Hanging on the Wind [c]

Honeylight shivered as a Monster driving past on the Thunderpath kicked up a gust of cool wind. With evening falling over the territory, the air had turned from pleasantly cool to downright chilly. Not that Honeylight minded too much, he would much rather take the cool air over the oppressive Greenleaf heat. He glanced at his companion, giving Nightstar a smile. The patrol of the Shadowclan-Thunderclan border had been calm and quiet thus far, and the two cats had been walking along in largely companionable silence. Honeylight paused long enough to renew a scent marker before speeding up again, trotting cheerfully beside Nightstar.

Despite being fairly used to walking in silence by now (he was, after all, Iceheart's apprentice), the quiet was starting to make Honeylight feel a little restless, so he spoke up. "I think I like Leaf-fall." He tilted his head up to look at the trees above, and then at the trees across the borders. "I like all the colors of the leaves. And the weather's just cool enough that it's nice but it's not dangerously cold, y'know? Besides, it's finally not raining as much." He knew Leaf-bare wasn't too far around the corner, and that would be a season that contained a lot more struggle, but for now, Honeylight wanted to enjoy the weather as it is. 

Honeylight, however, wasn't shaken by the more serious turn in the conversation. He nodded. "Understandable," He said, watching a golden leaf flutter down on the ground carried by a cool breeze. "I heard from Iceheart how hard last Leaf-bare was. I was born right at the end of it, I don't quite remember it, but it's hard not to worry about what's to come." But, ever the optimist, Honeypaw added in a more confident tone, "We've survived a lot, though. I'm sure we can survive what Leaf-bare brings too." He thought back to Leopardsun's words, about wanting to live instead of just survive, and felt a small pang. Still, as long as Shadowclan was together, they could handle anything. Honeylight was sure of it. 

Honeylight looked over at Nightstar as he said that, then looked away quickly again. His stomach churned. He saw what Nightstar meant, and of course Honeylight never wanted to see any more pain for his own clan. But he also didn't want to be participating in the cause for another clan's suffering. He thought of the cats he met in Skyclan, or of Flutterpetal and Adderdawn in Windclan. He didn't want to see them hurting or starving either. It didn't seem right to him, to take from other clans, especially those that had shown them generosity and kindness. It seemed like a way to put them in more danger down the line, if they ran into trouble like the flood again. They could not slow or stop the things that happen in nature around them, but they could choose not to be the cause of more strife. 

Still, he held his tongue. Whatever his misgivings were, Nightstar was still his leader. He had to trust that Nightstar would do what was best for the clan. After all, Honeylight is an unexperienced, fresh out of apprenticeship warrior. What did he know of the challenges of being a leader? And what would his opinion matter about it? Still. It left a feeling of foreboding in his chest.

"Of course," He said with a respectful dip of his head. He turned his attention back to the border. He suppressed a shiver. The air suddenly felt much colder. Eager for a subject change, Honeylight searched for a topic before piping up with, "Speaking of other clans, what was your time in Thunderclan like? Iceheart's told me some about it."