Bitter-sweet Dreams and New Responsibilities
"Ruthen," A mysterious voice rose from the clearing she suddenly stood in, which was filled with rich scents of greenleaf. A tortoise-shell tom flicked his bright red tail and disappeared.
She followed him, eager to see what there was to this place. Fallen had told her of StarClan, the warriors' ancestors that lined the sky, but she'd never been there herself. It was at times like these when she missed her mate terribly.
The tortoise-shell slowed to a halt and she glanced up to see a familiar face.
"Ruthen?"
She pushed her nosed into his shoulder and let her tears soak his fur.
"I'm so sorry, Ruthen…" He murmured as he stroked his tail down her back.
"Why can't I stay with you?"
"Because I'm dead and you have to help the Clans."
"What is there for me to do?! I've been trying to get rid of this stupid cough for seasons! All I'm doing, all I've ever done was throw myself in with Fallen and drag him down with me. What do I have left, Demon?"
"My name is Redtail, and I was once a deputy of ThunderClan."
"What do I have left?"
"You have Fallen, who has never seen you as a burden. His newfound mate is Hollyleaf, the black she-cat you met earlier. Her Clan will take you in as one of their own; as will StarClan, when your time comes."
"I take it that time is not here yet?"
"You'll know when it is."
"Then why have I been brought here?"
"StarClan gives prophecies to certain cats so they can help the Clans. I have one such prophecy for you."
"Wouldn't this be better suited for Jayfeather?"
"No, Ruthen. This is your prophecy. You have to help the Clans. You have to at least do it for Fallen."
"Alright." She groused. "Redtail?" The mottled tom nodded.
"The ashes of thunder will rise with darkness, but the sharp claws and the trodden leaves will release them to the wind."
"Is that the prophecy?"
"Yes." Redtail confirmed. "You must take it back to ThunderClan and make of it what you will."
"Will I ever see you again?"
"I'll do my best." Demon promised, licking her forehead. She sighed and inhaled his scent.
"I'll miss you," She mumbled.
"Be strong, my love. You can do this. I'll walk with you every step of the way." He promised.
The first thing the loner did upon waking was approach the giant rock she was told to be the leader's den. She was not the only one up, she noticed. A dark brown tabby with amber eyes flicked his tail in greeting.
"Good morning, Ruthen. Is something wrong?"
"Good morning, Brambleclaw. I have a question."
"Ask away."
"Do you know any cat with the name Ash?"
"There's Ashfur. Why?"
The words came tumbling out, every second of her time with Demon and the new cat, Redtail, who was apparently from StarClan.
"That sounds like a pretty big job," Brambleclaw admitted. "I think I might be able to help, though. Follow me."
The large tabby led her over to the warriors' den.
"Wait here," He ordered. He poked his head into the den and whispered several cats' names, including Ashfur's.
"We need to talk."
A black she-cat exited the den first, Hollyleaf, who was Fallen's new friend, followed by a golden tom with a white underbelly and a black tom with striking amber eyes to Hollyleaf's green. The grey tom, who she assumed to be Ashfur, emerged last.
"Why is it always us?" He groaned when he saw the other cats.
"Ruthen was sent a dream from StarClan." She gave them the abridged version, feeling laden with shame at her selfishness.
"I'm Ashfur, and these are Thornclaw and Breezepelt," He mewed, motioning to the golden tom and the black tom in turn. "And I'm pretty sure you already know Hollyleaf." Ruthen gasped.
"You all have something from the prophecy!" She realized.
"What exactly was the prophecy?"
"The ashes of thunder will rise with darkness, but the sharp claws and the trodden leaves will release them to the wind."
"Yeah, that sounds like us alright." Thornclaw grumbled.
"I didn't mean to wake you all up. I just wanted to figure out what was going on."
"That's alright." Hollyleaf assured the tortoise-shell she-cat.
"We can go on the dawn patrol and fill you in on what you don't know." Ashfur offered.
"Lead the way," Ruthen offered. This could be fun, like the adventures Fallen always dreamed of when they were kits. She would have a purpose!
Any suggestions?