Silverbrook turned to face me. "Hello dear." She said quietly, as if she couldn't believe that she was here either.
"Uh. Hi." I winced at the strain to talk. I had already lost so much blood and the flow wasn't showing any signs of stopping.
"I'm glad I will get to speak with you before we have to return to our clans." She turned momentarily, to claw at Liontail again.
Turning back around she said."Do you believe that Cheetahheart is your mother and that you belong in AirClan?"
"What?" I asked.
"Answer."
"Yes" I returned.
"Then that's what you shall believe. Even if it is not true."
"Not true? What do you mean?" I was confused now.
"I am your mother." She said. "You are originally from FireClan. Grasstail told me so."
I struggled to place the name. Grasstail. I suddenly remembered him from the Gathering. He's the FireClan medicine cat. That must have been what Swiftbreeze wanted to tell me that day. I thought.
"I am your mother. Liontail is your father. I loved him once, but that was before evil coursed through his veins. He died of greencough." As she talked Liontail glowed he faded into the light that he had come as. Then, with a flash, he was gone.
"It was he who led you out of the camp hat fateful night. He led you to AirClan so you couldn't be with me." She continued. "That is why you grew up in AirClan."
I gawked at her. This was terrifying. And I was in pain. The blood was still flowing.
"Mother?" I asked.
"Yes." She grinned. "I must go now. but remember this until you join the ranks of StarClan."
Badgerpelt had stepped in by now. "We need to get you to Swiftbreeze." H said urgently. I nodded as I watched Silverbrook cross back over the border to FireClan.
I looked at Badgerpelt. He was worried. I saw it in his eyes. But his weakness gave me the strength to stand and feebly make my way back to camp relying on Badgerpelt to hold me up. We crossed back into the grassy fields. And slowly worked our way back to the main path.
As we entered camp other cats crowded around me. "Back off. Everyone. Away." Badgerpelt shielded me from the pressing crowd.
I was carried into Swiftbreeze's den. Groaning, I was gingerly placed in the nest by the entrance. I gazed steadily up at Badgerpelt. "Badgerpelt, listen to me."
"No, you're not gonna die. You're not gonna die." He repeated. Tears began to stream down his muzzle.
"Badgerpelt. Listen. I know that I will die soon, and I accept that. I am going to StarClan with a clear conscience." I coughed up blood. "I... Love you." I struggled to finish. "Follow... Follow me to the end." I set my head down on the grassy nest. With my eyes closed I listened as Badgerpelt gave up on me. He pressed his muzzle in to my bloodied flank.
I felt my spirit lifted in to the air and carried off to StarClan. "Goodbye." I whispered with my final breath.
"Noo!" Badgerpelt sobbed. "I love you! I will follow you to the end!" He shrieked. willing me to live. Goodbye. I'll see you in StarClan.