A New Horizon Book 5: Darkest Dawn {COMPLETE}

Chapter 1

Rain fell slowly overhead, covering the forest is a layer of water. Despite the warm weather, rain continued to fall over the mountains. Honeyfrost heard the sound of rain across the ceiling of the medicine cat den. She wished the rain would stop so that SunClan could finally enjoy greenleaf. The season was still early, however, so hopefully the rain would soon cease.

Honeyfrost picked up her small bundle of comfrey and crossed the stone hollow of SunClan's camp towards the nursery. She poked her head inside where the queens were talking. Squirreltail, the nursery's permanent resident was washing Heatherflight's ears. Heatherflight was the newest member, just moving in a few days ago. The she-cat was expecting Flashtail's kits, and the Clan was incredibly excited. The final member was Fawnheart, who's belly was round of full of kits ready to come out any day now.

Honeyfrost reached the nursery and set down the comfrey. "Hello." She purred to the queens who dipped their heads in response.

"Good evening, Honeyfrost." Heatherflight greeted kindly. "What do you have there?"

"Some comfrey for Fawnheart, Turtleblaze said that your hips were aching." Honeyfrost approached Fawnheart who flattened her ears.

"Oh please," She flicked her tail with annoyance. "He makes it sounds like I'm so old." She grumbled.

"Well, this is your second litter, Fawnheart." Honeyfrost explained, not intending to upset the she-cat any further. "And you're not--"

"I'm not what, Honeyfrost?" Fawnheart's green eyes turned to venomous fire, Honeyfrost stepped back.

"Oh relax, Fawnheart." Heatherflight rested her tail across her sister's shoulders. "It's not that hard to admit that you've aged a little bit!"

"I'm still perfectly young!" Fawnheart snapped and Heatherflight pulled her tail back.

"Please, just eat the herbs, Fawnheart." Honeyfrost set down the comfrey in front of the queen, she looked at Heatherflight who gave her a reassuring nod. Feeling Fawnheart's gaze rip into her golden pelt like claws, Honeyfrost turned and quickly left the nursery without another look.

"Honeyfrost!" She heard a voice call her name and Honeyfrost looked towards the source. Turtleblaze was padding in camp with his head high, they had just returned from a patrol of the AshClan border. "Did you get those herbs to Fawnheart?" He questioned.

"That's what I just did." Honeyfrost replied. "And Fawnheart nearly clawed my ears off for it."

Turtleblaze let out a nervous chuckle, swaying his tail. "Yeah, I probably should've warned you about that. She's always feisty but she turns into a badger while she's expecting kits, she was the same when she was carrying Earthpelt and Mudfall."

"Well I'll let you deal with her." Honeyfrost didn't want to deal with Fawnheart again just yet. "Protect your ears." Turtleblaze laughed and wished Honeyfrost well as she quickly returned to the medicine cat den. She stepped inside to find that Pebblestep had returned, she set down a bundle of marigold that she had collected, Honeyfrost was glad to see that it hadn't been ruined by the rain.

"There you are," Pebblestep mewed, looking up from her bundle as she pushed it into the herb store. "Where did you get off to?"

"Taking Fawnheart some comfrey, though it nearly cost me my nose." Honeyfrost sat down beside her nest. "I don't know how Turtleblaze handles her."

"The same way that your mother handles Lionclaw." Pebblestep purred. "They love each other." Honeyfrost was warmed by Pebblestep's comment, but her mind travelled to another place. She pictured the cat that she loved, with his jet black fur and icy blue eyes. I hope he's doing alright. Honeyfrost thought sadly. Two moons had passed since Honeyfrost ended things with Blackstorm and it still hurt to think about. She would see him at gatherings and the half-moon, but nothing would ever be the same again.