Flamepaw's Destination

Chapter 44

It had been many moons since Barkfern's sisters had made their visit and Mistyfrost's kits had come to hear stories of Flameclaw. For the rest of their time in the nursery, Flameclaw kept them entertained with stories. But now they were past being apprentices. They had recently become warriors, and Flameclaw still sat alone in the elders den.

But she was not too upset at this. Her days had become more peaceful. Usually she wouldn't wander past the fresh-kill pile. She enjoyed naps in the sun and watching kits play with their mothers. She enjoyed watching apprentice and warrior ceremonies, fondly remembering hers.

Often, her kits would visit her. She knew they were becoming concerned about her. She moved slower every day and ate less and less despite her kits attempting to shove food down her throat. But Flameclaw wasn't hungry. Besides, she rarely exercised her muscles anymore.

Flameclaw was soon the oldest she-cat in the elders den. She was told she should be proud of this accomplishment, and she was, but she was becoming more tired as the days stretched on and on.

Flameclaw awoke on a peaceful new-leaf morning one day. As she opened her eyes, faint rays of sunlight shone into the den. She smiled and let out a yawn. Today felt special for some reason, more peaceful than normal.

She slowly rose to a sit and glanced around. Many of the other elders were beginning to stir too. Some went and gathered fresh-kill while others continued to lay in their nests, simply content with laying about.

Flameclaw extended a paw to go get some breakfast when Snowripple appeared at the door holding a dead mouse in her jaws.

"Good morning, Mother," she said, dropping the mouse at her feet. "I didn't want you walking so far. I figured I'd bring you breakfast."

"That's very kind of you, Snowripple," Flameclaw said, though she figured it wouldn't have been hard to walk a few steps to the fresh-kill pile.

"Eat up," Snowripple said, sitting down beside her.

Flameclaw obeyed and ate most of the mouse, then glanced up at her daughter.

"You're visiting awful early," she observed. She was used to her kits coming to see her after their duties were performed for the day.

"I actually wanted to talk to you," Snowripple said.

"About what?" Flameclaw asked. She hoped it wasn't about her health. She was sick to death of hearing about that.

"I-I'm expecting Cloudwind's kits," she admitted.

Flameclaw let out a gasp. It had been many moons since Goldnose's kits had become warriors. Some of them even had families of her own. She had never expected any kits from her daughters.

"Congratulations," she purred. "I'm sure you will make a great mother."

"Thanks," Snowripple said, grinning. "I-I haven't told Cloudwind yet. Do you think he'll be upset? We never really planned to have kits."

Flameclaw laughed and shook her head. "I never expected to have kits at the time I did either. But Barkfern was thrilled. I'm sure Cloudwind will be too."

"I hope so," Snowripple replied.

"Go tell him now," Flameclaw urged.

"Are you sure?" Snowripple asked. "Don't you want me to keep you company a little longer?"

"I'll be fine," Flameclaw assured her. "Now go see him!" she said, shoving her daughter forward.

Snowripple let out a gentle smile and padded away from the elders den. Flameclaw smiled, her body becoming warm and fuzzy. She was glad her daughter was having kits. She knew she'd make a great mother.

Snowripple returned with her siblings later that evening, explaining how Cloudwind had been thrilled. Together, they shared squirrels together and celebrated the near arrival of more kits. While Snowripple seemed a bit embarrassed, Flameclaw could tell she was thrilled.

There was something special about that evening. She had never felt more happy sitting outside in the sunset's glow, laughing and celebrating with her kits. She loved them so much, and she'd never felt so united as a family.

If only Barkfern were here, she thought to herself as the festivities came to an end.

She wished her kits goodnight and told them she loved them then padded into the elders den for some well-deserved rest. As she plumped down on her nest, she felt a calmness spread over her. Her muscles felt less sore, her breaths became more full and even, and she felt reality slowly drifting away from her as she fell asleep.

Then, she dissolved into nothingness.

When Flameclaw's eyes opened once more, she felt more calm than she had before. The dark walls of the elders den had been replaced by luscious trees and a bluish glow, and she knew at once where she was.

"StarClan," she breathed.

Her body felt light and young again, and she felt as if she could climb any tree or run any distance.

"It's about time you came," came a sound behind her.

She turned and let out a laugh.

"Goldstar!" she exclaimed. She rushed to her old leader and embraced her, watching as more cats stepped out into the StarClan's glow. There was Mothwing, her parents, Rosepettle, Snowheart, all her old clanmates.

"I've been waiting," came one last voice.

Flameclaw turned, watching as Barkfern appeared now. Tears gathered in her eyes.

"Barkfern..."

He approached her and let out his familiar grin, one that she had missed for so long.

She nuzzled him gently. "I missed you so much.'

"But I was always with you," Barkfern assured her. 

"Snowripple...did you know that she's--"

"Yes," Barkfern replied.

Flameclaw glanced down and sighed. "Do you think she'll be upset I won't see the kits?"

Barkfern shook his head. "I think she'll be fine. You're here now with the ones who love you. I think Snowripple understands that too."

Flameclaw purred and rubbed her head against her mate. "I love you," she purred.

"I love you, too," he replied.

Together, they padded back towards her old clanmates and family members, ready to embrace an eternity of love and peace.