Rise From Darkness {COMPLETE}

Snakewhisker's Heart -Chapter 3-

Leaf-bare had taken its icy grip on the forest, refusing to let go as the cats of SunClan started to struggle. Prey was running low and illness was rooted deep into the camp. Snakewhisker was lucky enough to have avoided the sickness so far, he still felt strong and healthy and was working hard to keep his Clan well fed. Others, however, were not as fortunate. Some of the sick cats included Rainears, Alderfang, Leafwhisker and most worrisome to Snakewhisker, Barkfang, Fishtail and Dovewish.

Barkfang, his best friend, Fishtail his grandmother and Dovewish, Stormwind's mother. Since Snakewhisker and Stormwind had become mates earlier this season, he had found himself getting closer with her family. He had become good friends with Flowerpelt and Dovewish had become like a second mother to him. He wished he could've gotten to know Stonewhisker more before he joined StarClan, but he hoped that the tom was looking down on him fondly.

Dovewish was one of the sickest cats in the Clan, and Snakewhisker knew that Stormwind was very worried about her mother. Snakewhisker did his best to help Stormwind stay strong for her, but with each passing day the queen got worse and worse. Snakewhisker didn't want to accept it, but part of him was certain that Dovewish would be joining the ranks of StarClan soon.

Barkfang at least was not nearly as bad, he was a young, strong warrior. Snakewhisker was sure he would be just fine. He was also concerned about Fishtail, however. His grandmother was very old, she had escaped greencough many times before but with age it became harder and harder to fight it off. Snakewhisker would be saddened by the loss of the elder, but he also knew that she had lived a very long life. She didn't have any regrets and Snakewhisker knew this, so did his father.

"Hey, Snakewhisker!" Snakewhisker lifted his head, spotting Sandfoot padding up to him. "Mallownose wants me to lead a hunting patrol. Wanna join?"

Snakewhisker nodded. "Sure." He rose to his paws and faced the calico she-cat. "I need to warm up."

"Great." Sandfoot waved her tail. "I'm gonna get Rustpelt too. Why don't you find Sunstream and Slateclaw too."

"Alright." Snakewhisker dipped his head as Sandfoot cheerily padded away to find Rustpelt. The two of them seem to be getting closer. Snakewhisker thought with a purr. He wasn't as close as he was to Rustpelt as Barkfang, but he still saw the tom as a brother. Sandfoot is a strong-headed she-cat. She would be good for him.

Pushing those thoughts away, Snakewhisker padded across camp finding Sunstream talking to Honeywing outside the medicine cat. "Hey," He called to her to get her attention "Sandfoot is leading a patrol and she wants you to join."

"Sure thing." Sunstream nodded. "Thank you for the update, Honeywing." She dipped her sister thanks and turned away.

"Asking about Leafwhisker?" Snakewhisker questioned.

Sunstream nodded and sighed. "She's not getting any better." Leafwhisker was the mother of Sunstream and Honeywing and one of the more sick cats.

"Maybe hunting will get your mind of things for a while, and you can take her some prey."

"That's a good idea." Sunstream's eyes lit up slightly. Snakewhisker let out a purr, glad he could help cheer Sunstream up, even a little bit. "Let's go find Slateclaw." The two of them found Slateclaw sharing some prey with Tigertail and Bramblepelt and met back up with Sandfoot and Rustpelt.

"Are we all ready?" Sandfoot looked over the small patrol curiously. When the patrol agreed, Sandfoot led them out into the snowy forest.

The forest floor was covered with a thick layer of snow and the trees were barren of any leaves. It was just past sunhigh and the sky was clear. Snakewhisker was just glad it wasn't windy and snowing. It would making hunting at least a little easier.