A/N: This story is inspired by Clangen!
Allegiances
Sedge — pale ginger-and-white tabby tom with green eyes.
Sand — dusty brown she-cat with amber eyes
Thrush — golden-brown tabby tom with green eyes
Dark — jet black she-cat with yellow eyes
Patch — black-and-white tom with yellow eyes
Willow — mottled ginger tabby she-cat with green eyes
Prologue
A silent sky waited patiently over a lush forest; the milky moon was nearly full, touching the earth with a dim light that tinged the cedar trees silver.
Near the river, a clearing in the forest bustled with intensely thick sadness. Cats of all ages paced from den to den, pelts bristled anxiously and mouths muttering words of uncertainty. Queens hushed their kits and sent them to bed while warriors sent their apprentices on evening patrols to fetch more moss.
A young cat, feeling as though he bore the weight of the whole Clan, sprung across camp with a poultice in his jaws. He fought back the urge to drop it, for the bitter taste left a sour feeling on his tongue. But there were far worse things to be worrying about right now than a nasty flavor in his mouth.
He skidded to a halt just before the medicine den. He had been Patchfeather's apprentice for moons now and was close to receiving his own medicine cat name, but the overwhelming smell of illness and infection was sometimes far too nauseating for him.
Tonight was so much worse.
His ears swiveled at the sounds coming from inside the den. Pawsteps and murmurs of quieted conversations were just at the edge of his nose. He lashed his tail, wishing he could just drop the poultice at the entrance of the den and go hide.
"Sootpaw," meowed a firm voice, warm breath just a whisker away, "come inside if you will."
His eyes met those of Juniperstem, the other lead medicine cat. FernClan had grown in size with every passing season. It took three medicine cats to ensure the health of all of the warriors. Juniperstem was not nearly as young as Sootpaw, but he was far from the age that Patchfeather was.
"Okay," Sootpaw finally mustered. Juniperstem seemed shaken; the dappled gray cat knew that that wasn't a good sign.
He padded through the entrance, shivering at the feeling of ferns brushing against his pelt. His nose wrinkled almost immediately at the hot smell of an infected wound. His belly ached and his head spun, but he went over to where his mentor sat.
"Patchfeather?" Sootpaw said gently, placing the poultice down. "Patchfeather, I made the medicine like you said."
The old cat looked over his shoulder, a faded glow in his round yellow eyes. "Thank you, youngster." Patchfeather paused and allowed his gaze to drift down and to the side. A long sigh rolled from his chest and he curled his tail around his paws. "I'm afraid I won't need it."
Sootpaw felt his heart stop. Juniperstem's pelt brushed against his. "Sedgestar went downhill fast," he whispered. "He's losing his last life."
The little gray cat blinked. Hesitantly, he placed one paw in front of the other until he was standing next to Patchfeather.
Sedgestar's elderly body was curled neatly as though he were sound asleep. The gash in his side, inflicted upon him by a cat that he so desperately tried to save, glistened red and yellow with infection. The stench of rot was heavy as though the air were logged with rockweight.
Is he…?
Sootpaw searched for a sign of life. Sedgestar's mouth parted slightly and a gust of wind came from him. His breathing was too shallow to see physically.
Patchfeather extended his paw and placed it on Sedgestar's shoulder. Two cats, who had both been warriors at one point in both of their lives, suddenly seemed so frail and vulnerable. Sootpaw wanted to say something to comfort his mentor, but he felt as though silence was the kindest thing he could give.
A moment later, however, the silence was broken by Patchfeather's words. "I am so lucky to have known you and served you." He crouched and rested his chin in the dent of Sedgestar's neck. Sootpaw took a delicate step back, allowing the ragged black-and-white tom some space to grieve his dying friend.
"How is he?" Juniperstem mewed a moment later.
Patchfeather didn't lift his head. "He's still with us."
"Shall I fetch the elders?"
"If you would." Patchfeather's words fell over each other. Juniperstem padded out of the den. Before the silence became overwhelming, Sedgestar's mouth made a mrrow noise. Patchfeather took in a sharp breath and sat up.
Sootpaw could see the last bit of hope in his mentor's body perk up for just a heartbeat. He glanced back down at Sedgestar, who was lifting his head off of the ground. A gasp escaped Sootpaw's throat.
"Sedgestar!"
Patchfeather pressed his head into Sedgestar's ginger pelt. "You're far too stubborn for your own good." he whispered.
The dying leader forced a chuckle. "I can't go without saying goodbye. You know I love. . .my formalities. . ." Sedgestar trailed off, his milky eyes flashing towards the corner of the den. "I shall be with our friends soon, Patchfeather."
"I will miss you. I can only hope I'll join you all soon." Patchfeather breathed. His black tail draped across Sedgestar's caved-in flank. At one point in his life, those muscles carried him further than any cat could ever have imagined.
I still need you, Patchfeather, Sootpaw thought sadly.
Sedgestar exhaled deeply as a gurgle rattled in his lungs. The apprentice knew now that it was only a matter of time.
Sootpaw moved forward hastily. "Sedgestar. . ."
Patchfeather nudged the younger cat gently. "Why don't you go console the Clan?" he murmured with the softness of a well-groomed coat. Sootpaw hesitantly nodded, the knot in his belly growing larger.
"Patchfeather, my dearest friend, will you lay with me?" Sedgestar croaked.
Patchfeather touched noses with the leader. "Of course," he murmured as he curled around Sedgestar's bony frame. Sedgestar closed his eyes and leaned into Patchfeather's warmth.
At that moment, Juniperstem returned with the elders; the last remaining Clan founders. Sedgestar peered at them through half-lidded eyes, a loving meow scratching its way out of his throat.
"My friends," he whispered. "How lucky am I to have done this with you all? No cat could have had a better family than I."
The remainder of that evening, the elders took turns sharing tongues with their old friend.
As to give the elders time, Sootpaw sat outside of the medicine den, staring up at the moon. Exhaustion lay heavy on his eyes, but he knew he couldn't rest. Occasionally, he would report to the warriors or speak with any passing Clan cat.
Silverpelt twinkled above the trees and he wondered how many StarClan warriors were waiting for Sedgestar.
A while later, when the air had grown cold and the breeze began to rouse, Juniperstem stood beside Sootpaw. There was a long, quiet moment that passed.
"Sedgestar is gone." the medicine cat murmured.
Sootpaw already knew. He could feel his leader's spirit being carried on the wind.
The surrealness of it all was suffocating. Tomorrow, Stormheart would be named leader and a new legacy would dawn and life would go on without Sedgestar.
"Come," Juniperstem said a few moments later. "Help me tell the rest of the Clan."
Sootpaw rose to his feet but as he followed after the other medicine cat, he took notice of how strong the wind was now. He could feel the presence of Sedgestar's soul bounding through camp. A wave of warmth washed over him before he fell chilly from the night air once more. Sootpaw felt the urge to look up and search beyond the silver tree tops.
Far, far above his head the stars shone brighter.