Warriors: Second Strike: Book 4: Embers

Chapter 2

[Rainpaw's POV]

I was mortified. I had just seen the shecat die in front of me and I couldn't do anything about it. I ran over to my brother and my mother scared. I didn't want to do that again. I saw Metalclaw go into the den and I looked up at my mother.

"Mama, why do good cats have to die?" I asked her quietly with my tail between my legs. I heard some other cats sobbing. I guessed that they were her family. Cheetahpelt and Tigerstripe were the closest two to her except for Metalclaw who was right by her side.

"Well sweetheart, when you are hunting and you see two mice, which one do you pick? Would you rather the scrawny one of the plump one?" She asked me and I tilted my head at her reference.

"I would pick the plump one but that still makes no sense on why Flamefur had to die!" I said with a small whimper. I wanted my friends to live their lives, not die.

"The plump one represents all the good. The scrawny one represents all the bad. You picked to kill the good one so you can save someone else later on. I'm sure StarClan has a plan for Flamefur's death that they aren't telling us." She purred to me and licked my forehead. I stayed leaning against her still scared.

"I don't want good cats to die." I admitted in a whisper.

"I don't either, but everyone has to die eventually. They could go a natural death like Flamefur or die in battle like Fluffygrowl or Fuzzyear. They both die, but some ways are better than others." She said and looked past the group of cats. "Can you please part ways. It would be better to have her in the clearing instead of in the nursery. We don't want the kits to start to smell all of the death and upset their sleep." She said as she pushed her way past the other warriors. I followed after her slowly wanting to look.

"Want me to help you put her in the clearing?" Tigerstripe asked as he looked between the leader and the dead queen.

"Yes please. I don't think I can lift her that easily." Midnightstar said as she went closer to the female. Tigerstripe followed after her, his tail low instead of being up high like it usually was.

"Creamspots will be back soon with Skycloud. Those kits will live." Cheetahpelt said as he also came to help with his dead sister. I stayed close to the other warriors watching as the three easily lifted her limp body up. Metalclaw looked at the body but stayed with the two kits that he had to take care of now.

"That's good. Those two kits need to be here. I believe they will be helpful." Midnightstar said but it was slightly muffled. She placed Flamefur's body in the clearing and more cats began to gather around it. Tigerstripe and Cheetahpelt were the closest along with Midnightstar. Metalclaw decided to stay in the nursery. Flamefur's kits were close as well.

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So, another sad chapter. So much sadness at the moment.