Birchthroat

**Birchthroat** is a grey spotted tabby tom with a white muzzle. His markings are darker grey and turn to broken stripes on his face, chest, legs, and tail. He has a lighter whitish-grey chest and underbelly, with a true white muzzle and throat marking. He has short, fine fur, with broad shoulders and a strong build. His eyes are green and dull with exhaustion.

## Personality

Birchthroat's excellent memory, even as a kit, is the main reason he serves as medicine cat today. He can recall the herbs of CedarClan's former territory near-flawlessly, but HollowClan's new home has thrown him off-rhythm; though not completely helpless, he is struggling to relearn the rules of this new environment, and even herbs that look similar to the ones he knows he fears to be harmful doppelgangers. Due to this, and the many cats HollowClan lost both in the war and afterwards, he has developed a deep-set feeling of inadequacy for his role.

## History

Birchkit was born in CedarClan to Peatfoot and Meadowflower, into a family with an unknown number of siblings. From a young age his interest in herblore and religious rituals was clear, and some of his denmates were disquieted by his aloofness. He shared the nursery with Duskkit, Ivykit, and Swiftkit, among others. As an apprentice he relaxed more, but always felt somewhat distant from his fellow apprentices due to the nature of his future role.

After the events of the DriftClan war, Birchthroat has worked tirelessly – first to keep as many injured cats alive as he could, and then to learn the herbs of their new home and their uses.

### First Leaf-fall

When the patrol led by Stagleap returns from killing the fox, Ivytooth and Darkspring go to Birchthroat's den to have their wounds checked, alongside a worried Toadpaw and Sappaw. Birchthroat shoos the apprentices out of his den as he begins looking at the injured warriors, first tending to Darkspring's wounded shoulder. At Darkspring's mention of their old home, Birchthroat comments that he's not sure there's anyone who doesn't miss it, aside from perhaps the cats too young to remember much before their new home. He tells Darkspring that she's restricted to light duties for the next few days.

Moving on to Ivytooth, he tells her that her paw is only bruised, and should be fine by tomorrow. He goes to fetch Sappaw and Toadpaw, assuring them that the warriors are alright. Though he prepares to go and update Stagleap on the warriors' status, he notices Ivytooth having a panic attack and goes to her side, calming her down with Darkspring's help. Once Ivytooth is calmer, he shoos Sappaw and asks Toadpaw to fetch some prey for everyone.

Ivytooth explains that to Birchthroat that they had met a patrol from another Clan, GrimeClan, after they had killed the fox, and their aggression had made her fear being driven out once more. As Toadpaw returns, Birchthroat suggests they postpone the conversation, and invites Toadpaw in to share a meal. While Toadpaw urges Ivytooth to share what happened on the patrol, Birchthroat moves away, sorting his herbs to distance himself from a private conversation.

Eventually, Birchthroat returns to remind Toadpaw that Ivytooth needs a chance to rest after fighting a fox. He suggests Toadpaw go and wait for Stagleap to be done so that he can be given something to do, then decides to go over with Toadpaw himself to tell Stagleap how Ivytooth and Darkspring are doing. They arrive as Adderstar and Stagleap finish their conversation, and Adderstar takes his leave. When asked by Stagleap, Birchthroat reports that both Darkspring and Ivytooth are doing fine, though Darkspring should be restricted to light duties for a few days at least. He adds that he was told about the GrimeClan encounter as well, and is also curious to hear about the matter.

Stagleap explains to them both that he and Adderstar will meet with the GrimeClan leader and deputy at sundown, with a small patrol of warriors keeping their distance in case a fight breaks out. Birchthroat flicks his tail at the possibility of a fight, not wanting more wounds to treat. He tries not to think of the possibility that HollowClan will be driven out again. Toadpaw asks eagerly if the apprentices will be allowed out if all goes well, and Birchthroat feels some pity for him and the other apprentices confined to camp. However, once Toadpaw bursts out that it wasn't his fault Cricketpaw was a lousy climber, Birchthroat is horrified. He admires Stagleap's levelheaded response, and admits to himself that perhaps his anger was in part a result of knowing Cricketpaw well due to his not-infrequent visits.

Later, Birchthroat allows Sappaw in to talk to Darkspring. He partially regrets this decision once Sappaw begins asking many questions about the work of a medicine cat, and eventually tells him that if Sappaw wants to know so much about his work than he should be Birchthroat's apprentice, though assures him at Sappaw's horrified look that this was only a joke. Both of them leave his den to attend Adderstar's announcement after the meeting with GrimeClan.

Birchthroat is deeply glad to hear Adderstar's announcement that they have been allowed to stay, looking across his Clanmates with a bittersweet feeling as he remembers those they have lost.

The next morning, Birchthroat wakes early to sort and count his herbs.