Birchkit woke with a start. He opened his eyes drowsily, wondering what woke him. He looked up at his mother, Ferncloud. She was gaunt; he could make out every bone down her spine, every rib down her chest. Her eyes were wide with al arm and fear. He realized his brother, Larchkit, wasn't curled next to him like he usually was. He turned around and saw Cinderpelt and Leafpool desperately liking Larchkit's limp body. He squirmed towards them and snuggled against him. Larchkit felt deathly cold. Dustpelt, their father, limped in and placed a small, skinny thrush next to Larchkit. "Wake up and eat," he mewed, his voice cracking. Birchkit looked up at his mother, eyes filled with fear.

"It'll be okay," Ferncloud mewed softly. "Everything will be alright, little one." He watched as the medicine cats worked desperately to revive his littermate. Every second felt like and hour as they watched Larchkit for any sign of life. After what seemed like an eternity, Cinderpelt lifted her head solemnly "Hi is in the paws of StarClan now. There is nothing more we can do for him."

Birchkit heard his mother's wail of grief, and crawled over to her, burying his head in her belly fur. Dustpelt joined them, and the tree sat in silence as Cinderpelt gently pulled Leafpool away form Larchkit.

"He can't die," she cried, inconsolable. "There must be something we can do."

"StarClan will watch over him," Cinderpelt replied, here eyes glazed over with exhaustion and sorrow. She slowly dragged Larchkit to the center of the clearing for his silent vigil.