The humidity undid all of Branchstalk's previous grooming, and his fur stuck out like a thorn bush. He huffed, trying to groom again. "This heat and humidity is so unbearable.." His patient, Hoppaw groaned. "I know how you feel, look at me!" A voice suddenly shouted. Branchstalk turned around to see Cloudtuft, his fur sticking out everywhere. "This is the sixth time I groomed you know!" Branchstalk snickered, and Hoppaw laughed so hard he wheezed. "Ha! Ha!" Cloudtuft mocked, leaving the den. "Anyway Hoppaw, how's your shoulder?" He murmured. "I think I'm okay. Thanks for checking me out Branchstalk!" The apprentice purred. "Congratulations of passing your first assessment. You'll be a warrior soon huh?" Branchstalk asked. Hoppaw nodded. "I'm thinking I'll get a cool name like.. Hopclaw or something." He smiled. Branchstalk sent the apprentice off with his tail.
The tom huffed as he stared out from the den. It had been awhile since it rained, and the river and pond was nearly completely cried out. Branchstalk still wondered about the prophecy, so much so he forgot about Badgersight, Redsnow, and Blackfeather working together. It had been harder without Pebbleheart, as she was given the chance to become a warrior, but than soon went to the nursery. No cat knew the father and she didn't want to tell. Branchstalk just sighed. It was especially hard, knowing his sister shared the same vision, and around the same time. He laid with his paws and legs spread out, and he watched the kits play. Dawnkit was being chased by Riverkit and Leafkit. Dawnkit looked exactly like her mother.. while her brother Cricketkit looked more like his father. But, the two had the personality of their mother. Especially Dawnkit. She was extremely fiery, and compassionate. Riverkit and Leafkit were Dawnkit's closest friends. Branchstalk knew this, because of how often the three would come into the medicine cat den to talk about fireflies. Once Branchstalk gave them a dead firefly, and Riverkit dared Leafkit to eat it. She did.
Branchstalk heard Dawnkit wail and quickly ran over. Tigerpaw and Hoppaw were growling at each other, while Mosspaw was trying to comfort Dawnkit. "What happened?" He asked. "Tigerpaw and Hoppaw got into a scuffle and one of them nicked Dawnkit's ear!" Mosspaw explained. He looked to his younger brother. Tigerpaw had gotten more aggressive and irritated. His brother just growled, walking off. "Dawnkit are you okay?" He asked. Dawnkit nodded, and Branchstalk licked the tiny wound. "Will she be okay?" Shinefire asked quickly. He nodded. "It should be fine." Branchstalk replied. "Good.. Come on Dawnkit. Fireshine brought us water!" Shinefire purred. "Yay!" Dawnkit purred, streaking off. Branchstalk smiled slightly. "Branchstalk," A tiny voice squeaked. He looked down. "Hello Lilackit, what's up?" He asked. "I.. I had a weird dream last night." She murmured. "What is it?" The medicine cat shrunk just a bit to the kit's level. Lilackit was growing fast. "Well, there was a fire, and it was in my heart. And the cats kept crying and.. and.." The kit stopped. "What..?" Branchstalk asked. "I saw Silvermoon burn to a crisp."
Branchstalk raked his claws against a rotting tree, anger and sadness filing his blind emotions. He let out a wail, collapsing to his paws. Why couldn't StarClan send him clear messages? Rainless thunder started, and suddenly, lighting struck the rotting tree. It erupted it flames, and Branchstalk backed away, panic filling him. As he tried to run away, he felt the tree crush him.
"Hey Branchie.." A voice murmured. He turned his head to Alan. "You passed out.." He murmured. "Me and Thornbush found you. You're pretty lucky. A tree almost fell atop you bud." Branchstalk groaned in pain. He had an awful headache. Badgersight touched his nose. "Thank you Alan, do you need anything?" She asked. Alan shook his head, and padded off. "Badgersight.." He murmured, looking at the medicine cat. If she replied, Branchstalk didn't hear. Everything fell dark with Branchstalk, and he opened his eyes, pain surging through him. Tigerfang stood in front of him. "Branchstalk, save the alder. Save us." He murmured, before he turned to dust, and the breeze carried him away.
"I think Branchstalk is sick.." He heard his past mentor murmured. "How sick?" His mother demanded. Branchstalk opened his eyes, but he couldn't see anything. "Well.. he passed out in the woods, and just now had a seizure. I think.. I think he's extremely dehydrated, stressed, and overheated, and tired." Badgersight murmured. "What can I do to help?" His sister chimed. Branchstalk feebly pawed at the air. "Silvermoon, if you could make it rain that be great. But you can't." Badgersight replied with a bitter snort. "Maybe you should take that leaf off his face." His sister growled back. So that's what it is.. Branchstalk thought. "I'm keeping it on to relax his eyes. Seeing the light might hurt him." His mentor replied. Branchstalk tried to speak, but nothing came out. Was he really sick?
YOU ARE READING
Firestorm (Book Three; Series One)
Fantasy"The dry season is coming. The Firestorm will start in the heart, and spread out until it's too late. The destructive union will take rein, and destroy us all." Branchstalk must handle the green-leaf rush of new kits and apprentices, whilst also f...
