A Spark in the Night, part one: The Spark Ignites

Chapter six

"Softpaw's awake!" Came Poppyflower's cheerful mew.

Softpaw lifted her head. "What happened?"

Spekleheart entered the den. "What did you expect- eating deathberries?"

Softpaw widened her eyes. "Leafpaw said they were called sweetberries! He swore by StarClan that-" She heard Stormclaw outside the den. "Leafpaw!! Where are you?"

Softpaw turned towards Gentletouch "I think-" Softpaw blacked out before she could continue.

"-ftpaw? Softpaw?"

Softpaw lifted her head. "Shinepaw, what is it?" she rasped.

Shinepaw turned to Poppyflower. "She's awake!"

Gentletouch burst into the den frantically. "I got the yarrow!!"

She set the herbs in front of Softpaw. "We only have a few heartbeats!! Eat! Eat!"

Pushing back the memory of Leafpaw and Grasspaw's trick with yarrow, Softpaw bent over and started to eat the herbs. The two medicine cats started to push her out of the den. "Try to leave camp! Quick!"

She couldn't tell which medicine cat was talking, or why, but she dragged herself out of camp.

Just as she got out of camp, she tasted bile rising in her throat, bent over and hurled. She ran her tongue over her lips, trying to get rid of the taste, and then made her way to a small pond and lapped from it until the taste was almost completely gone and headed back into the camp.

"Softpaw, eat this squirrel, you must be hungry," mewed Willowleaf.

Without hesitating, she bent over and ate the squirrel in a few famished bites. "Thank you."

A bit after she'd finished, she was pleased to see Strikepaw heading her way. Guess what happened while you were– uhh..."

"Blacked out?", she finished for him. He nodded. "I was made a warrior!! My name is Strikestone." Softpaw smiled at him. "Strikestone! Strikestione!", she let out a feeble cheer, she was still weak.