Mapleshade's Sorrow

 Mapleshade's Sorrow 

 A short stand-alone fanfic by Cindereh

Allegiances
ThunderClan

Leader: Fallowstar

Deputy: Quailwing

Medicine Cat: Dappleheart

Warriors: Larkstorm

Heathershine

Lightningtail

Firewhisker

Reedlight

Riverpelt

Sparrowflight

Stoneclaw

Mudpelt

Flintstone

Apprentices:Skypaw

Yellowpaw

Comfreypaw

Dawnpaw

Grasspaw

Queens: Silverfeather

Creamfur

Kits: Maplekit

Applekit

Elders: Fernstripe

Daisyfoot

Mosswhisker

Prologue
"A shaded maple will bring doom upon the Clan." Redstar meowed gravely.

"A shaded maple?" Dappleheart echoed, confused.

"Her birth is ThunderClan's punishment." The old ThunderClan leader said.

"But ThunderClan hasn't done anything wrong!" Dappleheart recalled the past few moons. All the Clans were enjoying a rare time of peace. Not a claw had been raised, nor a cat had been killed.

"When I was leader, we did a great wrong to a Clan. A Clan that was as mighty and powerful as the rest, but had been driven away due to our selfishness. All the other Clans had been a part of this as well, but not as heartless as us." Redstar stated and shook his head. "It is too shameful to speak of."

~TBC~

Chapter 1
"Come on Silverfeather, you can do it" Dappleheart encouraged the queen as she struggled to give birth.

Silverfeather had grown very weak. She had caught greencough, the most deadliest infection the Clan had ever known. Few cats ever survived it, and not many of them were expectant queens. Dappleheart knew that she had a greater possibility of dying.

The medicine cat bounded up to Flintstone, a bundle of herbs under her chin. "You must be prepared for the worst, Flintstone." she mewed, touching her tail-tip to his shoulder briefly before entering the nursery.

"Creamfur I will need your help." Dappleheart meowed to the older queen. Creamfur nodded. "You can count on me, Dappleheart."

Silverfeather was very feverish. She let out a horrible cough, and her whole body twisted in pain. Dappleheart sat down beside her, and gently stroked the she-cat's belly. Dapplefeather shook her head. Greencough had weakened Silverfeather, and the medicine cat knew that there was a great chance that neither her or the kits could survive.

A spasm rippled through Silverfeather, as an orange and white she kit was born. Blood pooled around the queen's paws.

"A she-kit." Dappleheart announced.

"Should I take the kit into my nest?" Creamfur asked.

"Yes. she needs to be away from the infection." Dappleheart replied and gently placed the kit next to Creamfur.

"Dappleheart?" Flintstone's voice sounded from outside, "How is Silverfeather? Are the kits okay?"

Dappleheart stepped outside. "She gave birth to one she-kit. The kit is fine, but Silverfeather..."

Flintstone rushed inside. "Silverfeather?"

"Flint...stone" The queen's voice was barely a sigh. Her body was hot with fever and her eyes were streaming. Her pelt, once beautiful was now smeared with blood. She was dying.

"You're going to be okay, my love." Flintstone whispered, his voice dangerously wobbling. "Think of our kit! You can't leave her."

"I'm sorry....my dear. StarClan...needs me now. Take...good care of... our kit....our Maplekit." Silverfeather mewed weakly and her flanks heaved with each breath. Her breathing got slower and slower.

"Silverfeather, no! You can't leave me!" Flintstone yowled with anguish and threw himself on her. But it was too late. Silverfeather's whole body stilled forever, with the departure of her spirit.

~TBC~