Chapter 10

There was a cat standing over me I when I woke up the next morning. I jumped before realizing it was Fishcreek. "Oh sorry." He meowed. I just shurgged. He said, "Before training today, I want to talk to you. Meet me in the training hollow." I nodded and he left the den. I got up and stretched.

"Fernpaw!" Smallflower called, "We are meeting Silverpaw and Fishcreek in the training hollow." Huh? They are? I stopped at the camp entrance and waited for them. Then the three of us headed for the training hallow.

Fishcreek was waiting for us when we got that. He looked right into my eyes and said, "I am sorry for doubting you. I acted like a kit and I am sorry." I accepted his apology and forgave him. "You have our full support."

We reviewed hunting techniques and then our mentors sent us off. Fernpaw and I stuck together. Suddenly I felt very afraid. was wrong here. I sniffed the air, detecting an unfamiliar scent. I turned around just in time to see a huge creature jump out of the bushes. It was red, with an ugly muzzle and a hideous smell. His jump landed right in front of me. I heard Fernpaw fleeing but I was rooted to the ground in shock. Its huge claws swiped at my face, I cried out in pain and fell to my paws.

Oh the pain! I had never ever felt this much pain. I cried out again. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Starclan help! Fishcreek! PLEASE!" The creature continually slashed at me. I whimpered again. My only hope was that Fernpaw would return with help soon. Cause my grip on life was slipping…my eyes closed, my heart slowed and I said good-bye to the world…

…

Faster! I had to be as fast as Windclan. My sister was in trouble! I wouldn't lose her! Not after Mosskit. I couldn't bear it. Finally I found our mentors. They looked up, startled by my sudden was there too, but I didn't allow myself time to wonder why. "Help! We were attacked!" I yelled before they could say anything.

While we were running, I panted. "Silverpaw! A huge creature's attacked. It's red with an ugly snout and an awful smell. I think its really hurting her!"The two warriors increased their speed and so did I, pushing myself to the limit. I could hear ferocious hissing and snarling so I knew they were fighting the creature. Fox. That's the name Smallflower had identified the creature with. I reached the scene and looked for Watersong who was, without a doubt with my sister. I spotted her near a bramble thicket.

I ran up to her. She brushed her pelt against mine, blocking my view of Silverpaw. "Fernpaw," She meowed gently, "Silverpaw's…" I didn't let her finish. Pulling away, I stood over my sister.

There are no words to describe what happened or how I was feeling. As I look at my precious sister, I let loose a wail of despair. Her entire pelt was covered in awful scratches. I nuzzled her gently. She was deathly cold, and her scent wasn't right.

I spotted Oakstorm walking toward me. Anger replaced sadness. I bounded up to him, preventing him from getting any closer to Silverpaw. "Get away from her! You aren't even her friend! All you did was hurt her!" I snarled. He flinched, then narrowed his eyes.

"Fine." I could hear the unspoken words, "Be that way.I guess I should have exected you wouldn't understand my motives." He padded to Sandclaw, who nuzzled him. I rolled my eyes.

I walked back to Silverpaw, and murmured softly to her. Watersong and Fishcreek joined me, and slowly, we carried her home.

…

When I opened my eyes again, there was no pain. I glanced around. Everything was sparkling, the ground, the trees the… Oh my gosh I was in Starclan! I … died?... I started hyperventilating. OH MY GOSH! I died! I gasped. I couldn't have died! What about Fernpaw and Shadepaw? What about Willowshadow and Rockshade? And Fishcreek and Rosedrop? I started running. I wasn't sure why; Maybe I thought if I ran fast enough, or long enough, I would wake up in my nest.

I wasn't watching where I was putting my paws and ran into a tree. Owww. "Mousebrain," I whispered to myself.

"Watch where you're putting your paws." I heard a mrrow of laughter behind me. Great. I spun around, ready to snap at the cat but it was Mosskit! I stumbled over to her, causing her to laugh again. Then she steadied me with her tail and wrapped it around my shoulders.

"Let's go get a drink." Mosskit guided me over to the river. I lowered my head and lapped at the water. It was deliciously cold and tasted like liquid happiness and starlight. "Follow me," she meowed when I finished. I watched her padded away, before trailing after her. What was going on?

She walked through the forest confidently. I realized how much she had grown. She was almost taller than me. Wow. She stopped when we reached a clearing in the trees. There were Starclan cats waiting. She walked to the center of the clearing and dipped her head to a large tom. He nodded in return. I got the feeling he was an important cat. There were other cats in the circle but they did not react in any way.

He was strikingly blue in color, with a long tail and pale yellow eyes. Then Mosskit padded forward and sat to his left. On his right was a cream-colored she-cat with darker cream legs and paws, ears, tail, and face. Her eyes were deep violet and she seemed delicate. Too delicate for clan life. The blue cat spoke. "I am Riverstar. I founded and led Riverclan for seasons before I was called into Starclan. This is Skyheart. She was my medicine cat." He inclined his head toward the creamy cat. I dipped my head to both of them.

I assumed they were here to welcome me to Starclan, but why them? They were legendary. I never knew them. Shouldn't more familiar cats show me around the territory? "I am honored to be in your presence." I mewed to the ancient cats. He nodded in acknowledgement.

Mosskit spoke now, all humor gone as she too meowed seriously, "Riverstar and Skyheart have consulted with the other founding leaders. They all agree the forest still needs you." Yeah…. And? So what if the forest needed me? I had nothing more to do with it.

Unless they were going to give me the power to enter dreams. I could see Shadepaw again! My heart beat excitedly. But Mosskit wasn't finished speaking. "They have decided to send you back." My eyes grew wide. They had the power to do this with ordinary cats? Or was it because of the prophecy? "Bear it in mind that this is serious. You will the only cat to ever be sent back. This is only happening because your destiny hasn't been fufilled. StarClan never saw the fox kill you when they chose your destiny. Otherwise they would have prevented the fox from hurting you."

"… um…wow…" I wasn't sure what I should say. " I don't know what to say…" Mosskit smiled but her eyes were still steady.

"Say yes."

I snorted "I'd give anything to go back." I looked down for the first time, and noticed my pelt was shining and mark free. Stars seem to radiate from my body.

"You will have to go through a lot of pain to go back, and you will definitely have a lot of scars." That was Riverstar speaking. I nodded. All the cats stepped forward: a black tom with a calico at his side; a gray she-cat and a silver tabby; and a ginger she-cat with a fluffy white tom.

Mosskit stepped forward; she had just as much power as the founders, because of the prophecy. "Close your eyes," they said in unison. I couldn't pick Mosskit's name out of the group. I shut my eyes tightly, secretly scared of the pain. "Breathe out through your nose," unison again. I obliged. They seemed to be pushing out but I didn't see what it was.

The next minute I could feel what it. Power. And strength. I felt invincible, strong. And weak! Great Starclan! The powerful feeling ebbed, giving way to pain. I looked down and saw myself fading. I couldn't find my voice. I looked at Mosskit, hoping she knew how much I loved her. I choked once before I gasped and opened my eyes.

The pain hit me. I hope the Starclan cats gave me enough strength to survive. The pain seemed overpowering. "Shade… Shadepaw." I managed.

She was at my side in an instant, her eyes huge. "Watersong!" she yelled. The medicine cat was at her side as soon as my sister had spoken. Then she saw me.

"Oh blessed Starclan!" she and Shadepaw ran to the storage cleft and brought out a lot of cobwebs. They started to pat them into place. My pelt, which had been so beautiful in StarClan, was covered in scratches. Some of them were deep, others not so bad.

I moaned. Shadepaw asked, "Poppy seeds?" I nodded. She disapeared for a moment, but reapeared with a poppy seed. "Just one, to dim the pain. I'm afraid if I give you too much that you'll fall asleep and never wake up." I nodded and licked the poppy seed, swallowing it down. She continued to help her mentor. It took them a few more minutes.

Watersong asked, "Do you feel well enough to face the clan?" I pondered that for a moment. I realized I really wanted to see everyone, enough to fight the pain. Watersong walked out of the den and I saw her stop to talk to Rainstar. The two cats emerged into his den.

Moments later, the two cats jumped onto Mossrock. "All cats old enough to swim gather under Moss rock for a clan meeting." The clan assembled, expecting a death ceremony. They were in for a big surprise. I spotted Fernpaw, and humbled to see how miserable she looked. "Riverclan, I see sad looks from all of you, but I know I have something to make you all feel better." That was my cue so I stepped out from the den.

I heard my name called out but didn't try to match the voice to my clanmate. The rest of the clan turned to see what happened. I was surprised to see just how much I meant to the clan. Every cat looked ecstatic to see me. My name was passed around the camp, echoing off the dens.