The rain fell silently on the dark camp. It was a soft rain, pattering on the leaves and falling into puddles onto the camp. It could be heard hitting the sand, but it was an enjoyable rain. A warm rain. A rain well tolerated.
A slender, wiry cream she-cat was seen watching the skies from under a willow tree. The rain was falling just beyond her whiskers, and her eyes reflected the flickering stars in the sky. She looked fairly concerned, paws kneading the dry ground below her.
Her eyes flashed to a dark brown cat by a rock pile. He was flicking his tailtip, growling under his breath and tolerating the raindrops soaking his pelt. His face was twisted in anger, and his breath coming out in fast paces.
The she-cat sighed, glancing back at the still bodies inside of the safety of the willow tree. She shook her head, distraught, and padded out to join the tom in the warm rain. Her face was grim, and her eyes solemn, but her pace was light and easygoing despite the bitterness in the air.
"Hawkstar," she murmured, her voice cracking. "why are you out here?"
The tom flashed her a dark yellow gaze before closing his eyes, frowning, as the rain trickled down his face. "How many more are lost, Honeyblaze?" he mumbled through closed eyes. "We can't go on like this much longer before the whole Clan is contaminated."
Honeyblaze shook her head, sorrow gripping at her throat. "Dapplekit was lost this morning." she whimpered. "Petalface couldn't stand the pain, she's doing all she can to protect Flowkit." Honeyblaze looked at her paws as a droplet of rain caressed her nose.
"What about Sunstream?" Hawkstar asked, opening his eyes and looking at Honeyblaze.
The dappled tabby she-cat was silent. "I don't know how much longer she can survive," she choked. "she can barely lift her head."
A flash of lightning crackled across the night sky, lighting a fire in Hawkstar's eyes. "I'll move the rest of the Clan to the forest if I have to," he gritted through his teeth. "PrairieClan will not be defeated by a disease."
"We need you to be safe, Hawkstar." Honeyblaze murmured, looking up at the leader. "I heard Applepelt coughing the other day."
Hawkstar unsheathed his claws as another flash of lightning blinked. He growled almost simultaneously with the thunder that crackled, almost cueing more soft rain to pour from the sky. He put away his claws, closing his eyes once again, and turning to Honeyblaze.
"I can't ask anything more of you." he meowed. "I know you're trying. It's my turn to make decisions."
Honeyblaze dipped her head. "I'll try and heal the sick to the best of my abilities, as I've always done," she mewled. "even if it kills me."
"I think it's time you obtain an apprentice." Hawkstar said with a serious twist in his gaze.
"Hawkstar," Honeyblaze purred amusingly. "I'm not that old."
"No," Hawkstar chuffed with a smirk. "but you never know. Leaf-bare will be here before you know it, and last season's leaf-bare we almost lost you."
Honeyblaze blinked, looking back at the willow tree. "I guess taking on an apprentice wouldn't hurt." she mewed as another crack of thunder braced the sky. There was a blissful moment of silence, just the pattering of the rain on the prairie grass embracing the night. Honeyblaze sighed, standing to her paws and looking over at Hawkstar. "We should get to our dens," she meowed quietly.
Hawkstar nodded, standing up and stretching as lightning flashed. "Indeed," he murmured, dipping his head. "Get some sleep. We'll see how Sunstream copes through the night. If StarClan wants her," he paused. "they'll take her."
Honeyblaze nodded and parted away from Hawkstar, just as the loudest thunder boomed, rocking the camp to it's core.