A/N: Now for Flower in the River's other suggestion; Bluestar! I've added an interesting little detail to this one…

Disclaimer: Still nothing…

Spirit Cat

There she is again. What does she want? Bluestar thought. She was losing her seventh life after being badly injured in a fight against rats. Every time she lost a life, she could see that strange cat, and smell her unusual scent. Those haunting golden eyes seemed to bore right through her. Bluestar tried to turn to get a better look at her, but she was just in too much pain. The last thing she thought before she finally drew her last breath was that the cat seemed clearer than last time.

Coughs racked her elderly body as Bluestar lay in her den. It was greencough, no doubt about that. She'd lost her sixth life to it once before. Fireheart and Goldenflower were there, watching over her, but they were not alone. She was looking past them at the black cat. She was just sitting there, eyeing Bluestar calmly. Bluestar's eyes narrowed; why did this cat always show up when she was about to lose a life?

More importantly, why was she clearer every time she lost one? She was almost completely solid now. She remembered the first time she lost a life; she saw a blurry image that she couldn't make out. She couldn't tell that it was a cat until she had lost her third life, didn't know that she was black until her fifth, and couldn't smell that she was female until her sixth. It didn't seem like anyone else could see or smell her; why was she the only one? Her thoughts stopped as she breathed her last, losing her eighth life.

Water filled her lungs as she struggled through the river. Falling off of the gorge had not been part of her plan. Goosefeather's warning sounded eerily close now; Water will destroy you. With some help from Oakheart, Fireheart, Mistyfoot and Stonefur, she was able to make it to shore, and finally make amends with her kits. She looked up, and as she expected, the black cat was there, completely solid this time. Oakheart was next to her. "Oakheart… have you come for me? I'm ready," she rasped.

Was she dead? Bluestar opened her eyes and looked around. She felt younger than she had in seasons, and her mind was clearer than before. The sight of her body lying on the ground before her proved it; she was dead.

"You've finally come. It's always such a pain to wait for leaders," a teasing voice greeted. The black cat, Bluestar noted. Oakheart was at her side, but he rushed up to nuzzle her moments later.

"I'm so glad to see you again," he purred happily. Bluestar returned the affection.

"I never stopped thinking of you," she sighed, bliss shining in her eyes.

"I knew it was a good idea to let him come with me," the back cat purred, running her tongue over her front paw. Bluestar's attention turned to her.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"You've wanted to ask me that for a long time, I'd imagine," she mewed in response. "I'm Swiftflight; StarClan's messenger. Let me guess; your next question is why you kept seeing me when you were losing lives." Bluestar nodded. "That's because as a spirit, I can only be seen by the dead or dying. Every time you lost one of your lives, I was sent to claim it. That's why I was always there."

"I see."

"For your last life, I decided to let Oakheart come with me. He hadn't seen you in such a long time; I thought he would be able to help you feel better about your death."

Bluestar purred. "Thank you," she mewed. "My Clan is safe with Firestar, and I am finally at peace. But… will StarClan accept me after what I've done?"

"It is not my decision," Swiftflight said with a shake of her head. "However, I believe that they will accept you. You have suffered through so many hardships in your life, but you have pulled through and your spirit has shone. I have no doubt that StarClan will take you; the cats that I have sent to the Dark Forest were evil beyond forgiveness, and you are not. Are you prepared?"

Bluestar nodded, her eyes shining. "I'm ready."

"Since I came here with Swiftflight, I have to go back with her. You go on ahead; I promise I'll catch up," Oakheart assured.

Swiftflight gently touched her nose to Bluestar's forehead, purring as she faded into starlight. Her look darkened as she heard Tigerstar sneaking away through the bushes. "He'll pay for this; I will make him suffer for every life he has taken."

Did you like it? Please R&R!