A New Horizon Book 2: The Dying Forest {COMPLETE}

Chapter 12

"I already told you, my shoulder feels fine." Nightpaw grumbled as Skyfeather looked over her formerly injured shoulder. "I can start training again."

"You can start training again when I say you can." Skyfeather twitched his tail, annoyance lining his mew. The medicine cat took a step back and looked Nightpaw over once more, she struggled to sit still as she awaited his response. "But you are healed and you can start training again."

Nightpaw jumped up in excitement, twitching her tail eagerly. "I knew it! Thank you, Skyfeather!" She began to race out of the den but Skyfeather stopped her.

"Don't get too carried away, if you feel any pain let me know. In other words, take it easy. Nightpaw gave an exasperated sigh but gave the medicine cat a nod and quickly exited the medicine cat den. It had been quite a few days since Nightpaw injured herself during training with Thornstar and she was finally recovering.

Her eyes scanned AshClan camp for Wheatwhisker, it was just past sunhigh and AshClan was active in their camp. She looked over all of her Clanmates until she spotted Wheatwhisker's speckled fur. He was talking with Lilyclaw, their tails intertwined.

As Nightpaw grew closer, Wheatwhisker turned his head and met her gaze. "Did Skyfeather say you were cleared for duties?" He questioned.

Nightpaw nodded excitedly. "He told me to take it easy but I should be good to go." She lifted her head proudly. "Could we go hunting?"

"Sure," Wheatwhisker touched his nose to Lilyclaw's. "We should get going. Prey is running low and we need to catch as much as we can." Nightpaw couldn't help but agree. In the days that she had been unable to hunt, Nightpaw had been nearly driven mad. She felt useless, not being able to help her Clan or hunt for them. Her dreams had also been free of Thornstar while she recovered. Though I'm sure that will change tonight.

Though she didn't want to admit it, Nightpaw had started to miss her nighttime training sessions. She liked waking up feeling stronger, and she knew that it was starting to show. She could knock down Wheatwhisker easily in fights. Regardless of what Thornstar did...he really is a good mentor. Nightpaw recalled that Thornstar had been Dawnstar's mentor. I feel like she's a good enough example. Despite being from an enemy Clan, Nightpaw had a sense of admiration for the SunClan leader. She killed Thornstar and helped Riverstar rebuild AshClan.

"Why don't we head towards the back of the territory," Wheatwhisker suggested as he and Nightpaw stepped into the forest. "Past the Eagle Stones." He looked in that general direction. "Not a lot of cats hunt around there, maybe we'll get lucky."

Nightpaw nodded and they started moving through the pine trees. As they moved she kept her nose ready for the scent of prey. She remembered the warning that Skyfeather had given to the Clan about the sick prey. Both Petalshine and Dustpaw were fully recovered, but a few more infected pieces of prey had been spotted.

I hope no other cats get sick. Nightpaw prayed. I know that the medicine cats are low on herbs too. She thought of Blackpaw, she had never seen her brother so stressed. He was constantly in and out of camp searching for herbs, they never had a moment to talk. He's doing his duty to the Clan. Nightpaw reminded herself. And I have to do mine.

Nightpaw and Wheatwhisker didn't find any prey as they moved past the Eagle Stones. They walked along the small stream that ran through AshClan's territory. It seemed to be moving exceptionally slow and wasn't as clear. Nightpaw shrugged it off and kept it to herself.

"Why don't you go hunt over there?" Wheatwhisker motioned with his paw away from the stream. "It's heavily wooded over there so be careful, remember to be wary of your prey." Nightpaw nodded and trotted in the direction that Wheatwhisker had pointed.