CHAPTER 8
The snow fell harder as I entered camp, carrying the few leaves that were left of the Borage. I felt the crunch of the snow beneath my paws and I shivered and shook my pelt of all the snow.
"Get them?" Hawkheart asked, racing to me. "With Shrewclaw's kits coming I want to have lots of Borage." He grasped them in his mouth gently and flicked his tail at the Fresh-kill pile and then walked to the medicine cats den.
I grabbed a rabbit from the pile and bounded after my mentor, smiling with glee.
"Okay, we'll have just enough for Shrewclaw and then I gave Heatherstar what I could find of the Catmint but she's getting worse so.. Perhaps it's time to give up on making her better..." He paused and then growled, hitting the wall with his claws in frustration.
"Hawkheart!" I squealed after swallowing the bite of rabbit I had in my mouth. We had Talltail in the den with a sore throat and a stomach ache and he jumped up in his nest, looking at him in fear.
My mentor shook his head. "We'll have to goto one of the other Clans to ask for some Catmint," he muttered. "I'll be back tomorrow morning," he stated and then left the den in a hurry.
I looked at Talltail. "Are you feeling any better?"
He shrugged. "It could be worse. I could have Whitecough and be stuck in here all day. But that's pretty much what's how it feels anyways…" He smiled and looked up at me. "I'm great, thanks for asking."
"Be grateful you don't have Whitecough, Talltail. Cinderleaf and your kits still need you." I exited the den into the clearing where Russettail led Cherryheart and Dawnstripe out of camp on a patrol
I padded to the leader's den and cleared my throat loudly to get Heatherstar's attention.
"Come in, Dawnpaw," came the barely audible response.
The den was dark. I could feel the leftovers of prey and old herbs beneath my feet as I padded over to my leader. She was taking in rapid breaths and erupted into a coughing fit.
"How're you feeling?" I mumbled when she'd calmed down, taking a deep breath, smelling the Blackcough on her pelt and breath.
Lying in her nest made her look small and frail. "I'm not feeling much better, if that's what you're trying to ask."
I sighed and shook my head. "You've gotten worse over two days." She was weaker then she should be. But Heatherstar was old, and her time was coming.
The leader nodded. "Can you just leave me for the foxes?" Her voice was a whisper as she shivered from the coldness.
"No," I replied coldly. "You may be my leader but that is something I will not listen to. That's like sacrificing you and I could never do that."
"Dawnpaw," she mumbled, "can't you leave me in that barn that's only a little ways out of the territory? There are rogue cats who live there, I've met them once before."
"Well, I-I could but…" I started into my leaders pleading eyes. "I guess if that's what you want, Heatherstar... But I want Littlecloud to come."
She nodded. "I'll meet you by the camp entrance." Heatherstar rose up out of her nest and she exited the den on wobbly legs. I followed close behind her.
Everyone in the clearing looked up and watched the sick leader as I stuck my head in the warriors den where Littlecloud was curled up in a ball. From his heavy breaths I knew he wasn't sleeping yet. "Littlecloud, we're going on a secret mission."
The tabby tom jumped up excitedly and exited the den, following me to Heatherstar. I definitely missed our old adventures together.
"You're not supposed to leave your nest," he said to Heatherstar with wide eyes.
"We're going to leave her at that barn that's out of our territory. There are some cats there that will look after her until she..." I trailed off, looking at Heatherstar awkward.
Littlecloud started at me with but remained silent.
"It's what she wants..." I mumbled and led the way out of camp.
We walked away from camp, Heatherstar in between us as she struggled to walk up a hill.
We padded towards the tree line of our territory, approaching it rather rapidly.
"So, we're just going to leave her there?" Littlecloud mumbled in my ear.
"We'll see if the rogues there are friendly and take care of her. And if they are, then yes. I just want her to be happy, Littlecloud."
Heatherstar was walking in front of us at a fast pace.
"What will you tell the Clan?" Littlecloud's question struck me by surprise and I didn't know what to say.
"I'll tell them the truth," I said as we reached the tree line. I smelled the air and walked farther up ahead, seeing the large barn.
"Can I help you?" A massive dark ginger tabby tom with broad shoulders stood in front of us, a dead mouse lying beneath his paws.
I stepped forward nervously. "H-hello. I'm Dawnpaw of WindClan, that is Littlecloud, and that's my leader, Heatherstar. She's very sick and I-I was wondering if she could stay with you until she… Passes?" I tensed up at the word.
His ears flicked. "I don't know what a 'WindClan' is. And I don't know what this entire thing has to do with me."
"WindClan is one of the four Clans. The fastest and the bravest Clan. There are kits that are cared for by all the queens, apprentices that get mentors, warriors that go on patrols and fight in battles, a deputy that is second-and-command that makes the patrols and fights in battles and take the leaders place if they die or retire, and a leader. They rule the Clan and pretty much do what they want," Littlecloud explained quickly while the tom examined the WindClan leader.
"But why are you here? Usually the Clan cats stay on their territory," he mewed, glancing at me.
"We will, I promise. But Heatherstar," I gestured to her with my tail, "is ill and she wants to die in peace away from our Clan."
"Your point?" he asked with a twitch of his tail. He seemed to be irritated.
"May she stay with you?" My eyes lit up in hope and I looked up at him.
"Let's go discuss it with my friends." He flicked his tail at Heatherstar. "You and Heatherstar must follow me. But you," He nodded at Littlecloud, "you must stay here."
I followed the tom, supporting Heatherstar as she struggled to keep up with him.
We entered the barn where a gray she-cat and a white she-cat sat, sharing a mouse and a small brown tom jumped in front of us.
"I knew Scratch was coming with company! I could smell her stench from here!" the brown tom purred, nodding at Heatherstar.
Heatherstar hissed, "Thank you for your greeting."
"Is that one of the Clan's stench?" The gray she-cat had stood up and was staring at us with her head tilted.
"This is some of WindClan," the tom that led us here said. "That's their leader, Heatherstar, and one of their apprentices, Dawnpaw. Heatherstar wants to know if she can stay with us."
The brown tom nodded. "But first you have to take a bath, because you stink!"
One of the she-cats hissed, "She has the cough!"
"Yes!" I mewed. "She has what we call Blackcough. It only happens in Leaf-bare and she's going to die. It will be impossible for you to catch. She wishes to stay with you so she can die peacefully, without the worry of her Clan."
"I could treat her," the white she-cat said flicking her tail.
"It's not treatable I'm afraid…" I mumbled and shook my head. "So I'm Dawnpaw, I'm the cat that cares for the cats in my Clan, otherwise known as a medicine cat."
"I'm Shrew!" said the brown tom. "And that is Scratch," he pointed at the tom that led us here.
"Flower, Scratch's sister, and that is Wind, a friend of ours," said the white she-cat who smiled. "And she can stay here as long as she pleases."
I dipped my head and glanced outside of the barn as the sun went down. "Mind if we stay the night?"
"Not at all," Scratch mewed while leading Heatherstar over to a yellow nest. It was similar to bracken but more frail.
Watching the cats uncover a lot of prey, they all got to work on something different in the barn.
"Excuse me," Scratch said, appearing beside me. "Care for a mouse?" He flicked his tail at a mouse pile.
I nodded. "Yes please." Laying down, I grabbed one and began eating hungrily.
"Tell me more about WindClan," Scratch said suddenly, tilting his head at me.
"WindClan is one of the littlest Clan. We're fast and mostly catch rabbits. We have an alliance with ShadowClan and we are enemies with ThunderClan and RiverClan," I mewed between hungry gulps.
"That sounds like a lot of work…" He grabbed a mouse and took a big bite out of it.
"Well, it kind of is. You see, we took over RiverClan's camp for a while and-" As I told the story about WindClan taking over RiverClan's camp and I knew Heatherstar was listening in to my opinion of it.
When I'd finished Scratch was nodding and the moon was high in the sky and everyone in the barn was sound asleep beside the two of us.
"So you're in a prophecy with your brother and you can't find out who the third cat is?"
I nodded. "Yes, but that doesn't mean I'm giving up on StarClan. They know exactly what they're doing." I had given the tom every detail I knew about WindClan and everything that was happening in it currently.
"Get some sleep, Dawnpaw," Scratch mewed, curling up in a ball. "Goodnight," he said and curled up in a ball, going to sleep.
I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
The next morning Scratch led me to the border where Littlecloud sat waiting.
I purred, "You didn't have to stay." I walked over the border while Scratch glanced at the tom.
He shrugged. "Couldn't leave you behind." Littlecloud dipped his head at Scratch. "Thank you for taking care of Dawnpaw." Then he bounced away.
"Bye, Scratch" I raced away, following Littlecloud back to camp.
Jumping over a rock, I stumbled but continued to run on clumsy paws to the camp that was getting bigger as we approached it quickly.
"So what're you going to tell them?" he asked as we slowed to a walk, nearing the camp entrance.
"Exactly what happened, " I replied. Beside the part where I told Scratch the prophecy and everything about our Clan.
We entered camp where Reedfeather was talking to Shrewclaw who was whining about something. It was busy with activity despite the snow on the ground.
I jumped on the Tallrock and let out a yowl. "Everyone of WindClan, please gather around!"
"Where's Heatherstar?" Hawkheart shouted at me, causing the Clan to mumble in agreement.
"Heatherstar is staying at a barn not far from our camp with some nice kittypets. She wishes me to take her there yesterday and since she's on her deathbed I listened." I looked at Reedfeather who met my gaze. "So Reedfeather will be our new leader."
Everyone turned to him and stared silently.
"I will go to the Moonstone tonight with the medicine cats," he announced.
Dawnpaw jumped down from the rock and Russettail stomped over to me. "You left her with a bunch of kittypets?"
"It was her death wish and I approved of it. I met the cats there and they will take care of her until death, I promise." My heart pounded as I told him what I thought.
"You'd better hope you're right," he growled and turned around, walking away.
Watching him walk away, I quivered. What if I wasn't right? What then?
Hawkheart slowly sorted herbs, his eyes watching his every move as if he expected to sort them wrong or something.
"Are you sure you don't want me to do it?" Dawnpaw pressed her eyes full of worry.
"No!" he snapped. "I need you to watch... Remember, we have to leave for Moonstone soon."
"We actually have to leave now," I muttered and then dragged him out of the den where he sat up and shook his ungroomed pelt.
"Alright… Here we go," he said as he led the way out of camp and towards the barn where we left Heatherstar.
I saw Sedgewhisker and a smaller cat racing towards us. Brambleberry and Featherwhisker trailing farther behind.
The younger cat that was known as Stonepaw caught up to us, huffing and puffing. "Greetings Dawnpaw and Hawkheart."
Hawkheart went ahead with Sedgewhisker while they talked quietly and I glanced at Featherwhisker and Brambleberry who were whispering quietly.
"This is my first time seeing the Moonstone," Stonepaw mewed as he watched the Mothermouth get bigger.
"Well I'm sure you'll love it. It's exciting to see your ancestors," I replied calmly and honestly. "And it's fun to learn herbs and whatnot."
He nodded and then looked up and I realized that we'd reached the entrance to the Moonstone where Sedgewhisker and Hawkheart had already disappeared and then I and Stonepaw went in next.
I could hear him hitting the walls in front of me until the cave opened up and the Moonstone sat in silence. The moon was not yet in place.
"I have to say something!" Hawkheart turned to me. "I, Hawkheart, medicine cat of WindClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help she will serve her Clan for many moons."
I blinked at him in surprise when I realized he was doing my warrior ceremony! Excitement sparked in my paws.
"Dawnpaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?" he asked giving me a wide smile.
She nodded instantly. "I do."
"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Dawnpaw, from this moment you will be known as Dawnpool. StarClan honors your skill and spirit, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of WindClan," Hawkheart mewed and dipped his head at me.
I raised my head high as the other medicine cats cheered, "Dawnpool! Dawnpool!"
We all lapped up some water and laid down, sticking our muzzles in the water and closing our eyes.
I was waiting for StarClan to come to me. I was afraid they didn't accept me as a medicine cat when Mothflight appeared suddenly.
I looked at her with dismay. "Why didn't you tell me we're related?"
Her eyes flashed. "I didn't think it mattered much honestly..." As she spoke, Windstar entered the small clearing.
Looking around I realized there was a pool of water, clear as the blue sky and we were surrounded by trees and shrubs and little bits of grass with a sandy floor.
"That is not why we're here," Windstar interrupted. "Dawnpool, StarClan welcomes you with your warrior name. And we pray you stay a medicine cat for many moons to come."
The sky suddenly turned dark and Mothflight's eyes darkened. "You must look harder at your surroundings. Don't judge them by who they are and what they look like. One of the Three is under your nose..." She disappeared with Windstar.
My eyes flickered open and I stretched, sitting up as all the other medicine cats woke they also stood up and then headed for the exit.
My mind flashed to Reedfeather who didn't come with us because Pikestar requested him in ShadowClan. He was so excited to get his nine lives and name.
"Did you dream?" Hawkheart asked as we walked towards WindClan camp.
I nodded. "StarClan came to me and told me they accepted me," Dawnpool replied. You aren't lying to him. You're just telling half the truth, I thought in disappointment.
The medicine cat broke off into a run as we neared camp and I struggled to keep up with him.
My legs burned as we entered the silent camp. Talltail, who we released from the medicine den, was on guard and he nodded to us as we walked to the medicine den.
Herbs were scattered all over the place and I could smell Cloudpool's scent and I glanced over at our herbs and noticed Poppy seeds sitting in the correct spot, they were also covered in her scent.
"Looks like Cloudpool gave us some herbs," Hawkheart muttered as he curled up in his nest.
I walked to mine and circled around a few times and settled down, hearing Hawkheart's soothing snores and I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.
The sound of tiny paws on the floor made me open an eye and I saw Mothkit and Redkit running around the den, their tails flying behind them as they batted around a Poppy seed. Hawkheart wasn't in his nest and I guessed he went to check on Reedfeather.
I stood up and the kits froze where they were, looking up at me with big worried eyes.
"Please don't tell Cinderleaf," Mothkit pleaded, her hazel eyes shining with hope.
"I won't," I purred softly. "But you'd better get out of here before Hawkheart catches you, because he doesn't like troublesome kits!"
The two squealed and raced out of the den, leaving the Poppy seed on the filthy floor.
I gently began to sweep the gross dried up herbs on the floor into a pile at the corner of the den and then I shoved them into a small hole and turned around, looking at the den that still had moss everywhere and me and Hawkheart's gross nests.
Walking to the moss in the nests I threw them behind me and then picked all of it up and then exited the den into the clearing and set it down outside the den in the snow.
I shivered and then re-entered the medicine cats den. Picking up all the good moss and filling the nests with it.
"Getting down and dirty I see," Hawkheart mewed behind me which made me jump and turn around.
"Don't do that!" I hissed and playfully batted his ears with a paw. "You scared me out of my fur!"
The tom shrugged. "Well my mission is complete! How about you go take a walk, hm?"
Dawnpool nodded. "Alright." Then jumped out of the den and into the snowy ground which instantly made her paws cold. If I keep moving maybe I'll stay warm, I thought as I raced out of the clearing and out of camp.
The snow had begun to fall lightly as I raced toward the RiverClan border.
I jumped over a rock and stopped at the RiverClan border, my eyes searching the bushes and trees in front of me.
A bush rustled and out stepped a handsome white tom.
"Whitefang!" I growled and narrowed my eyes as he came towards me.
"I've been waiting for you to show up." His eyes were gentle and he made no movements to attack me. "In the den when I attacked you… I had to show up to RiverClan camp with scratches. I purposefully got attacked by your Clan..."
I was startled and replied, "So you attacked me so you could go home with battle scars!?"
"Yes," he said and his eyes widened. "I mean no! No, I attacked you because then your Clan would know they had a spy this whole time. I promise I didn't mean to hurt you."
My heart pounded. "Do you mean it?"
Whitefang nodded and lifted a paw to cross the border. "I mean every word. And if I could I would go back in time and stop myself."
I smiled. "Too bad I don't believe you," Dawnpool hissed and she hit his paw off the border and turned around and began walking away.
"Dawnpool! Wait!" Whitefang shouted and raced to me, jumping on my back.
My legs gave away and I fell to the ground and growled, "Will you get off of me?"
"Not until you can believe me," he replied. "Hailstar told me to come here and steal herbs and attack the medicine cat. He said if I didn't he'd ban me from the Clan. I had no choice! I would've said no but… I couldn't."
I listened silently, my ears pricked. "Hailstar made you?"
The large white tom nodded. "I'm sorry." He got off and I stood up, shaking the snow off my pelt.
"So am I…" I could feel him staring at me with his large green eyes. Rushing forward I pressed my head into his pelt and closed my eyes.
My eyes flickered open and I sat up. Unfamiliar cats sat in front of me. A night black she-cat sat beside me with brown-and-white tom and I knew where I was. And I knew what happened.
Whitefang! That lying little- My thoughts were cut off by a loud yowl.
"Bring forth our prisoners, Shimmerpelt and Owlfur," Hailstar commanded, looking at me with cold eyes.
Prisoners? I was shoved forward and I stumbled a bit. Regaining my balance I caught Whitefang's eye.
He was being guarded by Crookedjaw and Mudfur.
'I'm sorry' he mouthed to me but Crookedjaw shoved him forward too.
"Dawnpool, we found you on our territory. Can you tell me why?" Hailstar asked, glaring down at me.
"Liar! I wasn't on your territory," I replied with a snicker.
He hissed. "Crookedjaw, kill him." He flicked his tail at his deputy.
Crookedjaw hit Whitefang on the side, making him fall to the ground. Then Crookedjaw jumped on him and dug his claws in Whitefang's back.
"Whitefang!" I screeched and darted forward, tackling Crookedjaw and sinking my teeth in his scruff and shaking him around wildly.
Suddenly loud screeches were around me and I threw the deputy away from me and watched as WindClan tore RiverClan to shreds.
Reedfeather pushed me towards the entrance of the camp and I saw Cloudpool push Whitefang toward the entrance.
The leader let out a yowl and the WindClan cats ran out of RiverClan and so did we.
I jumped into the water and struggled to keep my head up. Then I felt teeth sink into my scruff and I knew Whitefang was dragging me across the river.
Leaping up onto the shore I saw some RiverClan warriors jumping into the river after us, their eyes glowing in excitement. They were definitely look for a fight. But I wasn't.
I raced away and into WindClan territory with Whitefang, Cloudpool, Reedfeather, Littlecloud, and Russettail streaking after, their pelts covering in blood but their eyes glowing with success.
We entered camp and took deep breaths. All of us tired from the run.
"Hawkheart!" Reedfeather shouted. "I'm ready for my lives." The medicine cat rushed to him and Hawkheart quickly ushered him towards the camp entrance.
I slipped after them, walking behind them but not heading to the same place. Scratch. His name flashed in my mind.
I swerved as we reached the border and raced toward his barn. My heart pounded to see if Heatherstar was alive or if she walked StarClan.
"Dawnpaw?" Scratch's familiar voice made my ears prick and I slid to a stop.
"Scratch? Is that you?" My voice trembled with fear, especially after what happened with RiverClan.
"Great to see you!" The massive tom broke into a purr and rushed forward, licking my ear. "Come with me. Someone has been waiting to see you!"
I followed him and a blast of RiverClan hit me. She blinked in surprise but knew a RiverClan cat would never go this far away from their camp.
We entered the barn and Flower, Shrew, and Wind purred their welcomes.
"Great to see you again, Dawnpaw!" Shrew said with an approving nod.
"Dawnpool," I corrected with a flick of my tail. "I'm a full warrior now but still a medicine cat apprentice."
"That's wonderful Dawnpool," said a weak voice in a dark corner of the barn.
"H-Heatherstar?" I asked in disbelief, walking towards her.
"I've been waiting for this moment for over a half a moon. I can't believe it finally came true..." she mewed, closing her eyes with a smile on her face. "Now I can go in peace.
Everything went silent in the barn. No one made a sound or dared to move. "Heatherstar? Are you still with us?" Wind asked, poking her motionless.
"She helped us with a lot. Passing by loners, protecting our territory... She talked a lot about WindClan and how proud she is," Scratch whispered in my ear as tears fell down my cheek.
I nodded. "Thanks for watching her. But if you don't mind I'd like to bury her here, where she was at peace," I told them, sucking up my tears.
"Of course. Heatherstar was good to us," Shrew purred and dipped his head.
Flower stayed quiet, gazing at the dead leader with helpless eyes.
Shrew and Wind picked her up and carried her out of the barn, leaving me with Flower and Scratch.
I rested my tail on Flower's shoulder. "Do you miss her?" I mumbled.
She nodded. "She was like a mother to me…" The she-cat tensed up. "I just can't believe she's really gone…"
"Don't worry, she's watching you right now. Up in StarClan." I glanced at the sky through a hole and I felt myself shiver.
"Dawnpool, may I speak with you?" Scratch asked tilting his head as he listened.
I nodded and walked over to him. "What is it?"
"Flower and I want to join WindClan. Wind and Shrew don't need us anymore. We were wondering if you would let us come with you…?" He shifted his paws awkwardly.
"Of course, you guys helped Heatherstar at her weakest. We'll head back to camp now. Reedfeather would be getting his nine lives right now so in the morning so we won't know if you can permanently stay until then." Flower had joined us as we exited the barn.
We walked silently through the forest, the moon high in the sky and the stars shining brightly. I knew my father was up there, somewhere.
I crossed the border and led the cats towards the WindClan camp, feeling rather confident about Scratch and Flower joining us.
Scratch caught up to me as we walked up a hill. "Are you sure your Clan will accept us?"
"Reedfeather will, he was very close with Heatherstar and he will respect you guys taking care of him. And we always need new warriors. Always." I wasn't quite sure if I was reassuring him or myself.
Flower stumbled over a rock and hissed. "I've never lived on moorland before," she admitted. "This is really new to me."
"You'll get used to it eventually." We walked around the camp wall to the entrance and slip inside where Russettail, Cloudpool, Shrewclaw and Littlecloud sat in the clearing.
"Kittypets?" Russettail growled, glaring at me.
"Scratch! Flower!" Littlecloud squealed. "How have you two been?"
Scratch dipped his head. "We've been wonderful, Littlecloud. Flower and I were just hoping to join your Clan…"
"You can sleep in the apprentices den till he returns. Please, follow me." Littlecloud led the two to the empty apprentices den.
"Why did you bring them here?!" Cloudpool asked, looking puzzled.
"We could always use more warriors." I shrugged and Russettail tackled me.
I landed on my back in the snow, facing my brother who had his teeth bared. "WindClan does not shelter kittypets!"
"So we didn't shelter Heatherstar?" I retorted and shoved him off. "Stop being so rabbit-brained!" I stomped to my den and lay in my nest, curling up into a ball and trying to calm down. Reedfeather would accept the kittypets, right?
Hawkheart and Reedfeather entered camp. The tom jumped on the Tallrock and let out a yowl. "All those who can chase rabbits, join here beneath the Tallrock!"
Once everyone was gathered he continued, "I am now Reedstar! StarClan gave me my name and my lives. Now it is time I named a deputy. I say these words before StarClan that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of WindClan is Cloudpool."
Everyone looked at the she-cat who blinked with utter surprise. "I-I'm honored, really. I will try to be a brilliant deputy." She dipped her head and faced the Clan.
"Reedstar, we have some guests," Russettail announced as he pushed Scratch, Flower, and Whitefang forward.
The leader looked down at them curiously. "Whitefang, how may I help you?"
"I wish to join WindClan, Reedstar. I have proven myself to your medicine cat several times and I believe I would make a good fit in WindClan. I am willing to prove myself to you." Whitefang glanced over at me.
"Very well, we will give you a chance. Talltail will show you the ropes," he mewed and looked at the other two. "And you two want…?"
"I am Scratch and this is my sister, Flower. We sheltered Heatherstar until she died and took care of her. We also would like to join WindClan," Scratch said with an uneasy glance at me.
He nodded. "Very well, we will give you both a shot as well. By my authority as Clan leader, and with the approval of our warrior ancestors, I allow this cat to join WindClan. From this moment on he will be known as Scratchtail, for he has chosen to join WindClan."
"I to would like a new name," Flower said quietly, she was definitely more shy than Scratchtail.
"By my authority as Clan leader, and with the approval of our warrior ancestors, I allow this cat to join WindClan. From this moment on she will be known as Flowerwhisker, for she wishes to join WindClan." He dipped his head. "You all must hold a vigil here before StarClan until nightfall."
Whitefang led the two to the middle of camp and all three of them sat silently, beginning their vigil.
"Littlecloud, you will lead a hunting patrol with Talltail and Dawnstripe. I will lead a border patrol with Russettail and Cherryheart." Cloudpool led her patrol out of camp, Littlecloud's following.
I walked to the medicine den where Hawkheart sat, breathing heavily.
"Hawkheart? Are you feeling okay?" Dawnpool asked, rushing to him.
He only shook his head. "That was too long of a walk for an old cat like me… I think I might be sick."
"As long as you don't vomit on me, go ahead," I said, half-jokingly as I felt his forehead with the back of my paw. "You're burning up!"
"Dawnpool, don't. We both know I'm not going to make it, StarClan is calling my name." He paused to cough. "Please don't fret about me."
I felt my eyes tear up. "Alright… If that what you want." I'll be the medicine cat if he dies! My heart lurched at the thought.
"You'll be a wonderful medicine cat." He smiled and closed his eyes. "Chiveclaw, you're here to get me…" His breathing shallow and he became lifeless.I buried my face in his pelt and took in his scent as his body began to get cold. The glossiness of his pelt and shimmer was gone and my heart sunk in my chest.
I grabbed his body and carefully dragged him out of the den.
Reedstar gently took him from me and I could feel the tears fall and my heart ached.
Whiteberry and Reedstar crouched beside him, grieving for the medicine cat but I couldn't bring myself over there to grieve with them.
First Redclaw, then Heatherstar, now Hawkheart. How many more deaths will I be blamed for before I finally can get peace? I thought and I watched in silence.
Night fell and I sat in the same spot as Cloudpool, Talltail and Russettail inched away from the body and Littlecloud and Cherryheart took their spots.
Whitefang padded up to me. "You alright?" he asked gently, careful not to disturb everyone else's vigil.
Scratchtail and Flowerwhisker slipped into the warriors den and I replied, "No, not really. Hawkheart was the last death I wanted to watch."
His cold nose touched my ear and snow began to fall. "I'll sit beside you," he mumbled and sat down beside me, his pelt brushing mine.
"I just don't know if I can handle another death," I whispered and closed my eyes, taking in Whitefang's RiverClan scent.
He listened me babble until the sun rose the next morning, then he'd fallen asleep.
I slipped away from his body and ran into Scratchtail. "Sorry!" I squealed quietly.
"It's okay," he replied and continued walking to where Cloudpool was making patrols.
Flowerwhisker followed after quickly and Russettail looked at me, glaring.
"Heatherstar is dead, isn't she?" The tom had a rough voice and he sounded mad.
I nodded and swallowed. "When I went to go see her yesterday she was still alive but she found peace and passed away." I paused. "Then Scratchtail and Flowerwhisker wanted to join the Clan."
"I forgive you then," Russettail mewed simply.
"I-I don't follow…"
"You were right. Heatherstar deserved to die happy. And Scratchtail and Flowerwhisker deserves to join the Clan, even if they're kittypets," he admitted.
I dipped her head. "Thank you, Russettail…"
He flicked his tail. "Anytime Dawnpool." My brother padded to our mother who quickly put him on a patrol.
Russettail finally trusted me and they finally got to be a family again. But there's still a prophecy and still a cat to be found… Who could it be?