I could hear it. The sound of my clanmates screaming as they hurtled out of the camp's barriers, some singed by the flames as it rose above the treetops. "Ashpaw, Coalpaw!" I heard my mother, Raindrop, call for my brother and I, panic in her tone. "Where are you?" She was crying. To see or even hear my mother cry was like seeing a kit being swooped off by an eagle. I would know what that looked like, because that's how my younger brother, Flintkit, died. My family has been surrounded by death ever since I was a kit. My father died defending Sunclan, our clan, form a badger attack, my aunt was struck by a fallen tree, and my cousin died by greencough last Leafbare. I've grown used to it, and so has Coalpaw, but my mother can't stand to bear the loneliness and sorrow one adjusts to after death. Soon after dad died, she lost her sanity and forgot to care for herself, so Coalpaw and I took care of her. We've tried our best to give her the utmost care that we can: feeding her, washing her, and helping her to the dirtplace. One time, Coalpaw even stayed up all night with her to calm her down and help her sleep.

Today was supposed to be the day Coalpaw and I were tested before becoming warriors. Today was supposed to be our special day to show off the skills we've perfected for 6 whole moons. The wildfire, however, ceased our dreams. "Ashpaw.." Coalpaw was coughing slightly. "Do you know where we are?" I let out a faint sigh, because, to be honest, I had no clue. But never-the-less, I couldn't let me brother down. We have to get out of here, not only for Coalpaw, but for mom, Dawnstar, and our clan overall. "I think I have a clue. Follow me."

I led him through the trees for about half an hour until we returned to the clan. It was a mess: trees were scattered everywhere, elders gasping for air in the clearing, warriors and apprentices bloody from burns, and worst of all, Silvertear, a new mother, was weeping next to her scarred newborn, Rustkit, and her mate, Owlcall. "It's truly a mess out here, it is..." Ivysprig, my best friend, murmured, sitting beside Coalpaw and I. "Honeypaw and the other medicine cats are having a difficult time taking care of everyone because nearly half of the supplies were lost in the fire. So they have sent me to go look for raspberry leaves, honey, and lavender, of all things." Lavender, mint, rosemary, and watermint are the four herbs Medicine cats use to hide the scent of death after a cat has died. I have grown very fond to the smell. "Would you two mind to come and help me find some?" She offered. "I'd love to, Ivybush, but.." Coalpaw declined, "I want to stay here and make sure everyone is okay, check up on my friends, you know..?" Ivysprig sighed and smiled. "Suit yourself. How about you, Ashpaw?" It'd be nice to get away from all of the stress and death in camp. I thought to myself. "Okay, where are we headed?" She asked me. Anywhere but here.