"I'll come right away, hold on." Barkface turned, racing for where he had put his herbs. He was muttering under his breath, listing every herb he might need.
The tom turned, burrowing back into the bush where his dying leader lay. Onewhisker had to strain his ears to hear what Tallstar was meowing, his voice was quiet and pained.
"Onewhisker...you must lead them. Lead the clan well. I will be watching..." Tallstar wheezed, his chest heaving. His breathing was becoming shallower and shallower, his eyes dulling. His breathing finally stopped, heartbeat ceasing, and he was still.
"No...he can't mean it! It wasn't the right words! I...I can't lead a clan!" Onewhisker turned to the ginger cat, his eyes wide and pleading. The ginger cat murmured something, trying to assure him. The darker brown tabby with dark amber eyes looked stunned, yet didn't meow a word to Onewhisker or his leader, Firestar.
"Tallstar...Tallstar..." A quiet voice whispered into his ear, stirring the black and white tom's fur. "Wake up..." Her voice was low, unhappy. Tallstar opened his eyes slowly. The she-cat was transparent, her fur sparkling like stars in the sky atop the moor in the old forest. He let out a sigh, his voice low.
"Mother..." He struggled to his paws, not noticing the mourning ginger cat next to his body. "I've done it...the clans are in their new home..." A small gleam showed in his eyes. Excitement.
Palebird let out a purr, nodding. "You've done it." She confirmed, "But now, it is time for you to go. To leave the clans and watch over them from Silverpelt." Tallstar dipped his head in respect, casting a meaningful glance back at the ginger cat.
Tallstar touched his nose to Firestar's forehead, murmuring, "Lead your clan well, and may Starclan light your path, for I see a great future ahead of you." He turned swiftly, his paws raising slightly. He bounded into the sky, Palebird pressing against him comfortingly.
His paws landed on soft grass, vague shapes circling around him. They were murmuring welcomes, as another cat stepped forward. She was a very faint blue, with a scar across her shoulders. "Welcome, Tallstar." Her soft, water-blue eyes were edged with sympathy, and something else...surprise? Disapproval? Tallstar didn't know...
"Thank you, Bluestar." Tallstar's voice was solemn, Palebird stepping back to join the ranks of cats. He recognized many who had given him his nine lives, but they didn't speak a word. They were just speechless outlines against the pale sky. Tallstar looked around, his eyes scanning the pale surroundings. They were in the middle of four large oak trees, a tall rock on one side of the clearing. "Fourtrees..." He whispered, "from the old forest..."
Bluestar let out a tiny purr, "Yes. Yes, it is. Many of the places from the old forest is here in our starry home in Silverpelt."
Tallstar's heart expanded to fill his chest. He let out a deep purr, his gray-white furry paws taking off in a direction he wasn't sure of. Something was calling him there, he didn't know exactly what. In just a few heartbeats, he was standing on a moor, wind rushing through his fur. His eyes closed, enjoying the breeze. He let out a contented sigh, racing off across the hills.
"Onewhisker will lead the clan well..."
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