Coonpaw awoke feeling terrible. His entire body hurt, his heart hurt, and he couldn't remember why. He had been on a hunting patrol, Birdkit had died of greencough and they needed food, he had been talking to Nightpaw, and then it went blank.

He cracked open his eyes to find himself in the medicine cat's den. Yarrowpaw was padding over to him quickly, a bundle of herbs in his jaws. He could see many other cats in the den, each receiving treatment from Ravenfur. He could also see One-Ear's limp body being taken out by two warriors who looked almost sickeningly thin.

"Coonpaw, are you awake?" Yarrowpaw asked gently, rubbing some chewed up herbs into something that hurt painfully in Coonpaw's side. Coonpaw gave a mangled mewl, trying hard to get up, but finding his front right paw hurt so badly he couldn't. Yarrowpaw quickly made him lie back down, hushing him with gentle licks to the top of the head and slight flicks of his tail on Coonpaw's shoulder.

"Coonpaw, you need to rest. You were attacked by the dogs Robin had warned us of, do you remember?" Yarrowpaw asked. Coonpaw blinked, his mind drawing a blank.

"D-dogs?" His voice sounded hoarse, and his throat hurt. Yarrowpaw left him for a moment, returning with a ball of moss dripping with water. Water never tasted so greatly to Coonpaw until that moment. When Coonpaw finished, Yarrowpaw discarded the ball, and continued tending to Coonpaw's wounds.

"It will take a few more weeks for your injuries to fully heal. You are very luck a patrol was nearby; otherwise you would have died like…." Yarrowpaw's voice trailed off. Sudden, sharp alarm filled Coonpaw.

"Die? Who died? Yarrowpaw!" Coonpaw began to panic, standing to his paws unsteadily and full of pain. Yarrowpaw yowled at him to lay back down, and Ravenfur rushed over, but Coonpaw dashed out as fast as he could, limping out to get a full view of his clan.

They were mourning the loss of the cats that died to drive out the dogs. Coonpaw shook with the horror as he looked at the mangled bodies of Duststorm, Tigerstripe, One-Ear, and an apprentice as they were all being mourned by the warriors of the clan. Coonpaw began to pant, slowly walking over to the apprentice, not hearing the saddened murmurs from the other cats as he continued walking. He shouldered pass another cat he didn't quite make out, and took a place with four other apprentice sized cats as he looked down at her mangled body.

There was barely any fur left on her body, but Coonpaw could still recognize her. As he stared down at her, his eyes so wide they hurt, Coonpaw felt numb, and did not feel it as Yarrowpaw and Ravenpaw nudged against him, forcing him to lay down.

Coonpaw gave out a choked yowl, before crying out as loud as he could. He felt like he was being ripped in two, his insides being gutted out of him. He could barely take it. He was almost thankful as Yarrowpaw, Ravenfur, and another warrior finally dragged him away from her.

Away from Nightpaw's mangled body.

Xx

Snowfur coughed, waking Coonpaw from his sleep. He cracked his eyes open, and looked over at his elderly mentor. He would not complete his training with her. He knew this for a fact. His only serious injury was a scrape on his shoulder, the rest was merely sore muscles and a twisted paw, but Coonpaw was so torn from Nightpaw's death he caught whitecough and had to stay in the medicine cat's den longer.

Snowfur's whitecough had developed into greencough, and now the she-cat was in danger of dying. Many warriors were going without food, and Coonpaw saw Braveheart come in often, sharing his food with her, or giving his meager rations to her completely. Added the fact that Moonpool was expecting kits now, and the whole clan was trying fervently to catch food.

Riverstorm, who knew how to fish, even began teaching warriors how to fish on the river's edges. It wasn't against the code, and the rivers were the border markers, so no cat from other clans could attack them for fishing, but many warriors were unable to grasp the technique, so there was mostly no new food to eat aside from the prey found in the forest, though the occasional fish did come every now and then.

The dogs had been driven from the territory, and Robin had heard from some of her kittypet friends that they had left. As it turned out, Robin was an excellent fisher, and most of their fish actually came from her. She tried hard to catch as much as she could, but it was never enough, and the fish were hard to come by, just like prey on land.

Coonpaw shook his head and got unsteadily to his paws. He still felt terrible, but he wanted some fresh air. Many took the deaths of Tigerstripe, Duststorm, and Nightpaw hard. Sandtail had taken a few days to recuperate, only to find she had a new litter on the way, and like Moonpool, had moved into the Nursery. Shadowpaw's training had been shifted to Turtleclaw because of it. Talonpaw had not spoken a word to Coonpaw, and neither had most of Nightpaw's siblings, and sometimes he could see hateful looks coming from them. Only Ravenpaw was the exception in that. He made sure to tell Coonpaw that he felt terrible for what happened, and he would help Coonpaw get over the loss. Coonpaw wasn't sure how, but he realized that Ravenpaw was aware of his crush on his sister.

Coonpaw stepped out of the medicine cat's den, looking around the camp. Whitestorm was on sentry duty that night with Ivyspirit. Ivyspirit didn't look at him, but Whitestorm nodded at him, giving him a sympathetic look. Coonpaw sneezed, and headed to the entrance.

"Going to make dirt?" Whitestorm asked as he passed. Coonpaw sneezed again, and then nodded.

"Hold on a second. You're sick, so you shouldn't go by yourself." Whitestorm said. He looked over at Ivyspirit, who turned her head away and looked further into the clan like it was the most interesting thing in the world. Sighing, Whitestorm went to the warrior's den and glanced inside. He gave a light mewl, and said something Coonpaw couldn't make out, before a dark shape came out, shaking their head and stretching. AS the figure came closer, Coonpaw realized it was his father, Smallclaw.

Smallclaw nodded to Coonpaw, and then nodded to the opening. Coonpaw nodded back, and walked on, sneezing again just as he passed Ivyspirit. Ivyspirit gave a disgusted hiss, and suddenly backed away when Smallclaw bared his teeth at her, his fur bristling. Coonpaw had never seen his father act that way, especially not to a she-cat like Ivyspirit before.

After he made dirt, making sure to cover it as he was supposed to, Smallclaw nudged him away from the clan entrance. Confused, Coonpaw followed his father farther into the territory, and realized he was headed for the training clearing. When they reached there, Smallclaw laid down at the small pool of water that many apprentices would drink from during their training. Coonpaw laid next to him, staring into the water. Smallclaw looked down with him.

"I miss your mother so greatly." Smallclaw said. Coonpaw nodded, the sharp throb in his chest intensifying at the mention of his mother, Starblaze. Coonpaw didn't look away from his and his father's reflections. Looking at the two, Coonpaw could see so many similarities. Coonpaw had some of his black fur, and the shape of Coonpaw's head and face was so much like his fathers, even if Coonpaw didn't fully take after him in coloration.

"You miss her to. Just like you miss Nightpaw." Smallclaw said. Coonpaw let out a strangled mewl, not sure why his father was bringing this up, but knowing that it hurt. He felt his father nuzzle his head, and for a moment, Coonpaw could feel his pain as well.

"You'll find another she-cat, you are a good tom, and will make an excellent warrior. Coonpaw, I want to make a deal with you." Smallclaw said. Coonpaw finally looked up into his father's gold eyes, and felt his heart seize again when he saw the deep pain within them.

"I will help you recover from losing Nightpaw, from losing so much lately, and help you through all the pain you will feel in the future, if you will help me gain the strength I need to be a true warrior again." Smallclaw said. Coonpaw was stunned for a moment.

"I have been neglecting Ravenpaw's training, but I talked with Blazestar. I will take over your training temporarily, until things calm down." Smallclaw said. Coonpaw nodded, swallowing.

"I have also been neglecting you, Talonpaw, and Shadowpaw. Seeing the look of horror, the pain and sadness in Turtleclaw and Pantherheart, to see you hurt and that I wasn't there to do anything made me realize how terrible I have been this entire time. My clan needs me, and I am too swallowed up in my own grief to realize it. Because of it, I almost lost one of my kits. I won't make this mistake again. Coonpaw, if you will be my support, I promise I will always support you." Smallclaw said his voice full of conviction. Coonpaw felt his throat close up, and swallowed painfully.

Coonpaw nodded his head.

"Thank you, Dad." Coonpaw said, full of remorse, but love and gratefulness as he felt his father nuzzle him gently on the head.

Xxx

Coonpaw yawned, bits of the herbs Yarrowpaw had given him falling out of his mouth. The herbs tasted terrible, but Coonpaw was grateful for them. A severe lack of food was causing most of the warriors and a good portion of the apprentices to go hungry now so that the queens and elders could be fed, and these herbs were the only things Coonpaw had eaten that day. Smallclaw had, behind most warriors and possibly even the code itself, taken Coonpaw, Talonpaw, and Shadowpaw outside the clan camp and given them whatever he had managed to catch, making sure they were fed before the rest of the clan.

Since his talk with Coonpaw, Smallclaw had spent more time caring for his kits, even if they were apprentices, and early in the mornings, before anyone else had woken up yet, and would hunt for them. He'd wake them up and drag them out to feed them before anyone else was even aware that they were up.

At first, Coonpaw and Shadowpaw had felt bad about it, but this gave them the energy they needed for training and hunting. No one had died yet from lack of food, so they didn't need to worry. At least, that was how Talonpaw reasoned it.

Today, Smallclaw hadn't been able to sneak out for them, so Coonpaw had yet to eat. Coonpaw was also aware that Ravenpaw, Wildpaw, and Yarrowpaw seemed to notice that Coonpaw was getting food from a mysterious source, and that Coonpaw was sneaking away from the medicine cat's den when he should still be resting.

The snow stopped falling, and actually started melting, yet for some strange reason the trees and foliage were getting drier. Yarrowpaw had told Coonpaw that he was worried that a fire could start soon if the trees didn't get some moisture soon. Coonpaw wasn't quite sure what 'moisture' meant, but he figured the trees needed more water, or they'd catch fire.

Now, Coonpaw was waiting for Yarrowpaw to say it was all right for him to start training again. Coonpaw was ready to claw off some ears soon, and couldn't stand sleeping in the medicine cat's den one more night. The other cats with greencough were driving him insane by waking him up all night, and Coonpaw was sure he didn't have whitecough anymore, so he didn't need to worry and could go back to training. Sure, his scrape still hurt, but it would heal up with a decent night's rest in the apprentice's den. At least, that was Coonpaw's line of reasoning.

Yarrowpaw saw differently, but asked Ravenfur if he could sleep in the apprentice's den for the night, to get a better night's sleep. Ravenfur agreed, and now Coonpaw felt a bit happier. Coonpaw still wanted to train, run around, hunt, anything, but Yarrowpaw and Ravenfur forbid it while his scrape was healing.

"Bored?" Shadowpaw asked, padding over to him. Ravenpaw was with her, and Coonpaw noted that the two of them both looked thinner than they should be. He hoped prey would start coming back soon. He nodded his head, looking over and saw Blazestar, Robin, Lionclaw, and Willowpelt sharing tongues near Blazestar's den.

"Hard to get used to a kittypet sharing our dens, huh?" Shadowpaw asked. Coonpaw nodded. He looked over and saw Goldie sharing tongues with Wildpaw and Bonepaw by the apprentice's den. When Robin and Goldie had entered Sunclan, Robin had insisted that Goldie begin training as an apprentice. Goldie wouldn't accept an apprentice's name, but she began training under Whitestorm. She looked thinner than she did when she first arrived at Sunclan.

"We'll get used to it. I heard Blazestar saying he was hoping Goldie would accept a warrior name when her training ended, and that he was thinking that her warrior name would be Goldwing." Ravenpaw said. Coonpaw nodded, looking the female kittypet over. Goldwing would be a good name for her.

"Perhaps Goldie and Robin will go back to their Twolegs soon." Coonpaw said. It wouldn't be too much of a strange idea. With things as they were, no one would blame them for going back to their old den full of food and a warm nest instead of this cold and hunger filled clan.

"Perhaps that would be better." Ravenpaw admitted, looking over at Shadowpaw. Shadowpaw shook her head.

"We need warriors. The elders complain that a storm is coming." Shadowpaw said, looking up at the sky. Looking up, Coonpaw noted that it did look rather bleak with graying clouds. A Gathering was coming soon, and he hoped this would not mean that it is canceled. Coonpaw shivered as a cold gust of wind blew through the camp. He prayed it would clear up soon.

That night, as Coonpaw was laying between Shadowpaw and Ravenpaw, he was woken by a sudden crashing sound. All the apprentices were up and alarmed. The smell of smoke was well into the air, and a strong wind ripped through the camp so greatly that even the den was shaking. Coonpaw's body ached severely, and he had to lean on Shadowpaw as the apprentices all climbed out of the apprentice's den, looking to the warriors for guidance.

To Coonpaw's increasing fear, he realized the warriors were just as scared and confused. The wind whipped around, tearing off leaves from the trees, sending the melting snow in such a frenzied flurry that in seconds Coonpaw was soaked. Sudden claps of thunder cracked and made Coonpaw's insides vibrate with their intensity, and every few seconds he could see bright stabs of light in the air.

Coonpaw felt ice cold terror rip through him as a sudden flash of light hit a nearby tree, making it burst into flames and crash to the ground. The bright orange glow illuminated the stormy air only slightly. He saw Blazestar shouting frantically, ordering warriors left and right. Quickly, all cats not injured or too weak were helping queens carry kits, helping elders and the sick all file out of the camp in a hurried line. The orange glows out of the camp grew brighter, and the smell of smoke intensified as Shadowpaw and Ravenpaw helped Coonpaw limp towards the entrance. Yarrowpaw dashed up to them, his red eyes wide with fear and concern.

"Lightning struck some trees and started some fires all through the territory, even in the other territories! Blazestar has ordered us to evacuate." He shouted as loud as he could. Because of the wind, it was still hard for Coonpaw to hear him. Ravenpaw nodded, helping Coonpaw towards the entrance. Shadowpaw left the two for a few moments to check with the queens and elders, helping as best she could. Ravenpaw and Coonpaw were filed behind Dawnflower, the queen's eyes wide and frantic as she held Amberkit in her jaws, the poor kit looking cold and miserable in the storm, wailing loudly. Coonpaw felt sick with the realization he might lose more clan members soon.

Blazestar went passed them, shouting orders as loud as he can. Coonpaw could see his father up ahead, his yellow eyes bright and frightened in the darkness, barely calming down when he finally saw Coonpaw, and then went to search for his other siblings.

Coonpaw and Ravenpaw finally made it out of the camp, very aware as cats ran past them and through the territory towards Sun-Drownclan territory; some of them were even Mistclan cats. Ravenpaw helped Coonpaw go forward as fast as he could, slowing only to offer aid to Dawnflower. The she-cat looked so weak as she tried to carry Amberkit that Coonpaw couldn't help but force Ravenpaw to stop as they offered help.

Amberkit's fur tasted like dirt as Coonpaw carried her; aware that his body was screaming in pain, but nothing he could do as Ravenpaw helped Dawnflower behind them. Another clap of thunder with a bright slash of lightning, and a tree only a few cat-lengths away suddenly fell, bursting into an inferno that heated Coonpaw where he stood.

Frantic to get away, Coonpaw quickened his pace, Ravenpaw running ahead when they noticed that Mousefang had collapsed and the warrior with him was having trouble. Coonpaw helped Dawnflower as best he could, when an alarming crack reverberated through the forest and suddenly Coonpaw's vision was covered by leaves, the burning feeling of his fur on fire alarming him so greatly he nearly dropped Amberkit as he dashed forward, thrusting his back to the ground to put the flames out.

Amberkit wailed, snapping Coonpaw out of his panic when he remembered Dawnflower was lost. He glanced around frantically, his head swerving from side to side frantically when he caught sight of her pelt near the tree that had fallen on them. Under a large branch, Dawnflower was weakly trying to claw her way out, her spine bent at such an unnatural angle that bile rose in Coonpaw's throat. He dashed over, dropping Amberkit to the side and frantically tried to help Dawnflower out, but the she-cat hissed, slashing at him as he tried.

"My kit! Save my kit!" She hissed, her eyes full of grief and terror, not for herself, but for Amberkit. Coonpaw's heart clenched and he froze, unsure of what to do. He tried once more to help Dawnflower, aware that Amberkit was snuggling close to him, the poor kit was shivering so much that it was making Coonpaw shiver, but Dawnflower slashed at him again, her eyes beginning to dim.

"Please, take care… of Amber…kit…" She said weakly, one finale time before her eyes closed. Coonpaw let out a wail, nudging her with his muzzle, willing her to get back up. He was aware that more trees were on fire, and the fire on the fallen tree that Dawnflower was stuck under was getting dangerously close. Coonpaw was almost gagging on the sour smell of the smoke.

"I promise, I'll protect Amberkit!" He vowed quietly to the fallen queen, taking Amberkit once more into his mouth and dashing forward, adrenaline kicking in and blocking out all sense of pain. He could hear the yowls of cats around him, but he didn't glance around. He needed to get this kit to safety.

Xx

Cats from all but Mountainclan had gathered far into Sun-Drownclan territory, away from the trees that were on fire. Each clan was in a respective group, with Sun-Drownclan warriors patrolling everyone to make sure they didn't do anything suspicious.

Coonpaw sat looking at the forest, Amberkit sleeping soundly in his paws. Coonpaw had his tail wrapped around her, keeping her warm. Sun-Drown clan had given them what food they could, and Coonpaw had made sure Amberkit had eaten her fill before he had taken some measly rations for himself. His body ached so badly he couldn't sleep, but he ignored it. His home was in flames, and the clans were all taking toll of all they had lost.

Besides Dawnflower, Coonpaw had heard that Willowpelt and Lightningclaw had perished; both caught by flames and burned to death. From Yarrowpaw, he also learned that Blazestar had lost a life, something that chilled Coonpaw even more.

The other clans were less fortunate. Though the total death count wasn't known to him, he could tell that the other clans had lost many cats. Some queens in Mistclan had charred fur, and he could hear their wailing for lost kits.

Coonpaw felt sick as he watched the flames continue, the wind only lifting slightly when rain began to fall, drenching the clan cats even further and finally starting to put out the flames. Coonpaw leaned forward, trying to keep the sleeping Amberkit dry. Yarrowpaw and Ravenfur were busy, and Coonpaw was well aware he could not take care of Amberkit on his own. Seeing no other alternative, he went to the other queens.

The queens of all the clans had grouped together, just like the elders, for warmth. Coonpaw had kept Amberkit with him while Amberkit had received treatment from Yarrowpaw, but now he knew he had to give her to a queen so she could be better cared for.

He searched the queens and finally found Skyheart. Sunstream was with her, and their kits were kept close to Skyheart's belly, trying to stay warm. Moonpool was near her, Mistfrost laying next to her in attempt to help her stay warm as well. Sunstream and Skyheart looked up at him, their eyes full of confused grief mixed with terror as he approached. Amberkit was in his jaws, so he couldn't speak at first, but Skyheart nodded, moving Risingkit so there was room for Amberkit.

Coonpaw didn't leave the queen, not even when his siblings and father came to join him.

X

X

Xx

X

X

Current Total Sunclan Death Count: 8. 9 if you include one of Blazestar's lives. As a bit of a spoiler now, Blazestar is on his last life now.

It isn't going to get any better for the clans after this. Things will not get better actually. Not till the end of book 4 (the start of the squal series will be relatively calm, then go back to hell for a while again)

Anyway, next chapter will be a Coonpaw chapter again. Starblaze will be MIA completely for a while. As will Bluefire and Wolfwind (they'll come back soon though, I promise)

PLEEEEEEEAAAAAASSSEEE REVIEW!

Tell me what you think! Tell me who you think will die next! Tell me any speculations you have!

I just realized this means Firepaw does not have a mentor (Tigerstripe was his mentor, and I never addressed that after Tigerstripe died….)

That will be cleared up next chapter as well. Hopefully.

PLEASE REVIEW!

Death count will go up again in the next chapter as well.