A New Horizon Book 5: Darkest Dawn {COMPLETE}

Chapter 11

Blackstorm breathed in the scent of the damp herbs that he was storing away. He sighed, they would have to wait to be dried out, but they would be fine for now. A large downpour had just ended, leaving the forest completely drenched in rain water. He looked over at Skyfeather who was shaking moss balls dry.

"I am so sick of this rain." Skyfeather muttered through the moss in his teeth. He set down the moss in their neat little pile and flicked water droplets from his whiskers. "On the bright side," Of course you have a bright side. Blackstorm thought bitterly. "A lot of herbs will be ready to be picked here soon, and" He turned to look at Blackstorm. "We need more fennel."

"I assume you're telling me to go collect some fennel." Blackstorm stood up.

"If you would, please." Skyfeather's eyes sparkled. "And before you go," Blackstorm stopped before he left the den. "I heard the elders complaining that they never get out anymore. Why don't you take them with you, I'm sure that they would be happy to put their paws to work."
Blackstorm wasn't thrilled about spending the afternoon with a bunch of elders, he flicked his ears. "So I have to take care of the elders while trying to collect herbs?"

Skyfeather rolled his eyes slightly. "Blackstorm, they're not helpless kits. These cats have been around longer than you have, just because they are retired doesn't mean they can't do things. One of those cats is your father, remember?"

Hardly. Blackstorm held his tongue and just nodded. "Alright." Was all he said and padded out of the medicine cat den. He walked slowly towards the elder's den, not ready for this. He enjoyed gathering herbs in peace, now he had to deal with four other cats as well.

With the rain now subsided, AshClan was getting back into the swing of things. Stormheart was organizing patrols and Mistkit, Dewkit and Slatekit were racing out to play in puddles, much to Silvermoon's dismay. Blackstorm didn't hover too long on watching his Clanmates, he wanted to get his task over with.

He reached the elder's den and poked his head inside. The four elders were deep in conversation, so he waited for them to stop. It was Crowstep who noticed him first and lifted his head. "Hello, Blackstorm. What do you need?"

"Skyfeather wants me to go collect some herbs and he figured you all could come with me and stretch your legs, get some fresh air and all that." Blackstorm tried to hide how annoyed he was, he wasn't sure he did a good job at all.

"Sound more exciting." Nightstorm purred teasingly.

"I'd love to." Featherfall mewed, stretching out his forelegs. "I haven't been out in the forest in way too long." We haven't even lived here that long. Blackstorm thought silently.

"Then let's get going." Blackstorm waited for the four elders to join him and once they gathered, Blackstorm led the elders towards the camp's entrance when they were stopped by Petalshine who was walking with Dustfall and Hailpaw.

"Heading out?" She questioned, her blue eyes soft.

"Yeah," Featherfall replied. "Blackstorm apparently needs some help collecting herbs." Blackstorm flicked his ears.

"We'll have to get together when you get back and share some prey." Petalshine touched her muzzle to Featherfall's and they were finally able to continue. Despite the fact that Featherfall had retired and Petalshine hadn't, they were still mates and spent a lot of time together. Blackstorm figured Petalshine just wasn't ready to retire.

They finally made it out of camp and they were free of any conversations with any Clanmates. Blackstorm guided them to the river while the elders admired the freshly rained pine forest.