AshClan's Future {COMPLETE}

Chapter 28

Moonwhiskwer brushed away the thin layer of fluffy snow with her tail, breathing a sigh of relief when she spotted the large supply of catmint. "Oh thank StarClan." She said to herself, starting to inspect the precious herb. A few of the leaves were starting to die to the frost, but there was still plenty she could use. After discarding the dead and dying leaves, she nipped the herb off at the stem and started carrying it back to camp.

She had to trek out quite a ways to get the catmint, her paws were starting to become numb from the cold but she had to get the herbs back. With leaf-bare in full swing, sickness was around every corner and Moonwhisker was determined to stay prepared. Last leaf-bare we lost Tawnyfrost and Goldenstar lost a life. Moonwhisker was determined to not let that happen again. I won't loose a single cat this season. Moonwhisker had told herself over and over.

Moonwhisker finally reached the camp and stepped into the den, shaking loose snowflakes from her tabby pelt, she caught Eagleclaw's gaze and he looked at the herbs. "Oh good," He rose to his paws, pausing his current task. "I was worried it would all be dead. Go ahead and get it put away safely."

Moonwhisker set the herbs down, tucking them into a safe spot. "Have we had any sickness come up while I was gone?"

Eagleclaw shook his head. "I heard Lionpelt cough, but it didn't sound like illness to me. I checked him out and couldn't find any other signs."

"That's good." Moonwhisker noted. "I've been spreading the word for any cats to come to us at the soonest signs of sickness. We have a nursery full of kits, I don't want it spreading."

"Good call." Eagleclaw dipped his head. "We can never be too prepared for this." He returned to his task which was setting out all the other herbs. "Tansy...honey...feverfew..." He muttered to himself. Both Eagleclaw and Moonwhisker knew it was best to use the less important herbs before resorting to catmint, they only had so much.

"Have you eaten today?" Moonwhisker questioned her mentor at the feelings of hunger growing in her own stomach, the first thing she had done this morning was go out and get herbs, she hadn't a chance to eat.

"No." Eagleclaw replied, not looking up.

"I'm going to go get us some prey." Moonwhisker told him. He flicked his tail in response and Moonwhisker padded out into the camp. She took a good look around, AshClan seemed to be living their lives as usual, just in the snow. She looked towards the entrance where Riverstorm was organizing patrols. She had been impressed with her sister being chosen by Goldenstar as a temporary deputy for leaf-bare, and she was handling it well.

Moonwhisker looked around camp for her other sister, her concerns about Echoheart seemed to grow every single day. Ever since the battle led against MoonClan, Echoheart had completely changed. She had a dark, haunted look in her eyes and she barely spoke to any of her Clanmates. Moonwhisker had tried asking her about it but she never told her why. Moonwhisker felt a twinge of pain at her sister's lack of trust in her.

Moonwhisker had reached out to Riverstorm as well, but Riverstorm had responded saying even though the two of them didn't fight anymore, they still weren't that close. Moonwhisker's mind started to drift, she thought about Featherstorm's warning. I had been so worried about Riverstorm... She set her eyes on the blue-gray she-cat. She was guiding cats with confidence, and her arrogance wasn't shoving other cats around, she was respecting her Clanmates. I was warned that one of my sisters would live a path of bloodshed and violence.

Moonwhisker's tail twitched anxiously. But Echoheart would never hurt anyone? I know she wouldn't. Moonwhisker took a deep breath, she couldn't worry about this right now, not during leaf-bare. Perhaps I've already stopped it. Echoheart will return to normal soon, I know she will.