Aspenleaf's Duty

Chapter 6

Aspenkit felt a gentle breeze ruffle through her fur. She didn't feel tired anymore, or have the acrid tang of smoke in her throat or tight chest restricting her breathing. She opened her eyes to find herself resting in a beautiful starlit field of long grass. As she raised her head, she saw the shapes of four kits bounding away from her. A black tom, a dark grey tom, a pale ginger she-kit and a brown she-kit with white patches. Her siblings.

'I'm in Starclan.' The words rang in her head as she got to her paws to run after them. She felt a pang of sadness at the thought of leaving her parents, and her friends. For a moment, she thought of Robinpaw. She hoped that even though he hadn't been able to save her, he had managed to save himself.

"Hello Aspenkit." Murmured a familiar voice. She spun around to find herself face to face with a much younger looking Alderheart. She felt her heart lift with joy at the sight of him. She dashed to him and he lowered his head to touch noses with her. "Hello little one." He murmured.

"I'm so glad to see you." Mewed Aspenkit. "Robinpaw was right. I got to Starclan and I have a friend with me."

Alderheart purred. "You'll always have a friend in Starclan." He mewed, then he hesitated. "But you're not there yet."

Aspenkit stared at him before looking around the field. "Then where am I?"

"This is Starclan's hunting grounds, but you won't be staying here for long." Murmured Alderheart. "You are still alive Aspenkit. This is only a dream."

For a long moment, Aspenkit didn't move, only stared at Alderheart. "Does that mean I can dream of Starclan anytime like a medicine cat?"

"We can't dream of Starclan when we like." Alderheart purred in amusement. "I came into your dream tonight to show you that your siblings are safe here. Sparkpelt and I will take good care of them until your parents come."

Aspenkit turned to look after where she had seen her siblings scampering away to see them winding around a flame coloured tabby she-cat. Sparkpelt was greeting them like they were old friends, her own kits, sitting down and licking each of them between the ears. Aspenkit felt a tug at her heart. She felt as though she would break without them with her throughout her life, but she felt a twinge of hope and happiness to see that here, as in Thunderclan, they were loved.

She hesitated before turning back to Alderheart. "Why?" she murmured quietly.

He tipped his head on one side. "Why what?" he asked.

"Why me?" she mewed. "Why did Starclan spare me but take them?" She looked up. "Is this because of what Leafpool said?"

Alderheart dipped his head. "Who can say." He replied. "Maybe it is because of Starclan's plan for you, or maybe it is because Robinpaw protected you from the flames."

Aspenkit gave a little start and began to look around. "He is alive, isn't he?" she asked. "I can't see him here."

Alderheart gave a sad little sigh. "He is gravely ill." He murmured. "He is still breathing, just. I know I taught Poppydust all she needs to know, and Starclan have no desire to take him yet. The rest is up to him."

Aspenkit stared as the words sunk in. Robinpaw could die, because of her. She knew she needed to get back. If he was to die, she needed him to know that she was alive because of him.

"I'm ready to go back now." she murmured to Alderheart, feeling a wave of sadness overtake her at the thought of leaving her siblings here, and losing Alderheart once again.

Alderheart patted the ground beside him with his tail and she sat beside him. He curled around her and began to purr softly. "Sleep now." he murmured. "You'll wake back in the clans."