Chapter 2

Dawnblossom awoke to Beechwhisper leaving the warrior den carefully with Fernmist, Silverheart, Oakstorm, and Duskfoot. It was a little past dawn. She lifted her head and meowed, "dawn patrol?" Purring she rose out of her nest and asked Beechwhisper, "can I come?"

He turned his head. "You'll have to ask Oakstorm. She's leading the patrol."

Oakstorm looked at them and asked, "what?"

"Can I join the patrol?" Dawnblossom asked.

"Oh. Yeah, of course!" Oakstorm turned back around and led the dawn patrol out of the warrior den. They exited the camp, and headed to the SunnyClan border, near the abandoned twoleg den.

They leaped onto their side of the large rocks that marked the border between AcornClan and SunnyClan. Dawnblossom flexed her claws in and out of the soft, warm soil beneath her paws beside the huge rocks.

"Wait…" Oakstorm meowed, and stopped marking the border. "I smell something." She whipped around and yowled surprise as a group of snakes slithered toward the cats on the rocks. They scrambled off and ran in all directions. Dawnblossom stayed near Silverheart and Beechwhisper, knowing they can fight well.

"Dawnblossom, go back to the camp for help! Run as fast as you can!" Oakstorm yowled. Dawnblossom felt relief and fear rise in her throat. She might not be able to fight well, but she knew she was fast! She was nervous that she had to leave the rest of the patrol and Beechwhisper with the snakes, but nevertheless, she took of running as fast as she could, bursting into camp at the speed of light.

"Help! Oakstorm's patrol is being attacked by snakes!" She panted, catching her breath. Duststar ran over with Jayfang and the medicine cats on his tail.

"What's going on?" Duststar asked.

"Oakstorm's patrol! We got attacked by snakes! Oakstorm sent me for help."

"How many?" Jayfang asked.

Dawnblossom paused, thinking quickly. She hadn't counted. She thought for a moment, and replied confidently, "I think about four. I hadn't counted. Possibly five or six."

"Where are they?" Duststar and Shadeflower asked together.

"SunnyClan border. By the abandoned twoleg den."

"Redstorm, Grayheart, Lightleaf, and Thornfur! Come with us," Duststar said to the cats standing next to him. "Cedarleaf, come with us too, in case anyone is injured badl—" Just then Oakstorm's patrol came in through the camp. Dawnblossom and the others raced to them. Beechwhisper was limping on Silverheart's shoulder. Fernmist was on Duskfoot's back.

Dawnblossom came up to Beechwhisper licking every wound he had clean. "Are you alright?" She asked. There were bites and scratches everywhere, blood seeping out of each. Then she saw Fernmist and gasped. "Is he alright?" The gray tom's fur was matted and sticky with bits of dry blood here and there.

"He got a bite to the bottom of his neck, just above his shoulder." Oakstorm explained.

Shadeflower padded up to him and took him off of Duskfoot's back, examining the gash on his neck. "It could get infected really bad. He needs herbs, and rest." She looked up at the patrol.

"What kind of snake was it?" Cedarleaf asked.

"A garter snake, we think. We didn't get a good look at it, since we were so surprised." Duskfoot meowed.

"Good. Garter snakes don't do any harm. The bite can get infecting and could lead to…" Ravenfur stopped grimly.

"Oh no!" Dawnblossom gasped, burying her nose in Beechwhisper's soft fur.

"Will he be alright?" Beechwhisper asked.

"Only StarClan knows." Cedarleaf whispered.

Shadeflower stood up. "I promise you that we will do the best we can to heal him. But we can't promise you he'll survive."

The Clan took a moment of silence, and then all returned to their duties.

Dawnblossom escorted Beechwhisper to the medicine den, following Fernmist and the medicine cats. Ravenfur trailed behind. "How are your bites and scratches?"

"Sore," Beechwhisper meowed grimly. "I am worried about Fernmist, so it will be hard to focus on the pain."

Ravenfur dipped his head. "Of course. We will still make sure they don't get infected, so follow me." They walked into the medicine den, and followed Ravenfur into a spare room with the pungent scent of herbs. "Lie down on this nest, and I will just get to mixing these herbs." Suddenly, Shadeflower came into the room.

"Do you need any help, Ravenfur? Cedarleaf is tending to Fernmist, and is just thinking about what to do, so she sent me here to help with Beechwhisper."

"Yes, please! Can you examine the snake bites on Beechwhisper while I mix these herbs for him?"

"Sure thing!" Shadeflower gently padded over to Beechwhisper and crouched next to him. She sniffed at the wounds, and then gently asked, "how bad do they hurt?"

"Not too bad. Maybe it's just my imagination. I can't focus on pain right now, I am worried about what will happen to Fernmist. If I think hard about it…" Beechwhisper paused. "Like a scratch on a few rose thorns or a bramble."

"Good. So it's not too bad." Shadeflower concluded. "And it was a garter snake?"

"Yes, that's what we think." Beechwhisper replied. He shifted and then winced.

"Did the snake urinate?"

"No, we didn't see anything. Why do you ask?"

"Because when a garter snake urinates, it leaves a horrible taste in a cat's mouth, and the cat might tend to vomit or drool, or even collapse."

"Oh," Beechwhisper mewed, surprised. "I don't taste anything!" He joked.

"Okay, Beechwhisper." Ravenfur murmured. He gathered the herb mix in front of him, and rubbed it into the scratches.

Beechwhisper winced. "Does it have to sting so bad?" He hissed.

Dawnblossom sat close to his side, she carefully glanced at the bites. "You've got this." She whispered encouragingly.

He swiftly licked her ear, and then settled back into the nest.

"Beechwhisper, you will have to rest here for at least a night. I will check the wounds tomorrow, and see if you can go back to the warrior den. For now, no patrols or leaving camp without my permission. Tell Duststar." Beechwhisper sighed and stalked over to the leader den. Dawnblossom waited outside.

Beechwhisper returned shortly, and padded over to Dawnblossom. "Can you stay in the medicine den with me tonight? At least if Ravenfur, Cedarleaf, and Shadeflower say it's okay?"

She purred, "of course! Let's go ask now." They walked into the medicine den, and saw Shadeflower mixing herbs in the corner.

She turned and asked, "Beechwhisper? Are you alright?"

"Yes," he replied. "But I was wondering if Dawnblossom could stay in here with me tonight? If it's alright with you of course."

"I don't see why not. Sure," Shadeflower sighed and muttered something Dawnblossom could not make out.

Beechwhisper didn't seem to hear either. "Thank you!" He exclaimed.

Still, Dawnblossom was still feeling curious about what Shadeflower said…

…