Leopardstar's Regret

Nine lives

A large silver tom stepped forward from the rank of cats. He meowed, "Welcome to StarClan. I am Riverstar. You will bring strength to RiverClan at a time when they need it. With this life, I give you acceptance." "Acceptance?" she echoed. "You will need it," he promised. Touching his nose to her forehead, Leopardfur felt agony grip her. Surprised by the intensity, she gasped but tried her best to endure it, accept it. At last it melted away.

The next cat to step forward was Whiteclaw. He looked calm, stars glittering on his fur, so much unlike to his last moments alive. "I'm sorry for your loss," whispered Leopardfur sadly. "I should have taken more care of you." Shaking his head, the dark brown tom mewed, "You were right about Featherkit and Stormkit, Leopardfur. I was a loyal RiverClan warrior to the end, and that was all I ever wanted. Thank you. And with this life, I give you empathy, because you always understood me."

"Whiteclaw-" Leopardfur's sentence ended with a gasp as the new life flowed through her. Unlike the previous one, it held no pain, but she felt as if her heart was ripped into a thousand pieces, emphasising with all those who needed comfort. In a blink, however, Whiteclaw was replaced by Hailstar, who watched her warmly.

"Hailstar...I'm honoured," stammered Leopardstar, bowing her head in respect. " There is no need for that, Leopardfur.You fought fearlessly against those rats. You have always had the courage and determination to be one of RiverClan's greatest leaders. With this life, I give you bravery. Protect your Clan with your life." Agony ripped through Leopardfur once more, and she had to clench her teeth from yowling out loud. When the pain had subsided, Hailstar was gone, and replaced by a heart-achingly familiar tom.

Frogleap stepped forward. "With this life, I give you devotion. Because you are devoted to your Clan." he murmured, and before Leopardfur could say anything, pressed his nose to her forhead. Warmth pulsed through her body, and she blinked warmly at him, "I miss you. Ripplepaw and Dawnpaw too," she whispered, drinking in his scent. "I will always watch over you," he promised.

Next, a reddish-brown tom padded forward. "Oakheart." Leopardfur dipped her head to the former deputy. "You have grown. And learned much from Crookedstar," he greeted her. "Is he here yet?" she asked, and Oakheart shook his head. "He is resting. He's earned it. With this life, I give you unity, so that RiverClan may never be divided." he mewed. Leopardfur braced herself for the shockwave, and this time she was prepared for the life that coursed through her.

Silverstream walked slowly forward. Her eyes, blue as the river, were calm. "I'm sorry. I should have given you the help you needed, not the help I thought you should have," Leopardfur apologised as she met her eyes. Not replying, Silverstream meowed, "With this life, I give you forgiveness." There was no pain in this life, just the knowledge that every cat had a second chance. When the life was given, Leopardfur told Silverstream, "Stormkit and Featherkit are safe and happy in RiverClan." "I know," she answered, and walked away.

She was immediately replaced by Whitefang, Leopardfur's former mentor. She stared at him, too overjoyed to speak. "I'm proud of you. It's not like you to be lost for words. With this life, I give you patience." he purred, touching his nose to her head. In this life, it felt as if a heavy weight was pinning her down. She bore the weight, and it finally dissolved.

"Leopardfur." A mew made her jerk open her eyes. It was Sunfish. "Are you happy here?" Leopardfur inquired. "We are all happy here. With this life, I give you friendship." replied Sunfish. The life that flowed through her veins reminded her of every single moment with her best friend, hunting together, sharing tongues...

A lithe white-and-ginger she-cat now stood before her calmly. "I am Brightsky." she introduced herself upon seeing Leopardfur's curious stare. Shocked, Leopardfur mewed, "Mudfur missed you so much. So did I." Her pale green eyes warm, she meowed, "I know. I wish I could have raised you. But I've loved you even though I couldn't be with you. With this, your ninth life, I give you love. The love a mother gives her kits. Your Clanmates are your kits now. Their safety depends on your strength. You must fight for them without fear or pity." This time, fierceness ripped through Leopardfur's tired body, with all the strong protection of a mother. Even though she had kits herself, Leopardfur was unprepared for the intensity of love. "I will. I promise. I will protect them as though they are my own." Leopardfur vowed.

Just before she woke up at the Moonstone, she glimpsed three kits behind Brightsky.A light golden she-kit with very faint dapples and green eyes, a white and ginger tabby she-kit with amber eyes, and a mottled brown tom with a white belly and muzzle and green eyes. They were surely her littermates!