Flames, smoke, sparks, ashes... They were everywhere, engulfing the young brown tabby feline that ran in a blind panic, feebly attempting to escape the madness. Heat seared the she-cats sides, her wild green eyes desperately searching for a way out of the fire that surrounded her. The forest itself seemed to be made of fire, as if there were no real trees or foliage, just the red and orange counterparts, dancing in false, misleading shapes. A few times she had seen cats made of fire, dancing through the blazing undergrowth with shrill shrieks that betrayed both laughter and unimaginable pain.
"I've got to get out of here!" That was the only thought that gave way through the panic and confusion, and the one that only heightened her terror. The she-cat ran until she could run no longer, exhaustion and fatigue taking her limbs before the adrenaline in her veins had a chance to run out. Finally, she collapsed, awaited a death that will be merciful compared to what she was enduring.
But the pain and exhaustion started draining out of her, her fur no longer blackened and burnt pads diminished. She stood up, quivering uncontrollably in fear. The forest was still on fire, but in the clearing the she-cat had fallen in was suddenly devoid of any flames, instead fresh, dew-dropped grass that portrayed no more warmth then a warm sunny day replaced it. In front of her stood a familiar figure, one of faint tortoiseshell colors and shimmering, bright stars shifting and moving throughout her pelt.
"S-Spottedleaf!" She exclaimed, watching the StarClan medicine cat with shock, more then a little surprised.
"Calm down, Leafpool. You are safe, there's no need to worry." Spottedleaf murmured softly, sitting down gracefully and swishing her dappled tail around her paws. The brown tabby Leafpool still trembled, but tried to remain tranquil for the sake of the StarClan member. It wasn't often one appeared in a cat's dreams- and when they do, its not to be taken likely.
"S-Spottedleaf... I have missed you greatly. You have not walked in my dreams for a long time now." Leafpool replied, bowing her head in the utmost respect. Spottedleaf in turn bowed before glancing at her seriously.
"I have an important message. One that will affect all the Clans for a great many moons to come. I have received an omen, one I fear you will not be pleased to hear." The she-cat gazed up her, eyes wide and concentrated. What did she mean, an omen?
It was then that Spottedleaf started slowly fading away, her voice echoing around the clearing as rain started pouring from the sky, diminishing the flames into nothingness. Leafpool leaped up, eyes wide in confusion and calling for Spottedleaf to wait. What did she mean?
"Fire will die down and be forgotten, but the ash is always there to tell it's story..."
...
-Three moons later-
It was sunhigh, and the sun blazed brightly overhead. There was hardly a cloud in the sky- well, as far as ThunderClan could see directly above Camp. All other sky was blocked by the thick trees and foliage. Most of the felines that dotted the clearing chose to rest and share tongues at this hot time of day, and when this happens, news spreads rapidly. Especially the news of kits that practically rang through the air- there wasn't a cat in this wing of the forest who didn't know by now.
The felines chattered on about how large a litter it was, how Squirrelflight chose to keep all of them instead of just the strongest with the best chance of survival as most do. And, even amiss this gossip, there was one place in camp completely peaceful.
In the darkness of the Nursery, a fiery orange she-cat lay, her tail sweeping around six bundles squirming against her warm fur. Sitting beside her was a gray tom speckled with darker gray speckles, watching her warmly. They murmured excitedly, the gray tom grooming her flank lovingly.
"Ashfur... They're gorgeous, just gorgeous!" The she-cat purred, bumping her head slightly to his leg in affection. Ashfur leaned down, licking his kits delicately. They were no more then half a day old- their eyes closed tight.
"Ahh but what shall they're names be, Squirrelflight?" Ashfur asked, his voice deep and rumbling with a rough purr. Squirrelflight stole a glance back at them, a joyful look crossing her eyes.
"I was hoping I could name all of the ones... That, you know- look a little like me?" She asked, batting her lush green eyes slightly at her mate. Ashfur, of course, laughed and nodded.
"As long as I agree with them." He purred, tail brushing her flank. Squirrelflight's muzzle fell to one of the smaller kits, a creamy orange one with white splashes.
"This one will be Rosekit... Oh, and the one with the handsome orange tabby coat- he'll be Flamekit!" She mrrowed lovingly, nuzzling each one softly. Ashfur glanced down a the others, trying to think of names that suit them.
"Can we have this silver dappled kit be Silverkit? Oh- and the light brown tabby can be Thrushkit!" The tom had never felt so proud, his chest poofing out in pride. Squirrelflight chortled, licking him under the chin passionately. It was then that they reached a rather odd kit- Leafpool had said it was the healthiest of the litter. It looked almost exactly like Ashfur- only, it had white splashes on it's paws and tail tip, yet the oddest part had to be the bright orange tips to her ears.
The ginger she-cat glanced back up at her mate and mrrowed in laughter. "I think this kit should be Ashkit, in honor of a very special tom I know." Purring, they bumped heads. The bliss didn't last long, however, as a caterwauling yowl of alert erupted from outside, followed by others. In an instant, Ashfur was on his paws, dashing swiftly out of the Nursery, leaving his mate curled around her kits protectively, startled.
In the clearing, the cats of ThunderClan surrounded one area below the Highledge. On the ledge stood a solid orange tom looking down in horror. Pushing his way to the front, Ashfur stopped short, frozen. In the clearing, the unmistakable form of Birchfall, his fur burnt a dark gray-black. He was lying there, the putrid death-scent rising off him. No cat made a sound, and then, someone cried, "Oh Birchfall- BIRCHFALL!"
It was then that panic spread throughout the crowd faster then a rabbit running from it's predator. "Firestar, what do we do?" A few called, eyes round in terror.
"Birchfall has spoken before he died; and his words were urgent. A fire is coming towards Camp- fast. Its already destroyed nearly half the forest, it may already be surrounding u-" Before Firestar could finish his sentience, a flaming branch fell from seemingly no where, landing right in the center of the clearing. Cats screeched and dodged out of the way, clamoring on and around each other in a frenzy to escape. Firestar called off orders from Highledge- but no one was listening, bolting everywhere in a blind panic.
Ashfur and Brambleclaw leaped in, hearing Firestar's words to run to the Gathering Island. They pushed cats towards the entrance, calling out the orders, and the clearing gradually cleared. Yet another few branches still blazing toppled into Camp. After quickly checking there no more cats were in Camp, Brambleclaw ran out.
Ashfur began to follow him, before hearing a gut-wrenching yowl from the Nursery. Squirrelflight! How did they miss her? The tom turned, making a mad dash for the Nursery.
The Warrior had never believed that things seemed to work in slow motion when your life is at stake. A tree, red with fire, teetered over the clearing dangerously, as if personally threatening the Nursery's safety. Ashfur ran as hard as he could, but it seemed feebly slow compared to the tree's bending. He had just entered the nursery, locking eyes with a terrified Squirrelflight, before a loud crack! boomed through the air.
The tom dashed up to his mate, grabbing a random kit, and slid it across the stone floor of the nursery in a clumsy attempt to save it's life. He didn't have time to duck down and grab another kit or help Squirrelflight before the tree hit the nursery, easily breaking through with a sickeningly loud crackling noise. The kit that went sliding, Ashkit, let out a cry of surprise, as did all of the other kits
Blurred vision... Pain taking over as flaming branches pierced through his skin... Dust and smoke filling air, clogging lungs...
Time had run out.
And yet, before the pain and sharpness left their bodies as they slipped into the darkness, the two lovers managed to utter their last words.
"I love you..."
