Wow, over 2,000 views? :D I had no idea - this - wow.

I know I haven't been updating recently. I'm sorry :( I hope you guys are still reading this and enjoying this – otherwise, I will feel like I've let you all down.

I apologize if these chapters seem mixed up, but I'm thinking about abandoning this request-system-thing, because I write these chapters WAYY too slowly. So yeah.

DISCLAIMER: Don't own anything.

Chapter 12

It is strange how the closer he gets to death, the more aware he becomes of life. The pounding of his heart, pumping blood through his veins, filling his body with strength for battle. The clarity of his mind, not fogged by despair of darkness, but encased in clear cut glass – it is almost as if he is watching himself from afar. The thoughts flickering in his mind like sparks from a growing flame, fleeting, mesmerizing – the love he had shared with Willowpelt, the purrs he had exchanged with his kits, the fury he had felt as he watched Sorreltail twitch in pain from eating deathberries, the bone-deep ache he had felt as he watched ThunderClan warriors prepare for a battle they might not win.

He is aware of every breath he takes, of every fading whisper in his ears, of every cut gushing blood from his body. He is aware of the ground rapidly become darker underneath his paws, of the battle fading around him, until all he can hear is the sound of the tremendous silence in his ears. The vein twitching in his neck is spewing blood, this he knows, for he can feel it collecting around his throat, forming a suffocating ruby collar. He can feel his life liquid gurgling inside his throat, as he pries his jaws open to – yowl in pain? He does not feel pain.

And then, he becomes aware of much more. The heat of the battle raging around him, of cats screeching in hate and despair, scratching at each other's eyes and ears and legs, trying to kill each other. The vast sky stretching over him, stained with the blood-red tears of StarClan warriors, weeping as they gaze down on the death and destruction. A shadow stretching over him, fangs glistening, a heavy paw on his flank.

The pain strikes him then, and with a gasp of pure agony, Whitestorm arches his back, his paws scrabbling uselessly at the grass as he struggles to rise. The cat holding him down laughs, an evil, mirthless-sounding laugh, and yowls, "The great ThunderClan deputy, brought down by old Bone! Let's see how much fun I can have before I take pity on you and let you die!" Whitestorm rasps something unintelligible, and is forced to brace himself as Bone lifts his paw and hacks at his throat.

He never knew that he would be able to feel the life draining out of him. He always thought he would live to become an elder, and watch his kits have their kits, who would grow up and bring him fresh-kill while begging for stories of his time as a warrior. He always thought he would die curled up in his warm nest, gazing out at the stars before closing his eyes for the final time.

He never thought that he would be joining StarClan in this way. But this is it, Whitestorm is sure, for he can hear the whispers of cats he once knew long ago, hovering next to him like silent smoky spirits. His mother, Snowfur, her sleek body rubbing against his, sighing, "I am sorry that I was never there for you…" Stonefur, his broad shoulders hunched over in grief, gazing down at the kit he had once played with on a sunny day, so many seasons ago. "Do not fear, Whitestorm. The pain will go away eventually, and there will be peace." Bluestar, her fur graying with age, but still the loving leader of ThunderClan, laying a paw on his shoulder, whispering, "You have been such a loyal warrior, and StarClan has been cruel to you. But you need not suffer any longer."

Firestar is crouching beside him, eyes shadowed with tears. "Whitestorm, it'll be alright. We'll get you back to Cinderpelt, and -" But then he stops, knowing that it is hopeless. Whitestorm attempts to lift his head, to touch his nose to Firestar's trembling body.

"Do not grieve, Firestar…You've always known who your true deputy should have been." He thinks he hears Firestar mewl a faint protest, before darkness drifts across his vision.

Whitestorm's muscles are beginning to tingle as the feeling seeps from first his paws, then his legs, and then the numbness spreads up in an icy arc along the length of his body.

And with the numbness comes peace.


It was all she could do to keep on watching the desolate scene, knowing that her brave warrior was going to join StarClan. She kept her head bowed low, as the stars swirled around them, slowly forming into the image of the white cat.

His eyes were still glazing over, before they blazed with new life.

I apologize for this horrendously short chapter; I owe you guys more chapters, soon! :O