#ravenpaw's farewell gets me choked up every time

[pigeonclaw]

All done! I tried not to use anybody more than once but some repeats were just unavoidable. If I reread the entire series again right now, I'm sure some of these would change, but here's who I thought of.

My reasons and a blank template under the cut.

Berryheart & Sunbeam: I was so stressed reading about them lol. But I appreciated how complex their relationship was, especially on Sunbeam's side. Berryheart loved her kids, and she hurt her kids quite badly because she thought she was doing the right thing. And that was a tough thing for Sunbeam to cope with. It's not a positive relationship but it is compelling, and I enjoyed that!

The Three: This is more for Lionblaze and Jayfeather (mainly since we've had more time with the two of them) but it would be wrong to leave Hollyleaf out! Most siblings in this series have some sort of strife between them, and these three have had their moments too, but they cared deeply about each other.

Rootspring & Shadowsight: I liked their friendship in TBC. Particularly I liked how insecure they both were, but how they admired each other for the very traits they were insecure about. It was sweet. Perhaps they should kiss.

Tree & Rootspring: This is largely just because Tree is the most supportive dad ever. I like that he stuck by Rootspring and helped him get Bramblestar's message out while still keeping his secret -- even though it was really inconvenient, his son's feelings mattered to him. I like that as soon as trouble came, he was ready to pack up and get his family out of the Clans, but he listened to their wishes and stayed and supported them.

Nightheart & Frostdawn: Their friendship was very sweet in Thunder. I love how Nightheart supported Frostpaw when she was at her lowest point, and how Frostpaw learned to rely on him, which helped her start trusting others again.

Brightheart & Cloudtail: A classic old pairing. I guess I'm a sucker for stories of one character being terribly wounded and at the worst point in their life and then another character supporting them through it and them bonding. Whether that's platonic (like Nightheart & Frostdawn) or romantic like Brightheart & Cloudtail, I'm a fan.

Tawnypelt & Birchfeather: I probably don't need to explain this one since everybody's talking about it. But Tawnypelt's support of Birchfeather when his own parents refuse to acknowledge him is sweet.

Fireheart & Cinderpaw: It's been a while since I last read the first arc, but I remember enjoying these two as both mentor and apprentice and as friends. Nothing too deep here, they were just fun to read about.

Sunbeam & Lightleap: It's a shame their friendship broke down so early into ASC. I enjoy a ship between someone who's calm and sensible and someone who would commit arson on a dare. They could balance each other out, or they could stress each other out. Either way would be interesting to read about!

Please talk to me about your favorite relationships of various types as well! I always enjoy hearing what kinds of characters, tropes, etc appeal to other people.

Here's the blank template!

[warriorsredux]

Chapter Twenty-Two

The moon was far over the Aulmir by the time the Gathering party returned. They were exhausted and frustrated, slinking to bed without much more than a comment about Brokenstar being late and talking forever. Firepaw quickly joined his friends in the apprentice’s den in the hopes of striking up a conversation, but even Ravenpaw hardly responded to him. Firepaw then went outside for entertainment, only to see the Clan dispersing to rest. Sighing, he reluctantly followed suit, curling up by the entrance and thinking about nothing in particular. 

That morning, Firepaw awoke with an unnamed anxiety deep in his gut. He stood up, stretched, and left the den to make dirt. There was no one in the clearing except for him an the hag, who was shuddering violently where she slept. Firepaw carefully stepped past her, eyeing her twitching paws and chattering teeth. 

She was worse by the time he returned - now she was making a half-whine, half-growling sound, and all her fur was on end. Firepaw looked around, vaguely hoping someone else would get up and deal with her before gently prodding her with a paw.  The hag’s head jerked up with a gasp. Firepaw jumped backwards, expecting a strike.  “You were having a bad dream,” he said quickly.  The hag looked around wildly, rising to her feet. “What time is it?”  “Morning.”  “Dog-arse,” the hag hissed. She started pacing. “Where’s Bluestar?” “Probably in her den,” said Firepaw. “What’s the matter?”  “That stupid, stupid girl.” The hag stopped and stared at Firepaw, mouth moving silently. Then she whipped around and ran out of the camp. “Hey, wait!” Firepaw charged after her. “You can’t go out alone!”  The hag didn’t seem to hear him. She ran around the corner until she reached the leader’s den, a hole in the gorse patch on the border of camp. Without pausing, the hag shoved her way through the hanging flowers.  Firepaw caught up just in time to hear Bluestar growl sleepily, “Who-” “You need to gather a patrol immediately,” the hag said quickly. “Get to the Sunning-rocks now. You might still have time.”  “What...” Bluestar shuffled on the ground. “What are you talking about?” “Your seer didn’t make it to the Mother,” the hag said. “If you want to see her again, go to the river.”

Spottedleaf did not come home alive.  Firepaw watched, frozen in place, as Tigerclaw and Lionpelt carried the slight body through the entrance and gently lowered her to the ground. She was soaked through her fur, her jaw slack and her wide eyes clouded over, staring at nothing. Firepaw felt sick. Quickly, the Clan awoke and filled the clearing. Redtail crouched stiffly by the body and rested his forehead against Spottedleaf’s. Sandpaw stood beside him, uncharacteristically quiet, her eyes unfocused with contemplation.  “What happened to her?” Ravenpaw whispered. “Why was she near the water?” Firepaw said nothing. He couldn’t speak. He couldn’t even move from where he stood. Ravenpaw looked at him and gently bumped his head on Firepaw’s shoulder.  “Poor Redtail,” Greypaw said quietly. “And Sandpaw. Sister and aunt, right?” Ravenpaw nodded.  Bluestar wove through the crowd and approached the body. She murmured something to Redtail, who didn’t respond, and touched Spottedleaf’s shoulder with her nose. Then she turned to face the crowd.  “Anyone who wishes to help with the burial, speak with me,” she said. After a pause, she wove through the clearing and jumped onto the stump, turning to sit and watch the camp.  The crowd broke up into clusters. One by one, cats walked up to Spottedleaf, occasionally saying something like thanks or a farewell, touched their nose to her shoulder, and stepped away. A few talked with Bluestar before joining their friends with their heads hung. Willowpelt clung tightly to her kittens, who were silent and looking around in confusion.  Greypaw nudged Firepaw. “We ought to go up.”  Firepaw blinked and looked between his friends. Ravenpaw had the same look on his face as Sandpaw. Greypaw nodded and led the way to the body. Sandpaw narrowed her eyes as they advanced, but she said nothing.  Greypaw went first, making the same motions as the rest of the Clan. “Thank you for your service, Spottedleaf,” he said. He moved to the right to let Ravenpaw unsteadily inch forward. Ravenpaw gingerly touched Spottedleaf’s shoulder, said something so quietly Firepaw couldn’t hear it, and hurried after Greypaw.  He walked up slowly and halted, feet like stones. He couldn’t take his eyes off of Spottedleaf’s face. It was still her - still the pretty, friendly, eccentric tortoiseshell who had brought him to the Mother and helped him find Murkpelt - but now she was as still and stiff as the prey he caught and tossed onto the prey-pile every night. It was hard to gauge what her expression was, with her eyes bulging out as they were. What was it like to spend her last moments choking on water? Was she scared when she died?  Firepaw’s thoughts were interrupted by Greypaw nudging him again. Slowly, fighting his urges to back away, he lowered his nose to her shoulder, just before her neck. He tried to say, “Thank you”, but his mouth wouldn’t open and no sound came from his throat. He stepped away quickly and turned for the apprentice’s den, leaving Ravenpaw and Greypaw behind him.  Before he could make it through the entrance, a molly called Mousefur called, “What do we do for a seer now?” The Clan turned to Bluestar on her stump.  “We can sort that out tonight,” said Bluestar. “For now, we should honor Spottedleaf.” The Clan didn’t seem satisfied with this answer, but no one offered a rebuttal.  “Has everyone said their goodbyes?” said Bluestar.  There was a general, quiet confirmation.  Bluestar stood up and spoke louder. “I have seen three seers in this Clan and many more in the other territories, and Spottedleaf was far and away the best of them. It was thanks to her that we have avoided several tragic accidents and pointless battles with our neighbors. She leaves no apprentice behind, but her skill and kindness will be remembered by all of us. She will live on through stories of her and through our memories. StarClan is lucky to have her.”  Bluestar jumped off of the stump and stood by Redtail at the body. Slowly, Redtail rose, his head so low that Firepaw couldn’t see his face. Whitecloud, Goldenflower and Sandpaw joined them. Through some pulling and maneuvering, the four cats lifted Spottedleaf onto their backs and slowly carried her through the camp entrance.  Firepaw turned again and dragged his feet to the corner of the apprentice’s den, curling up and shutting his eyes.  Soon, he heard a few cats push through the foliage.  “Firepaw!” called Greypaw. “We’re about to tell some stories about Spottedleaf. Come on.”  “I think-” Ravenpaw’s voice was more unsteady. “I think he wants to be alone. Will- will you be alright, Firepaw?”  Firepaw said nothing. After a moment, his friends left again. Firepaw shut his eyes and tried to force himself to sleep. Staring at nothing made him think of the body, and the last thing he wanted to do was think.