A New Horizon Book 5: Darkest Dawn {COMPLETE}

Chapter 2

Falconheart stretched outside the warriors' den, flexing his claws and letting out a yawn. It was just past dawn, and he was a little upset at missing the dawn patrol but he knew there would be others to catch. It hadn't started to rain yet, but the dark clouds overhead proved it would only be a matter of time. Falconheart despised the rain, he could confidently say he preferred snow over constant rainfall. Greenleaf is supposed to be warm and sunny, not constantly stormy. He thought with annoyance and sat down, smoothing down his sleep-tossed fur.

He looked around camp where life in SunClan was starting to begin. He spotted Hollypaw pestering Rosewind to do something, probably to go hunting. In the two moons that they had been apprentices, Burnpaw and Hollypaw had shown to be two completely different cats. Hollypaw was energetic, once she got herself going it was nearly impossible to stop her. She was skilled, but got distracted easily. Burnpaw, however, was much more relaxed and focused. He took time to think about his actions. He was also hesitate to really do anything out of his comfort zone Falconheart thought that Hollypaw needed to slow down a little, but he also thought that Burnpaw could learn how to have fun. Cloudspots would be a good mentor for that, as he was nearly energetic as Hollypaw.

Falconheart spotted Cinderflame leaving Dawnstar's den, her amber eyes scanning the camp to plan out the next patrol. This is my chance. Falconheart stood up and quickly trotted across camp to the deputy. "Good morning, Cinderflame." He greeted her with the dip of his head.

"Morning, Falconheart." Cinderflame nodded kindly in return. "I suppose you're wanting to get on a patrol?"

"I am." Falconheart mewed. "Have you put them together, yet?"

Cinderflame shook her head. "Not yet. I was just getting ready to do so, and since you were so prepared for one I'll let you lead the next one." Falconheart's heart filled with excitement as Cinderflame spoke.

"Thank you so much!" He exclaimed, unable to hide his joy. He hadn't gotten to lead a patrol since he was made a warrior, he was finally starting to feel like one.

"You can take Larkthorn, Applespots, Rosewind, Hollypaw and Segdefern." Falconheart couldn't help but feel his paws tingle with excitement at the thought of patrolling with Sedgefern. "You will patrol the MoonClan border, we need to check that the river hasn't gotten any higher."

Falconheart nodded and turned away from the deputy to round up the cats that he had been given to lead. The river border that SunClan shared with MoonClan had started to swell with the rain, it grew larger every day and the SunClan cats worried that it would become dangerous. Falconheart approached Rosewind and Hollypaw, who was still bugging Rosewind to go and do something.

"You two looking for something to do?" Falconheart mewed with amusement as he approached the two she-cats.

"Please." Rosewind said, sounding exhausted. "Hollypaw needs to get moving."

"Well Cinderflame just put me in charge of leading a patrol to the MoonClan border and you two are on it."

"Oh, yay!" Hollypaw exclaimed, trotting in circles around Rosewind and Falconheart. "Let's get going!"

"Hold on there, hot shot." Falconheart laughed, he wished he had that much energy. "We still have to get Applespots, Larkthorn and Sedgefern."

"Applespots is visiting Sandfoot I'm pretty sure." Rosewind explained. "And I thought I saw Larkthorn talking with our mother. Sedgefern I'm not sure about."

"Why don't you get Applespots and I can get Larkthorn."

"Why don't I go get Larkthorn," Rosewind stepped in, stopping Falconheart. "Trust me, you don't want to see Fawnheart right now. She's ready to claw the ears off anyone who so much as looks at her wrong."