Heavy rain filtered down past the dense canopy above and fell in mocking drops onto the bloody clearing below. Bodies of loved ones and clanmates littered the ground while others wept over their departed spirits. A light gray and white she-cat with swirled markings watched from her spot in the medicine den as a white and dark gray queen cried over the small body of her kit and mate. Next to her sat a silver tabby she-cat; the two exchanged hushed words before the queen snapped at her.

"Rainleap." The medicine cat waved over the tabby.

Rainleap timidly padded over, looking back every now and then to the queen. "Yes, Finchcall?"

"Can you tend to Coalpaw for me? Snowmask has yet to leave his side."

The striped warrior tilted her head "Why me?"

Finchcall cast her eyes towards the nursery where the silhouette of her sister loomed over another body "Poolheart needs me." She turned her blue eyes back to the tabby "If Jump-paw was still here, you'd know I'd ask him."

Rainleap nodded "What about Flowerpelt?" She glanced at the named queen "Should I give her something?"

Finchcall shook her head "Let her grieve, she lost Thunderpaw and Redfang all in one night."

The tabby cast her gaze downward as the swirled patterned healer walked pass. She stopped to pay her respect to the ginger tabby, Redfang, and his son, the pale ginger tabby, Thunderpaw. Finchcall continued on into the nursery where her nephew and niece looked up upon hearing footfalls.

"Finchcall..." A blue-gray kit murmured "Waterfang won't wake up."

"Yes he will, Pebblekit." His siter, Icekit, meowed "He's just resting."

Finchcall shifted her attention from the blue-gray she-kit to the blue-gray body of their father. She knew the tom had fought valiantly to protect his family; in the back of her mind she wondered if Waterfang knew if they were okay.

"Poolheart?"

"He's gone, Finch, and he's never coming back.." Poolheart muttered.

Finchcall placed her muzzle to her sister's shoulder "I'm truly sorry, but he went out like a warrior."

The queen gave a small nod before turning her amber gaze towards her kin "Did Tumblespots get out safely?"

The medicine cat thought vaguely to their other sibling. Hopefully by now she, Thymekit, and Cloudkit had arrived at the village with Lakekit in tow. "I believe she has, after all, Burrclaw went with her."

Poolheart went back to staring at her mate's body as Froststar's voice rang out from the clearing.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath Jagged Ledge for a Clan Meeting!"

The white and light gray she-cat helped her sister coax the kits away from their father's body. Together the family sat in the entrance of the den and directed their attention towards their leader. Froststar stood tall despite the numerous patchs of missing fur, cobweb covered wounds, and tired look.

"As you know," he began "Jaggedstar lead a surprise attack against us and despite out greatest efforts...some of us did not survive the battle..."

The Clan bowed their heads in respect, Froststar cast a solemn gaze towards Redfang before continuing.

"But their sacrifice was not in vain! Let us remember them as the brave cats they were!"

The cats yowled in agreement, Flowerpelt and Poolheart's yell ran out the loudest.

"I say these words before Starclan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors and Redfang may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of Forestclan is Loudbelly."

Finchcall directed her gaze towards the large tom whose shocked appearance didn't seem to faze Froststar.

"M-me?" he stuttered "Are you sure?"

"You are a strong and brave warrior, Loudbellt, as well as not easily shaken. I'd welcome you as my deputy, but only if you say."

The tom grew quiet before speaking "I'd love to be your deputy."

"Loudbelly! Loudbelly!" The clan chanted.

Froststar leapt down from his perch as the Elders prepared the fallen for burial. Poolheart left to gather Waterfang, leaving her kin to stare at the stars above.

"Starclan," she began in a low voice "Many cats have joined your ranks too early and I know that you must be sick of this war like we are. So I ask, no, beg you to please send me a sign."

Suddenly a low whistling sound filled the air. The she-cat, as well as others, looked to see a shooting star tear through the night sky. A vision had shown through the burning tail of the fallen warrior*. A massive lake stood before Finchcall, in the middle sat a starry outline of a cat. She watched as the cat approached, the lake shimmered and rippled around its paws. The feline's sightless eyes bore into Finchcall's yellow ones; the figure disappeared into the lake as a soft and alluring voice whispered through the waves.

"The heart of the lake shall bring peace among the land and rain destruction upon the jagged cries of the hills."


AN:: I imagine this is what the Clan cats call Shooting Stars.