(Cat above is Antstar drawn by me, the author*evil grin*)

The sun had risen above the trees, casting a warm orange-yellow glow into the den. Soft, white clouds rolled across the sky. Wolfpaw awoke, blinking the sleep and light out of his eyes. He looked around the den and noticed that most of the apprentices had already left. Maplepaw and Hawkpaw were still curled in their nests, sound asleep.

Wolfpaw rose to his paws then arched his back in a long stretch and padded out into the clearing. He looked around for Stormleap. He didn't see his mentor but there were cats who made his pelt prickle with apprehension. Antstar, Dewspark, and Icestep sat under the Pinebranch in a deep conversation. The three toms' eyes were clouded by sorrow. Antstar gave a curt nod to Dewspark and Icestep them turned and leapt onto the Pinebranch.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Pinebranch for a clan meeting!" He called.

His yowl rang clearly, but there was a small stutter in his voice that told Wolfpaw that whatever Antstar was going to say, wasn't going to be good. He watched the cats gather from around the clearing. Stormleap emerged from the warriors' den, followed closely by Jumpbriar, Poppynight, and Rockheart. Frogleap got up from the fresh-kill pile and stood at the back. Moonswirl and Aspenlight padded in through the thorn tunnel and joined him.
Timberthorn and Sparrowleap both appeared from the nursery, but remained in the entrance with their kits. The apprentices joined their mentors. The elders padded out of their den. And last of all, Beetlestep and Flarewind shot in through the thorn tunnel.

Antstar waited until the whole Clan was gathered around him. "Cats of ShadowClan," he began, "the time has come for decision that I hate to make. We have been searching for Jaypaw for several days now and each patrol comes back the same. We cannot keep going on if nothing has changed. We still have duties to attend to and a clan to take care of. So now . . ." His voice faltered.

Wolfpaw eyed his leader. He doesn't know Jaypaw all that well but it's still hard for him talk about. Then Antstar straightened up again and his voice was steadier. "We must stop searching and carry on with the needs of our clan." He looked up at the sky, just as clouds began to cover up the sun. "Jaypaw is dead."

Wolfpaw felt his heart drop. No. She can't be dead!

An eerie silence had filled the clearing, the only sound being the rustling of the trees. The ShadowClan warriors shared mournful glances. Some were nodding, accepting that Antstar maybe right.

"I will hold a vigil for her tonight." Antstar added. "Any cat that wishes to join is welcome too."

He flicked his tail, signaling the end of the meeting. He leapt from the Pinebranch and padded into his den. Wolfpaw got up and padded to the apprentices' den. He curled back up in his nest, resting his head on his paws. He wrapped his tail comfortingly around himself as tears began to well in his eyes.

I'm so sorry, Jaypaw.

*

*

That night, Antstar emerged from his den and padded into the clearing. He sat down and lowered his head. Wolfpaw was curled up in his nest when Hollypaw walked past.

"Are you going to the vigil for Jaypaw?" Maplepaw asked.

"Yes." Hollypaw replied. "She was my best friend."

Wolfpaw rose to his paws. "I'm coming too."

Hollypaw nodded and the two padded out together and joined their grieving clanmates. The cats who had chosen to join Antstar were Dewspark, Rainfeather and Pinepaw, Goldenblaze, Finchfeather, Brightmoon, and Flowerstem. Icestep and Webshade emerged from the warriors' den, their eyes clouded by sadness.

Icestep had been Jaypaw's mentor. Every cat in the clan knew they had a strong bond, stronger that any other mentor-apprentice bond. Webshade was Jaypaw's father. He had lost his mate, Bluemist, to greencough not long after Jaypaw became an apprentice. Now he had lost his only daughter, his only kit.

Hollypaw and Wolfpaw sat next to one another, pressing their pelts comfortingly against each other. Wolfpaw could feel Hollypaw shaking against him and he didn't know if it was from the wind or from the sadness and fear that she had just been told her best friend was dead. He laid his tail over her back and placed a paw on hers. He looked into her emerald green eyes and gave her a reassuring smile that told her that they would get through losing their friend together. She returned the smile and entwined her tail with his.

Antstar opened his eyes. " Farewell, Jaypaw. May you find good hunting, swift running, and shelter when you sleep."

Wolfpaw and Hollypaw glanced at each other. Antstar's words struck them like enemy claws. Jaypaw really was gone, and they couldn't do anything about it. They looked up at the night sky. Their ancestors roamed the sky, giving them light as they grieved.

She's up there.

Can you see us, Jaypaw?