Sagestar sat crouched over Russetleaf’s body. Eyes misty with tears, the pale grey leader bid her farewell. They’d wordlessly decorated her vivid red fur with petals and laid her to rest in a shallow grave. It was not home but it’d have to do. ‘’S-she was so wise…Tumbleclan will miss her.’’ The grey leader announced, turning to each of his clan-mates in turn. There was no reply, only silence. Firefang uttered a prayer to the stars above, trembling in the cold night air and Addercloud wept silently, her sobs muffled by Badgertail’s pelt. Mudwhisker sighed glumly, shaking his head solemnly. There was no healer to patch up their wounds, soothe their fretful minds nor read the stars. And no mentor for Volepaw either. He could see the brown tom sulking in the corner of camp, staring at his paws in despair, fury and grief. ‘’We all mourn her…but now we must cast her body into the Earth.’’ Spoke Swanfoot, staring calmly at her leader. Sagestar gave no response, but silently picked up the scruff of Russetleaf’s neck. She felt heavy in his jaws but not as heavy as the burden that lay in his heart. He’d broken the promise he’d made to Ravenflower all those moons ago, broken the oath that he’d sworn upon his bones, blood and fur.
Swanfoot sighed, watching Sagestar mournfully lay Russetleaf in her grave. It was a heart-wrenching moment and she could tell that Sagestar was simply not feeling his best. ‘’May her spirit walk with the stars.’’ Cats nodded in wordless agreement, their eyes shiny with grief. ‘’She was a good cat.’’ Mumbled Badgertail. ‘’She’ll be sorely missed…’’ mumbled Loonheart, her tail wrapped around Squirreltail’s tail. Her mate was trembling, Russetleaf had been a part of her clan for a long time and to just see her disappear like that was horrible. ‘’We’ll all miss her.’’ Replied Swanfoot, her tone offering no argument. ‘’This meeting is adjourned….no patrols or ceremonies will be performed.’’ Sagestar informed. ‘’We’ll honour Russetleaf first.’’
With that Sagestar disappeared into the cool dark of his temporary den. His heart felt like breaking, his mind was tearing apart and he’d foolishly sent his clan away from home for nothing. Nothing! Sinking to his belly, the pale grey tom rested his head on his paws. ‘’Woe betide me, the fool.’’ He grumbled, curling his tail around his back legs. He wanted to shut himself from the world outside, it’d not been kind to him recently. ‘’Oh, Sagestar.’’ Murmured Swanfoot, sidling over to her defeated leader. ‘’You’re not a fool, don’t ever say that.’’ She soothed, nuzzling him comfortingly. His fur smelt of dying herbs in the sun and the faint acrid tang of blood. ‘’You are Sagestar, leader of Tumbleclan!’’ Swanfoot crowed proudly, eyes shining in the dimness of the den. ‘’You’re blinded by the dark, I’m a fool and I’ll lead you all to your deaths.’’ Sagestar despaired. ‘’Maybe I should just keel over dead and make you leader.’’ Swanfoot’s heart leapt for joy, but her father had taught her patience, so patient she would be. A smile flickered on her face and she let out a long sigh. ‘’Lets take a long walk and I’ll tell you all the reasons why Tumbleclan and I love you.’’
Birds sang merrily overhead, dancing in the flickering sunlight. Leaves whispered secrets to one another and the breeze ruffled their fur. Sagestar plodded along, his head bowed. He was a shadow of the once noble cat he was, a shell of his former self. Swanfoot, on the other hand, was just as proud as she had always been. Striding alongside Sagestar, she babbled on about his qualities, praising him to the heavens. But as she praised him, she plotted to get rid of him. He’d been leader for far too long and if she was being honest, he was a mess. ‘’….and as you see, you are a good cat, Sagestar.’’ She smiled at him, waiting for him to smile back. He did not, only shaking his head. ‘’You are the good cat, Swanfoot.’’ Sagestar replied. ‘’I don’t know what I’d do without you!’’ He crowed loudly. ‘’Probably live.’’ Swanfoot snarked, turning onto him. She was tired of dealing with this loser. Claws glittering in the sun, Swanfoot struck at his throat. Blood spilled, staining her beautiful fur. Sagestar gagged and pulled back. It was too late, Sagestar felt his breath being stolen, just the same way that it’d been stolen when he realized just how beautiful Swanfoot was.
‘’Why!?’’ Sagestar howled through the pain, slipping on feeble paws. Swanfoot simply chuckled, watching the weak tom whimper. ‘’Curse you, may all your admirers, past and future see you for the harpy you are!’’ Sagestar raged, striking at her. ‘’Pfft, I don’t care for curses, fool.’’ Swanfoot hissed as his claws struck her chest. ‘’You wanted rest….so rest in peace, for all eternity!’’ she cackled, before bounding off. Bounding off to her clan, her precious clan!
Groaning, Sagestar stared at his shaking paws. ‘’S-starclan….why aren’t you healing me?’’ he whimpered fearfully. He was terrified of death, of walking into the great unknown. But he knew it was near, coming towards him loudly. Leaves crackled in the wind, great big paws striding towards him. Was it death? Two fur-less paws reached for his shaking frame, holding him close. Sagestar did not shake, but stayed deathly still, held close to the twoleg’s thumping heart. Thump….Thump….Thump.
Swanfoot charged into camp, fighting back smiles. ‘’Sagestar’s dead!’’ she yowled, eyes widening in mock shock. ‘’A pack of rogues attacked us….oh, how he fought!’’ Swanfoot sobbed, head bowed. Addercloud strode out of the warriors den, jaws agape. ‘’W-what….no….’’ she mumbled, unable to comprehend the thought of her old mentor just vanishing like that. So soon after Russetleaf too! ‘’I’ll rip that rogues throat out!’’ spat Squirreltail, her fur bristling in fury. Foxtail followed suit, her eyes shining with controlled rage. She too cared for Sagestar, he’d allowed her to join the clan without much fuss, and the fact he was gone so soon was heartbreaking. But it felt all too convenient, all too soon for something like that to happen. Surely they’d have been able to scent the rogues before? Surely Swanfoot would have more scars if she was in a fight? ‘’Don’t be hasty….afterall we need a new leader.’’ Foxtail murmured, turning to meet Swanfoot’s eyes.
Swanfoot stared icily back and she did not back down. ‘’I am the leader, do not panic….’’
How can I add Tumblenight & her kittens, the background characters and Rookkit, Bramblekit and Willowkit becoming apprentices into this?