Dawnstar's Trouble {COMPLETE}

Chapter 34

 Dawnfire was focused intently on her prey, a small squirrel that nibbled on a nut just mouse lengths in front of her. She extended her claws, inching forward until she was close enough to pounce and kill it.

"Good catch!" Lionclaw praised behind her, Dawnfire buried her kill and sat up to face him.

"Thanks." She dipped her head and sniffed the air, prey was faint but it was there. Dawnfire spotted Icepetal off in the distance hunting prey as well. It had been two moons since Thornstar showed himself at the gathering as AshClan's new leader and nothing had happened since. AshClan did their daily patrols as per usual and it almost seemed like nothing was wrong, but Dawnfire knew that trouble was brewing and Dawnfire didn't know what it was, but she wanted to be prepared for it. Greenleaf was drawing to a close and Leaf-fall would be here soon; and Leaf-bare would be shortly after.

Dawnfire had been right in making SunClan hunt as much prey as they could; it was already running slower but SunClan had a reliable stock. They only continued to hunt more, and Dawnfire was always sending the best hunters. She had adjusted to being deputy, and was now only concerned with Thornstar and AshClan.

"Hey, come back to SunClan." Lionclaw nudged her slightly, snapping her out of her focus. His amber eyes were soft, ever since Poppyfur's death, Dawnfire had pulled a bit away from him but he had been supportive all the same, Dawnfire felt guilty about the way she had been acting. Dawnfire nuzzled him.

"I'm sorry, I was distracted." Lionclaw nuzzled back, clearly understanding she meant more than just the hunting.

Lionclaw pressed close against her. "It's alright, I understand." He intertwined their tails licked her cheek. "We should spend some time together tonight, like we did that one night."

Dawnfire touched his nose with hers. "I would love that." Lionclaw purred and continued with his hunting. Once again, Dawnfire realized how much she missed being around him, Flowerstar told her that it was her choice to make and Dawnfire wanted to have a mate, Lionclaw made her feel stronger and helped her think, and she wanted to keep him in her life.

Each one of them caught one more piece of prey before heading back into camp, when they returned the sun was starting to set , Dawnfire and Lionclaw shared a piece of prey before exiting the camp to the spot they had gone to before. The nights were colder, but they kept each other warm.

"You're being a wonderful deputy, by the way." Lionclaw said softly. "Keeping every cat busy and keeping an eye on the AshClan border."

Dawnfire sighed quietly. "I hope so, I want to be prepared for if...when Thornstar decides to try something. I know he will."

Lionclaw rasped his tongue on the top of her head. "We all do, and when he does we'll be prepared. Chances are he'll send his warriors to attack us, and when he does I'll kick his tail like I did the last time." Lionclaw puffed out his chest, Dawnfire let out a laugh and nuzzled into him.

"I know you will." Dawnfire mewed quietly, staring up at the stars. She had still to hear anything from Honeywing or Poppyfur, but she hoped that they knew that she was trying her best to take care of the Clan they each loved so much. Dawnfire wasn't as guilt ridden about Poppyfur's death, but it still snuck up on her from time to time, that and the prophecy. That was another subject she didn't like thinking about. She wanted to focus on Lionclaw, and that's what she did. They spent the rest of the night together, it was almost dawn when they headed back.

The two of them walked side-by-side into camp and Dawnfire heard rustling from the nursery and she did so. She stopped to look, it was Applespots but she normally wasn't this active this early, no cat was. Curious, Dawnfire approached the nursery and Lionclaw followed her.