Monster

I flicked my white tail and crouched down, trying to get her to be quiet. She complied instantly and lowered her body to the ground beside me. "Do you hear that?" I asked quietly as I breathed in the heavy fumes of the Thunderpath. I looked to my left and scented the air again. The smell of crowfood and foul attitude radiated and choked me. ShadowClan! I realized as my fur began to bristle. I looked at Bluefur, who looked as mad as I felt. "If they think they can take ThunderClan prey, they're wrong," I hissed and with a fearsome yowl, I exploded from the bushes and charged at the ShadowClan patrol, my sister hard on my heels.

My blue eyes glittered with fury as I clawed at an enemy warrior. I have been in the nursery for far too long! I thought, the battle thrilling me. Bluefur and I fought until the trespassers retreated, but they wouldn't get away that easy. Without hesitation, I gave chase. Always a couple foxlengths behind them, I was left on the Thunderpath as the ShadowClan cats disappeared into the pine trees of their own territory. They had gotten away.

That was the least of my problems though.

My head snapped to the left as a horrible screeching sound pierced my ears, making me cringe. I stood there paralyzed, though, as it raced towards me. My legs wouldn't work, but that wouldn't have mattered. The shining beast was too close to spare me.

A fusillade of memories flashed before me as the monster made contact with my fragile body and I was knocked away. With a thud, I hit the cold, hard ground. It was strange, though. The Thunderpath was always so warm to the touch. Not that day, though. That day it was cold and ruthless.

"I'll take care of you." Bluepaw vowed.

"I don't need you, I need Moonflower!" I yowled back.

I didn't want to go.

"From here on, Bluepaw, you will be known as Bluefur and Snowpaw, you shall be known as Snowfur."

"No!" I heard Bluefur screech as she ran over and knelt beside my broken body. I could feel my life fading, and I knew my pain would end soon. Too soon. StarClan, don't make me. I kept fighting for what was mine.

"I love you Snowfur," Thistleclaw whispered into my ear.

I didn't want to let go of those memories. That day had been the happiest I'd ever had. Well, until the true love of my life came along.

"Mother, I love you!" Whitekit squeaked as he bounced around my feet.

I love you, too. I wept inwardly, unable to speak as Bluefur begged me not to go.

"Snowfur? Come on, we have to get back to camp and report those ShadowClan warriors!" I tried to open my mouth to answer, but all that came out was a trickle of crimson blood that stained my white fur. I'm sorry, Bluefur, but you'll have to go alone. I'm not going to make it. I thought as my vision grew cloudy. It felt like I laid there forever, when in reality, everything had only lasted a few heartbeats.

Everything grew black as I tried to hang on. Slowly, a lackluster light appeared. It came closer, and then I realized it was the one I'd missed for so long. "Moonflower," I whispered.

"It's time to let go, Snowfur," she mewed back, her eyes filled with grief.

"I don't want to. I don't want to leave Whitekit, and Bluefur, and Thistleclaw," I choked, shaking my head.

"You'll see them all again, one day," Moonflower responded.

"I'm scared."

"I know." My mother's voice was a soft and caressing as it had been when she walked among the living.

I turned back, seeing the faint outline of Bluefur's body, shaking with the effort of trying to make me wake up. "Take care of Whitekit for me, sister," I whispered, knowing she would. As I turned back to Moonflower, I quit fighting and the light grew brighter.

"Welcome to StarClan," Moonflower said after a long while of staring at a white, starlit place. I looked at her, she nodded, and I began to weep. That would be the last time I'd ever cry. That would be the last time I'd be able to. StarClan would become my sanctuary. It would invite me to escape the pain, and I would allow it, never to turn back.

X

The day I lost my life, I felt torn and shattered, as if everything I'd ever known has vanished. I was okay, though. I now sit here with my son, Whitestorm, his sons, Rainwhisker and Sootfur, his mate, Willowpelt, and my sister. My dear, glorious sister. Even now, as she sits with Oakheart and Stormpelt, her eyes shine with a fire that could never be smothered. Water destroyed her, as StarClan had foretold, but it had brought her closer to her salvation.

Bluestar was strong, and she was wise, and she was cunning, and she had passed it all to a kittypet who had defied all the odds.

Sometimes I wish I could have lived to see it all, but I do not ponder the thought. The living world hurt. Thistleclaw had been defeated, and Tigerstar was, too. They walked in the Place of No Stars now. I pitied them. They could have been much greater, but they had turned away from the truth.

I was awoken from my thoughts as Bluestar stood.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"It is time to meet an old friend again," Bluestar mewed.

"May I walk with you?" Whitestorm asked. Bluestar looked at him and nodded. I watched as they walked away together, on their way to guide the newest warriors of StarClan here, but I didn't think about that. You did as I asked. I thought as I stared at Bluestar. You protected my son. A small smile slipped its way onto my face.