Stars

When Lightningstripe leaped into the wall of flame, she didn't realize at the time that she would be scorched. Or that she would die.

But die she did; and now she was here, in the bottom part of StarClan's hunting grounds.

There was a path leading up to the stars. It went up far, very far; as far as she could see, and even then some. The effect was…. magical.

I miss ThunderClan, Lightningstripe thought. Why, oh why did I have to try to save that kit? I knew that she was dead, anyways….

The truth was that Lightningstripe never really liked her ability to tell when storms were coming. Some cats still called her "cursed" and "evil" because of her weird ability…. and she hated it.

Therefore, she wanted to die.

Why, you ask? Why did she want to die? It was only a few cats.

But to Lightningstripe, it meant the world. And she wanted peace, and happiness…. even if she had to die to get it.

I must be deranged or something. Since when did I start thinking like that???

Suddenly, Lightningstripe heard a mewl behind her.

"Lightningstripe! Lightningstripe!" a little voice called.

Lightningstripe whirled around in obvious relief. "Applekit!" she called, her voice filled with joy.

"You're here!" Applekit mewed happily. "But…. wait…. Where are we?!"

"We are in StarClan's hunting grounds," Lightningstripe explained sadly. "You and I are both dead."

Applekit looked shocked. "No—that isn't true! Let me out of here!"

"Well, here's a path…. leading up to StarClan, I guess," Lightningstripe said hesitantly. "Let's follow it. Maybe…. you're not really dead, after all. Maybe…. they'll let you and I go back."

"Oh, I sure hope so!" Applekit bounced into place behind her. Lightningstripe laughed.

Lightningstripe followed the path of stars; up, high, high up, into the air. Applekit kept gasping with admiration. "Oh, wow! Look at this! Lightningstripe, this is amazing!"

Lightningstripe paused at the top. "Look," she meowed sadly. "You can see the lake…."

"Yes," said a voice. "You can. This is StarClan's hunting grounds."

Both cats jumped. Applekit and Lightningstripe turned to face Spottedleaf.

"Come with me…." she purred. "I am Spottedleaf. I am from way back. I have been watching over ThunderClan since the era of Firestar."

"Wh-What…. You—you knew Firestar?!" Applekit gasped.

"Yes, little one; I did," Spottedleaf laughed. Her laugh was high and silvery, Lightningstripe noticed. "You died in the fire…. there's no saving you now…. you can't go back."

Applekit let out a desperate mewl. "But—Mother! What will happen to her! She'll be sad!"

"Well, yes; she will be," Spottedleaf agreed. "But she'll be happy knowing that you're safe!"

"Y-Yes…. I guess…." Applekit could not deny the medicine cat's wisdom.

"Let's go," Spottedleaf urged them. "Let's go meet the rest of StarClan. You'll like it there, I'm sure."

Together, Applekit and Lightningstripe followed Spottedleaf up into the stars.