Falling Stars

Chapter 1

Be happy, focus on your training, move on from the grief, don't throw away everything in your life, you're a young cat with your entire life ahead of you. 

Dewpaw had heard those words far too many times that moon. She remembered her sister's vigil, well, she remembered how every cat had spoken hopeful words with smiles about what a lively cat Blazepaw had been and how they had to move on. And she absolutely HATED it. 

But that was life in Dawnclan, don't complain, don't you DARE drop your smile for one second if another cat can see you, keep on pretending to be happy the whole time. Dewpaw didn't know WHY they had to pretend to be happy all the time, she'd asked one time and all she had gotten for an answer was, 'Do you want us to end up like Fallenclan Dewpaw? They're all miserable and sad, we'll be the bright dawn the clan needs.'

Yayyyy.

"Good job Dewpaw." congratulated her mentor, Dapplecloud as she padded back into camp with her rabbit and two mice.

"Thank Dapplecloud!" said Dewpaw, whipping an enthusiastic smile onto her face, hoping Dapplecloud hadn't noticed her angry expession.

"I think you're ready to be a warrior, tommorrow we'll have your warrior assessment."

So soon?  It seems like Blazepaw and I had only become apprentices days ago...time flies so fast..

"That's great Dapplecloud, becoming a warrior is all I've ever wanted!" I just wish Blazepaw was here with me.

Her sister had been killed a few days ago in a battle with Fallenclan over hunting rights in the river dividing their clans. Dewpaw didn't think she was ever going to forget those screams...and the blood...... most vividly though, she remembered her sister's death, Blazepaw had been so nervous about the battle, Dewpaw had promised Blazepaw they'd both get out of it alive, and she'd literally watched Blazpaw die right before he own eyes.

"Please! Let her go!" begged Dewpaw.

"Never!" snarled Blossomstar, "Your clan wanted to fight, if they want to the river so much, then they can die for it!"

Dewpaw thrashed against the Fallenclan warrior pinning her to the ground. Blazepaw's eyes were wide as she gazed up at the Blossomstar, "So you're going to kill me because of a stupid river!?"

Blossomstar laughed, "That river could decide whether my clan survives leaf-bare! It's full of fish, who wouldn't want it?"

Dewpaw saw Blossomstar's eyes flash with anger and hatred as she lunged for Blazepaw and slashed a deep wound through her neck.

"Say goodbye to your sister." sniffed Blossomstar, flicking her tail for the warrior pinning Dewpaw down to let her up.

Dewpaw staggered over to her sister, "I'll get you help." she whispered.

"Oh there's no point." sighed Blazepaw, "Blossomstar wouldn't have let you up if I had a chance at survival, Dewpaw...say goodbye to our mother for me, Maplemist was a good mother......she'll learn to move on. And so will you." she drew one last breath before going still.

"Blazepaw!!!"

"Dewpaw?"

Dewpaw snapped out of her memories to see Dapplecloud looking at her with concern in her eyes.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine..." said Dewpaw.

"Okay then, I'll see you at sunrise tomorrow." said Dapplecloud, "Oh, and Dewpaw, I know you've had  many cats saying this to you over the past few days, I know it seems like we're trying to  rush things to distract you, but really, Blazepaw's death isn't worth throwing your entire life away."

THAT, made Dewpaw want to claw that look off her mentor's face, that 'it isn't that big of a deal look', but instead she just stalked away, "Whatever." she muttered.