Dawnstar's Trouble {COMPLETE}

Chapter 43

 Dawnstar left her den carefully, making sure not to wake her sleeping kits. Falconkit and Honeykit were lying on top of each other, sleeping peacefully. They enjoyed sleeping in the leader's den, it took Dawnstar a bit getting used to sleeping in such a big den by herself; but she was grateful she had her kits. Two of the three nights she had slept in there, Lionclaw had joined her. She enjoyed having him in there with him. In the three days that SunClan had been back in their own camp the warriors den was mostly repaired, while it was being fixed the youngest warriors had moved to the apprentice den which had been rather crowded with the AshClan cats, four warriors and three apprentices. The new nursery was coming along as well, Snakewhisker had organized a team of cats to help rebuild it, Dawnstar hoped it would be finished soon. No she-cats were expecting kits at the moment; but anything could happen.

Dawnstar looked around the camp, it was very unkempt with brambles, branches and leaves across the ground; but Dawnstar knew it would return to normal soon. Dawnstar stepped over a pile of branches to make her way to Pebblestep's den. The medicine cat had been working hard with Squirreltail, Mudpaw was completely fine just with scarred ears but Pebblestep wasn't sure if she would be able to restore Squirreltail's sight.

The medicine den smelled strongly of herbs as Dawnstar stepped it, one of the few dens that was completely untouched by the fire. Squirreltail was stretched out on the floor, eyes still stuck shut with herbs. "Hello, Dawnstar." The she-cat yawned, she lifted her head.

"How are you feeling?" Dawnstar asked, she was very concerned with Squirreltail's fate. She wouldn't be able to be a warrior if she couldn't see, right? Dawnstar hid her concerns and kept calm.

"I feel fine, my eyes don't hurt but they still aren't healed. I opened them yesterday but everything was a blur." Squirreltail explained, resting her chin on her paws. She was clearly upset, but Dawnstar admired the fact that she was remaining calm about the whole situation.

"Her vision hasn't gotten any better since the fire." Pebblestep said, setting down a mouthful of herbs. "I'm doing everything I can but..."

"It's okay, Pebblestep." Squirreltail said. "I know you're trying your best. I'm just glad it was my eyes and not Mudpaw's."

Dawnstar's heart ached, Squirreltail was a very respectable cat. Dawnstar hadn't trained with her for very long but even as an apprentice she was kind. "Don't you worry, Squirreltail." Dawnstar touched the ginger she-cat's forehead with her muzzle. "No matter what happens you will have a place in SunClan."

"Thank you, Dawnstar." Squirreltail purred. "That means the world to me."

Dawnstar nodded. "Well, I will leave you to get some rest, Squirreltail."

"I won't get much rest." Squirreltail laughed. "Between my parents, Brackenpelt, Rosepaw and my brother I've had constant visitors." Dawnstar purred, glad that Squirreltail had so many cats to care for her. Dawnstar bid farewell to Squirreltail and Pebblestep and stepped back into the camp. She saw Applespots sitting outside the warrior's den, Falconkit and Honeykit had apparently woken up and were now playing with a pebble. There was a deep sadness in Applespot's eyes, Lilyclaw approached her but her eyes remained dark. Dawnstar let out a sad sigh, she still hadn't gotten over the loss of her kits. Dawnstar looked at her own kits, and she understood. Dawnstar's whole life would be torn apart if she lost Honeykit and Falconkit, she couldn't see her life without them.

Applespots had been helping around camp, but she never seemed to be happy anymore, Dawnstar wished she could help the poor queen. An idea sparked in Dawnstar's mind, she could help. Suddenly eager, Dawnstar looked around for any cats that could help. She considered Lionclaw and Turtleblaze, but Turtleblaze wouldn't approve and Lionclaw was still restricted. Dawnstar's eyes then rested on Cinderflame and Yarrowtail who were weaving branches in the new nursery. She hurried up to them, both turned to face her.