I paced back and forth, my tail flicking nervously. It was almost sunhigh and Bramblestar said Spiritkit's naming ceremony would happen then. "Why are you so worked up?" Sweetfoot asked. Her tone teasing.
I looked at my mate. I never told her about the night of my vigil when Tawnypelt and Pine visited me. I was destined to mentor Spiritkit, to lead her along the right path. "I kind of hope Bramblestar will choose me to mentor Spiritkit." I told her shuffling my paws.
"You would make a great mentor." Sweetfoot purred.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather for a clan meeting," Bramblestar's yowl caused me to jump. Warm sunlight filled the hollow as the Clan emerged. I was glad leafbare was over. The nursery rustled as Foxkit appeared. I felt my heart twist. Two moons had passed since Cloudedkit left us to join Shadowclan. I have seen Tigerheart and Puddleheart at the gatherings and received news from them. My daughter was doing well; she got on very well with Dawnpelt's kits. Foxkit came and sat between Sweetfoot and me. I lowered my muzzle to nuzzle his cheek.
Spiritkit slipped into the hollow, her gray pelt soft and well groomed. Flowernight followed soon after. Worry wormed in my belly for the black queen. Her once glossy, thick pelt hung thin and dull from her frame. I watched her legs tremble as she padded toward me. Her mate, Nightfrost hurried forward to help support her as a violent cough gripped her. Blackpoppy hurried to the queen's side and began sniffing her flank, but stopped when Flowernight snapped at her. The young medicine cat could not figure out what was wrong with her, but it was obvious Flowernight was dying. Nightfrost helped Flowernight settle next to me.
"Spiritkit is now six moons old." Bramblestar began. "And she is ready to begin her warrior training." Our leader beckoned the young she-cat forward with a wave of his tail.
I watched Flowernight's body shake as she coughed again. Spiritkit looked back at her mother, concern flitting across her gaze, but Flowernight shook her head, "I'm fine." She nudged Spiritkit forward.
Does Flowernight know she is dying?
"From this moment on, until she receives her warrior name, this she-cat will be known as Spiritpaw." Bramblestar called. Spiritpaw puffed out her chest proudly.
A hacking cough echoed across the clearing, it was Flowernight again. I watched Nightfrost touch his nose to her cheek and murmur something, but withdrew when Flowernight snapped at him.
"Foxspirit, you will mentor Spiritpaw." Bramblestar's called.
Before I could take a step forward, Flowernight's legs buckled beneath her, her chest heaved as she fought for breath. "FLOWERNIGHT!" Spiritpaw screeched tearing across the clearing to her mother's side. I allowed my apprentice by.
Nightfrost began licking Flowernight fiercely. "No, Flowernight. You can't leave me!" he whimpered. Grief stabbed my heart like a claw.
"Spiritpaw," Flowernight gasped. The small gray she-cat wriggled forward, burying her nose in her mother's fur. "You will do great things. I am sorry I won't be here to see it."
"No! Don't say that," Spiritpaw whimpered. "Jayfeather and Blackpoppy will make you better."
It felt like too much. Flowernight and I both knew that she would walk with Starclan soon. Ivypool came forward and licked her daughter's ears. "You have led a great life, Flowernight. You never faltered in your loyalty to me, your sister, your mate, your daughter or your Clan."
"I would have been lost without you," Sweetfoot shuddered. I pressed against her.
"I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for your bravery," I told the dying warrior.
Flowernight's pelt rose and fell once more then was still. Spiritpaw threw her head back and began to wail. This was the first time I had ever seen the young she-cat so distraught. I wrapped my body around her and pulled her close. I now understood what my sister and Tawnypelt meant when they said I would be the light of hope for her. "It will be alright, Spiritpaw." I whispered. "She may be gone, but she will always watch over you."
Spiritpaw pulled away and looked at me, "How do you know?" she spat.
"Because I lost Pine and Mist, but the night of my vigil Pine came and visited me from Starclan." I told her gently.
"Really?" Spiritpaw hiccupped. I nodded, "Then maybe someday Flowernight will come visit me." She meowed.
"Well done, brother." I heard Pine whisper in my ear.