Le Book Of Random

Freestep's Mourning (Short Story)

"I'll get better, Freepaw." Skysong coughed, blood dripping onto the mossy nest.

"Goldenfeather!" Freepaw whimpered. "She's coughing up blood again!" Goldenfeather quietly came over.

"I'll get some water." The golden tabby padded away. Freepaw looked at her mother.

"You promise you'll get better?" Skysong smiled weakly.

"I promise, Freepaw. Now, go train. I'm so proud of you," the sick she cat purred, and coughed harshly. Freepaw nodded, scrambling backwards.

"I love you," Skysong said softly.

"I love you too," Freepaw replied, smiling sadly, and trotted out of the den.

Freestep woke with a start. She felt a horrible pang of grief, remembering the cruel reality. Skysong was dead. Three moons ago, but it still hit Freestep like a monster on the Thunderpath. Her mother had passed because of blood cough, tearing her apart from the inside.

The tortoiseshell warrior sat up, beginning to groom herself in the pale dawn light. The other cats were starting to stir. As she leant down to flatten her chest fur, her father awoke. A faint flash of joy speared through her, seeing the grey tom sit up, eyes hazy with sleep.

"Morning Freestep," he purred in his gruff voice. She smiled softly.

"Morning Mountainear." Freestep licked his ear. Mountainear purred sadly.

"She's watching us from StarClan, you know."

"I know, but I wish she was here," he replied, getting up. Freestep shook her head slightly, watching her father tramp out of the Warriors den. She knew how traumatised he was by Skysong's death.

"I miss her too."

Freestep listened to Firetail sort through the patrols.

"Freestep, Nightfrost, and..." Firetail glanced at the wizened grey tom. "Mountainear. Go hunting at the RainClan border." Freestep nodded, beckoning the other two with a flick of her tail. Nightfrost glanced at her, waiting for instructions.

"When we get there, we'll split up. Call if you need the others." The young warrior bounded out of camp, her father and black she cat following her.

Reaching the pine trees at the border, the three split up as planned. Freestep quickly found a fresh mouse scent, as it was nearing the end of newleaf. Stalking after it, she caught sight of the mouse. It was skittering around on a tree root, taking nuts hostage. Freestep came closer. It had no idea she was there. Pouncing, Freestep gave it a quick bite to the neck and it's paws went limp, dropping the nuts.

Freestep moved onwards, after burying the mouse. She caught the scent of a squirrel. Following it quickly, she smelt her father's scent lying over the squirrel's. Freestep paused, turning to find another piece of fresh kill. Before she could move, there was a squeak of pain, and a muffled yowl of sadness.

Freestep bounded forward, ending up under the low branches of a pine tree. Mountainear was frozen in place, squirrel at his paws. She padded forwards, going to nuzzle his shoulder. Mountainear turned to her.

"F-freestep..." He whispered.

"I'm here, Mountainear," she mewed weakly. The grey Tom, who looked many seasons past his own, whimpered.

"I-i can't take this squirrel. I can't!" His voice rose.

"Why?" Freestep watched the distress in his eyes.

"The last time... The last time we ever managed to share prey after a hunt. Her favourite prey, squirrel, a large juicy one." Mountainear meowed, rasping the words. Freestep felt her legs wobble.

"The next day," he trailed off. Freestep's eyes began to well. She remembered the coughs that echoed through camp, the pacing, worried cats, and the careful footsteps caring the dead. Mountainear shook his head.

"It shouldn't have happened."

"I know," Freestep murmured, tears catching in her fur. Her father blinked, eyes glimmering. He stepped close, laying his head over her neck. Freestep closed her eyes, body shaking with sobs.

"I'm so sorry, my loves." A sweet voice threaded through the pine needles. She opened her eyes, seeing a white she cat standing in front of her.

"Skysong?" Mountainear meowed shakily.

"Yes, my sweet furball." Skysong glided closer to her mate and daughter.

"I am happy in StarClan, and you should be too. Though I miss you both every day, I watch you proudly with love." Freestep sniffed.

"I can't stay much longer. But Mountainear, don't forget your love for your Clan over your love for me. SunClan honours you both." Mountainear nodded, picking up his squirrel.

"And Freestep, my beautiful kit. I am so proud of you, and will watch you with pride every day. Please, don't remember me with sadness, but with love and joy." Skysong blinked, beginning to fade. Freestep nodded.

"Goodbye, my loves." Skysong's spirit faded completely. Mountainear looked at his tortoiseshell kit, smiling around the squirrel.

"Let's go enjoy our prey, in memory," Freestep purred. Mountainear nodded.

"Of Skysong. Beautiful, joyous, Skysong." Freestep smiled, feeling a last tear fall to the ground.

"We love you."

809 words.
Oh gods, I'm almost crying now. This is the saddest thing I've ever written. Tell me what you think! *sniffles*