Stars Without Borders

19

Softpaw had accompanied her brother to the ShadowClan border despite the rain that pelted down on them. It was as if the sky was crying for her. She felt as though it were her fault. They were all they had, they had made the journey here and she hadn't stuck by him. By now she had made it to her normal spot that overlooked the moor and she squinted against the rain. She could barely make out shapes running against the moor. It didn't seem like the cats were hunting. There were yowls and barks that rung out into the air that made Softpaw's fur prickle uneasily. She knew exactly what those barks were coming from. She could see the bigger shapes chasing after the WindClan cats and fear struck her. Oakpaw was in WindClan! She already lost one brother today and she didn't plan on losing another. Claws unsheathed she dashed out over the border and pushed her legs to move quicker than she had ever run before. The smell of blood mixed in with the smell of fear and Softpaw watched as Crowfeather and a small she-cat ran past her, bringing one of the dogs with them. Not waiting to see the dog's mouth upclose Softpaw sprang up latching onto the dogs shoulders with her claws and raked them down it's back causing it the growl in anger as it slung her off. She hit the ground with a thud and the world was spinning as she shakily got back onto her paws. She almost didn't notice the familiar smells of her clanmates or the number of cats that had shown up. All she could see was a dog growling two tail lengths away. Flattening herself to the ground the she-cat hissed and lashed out an unsheathed paw in the dogs direction, her fur bristling with fear and anger.

"Back off dog breath!" The sudden yowl caught Softpaw by surprise as a smoky pelt dashed in between the dog and her. The dog yelped, but the new arrival shrieked soon after and Softpaw's heart lurched when she saw Smokepaw's neck in the dogs mouth as the animal shook her brother.

"No!" Jumping back up she landed on the animal's head this time and started clawing at its eyes and muzzle making it drop her brother and slung her off again. This time Softpaw landed painfully on her paw and winced when she tried to put pressure on it, but she didn't care, she only could see her brother's body laying against the wet grass, unmoving.

"Softpaw look out!" The dog, blinded had followed its nose to the she-cat who was completely frozen, lost in her grief and fear. This time it was Oakpaw who had shown up and was now fighting the dog alongside Ashfur and Graystripe. It wasn't long before the dog was sent running after the other too, stunning in its blind rage. Softpaw limped over to her brother's body and almost lost the mouse she had eaten last night. His neck was awkwardly bent and his scruff was bleeding profusely causing Softpaw to wince.

"No.. Astro.." Oakpaw's meow sounded behind her, but she couldn't turn to see the broken look on his face. She wanted to wail. She wanted to believe this had all been one big nightmare, but she knew it wasn't. Tallstar's voice echoed in her head.

"..you and one from my clan shall suffer a great loss tomorrow, but you mustn't let this let your paws be guided to a new path because of this."

Her heart aches as she broke down beside her brother's body, pressing her muzzle against his still warm pelt. Beside her she could feel Oakpaw doing the same.

"Come now, we must return to camp.." Crowfeather called to Oakpaw, but Oakpaw didn't budge.

"He was my brother.." his meow was so broken and tight with grief as we both lay there mourning our littermate. He had always looked after his littermates, made sure everyone had enough food and even looked after their mother when she was unwell. The memories of Softpaw's kit-hood flooded through her mind and the pain in her chest intensified. This is what being a warrior meant? Losing your family so soon? Softpaw presses further into her brother's pelt wishing he'd spring up and say, "I totally got you! You're both so easily fooled!" But that wouldn't happen.. the she-cat could no longer hear the heartbeat she heard just last night when they slept side by side in their nests and she pulled back no longer wanting this to be real. She begged StarClan for a proper goodbye, a better one. One where he was alive and breathing! Not broken and lifeless. She hadn't been aware of the other cats absences until she looked around and noticed Ashfur standing there watching them with sorrow in his eyes.

"We will take him back to camp.. have a proper ceremony for him." His meow was quiet and Softpaw nodded numbly.

"I'm coming too. He was my brother.. and I'd like to say goodbye one last time." Oakpaw croaked barely moving from his spot beside Smokepaw's body, but Ashfur murmured softly in agreement. It didn't seem as though the tom has any plan to make Oakpaw stay in his own territory and for that, Softpaw was thankful. She wouldn't make the same mistake she did with Smokepaw, she would be there for her brother at this time. A time that broke both of the apprentices hearts.