Dawnstar's Trouble {COMPLETE}

Chapter 16

Leaf-bare was bitter, noses were running more than prey in the SunClan forests and ear tips were stinging. Dawnfire trudged through the deep snow, shivering as she did so. She was part of a hunting patrol accompanied by Icepetal, Snowtail and Yarrowpaw. The other three had light fur as to not stand out against the white forest, Dawnfire however looked like dry blood against the powder. She glanced at Yarrowpaw who had clumps of snow in his long pale fur, Snowtail seemed to be experiencing the same problem.

Dawnfire looked across the forest, looking for any sign of prey. Her eyes landed upon tiny bird tracks, she sniffed the air but was only met with burning frost. She crouched low, trying to move as slowly as she possibly could. Then she saw it, a dark brown starlight searching for it's own food. Dawnfire graceful moved across the snow, her eyes set on her prey. With a slightly clumsy pounce, she caught the bird in her paws and gave a swift killing bite.

"Nice catch!" Icepetal purred, Dawnfire noticed that her voice sounded a bit dry.

"Thank you." Dawnfire purred and hid her catch to continue the hunt, she glanced at Icepetal who had streaming eyes. "Are you okay, Icepetal?" She questioned.

Snowtail heard the conversation and looked over, her deep blue eyes curious. "What's wrong?" She padded over to her sister.

"Yeah I'm fine." Icepetal purred. "Just a slight cough from the cold." She looked at the two she-cats and purred. "Let's keep hunting."

There wasn't much more have a hunt left, Snowtail managed to catch a small squirrel and Yarrowpaw a mouse. Icepetal almost caught another mouse but her coughing betrayed her. Snowtail told her to visit Poppyfur but Icepetal refused.

"Greencough could set in at any time." Snowtail had pointed out, her voice brisk with concern for her sister.

"If it gets worse I will go see her." Icepetal had argued, clearly not wanting to seem weak, that's how all cats were lately.

When they returned to camp Dawnfire noticed Willownose standing outside the medicine den, Dawnfire felt the hair on her spine raise up. Was Cloudkit okay? Was she okay? Dawnfire quickly moved towards the medicine den and peered inside. Cloudkit was looking up at Poppyfur as she sniffed his pelt. He turned his blue eyes onto her.

"Dawnfire!" He mewed excitedly. Poppyfur looked up as well, her eyes sparking with interest. Her gaze was odd to Dawnfire, but she brushed it off.

"What's going on?" Dawnfire asked, looking to Willownose, the she-cat seemed fine, her pelt was healthy and her eyes bright.

"Cloudkit was coughing last night and this morning, I wanting to get him checked out." Willownose replied, her eyes filled with the concern of a mother. Even though Cloudkit wasn't her own kit, Dawnfire could tell that Willownose had bonded with him.

"I told her I feel fine, my throat just hurts." Cloudkit mewed and looked at Pebblepaw. "Am I sick?" He questioned.

Pebblepaw, who was sorting through the herbs. "Ask Poppyfur, she's the one looking over you." She answered with a gentle tone in her voice.

"He doesn't seem sick," Poppyfur said. "Might just be a small cold, but there doesn't seem to be an infection of anys sort." Dawnfire's chest flooded with relief. The medicine cat turned to her apprentice. "What would you recommend for him?"

Pebblepaw was slightly taken off guard but recovered quickly. "It would be best to save our catmint, so tansy would be the good option; it prevents coughs."

Poppyfur nodded her head. "Correct, do we have any?" She asked.

Pebblepaw nodded and picked up a small yellow flower and moved over to her younger brother. Using her teeth, Pebblepaw tore off a very small piece. "Eat this." She mewed, pushing it towards him.