In Sickness and in Health

"Quailstar.. we need to talk." Greymint peeked inside of the Leader's Den. She had a mask made of leaves and cobweb around her muzzle. Quailstar groaned, but carefully got up while making sure to not wake Honeydew. She walked slowly outside of her den.

"What's wrong now, Greymint..?" The Medicine Cat had tears resting on the edges of her eyes.

"We... we've lost Shydart and Roundears this morning... That makes four, Quailstar."

"Oh.." Quailstar looked towards the ground. Just one moon or so earlier they had lost Mossytalon and.. Ganderacorn, one of Quailstar's closest friends.

"Quailstar.. their deaths have caused us to have extra Catmint.. I need you to take it. We have just enough for you." Quailstar flattened her ears.

"What about everyone else?"

"I've given them all that I can give them." Quailstar coughed heavily, making her eyes water. "You need to take this, Quailstar."

"Wh- you haven't given any to Honeydew. Where is her Catmint?"

"...tough choices, Quailstar. I'm sorry.. you need to take it."

"No."

"Quailstar, please-"

"You give it to Honeydew. I have seven more lives, Greymint."

"And we need you for all of them; dont throw away your lives!"

"And she only has one! Give it to her, Greymint. That's an order-"

"Quailstar-"

"-from your Leader. Or have you forgotten?"

(Update: 09/22/23)

The two cats made intense eye contact.

"...if you say so, Quailstar." Greymint walked into the Leader's Den, waking and greeting Honeydew. Quailstar watched this, still concerned for her mate's safety. She would be okay.. Quailstar hoped. Quailstar could hear sobbing from behind her. She turned, seeing several of her Clanmates mourning the deaths of the previously mentioned Shydart and Roundears. Brindleowl placed shrivled flowers onto Shydart, and Treesprout did the same to Roundears. These cats had been very important to them; Shydart was Brindleowl's mentor, and Rounderears had adopted Treesprout after the death of his parents. Tears came to Quailstar's eyes as she thought about everyone they had lost. Not just to this sickness, but before as well. So many cats have died under Quailstar's rule as Leader. None of them have been her fault, but she still couldn't help but feel that they were.

Lavendertorrent, Howlprance, Mossytalon, Ganderacorn, Shydart, Roundears- all of them were dead. Leaf-Bare was always hard.. but it had never been this hard.

(Update: 09/26/23)

Quailstar heaved, another coughing fit gripping her lungs like prey. Her Clanmates watched her as she continued to suffer. After a particularly hard cough, Quailstar spat blood out of her mouth. Honeydew peaked her head out of the Den, the Catmint making her already feel a bit better as it fought the virus.

"Quailstar? Greymint, she's coughing up blood!" Honeydew tried to rush forward, but Greymint blocked her path.

"You cant go near her, or the Catmint wont work! Stay back, all of you!" Greymint panicked as other SummitClanners had also tried to rush to Quailstar's aide. Greymint's warning had stopped them however.

"B-But she needs Catmint! Give her Catmint!" Honeydew cried out desperately. Quailstar had fallen over; every breath she took could be heard by everyone as her throat was filling with phlegm and blood. 

"There is no more Catmint, Honeydew! She..." Greymint hesitated.

"She what?!"

"She.. gave the rest to you." Quailstar looked at Honeydew. She woke up this morning knowing that today was the day. She could feel it, and StarClan told her. She saw an owl today; a small little owlet dead. And now she could see a small, ghostly silhouette just behind Honeydew. This would be the end of Quailstar using this little owlet's life, and she would move on to Rubblestar's. She would be down to six lives, but Honeydew will be alive. And that was worth.

As this life began to leave Quailstar's eyes, she tried to smile. It would all be okay.