Dawnstar's Past

Chapter 14: Eye of the Storm

Dawnclaw whirled around, still holding Goldenkit, and saw Lunastar.

As the flood waters washed down the hill, Lunastar was swept away. Dawnclaw tried frantically to get a glimpse of the silver she-cat but failed.

Thinking fast, Dawnclaw bolted up the hill, ignoring her wet, muddy paws slipping everywhere.

When she reached the top, Dawnclaw saw that her clan was not there. The only cat there was Thornpetal.

"Where is everyone else?!"

"They all ran into Darkclan territory."

Dawnclaw hissed angrily.

"Here, hold Goldenkit until I get back!"

Thornpetal looked at Dawnclaw, worry and fear lighting her gaze.

"Where are you going?"

Dawnclaw pointed with her tail down the hill and rushed off to save Lunastar.

She must have drowned by now. Even if she hasn't, she probably will soon.

Dawnclaw saw the 'river' of water rushing beside her and leaped into it.

Trying desperately to keep her head above water, Dawnclaw kicked off of anything she could get her paws on as well as swimming as best she could. Dawnclaw saw a flash of silver at the bottom of the hill and dived into the water, swimming as fast and as hard as her legs would allow.

When she reached the bottom, Dawnclaw found Lunastar's body unconscious and not breathing.

Grabbing Lunastar's scruff, Dawnclaw dragged the leader aside from the place she was lying and out her ear near Lunastar's chest.

"Oh no, oh no, oh no! Lunastar, you can't die, even if I've hated you for moons!"

Dawnclaw set her paws on Lunastar's chest and began pumping her chest.

After a few moments of no reaction, Dawnclaw let out a wail of frustration.

"Lunastar, you can't give up on Fireclan!"

Lunastar shuddered and gasped for air. Dawnclaw looked at Lunastar with concern.

Just realizing what had happened, Dawnclaw looked down at her paws.

"So, I guess you only have one life left now."

"No, I have none left Dawnclaw." Dawnclaw looked up in confusion.

"Dawnclaw, when the floodwaters that swept me away, I didn't only drown..." Lunastar breathed, looking down at the ground around her.

Dawnclaw gasped in horror as she noticed the new pool of blood beneath Lunastar.

"What hit you?!"

"While I was tumbling down the hill, a sharp piece of Twoleg rubbish hit my throat and cut it. I will be dead by the time Snowstorm or Nova even think to look for us."

Dawnclaw shuddered and looked up at the dying she-cat. Lunastar closed her eyes and rested her head, her breathing short and shallow.

"Dawnclaw, tell the clan my secret, let them know who I really was, please, let them hate me. Please Dawnclaw, grant my last wish before I join Starclan."

Dawnclaw nodded, trying to hold back her anger and grief. When she looked down again, Lunastar had stopped breathing entirely.

"Goodbye Lunastar, may you have swift running, good hunting, and shelter when you sleep."

Dawnclaw looked up at the sky, the rain clouds beginning to thin out. She looked near the top of the hill to see Thornpetal and Goldenkit pelting down towards her.

"DAWNCLAW, WHAT HAPPENED?!"

Dawnclaw looked at her paws and and moaned, swaying slightly, exhausted from almost drowning and grief.

"L-Lunastar, s-she drowned and b-bled out fr-from her thro-throat"

Goldenkit shrieked when she saw Lunastar. The tiny yellow she-kit looked up at Dawnclaw and ran to her, pressing her body against her wet fur.

Thornpetal looked away from Lunastar and back at Dawnclaw.

"Dawnclaw, you've been through a lot, you should probably, Dawnclaw, DAWNCLAW!" Thornpetal yowled Dawnclaw's name as she collapsed to the ground.

Dawnclaw tried opening her eyes to avail. She felt her head spin, tasted blood in her mouth, and heard Thornpetal and Goldenkit screaming her name in terror.

"Dawnclaw! Dawncl-, Dawn-"

Dawnclaw tried moving, but when she did, it felt like a monster hit her and she could hear no more.