The "Dearest Departed" challenge for Nightclan forum.
Birchfur pushed through the gorse tunnel, brushing off Rosesong's offers to accompany him. He wanted to be alone tonight. Padding through the crisp newleaf forest, his paws carried him through the less trodden path towards the star clearing. He followed the fading scent trail of his denmate, Vinewhisker. Laced with the scent of death. Birchfur vividly remembered the night he carried Vinewhisker to the star clearing. The breeze whistled through the upper branches of the forest, the air heavy with the scent of sweet smelling herbs that barely masked the smell of death radiating from his friend's body.
Lost in memories, Birchfur entered the clearing. Mounds of overturned dirt littered the empty space. A large mound surrounded by three smaller ones. A large group of them lay near the outside with flowers slowly growing over the top. The freshest one lay near the centre of the clearing. Weaving his way through the graves of the other cats, Birchfur sat next to the lump of dirt, resting his nose where Vinewhisker lay. Closing his eyes, he allowed the memories to run through his mind.
It was just past sunhigh when Vinewhisker began to get restless. Being the youngest elder due to a broken limb which refused to heal, Vinewhisker was not content with his life. He would often sneak out alone to hunt or practice and get into all kinds of trouble. Often grumpy and silent, he wasn't the best denmate, although Birchfur had a soft spot for him. Vinewhisker had wanted to go out and see the gorge, so along with Leafheart, the medicine cat, Birchfur had found himself helping Vinewhisker through the forest towards the rocky terrain near the gorge.
When they arrived, Leafheart had excused herself to go collect some tansy, which grew nearby. While Birchfur groomed himself in the shade, Vinewhisker had struggled to the top of one of the boulders that lined the gorge.
He didn't even notice Birchfur behind him.