Hello, hello! I'm happy to have finished yet another chapter of Born into Stars! Enjoy
A moon had passed since Sparrowsong found out she had Lassa fever. The symptoms only grew worse as the dawns went by, no matter how much the medicine cats tried to treat her. Greenleaf was almost at its end, and the temperature became cooler than before, though prey was still plentiful.
Sparrowsong sat in the back of the medicine den, her breaths painful and shallow. Bubblecloud and Mintwillow gave her coltsfoot and juniper berries, but none seemed to really work. Mintwillow came into the den, and sat by Sparrowsong. "How are you feeling?" She asked gently.
"Like I'm dying," Sparrowsong rasped miserably. She was swelling all over, and her chest was tight with pain. Over the days she had gotten many visitors, including Lilyfeather, Airwing, Oakfur, Pricklestar, Fireblaze, and even Shimmerfur. They were worried about her, but not as worried as she was for herself. She didn't want to die, but it seemed as if that was exactly what was going to happen.
"Don't worry Sparrowsong, you'll be fine," Mintwillow tried to reassure, but Sparrowsong could plainly hear the unsteadiness in her voice. She decided to let the lie slip past, mostly because she was too tried to try and respond. Why is this happening to me? She wondered.
…
"You have to eat!"
"But I'm not hungry-"
"You haven't eaten in days! Do you want to die faster?"
"No…"
"Then eat!"
Sparrowsong was crouched in her makeshift nest that lay in the medicine cat den. Bubblecloud was nudging a fat mouse at her and telling her to eat it, but she wasn't feeling very well.
"Eat NOW!" Bubblecloud had lost her patience, and was looking as if she were about to shove the mouse down Sparrowsong's throat if she didn't eat it soon.
"Fine," Sparrowsong wheezed. Her breathing hasn't gotten much better, which couldn't be good. She nibbled at the mouse, nausea arising in her belly. As soon as she finished the mouse, her stomach churned, and none of what she ate stayed inside of her belly.
"Oh Sparrowsong, I'll get you some willow…"
She's treating me like a kit!
Sparrowsong groaned aloud as Bubblecloud stuffed some willow herb in her mouth. "Swallow it," Bubblecloud instructed. The sick warrior nodded weakly and swallowed the bland herb. The medicine gave her a few poppy seeds, and she took those as well.
Bubblecloud gave Sparrowsong a comforting nudge, and left her patient's side. A sharp quiver ran through Sparrowsong's veins, and she felt her vision begin to blur. The last thing she saw before her eyes involuntarily shut, was Bubblecloud racing toward her, panic in her eyes. Is this death? She wondered briefly, and she felt herself drift away.
…
Sparrowsong opened her eyes. Though her vision was still a blur, she could recognize the place she was in. Starclan, am I dead? She didn't feel sick anymore, so she knew she must be.
She saw a shape rush toward her, and she heard the sharp demanding voice of her mother. "You cannot die! The clans need you!"
"Huh, what?" Sparrowsong tried to ask, her voice strained.
"You are the bridge, the world needs you!" Moonberry shoved her daughter to her paws, "Now follow me, you mustn't open your eyes!"
Sparrowsong immediately shut her eyes, believing of her mother, and followed her blindly. The trip wasn't long, and when Moonberry stopped, Sparrowsong crashed into her. "Sorry, I didn't see you there." Sparrowsong meowed, her tone sarcastic. Moonberry stiffened, "No time for jokes, you need to jump."
Sparrowsong didn't question her, "Okay, but I'm going to miss you, again."
"I'll miss you too, but you must jump!"
"Alright."
Sparrowsong stretched her legs out, eyes still closed, and took a leap off of the ground.
…
"Is she dead?"
"Oh no, I think she is…"
"The poor thing, she had a whole life as a warrior to live out!"
"Does that mean I'll get her nest?"
"Quiet, Honeybrair!"
"Oh no…"
Sparrowsong lay in the familiar ground of the territory. She, confused, remained staying still and tried to make out the voices she heard. She let out a breath, and took one in. No, I'm not dead, I will live.
She blinked her eyes open, and shook her head lightly for the vision to clear. Somehow she didn't feel sick anymore. A crowd of cats stood inside the medicine den, all looking concerned and saddened.
Sparrowsong stared at them, until finally someone noticed she wasn't dead. It was Lilyfeather.
"She's alive! She isn't dead!" Lilyfeather called out joyfully. Some cats stared at her, relief glimmering in their eyes. "I'm so glad you made it," Rileyheart meowed. Sparrowsong nodded, grinning lightly. Sparrowsong noticed a cat pushing through the crowd behind. She looked up to see Oakfur running toward her. He ran through the crowd and right up to Sparrowsong.
"Sparrowsong," He sighed, "I was so nervous for you!"
I bet I was more nervous for myself, she thought, but still smiling lightly at Oakfur.
"I never realized how much a cared about you, not until I knew you were… gone," He said.
Sparrowsong blinked at him, happy her friend was there with her. "What are you saying?" She whispered. Oakfur took a step closer to her. "What I'm saying is, I do love you," He mewed, "Can we… Can we be mates?"
Sparrowsong beamed, "Of course!"
Sighs of adoration arose from the crowd. Many cats looked happy, that is, except for Fireblaze and Pricklestar. How will I talk to them about this? She asked herself.
She stopped thinking as she felt Oakfur's muzzle press against hers.
Love is all we need, and maybe all I need to do is find some for Pricklestar and Fireblaze.
It won't be too hard, I just need to get Fireblaze to recognize Airwing, and for Pricklestar to like Oceanfall.
I just hope they understand.
Sparrowsong and Oakfur sitting in a tree, N-U-Z-Z-L-I-N-G. Again, not-so-good chapter, but whatever! Even so, I hope you all enjoyed, I guess ^_^
I love getting reviews, so send them in!
~Lisa