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

Chapter 23

"So what am I going  to do when you all leave?" Flash questioned from his nest. "I thought you said I wouldn't be healed for another moon or so." He licked his slowly healing wound. Honeypaw sat on the other side of the den, picking at a tiny mouse while Pebblestep went through their herbs.

"Well, Flash." Pebblestep mewed without turning to look at the rogue. "That all depends on how long it is before we leave, if you want to leave with us and if Dawnstar allows you to leave with us. It's not decided when we're leaving just yet."

"I see." Flash flicked his tail. "And the other three Clans have decided on leaving?"

"Only two of them, we have yet to get Riverstar's answer."

"Riverstar sounds like Echoheart, honestly." Flash snorted. "Proud, arrogant and stubborn."

"It shouldn't be surprising." Pebblestep added. "Riverstar is Echoheart's sister."

"Oh," Flash blinked his green eyes. "I didn't know that, Echoheart said her sister was dead."

"One of her sisters is. Echoheart killed Moonwhisker." Flash's tattered ears suddenly flattened, Honeypaw could tell he was remembering his own sister.

"I don't understand how someone could kill their own sibling." Flash muttered under his breath.

"It's the same thing that drove Thornstar to cause the death of his brother." Pebblestep sighed, turning to face Flash. "Echoheart was clearly in love with Thornstar, she would do anything for him including killing her own sister. Power makes cats do horrible things."

"She told me about Thornstar, how even though he's dead he still talks to her." Honeypaw noticed Pebblestep tense slightly. "Does it really work like that? Dead cats talking to living ones."

Pebblestep nodded. "It does work like that. When a cat dies, they go to StarClan and then guide us. My old mentor, Poppyfur along with her mentor, Honeywing are some of the cats who told us that we need to leave the forest. It's hard to understand, but our ancestors are up there. Watching over us."

"Do you think Lilac made it into StarClan?" Flash asked, staring at his paws and his voice dropping low. Honeypaw felt a pang of sympathy for the rogue. He really misses his sister. I couldn't imagine what losing Falconpaw would be like.

"Maybe not StarClan exactly," Pebblestep mewed. "But I'm sure that there is a certain sky for rogues, kittypets and loners. I have no doubt in my mind that Lilac is looking over you, Flash."

"Thanks." Flash mewed quietly, resting his head on his paws. For a moment, there was a moment of clarity in his green eyes. He glanced out of the den and towards the sky. He's searching for Lilac.

"We should get ready, Honeypaw." Pebblestep spoke up, turning her attention to her apprentice. "Dawnstar will want to be leaving soon." Honeypaw finished off her tiny mouse which hadn't really filled her up and stood up. Prey is prey. She reminded herself, prey was scared and she had to eat what she could. "I trust you can take care of yourself tonight, Flash." Pebblestep said without looking at him as they moved to the entrance. "We'll be back soon."

Pebblestep didn't wait for a response as she hurried Honeypaw out of the den. She's acting weird. Honeypaw thought, looking at her mentor curiously. She's probably just stressed. Honeypaw told herself and saw Dawnstar waiting patiently outside the SunTree.

"Are we ready to go?" Pebblestep asked when they reached Dawnstar. "Do you know if Riverstar agreed to come?"

Dawnstar shook her head. "Shadowstar went to talk to her but I don't know if she agreed. Let's just hope that she did." The three cats set out towards the gathering hollow and with each step closer, emotions stormed harder and harder in Honeypaw's heart. She was worried that AshClan wouldn't agree to leave and she was also both incredibly terrified and incredibly excited to see Blackpaw.