Graystripe coughed hard and loud, and he shuddered. His throat was core and crackly, and he smiled as his daughter, Briarlight shoved a small leaf of catnip toward her father.

Graystripe was so thankful that he was able to spend his final moments of life, slowly dying of greencough with his daughter. He felt emotion, and pain twist his heart at the very thought of leaving his family. He's leaving behind Millie; the cat has reminded him so much of Silverstream. He's leaving his newfound family, Bumblestripe, Blossemfall, and Briarlight.

It almost felt like a physical pain was tearing the gray tom apart. He blinked his sad, yellow eyes and looked up at Briarlight who was now urging him to eat the last available leaf of catnip.

Graystripe carefully licked it up and shivered at the bitter taste left in his mouth. This bout of greencough hit the Clan very hard this leaf-bare, and it wasn't any better when two kits of Brightheart's litter died overnight.

Tragedy swept through the senior warrior like a frosty wind. Graystripe wanted to hold on to life for so much longer. He wanted to see Blossemfall become the best warrior in existence. He wanted to watch Bumblestripe raise a fine family. He wanted to see Briarlight perhaps one day become a medicine cat of ThunderClan.

Graystripe unsheathed his claws and gripped tightly onto the moss. Another wave of coughing wracked his body and his throat so sore, he couldn't even moan in pain. He was so miserable that evening. He felt Briarlight's warm body press up against his and he smiled at his daughter.

Briarlight smiled back weakly and she sighed. They both watched the sun sink down over the trees together. More pain shook his body, but this time he held it in for the sake of his daughter. Later on that dusk, he heard Millie, Bumblestripe and Blossemfall beg Briarlight to come in.

Briarlight had to think for a moment. Then she said that they can only come in one at a time. Blossemfall came in first. She nuzzled her father and smiled so bright that even the sun seemed to have a new competitor. After a moment, she left, and Bumblestripe came in.

Bumblestripe and Graystripe talked for a long time, each word that was spoken stabbed the tom right in the heart. Every sentence lasted an eternity, paining him more and more until he felt like he was emotionally crippled. He hardly heard the conversation that they were having. All the old tom knew was that he wasn't going to last for much longer. But he grinned weakly and bided his son goodbye when he exited the den.

Finally, Millie hesitated before entering the den. They just sat there for a long time, staring at each other.

After that cold silence, Graystripe wheezed out, "I'm going to go to StarClan soon."

Millie immediately began to panic, and she begged her mate to not leave her. Graystripe only smiled and glanced at both Briarlight and Millie. How could he say goodbye to his family like this?

Usually, Graystripe was stubborn, and wouldn't give anything to see friends and family in the heavens. But he knew that it was time to let go and quit fighting. Even a good warrior knows when it's time to call quits.

Millie sniffled and Graystripe purred roughly. Jayfeather escorted Millie out of the den as she cried out in protest. Graystripe watched as the silver she-cat was pulled away.

He rested his head on his paws and he sighed. Briarlight quickly began to beg Graystripe to not even think about giving up. Graystripe didn't say anything. He simply grinned at his daughter and shut his eyes for the night.

Over time, he slowly felt his daughter's warmth leave his pelt. Sorrow shook his heart and he wanted to cry out. He only grinned and bared it as the night went on. At last, all warmth left his body. It was now replaced with a cold sensation of lightness and purity.

How humiliating that he didn't die in battle, but only ended up dying from pitiful greencough.

He slowly opened his eyes and immediately, his mind went blank. What about Millie? And the rest of his family?

The tom felt numb for a brief moment. He was dead, and the Clan must be holding vigil for him in the morning. It was an unbelievable feeling that you were being mourned for.

Then he heard a familiar voice that has left him just a few moons ago. He turned around and saw a tall tom with a fiery orange pelt and slightly lighter belly with gleaming forest green eyes. Graystripe gasped in excitement. A moment later, he was surrounded by old friends.

And they all glittered with starlight.

Graystripe stood staring at them with an open mouth. He smiled and cried out as loud as he could, "I am and forever will be; Graystripe, warrior of ThunderClan!"