Echoing voices. They seemed so far away. The noises sharpened. The strong smells of herbs wafted to Heartstorm's nose. Something soft lay underneath him. He was in StarClan. Bumblepaw... Had Bumblepaw made it? Heartstorm's eyes flickered open. He saw some light. Some grey walls. A few colourful shapes. Heartstorm sniffed. He smelt warmth. He tried to move. The voices grew stronger. They felt nearer. Heartstorm blinked his eyes open but they wouldn't focus. Suddenly, a searing pain swept over him. He closed his eyes. His thoughts were muddled. He floated back to sleep. 

Heartstorm forced his heavy eyes open. He stared into a beautiful ocean of blue. He smiled weakly. As he focused more, he realised he was staring into worried caring eyes. Silverdrop. What was Silverdrop doing in StarClan?
               "Heartstorm," Silverdrop's voice was cool and calming like the trickle of a stream. "I love you." Silverdrop shifted and slipped into the nest beside Heartstorm. Heartstorm closed his eyes and purred. He wanted to stay like that forever. So he didn't move. 

A cool breeze ruffled Heartstorm's fur. He yawned and rolled over. His body ached dully. Heartstorm felt slightly more awake. He blinked his eyes open. He was in a den. Moonlight streamed into the den from a small hole by the entrance. Herbs lined the floor and walls. Heartstorm was sprawled on a moss bed. Heartstorm sniffed. The smells were familiar. He frowned. The medicine cat den. But something was different. Heartstorm tried to pull memories. He shuddered as dark images replayed in his mind. A hollow cry escaped his lips as he remembered Bumblepaw. He curled up into a ball and shivered. 

Morning had come. Heartstorm opened his eyes and sat up. His stomach growled angrily. He was thirsty. He was hungry. But he didn't want to get food. He didn't want to drink. He just wanted to curl back up into a ball. Silverdrop slipped into the den. She rushed over to him. They pressed close to each other. Heartstorm closed his eyes and wrapped his tail around her. He felt as if he hadn't seen her for years. He took in her beautiful warmth and the feeling of safety. 

            "How are you feeling?" asked Silverdrop. 

            "O-ok," murmured Heartstorm. As he stared into Silverdrop's eyes, he knew something was wrong. "What happened?" 

           "I er...," Silverdrop's voice broke. "I'm gonna fetch some- j-j..." She rushed out, leaving Heartstorm alone. He felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. He slowly lowered himself down to the ground. There was some shuffling and then another cat entered the den. 

            "Heartstorm," came a familiar voice. Blacktail. "It's me. And Snowfur." 

             "I've just come to check on you," Snowfur said. Heartstorm didn't question it. He let Snowfur look him up and down then pad out of the den. Blacktail stayed with Heartstorm.      

            "What happened?" asked Heartstorm hoarsely. 

             "We won," Blacktail said. 

              "Who died?" Heartstorm asked softly. 

            "Frogleap..., Rainfeather and er.. Bumblepaw," whispered Blacktail. The words didn't make sense. Heartstorm heard some rushing in his ears. 

Heartstorm was prodded in the ribs. 

             "You've got to eat," Blacktail said firmly. Silverdrop sat behind her, a mouse in her mouth. Heartstorm sighed. Silverdrop dropped the mouse at Heartstorm's feet and took a small bite. He didn't savour it. 

             "I'm going to tell you everything that happened," Blacktail said. "And you're going to listen. Alright? Because Reedstar chose you to lead RiverClan. And we need a leader more than ever now. Understand?" Heartstorm managed a feeble nod. He felt as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders. He wanted to run away. He wanted to find Bumblepaw. he wanted to bring Bumblepaw back. 

             "You've been hurt for about half a moon now," Blacktail said. "Snowfur has been helping us, since we don't have a medicine cat. We won the battle when one of the ShadowClan cats found Clawstar dead. WindClan retreated. We found you and brought you back. Bumblepaw was dead. We've been fixing camp and trying to get back food and get things back to normal. We're still mourning. Things aren't great. We don't have enough food." Heartstorm didn't process anything she was saying. 

             "Heartstorm, are you listening?" asked Silverdrop. Heartstorm shrugged and spat out the small bit fo food he had in his mouth. 

             "Brightpaw wants to see you," continued Silverdrop. "Can she come in?" Heartstorm shrugged once more. He felt empty. He felt cold. Blacktail turned around and padded out, leaving Heartstorm and Silverdrop alone. 

            "I'm letting her come in. Heartstorm, are you listening to me?" Silverdrop said firmly. Heartstorm nodded meekly. "Be strong." Silverdrop marched out and there was some talking by the medicine den entrance. Then Brightpaw burst into the medicine den. She padded towards Heartstorm, her head down, slightly nervously. Heartstorm felt a little flutter in his heart but he couldn't bring himself to stand up. Brightpaw mingled near him, not knowing what to do. 

           "Are you feeling better?" asked Brightpaw finally. Heartstorm wanted to sink into the ground. Instead, he nodded. Brightpaw finally couldn't help it. She rushed at him and sunk her face into his fur. Heartstorm let her. He didn't move but he soaked in the love. He closed his eyes. 

            "I love you," murmured Brightpaw softly, looking at her paws. She backed away and slipped out of the den. Heartstorm looked up at the den entrance. He bit his tongue. 

           "I love you too," he whispered after her.