Dawnstar's Trouble {COMPLETE}

Chapter 18

 Coughing was the only thing heard in the nearly empty camp, Dawnfire had just returned from a border patrol and all other cats were out in the forest to avoid catching greencough. Poppyfur's den was full of sick cats. Icepetal was the worst, the white she-cat was gaunt and almost looked like a ghost. Adderstrike, Brackenpaw and Rainears had all gotten worse too. They weren't alone anymore either, Heatherpaw, Sandfoot, Rustfur, Redclaw and and Stormwind. Cloudkit was coughing again as well, but Willownose kept him confined to the nursery. The sickness was getting worse, if SunClan didn't find catmint soon, cats would die.

The bracken rustled behind Dawnfire and in stepped Cinderpaw and Yarrowpaw followed by their mentors. Cinderpaw's chest was puffed out and her eyes glowed with pride, Yarrowpaw was slightly more humbled but also looked much more excited.

"What's going on?" Dawnfire questioned.

"You're looking at the next two warriors of SunClan, we just had our final assessment and we both did great." Cinderpaw boasted, Dawnfire didn't think she had seen a more excited apprentice. She let out a purr of amusement. "That's wonderful, I'm happy for you too."

"I just wish the camp wasn't so..." Yarrowpaw's eyes were soft. "Sad."

"Don't worry about it," Dawnfire mewed. "A change of pace will make cats happy." She purred as Snowtail and Crowfur went to Flowerstar's den. After a few heart aching moments for the two apprentices, the leader exited her den. Dawnfire realized with a sense of alarm that Flowerstar was looking thinner, her coat was pale and her eyes dull. Fear spread through Dawnfire's body. Was the SunClan leader sick?

Flowerstar climbed the SunTree, each paw step shakier than the last. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather before the SunTree for a Clan meeting." Flowerstar's voice didn't carry through the hollow like it normally did, it was raspy and dry. From the medicine cat den, Poppyfur poked her head out, her eyes dark with exhaustion as well as worry for the leader. "A few days ago, AshClan attempted to steal our herbs only to fail. Two apprentices fought bravely in the battle and one of them made it quickly to the camp to retrieve help then went straight back into the battle, and today they had their final assessment." Despite how raspy her tone was, Flowerstar still spoke proudly. "Crowfur, how did Cinderpaw's assessment go?"

Crowfur stood up. "Wonderful, Flowerstar. Cinderpaw hasn't been my apprentice for long, but she's done nothing but impress me. While hunting she caught two squirrels and took great charge in her team hunt with Squirreltail." Cinderpaw puffed out her chest again.

"And you, Snowtail? How has Yarrowpaw been?" Flowerstar questioned the white she-cat.

"Just as wonderful, when I first took on Yarrowpaw he was skittish and quiet, but now he is fierce, loyal and extremely intelligent. While hunting he caught two mice, and was a little hesitant when hunting with Fawnheart but his tracking skills proved to be exemplary." Snowtail's eyes glowed with pride as she talked about her apprentice, Yarrowpaw ducked slightly from the attention, his tail curly around his paws.

Flowerstar jumped down from the SunTree, landing slightly uneasily but stood up straight quickly. "Then today, I am proud to make you two warriors." Her voice was bold again. "Cinderpaw and Yarrowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend the Clan even at the cost of your life?"

"I do." Cinderpaw's voice was steady and fierce. No cat could deny it.

"I do." Yarrowpaw's voice shook slightly, he was smaller than the average warrior. Rowanpaw was almost bigger than him, but his eyes glowed with strength and bravery.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Cinderpaw, from this day forward you will be known as Cinderflame. SunClan honors your bravery and strength." Flowerstar leaned forward and touched her nose to Cinderflame's forehead and the new warrior licked her shoulder in return. The silver leader turned to Yarrowpaw. "Yarrowpaw, from this day forward you will be known as Yarrowtail, SunClan honors your intelligence and courage." Newly named Yarrowtail repeated the ritual with Flowerstar. "We welcomes you both as full warriors of SunClan!"