Chapter 9
Willowpelt opened her eyes. It was a new day, leaf-bare had just ended and the snow had melted. She stretched her legs and walked out of the warriors den. It had been a many moons since Runningwind's death and things were very different now. Bluestar and Whitestorm had past away, Firestar became leader and a lot of the elders had past away too.
"Good morning Mousefur." Willowpelt meowed as she past the dusky-brown cat.
"Good morning." She replied.
After that brief greeting, Willowpelt went over to the apprentices den to check on them. There was Sorrelpaw, Sootpaw and Rainpaw. Sorrelpaw was still asleep while Rainpaw and Sootpaw were attacking each other playfully.
"Come on now. You three better get to your mentors and start training." Willowpelt commanded.
The two young cats stopped and nodded. Sorrelpaw had just woken up, she stretched out her legs and walked out.
"Good luck you three. Be good and obey." Willowpelt mewed.
The three apprentices rolled there eyes. "Is going to do this everyday?" Rainpaw whispered into Sootpaw's ear.
"I hope not. She always ruins our fun and makes us train." Sootpaw grunted.
Sorrelpaw didn't mind the training, she just sighed heavily everytime she heard her brothers complain about Willowpelt nagging them.
"Today I plan on catching a huge adder!" Rainpaw bragged.
"Oh yeah, well I plan to perfect my training!" Sootpaw mewed.
"Well I plan to better than you at fighting! You aren't very good." Rainpaw retorted.
Sootpaw gasped. "Well you trip a lot." The young cat attempted to come up with another insult but that didn't work out.
"Would you two stop acting like kits." Sorrelpaw scowled.
The two brothers quieted down. They marched over to their mentors. Willowpelt watched as they left camp. She remembered those days back when she was an apprentice.
"Hey there Runningpaw!" she recalled saying that to him every morning. She remembered those times when her, Runningpaw and Mousepaw used to go on many adventures. She missed those days. Suddenly she had an idea. She was going to visit Runningwind's grave today.
She marched over to the burial grounds. This was where they buried their warriors after they died. The dirt had been kicked around recently; the clan had just buried another elder, One-eye. Willowpelt sighed and made her way towards Runningwind's grave. A small rock was set upon his grave.
"I miss you so much." She spoke. "Remember when I almost got hit by that monster on Thunderpath? You came to save me, you pulled me back to safety. You risked your life to save me. How could I have been so mouse-brained back then." She sighed once again, this time she closer her eyes for a brief moment.
"I've noticed that Sorrelpaw kind of looks like you. Her personality is similar to your too. I wouldn't be surprised if she was your kit." Willowpelt purred a bit then quieted down.
"There was something I wanted to tell you but I never had the chance." Her eyes closed, she imagined Runningwind standing right in front of her. "Well, you see, I--"
Suddenly she heard rustling in the bushes. She opened her eyes and crept over towards the bush. She stretched out her neck and sniffed the air. It had a horrible stench, it wasn't a cat or a dog but it was something else.
It was a badger!
The large black and white animal hopped out from the bushes and lunged at Willowpelt. Her pale gray pelt swayed side to side as her dodged the badger's massive claws. She dashed around, trying to lead the badger away from Thunderclan camp.
But the badger ignored Willowpelt and headed straight towards camp. Willowpelt had to defend the camp with her life. She lowered herself and leaped up into the air. It was the longest leap she had ever made. She landed on top of the badger and bit hard onto it's back.
The badger whipped it's head around and grabbed Willowpelt's scruff. It pulled back and flung Willowpelt around. The she-cat dropped onto the ground, barely breathing. The badger was now fed up. It raised it's massive claw and sliced it through Willowpelt's flesh.
"No!" a familiar voice was heard. It was Mousefur.
Willowpelt was barely alive, she meowed in pain. Mousefur ran over to her. Firestar, Graystirpe, Dustpelt and Cloudtail had dashed out. They hissed and spat at the badger. Dustpelt lunged at it a few times. The badger hissed and grunted, it slowly back away and ran off.
"Willowpelt!" Mousefur cried out. The toms turned their head. Firestar slowly approached the bloody cat.
"Cloudtail, go get Cinderpelt now!" Firestar commanded. The young tom nodded his head and dashed off. "Stay with me, Willowpelt. You can make it. Don't give up." Firestar tried to comfort her as much as she can.
"Stay with us. Don't leave. You're my best friend, I can't let you die." Mousefur whispered. Her voice was softer and sweeter, unlike the way she spoke to Firestar or any of the other clan members.
"Good bye Mousefur. You will always be my best friend, I'll miss you." Willowpelt whispered with her final breaths. The she-cat turned towards Dustpelt and Graystripe. "You were always mischievous cats."
Graystripe couldn't help but purr for a brief moment. He lowered his head and pressed his cold nose on her cheek. Dustpelt did the same.
"You, Firestar." She slowly turned her head towards Firestar with her last ounce of strength. "Could you do me a favor?"
"Yes, anything." The young tom mewed sadly.
"Barry me next to Runningwind." She pleaded.
"Of course." Firestar came up to her and pressed his nosed against hers. "And I'll make sure you kits will be raised to be wonderful warriors." He whispered softly.
"Thank you." She whispered. She took a few more breathes and coughed. Her glanced at her fellow clan mates for the last time.
"I'm coming Runningwind. I'm coming." She whispered happily.
She closed her unusual blue eyes and never opened them again.
