Darkest Night/Chapter 9

==Chapter description==
:It is early in the morning as Violetpaw walks beside Hawkwing, and she thinks about how Hawkwing and Blossomheart had been excited as they neared the farm where Barley, Cherrytail, and Cloudmist were. Violetpaw is excited, but nervous if she would not feel as attached to them as she was to Needletail. She wants to tell Hawkwing about Needletail, but wonders how he would feel if she tells him about leaving her to be killed by Darktail. Hawkwing says that the barn is not far, and she remembers how it was still dark there when they set out. She shivers, tired from the walking; her father tells her that they are nearly there. She sees a dry, stubby field, and thinks about how the creatures that ate the grass must have been huge. As they continue walking, Violetpaw sees large creatures with thick, dirty, white coats; Hawkwing says that they are sheep. She thinks about how Needletail would have been amused about seeing them. Molewhisker asks Hawkwing where they should go, and he replies that they will head for Barley's barn, a Twoleg nest standing beyond the sheep field. They cross a wide path leading to the barn, and Blossomheart assures Molewhisker that he will like Barley. 
:As Blossomheart speaks, Barley happily yowls at Hawkwing, and he runs toward the barn cat, purring. When Barley sees Violetpaw, he asks if she is Hawkwing's kit; Barley mews that they have the same thoughtfulness. Cherrytail walks into the barn, and she is surprised upon seeing Hawkwing. He rubs muzzles with his mother, and asks how Cloudmist is; he is worried because he fears losing another cat. His mother exclaims that Cloudmist is fine, and the she-cat enters the barn. Cloudmist asks what happened and where everyone is, but Hawkwing does not explain yet, as the cats are still greeting each other. Cherrytail sees Violetpaw, and Barley says that she is Hawkwing's kit. Cherrytail exclaims that they must be Pebbleshine's, and she asks Violetpaw if she has any littermates. She says that she has a sister named Twigpaw, who stayed at home; she wishes her sister is present. Cloudmist asks where Pebbleshine is, and she is concerned when she sees Hawkwing's sad gaze. He murmurs that she was carried off by a monster, and Violetpaw and Twigpaw were young kits when they were left by the Thunderpath. Hawkwing says that they were found by Clan cats, but they lost many cats, including Echosong. He says that they should tell the good news first, and he, Blossomheart, and Rabbitleap list their new Clanmates. Barley asks Molewhisker if he wants help him hunt, and as Violetpaw watches them leave, she no longer minds being shy; even though she did not get to talk much, the others still looked at her with an acceptance that she had not seen in many cats.
:Violetpaw and the other cats relax under the sun outside the barn, and as Hawkwing finishes eating his rat, he mews to Cherrytail that he did not just come to visit. Cherrytail guesses that he wants them to go to the lake, and he states that it was the place Echosong saw in her vision, and they should be there with them. Cloudmist and Cherrytail are uncertain as they barn is safe, and they are closer to Sharpclaw. Violetpaw remembers that Sharpclaw was Hawkwing's father, who was killed by Darktail. Hawkwing replies that they cannot hide from the future, and Blossomheart and Rabbitleap state that SkyClan needs them. Cloudmist mews that it is not easy to start over, and Hawkwing replies that he understands, but tells them to think about it. Cherrytail says that perhaps they should, but barn is a good place. He tells his mother that they can decide the next time he stops at the barn, and Barley meows that they should rest for another night. Violetpaw thinks about how the barn is comfortable, and Neddletail may even visit her in her dreams. Her heart then quickens as she wonders why Needletail had not visited her in so long.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
Category:Darkest Night
Category:A Vision of Shadows arc
Category:Chapter subpages