The air felt thick and heavy. Scorchpaw felt his heart beating faster than a vole running for its life, with terror and anger filling his entire body. It felt foreign, yet so familiar to him. He looked around wildly, and all he could see were cats fighting each other. Some of whom he recognised; others he did not. Despite the fighting, however, he heard nothing.

Just then, he felt compelled to look in front of him, and he could see a shadowed figure standing ominously. Menacingly. He couldn't see them. There was no single detail he could discern to tell him who this cat was, but they felt familiar. Too familiar.

He could see their mouth moving, but there was no sound to he heard. But yet Scorchpaw felt like he understood what the silent words meant. His haunches suddenly reared up as he let out a muffled hiss. Just then, he launched himself at the shadowy cat, and they fought back and forth.

Anger and pain seemingly let themselves out and he battered the cat over and over again, and then he grabbed the cat by the scruff and dragged them over to a cliffside. Without hesitation, he thrusted his jaws outward, and he watched the dark figure fall to their death towards the river distantly below.

Scorchpaw opened his eyes wide as he felt himself jump from his slumber. He was breathing rapidly, and he tried to get it under control. It wasn't the first time he had such dreams, but they never ceased to be overwhelming for him.

He felt something brush against his fur as it laid down next to him, and he turned his face to a white molly stare at him with a concerned yellow glare. "Did you have another one?" she asked as she curled tail around Scorchpaw.

"I did," Scorchpaw meowed lowly as he turned his ears to a stirring sound from another trainee waking up. "This one was different, though. It wasn't the one with the tree. This one felt genuinely real. But maybe it's because I'm not accustomed to it..."

Willowpaw flicked her ears as she began to stand up. "You should try to talk to either Ravenpool or Hollypaw about it, then. They have helped with past nightmares."

A grey-speckled tom began to pad towards the vine exit of the trainees' den, but stopped to look at Scorchpaw before leaving. "Willowpaw's right. Your nightmares have been getting worse these past few moons since Sootclaw, Hoppaw, Finchpaw, and Blackpaw, and I don't think the fox attack helped at all."

"Yeah," Scorchpaw gave in. "I guess so."

Willowpaw and Ashpaw both looked unconvinced by the reply, but didn't push any further. Ashpaw briefly nodded at Willowpaw before leaving as Scorchpaw saw the grey tip of his tail disappear.

Willowpaw licked Scorchpaw's forehead before whispering into his ear. "Promise me you'll talk to them."

The white molly stared expectantly at Scorchpaw, waiting for his answer. Scorchpaw felt befuddled by the thought. It had taken a lot of convincing the last time they wanted him to talk to Ravenpool and Hollypaw. At the same time, he didn't feel like it was an appropriate time to talk to Hollypaw as the anniversary of her parents' exile was just the other sunrise. But one look into Willowpaw's caring gaze was enough convincing for him.

"I promise," Scorchpaw meowed as he shifted his paws so he could stand up. "I will talk to them."

Willowpaw mouthed a "thank you" before walking outside the den. Scorchpaw, however, remained there as he stood and pondered about things from the past. It should have felt strange, bizarre, and terrifying to him, but he had grown so desensitised to it that he largely ignored it and let his thoughts wander about. But it still hurt.

Scorchpaw turned to the den's exit and finally began to walk outside. He was immediately greeted with a busy camp as cat after cat walked past briskly. There was never a moment when the Roots could let its guard down. The Rippling Lake Empire and Dusk Hollow had been ramping up assaults on the mountainous camp, and so warriors and trainees alike had to constantly ensure that the camp's defences were strong, and that the Roots' borders were defended and maintained.

"Hey, Scorchpaw!" A voice yelled out his name. "Come here!"

Scorchpaw turned his head to see three running balls of fur striding towards him. A small light grey tom launched himself at Scorchpaw and nearly sent Scorchpaw down onto his sides. The other two, a calico molly and a darker-shaded grey tom, stood by as they waited for Scorchpaw to speak.

He flicked his ear in fake annoyance as the lighter tom fell to the ground. "I thought you said for me to come to you, not you come to me?" He scolded light-heartedly.

The calico molly stood in a composed, professional manner, but her eyes gave away her excitement. "We just wanted to see how you were doing!"

The lighter grey tom had already bounced back onto his paws and looked at Scorchpaw. "Yeah! We, well...Dawnkit and I, heard about what happened on your patrol and wanted to see if you were okay."

Scorchpaw stifled a mrow of laughter as he brushed Skykit's head with a forepaw. "Well, I'm not in the herbalist den right now, am I?"

"No," Dawnkit shook her head as she sat down and tucked her tail. "But we wanted to make sure."

A prick of happiness swelled in Scorchpaw's chest. His well-being shouldn't have been the first thing the juveniles needed to check up on, but it seemed that it was.

Scorchpaw padded over to a rock that rested just outside the den before turning back to the three juveniles. "I'll be heading out, but you two go make sure that the seniors don't start up story-time without me, okay?"

Skykit nodded vigorously and rushed off immediately. Dawnkit watched as her brother bounded away. "He didn't even wait to sign to Riverkit?"

Riverkit stood behind Dawnkit as the deaf kitten shifted his paws with nervousness, not knowing why Skykit ran away. Scorchpaw rolled his eyes at Skykit's behaviour and meowed to Dawnkit. "At least Riverkit has you for whenever he needs help. By the time Riverkit has become a trainee, he'll be spectacular — and you and Skykit to thank for it."

Dawnkit's eyes briefly lit up with excitement. "More than spectacular! I'll help him become the greatest warrior ever!"

Scorchpaw twitched his whiskers in amusement as he walked away. "It's good that you and Skykit don't treat your brother any differently. Anyways, see you at the seniors' den!"

"See you at story time, Scorchpaw!" Dawnkit loudly meowed.

Scorchpaw bounded away and walked towards a pond that rested at the centre of the Roots' camp. Many cats, young and old, rested there as they gossiped about whatever. The pond's water rippled lightly with the slight breeze that wafted its way into the camp. It was a nice, relaxing place to hang out with friends, family, and other loved ones. But Scorchpaw had no time for chit-chat. He promised Willowpaw he would talk to Ravenpool, and he intended on doing that.

Scorchpaw squirmed past some of the more senior warriors, like Shadowfeather and Shadeflower, and he soon departed from the centre pond as he changed direction. One thing to note was the lack of trees inside the camp. Everything looked spacious, which made travel in the camp that much easier with everyone packed inside.

The empty area that Scorchpaw turned towards held three very important dens. Scorchpaw walked past the nursery; it was a den completely made out of tied thistles, twigs, and more. It was purposely made that way to connect to an escape route if the camp were to be overrun.

As he passed by, Scorchpaw caught a quick glimpse of the two newest kits, Coralkit and Vinekit, squirming over their mother, Hollythorn. He also saw Silvershine lying in her nest peacefully, her belly slightly rounded as she prepared for the expected two-moon period.

Scorchpaw flitted his gaze over to the seniors' den that rested inside of a massive collapsed tree's trunk. He could see blurs of fur rushing towards it, and he could only assume that the blurs were Dawnkit, Riverkit, and Skykit. Inside of it, Scorchpaw could just barely make out the faint outline of an elder watching the three oncoming kittens. As for the rest of the fallen tree, its twigs, sticks, and branches were used for a multitude of things: such as for holding a broken leg in place, or for tying things together.

The other den was what he was aiming towards. The Herbalist's den rested just between the seniors' den and the nursery. It was located in a small cavern that broke into the stony walls of the Roots' western camp border. Although it wasn't huge like the warrior dens were, it was considered the most important den of the camp.

Sand and soil shifted underneath Scorchpaw's paws as he brushed past the vines that covered the Herbalist den's entrance, a waft of herb-scent flooding his scent glands. The inside was dark, but not dark enough to prevent Scorchpaw from seeing the slumbering bodies of Ravenpool, Ashfur, and Redtuft on one side of the den. On the other side was Hollypaw, who was staring motionless at a wall. Next to the black-and-ginger Herbalist-trainee was a ginger molly who Scorchpaw recognised as Firepaw. Scorchpaw could only assume that the feelings of pain Hollypaw was feeling the other day hadn't faded away, and it probably explained why Firepaw was already out of the den before him.

Scorchpaw quietly entered the den and walked towards Ravenpool. Her tail was twitching ever-so slightly, and he could instantly tell she wasn't actually sleeping. He prodded her back as he quietly announced that he needed to talk to her. The black-pelted molly turned her head around and her eyes lit up with brief surprise.

"What is it?" Ravenpool groggily asked.

Scorchpaw exhaled as he tried to explain that he had another nightmare. "Well...I...I had another one..."

Ravenpool raised a brow in confusion until realisation settled. "Oh," she said as she started to get up. "With everything that has happened, it's best not to talk about it in here. Is there any other place where we can talk?"

Scorchpaw felt anxious and awkward at the question. He couldn't think of anywhere else to talk in private. He had always talked in the herbalist's den, and otherwise everyone was everywhere in the camp.

As if reading his mind, Ravenpool brushed her tail against his shoulder as she spoke. "It doesn't have to be in camp, Scorchpaw. Just anywhere that you find peaceful, or a place you enjoy being at."

Scorchpaw thought about it for a moment, and an idea spouted in his mind. "The Twin Trees at Lake's Edge is an area I like going to."

Ravenpool nodded approvingly. "A calm, empty clearing with two trees and a view of our beloved lake."

Redtuft began to stir slightly in her sleep, and Ravenpool requested that Scorchpaw head for the Twin Trees while she tended to Ashfur and Redtuft. As Scorchpaw began to leave, he caught a glimpse of Firepaw staring at him. Ignoring it, Scorchpaw left the Herbalist den.

***

Scorchpaw sat in between the two equal trees, waiting for Ravenpool to arrive. He stared at the lake as light glimmered against its surface, and he could occasionally see Lakefront cats from the other side of the lake hunting near its shore. But the feeling of terror did not dissipate. Something wasn't right about his dream. The cat he attacked felt familiar, like he was supposed to know who they were.

Suddenly, a crack of a stick split through the air, and Scorchpaw got into a defence stance. He eyed his surroundings cautiously. When nothing else happened, Scorchpaw felt the fur on his back flatten. I didn't even realise they spiked up.

More time passed by, and it was getting increasingly more obvious that Ravenpool was a no-show. It was unlike the black Herbalist to not to follow through with her word, so Scorchpaw guessed that someone must've gotten a severe injury or infection while he was gone.

Crack!

Once was a coincidence; a second time was suspicious. Scorchpaw looked around wildly. "Who's there?"

No answer. Just then did he remember his training, Scorchpaw lifted his muzzle and partially opened his mouth to gather a scent. There was none. All he could smell were the scents of oak, spruce, and maybe a few animals. No fox or badger, thankfully.

Scorchpaw called out again. Still no answer. There wasn't another sound to be heard besides the occasional chirps of a bird. He began to be apprehensive. His back fur lifted up again; his claws unsheathed and they dug deeply into the ground.

Rustling of leaves and ferns began to be heard just ahead, to the north of the lake, and Scorchpaw braced for his opponent to appear. The rustling got louder the closer they got, and then a cat appeared from the bushes.

Scorchpaw almost yowled out a battle cry until he realised that the cats were Hollypaw and Willowpaw. They looked surprised by his reaction to their arrival. They nervously approached him as he attempted to calm down. It was probably all in his mind.

"Are you...okay?" Hollypaw nervously asked.

Once Scorchpaw flattened the last of his fur, he answered. "I...don't know. I thought I heard sticks cracking, and I got a bit freaked out."

Willowpaw nodded slowly, her yellow eyes gleaming with concern. "I thought I heard it, too, but it might have just been some mice scurrying about trying to find something to eat."

Scorchpaw looked down in embarrassment. He had been at edge the whole time that he didn't stop to think that it could have been the mice he smelt, despite the fact he didn't pick up a cat scent. Willowpaw sat next to the ginger warrior-trainee, and she curled her tail around his. Hollypaw rested a paw on his shoulder.

"What exactly happened this time?" Hollypaw questioned, her amber eyes brimming with curiosity.

Scorchpaw shook his head nervously. He suddenly didn't want to talk about it, but a gentle touch from Willowpaw's muzzle convinced him to open up a little.

"I was...at this cliff," Scorchpaw nervously turned to look at Hollypaw as he felt Willowpaw press closer. "There was a battle of some sort. I don't know what was going on. All I know is that I felt this...anger, sadness...and betrayal...And I killed someone..."

Yellow eyes wide, Willowpaw looked up in surprise. "That's..."

"Horrifying." Scorchpaw finished as a shudder rippled throughout his body. The image of the falling shadow was seared into his mind, and he couldn't stop thinking about it.

Hollypaw prodded Scorchpaw with another paw as she spoke softly. "Is there anything else?"

Scorchpaw shook his head slightly. "No. All I can say is that it wasn't like anything I have ever experienced. All of my past nightmares have felt real, but this one felt especially real. Everything felt especially real: my emotions, the fighting, the pain and fear...all of it."

Willowpaw licked the back of an ear comfortingly, and Scorchpaw could admit that he felt better with Willowpaw around. He felt his head rest against her shoulder as he closed his eyes. He didn't want to see anymore. He wanted the thought to stop. Everywhere he went, he saw them. And only Willowpaw's presence made him ever the calmer.

***

Hollypaw convinced Scorchpaw that they should head back to camp before the others got worried. As they walked back, Willowpaw remained by Scorchpaw's side. Her white coat was constantly in his line of sight, and he felt his heart pumping faster than normal. She was always kind to him, and he appreciated her immensely. And Hollypaw, too. The tortoiseshell Herbalist-trainee had been at his side for so long. Although she was distant emotionally, he knew she cared.

Nearing an edge of a mountain full of paw-prints, the camp was soon within sight, and he could see Heathermist and Appleleaf guarding the entrance. The two warriors watched the three trainees approaching the camp. Scorchpaw felt nervous. Not just because his mentor was staring at him, but also because he didn't know if any patrols had already been sent out.

"I didn't see you at training, Scorchpaw." Appleleaf meowed as she raised a brow. Her red-and-black striped tail swished slightly with impatience as she awaited for an answer.

Before Scorchpaw could reply, Willowpaw spoke up. "Ravenpool ordered him to be at the Twin Trees region to help Hollypaw and I with checking up on some of our herb supplies."

The red-and-black tortoiseshell warrior looked unconvinced, but only gave a huff as she stepped out of the way. Heathermist gave a slight, but kind nod to the three trainees as they walked inside camp. As they did, Scorchpaw could see the camp was more empty than usual.

Willowpaw leaned close to Scorchpaw's right ear. "I'm guessing Rowanlight sent out a few border and hunting patrols already."

Scorchpaw flicked his ears. "I was kind of hoping there would still be at least two slots open."

Willowpaw's eyes shined with curiosity. "How so?" she asked.

The sudden question made Scorchpaw nervous. He didn't know if telling her that he wanted her and him to go together was a great idea. Hollypaw watched him with amusement before walking away, leaving him and Willowpaw alone.

Willowpaw mrowed with amusement. "If you need to go on a patrol with someone, you can always ask me to come with."

Scorchpaw let a purr release from his throat as he thanked Willowpaw. He steered away from the camp exit as he said a farewell to the beautiful white molly. He still needed to visit the seniors' den as promised. And, hopefully, seeing Thrushbush won't cause any issues.

{______________}

At last, the second chapter has been completed! It only took...three - four months.

Anyways, I can't say just how much I love this version of The Soothing Storm more than the original! It's near immeasurable! I've thought out this chapter more than I did with the original second chapter.

What were some things you found interesting and intriguing?
What was your favourite thing about this chapter?
Any least favourite things?

Without further ado, and so I don't take any more of your time, thank you all for reading this chapter. I hope you have a spectacular day!

(3 December, 2022) - first version
(29 October, 2023) - mild edits + layout edits