two wrongs can make a right.

[ace]

ONEFANG

[/color]
if there's a place that i could be, i'd be another memory.[/right]

The day was not beginning as Onefang hoped. He awakened with a stitch in his side, and had difficulties getting to his three feet, wobbling as he tried to clear his head and focused. Damn the fox that put him in this position. Blinded by both claws and age, he looked through his stores to find the herbs he would need to keep his eyesight in his check. Although old, he refused to go down, not until a kit proved itself smart and brave enough to survive the tongue lashes he often handed out.

After being blinded by the Autumn sun, he stumbled over a kit and gave it a good snap before he engaged in a verbal war with a hissy queen who immediately came to her kits aid. Now, the mottled grey tom was sitting by the river, light brown fur ruffled by the slight breeze. He had managed to fish a stupid fish from the river and now stared at it, fur bristling with displeasure.

He was getting old in his years, 72 moons going on 73. Sooner or later, he would join both his family in the ranks of StarClan. Maybe. He flicked his tail in thought, sharp green eyes flying to the trees. He needed an apprentice, or at least a warrior. Ever since the fox attack, honey was getting scarce for him, and if anything, the treat helped get on the good side of the kits he snapped at, and helped with greencough. Not only that, but without an apprentice, the leaves he shred, were uneven, as he struggled to put his stiff joints to work, espicially with one leg. But not all was lost, he had found a great pile of oak leaves, and organized them in his store. He also had found some catmint, which was good. They blackened in the harsh seasons of winter, which was coming.

His bones felt brittle as a harsh wind cut through him and he snarled, looking down at the fish before chomping down on it vigorously. With the river still trickling in the back ground, he would, soonre or later, drag himself back to camp where he would be confronted by a kit and it's queen, and the two would be forced to apoligize like struggling siblings. He growled as he bent down, anger disappearing to a dull flicker, as he chewed his meal in silence, surrounded by the roar of wind and the songs of birds.[/blockquote]

[♥Rösε]

The broad pale grey tom moved stiffly out of camp, the cold coming in always did this to his joints and for that he grumbled in protest every fall. Sure they would soon get used to the temperature but for now it would be vastly irritating. His ears laid flat against his skull and a frown was in place to show his discontent of the matter, well what could he do? He couldn't change the weather, it was set in stone just as fate was. Though did the elder believe in fate? Partly, yes he felt everyone had a destiny and no because everyone had a chance to alter their lives they made the decisions and those decisions had consequences however good or bad they were. What boggled his mind the most was why was he still here? He was 10 years old far older than most of the cats in the clans, as far as he knew he topped them all. And yet, here he was still alive and kicking for the most part. Perhaps he should ask StarClan as why they so graciously left him on this blasted earth. Hadn't he paid his dues to the world yet? Did he not deserve the peace he wanted, his life had been hell in a cute outfit.

He had dreamed of becoming a great warrior, have a family, die. Instead that was changed in the great battle those eons ago, one slam into a boulder and his vision faded it started out as shapes, then shadows, then nothing he had gone blind. Doomed to be lost forever in the darkness of his own mind. From then he was sentenced to medicine cat apprentice, against his will because of this twist of fate. Fate was cruel, merciless and hungry for more as it happened his brother got sick a moon after and Greysnout, Greypaw at the time had no clue what to do. He tried to keep his fever down with feverfew he tried....he failed. He failed his brother that lay there dying, trusted him to save him and he failed. The memory brought out the darkness of his heart and he growled in pain the memory. It was all his fault, perhaps if he knew now back then something would have changed, maybe he would still be alive. Maybe not.

He paused, scented the air, why was he out here again? Curse his bad memory he had been here to do something. He pondered this for a moment before his ears perked with recognition, burdock root. He was here for burdock root and tansy, one grew near the more wetter areas and the other near the edge of the pine forest. It was because of this that hey all said he needed an apprentice, he'd rather not dead with a whiny kit, plus this gave him exercise. He hated being cooped up it just wasn't his style to be stuck in one place. The herb hunting kept him young so to speak, it worked out his joints that would otherwise become stiff with inability, as now they were only somewhat bad rather than as worse as it could be. With this StarClan did bless him with far less aches and pains than you would expect of an elder his age, most that lived this long would be immobile in the elders den waiting for someone to bite their ticks off. The thought disgusted the tom and his nose wrinkled with disgust.

His sightless eyes darted around as the sounds of crows echoed through the pine forest. If only he could see again, to see the way the light bounced off the pine and leaves, the grass and the water. It used to be his favorite thing, when he was normal. Now all he could so was picture what it looked like, it had been so long since then though. His memory of what everything looked like was fading along with everything else. But he was stubborn, he would fight to keep such memories alive as long as he was able. Pausing again he sniffed the air, he could taste the slight musk of the river by ashen field, also the smell of charcoaled sand from the fire many many moons ago, e remembered that day. It was miraculous that the fire didn't spread to the whole forest.

It might have if not for the rain, still it opened up the world of shadows and let them peek up at the light. Some said they should move camp there, as StarClan wanted, though it was not StarClans wish, it was there to serve as a warning of nature, to allow hope. At least thats how he interpreted it. Moving slowly he finally caught the smell of slightly sweet tansy and leaned down, sniffing at it again to find the freshes flowers. Scenting the tangy and sweet he knew the sweeter would be more fresh. Ill get them on my way back. he concluded and started on towards the river. His paws made impressions in the earth, as he felt each grain roll under his pads, it was an odd feeling. He had heard the sand was as white and pure as the stars, he wished he could see it. His ears perked at he sound of rushing water and he somewhat wobbled his way over, he sat down by its edge and sniffed around carefully, as the root would be masked by the mist of the river. However he did catch the slightest scent of cat, on the other side. He wasn't close by most like around the bend but he could detect the slightest scent, and then a small splash down river. Fishing maybe? Eh, what did it matter to him he was here fore his own purposes, and so he went back to smelling for the root.

[ace]

ONEFANG
if there's a place that i could be, i'd be another memory.

[/size][/i]

Onefang, dragging the remains of the fish, buried beneath the tree. The nutrients from the skeleton would help the earth around it. He didn't mumble any thanks to StarClan, why should he? He didn't have a reason to really be thankful. When Onefang held a grudge, he held a grudge.

He hobbled down to the river, ears flicking this way and that as his head continued to turn as he observed his surroundings. Whiskers twitched as he tasted the air before turning his head to the scent. Hrm? He mumbled to himself, hobbling down to the edges of the river, padding carefully on the sand. The last thing he wanted was to slip and fall into the river.

Leaning forward, balancing, he gave a low mrrow in amusement. Hello there Greysnout. His voice was low, if not slightly rasped. Greysnout, the medicine cat from ShadowClan. He reckonised the sleek, yet cautious movements of the blind tom, seeing and talking to him many a time before at the Moonpool, although never at Gatherings. He hated the times when the Clans gathered underneath the moon for peace. He liked the idea, but the idea of walking back and forth annoyed him greatly, as the cats of the clans never stayed very long.

Looking for a particular herb? He called out, tail curling in the empty space. Ah, finally someone who was older than he. Unlike Onefang, he hadn't been born blind, yet they both lost something. Onefang and his leg, Greysnout and his eyesight, or so he heard. Both choosing the path of the Medicine Cat when they were no longer able to function as warriors.[/blockquote]

[♥Rösε]

Where's that blasted root! he thought his tail tip twitched irritably as he parted his lips to take in more of the scents around him. All the smells he could scent gave him a headache, though somewhere in the midsts of all that smell was the one he was looking for. He just had to pick at it very carefully to find the one that matched. With his head bent forward his ears could easily detect the lapping of the water against the bank of the river, from that he could tell how fast the current was going. Who needed sight! Ba humbug. His eye brows tightened in frustration as waited closed his eye lids though it made no difference and relaxed, slowly drawing in a breath.He could smell the fishy smell of the trout in the river, disgusting smell he wondered if it tasted better. Moving on from that the light scent of mint probably from clovers or thistles near by on RiverClan's side.

His tail swished over his paws in a quick snap as he continued picking apart the scents. If he could kill the mist that clogged his senses he would. He detected a slightly familiar scent , one he knew yet wasn't used to at the same time. He reopened his lids and glance around, as if he could see the cat in question. His ears angled forward, he wasn't very good with names unless he got for senses in, but the river was excreting extra mist today for the current was quicker paced than usual. His shifted on his paws slightly, as he could feel the difference of sand, here by the bank of mud squishy and wet, behind him was more soft and power like, odd how easily an object was changed. His pale grey fur ruffled as a quick breeze blew by showing him n mist, he could feel the water particles cling to his pelt and he used his paw to wipe his face, and whiskers with one swipe.

Hello there Greysnout.

he heard from across the river, his head turned to where the sounds direction was from. A name formed in his mind as the slightly raspy voice was all to familiar. "Onefang."[/color] he greeted his tone was firm as it usually always was. Though thinking back on the other cats tone he swore he could hear amusement deep within his words. ha ha very funny, lets all laugh at the blind cat. he thought sarcasm laced his thoughts like poison and he lowered his head to continued his search. To his surprise he now scented the slight bitter smell of burdock root, and as he pawed his way closer to the bank he could feel the little shoots coming from the ground. A pleased smirk appeared on his maw as he carefully started to dig with his claws.

Looking for a particular herb?[/color] he heard the younger tom mew, and shook his head. "I believe I just found it."[/color] he answered and focused on getting the shoot loose enough for him to pull out without damaging the roots, when it seemed easy enough he carefully bite onto the end and pulled it out. Setting it down beside him, as he started on another one he mewed. "What brings you over here?"[/color] he was curious as to why he came around to this side earlier, if he was the cat he scented earlier as he suspected it was there was no big reason to come find him, was there? Probably not, there wasn't much problems until winter fully kicked in, thats when things ran low and cats got sick, and warriors were grumpy like elders because of no food and blah blah blah. They didn't see him complaining, well about all that anyway.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub][/color]

[ace]

ONEFANG

i wish i could stop this wishing and say my last goodbye

[/i][/right]

Onefang watched with interest as Greysnout sniffed before moving around the herb, cautious yet fluid and confident. Onefang, after seeing it for himself, was impressed. But it made sense. Greysnout had years of frustration and practice to be so confident in his movements.

Hopin' for a warrior to come by. I find honey soothes the throats after the harsh season of Greencough, and I need to collect a few combs before the bees die out for the winter.He usually kept it warm, breathing on it, surrounded by bits of feathers, stones and fur to keep it warm over time. The fact he gave most of the golden sweet liquid to the kits so the queens would leave him alone.

With legs like mine, it's hard to get a good grasp on the bark and I don't have an apprentice yet. He continued, shaking his head as he spoke. He would need one though. Once winter hit, it would be hard to do the traveling he needed. He had been watching the kits and apprentices carefully, yet none held the promise he wanted in an apprentice. Although Onefang doubted he would find the apprentice he wanted. Obedient, quiet, soft-spoken. No, probably a kit forced into it by the leader.

Although, it was quite mousebrained of me to come out here without a warrior escort in the first place. He mewed, getting to his paws to hobble forward. Indeed, the bees would start to drop soon and he would need his honey sooner or later. Perhaps he should get a few apprentices, he would need a few allies. As he continued to search the tree-tops for the small grey bundles in the crooks of the trees, he regretted coming out here. After all, he was running from his problems. He should have faced it like a warrior, not with his tail tucked in between his legs. His ears flickered to his skull and his thin whiskers twitched as he took a step back when his forward paw brushed a string of thorns, hidden beneath the fallen leaves, a kaleidoscope of orange, red and yellow.[/blockquote]

[♥Rösε]

Greysnout keep his claws in perfect movement, uprooted the herb he needed with relative ease. His silver claws that once ripped the fur off of warriors was now scraping up dirt, how ironic it all was. His ears flicked every once in awhile at a new sound her caught in his earshot. The only perk to being blind was that your other senses were greatly heightened and so he could detect even the slightest of sounds, smell a hint of something in the earth, or poison in fish. In reality he was very useful, if only others could see that. Still he couldn't dwell on the past what's done is done and there's no changing it. Greysnout could sense a pair of eyes watching him intently as he worked, and a small smirk placed on his lips.

"What never seen a blind cat work before?"

he mewed his tone stern, but there was a hint of amusement behind his tone as he knew Onefang was probably impressed watching him work. Grunting softly he went back to work on pulling another root from the ground and set it in his pile. Hopin' for a warrior to come by. I find honey soothes the throats after the harsh season of Greencough, and I need to collect a few combs before the bees die out for the winter.[/color] The medicine cat flicked his sightless eyes up at where he could detect Onefang was. He snorted lightly, "Eh those warriors are to wrapped up in themselves to usually notice. Especially those new ones."[/color] the elder tom grumbled, not very pleased with the new generation so far, and he had seen many in his time. Sitting back on his hunches though, with a good bunch of roots, he tugged his tail over his paws.

"As for your bee business I think I can help out. Theres a tree just down river with a bunch of hives, some slightly older but abandoned. I find that age of honey actually strengths its use. The tree is on ShadowClan side, but its not that bad. I could get you some I imagine."[/color] he mewed picturing the path over there, he had seen it many times as a warrior and he was surprised it was still vivid in his mangled mind. Getting to his paws with a bit of a struggle, but he was up his head held high. With legs like mine, it's hard to get a good grasp on the bark and I don't have an apprentice yet.[/color] Greysnout nodded slowly. "Nor have I, though I think they would irritate me."[/color] he replied bluntly before bending down and picking up his roots. With a swish of his tail he signaled for Onefang to follow him down river. His paws kept to the moistness of the river bank, serving as a path towards the tree.

When he could hear the buzzing of bees he turned and headed for the sound. Dropping his bundle he listened quietly for the softest noise. When he found it he bunched up his muscles and sprang onto the bark, his claws digging into it. He was to old for this, but it was necessary he slowly pawed his way up to the designated branch and stopped to catch his breath. After a few moments he walked out onto the branch, his glands picked up the scent of honey, a hive that had no bees. With a swipe of his paws the whole hive clung to his paw and he lifted it up to grab ahold of the top with his mouth. Walking back to the trunk he clawed his way down to a lower branch and again swiped down an abandoned hive for himself to take back. It fell to the floor with a soft thud, but did not break open.

Jumping off the low branch, he could feel his legs creak with old age, but he ignored it. Padding over to the bank he reached out his muzzle so that Onefang could grab ahold. With a whole hive he should be able to manage for this winter season coming in. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub][/color]

[ace]

ONEFANG
if there's a place that i could be, i'd be another memory.

[/size][/i]

'Fraid not. Onefang answered, just as amused, if not intrigued. It seems as though almost all of the medicine cats were once upon a time, warriors. It was interesting really, seeing as though medicine cats were bred to be peace-makers and yet here stood who stained their claws with the blood of their enemies? Onefang himself would do anything to get back into a battle, but those images, those wishes were still hidden in his cranium, held away from the rest of the world.

His sight back, his legs pumping, all four as he rushed with his mate by his side. The warrior he should have been, not this crippled elder who couldn't even get his herbs. Ah, he sighed, as he thought, perhaps it was for the better. His ears twitched as he returned to the land of the living, and nodded in silence with a grunt as Greysnout talked about the generation of warriors; indeed, it was sad, that they were as blind as moles.

His ears flicked forward and he smiled, slightly. Ah, thank you very much. With a creak in his joints, he cursed under his breath before padding after Greysnout in his strange little hobble. I agree, although I know from experience, if one at our age, we were to die, someone would be forced into the job, and without a medicine cat to truly teach the warrior, the clan is easily weakened. If we are to do this job, we have to do correctly. He gave sniff when he finished, thinking about it. Indeed, it was with luck and the stories of irritated elders that he found out about herbs that Rushingbrook had not told him about.

He watched as Greysnout hopped into the tree with a wiggle of his haunches and Onefang felt his heartstrings pang with jealousy and sorrow, yet he shook it off with a flick of his whiskers. He was used that feeling, and knew that there was nothing he could to change the predicament he was in. With a crack, Onefang leaned forward with anticipation, light green eyes sparkling as he gave a wordless corw in triumph when the hive didn't break. wonderfully done! As he looked into the river, before taking the stick from Greysnout's muzzle.

Turning the right side of his head, he hobbled back to the shore, placing the hive with caution, before turning to look back at Greysnout. thank you. He paused, ears flicking. Ah, he wanted to do something for this blind elder, moons older than he. A part of him wanted this, and another wanted to hiss in the face of the clueless shadowclan medicine cat. In the end, the voice of reason won and the Riverclan's healer turned to look at the elder from the other side of the river. Any herbs you have any trouble finding?[/blockquote]