I've been thinkin' 'bout

All the times you told me

You're so full of doubt

You just can't let it be

But I know

If you keep on comin' back for more

Then I'll keep on tryin'

I'll keep on tryin'

The clearing was stock silent, but crackling with tension. A slight breeze ruffled my fur, making a slight whistling in my ear. I tried to flick it away, but felt frozen with fear. My dark brown eyes turned to Firestar, standing next to me, his expression hard and his electric green eyes unreadable. He had chosen me as his deputy, trusted me to stand before my clan with more bravery than even he.

In all honesty, I was terrified. Terrified for Willowpelt. Terrified for Sootkit, Sorrelkit, and Rainkit. Terrified for Graystripe, Sandstorm, Mousefur, Brackenfur, Fernpaw, Ashpaw, Bramblepaw and all of the others. Terrified for the memory and glory of the clans.

And, despite how much I tried to deny it, terrified for my own life.

And I've been drinkin' now

Just a little too much

And I don't know how

I can get in touch with you

Now there's only one thing for me to do

That's to keep on tryin' to get home to you

A single snap of a twig and the slight rustle of leaves rang through the valley louder than the loudest battle cry of a fresh group of warriors. All heads turned at once, but not one word was uttered as the BloodClan cats strutted confidently into the sacred clearing of Fourtrees. Even though they walked with their heads and tails held high, I could smell the strong collective fear scent coming from the large group, and a spark of hope ignited within me. We would have a chance to win this battle.

But not without loss.

My spirits plummeted again.

And I feel so satisfied when

I can see you smile I

I want to confide in

All that is true

So I'll keep on tryin'

I'm through with lyin'

Just like the sun above

I'll come shinin' through

Oh, yes I'll keep on tryin'

I'm tired of cryin'

I got to find a way

To get on home to you

It all happened too quickly.

A shriek split the air, and all of the cats erupted into battle. That's all that I knew before all turned to chaos.

I could already see blood and fur flying through the air, even through the early side of the battle. My heart pounded in my ears, blood rushing through my legs made me feel weightless in a fear-filled, cold way. I tried to look around to see which cats needed help, but the frightening writhing of the fighting cats made it hard to concentrate. My breath quickened, and I fought against the urge to sprint away from the scene. Instead, I unsheathed my claws and sprung into the battle, pure instinct pulling me along.

I've been thinkin' 'bout

All the times you held me

I never heard you shout

The flow of energy was so fine

Now I think I'll lay it on the line

And keep on tryin'

To get home to you

I could feel the fear pulsing from her before I saw the blood or heard the screams.

And I feel so satisfied when

"Help!" her small voice sounded loudly in my mind.

I can see you smile I

Suddenly, all else was muted. I spun around to only see the large off-white tomcat bearing down on top of her.

I want to confide in

All I could see of the small she-cat was a limp, speckled gray tail.

All that is true, so I'll

Blood was already soaking the ground beneath where they tussled.

My paws were frozen to the ground.

A smaller voice sounded in my head, whispering frightening things as I stared at the life being tugged slowly from her small, young paws.

I crashed into the ivory tom before I even knew I had leaped.

Keep on tryin' I'm

I felt claws slashing across my face, but then blood gushing from my claws as I stabbed them into the enemy's side.

Through with lyin'

He yowled with surprise, and I took advantage of his wavering in his attack. I plowed into his side, trying to knock him onto his back so I could get an aim at his belly. But he, too, was trying to plan that, and the moment I was on top, his claws raked along my belly. I screeched and knocked the side of his face with an unsheathed paw.

Just like the sun above

The "deputy" countered with a violent jerk upward, blowing me onto my side, winded. He tried to dig his claws into my belly, but I spun, and he got my face instead. Pain erupted from my eyes as they were scratched by the blow. I tried to get even by aiming for his throat with my claws, but the damage to my eyes made it hard to see my target. I was able to nick the skin, but it wasn't enough to even make him flinch. He pounced on top of me and raised his paw, bringing it down hard on my exposed throat.

I'll come shinin' through

My eyes became wide as I felt blood bubbling to the surface of my neck, making every breath hard. A cruel smile crossed his face as I lay, dying, at his paws. He thought he had won, knowing I would die anyway. He started to turn and walk away, when a dark ginger streak flew across my line of sight. A look of surprise crossed the terrible cat's face as he was knocked aside. He tried to scramble to his paws, but was overcome by a group of small, squirming cats. Apprentices. A small smile made its way to my face.

Yes I will

The ginger cat turned to me, his eyes locking with mine. Recognition filled them, and they grew dark with sorrow.

"Whitestorm!" Firestar yelled, running towards me in great strides. He stood over my limp shape, and I could feel sticky blood soaking my fur. My breath came raggedly, and every one was a struggle.

"Firestar…" I managed to say, a tear coming to my scarred eyes.

"I'm sor--"

"I can't… be helped." I croaked out, my body already feeling distant as I lay dying.

"You shouldn't have…I should have… It was my duty…" Firestar's voice grew distressed.

"You knew that… Graystripe was… always a better choice." My voice sounded unfamiliar in my ear.

Firestar opened his mouth, but closed it again when he recognized the wisdom in my words.

"When I… die…" The phrase was distorted as it meant something, finally, to me. "Appoint Graystripe…"

The leader tried to protest, but I interrupted him.

"Firestar… you have to… realize this…"

Oh yes I'll keep on tryin'

His eyes clouded and his voice was soft and cracking.

I'm tired of cryin'

"The clan will always honor your memory and courage, Whitestorm."

I barely heard his words, as I already felt my spirit rising into the welcome hands of StarClan. My paws fell limp and useless first, then the rest of my body followed painfully slowly. At once, I felt the pain vanish as I left the forest behind. The carnage of the battling cats below spread out before me, and I could already see that the clans were winning. Even Scourge seemed to have an air of worry as I passed over him.

I could see the welcoming eyes of every cat I've ever known appear in my mind, voices whispering in my ear.

"Welcome home," They whispered. Home. Home. I'm finally home.

I got to find a way

To get on home to you