There was a funeral. While Squirrelflight took it upon herself to attend, we stood by the sidelines, watching as they put what was left of Ashfur to rest. Ferncloud, Cloudtail, and Dustpelt were the only cats to speak; excepting Leafpool, of course, as she had to perform the farewell ceremony.
"Sometimes I felt as if my brother and I were alone against the world," mewed Ferncloud, voice almost too quiet to hear and broken by grief. "After our mother died, we were the ones to bury her. And now, I will be the one to bury him."
The cats that had gathered dipped their heads in solemn acknowledgement of the siblings' close bond. And then, silence.
Cloudtail rose to speak. His voice was loud and more steady than Ferncloud's, but his deep blue eyes were dark in sorrow as he spoke.
"When my mother gave me to Firestar, I was separated from my siblings. But I never felt alone, thanks to Ash and Fern. Ashfur was great fun, and Ferncloud was always there whenever I missed Twolegplace.
"I hope, brother in spirit, that your last moments treated you as kindly as you treated every cat."
Jayfeather winced, and the cringe was mutual. If only they knew how he threatened to kill us all.
It surprised me that Dustpelt was one of the speakers, as I did not know how they were related.
"Uncle," My disaffected brother grunted. "They weren't really close. But, after Brindleface died and Whitestorm was overtaken with deputy duties, he acted as their distant but caring father."
I nodded, grateful for his exposition, though I wondered from where he had gotten that information. A dream? Through emotion-reading?
"I wonder, when the fire grew to unimaginable heights and smoke filled the air, if he knew he was going to die. Because I think he did. Every cat does. You can see in their eyes; a flash, a realization, if I may, of their hopes being torn away from them."
Where was he going with this?
"I take comfort in that. There was no shock, and he is not sorrowful in StarClan, or wondering what he could have done to prevent his demise. There is comfort in that thought, at least for me. Leafpool?"
I turned my head towards the medicine cat, who had been quiet until now. Leafpool's gaze was calm as she stepped into the moonlight; her light brown fur glowed a pure white. "Ashfur, here your body lays, though we all know your spirit lies elsewhere; may your soul find peace at last."
Lionblaze had left already; when had he had enough? I could still taste his scent on the breeze.
It wasn't characteristic of him to run off like that.
I needed to find him!
