states that the hare must've been too large for the apprentice to take on. She also noticed that her tail is dislocated. She tells the group to keep Whitepaw awake while she snaps the tail back in place. Leafpool is anxious as the ThunderClan cats hold Whitepaw down. She eventually snaps the bones into place, and Whitepaw wakes up, shivering.


 * Sandstorm approaches Leafpool, congratulating her. She asks if anything is troubling her. Leafpool dodges the question and leaves the camp, spotting Crowfeather. He admits that he needs her, and the two share a moment. Leafpool tells him that she is ThunderClan's medicine cat and that their relationship was over. She tells him to go back to his Clan and that she won't let him ruin everything again. Crowfeather is heartbroken before going back to his patrol consisting of Nightcloud and other cats. Nightcloud asks who he was talking to, to which he responds that it was nobody important.

Other

 * Whitepaw is returned to the camp to be diagnosed with a dislocated tail and a swollen jaw. Her tail is relocated soon after.