End of a Lifetime

Part 2: Continuation of Chapter 9

4 moons later

Meadowstar watched her little kits as they explored the den. Sparrowkit toppled over a pile of moss in the corner, and Finchkit helped her back up. Meadowstar watched from her spot, smiling. They'll be great friends. I just know it. She thought to herself. She stood up and walked outside, the fresh air ruffling her fur. She watched her clan at work from her spot at the entrance to her den. She hurried down the rocks and rushed to the fresh-kill pile. The scent of rain tinged the air, and she spotted storm clouds in the sky. She hurried into her den as she heard a rumbling.

Hawkkit raced over to her, his fur bristling. "Meadowstar?"

"Yes?" She replied.

"What was that sound?"

"That was thunder, my brave little warrior."

"I've never heard it before."

"That's because this is the first storm since you were born."

"When was the last one?"

"Three moons before you were born."

"Wow. That's a long time without rain." His eyes widened.

"Well, it's green-leaf. Green-leaf doesn't have as much rain as new-leaf, or as much wind and cold air as leaf-bare or leaf-fall."

"Oh." His ears drooped.

"Don't feel bad, little one." Meadowstar pulled her kit to her. "You're still pretty new to this, even at 3 moons old. So are your littermates." She stroked her tail down his silky and smooth back. "Speaking of them, why don't you go play with them for a little bit while I go talk to Stormclaw?" Hawkkit glanced over to his littermates. His eyes lit up when Falconkit stopped playing to wave his tail at Hawkkit, indicating for Hawkkit to come and join him. Hawkkit raced away and Meadowstar chuckled. She snuck out the den and slipped through the entrance. She rushed to the border between her clan and Roaringstar's clan. She spotted what she hoped was his gorgeous fur among the beautiful trees and flowers, and her insides turned. She sped up a little. She skidded to a stop when she heard snarling. She realized it was not Roaringstar, but a fox. She tried to sneak away, but stepped on a twig and a loud CRACK filled the air. Her fur stood on end and her eyes widened. She slowly turned around to see the fox snarling at her. She yowled and sped off. As she ran, she felt the heat of the foxes' breath on her tail. She pulled her tail away just in time. She felt the air of the bite the fox had made for her tail. She whirled around and lashed at the foxes' face, surprising it. She snarled at the fox, when another figure jumped on the fox. Her insides turned as she realized it was Roaringstar. She watched as he chased the fox away. She smiled and purred as he returned. She brushed against him. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He replied.

"I've missed you."

"I've missed you too." He purred and they entwined their tails.

"I wish you could see the kits. They'll be apprentices in a few moons! I'm so proud of them. Especially-" A shriek sliced through the air. Meadowstar's ears perked up and she bolted to the noise. She saw the fox and, snarling, she charged at it. "And never come back!" She yowled as the bushy tail disappeared. Only when she turned around did she see a small body. As she got closer, her belly turned in knots. Horror was clearly described on her face. Ohh.....my precious little warrior. Never to meet your father. Hawkkit's body was ripped to shreds. She only recognized him by the pattern barely visible from the blood. She collapsed next to his body. "Noooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She wailed.

Roaringstar joined her. "Was this one of our kits?" At her nod, he asked, "Which one?"

"Hawkkit." She managed to say.

He brushed his tail along her back, purring to calm her. "It'll be ok. He's watching over you. He would want you to move on, but to remember him as our brave little warrior." He helped her up, and, purring, he rubbed against her. "I am sure the rest of our kits will need you to be strong, too. Don't give up too soon, my sweet."

"Y-You're right, Roaringstar." She picked up her son's body and slowly but surely headed back to Silverclan's camp, paying no attention to how suspicious cats would be when they saw him with her. Her tail dragged across the forest floor and her ears drooped. She entered and was immediately surrounded by Suntip and Stormclaw, both wearing worried expressions.

"Are you o-" Suntip cut off when she spotted Roaringstar. At first, her face lit up, and then it fell and she snarled. "What's he doing here?"

"He-"

"I'm here with my mate and our kit, who, if you can't see, is dead. He was killed by a fox, which I then chased away." Suntip and Stormclaw looked at each other, surprise and shock clearly written across their faces.

Suntip bristled. "Meadowstar, you broke the warrior code?" She nodded. "But, you're our leader. You're supposed to be our example." Suntip snarled.

Meadowstar hung her head, ashamed. "I'm sorry."

"You need to be punished." Suntip growled.

"Hasn't she been punished enough? She just lost Hawkkit!" Stormclaw snarled.

"I was only joking!" Suntip mewed, eyes wide. When Stormclaw nodded and looked away, she muttered, "Mouse-brain." Stormclaw quickly whipped around and pounced on top of her. They rolled around, playing like kits and messing up their fur.

Meadowstar hurried up to her den, making sure the rest of her kits were still there. Counting three, she collapsed to the ground. Tears slipped down her face as she cuddled her brave little warrior close to her. She didn't move when Suntip and Stormclaw came in. She didn't move when Stormclaw took Hawkkit and laid him in the clearing. She didn't move or speak when Suntip told her the clan wanted to know why Roaringstar was here. She just lay there, falling asleep. Finally, her eyes closed and everything went black.

~~~

Meadowsong opened her eyes to see rolling plains and a small figure moving closer and closer to her. She lifted herself up and hurried to catch up to it. "Hello?" She called out. The cat turned around and tears stung her eyes when she realized it was Hawkkit. "My brave little warrior." She pulled him to her and held him there, breathing in his scent.

"Mother." He said. "You must go back. I know you miss me, but," He hesitated, then continued, "you are needed there. I miss you, and I do regret having followed you, but at least I now know who our father is." He started walking away. She opened her mouth to say something, when he turned around suddenly and added, "And don't worry. I forgive you for breaking the code." He faded away, and she fell asleep.