Softheather had been awake for awhile now, listening to the soft rain fall outside the den. Batsun had been first to wake up.

  He smiled at Softheather before leaving the den. Softheather got up and stretched her stiff legs.

  She padded out of the den. The sky was still a little dark, since the clouds were covering the sun. The rain spotted Softheathers pelt.

  Softheather noticed how Squirrelstar was already out of his den, sitting by the high rock. When he seen Softheather, he motioned for her.

  Softheather padded over quickly, not quite used to the fact that the leader often needed her advice.

  She sat down by him, and he immediately started talking.

  "Nightpaw and Birchpaw will be warriors soon. Which will mean we need to quickly build a new den. There is no more space in the warriors den." He meowed.

  Softheather nodded. "Also, I'm afraid I'll have to sleep in the new den until they do become warriors... I'm waking up the whole den every night, and I feel terrible for it." She stated, not meeting her leaders gaze. She knew he knew about the nightmares. Many of the warriors had told him because they were worried about her.

  He nodded. "You should go to Flowerleap, see if he has herbs that could help. And after that, organize some patrols, then I need to you find cats that can get to work on the den." He said swishing his tail back and forth.

  Softheather stood up. "Will do, Squirrelstar." She said before padding towards the medicine cat den.

  She walked through the entrance, not sure if they were awake yet. She remembered how long Hailwind had to lay in here when he got injured in the first rouge battle.

  She seen Cypresspaw's bright pelt laying the in the soft moss by the entrance to the den. Flowerleap was in the back making piles of herbs.

  "Hey, Flowerleap. You aren't to busy, are you?" She asked quietly, trying not to wake Cypresspaw. Flowerleap turned to look at her.

  "Ah, Softheather. No, I'm just seeing what we need before it gets to cold for herbs to grow. But Cypresspaw can finish when he wakes up. What's up?" He asked, padding closer to her before sitting down. Softheather sat down aswell.

  "Its... my nightmares... Are there any herbs to make them.. like, go away?" She asked, feeling embarrassed. Flowerleap thought.

  "Well, nothing that I know of gets rid of nightmares, but I can try and give you poppy seeds to see if you can rest better. I'll have Cypresspaw bring them to you tonight." He said, standing up again.

  "Thank you, Flowerleap." She meowed before standing up and leaving.

  More warriors were emerging from the warriors den. Softheather went and stood out by the high rock.

  "Patrols!" She yowled. The warriors turned to her before walking over. The other warriors were coming from the warriors den, some apprentices from their den.

  "We'll start with hunting patrols. Batsun, you lead it. Bring along Rainstone, Quinnpaw, and Gingerfleck." She watched as the cats she chose padded out of camp.

  "We'll have another hunting patrol. Marigoldshadow will lead it and will bring Morningpaw and Blackpetal." Marigoldshadow nodded cheerfully and herded the cats out of camp.

  "We'll have a dawn patrol... Redbark, you lead it and pick your patrol. And we'll have one more patrol. Quailstorm, you lead it and take Lionfur, Yarrowpaw, and Palesky." Softheather watched quietly as the patrols left and the remaining cats in camp formed and started talking.

  Softheather jumped when Nightpaw touched her lightly.

  "Hey, Softheather. I was wondering if me and Birchpaw could go hunting by ourselves? I mean, were practically warriors." He asked.

  Softheather sighed. "For the last time, Nightpaw. Apprentices cant leave camp by themselves. I know your almost warriors, and hopefully you are soon. Squirrelstar just has a lot going on. If you two are wanting to go hunting, bring Leafwish." Nightpaw hung his head but didn't complain.

  Softheather watched as he talked to Birchpaw. Birchpaw sent Softheather a dirty look, but then seen she was looking, and looked scared out of her pelt. Softheather laughed.

  She turned around and was met with Squirrelstar. He looked at the apprentices.

  "Maybe it's about time for their assessments. They're going to make fantastic warriors, and there is no room for anyone in their den." He said while looking at them. Then he turned to Softheather to see what she thought.

  "Yes, Nightpaw is definitely ready. So I'll start the den patrols right now." She said. Squirrelstar gave her an approving nod before turning and walking off.

  Softheather turned back around and spotted Leafwish and the two apprentices heading towards the entrance.

  "Wait!" She said, bounding over to them. "Change of plans. Since were going to have new warriors very soon, we need to make a new den. Can you guys help?" She watched Birchpaw and Nightpaw's faces. They went from bored to delight, and they turned to each other, smiling.

  "Yes! Of course we'll help, Softheather!" Birchpaw purred. "What do ya want us to do?" She questioned.

  "You three can go out in the forest and collect twigs and leaves to build it. Make sure they're strong enough." She said. Leafwish nodded while the two apprentices sprinted through the exit.

  Softheather turned back around to find the camp almost empty.

  She found Briarcloud and Tideshimmer sitting by each other, and she padded over.

  "Were making a new den. Can you guys help build it when Leafwish, Nightpaw, and Birchpaw come back with supplies?" They both nodded.

  "But three cats definitely aren't enough to carry enough supplies to make a den. Let me go out and take a couple apprentices to get more?" Tideshimmer asked.

  "Good idea. Go get some apprentices, then hurry and head out. Me and Squirrelstar are wanting to make Nightpaw and Birchpaw warriors soon, and a new den will also help me not wake as many cats." She said, shuffling her paws at the end.

  "Oh, Softheather, you cant help it." Briarcloud purred, pressing her pelt on Softheathers. Tideshimmer nodded in agreement, before going to collect Darkpaw and Wasp-paw.

~~~~~~

  Softheather shuffled her paws as she watched Gingerfleck, Darkpaw, Arrowpaw, and Marigoldshadow take their turns making the new den. She had different cats working on it at different times because Squirrelstar had suggested it.

  She had helped each time, along with Nightpaw and Birchpaw, but Squirrelstar convinced them to stop and eat some prey. She had two small mice, and ate with Tideshimmer and Leafwish. Nightpaw and Birchpaw were still eating, talking to each other in excited, hushed tones.

  Softheather watched as Marigoldshadow wove one stick in the den, then another. She looked exhausted. She was about to get up to say something, when Cypresspaw appeared at her side.

  "Flowerleap told me to give them to you now. He said that if these work and you go to bed early, you should get some good sleep." He meowed after setting the leaf bundle down. She smiled at him and thanked him before he walked back to his den.

  I wonder when he will get his full medicine cat name?

  She wondered, watching the young cat trot back to his den. She then opened the leaf wrap he layed at her paws. There were two poppy seeds, a couple small, thick leaves, and some kind of oval leaf.

  She knew the thick leaves were thyme. She knew it helped with shock and anxiety... Did she need that? Softheather took a closer look at the weird oval leaves she had never seen before. She hoped she wouldn't die from taking it.

She took one more look at the herbs, getting ready to eat them, when she noticed a thick, liquid layer on them. She sniffed it carefully, only to be met with a very sweet scent.

Honey. How thoughtful. 

  She lapped the herbs up, thankful for the honey masking the taste. Softheather then decided she would sit here and wait until she got sleepy.

  Not much longer, Softheather yawned. She stood up and made her way to the warriors den. Many warriors were already in here. She went straight to her nest. In seconds, she was out.

  Softheather woke up in the familiar meadow that she had visited before in her sleep. But when she looked into the forest, two shapes were making their way towards her.

  It wasn't until they were a lot closer when she realized who it was. The white tom looked healthy, his long, white fur shining in the sunlight. She ran up to him, and purred as he nuzzled her.

  What am I doing? I don't love him, I love Ashspeckle...  

  She stepped back and greeted her father with a nod. But he looked serious.

  "Softheather, we need to tell you something." Oakbreeze said, turning  to look at Hailwind. 

  The white tom sighed. "When death strikes by the unknown, it will spread. Travel far and wide to find the snowflakes. They will be surrounded by trees, and you must bring it all home. Starclan is counting on all of you, Softheather." He said, staring into her green gaze. But before she could say anything, she was awake in the warriors den.

Authors note:

tell me what you think the message means ;)