Warriors: A Dawn Rising

Chapter Four

Leafpaw was panicking. So many wounds and blood. How could she treat it all? The medicine cat den was a mess with herbs scattered everywhere as Mossybriar rushed to treat cats.

            She was padding on cobwebs to Featherheart's wounds, while she also tried to mix up a poultice. Amongst all this chaos, a white tom with ginger tabby splotches padded into the camp, Leafpaw immediately recognized this to be Sunstone, the medicine cat of RockClan. He was younger than Mossybriar, apprenticed early because his mentor died of old age. He was carrying a bundle of herbs, Mossybriar went to talk to him.

A second wave of warriors returned, with Dawnpaw being dragged carefully. Her heart pounded with unease and fear, her sister was bleeding heavily, her eyes shut and body motionless. Quick as a rabbit, the small medicine cat apprentice rushed over with cobwebs, dressing them on her worst wounds. Robinstar was organizing the cats quickly before padding towards Dawnpaw and Leafpaw. "Will she be okay?" He asked, his eyes reflecting Leafpaw's own fear.

"I've stopped most of the bleeding," Leafpaw reported to the brown leader, she was trying to work fast, checking for any other wounds. "I think she'll be fine." Robinstar let out a sigh of relief, his tail brushed Leafpaw's flank encouragingly.

"You're doing the best you can, I don't think any cats will die tonight." He meowed, his once strong and bold voice returning. The power lifted back into his muscles as he smoothed his fur. Leafpaw had so many questions to ask her father. Like, why did you avoid us for so long?

"I wish there was no battle. This could have been prevented if Riverpelt didn't cross the border." Leafpaw sighed, turning to another warrior as she began treating them.

"I do not think StarClan would have wanted this to happen, either." Robinstar meowed before padding off to speak to Ivylight.

By the time the moon was beginning to glow, Leafpaw's paws felt heavy with tiredness. They were wet with herb juice and her fur was ruffled from the constant treating. Few warriors were badly injured, including Dawnpaw and Honeybelly. She was glad to finally sink into her nest and sleep soundly.

The forest floor was heavy with grief, the moon glowing bright as the forest was silent. It was dark, barely being able to see. Leafpaw cautiously took a step forward, feeling for any twigs or roots that might block her path. But the land was completely flat and open. She padded forwards, every sense alert as the ground flattened out into a wide, open meadow. The flowers were beautiful, blooming as if there were no fights, no deaths, no leaf-bare. "Leafpaw," a voice startled her, she turned to see the familiar face of Barkear. Happiness suddenly spread through her limbs at the sight of the old elder. His brown fur was neatly groomed, his eyes no longer dull with pain, his muscles now healthy.

"Barkear!" She meowed happily, but his eyes refused to return the same excitement, they were dark.

"I have come to warn you. Your sister is in danger." He meowed, stepping forwards. His pelt glittered with stars, Leafpaw glanced around in confusion. Why share with her and not Mossybriar? "You need to help her follow her heart, for what is to come can be prevented. She needs to tell the truth and nothing but the truth."

"What is going on?" Leafpaw asked desperately, the old elder was beginning to scare the young apprentice.

"There will be a crow; who will bring sickness to the Clans. It will first infect the warriors, turning their minds and paws to walk the wrong path. The leaders are next to go. Soon blood will be spilled without reason, the cold will weaken and the crow will kill off any cat it can." He hissed, eyes burning with fury. "You need to warn the Clans." The once peaceful meadow turned into a twisting storm of rage, blood roaring loudly in her ears as a loud crow cawed. Blood rushed from the darkness, pulling her under. She gasped for air, but couldn't breathe. The blood was surrounding her, rushing faster and faster.