Beyond The Stars

Chapter 6

When Softpaw opened her eyes next, she was lying in a warm, sunny field with star-like particles scattered around her. Confused, she climbed to her paws and looked around at her surroundings. As she did so, however, she only became increasingly bewildered. There was something oddly comforting, almost familiar, about this place, but she was certain that she had never come across this particular field anywhere in FlowerClan territory.

It was divided into sections. A snowy, cold ocean place for the SnowClan cats, a misty forest for the PoolClan cats, a rocky moor and small pine forest for the ShadeClan cats, and a huge oak woodsy area for FlowerClan cats. But that wasn't all. There was a huge Twolegplace for kittypets and strays, and a field and forest that seemed to go on forever for rogues and loners. The Dark Forest lay beyond that field, for the most evil of cats.

"Hello there, little one," a soft voice purred. "I've been waiting a long time to meet you."

Softpaw spun around to see a smokey-gray molly about the same size as Moonsong walking towards her. The newcomer's eyes were the exact same shape and color as her mentor's as well, and her pelt sparkled with starlight. She stared in confusion. There was definitely FlowerClan scent on this cat, but Softpaw had never seen her before.

"Who are you?" she asked hesitantly.

"My name is Smokewhisp," the gray-furred molly introduced herself. "I was once a warrior of FlowerClan myself until I died protecting my clanmates during an invasion from PoolClan."

Softpaw nodded, then paused as everything that Smokewhisp had said finally sank in. "Wait, so... does that mean you're dead?"

Smokewhisp nodded.

"Then... I'm dead too?" Softpaw guessed.

Smokewhisp shook her head. "No," she meowed gently. "You're still very much alive. But your body has been weakened severely by greencough, so you're sort of in an in-between state right now. You'll be able to wake up once you've recovered some of your strength."

Softpaw let out a sigh. She didn't particularly like the idea of having to stay in this unfamiliar territory, but it didn't seem as though she had much choice. On the bright side, at least it was better than being stuck in CloudClan territory. Not that she had any idea what it was like there, of course, but she could guess that it was less than pleasant.

"Are you and Moonsong related?" Softpaw asked curiously, deciding that it would be best to find some way to pass the time. "You look kind of like her except for your pelt color."

"We are, indeed. Very clever," Smokewhisp purred. "Moonsong is my daughter. Darkfall is her father."

Softpaw opened her mouth to respond, but Smokewhisp was already gone. The strange meadow vanished before her eyes and was replaced by the familiar sights and smells of the FlowerClan medicine den. She yawned and stretched slightly, sitting up in her makeshift nest and drawing her forepaw over her face. Her body still felt a little weaker than usual, but she had to admit she was feeling much better. At the very least, she could breathe without coughing every other heartbeat again.

"Welcome back, Softpaw," Moonsong meowed, stepping out from the back of the medicine store with a bundle of herbs in her jaws. "You've been out for quite a while. It's good to see you awake again."

"Thanks, Moonsong," Softpaw yawned. "How long have I been asleep for anyway?"

"About three days now," the medicine cat answered. "I daresay Blackpaw will be happy to see you awake. She should be on her way to visit soon; she's been here every day since you fell ill."

As if on cue, at that moment, the ferns rustled and Blackpaw emerged with a squirrel clutched in her jaws. She scanned the medicine den, freezing in shock when she saw Softpaw sitting up in her nest. A moment later, however, her blue eyes lit up with joy and she rushed over to her, dropping her squirrel near the entrance to the cave.

"You're awake," she purred with relief, her eyes shining with happiness.

"Of course," Softpaw replied haughtily. Then, deciding to have a little fun, she narrowed her eyes and asked, "Why, did you think I was going to die or something? You thought a little cough would be enough to do me in?"

Blackpaw backed away, her midnight-black fur fluffing up nervously. "N-not at all! I had complete faith in you!"

Softpaw, now struggling to keep a straight face, lifted her chin into the air and meowed, "Good. I have taught you well, my fine underling. Always remember the golden rule. I control my fate. StarClan does not control it for me. And if they try to claim they do, they'll have me to answer to. I have a punishment for them that's worse than anything they could possibly imagine. Worse than being forced to clean the elders den for six moons, worse than border patrols with Ratfoot, even worse than having to guard the ShadeClan border."

Blackpaw listened, her eyes wide.

"If anyone in StarClan dares defy me," Softpaw continued, still in the same mock-haughty voice. "They will be forced to wear a pink kittypet bow for the rest of their afterlives."

For a moment, the two apprentices stared at each other silently. Then, finally, Softpaw couldn't hold herself together anymore and started laughing. Blackpaw joined in a moment later, and for a while, the only sound that could be heard from the medicine den was the raucous merriment of the two friends.

"You're pretty when you're happy," Blackpaw murmured once they had calmed down.

"What did you say?" Softpaw asked, certain she'd heard her wrong.

Blackpaw turned her head away slightly. "Er, never mind," she meowed hastily. "Look, I brought this squirrel. You should eat something before Ratfoot wakes up and takes the entire fresh-kill pile for himself."

Softpaw stared in confusion as Blackpaw quickly grabbed the squirrel and dropped it in front of her, her midnight-black fur fluffed up in embarrassment. What could she have asked that would get her so worked up? She pondered the question for a moment, then decided that it would be best to worry about it later. Blackpaw's behavior was still just as much a mystery as it had ever been, and she didn't have the energy or the will to work out the reason behind it at the moment.