Water Not Frozen

[JustMallory]

Ivyheart sat, her tail curled gently around her paws. In front of her lay a waterfall, nicely nestled in the clan's territory. Despite the cold weather, the moving water wasn't frozen. Ivyheart suspected it was because the rocks at the bottom of the falls kept the water moving, not giving it time to freeze over. The pale cream she-cat quietly purred as she watched the falls, the splash against the rocks falling into rhythm with her breathing. She had organized the patrols for the day, and seeing as there was some free time, decided to head towards her favorite spot in the territory. The waterfall. She couldn't stay here long she knew, not only because things needed to be done, but because mist sprayed off the cascading water, falling on her pelt. After some time, it would dampen her fur and leave her freezing in the leafbare weather. Her pelt didn't do much for her during these times. Sighing, she shifted her paws, taking her last glance at the pretty sight before her before her duties called her back to her clan.

[Snivellus]

The clan leader emerged from the cave and trekked slowly down to the waterfall, nearly bumping into his deputy. "Ivyheart, just the cat I was looking for." He purred with a friendly wave of his tail. There was no cat he trusted so much as his deputy. "I meant to speak to you about patrols," he commented drawing himself further up the cliff away from the water fall to keep himself from getting his white fur drenched. "I'd like an extra border patrol on the SnowClan border every day, things haven't been going well this leafbare and I don't want to take chances." FogClan would probably be alright with their rabbits, so the regular patrols should suffice. "And we need extra hunting patrols, the fresh-kill pile is far too empty, I can't let the clan starve."  As serious as this was he didn't sound terribly concerned. StoneClan had plenty of prey if they sent out more cats to find it. "Do you think our warriors can manage all that?"

[Iris]

Reedwhisker begins to sort through his supplies. He notices that he is low on Watermint and Sweet-Sedge. "I'm such a flea-brain! I should've stocked up on these earlier. I will especially need Sweet-Sedge since it only grows during this season.. Hopefully I can find some of both near the stream or waterfall."  He grumbles to himself. He begins to pad out of his den, making way to exit the camp and follow the stream. He paces at a constant fast-walk, following the stream. He's scoping out for the plants carefully with his sharp eyes, making sure not to miss them if he's near one. He soon begins to hear the rushing water of the waterfall. He gives a heavy sigh as he hasn't seen either of them and hopes he sees something in this area. Slowly padding towards the falling water, he begins to see two bodies. The leader and deputy of the clan. He rushes toward them, paticuarly thinking that maybe one of them have seen either plant. "Hey you two, have you seen any Watermint or Sweet-Sedge around the territory?" He loudly asks, not thinking that they were in any sort of important convorsation.

[Sagepaw]

A soft snore woke Sagepaw from her slumber, and she sat up, blinking the sleep from her eyes. She was sitting in her nest in the apprentices' den, confused for a moment. Oh!She remembered with a jolt, That's right! I'm an apprentice now!
Sagepaw grinned to herself and stood up in her nest, stretching out her body. She wanted to be completely prepared for her first time out of camp as an apprentice! She gave her long fur a last shake and with a swish of her bushy tail, Sagepaw was in the camp. She shivered against the cold wind, and winced. Leafbare was a rough time to be made an apprentice.... She glanced up at the sky and hoped it wouldn't snow as she began to groom herself.

[JustMallory]

Ivyheart smiled broadly as she saw the broad shoulders of her leader, and she nodded respectively. When he began to speak, her brow furrowed in thought, and she bit her lip. "Yes. The warriors are very capable of doing all that." When he brought up Snowclan, she bristled slightly. Snowclan was the clan who had the least prey as of now, and she wouldn't put it past the distrustful cats to steal prey if they became desperate. She flicked her ear in acceptance and murmured. "I'll set more hunting patrols as well. I'm sure cats would love to get out of camp and do something." With a slight roll of her eyes she continued. "Leafbare is always hardest on the clans." She shifted as she said this, and turned her head sharply when she heard Reedwhisker behind them. She shook her head, a small grin on her face. "I wouldn't know if I did! Perhaps you can tell me what it looks like, and I can let the next patrol keep an eye for it?" Ivyheart was an excellent warrior, but when it came to herbs, she figured it was best to leave it to the experts.

[Snivellus]

He pricked his ears, glancing. "Reedwhisker, out looking for herbs I see." He was quite fond of the Medicine Cat, "you should have an apprentice or a warrior to help you and I..." He paused opening his jaws to scent. "I haven't spotted many herbs although I have to admit I'm not very familiar with sweet-sedge, our territory is rocky and barren in the best seasons." He mewed. "Leafbare has made most of the growth shrivel back." He paused, thinking. "But there may have been some watermint in the place where the stream forks." He knew the smell of that at least. He nodded to Ivyheart respectfully, "that's a good idea, you'll make a wonderful leader some day." He said gently flicking her shoulder with his white tail tip. "Ivyheart, do you think there's another warrior, I'd like to take out a hunting patrol with you, perhaps Snowstep and her apprentice, or Lionclaw...hang on a moment." He climbed back up to the mouth of the camp and poked in. "Sagepaw!" He shouted for his apprentice, "Sagepaw, I'd like you to go with Reedwhisker and help him gather some herbs he needs, and come join Ivyheart and I on hunting patrol if you finish soon enough." he said flicking his tail back towards the others.

[Sagepaw]

Sagepaw's ears pricked up as she caught sight of Clawstar's head poking into camp. As he was speaking, she was padding over, her bushy tail high with excitement. She nodded eagerly after he finished and glanced towards Reedwhisker.
"Where are we going?" She asked as she stomped through the snow towards the medicine cat, "Are we looking for anything dangerous?" She added, her green eyes wide with worry.

[Iris]

He slows down as he nears the two. "Hmm, Watermint is a very green and leafy plant. Sweet-Sedge is green, too, and long. It has a thick stem and a long yellow-ish bud at the end." He replied to them. "And you're probably right, Clawstar. Though just to be sure. Also, yes! An apprentice would do me good. Maybe then I wouldn't have to worry as much!" He jumped. Reedwhisker was hoping that sometime soon he could be a mentor. It would be a huge pleasure. Though for now, Sagepaw was going to help him at least. That will bring him some company. He looked at the worrying apprentice. "Don't worry, Sagepaw. The herbs we're looking for shouldn't be too hard to find. Well, not the watermint hopefully. This wont be dangerous at all." He told her with reassuring eyes. He took the leader's advice and decided to head near the end of the stream where it forks off. "Thanks guys!" He shouts as he heads in the other direction with the little helper.

[Sagepaw]

Sagepaw nodded at the medicine cat, listening quietly.
"Watermint, sweet-sage, Watermint, Sweet-sage..." She repeated as to not forget as she trotted off after the medicine cat. The duty was simple, but it was better then nothing! Sagepaw couldn't help but feel a little proud as she followed Reedwhisker. She was helping the medicine cat too! By that logic, she was helping one of her sick clanmates! She shook her pelt with pride and her bushy tail stuck up with excitement.