Acaciapaw's POV
The rain stopped soon after the escape from the tunnels. The five apprentices had their way away from their escape tunnel and into the open air.
Finally they had decided to rest near the cliff edge, under a shady grove of oaks.
Acaciapaw stalked a starling she saw in the branches of a little maple sapling that was a ways from their rest sight.
The bird saw her and let out a shrill cry of alarm and fluttering its wings, lifting a few feet into the air.
"Oh no you don't!" Acaciapaw sprang into the air and grabbed the bird with her claws and pinned it against the ground. Using a swift bite to the neck, she killed it before it could utter another shriek.
Happily she carried her prey back to the others with her mouth watering the whole way.
Back at the rest sight there was a tiny fresh-kill pile starting. A thrush, three mice, and even a squirrel sat on the pile. Acaciapaw dropped her prey and joined the others in their feast.
Darkpaw waved her over with his tail and nudged the thrush towards Acaciapaw.
"Delicious!" Acaciapaw exclaimed and took another hungry bite. "Don't you want some?" she asked.
Darkpaw stared at his paws, "I'm dead. I don't need anything . . ." he trailed off.
Acaciapaw looked up from her meal, "Anything?" she asked softly.
Darkpaw ducked his head and padded over to the edge of the rest sight to sleep.
Acaciapaw finished her thrush into a few more famished gulps then glanced around at the others. Darkpaw was lying in the grass, Acaciapaw wasn't sure if he was awake or not. Lunarpaw and Lightningpaw were sharing tongues near the small fresh-kill pile. And Celandinepaw was fast asleep, curled up at the roots of an oak tree.
The sky was streaked red with purple clouds floating lazily around. The sun was dipping low behind the cliffs, making the day seem shorter and distant.
Acaciapaw padded over to Darkpaw and curled up next to him, pressing her back against his'.
Darkness swept over her and she gave in, finally resting in peace.
Later that night . . .
The sound of the grass waving in the wind awoke Acaciapaw. She raised her head and blinked her sleepy blue eyes.
Coldness gripped her and she glanced around, "Darkpaw?" she whispered.
The air seemed to shift but when Acaciapaw focused she noticed it was Darkpaw. Only he had emerald green eyes that could pierce you to the spot but also melt your heart.
"Acaciapaw! Go back to sleep," he whispered softly.
"No. What's happening to you? You're . . . fading!" Acaciapaw exclaimed then glanced around to see that Celandinepaw was already completely faded and gone. Lunarpaw and Lightningpaw remained fast asleep, safe and sound.
Darkpaw shook his head, frustrated, "It'll be okay. You can go back to your Clan and have your friends again and fall in love with that tom you keep talking about, Ravenpaw. I'm what's keeping that from happening and I'm sorry."
Acaciapaw blinked sorrowfully and pressed herself against his fading pelt and lowered herself onto the ground next to him.
"I want you to stay though. Please don't go," Acaciapaw wailed quietly.
Darkpaw pressed against her, "I don't know where I'm going but I won't forget you," Darkpaw murmured.
Acaciapaw stared at the ground, "Why didn't you fade as fast as Celandinepaw?" she asked.
Darkpaw looked at Acaciapaw with fondness in his eyes, "Because I have more attachments to the Clans. Celandinepaw didn't have much to hang on for but I . . . I do," he whispered.
Acaciapaw buried her muzzle into his shoulder, "Don't go," she begged.
Darkpaw licked her on the cheek, "I won't forget you," Darkpaw whispered, but his voice was distant.
Acaciapaw felt Darkpaw's solid shoulder disappear along with his voice.
Celandinepaw was gone.
Darkpaw was gone.
All the innocent cats were gone.
The End of Book Two
Book Three should be up soon . . . maybe. Hoped you liked Book Two!
Review?
~Stormyyyfeather