"Hello, Skystar," Mistflower mewed. The leader seemed tense. "You're worried, aren't you? I know that gaze…"

"Yes, Mistflower," he sighed, "The SnakeClan cats seem to be enclosing us on all sides, choking out our relationships with the other Clans and possibly our very lives. You know how Shadowedstar is, and with that Undyingshadow as his deputy, I'm surprised that they haven't made any moves yet!" He glanced at the star-filled night sky, expectant for something.

"Are you asking the Creator for answers?"

"Yes, but I haven't had any dreams or seen any signs! It's as if He knows that we are weak, and wants to-"

"NO! This is not so! Skystar, don't ever doubt the Creator's faithfulness! Remember the story of the Chosen who rebelled again and again. He was faithful! He wants only good for us, for our Clan. Remember the Ancient Wisdom!"

"All will be good for those who trust the Creator, I know. Forgive me, Mistflower. I have no idea what has been bothering me these days!"

She looked at him with her blue eyes. "No, do not apologize to me. You have not doubted my skill or words as a healer, have you?"

He shook his head. "I'm sorry," he breathed faintly.

A star brightened in the sky, and Skystar's eyes widened.

"The Ancient Prophecy! It was repeated! But why?" Mistflower shrugged, then put a paw on his shoulder.

"Only the Creator knows. Come now, I must see to Stormdancer, she has already had her kits." They padded back to camp, and Mistflower, on her arrival, spotted Treejumper, a gray tom with yellow eyes, looking nervous.

"What's gotten your tail in a knot?" Mistflower teased.

"It's Flowerpelt's patrol. Word has it that they were attacked by SnakeClan rogues. And you know how special she is to me…" Mistflower nodded.

A brown tom dragged himself and a furry black-and-white bundle into the camp. Mistflower recongnized Cedarleaf, then went over to greet him.

"Cedarleaf! What's wrong? What's-" She never finised. Flowerpelt's sweet, comforting aroma filled her nose. "No. No no no no. That's, that's not FLOWERPELT, is it?" Cedarleaf nodded, then collapsed. "Treejumper! I need you to get Cedarleaf to my den, NOW!" The gray tom obeyed, and dragged Cedarleaf off to the medicine cat den. Mistflower crouched down next to Flowerpelt's side. "Flowerpelt? Can you hear me?"

Flowereplt gurgled. "T-tell Treejumper that I'll miss him. T-tell him that I love him. Tell him-" a spasm shook her body. "Ayyyeee!" she wailed, "I-I see Him! It's HIM! And Stormpelt! Oh, Mistflower! I'm going to Starshine! I'm going home!"

"NO! WAIT! What-" a long breath escaped fro the dying she-cat, her unseeing eyes were fixed upon their last earthly sight, and Mistflower knew she was too late.

"FLOWERPELT! NOOOOOO!" Treejumper screamed. Mistfower knew that they had been mates, but had secretly known that they were not destined for each other. Two more limping cats walked into the middle of camp, carrying a makeshift stretcher. A motionless ginger ball of fur lay sprawled on it.

"Dawnwing? Dawnwing!" She raced to him, and nuzzled his fur. "Oh, Dawnwing! Speak to me!" she begged.

"I-I love you Mistflower. I always have," he croaked, "but we're not meant for each other, we never were. Go, live your life without me!" He gasped, "My final moment is here! I see Him! And Mossbark! Goodbye, Mistflower! I will meet you someday in Starshine!"

"Dawnwing! No no no! You have to live!" Tears coursed down her cheeks, remembering all the times they had together. Those special moments when they snuck out alone came and pelted her tormented mind. She closed her eyes. "Treejumper, go and check on Stormdancer. NOW." Tree jumper silently obeyed. Mist flower nosed Dawning's still-warm body, as if she could bring back the lifeblood that had coursed through his veins a moment before. She raised her muzzle to the sky, then released a cry of anguish. "Daaaaaaaaaaawwniiing!" she didn't care anymore who heard, "My mate! DAAAAAAAWNWIIIIING!"


A small kit mewed. Her mother, Stormdancer, smiled.

"Welcome to the World, my kit," she sighed, "The great, wide, World." The queen screwed up her eyes. "Now, I shall call you Moonkit, after the giant magnificent orb that the Creator has put in the Sky." Stormdancer nosed the pure white she-kitten. Then, she spoke to the ginger tom kit next to Moonkit. "I will name you Sunkit, because you will rule over your sisters." Finally, she nosed the smallest kit, a tortoiseshell, in the litter. "You will be called Starkit, because you will not be as strong as your sister or brother, but a time will come when you shall have the power of numbers." The exhausted mother sat back. "Yes. I, Stormdancer, have kitted well." A wise old she-cat cat next to her nodded.

"They are strong. I think that the Creator has planned something special for these three kits. But listen! Skystar has called a meeting!"

The queen sighed. "No doubt it is about the famine. They try to keep it hidden, but I, daughter of Skystar, know when it is happening. They try to spare all the best food for the queens, kits, and elders. But look at how thin they are!" It was true. A glance at the group of cats in front of the meeting place betrayed their cruel plight. Ribs were showing, murmured complaints, and dizzy-looking cats were everywhere. Even Skystar, a trained leader, looked faint.

"My good Clanmates!" He called, "As you all know, food has been scarce," at this, the murmurs grew louder, and many groans rose, "Not only that, but the time of Ice Water shall soon be upon us, Falling Leaf is almost over. Unless we find some prey to hunt," a pained look came into his eyes, "We shall all be going to meet the Creator, and the Lightning Clan shall be no more." At this, the murmurs swelled into a roar. Stormdancer strained her ears to catch a few words of what was being said.

"What! I knew this was coming-"

"I don't know what-"

"Mommy, what's he talking about?"

The tired queen lay back, and groaned. "Just as I feared," she moaned, "Skystar only admits when things are wrong when they truly are." She thought of her last, scanty meal. When was the last time she had eaten a fat bird? Or bitten into a juicy young rabbit? She thought of the day she knew she was going to have kits. That was the day that turned the whole Lightning Clan upside down. The quail were leaving too soon, and the famine that was upon them was just a minor worry. But now, with three more mouths to feed, the Clan had more problems. A grey cat padded up silently. Stormdancer turned her head warily. "Welcome, Treejumper," she saluted tiredly, "I am afraid that you have arrived too early to see me, I am worn out." The great grey tom shook his head.

"Mistflower sent me to see if everything was alright. She has other duties to attend to, that Snake Clan attack really took out some of our best warriors." He hung his head, "I wish I could have been there to help." Stormdancer's eyes softened with understanding.

"It was Flowerpelt, wasn't it? She-"

"She has joined the ranks of those in Starshine. Their burials are tonight." The queen nodded.

"I knew Flowerpelt, good, caring, strong. It's a shame. I will be there." The tom's eyes widened in alarm.

"But your kits! And yourself!"

"I am fine. I was close to her, and she is -was- a good friend of mine." She motioned to Snowbird, the wise old she-cat. "Snowbird, please take care of my kits while I am gone for a short time." A pleading look came over her eyes, "Please, Snowbird, I must say goodbye to old friends. I knew them as they were training to be warriors." To her relief, the she-cat nodded.

"I remember when I had to say goodbye to old friends. But my time is coming, I will see them soon." Snowbird glanced up at the stars. "We used to love patrolling on clear, crisp nights like this. I miss them." She sighed, "I hope to join them in Starshine soon." Stormdancer nodded, her long-time friend and mentor Snowbird was old, even old for an elder cat.

"Shh!" Treejumper hissed. Skystar's voice rang out, clear and true, across the glade.

"Clanmates! We are here today to put friends to rest. Friends who gave their lives to save ours. Today, we are burying their shells. They are not here! They have gone to Starshine, where there is nothing but peace and joy. We honor their sacrifice, and hope to see them someday in Starshine. Hail! Flowerpelt! A loving she-cat! Who speaks for Flowerpelt?" From the crowd came many wails, for Flowerpelt was a friend to all. Stormdancer got up, and covered her kits lovingly with a blanket of warm moss. Then, she staggered out of the cave. She walked boldly to the body of her fallen friend, and put her paw on it.

"I speak for Flowerpelt! Though she is not here to speak to our mortal ears, she is in Starshine! She joyfully served the Creator during her short life. Flowerpelt was a friend to all, and an enemy to those who threatened her family and friends. Loving, caring, kind, and young, she led a life that should be an example to us all! I, Stormdancer, have said this." She stepped down, allowing Treejumper a turn to speak.

"I speak for Flowerpelt! She loved us, and promised her undying devotion to me. We were mates. Though she is in Starshine, I still miss her, and will until the day of my departure to Starshine. She was a loving mate and gentle to everyone. Though ferocious in battle, her love will never leave this place. I, Treejumper, have said this." Skystar nodded.

"Will no one else speak for Flowerpelt? Hail! Dawnwing! Who speaks for Dawnwing?" A forlorn-looking tortoiseshell stepped up.

"It's Mistflower!" Treejumper gasped.

"I speak for Dawnwing! He was a kind tom, full of eagerness and compassion. We were… close," she faltered. A murmuring came from the crowd. It was said and camp gossip that Mistflower and Dawning were close. TOO close, some had said. "He came to me, injured, and we knew it was a beginning of something special. I could not resist. His pleasant and loving manner drew me in. Though he is now in Starshine, he will be sorely missed. His love and compassion will never be forgotten." She stepped down.

"Will no one else speak for Dawnwing? Then let us continue." Stormdancer walked up to Flowerpelt's body, grieving inwardly.

She ran a paw over her friend's fallen body, then whispered, "Farewell, my friend. I hope to see you in Starshine." She rubbed noses with it, drinking in the scent that she would never smell again. She traced the irregular dark spots on her friend's white body absentmindedly. "I still can't believe you're gone," Stormdancer whispered. She sat at her friend's side, crying. All of the wonderful memories flashed back at her, when they chased butterflies as carefree kits, training as apprentices, their warrior ceremony, the time when they were chosen to go at the Clan gathering. She sobbed loudly.

Then, when her tears for her friend were all gone, and this was a while later, she walked over, still sniffing and whimpering, to Dawnwing's body. She smiled painfully through her tears, "Oh, Dawnwing, you scamp. I still remember when you used to play tricks on Leafclaw, and dragged Flowerpelt and I into it. You rascal. I hope to see you in Starshine, my playmate." Then she choked back tears. "Why must you leave me? My friends, my friends. Now you're all gone! Why must you leave? Oh, oh, oh!" She slowly walked back to her kits, unable to watch as they put her companions to rest in the ground. She nuzzled them, happy, and yet sad, to get away from the memorial.

Snowbird nodded solemnly. "Yes, I remember the pain, the grief. Losing a friend fells like a wild dog is ripping your heart out, then running all over it." Stormdancer whimpered.

"Does it still hurt, Snowbird? Does the pain still come back like that every day?" Snowbird sighed.

"Somedays, I think that I will never feel the pain, but it comes back." She turned towards the entrance of the den, "Stormdancer, the pain comes everyday. The only day it will leave is when you go to Starshine. Some days, it will feel like you are a hollow shell, with nothing inside. I am warning you. But some days, it will be better, and you will recall those happy days without too much pain. But come, let us think of happier things! For today, you are a mother." The queen looked around at the den. It was made of finely woven sticks, and was covered in thick layers of swampy mud to keep out the cold. It was also built into the side of a carved rock, for more room. The mossy beds on the floor were nice, clean and dry. Stormdancer shifted around.

"There is something," she meowed decidedly, "That tells me that the worst times aren't over." Snowbird sat silent. She pondered, deep in thought. Stormdancer looked at her friend, alarmed. "Snowbird, are you alright?" The old she-cat shook her head, then glanced up at the queen.

"Wha-? Oh, yes, I am fine, Stormdancer. I was just wondering if we should leave this preyforsaken land and move to the woods. The moors are fine, but I have heard of the forest many times. They say that even in the time of Frozen Lake, it is teeming with prey. And now, this famine…" The exhausted mother sat back.

"Let us think and talk to the Creator about our problems, for He always has a way out." Snowbird walked out, leaving Stormdancer alone with her kits. "What I am I going to do with you three?" she wondered. She was lost in thought when Mistflower walked in.

"Hello, Stormdancer, how have you kitted?'

"I have kitted well, Mistflower. How are the injured?" Mistflower screwed up her eyes in order to not cry.

"They, are fine," she murmured. Stormdancer looked at the young she-cat. The healer was looking at her paws. What a life! Stormdancer thought, To be surrounded my injured and even dying cats! What pain she must go through when she cannot heal a cat, and is forced to watch it die! "Dawnwing was a noble warrior. He fought until the very end." A single tear slipped down Mistflower's white cheek. Stormdancer put an understanding paw on her shoulder.

"I know," she whispered, "I know." They sat together for some time.

Then, Mistflower brightened up a little. "Now," she said in a falsely cheerful voice, "Let's see about those kits." She scanned them over.

Stormdancer gestured to the white kit, "That is Moonkit." Then, she pointed to the ginger tom, "That is Sunkit." Finally, she picked up the tiniest kit of the litter, "And this is Starkit." Mistflower looked up at her.

"What interesting names," she muttered. She proceeded to check the kits all over, as was custom, then declared, "They are as healthy as a kit I ever saw. Their lives must have something special planned in them because they are so strong! And what beautiful colors!" Mistflower stroked the tortoiseshell. "This one, I have a liking to. She is small, but she is beautiful! I wouldn't mind having her as my student, you know…" she trailed off. Stormdancer, for the first time since that morning, smiled her approval.

"Now Mistflower," she mewed in a mock stern voice, "You know that the decision is not yours to make! The kit must first choose the path of life, not its mentor!" Mistflower, playing along, ducked her head.

"Oh, yes, how could I forget? I am sorry, oh noble elder." Stormdancer playfully pawed her.

"Now, if I wasn't so tired, I would get you back for that!" Mistflower giggled. But then, Stormdancer's face grew serious. "Mistflower. Do you think that we can survive Frozen Lake here? I know that the warriors are catching all they can, but it isn't enough! I have heard rumors that the forests are teeming with prey, is that true?" Mistflower looked thoughtful.

"Well," she said after a while, "I have never been there myself, but I have heard the same. I think we can survive her for at least six more moons. Long enough for these kits to become apprentices, and be able to survive without your help." Then, Mistflower sighed. "Frozen Lake is a time of desolation, but I am sure we can manage. After all, the last season of Frozen Lake was harsher than this, and we still survive."

"Survive, yes. But shouldn't a Clan thrive? We are one of the oldest Clans, and we still struggle to survive! The others mock and scorn us, eager to get our land when this Clan dies off. I am afraid of the worst." Mistflower looked at Stormdancer.

"Here," she tossed a scrawny rabbit at Stormdancer's feet, "The warriors have found a nest of rabbits. Eat." Stormdancer sniffed the rabbit. Then, she glanced up at Mistflower.

"Give my thanks to Mousepelt, please." Mistflower bobbed her head, then slunk out of the nest. Stormdancer dozed. A new cat came in with three kits. "Oh, hello Skycloud. How are the kits?" Skycloud blushed.

"I am sorry to have woken you, but I couldn't help noticing…" she pointed to the rabbit Mistflower had dumped at Stormdancer's feet earlier. Stormdancer pushed it to the starving queen.

"Here, have a bite. It won't hurt me." Skycloud smelled it.

"Oooh, nice and fresh. Mousepelt caught it. He is a good hunter. Hardly a mark." Skycloud quickly devoured half of it, then pushed it back at Stormdancer. "Here, fill your stomach. Kitting is hard work." Stormdancer finished off the rabbit, then purred drowsily.

"Thank you, Skycloud. I feel better now." Then, yawing and purring, she dropped off to sleep. A dream came to her.

Flowerpelt appeared to her, her hide shining like beams of light from Starshine. "Stormdancer! The Creator has sent a message from Starshine! He has chosen me to say this, the kits you nurse are special. They have been set apart. Take care that they do not lose sight of the Creator, or a great darkness will fall over the Clan. And do not forget this: the Moon and the Sun will fight, but the Stars will win the battle. So much blood will be spilled, but it can be prevented. Do not forget my message." The ghostly figure turned to go.

"Wait! Don't you have anything to say to Treejumper? He misses your scent." Flowerpelt looked forlorn.

"Tell him that he must move on. He must find another to love. The Creator did not intend for us to be together." A lone tear dripped down her nose. "Tell him that I shall be waiting for him on the day he comes to Starshine!" Then, all of a sudden, the figure disappeared in a flash of golden light. Stormdancer woke. A beam of sunlight was shining into her face. The world seemed normal but for a faint voice. It seemed to say, "Remember…" The black and white shecat arose, but then remembered her kits. She sat down again for them to nurse. She saw a familiar grey tom ambling about in no particular direction.

"Treejumper!" Stormdancer called. The great tom came in a sad manner.

"Yes, Stormdancer?" he sighed. Her mind raced to grasp the words of Flowerpelt's message.

"I-I had a dream last night. It was a message from the Creator, and… Flowerpelt." His ears perked up at this.

"Flowerpelt? What did she say?" She sighed at the devastation that this news would cause.

"She said that you must move on. You must find another to love. The Creator did not intend for you to be mates. But also that she will be waiting for you on the day for your departure to Starshine. Treejumper, I'm sorry." His whiskers drooped, and his head sagged even lower.

"No, no it's alright. It isn't your fault. Maybe if I didn't take the time to love her-"

"No!" Stormdancer cut off, "Love is never for nothing! Do not fill your head with false lies. Love is always worth the pain. I know this." She looked at the packed earth, "Because I, too, have lost mates. First it was Eagleheart, a brave warrior. Then Firepool, a deputy." She raised her eyes to meet Treejumper's, "Each time I lost a mate, the more I found out how precious life is. And you can't have life without love." He turned around, then slowly left the nursery. Stormdancer sighed wearily, then drifted off to sleep in the warm sunshine streaming in from the entrance.