Ashpaw pouted in her nest. She was still mad at Bluepaw. The nerve of some cats! How could she think of mates, when she had to be strong for her family? Winterpaw seemed to do a good job of hiding his depression, but it was obvious that Equinoxpaw couldn't handle the secrets within her family. Once, they asked their mother who their father was. That was the first and last time they ever did. Just then Winterpaw trotted in and sat down next to his sister.
"Hey sissy! It'll be our turn to become warriors in a couple moons, you know!" he exclaimed.
Ashpaw's anger evaporated at her younger brother's excitement. "Yeah! I wish it were sooner."
"Me too. I don't think I can stand clearing out elder's bedding another day!" Dustpaw added as he walked in.
Ashpaw nodded her agreement. Bluepaw burst into the den, panting.
"Guys! I heard Yellowstar talking to Crookedjaw! She said this would be the last meeting she calls for the Clan!" she meowed.
"What?!" Winterpaw exclaimed.
"But... that just can't be!" Dustpaw meowed.
"What do you suppose she means?" Bluepaw asked.
The den was silent for many moments.
"It means she is going to die." Ashpaw meowed quietly.
The apprentices exchanged glances. Ashpaw stared solemnly at the ground.
"We better keep quiet about this." Dustpaw whispered.
The others agreed and curled up in their nests to fall into restless sleeps.
"Yellowstar is dead!" Crookedjaw yowled from the Hightree. The Clan broke into startled and shocked mews. Burtail stepped out of Yellowstar's den and rushed over to Crookedjaw. She whispered something in his ear. Crookedjaw jumped back up to the Hightree. The Clan turned it's attention to him once more.
"Burtail tells me that Yellowstar passed to StarClan in her sleep." he announced.
The cats again broke into murmurs.
"Tonight I will travel to the Moonstone to receive my nine lives and tomorrow, I will chose a new deputy." Crookedstar meowed as two elders carried Yellowstar's body out into the clearing.
"She looks so peaceful." Equinoxpaw murmured.
Ashpaw nodded her agreement. How could Yellowstar have known she was to die so soon? Ashpaw didn't voice her question, so it was to remain unanswered.