Hey everybody! I'm really sorry about the way my last book ended, but I needed something to write about in this story. Anyway here I am with this new story, please review and if you are reading this book but haven't read the last one then please go back and read the other one and review or you won't know what is going on in this story. Don't forget to check out my other stories on my page and review on them as well. Thank you again for all the support you have given me.
Chapter 1: Memories
Shiningdawn thrashed around in her nest. One moon had passed since Flamestrike had been swept down the river and Shiningdawn wasn't taking it very well.
"Quit it, will you!" hissed Whisperbreeze from her nest.
"What, oh sorry Whisperbreeze," Shiningdawn mumbled. Whisperbreeze huffed in indignation and tucked her nose under her tail. Bright sunlight filtered through the gaps in the bracken roof of the nursery, signalling the start of another heart-wrenching day away from Flamestrike for Shiningdawn. Their kits, Firekit, Mossykit, Silverkit, Goldenkit and Redkit all missed their father immensely and every day it broke Shiningdawn's heart when they asked when he was coming back.
"Hey Shiningdawn can I talk to you for a minute?" Stormwhisker asked as Shiningdawn was about to leave the den.
"Sure," Shiningdawn answered. Stormwhisker lead her over to the far corner of the den and sat down, wrapping her tail over her paws.
"Ok, please don't be mad but….. I think you need to find somebody else," She said looking down at the ground. Shiningdawn's eyes widened and she took a step backwards.
"How can you say that?" she hissed at her friend. "You know how much I miss him!"
"I know, but that's why you need to find another mate. You need to accept the fact that Flamestrike isn't coming home, you will never see him again," Stormwhisker meowed.
"I WILL see him again, Stormwhisker!" Shiningdawn spat. The fur along her back and shoulders started to bristle up and she thrashed her tail.
"Shiningdawn, I know you loved him but sometimes we have to let the things we love go," Stormwhisker sighed.
"And what would you know about that?!"Shiningdawn snapped. "I don't see Lionclaw being washed down the river!"
"Look Shiningdawn all I'm trying to say is….." Stormwhisker started to say.
"Just forget it will you?!" Shiningdawn interrupted and stalked away. "I WILL find him, don't you worry!" She called over her shoulder as she walked out of the den. Outside the camp was busy with life, warriors where coming and going to and from patrols, elders where sunning themselves outside the den and Whisperbreeze, Shiningdawn and Stormwhisker's kits were playing with a moss ball.
"Catch this Mossykit!" Pheonixkit cried, chucking the soft moss at her younger den-mate. Mossykit squealed in mock fright and hid behind Redkit. The dark ginger tom was hit with the force of the moss ball and flew backwards tumbling over Mossykit. Pheonixkit and Honeykit burst out laughing and where joined by Lightkit, Morningkit and Skykit. Shiningdawn trotted past them towards Thornstar's den.
She stopped on front of the wall of lichen that hung down, covering the entrance to the leader's den.
"Thornstar?" Shiningdawn called out into the darkness.
"Yes, come in," Thornstar's deep voice boomed back almost echoing off the hard rocky walls of his den. Shiningdawn brushed past the lichen and padded into the den. Shimmerheart was there sitting beside Thornstar's nest sharing a squirrel with him.
"Hello dear," Shimmerheart welcomed her daughter, standing up and licking her between the ears.
"Is something wrong?" Thornstar asked, copying the same gesture as his mate. Shiningdawn sat facing her parents and lifted her chin slightly.
"I would like permission to go on a journey down the river to find Flamestrike," she said.