Ravenpaw couldn't believe that Barley was dead. He had kept him company for the most of his life, ever since he had left the Clan cats. With a another stabbing pain, he realized Firestar and all of ThunderClan had left the forest; gone, over the mountains to find the new territory promised to them by StarClan. He normaly would of fetched his two best friends, Firestar and Graystripe, to sit vigil with him and the loner. With another wail of grief, he realized that he was completley alone.
He licked Barley's ear and began to groom his pelt, for the last time. He then curled up beside the loner to sit vigil with him. He had never felt so loneley in his life. Everyone seemed to leave him. Firestar; left with the forest cats. Graystripe; captured, in control of the Twolegs. And Barley; dead.
The next morning, Ravenpaw carried Barley's body out into the sunlight. The remains of the forest were gloomy. He decided to bury the old cat by the entrance to the barn where they had lived for so long. Sorrow gripped him as he saw the last of Barley's tail dissappear under the dirt.
He would spend one more night at the barn, then he would move on. Perhaps he would go find Firestar and rejoin ThunderClan. he had always felt sorry that he didnt have his warrior name. Not feeling hungry, even though dozens of mice were crawling around the barn, Ravenpaw went into sleep.
He dreamed that he was padding around a dirt road, the forest completely gone. There were large, snowcapped mountains on his left. A stream was next to him. He crossed the road, and saw a Twoleg building on the other side. he walked briskly inside it. There were several small dens, each with a cat inside it. Twolegs were pushing some in, or taking some out, and prodding them with metal insturments. One Twoleg reached into a den. A loud hiss escaped it. The Twoleg jumped back and howled in pain. Whoever was in that den, was putting a big fight at being touched by the Twoleg. When the Twoleg backed away, Ravenpaw was able to see who was inside. It was Graystripe!
Ravenpaw felt himself being dragged back. He was back across the street, and followed the path of the stream until it met with three huge rocks. Then he raced through a strange forest, and went into a tunnel. He crawled through it, and saw a point of brilliant blue light. The Moonstone! thought Ravenpaw.
"Remember what you have seen, Ravenpaw." said a voice. Ravenpaw turned around and saw Barley.
"Barley" he croaked. Barley silenced him with a flick of his tail.
"Remember Ravenpaw." repeated Barley. "You cannot cross the mountains alone. Before you join Firestar, you must rescue your friend." he said.
"How?" asked Ravenpaw shakily.
"Remember Ravenpaw." said Barley again. He began to fade. "You must find Graystripe."
"Wait!" called Ravenpaw. "Come back!" But Barley was gone, and he was thrust awake. He was back inside the barn, breathing fast.
What had Barley meant? He coundnt possibly have chose Ravenpaw to bring Graystripe home. He had probaly had a bad piece of fresh kill. Then he thougth he could smell Barley, and here him faintly whisper 'Remember.'
"I will." vowed Ravenpaw. "I will find Graystripe and then the two of us will cross the mountains." he said.