Berrynose entered camp with Honeyfern at his side and dropped a rabbit on the fresh kill pile. Honeyfern dropped a vole on it as well.
"Wow, you were so fast!" Honeyfern gushed as Berrynose gazed proudly at his rabbit.
"I guess so." He smiled, looking at his catch. Then Berrynose noticed Hollyleaf sitting and staring outside the ThunderClan nursery.
"What's with you?" He asked. Hollyleaf jumped.
"Oh nothing." She murmured, feeling her pelt turn hot.
"Hollyleaf has been acting so-o-o-o weird!" Honeyfern whispered. "Let's go watch the kits." Hollyleaf scowled, and turned to walk away. She shot a look over her shoulder to see the creamy tom and she-cat sharing tongues, watching Bumblekit, Blossomkit, and Briarkit.
"Our kits will be like that one day." Berrynose said to Honeyfern, who murmured a reply that Hollyleaf couldn't hear.
"You'll make a wonderful mother." Berrynose continued.
Hollyleaf felt her heart shatter, and turned to the gorse tunnel to race away, but was stopped by a bloodcurdling shriek.
"Augh-h-h-h-h-h!" A screech was sounded by a queen. "S-snake!"
"Briarkit! No!" Hollyleaf heard Millie wail to the paralyzed kit. The dark brown kit was frozen in her tracks, tail bushed out.
"Help!" She mewed, shaking. Hollyleaf was slightly aware of Honeyfern and Lionblaze, who had recently entered the scene. Lionblaze was frozen, whereas Honeyfern had started pelting towards Briarkit. But Hollyleaf was faster.
Hollyleaf bundled into Briarkit, sending the dark brown she-kit to the nursery's safety. Pain shot through her as the snake's hooked fangs sunk into her.
"Help!" Hollyleaf felt as if she was on fire. "My blood is on fire!" She was fading, fast, and painfully aware of the gathering cats.
Berrynose, Hollyleaf thought, looking at the blurry shape next to his mate. Take care of Honeyfern, and be happy…always. It's what I've always wanted…
And with that, the darkness consumed her, but not before hearing Leafpool's agonized wail.
"My kit, my kit…oh Hollyleaf!"