Of Dust and Dawn

Generation One: Chapter Five

The entire clan gathered to the center of the camp to mourn the loss of Hawktail. "I want to first thank every one of you for helping search for our fallen warrior." Dawnstar spoke first, "Hawktail was brave and strong and he sacrificed himself in order to save his clanmates. I can think of no greater honor."

"He was very brave, if it was not for him neither Featherflight or I would be alive." Firefoot looked down at his paws. Featherflight nuzzled her head under his chin.

"Nor would I," Foxface stepped forward, "He risked his life when the shark pulled me under."

Each cat took their turn saying a few words to remember Hawktail by. When everyone had had a turn, they all put their heads down in respect. "I am honored you think so highly of me." A weak meow broke the silence.

"Hawktail!" Foxface sprung up and charged for the large tom. She rubbed her head against his, purring loudly.

The others began to gather. "How did you escape?" Firefoot exclaimed.  He looked at Hawktail, his mouth open and his eyes wide. The strong large tom's fur was matted and covered in dry blood.

Morningdew blocked the other cats from Hawktail, "I am sure Hawktail would love to tell you how he escaped death. Personally I want to hear his story as well, but he needs treatment first." Morningdew and Foxface helped Hawktail onto his paws. He leaned against them both, letting the she-cats assist him to the medicine cat den.

Dawnstar turned her attention back to the rest, "Hawktail is going to need plenty of rest and food to regain his strength."

"I will take a party out to hunt now." Patchpelt offered. Featherflight and Mousepath joined him. Dawnstar smiled, grateful for the tom. Patchpelt had volunteered for most of the search parties and when he was not searching for Hawktail, he assisted with things inside the camp.

The following days the medicine cat den became the hotspot. Everyone wanted to hear about how Hawktail managed to survive against an entire pack of wolves. Morningdew eventually had to ban everyone but the sick or injured from den. Foxface was now recovered from the shark attack but she refused to leave Hawktail's side. Morningdew let her stay. Featherflight on the other hand she chased out at every moment she got. The small she-cat made such a fuss about Firefoot's injuries that Morningdew was barely able to treat him.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under the Highstone for a Clan meeting!" Dawnstar's voice woke up the clan at the crack of dawn. "When I first gave each of you your warrior names, I failed to assign one of you as the deputy." A few of the cats whispered to each other, not understanding what she meant, "A deputy is the second in command," she explained, quieting the hushed voices, "If I were to die or retire as your leader, the deputy would become the new leader. According to the Warrior Code a deputy must be assigned before moonhigh. I have failed to do so."

"So who is going to be the deputy then?" Orangestripe asked.

"Why haven't you chosen one yet? Surely we have been here long enough, what if you had died before a deputy was assigned?" Mousepath chimed in.

"According to the Warrior Code a deputy must have at least mentored one apprentice before they are allowed to take on the role. Seeing as Rainpool's kits are still too young to be apprentices I had to wait and see who I believed fit to lead when my time is done." Dawnstar knew she shouldn't have waited so long. It was risky since everyone was still learning how to survive in this new life. "I have chosen two cats who I believe would be suited as our deputy." The crowd begins to talk in hushed voices again. Dawnstar held up her tail to silence them. "My first choice is Patchpelt. He has been very helpful in leading the search parties when we were looking for Hawktail. He helped gather herbs for Morningdew and fresh moss for Rainpool and her kits. He is a great example of what we all should strive to be." Patchpelt beamed proudly, a few cats around him congratulated him. Dawnstar looked at him warmly, their eyes meeting. She forced herself to look away and back to everyone gathered below. "My second choice is Hawktail. He risked his life not once but twice now for his fellow clanmates. Without his selflessness and bravery Foxface, Featherflight, and Firefoot may not be alive today."

Hawktail had become a legend in his own right. He had told his clan that he had held his own fighting of the wolves, driving them further and further away from Firefoot and Featherflight. He had even managed to kill a second one after his clanmates had fled. The other four he was able to outrun and climbed up a tree. The wolves were unable to climb the tree and they waited at the base for a long time before they finally gave up on him.

"It was hard to make this decision as both have proven themselves to the Clan." The whispering had stopped, every cats' eyes on Dawnstar, "If he is willing, I would like to appoint Hawktail as our first deputy."

Spring turned to Summer and Summer to Autumn. The Clan began to thrive. Rainpool's kits became the Clan's first apprentices. Dawnstar took on Rosepaw as her apprentice. Hawktail got Ivypaw. Aspenpaw became Orangestripe's apprentice and Patchpelt began to mentor Leafpaw.

Then the trees became bare and the ground was covered in a white blanket of snow. "I am worried about making it through this first leaf-bare." Dawnstar sat on top of the Highstone with Hawktail at her side. The Clan had begun to settle into the lifestyle but they were still ill equipped for the harsh cold and scarce food supply. "Foxface is still nursing your son, Owlkit and needs all the food she can get. And both Mousepath and Featherflight are expecting kits as well."

"It is not the greatest conditions to be raising young in but these new kits will only make the Clan stronger." Hawktail replied, gazing at the few cats gathered about the camp. The evidence of their once pampered lives were gone. In their place stood half-starved cats, so tiny that their ribs showed.

Patchpelt walked across the clearing, "Patchpelt, could you organize a hunting party?" The tom nodded and turned around to the warrior's den. He appeared a few moments later with Rainpool and Leafpaw.

"Orangestripe is refusing to leave his mate's side," Patchpelt explained, seeing the disappointed look on Hawktail's face, "Morningdew is prepping Mousepath for her kitting. It should be any time now."

"I am going to lead a second hunting party." Hawktail leaped off the Highstone a few moments after Patchpelt and the others had left. Firefoot and Ivypaw joined him on his hunt.

Dawnstar made her way to the nursery where she was greeted by Morningdew, "How is she doing?" She could hear Mousepath's rapid breathing from deep within.

"It shouldn't be long," Morningdew looked worried, "I have tried to keep her as warm as possible but the nursery is still letting in a lot of the cold air."

"I'll have Rosepaw help me patch up some of the holes later." Dawnstar offered.

Morningdew purred, "Thanks." She slipped back into the nursery leaving Dawnstar out alone in the cold.