Alright, so I've made my decision. This story shall be true to the books until the end of Sunrise. In that break until Omen of the Stars, events that did not happen will happen, completely changing the whole OOTS. Thank goodness, because I really hate OOTS. It's so cliched. AND, I had all these ideas that I thought were great, but then guess what? OMEN OF THE STARS USED THEM ALL! I listed my OOTS grievances on my profile. But anyway, let's get on with the show. Poppypaw's POV!
Poppypaw felt her heart beating.
She opened her eyes.
It was nighttime. The forest was washed with beautiful shades of silver, beaming down from the full moon that hung in the sky.
Poppypaw sighed. Then she started with surprise. Her chest didn't ache anymore!
Jaypaw's herbs must have worked.
She was again surprised to realize that the forest that she was subconsciously walking in was not ThunderClan's.
She felt panic trying to grip her mind, but it slid off of her like rain. She couldn't feel panic. Not in such a wonderful place.
Poppypaw continued walking, her mind empty except for thoughts of how pretty the moon was.
"Poppypaw!"
Poppypaw turned and gazed at Jaypaw, who was hurrying to catch her.
"I've never been to this part of the forest before," she meowed dreamily, scenting the air. "It doesn't smell like home. Do you know where we are?"
"Yes," Jaypaw mewed quietly.
"It's strange," Poppypaw mewed. "Whatever herbs you gave me must have worked, because I don't feel sick anymore." She stared around at the environment. "The trees are so tall and leafy, and the undergrowth is thicker than anything. Can you smell all the scents of prey? It's like greenleaf here!"
"We've got to go back!" Jaypaw hissed bossily, nudging her shoulder. Poppypaw felt a prick of annoyance.
"But it's so beautiful!"
"You shouldn't be here!" Jaypaw tried to steer her around, but Poppypaw wouldn't let him. She sped up her pace, walking just ahead of him.
Suddenly, the ground dropped away.
"Stop!" she cried, fearful that Jaypaw might walk over the edge. But Jaypaw stopped right next to her even before she cried the warning, as though he could have seen the hollow the whole time. "There's...a drop in front of us."
The Moonpool filled part of the hollow, glistening like liquid starlight. Shining cats were scattered around it.
"There's a pool at the bottom," Poppypaw breathed. "There are cats all around it...." Realization hit Poppypaw, and panic then stuck to her mind like a thousand burrs. "It's StarClan, isn't it? Does that mean I'm dead?"
Jaypaw wouldn't answer her.
"Am I dead?" Poppypaw repeated more urgently, nearly wailing.
"Not yet."
Poppypaw turned around quickly, along with Jaypaw, who didn't even stumble. He stared straight at the new tortoiseshell cat.
"Coming here was very brave," the cat murmured.
"I promised her mother I'd keep her safe," Jaypaw responded, his hackles on the verge of rising.
Poppypaw was confused. How could Jaypaw have come here willingly, if this was StarClan and he wasn't dying? He was a medicine cat, Poppypaw thought, and tried to reassure herself. He can do things like that. Right?
"Who are you?" Poppypaw asked, finding her voice. "Have you come to guide me to StarClan?"
"No!" Jaypaw growled forcefully. "Come back to the Clan with me, Poppypaw. I'll take you home."
"It's okay, little one," the cat meowed to Poppypaw. "You can go with Jaypaw. There is a place here for you, but not yet." The starry cat rested her muzzle on Poppypaw's head, and then on Jaypaw's. "Take her home," she whispered to Jaypaw.
"Follow me," Jaypaw ordered, and raced back into the forest.
Poppypaw followed him. Suddenly, the glittering hollow vanished, and she woke up to the sound of a whisper.
"I promised I would save you."
Poppypaw stirred, and opened her eyes. They were crusty and tired, but she forced them open anyway. "Jaypaw? Is that you?" Her voice sounded hoarse and weak. "I had the strangest dream!"
"I expect it was because of the fever," Jaypaw meowed, sounding like a true medicine cat.
"Maybe," Poppypaw meowed, not quite believing it. "I was in a forest I'd never seen before, but it felt like home. There were other cats there--and you, Jaypaw! You said I didn't have to stay...."
Jaypaw turned his back to her. "It was just a dream. You're better now. That's all that matters."
Poppypaw stared at Jaypaw. Molepaw had always used to tease her that when toms started appearing in her dreams, she had finally become too moony over them. But somehow, Poppypaw didn't feel that way about Jaypaw. She felt that something bigger had happened, but she just couldn't remember...
Couldn't remember...
