It was so dark. So cold. Instead of pumping hard like it should, my heart lay cold and still in my chest. A shiver ran down my spine as I realized that I must be dead. Was I with StarClan like I should be, or am I doomed to walk the dark forest forever?

Afraid to open my eyes, I waited. It felt as if I was lying on cool rock, and I heard the sound of running water nearby. I curled up tighter, shivering once more. How could it be so cold?

Suddenly a warm pelt pressed against mine, filling my veins with heat, searing through me and sending my head whirring, though my heart lay still as ever.

"Hollypaw," A tom's voice whispered in my ear. "It has been a while."

I bristled again. This cat knew me? Was I in StarClan? My eyes blinked open, and I gasped as I realized where I was.

The moon shone gently through the hole in the roof, turning the ginger toms' pelt silver. The river roared nearby, and my eyes grew wide as I turned to face the pelt next to me.

His green eyes shone as he watched me, his ginger pelt soft and groomed. "I am so glad," He mewed, taking a step forward as I took a step back. "I am so glad you came to stay with me."

"W-what are you talking about?" I stammered, fur bristling as my claws scraped across the rock. "Am I dead? Who are you?"

He leaned forward, touching his nose to mine. His warm breath tickled my muzzle as he mewed, "I'm afraid you are, my queen, yet so am I. I have been alone for so many moons. My name is Fallen Leaves, and I was the cat who helped guide you out of these tunnels. Jaypaw may possess powers beyond StarClan's knowledge, but he couldn't have led you out without my help."

Fallen Leaves... I breathed in his scent, a strange mix of wind, rock, and moonlight.

"Why am I here?" I breathed, staring up at him with blazing green eyes.

The large ginger tom twined his tail with mine. "Because I have been waiting for you," He mewed. "And you have come to me, my sweet Hollypaw."

I took in a deep breath, and suddenly, StarClan didn't matter anymore. StarClan didn't matter at all, as long as I had Fallen Leaves. We needed to stick together to stay sane, help each other in the forever that was soon to come.

"My name is Hollyleaf now. It's nice to meet you, Fallen Leaves."

StarClan had chose my fate well, or at least I had. I will forever wander in these caves, with my handsome, brave tom to keep me company.

The love of my afterlife, Fallen Leaves.