Lion's Heart

My name is Frostwind. I am a warrior of NightClan. And today was a sad day for the clan. Well, for me mostly. The last member of my kin, Mooncloud was recently bitten by a venomous snake while we were out hunting in Snake Plains in the hunting patrol. It happened so fast that I couldn't do anything but watch in fear. It felt like it was my fault that I didn't save her from that snake. If only I wasn't a coward. If only I was as brave as she was. Then I could've prevented her death. Snowlily, the medicine cat of the clan padded out of her den and motioned her tail for me to follow her into the den. There I saw Mooncloud lying in the mossy nest, breathing profusely.

"I tried everything I could, Frostwind." mewed the medicine cat. "But I'm afraid her time to join StarClan is nigh."

"B-But there has to be a way to save her!" I protested. "Mooncloud can't die! Not right now!"

"I'm awfully sorry." apologized Snowlily. "But the venom's already in her system and no matter how many horsetail and honey I used, it kept getting worse. I'm truly sorry."

A hard stab of pain impaled me in the heart. Why? Why did it have to be you? If I wasn't a scaredy-mouse, this wouldn't have happened. Padding closer to the nest, I laid by Mooncloud's side. Her chest was rising and falling at a moderate speed from the looks of it. I sighed, finally accepting the fact that I will be alone. Suddenly, I heard a small mewl of pain coming from Mooncloud. Quickly turning my head around, I saw that her eyes were now open.

"I'm sorry, Mooncloud. This is all my fault. I'm the reason why you are joining StarClan." I mewed.

I heard Mooncloud's weak chuckles as she gave me a smile. "It's not your fault, Frostwind."

"But it is my fault!" I protested, tears welling up. "If only I wasn't a cowardly cat! I could've saved you! Maybe Nightstar was right about me. I am a worthless warrior to the clan."

"No you're not. Not to me anyway. You have a lion's heart, Frostwind."

My ears twitched when Mooncloud said that word. A lion's heart? "What do you mean?"

"You should know what I mean, Frostwind." Mooncloud replied. "You have the heart of the lion. And one day you will make a decision that will affect NightClan. Both good and bad."

I blinked in surprise, denial, and confusion. A decision that will affect the whole clan? In what way? "Mooncloud, what do you mean by this?"

Mooncloud didn't respond. She began to slowly close her eyes, and her chest stopped moving. The flowing of tears began to leak through my eyes as I nudged Mooncloud's lifeless body with force.

"No! Mooncloud! Wake up! Please wake up! Tell me more! TELL ME MORE!" I yowled, tearfully.

Tears ran down my cheeks as I heard Snowlily padding into the den. "Come along. We got to tell Nightstar the news."

Snowlily lifted up Mooncloud's limped body and padded out of the den. I stayed behind, Mooncloud's dying words still floating in my head. A decision that will affect NightClan... What does that mean? Starshine...please give me the answer...