Legacies
Chapter 10
A/N: Here's MY next chapter. Sorry this took so long!
Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors.
CINDERPAW'S POV
Cinderpaw blinked open her eyes. Cloudtail lay in front of her, stretched out so that it looked like he was only sleeping. Berrypaw's fur mingled with her own, and she pushed herself to her paws, feeling a wave of sadness as she stared down at the white warrior.
She spotted Berrypaw getting to his feet and rushed to his side. The cream colored tom pressed his muzzle into her side, purring. Cinderpaw returned the gesture, twining her tail with his. Cinderpaw lifted her head to looks him in the eye, when something behind Berrypaw caught her eye. Poppypaw stood a few mouse-lengths behind him, eyes narrowed in rage.
POPPYPAW'S POV
Poppypaw snarled, watching Cinderpaw and Berrypaw. That-that piece of foxdung had ruined her life. But then again, she had made a promise to Berrypaw.
Now Cinderpaw would pay.
LEAFPOOL'S POV
After the elders had taken Cloudtail's body out of camp, Leafpool was busy sorting herbs. She was rolling a couple of dried poppy seeds into a corner when Poppypaw came in, collapsing onto the den floor.
"Oh, StarClan, help! I'm dying!" Poppypaw wailed, her voice echoing across camp. Leafpool immediately dropped the herbs.
"What happened?" She asked urgently. Poppypaw let out another yowl.
By this time, a crowd of cats had gathered out side the den, Cinderpaw and Berrypaw among them. Leafpool twitched her tail at the growing audience, telling them to keep their distance.
"What's wrong with her?" Firestar asked, coming up to Leafpool's side. The medicine cat turned to look at him.
"I don't know! She looks fine! I can't find anything wrong with her!" Leafpool's voice had reached a high pitched wail. Her eyes frantically searched the young apprentice's body, searching for something.
POPPYPAW'S POV
Poppypaw smiled, feeling the life ebb out of her. She had been spending some time with a couple of rogues over the past few days, and she had picked up quite a few diseases. Very contagious diseases. With a heave, she jerked her body just enough so that it was barely touching Cinderpaw. She smiled. The disease was transferred. Over the next few days, Cinderpaw would get weaker and weaker, until she was at the same stage that Poppypaw was at now. Soon, the great Cinderpaw would be nothing more than a memory.
Poppypaw felt darkness creeping up to her. She flailed around, trying to escape it, but there was no hope. With a sigh, she closed her eyes, and gave in to the darkness.
LEAFPOOL'S POV
Leafpool bent over the apprentice. Poppypaw's breathing had stopped, and Leafpool lowered her head in defeat.
"She's dead," she meowed, to grief stricken to look up. She heard a faint wail from behind, and turned to find Sorreltail, Poppypaw's mother, staring at the apprentice, wide-eyed.
Brackenfur, Sorreltail's mate, pushed his muzzle into her fur, calming her. Sorreltail let out one more yowl before lowering her head and letting Brackenfur guide her away.
With a sigh, Leafpool bent to pick up Poppypaw's body. Like before, she could smell nothing out of the ordinary, except the all too familiar stench of death. She ragged the body out into the clearing, and positioned it so that it looked as though Poppypaw was just enjoying a good afternoon rest. A couple of cats had gathered around the body, including Brackenfur, and Firestar, the flame colored leader.
"Sorreltail sleeping," Brackenfur meowed to her as he reached her side. Leafpool nodded.
"It's strange," she meowed. "I've never seen anything like this." Leafpool flicked her tail at Poppypaw's body. Brackenfur nodded at her.
Leafpool looked up to see Firestar standing on the Highledge, his ginger coat standing out like a flame on the gray stone.
"Today, we gather to honor Poppypaw. She was a brave apprentice, and a great friend. She will be a worthy addition to StarClan's ranks." Firestar dipped his head.
"Brackenfur and Sorreltail can sit with her until Moonhigh. After that, others may join them. This meeting is dismissed." Firestar leaped down the rocks. Brackenfur emerged from the Warrior's den leading Sorreltail. Leafpool was shocked at how bad the she-cat looked. Her eyes had a haunted look in them; her fur was matted and dirty.
CINDERPAW'S POV
Cinderpaw pressed up against Berrypaw, staring at shock at Poppypaw. She knew the young apprentice had never liked her, but she couldn't help feeling a stab of grief. Poppypaw still had her whole life ahead of her. She hadn't deserved to die!
Berrypaw, sensing her distress, gave her a swift lick on the ear. "It's okay," he purred. "She's happy now. You know that." Cinderpaw nodded. Firestar leaped down from the Highledge, and Cinderpaw turned away. She spotted Brackenfur sitting off to the side, Honeypaw and Molepaw beside him. She caught his eye, and he beckoned her over.
"Firestar said you could sit with her now if you wanted," he meowed as she reached him. Cinderpaw nodded. She settled down next to her sister's body, and began to groom her ears.
"Goodbye, Poppypaw," she meowed softly. "I'll never forget you."
A/N: How was it? Oh, Steeltalon, can you do the next one? I'll be on vacation for a couple of weeks.