Dawnstar's Decision

Chapter 7

A moon had passed since the terrible event, and Dawnpaw was almost ready to move out of the medicine cat den. She stretched her legs and looked around for something to do. She moved around her nest to the entrance of the den and watched the sun rise.

She could see the newest warrior, Pebblefur, get out of the warriors den with Whitefang, Swiftwillow and Raggedpelt to go on the dawn patrol. Pebblefur was not the only cat who had been made a warrior recently; in fact, the once overcrowded apprentices den now seemed too large and spacious. Specklefrost, Hawkbreeze, Orangetail and Stormfur had all moved to the warriors den. She could see all of the warriors huddled together now, their chests rising and falling in the same rhythm. She sighed, wishing that she could join the dawn patrol as well, but she still needed a few more days of rest until returning to her normal duties.

"Maybe I should go check on Silvermoon in the nursery..." she thought to herself, picking out a piece of fresh kill for the newest queen. Dawnpaw carried a fairly large squirrel and peered cautiously inside.

Silvermoon looked up as she heard Dawnpaw come in, "Oh, thank you Dawnpaw!" the senior warrior rasped. This would be her last litter with Grassblade before she would move to the elders den. She quickly ate the squirrel and nodded her thanks.

Dawnpaw said a quick goodbye and padded out of the nursery. She wondered what it would be like to have kits of her own and be a mother. But then again, she didn't really have feelings for any of the toms her age. She shrugged, pushing the thought away.

***

Later that day, the hot sun bore down on Dawnpaw's pelt as she came back with moss for the elder's den; which was the only chore that she was able to do. She couldn't wait to get back under the shade of Featherpool's den and take a nice long nap.

She curled up into a ball and rested her head on her paws. Before she could close her eyes, Speckledpaw burst into the medicine cat's den, an excited gleam in her eyes, "Dawnpaw, guess what!"

"Huh?" she asked, confused.

"Come on, guess!" she squealed in excitement.

"Ummm well, I-"

Speckledpaw didn't let her finish, "I think I like Nightpaw!" she purred happily, letting out a small squeak.

"You like Nightpaw?!" Dawnpaw exclaimed, forgetting to hide her disgust. She couldn't stand Nightpaw; he was always whining about apprentice duties and was lazier than an elder.

"What? What's wrong?" she asked, hurt showing in her amber eyes.

"Oh, nothing!" Dawnpaw lied, "Sorry, I was just a little surprised.....er that's awesome! Does he like you?"

"I don't know..." she mewed, the excitement returning to her eyes, "and that's why I want you to help me find out!"

"What?! But you know that I'm no good with talking to other cats! Especially not tom cats!" she tried convincing her sister, but Speckledpaw was beyond reasoning.

"Come on!" Speckledpaw purred, "It's not that hard to talk to someone, why don't you give it a try?"

Dawnpaw sighed in defeat and let out a small hiss, "Fine I'll do it. But just this once. And if you get any ideas of-"

"Thank you!" Speckledpaw sprinted off before Dawnpaw could say anymore. She got up, giving up on her nap, and went off to find Nightpaw.

A hunting patrol came back at that moment with Stormfeather, Darkclaw, Echopaw, and Nightpaw. Everyone had fresh kill in their jaws, even Nightpaw, though his was a small vole. She watched him drop it in the pile while Echopaw picked up her thrush and brought it into the elders den. Nightpaw strolled over to a sunny spot and started to groom himself. Well, now's my chance... Dawnpaw thought grudgingly. She looked over and saw Speckledpaw beckoning for her to move on.

She shuffled over to where he was and cleared her throat so that he would notice her. He looked up, startled, "Er, hi Dawnpaw. If you need help cleaning out the elder's den just ask Echopaw... I already did my fair share today! Did you see that vole I caught?"

"Uh huh," she held back a growl, "But I don't need your help; not with that at least.... actually, I was wondering...." She trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"You were wondering what?" he asked curiously, his eyes lighting up.

"What do you think of Speckledpaw?" she asked awkwardly.

"Why do you ask?" he said, the light in his eyes replaced with a disappointed look in his face.

"Uh, just because, well I was just wondering!" she snapped, starting to get frustrated.

"She's pretty cool I guess..." he shrugged, "anything else you want to ask me?"

"Nope... not at all." she said through gritted teeth, "Thanks for your time."

"Your welcome!" he purred, not picking up the sarcasm in her tone. He immediately went back to grooming his sleek black fur.

Dawnpaw stalked off, lightening her pace as she came near Speckledpaw. She didn't know what to say to her sister. He obviously wasn't interested in her at all, but she couldn't tell her that!

"So, what did he say?" she asked energetically, hope in her eyes.

She looked back guiltily, "Umm, I think he likes you! Yeah! You two would be a pretty good couple." she hated lying to her only friend, but she didn't know what else to do.

"Really?!" she squeaked, "thank you, Dawnpaw! I'm going to go speak to him now."

"But Speckledpaw, wait!" she called, but it was too late. Speckledpaw was already where Nightpaw was. She inched closer to them to make sure Nightpaw was being nice. They seem to be getting along, she thought warily. She was already starting to get a headache from being out so long. She padded back into the medicine cat's den, worried about what she had just done. She watched as the two walked off together, wondering if it actually could work out between them. They were almost warriors after all.