~Peaceful Passing~

It was a bit chilly out that night. The leaves had settled around the camp where they rested in their orange, red, and yellow glory. When they were stepped on, they gave off a crisp, crinkling sound that Lichenpaw didn't care for when he stepped on them. He was sitting out in the center, gazing up at the clear night sky. He was a bit chilly, but he couldn't sleep once more. He even had taken a poppy seed to no avail. Letting out a long sigh, he watched his breath billow out before him in a milky cloud. A small gasp escaped his lips as well when he saw something that might as well been a sign from StarClan; a glowing streak crossed the sky. A shooting star. A pang tinged in his heart. Lichenpaw believed that when those happened, a soul joined the ranks of his starry ancestors. How very true this was.

The tom sat in the clearing until the sun began to turn a dark red, almost as if it was bleeding. He stood, stretching. He yawned, even though he didn't really even feel tired. Instinctively, his paws carried him to the medicine den, making that sound that hurt his ears. As he entered the gloomy space, he swept his chilly green gaze about. Everything was in the place he had put it. Morningfur wasn't a messy cat exactly, but Lichenpaw just had a knack, or a need to be more specific, for everything to be neat and organized. It didn't take much convincing for his mentor to let him take over the arrangement. None, in fact. She just sighed, rolled her eyes, and gave her permission.

However, as the medicine cat apprentice stood there on this morning, something was wrong. He carefully inspected the piles. They were all in order. He stalked over to his nest. All correct. Finally, Lichenpaw stalked over to his mentor. As he neared, dread settled at the pit of his stomach. Her chest wasn't rising up and down. Her eyes were shut and she looked peaceful. Gently, he placed his paw against her fur. Cold and still. She was dead.

Silently, frowning a little, he gripped her scruff in his teeth. Ever so carefully, he began pulling her out of the den for the last time, and into the clearing. It was slightly brighter now and the sun could be seen. Once he reached the center he began to groom her fur one last, mournful time.