The price that you pay

Mist and clouds covered the moon, which was already only a claw scratch in the starless sky. Darkness lay peacefully across the whole forest, making it easier for Brighteye to slip out of camp. With Asylum members constantly watching her and her clanmate's every move, it had been near impossible for her to go on her usual solitary strolls, one of the only times or places where she felt truly happy. In general, she wasn't one for breaking rules, but she needed this. A chance to clear her head yet again, to just relax.

Even though eyes almost always seemed to be lurking in the shadows, she managed to successfully wriggle out of a small hole near the warrior's den. She had had lots of practice sneaking out as an apprentice, when she wasn't (technically speaking) supposed to be out by herself. She felt the same trapped feeling now, when confined to camp. Once she was free, she ran. As fast as she could whilst still staying as silent as possible, she darted between trees, desperate to avoid prying eyes. Luckily, she didn't meet anyone all the way there, Shadowclan or not. Her steps faltered when she realised where she was.

A clearing was ahead of her, the forest floor lit up with the moonlight that had beaten away the clouds. The pine grove. It shouldn't have been a surprise that her paws had automatically taken her here. So many memories, good and bad, were held in this small break of the treeline. Her first outing with Emberspark, her first encounter with Twig, the countless times she had come here to hunt alone. And hunting with Mistyfalcon. No matter how much she tried to hide it, she couldn't deny her feelings for the tom. She had tried at first, but now she just accepted that she would have to deal with the split for the rest of her life. This area of the territory may've been plentiful with prey, but she wouldn't hunt now. If she returned carrying her catch, she would reveal that she had been out alone. The same thing would happen if she returned with the smell of fresh-kill on her lips.

Instead, she sat in the middle of the clearing, staring up at the stars that peeked out from behind the mist. Mother? Father? Frozenpaw? She thought, are you really there? Can you see what's happened to the clans? Her brother was the only family member she had ever truly cared about, and now he was up there with her parents, never even managing to earn his warrior name. I'm sorry, brother, she thought, tears welling up in her eyes, that should've been me. I shouldn't have ever left your side. She never showed any emotion, but out here, alone, thinking about what she had lost, everything escaped her. 

But not once did she consider that she would be joining them in Starclan that night.

The barking of a dog in the distance was the only thing that could tear her eyes away from the sky. Ever since Mistyfalcon had been attacked, Brighteye had been on high alert for any signs of the fowl beast. But that had been to protect him. Out here, when she was alone, so what did it matter? It came closer. Before long, she could hear the heavy breathing of a beast that had been running.

She turned her head, tears still clouding her vision, only to see the dark shadow of jaws above her. It lifted her by the scruff and shook her like fresh-kill. No matter how much she tried to slash at its face, nothing could loosen its hold on her. More tears rolled down her face when she realised that her attempts were in vain. There was no Twoleg in sight who would restrain the dog, and no cat to save her, but still she cried out. As she was thrown across the clearing, she tried to readying herself to attack. But she couldn't move fast enough. The dog bit her again, this time near her throat.

This was it.

She didn't know how long she lay there, her wounds bleeding out. But eventually the time came. Everything had to come to an end at some point. It meant the pain would end, but so would Brighteye. With shaky breaths, she called out one more time, her whisper barely audible.


---

Her eyes fluttered open. Just as she had expected, the pain was gone. Her pelt was clean, white and speckled with stars. She caught her breath as she noticed the cats in front of her. Greaysky, Irispetal, Emberspark. Both her parents and old mentor were before her, smiling as they welcomed her to the stars. But there was one cat she really wanted to see. Frozenpaw! He was there, looking his healthiest, little of his past trauma showing in his eyes.

She took one last glance back towards the forest, hoping that Mistyfalcon wouldn't miss her too much, and would take his time to join her. With that, she followed her passed family and friends, up into the sky and far away.

Mistyfalcon stirred awake, blearily taking in the cooling nest beside him. Brighteye being gone at this hour wasn't unusual, she was prone to slipping off to be alone just as he was prone to long stretches of silence, after all.

Still, with the rogues about, she could've asked him to at least go along with her. Mistyfalcon held little love for the Asylum cats that had invaded their territory, and their presence was unsettling at best. With a sigh, dark blue eyes swept around the den as he crept to the entrance, but Brighteye's scent was stale, from the evening before, at least.

That left...

Eyes narrowing, the warrior crept toward the back of the den, finding the small break in the den wall where Brighteye's scent clung to even still in the cold air. A part of his mind said that sneaking out wouldn't endear him to the Asylum cats, but it wasn't like it mattered. They probably had eyes watching anyways, waiting to follow anyone out of camp regardless of the entrance used.

Her trail led towards familiar ground, and Mistyfalcon allowed himself a soft smile. He should have known it would be the pine grove she'd go to. She spent more time in the clearing than in camp, not that Mistyfalcon could blame her. It was quiet, and peaceful, most nights. He'd taken to accompanying her occasionally when she wanted, enjoying the quiet solitude as they hunted together.

Tonight though, the pine grove seemed far from peaceful. The clouds blacked out the sky in an almost foreboding manner, the scent of blood hung in the air. A scent Mistyfalcon was unfortunately more than familiar with. Brighteye's blood.

The dark-furred warrior picked up his pace, fur fluffing up in alarm. A lone Asylum cat skittered behind him, managing to keep up despite his shorter stature.

Brighteye lay slumped in the clearing, white fur stained red. Her blood looked more black in the scant light the clouds permitted, and the scent of dog permeated the clearing. Mistyfalcon's steps faltered, and he stumbled to a stop in front of the bloodied she-cat, eyes burning.

"Hang on, love, we'll get you to Rookpaw." Cinderpaw, he'd almost said, before remembering that Cinderpaw was gone.

"I love you." Tattered ears caught the whispered words. If he'd been a fox-length away, Mistyfalcon didn't think he would've caught them at all. He dropped his head, cleaning the blood from Brighteye's face in vain, much as she'd done for him once. Her breathing had already been faint, those last three words seeming to talk whatever air was in her lungs. Fainter still, until only silence lay between them.

Mistyfalcon lifted his head, dull eyes landing on the rogue that had stepped closer. Neither spoke, and Mistyfalcon reluctantly accepted the silent offer of help as the rogue carefully took hold of Brighteye's too-still form. He didn't have the strength to snap at the rogue, not now, when his own heart felt like it had been clawed from his chest.

Mistyfalcon took one last, sweeping glance around the pine grove, grimly committing the scent of dog to memory. Why? It's not like you could ever bring it down on your own. A voice whispered in the back of his mind. Mistyfalcon winced, dull eyes returning to the path ahead as he and the rogue slowly made their way back to camp.