Warriors: A Dark Sun

Chapter 27

          The vigil was long and cold. Grassheart, Lionscar, Sunfrost and Silverdust had buried the dead queen. Lilymist sat beside her mother, numb with grief. She watched as Grassheart helped Lionscar lower Owlheart into the deep hole that would be where she rested until the end of time. Sunfrost dragged his paws as he placed his only son beside Owlheart's body. Lilymist looked into the hole. It looked as if Owlheart were sleeping with Tigerkit curled safely beside her belly. The whole Clan had gathered and were behind the ones closest to Owlheart. Lilymist sat as her Clanmates came up and each of them kicked dirt into the grave as a final sign of respect and grief. Even Hailkit and Stormkit had been dragged from the nursery. The small toms kicked a tiny bit of dirt then looked back at Brightcloud. They looked into the hole in curiosity then horror at seeing the two cats under the dirt.
"Brightcloud! There's cats sleeping in there!" Stormkit squeaked in shock at his mother. Brightcloud stiffened as Grassheart leaped across the hole in anger.
"She is not sleeping. She's dead you pathetic fishbrain." Grassheart snarled at the toms, who were shaking. Rainwhisker ran towards his sons and pushed them aside. He mumbled an apology to Grassheart and the deputy's fur began to lie flat. Grassheart turned and walked to his den. Lilymist noticed that he looked utterly defeated and like an elder. Rainstorm ran after him and lead him to his den with her tail on his shoulder. Lilymist looked back at her sister's grave, which was now almost filled. Sunfrost stood up beside her and went to the fresh kill pile. He picked up a trout and walked back to the grave. He dug a small hole and placed the fish in it.
"Trout was her favourite." Sunfrost explained with happy memories momentarily lighting his eyes. After the burial was over, everyone went to their own dens, except for Lilymist and Sunfrost. They walked to the nursery to watch Lichenkit and Moonkit as they slept. They sat side by side in silence until the first rays of dawn appeared on the horizon. Brightcloud woke to find them staring intently at Lichenkit and Moonkit. She reached a paw out and scooped the kits up and put them in front of the two cats. Lilymist sat down and curled her body around the kits. Do they even remember Owlheart's scent? They were so little that they would think Brightcloud was their true mother. She looked like she could be their mother. Brightcloud and Owlheart were both silver tabbies. The kits would feel like their true family was Rainwhisker, Brightcloud, Hailkit and Stormkit. They must know who their parents are. Lilymist stood up and gently shook the kits off. She brushed past Sunfrost and walked towards Icestar's den. She meowed to let her leader know she was there.
"Enter." Icestar softly meowed. Lilymist stepped into the den and dipped her was to Icestar. She noticed Echomist and Grassheart sitting in front of the leader. They both looked at her as she sat down.
"May I move my nest into the nursery?" She nervously asked. All three cats looked at her in surprise. Grassheart spoke first.
"You're expecting kits?" He gasped. She quickly shook her head.
"No. I want to be with Owlheart's kits. Her death was my fault and I feel that I must take care of her kits." Lilymist explained. Echomist and Grassheart crouched, talking in hushed voices with Icestar. They rose their heads after a moment and looked at Lilymist.
"The nursery is made for those nursing and expecting kits. Since you are not expecting kits, we have declined your request." Icestar meowed calmly. Lilymist stood up and headed for the entrance.
"I haven't dismissed you yet Lilymist. I will be giving Cloudpaw to Snowbreeze until you are healed enough to train an apprentice properly. Tell Sunfrost I am giving Frostpaw to Sparrowleaf." Icestar said seriously.
"I am also taking your request to make an elder, medicine cat and queen patrol. I have decided that those will take place once a moon. The first one will be tomorrow!" Icestar said excitedly. Lilymist grunted.
"That's great." She meowed, her voice dull and miserable. Icestar flicked her tail, dismissing Lilymist.
"Go to Pixiepaw for poppy seeds. They will dull the pain." Echomist called after her. Lilymist turned in the direction of the medicine den.
"Echomist wants you to give me poppy seeds." She explained. Pixiepaw nodded then disappeared behind a wall of hanging ivy then returned a second later with poppy seeds. She rolled two on the ground and Lilymist bent her head to lick them. She swallowed them then sat in a nest. She rested her head on her paws and sighed.
"You miss her, don't you?" Pixiepaw asked. Lilymist turned her head to look at the pretty, young apprentice.
"Don't you miss Rosie?" Lilymist replied. "What are you making?" Pixiepaw looked at her and smiled.
"Some herbs for Brightcloud. It is  borage leaves covered in honey. The honey makes them taste better and it will give her energy. Borage helps her milk come easier." Pixiepaw mewed looking back at the leaf wrap she made. The apprentice picked it up and headed for the medicine den entrance. She put the herbs down and licked Lilymist's forehead.
"Have a good sleep. You'll feel better when you wake up." Pixiepaw soothed then exited the den. Lilymist closed her eyes slowly and suddenly smelled Owlheart, as if the queen was grooming Lilymist.
"Don't grieve too hard for me, I left you kits to care for. They were my final gift to the Clan." Owlheart's voice seemed to whisper in her ears. Lilymist purred and started to fall asleep.