Swiftpaw's Regret

another poem by Eevee~

___________

StarClan is so cruel! How could they do this!?

They just took me from Brightpaw, left her to die at the claws of those dogs.

And could I have done anything?

...Yes. I could have.

I could have survived.

~

When my spirit left my corpse, I knew that there was no helping it.

At least, I thought I knew.

When I looked back at the fight, I knew it was wrong to leave Brightpaw.

Dogs with bloodstained muzzles and teeth, and blood spattered everywhere on the ground.

And worst of all, Brightpaw lying on the ground, blood pooling around her face and flanks.

She was limp, not breathing.

Dead.

"Swiftpaw?" a soft voice asked.

I had whirled around to see nothing, no one.

But a very pale she-cat's figure flickered, and my breath caught in my throat.

I hadn't dared to guess, but it was Brightpaw's spirit, barely visible.

"Swiftpaw," she had whispered again. "Help me..."

"I tried, Brightpaw!" I cried.

But she slowly blinked her beautiful green eyes and breathed, "No, you can still help."

I had protested, "No, I can't! I died, I'm so sorry!" I had almost broken down right then.

As tears ran down my face onto the ground, I felt Brightpaw touch my forehead with her nose.

"Swiftpaw, please." she had begged, her eyes pleading.

"I-I..." I had given up right then.

But I took a breath and said, "I promise, we'll be warriors soon."

Brightpaw had stepped forward, and her nose had touched my nose. "I'm sorry, Swiftpaw." she whispered.

She flickered, then disappeared.

I shook my head slightly. "Good-bye, Brightpaw." I had managed to choke out.

I turned away and didn't look back.

I walked toward a pale light trail until I came across a fork in the path.

One lead upward to a brighter place, and the other lead straight into a dark, foggy place.

I headed upward, toward the sky and the stars.

~

The starry cats accepted me without a thought.

They said that I was so brave it was foolish.

They said that mine and Brightpaw's relationship was a special one.

Was.

My only wish is that I could've fought longer, that I could've saved her before the dogs ravaged her face.

But, the StarClan cats say I did all I could.

I know I could have done more.

None of this would have happened if Bluestar had just made us warriors.

StarClan is so cruel...

That's what I thought before.

Now, knowing that they spared Brightpaw's life, I forgive them.

I promise, we'll be warriors soon, Brightpaw.