Rising from the Ashes

Chapter 80

Almost immediately upon returning to camp from the Gathering, Honeypool discovered that Wildbloom had gone into labour. She informed Hawkstar and left the anxious father in the care of Hareflight. Naturally, he wanted to be present for the birth of his kits but with Wildbloom sick with greencough, the risk was too great. In her current condition, Wildbloom couldn't be moved from the apprentice den, but the toms kept as much distance as they could. These were less than ideal conditions for kits to be born in, but they didn't have much choice in the matter.

Wildbloom had a long labour, her first kit large and her body worn out from the greencough. Honeypool helped her through, Fernshade also there for support. It wasn't until sunrise that the first kit arrived. Wildbloom's second kit arrived soon after, much smaller than her brother. Wildbloom fell into an exhausted sleep.

Honeypool hadn't slept all night, but she couldn't sleep yet either. She informed Hawkstar of the birth of his kits.

"Are they in danger of getting sick?" Hawkstar asked.

"Unfortunately, yes," Honeypool meowed.

"Then should they-do they need to be moved?"

"They are newborn kits, and the risk is greater for them if they are. They need their mother's milk. Thankfully, other than Swanflight and Weaselkit, the other sick cats are well into recovery. StarClan willing, your kits will stay healthy."

Hawkstar nodded. "What do they look like?"

"You have a ginger tabby tom and a light brown and ginger tabby she-kit."

"Thank you, Honeypool. I don't know what GrassClan would do without you."

Honeypool gave Hawkstar a sympathetic look before leaving. Her heart wrenched for her leader. He couldn't even see his newborn kits. If they got sick he may never see them...Honeypool shook off the horrid though. She returned to the apprentice den to give the sick cats their morning herbs.

Then, the medicine cat began her daily rounds of the camp. She had taken to examining every cat to catch the earliest signs of illness. Her first stop was the nursery since it was between the apprentice den and hers. She slipped inside to find Nightkit in her nest lying still, too still. Her breathing was rough and her pelt radiated heat.

Honeypool scooped up Nightkit and took her to the apprentice den. The black she-kit hung limply in her jaws though she was too big for the medicine cat to carry, her hind paws and tail dragging the ground and almost tripping Honeypool as she walked.

Brightwhisker looked stricken. "Oh, StarClan, no! Not both of them!"

The dark queen had been reunited with both of her kits in the worst way imaginable. Her symptoms had never been severe but the same could not be said for her kits. They lay still at her side, struggling to breathe, fighting to live. Honeypool was doing her best to see that they did. They couldn't join StarClan yet!

Just then, Honeypool heard movement behind her. She turned to see Swanflight blinking open her eyes. Honeypool gasped and moved to the white warrior's side. She quickly gave her some damp moss for her thirst. She felt the first glimmer of hope.

Swanflight was going to make it!

Honeypool had to share this good news. She left the apprentice den to find Thistletail just before he left on patrol.

"Swanflight has finally started to improve!" Honeypool declared.

Thistletail actually sagged with relief, falling against Hareflight's side. "Thank you, Honeypool. I'll catch her the choicest prey I can find. I'll even go fishing, if that's what she wants. I'm just-I just want her to be well."

The two toms left on patrol but before Honeypool could go back to her duties, Duskflower approached.

"I was hoping to move into the nursery today. I barely made it to the Gathering last night but our patrol was too small as it was. I would have helped to take care of Nightkit but..." Duskflower trailed off with a flash of sadness in her eyes.

"I'll help you settle in. Stonesplash is almost ready to be cleared for warrior duties but until then, I'll have to do," Honeypool meowed.

Thankfully, it didn't take long for Duskflower to be moved into the empty nursery.

"Thank you, Honeypool. This would have taken longer alone," Duskflower meowed.

"You're welcome, Duskflower," Honeypool meowed.

"I know you're busier than ever so I won't keep you."

"I'll check on you as often as I can," Honeypool meowed before leaving the nursery.

The young medicine cat was exhausted, and she still had so much to do! No matter how bleak things looked, she would continue to push herself as long as her Clanmates needed her.