The 3rd Life Lost

[Seafeather]

Seastar

Thud-thud, thud, thud thud th-thud, thud thud th-, Seastar's paced increased as she led her clan through the hunting grounds of FrostClan. She needed to get back to the camp as soon as possible, she was dying. She wondered what Bluesparrow would do with her...seeing for the first time what happened to her. She had told him a few nights before the gathering, and he took it well, but indeed was sad. She was almost running ten fox-lengths ahead of her clan. Hurry up slow-slugs! She yelled in her mind. Maybe this was the time for them to know...maybe, just maybe, this is the proper time.

Seastar slowed down her pace, catching her breath while her clan caught up to her, she walked side by side with Cedarwing, not choosing to step ahead of him like a leader should, but standing side by side in friendship and as a comrade. She walked with them at their own pace, her mind was telling her to flee her clan and run to the camp as fast as she could. But she stayed firm with her clan, preparing herself for the next life lost.

As the slow-pace dragged everything out, eventually she could see the bramble thickets of the camp's wall. Weaved in with dead evergreen twigs to make the camp walls stronger. I might make it to my nest..I might- thud-thud, thud, thud-thud-thud-th, thud...th- Seastar was shocked that she heard her own heart stop, she fell and curled up in pain before the frightening blackness overtook her and sent her into StarClan's arms, one life less than before.


OOC: This if for ALL of the FrostClan cats. So if you have multiple cats in FrostClan then use all of your characters in one post, please no double posting. This will happen every month or two depending on my mood. Please, reply all of you. -.-' This is supposed to be an unveiling of something terrible so everyone must reply!

[Raccoonstar]

DUSKWING

Duskwing padded back with Seastar, her guard lowered, her gaze happy. Seastar seemed to want to hurry up the Clan, but Duskwing had to stay behind with Sunkit, who was a kit, and therefore slower than her. She calmed the little kit, and prevent her from inspecting the little things she was so excited to see. Then Seastar fell. She collapsed in a heap, and Duskwing picked up Sunkit by the scruff and raced her over so a safe place. "Stay here, Sunkit," she whispered firmly to her kit, then raced over to Seastar's limp body. "Live, darn you, live!" Duskwing cried, sobbing icy tears onto Seastar's fur. She knew that Seastar wouldn't die, she had more lives to live, more time to hold. But losing a life was an awful thing to happen. "Get up, Seastar. Get up, please. Please, please, please. You have to get up." Duskwing begged, not waiting for anyone else to come forth and steal this moment. She buried her dark-furred muzzle into Seastar, wetting her fur with her tears. Seastar would get up soon. She'd have to. For the sake of everyone in FrostClan. Duskwing wouldn't allow this moment to be stolen if it was the last thing she did. Not for Smokeleaf, though she doubted the smoky she-cat could do anything, not for Cedarwing, though why he'd come, she didn't know, not even for Bluesparrow, who she knew had a crush on Seastar. No. This was her moment. And hers alone. But it wouldn't be, since she couldn't control the others and what they would do. She'd have to share. But she was fine with this, as long as the warriors that had begun to crowd around their leader backed off for a minute to let Duskwing have hers. But why should they? They didn't know Duskwing like Duskwing knew herself. They couldn't read her mind. So they wouldn't know to back off. No. They'd create a mob of cats rushing to Seastar's aid. And then some brave cat would yell at them to back off and fan out, but by then, their voices would fall on deaf ears. Once Seastar did get up however, the mobbed crowd would turn into a frenzy to help Seastar. Duskwing would be the first to assist her, probably. It was a first come, first served basis, and Duskwing was closest, and therefore first. Who knows who might be next. Spottedwing, Rivershadow, Iceglade, Bluesparrow, Smokeleaf, Cedarwing, it could be any of them and so many possible others. At least Sunkit would be safe from the throng of warriors, if she followed her adopted mother's advice. She'd have to, or get lost in the crowd of a dozen stampeding warriors. Duskwing shut her eyes and ears to all of this, disallowing herself to hear the other warriors' cries, the sight of a mob moving around like wasps, she just focused herself on her leader. Her fallen, great, pretty, feisty, spunky, and wonderful leader. Oh, Seastar... Duskwing thought. How could this happen?

[fαllεη •]

The uneven thudding in her chest was the first thing Smokeleaf noticed. She felt light-headed; dropped the herbs she had been mixing and sat down heavily, almost crushing the others that lay scattered around her den. She hadn't slept since leaving the Gathering, had run all the way home, just to prove to those starry fatalists that she wasn't giving up. Their failure to help just made her all the more determined to save Seastar's life, if she possibly could. What else could she do? Just sit around and wait for the kit to die?

But she recognised the odd feeling, an empathy that she couldn't explain but immediately understood. 'Seastar.' She scanned the piles of herbs, her heart thudding hard. Which of them might help? Which? They all looked so wrong so... useless. And then the odd thrumming in her ears stopped and, with a sinking heart and a feeling like ice water dribbling down her neck, she realised it was too late for all her half-baked remedies. She couldn't stop what was already happening; she couldn't bring back Seastar's newly-lost life. With a pawful of chamomile and the smallest dab of honey tied up in an oak leaf, she was out the medicine cat den like a forest-fire in a storm.

Seastar's body, with Duskwing sobbing over it, crushed something inside her, but she ignored it. Just sat down beside Seastar's head and brushed her tail over the dying leader's flank-- a motherly gesture, though Smokeleaf was about as aware of that as she was of the tears welling in her eyes. She dumped the bundle at her own paws. There was nothing a medicine cat could do for her... not now.

[Fallinggaze]

Fallinggaze sat in the nursery watching the kits play, and waited for her own to come.
Fallinggaze noticed how one kit was stronger than all over the others. She must've been born
the first. But soon, Fallinggaze felt a cold breeze. She turned around, and assumed it was just a
strange wind. However, when she looked up into the sky, she was sure she saw a blinking,
moving group of stars (an airplane).

Something was wrong in the camp. Fallinggaze looked outside of the nursery once again. She
saw a small crowd of cats in one area. What's wrong? thought Fallinggaze. I hope
everything's okay. Fallinggaze started towards the crowd. She looked nervously at the kits
behind her, who had stopped playing, and were gazing at the crowd.

Fallinggaze smelt strong fear. From the smell, she knew something truly terrible had happened.
She noticed how more cats were joining the crowd. She circled around the crowd until she saw
a small gap between two cats. Fallinggaze squeezed her head through, and peeked through the
middle of the circle.

Seastar lay in the middle of the circle along with Duskwing and Smokeleaf. Fallinggaze thought
that Smokeleaf was angry at Seastar. She wasn't giving her any herbs. But with a quick smell of
the air, she knew that Smokeleaf was upset, and that she had no useful herbs.

Fallinggaze glanced around the circle. She saw Dewpaw's eyes full of tears. Her mentor could
be dead; unless she had more lives. In another glance around the circle, she saw Emberpaw
darting her eyes at the dropped herbs on the ground, to Smokeleaf, and then to Seastar's body.
Fallinggaze searched for more cats. They were all worried. Fallinggaze heard the eerie silence,
that seemed to grip her around the throat.

All hope was lost...

[.M.i.d.n.i.g.h.t.i.e.]

Ravenslash

[/b]

Ravenslash had heard the soft thud. He had heard his leader's breath stop. And he knew that another life was slipping away. He ran up to his leaders' side, with many other cats.

"Seastar!" he choked out. He looked at the other cats, crowding the other cats' way. "Everyone, back away!" He barked. "When Seastar comes around,the medicine cat will need to work. There's nothing we can do for her... as of right now." His ice blue eyes narrowed as he scanned the other cats. The black tom usually didn't speak, he was not a huge talker. But, he knew his Clan would go into a frenzy, seeing Seastar like this. He needed to help his leader.

His eyes met Duskwing's and they shared the same thought. Ravenslash nodded, as other Clan cats hesitated in their clustered frenzy.

[Seafeather]

Seastar

Seastar found herself lying on a warm floor. This isn't FrostClan ground...I'm in StarClan. She opened her eyes unto an unnatural brightness that shone from the starry cats around her. Oakfoot, Snowstar, Petalflower, Pinepaw... All of the FrostClan cats that she new best, and the ones that she didn't know at all. Snowstar, his snowy white pelt shimmering with starlight, walked up to Seastar and lay his muzzle in between her ears.

"You are using your given time wisely young one. For someone so young, you are wise. Don't be ashamed of telling your Clan about this, don't be afraid to tell them about Bluesparrow." She nodded her head in thanks and gratitude. She always liked to talk to Snowstar, he was easy going, never judgmental or temperamental. "Your Clan needs you, go back to them."

Seastar felt her heart begin to beat again, she sucked in the cold, leaf-bare air into her lungs. They felt like fire. She coughed, shook her body to make herself warmer and to fluff out her thin fur. She glanced at those around her, all of her Clan mates, even the ones from inside the camp, the queens, the elders, all of them had concern on their faces. "Seastar! Seastar, Seastar, Seastar!" She heard over and over again. Some with tears, moaning, grief and torn apart. She picked herself up, trying to remain strong, but she fell a little to her right and tripped. She was supported by a shoulder, Duskwing.

"Take me to the Highrock, please." She asked of her. She noticed the absentminded look on Smokeleaf's face as she walked beside her, no herbs in paw, because they aren't needed. She gave a silent reminder to herself to tell Smokeleaf about the Lion Grass.

"There is something that you all should know." She began when she reached the Highrock. "Something that's going to change everything for forever..."

[Fallinggaze]

Fallinggaze could know what Seastar might say. Knowing what had
happened, and what she had just said, she knew it was something
bad happening. She looked up at the sky once again. The flashing,
moving, red star was gone. Fallinggaze couldn't tell whether it was a
sign or not. She darted her eyes around the circle once again. She
spotted an orangish-brownish warrior. It was her son, Firepaw. He
gazed into the sky in thought, most-likely as well as Fallinggaze,
wondering about the news.

Ashtail couldn't know what was going on. He had just emerged from
the elders' den. All he saw was a giant crowd which held just about
every cat in the clan. He knelt down and peered through the cats
legs, where he saw the legs of what looked like a tortoiseshell cat.
Probably someone like Fallinggaze or one of her kits whatever her
name was; something like Dewpaw. Or, Ashtail denied this one the
most; or Seastar. Whatever she was doing to cause a uproar, which
isn't like Seastar, must be something terrible.

[Raccoonstar]

DUSKWING

When you fall, I shall be with you; when you die, I shall avenge you...

Duskwing locked eyes with Seastar. The weakened leader of FrostClan needed to say what was necessary. Duskwing helped Seastar by leaning on her shoulder, supporting her while looking sternly ahead. Duskwing smiled like a friend when Seastar tripped and had to put trust and weight into Duskwing's body. A friend...that was who Duskwing was to Seastar. From the first moment Duskwing fled to FrostClan. So bitter was her tone, but she was welcoming enough to let her stay, hunt, and raise a kit to be a loyal FrostClanner. Duskwing had to be with Seastar now; to support everything they had done, were doing, and would do. Or else; what was all that for? Duskwing could only stare bleakly into Seastar's tired but firm eyes when she spoke. Something they all needed to know. Why she fell, perhaps, with the timing of it all. Duskwing helped her clamber up the side of the Highrock, and once she was at the top, Duskwing stood beside her in friendly support. Seastar and Duskwing had been through a lot together. It was only natural for her to help. Duskwing looked at the frantic cats scrambling around, trying to see Sunkit in the mess, then mentally relaxing slightly to find her still sitting on her rock. Duskwing thought back, way back, to her IvyClan life. Would I have done the same for Silentstar as I do Seastar? She questioned herself. It doesn't matter. Right now, I am with Seastar. Silentstar doesn't matter. Duskwing shoved the thought to the back regions of her mind and the images she saw before her, FrostClan, Seastar, and all, flooded the front. Duskwing was shoved mentally back into the present. She locked eyes with so many cats down there, and they fell silent with her gaze. She nuzzled herself a mouse-length closer to Seastar's flank. She looked at the entirety of FrostClan, trying to silence and prepare all for what was going to be said. Duskwing had a feeling that right here and right now, something was going to change her life. Forever. She hoped to StarClan that she was wrong; she was happy how she was, but this was a feeling so strong it was impossible to deny. Seastar's words before...'change everything forever.' Duskwing didn't want her life to change. She loved what she had now; a layback life in the nursery, a kit just like her, a fantastic Clan and leader, friends...all of it couldn't just change in the blink of an eye...could it?

[Seafeather]

Seastar

Seastar wracked in her brain for something to say, something to not make them panic. Don't panic and don't be frightened... Oh that's just a sure way to send everyone to StarClan early, making them have heart attacks like she was! Seastar drew in a deep, strengthening breath hoping that whatever strength she received would also give her words to speak...figuratively speaking.

"I'm dying, my friends." She looked from cat to cat. Making sure to make eye contact with every single one of them. "I am having these strange heart attacks that will surely kill me in the end, what just happened outside the camp is what they do. I have plenty of lives left, do not worry. But in the end I will eventually leave you, leaving Cedarwing to lead you in his own way." She paused, making sure they got it. Surely they did?

"I will also bear kits for my clan," Bluesparrow, I hope you're read for this! "Bluesparrow is my mate. I know it has never happened before, I am only doing this for my Clan. Please, please! Do not question me or StarClan. They did what they could to save me, but it is just meant to be." She waited for the reaction. Authority rang clear and true in her voice. To some of the apprentices, she was a sort of motherly figure to look up to and to make her proud, to some of the elders, many still call her Seafeather when their minds aren't all there, forgetting that she's the leader but instead thinking that she's still the deputy. She wished she was.

[Fallinggaze]

All was silent. Fallinggaze felt it was too noisy. However, Fallinggaze just had to-
"MEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!" The clan stared
at her. She had a pretty good bond with Seastar compared to
other cats. She was Dewpaw's mentor. "I will miss you,
Seastar!!!!!" Fallinggaze was very dramatic at times. She felt so
mouse-brained, that she just shut up, and carried on. Seastar;
dying. She knew that no cat can live forever, but it would be
great to know.

"Seastar," called a voice in the back. Fallinggaze turned
around to see her kit, and Seastar's apprentice, Dewpaw. "If you
pass away-" Dewpaw gulped. "-in the middle of mentoring me,
who would teach me?" Many cats had wondered the same
question as Dewpaw.

[.M.i.d.n.i.g.h.t.i.e.]

Ravenslash

[/b]

Ravenslash pitied the young apprentice that had just spoke. He has admired the little apprentice's willingness to learn, and enthusiasm. His ice blue eyes melted into a soft sky blue, out of sorrow for his leader's announcement, and for his Clanmates, who shared his shock and grief.

"Seastar," the black tom spoke up in a deep mew. "If it bothers no other cat, I will stand ready to be a mentor if needed." He spoke with a calm, clear voice, in contrast to his quavering feelings. He made eye contact with Fallinggaze for a brief moment; he nodded his head, to show the she-cat had his condolences. Ravenslash glanced around at the other cats. He needed to make sure these cats didn't go into shock.

"Seastar, if you don't mind me speaking up," Ravenslash started. "perhaps we should set up the first night watch tonight? We've all been informed with tragic news, maybe we should all get some rest. We won't accomplish anything tonight in curing your heart condition, and it'll do the clan no good to be tired for tomorrow." His eyes were mellow, his posture humble. He rarely spoke out of turn, in respect for his leader. He hoped Seastar would understand that it was only his concern for his clan that led him to do so.

[Raccoonstar]

DUSKWING

Duskwing locked eyes with Fallinggaze as she 'meeeooowwwed.' How rude, to gather attention like that! This was an important occasion, with Seastar dying, her beloved leader...dying...! Duskwing herself was going to lash out at her for doing so, when Ravenslash's cool calmed her down. She locked eyes with him. Dewpaw...she hadn't though of that one. Ravenslash would be a fine mentor. She nodded to him at his suggestion of taking a 'night watch,' and thought about taking it herself when she remembered that she had a kit to take care of. Sunkit was too young, and couldn't manage without her calming warmth. Duskwing looked around at all the strong members of FrostClan. Someday. Someday Sunkit would become Sunpaw and she would help her leader without restriction. But Duskwing was glad that she had her own little bundle of kit, something to love and enjoy as a daughter was a rare opportuntity. Not many warriors took up the responsibility of a queen. And those that did created new life for FrostClan. Duskwing had taken a life from IvyClan and raised her in FrostClan's icy grip at the absolute worst possible time. But Sunkit would grow to be a great apprentice and warrior, and Duskwing would be glad to see her grow. As her daughter, not as a Clan member. And when Duskwing went to StarClan, Sunkit would be all grown up and ready to have Duskwing's soul and spirit live on inside her. But that wouldn't happen for a long, long, time. For now, Duskwing had to focus on Seastar, who wouldn't live for very long if her heart problem wasn't solved. Seastar...her dearest friend, mentor for a day, and her leader. Seastar was going to visit StarClan early. Was Dsukwing ready for this? No. It was all wrong. But Duskwing pushed the idea aside and focused again onto Ravenslash's suggestion. Sleep suddenly seemed very appealing. But Duskwing stood by Seastar. Her leader needed a friend's support. Now more than ever.

[Seafeather]

Seastar

Fallinggaze let out an unnecessary meeoow! of discontent. Why were they doing this? It was easier telling them in her head than in real life. "Seastar, if you pass away in the middle of mentoring me, who would teach me?" Dewpaw asked from the back. Seastar's heart broke at the young 'paw's words.

"I'm not leaving so soon. I will have enough time to see my kits named warriors before I pass my final life." She told them with comfort. Why were they all grieving so? They all knew she had to leave sometime and even though yes, it was closer than originally planned, but she'd still have to go anyways! Seastar listened to Ravenslash's idea of a one-cat-guard tonight. She'll volunteer.

"Everyone else go to their nests and sleep." She ordered. Her voice more forceful for them to actually listen. "I'll keep watch tonight, and don't bother telling me something about my heart. You all should know I'm more stubborn that you all put together." She stated. A smile traced her features. She really did hope they wouldn't worry. Tomorrow was back to business! No more cover-ups and lies. Everything was out in view now for everyone to see. FrostClan had no secrets betwixt themselves, making them stronger. For now, Seastar settled herself in the middle of the camp for a vigil. She hadn't done this in so long! She hoped she could stay awake.

[.M.i.d.n.i.g.h.t.i.e.]

Ravenslash

[/b]

Ravenslash hesitated, after hearing his leader's announcement. He almost volunteered to help, but held his tongue. He didn't want to insult his leader, and he surely didn't need her thinking that he thought his leader wasn't strong enough to handle a night watch. So, he stretched, flicked his ear, and shambled off to his nest in the warriors' den.

Seastar still has more than a couple moons left in her, Ravenslash thought to himself. I shouldn't be worried. She's strong for right now, she still has time. With that last thought, Ravenslash closed his eyes, and settled down into a dreamless sleep.

[Raccoonstar]

DUSKWNG

Secrets and lies separate the strong from the weak...what does that make you?

Duskwing looked at Seastar, a funny grin plastered on her face. Seastar was back to her usual spunky style. Of course she'd want to take it by herself. She was a stubborn soul, that's for sure. Duskwing made sure Seastar was okay to stand by herself, and leapt from the Highrock. She walked over to fetch Sunkit, picked the little one up, and dragged Sunkit into the nursery, where she comforted the little kit with a nuzzle. The kit would fall into a deep sleep, and then Duskwing herself could get some shuteye. Duskwing took a look outside to see warriors, including Ravenslash, heading off to sleep. Duskwing herself fell into a deep sleep, dreaming of her events with Seastar. From her traitor act to just a few moments ago. She watched the best parts, and the parts when she wasn't sure of anything. Through and through, Seastar had been there. Seastar had helped. And now she was dying. The dream shifted into a nightmare as she dreamed that Seastar left her alone in a dark forest. Duskwing searched aimlessly for hours, looking for her beloved leader, when light shed upon the forest, and it was revealed.

IvyClan. The ivy covering everything was enough to know the truth. She tried to turn around, but the ivy formed a net that blocked her path. The ivy grew around her and snagged her paws. She tried to claw it off, but she couldn't move. The ivy grew around her, up her legs, touching her belly. The ivy reached her face and just as it was covering her eyes, something strange happened. Duskwing felt herself being lifted up and out of her own body as a spirit, and she saw herself. The ivy released Duskwing's form, and Duskwing's now spiritless body fell to the earth below. She saw Sunkit appear and try to awaken her, and Duskwing's soulless body could do nothing to comfort her. Duskwing, in her spirit form, tried to save Sunkit from collapsing into despair, but floated upward and away from her child. Up into the stars, where she expected to see the starry warriors she had heard of in legends comfort her in their starry fur. Instead, she saw warriors that appeared to be made of pure, intense dark energy. The warriors had pure red eyes that bore into her very soul. One of them stepped forward and grinned, showing its bloody fangs. It stared at her with its grinning face. "Welcome to hell," it snarled, before it lunged at her and the dream evaporated.

Duskwing woke with a start. It was all Duskwing could do to not scream in agony and wake everyone. Duskwing took a deep breath in and out, looking at her sleeping Sunkit. Sunkit was okay, she was okay, everything would be okay. She took one last look at the stars. They still shined brightly, as if her nightmare had never happened. Duskwing's breaths became calmer, her heart slowed, her mind rested. Duskwing took one more look at everything she had, and fell into a dreamless calm. One thought occurred before the warrior queen finally succumbed to sleep's gentle hold. Who were those dark cats?