Silverstream's Flower

Graystripe sat beside Millie who was fast asleep at his feet. He was tired, but he couldn't sleep. Not after what was happening. He had too much on his mind. He glanced down at the flower down by Millie's head. It was a daisy, once Silverstream's, yet it never died. She had told him why. He closed his eyes and tried to remember the vague memory.


"It was my mother's, before she died, when I was very young," Silverstream explained. "Crookedstar gave it to me. I think that it hasn't died, because… I think that part of her is in it. Part of her spirit. It stays alive as long as it's there. I wear it.. because when I do, I feel like she is with me. I feel like she is always there, even when I can't see her."


Graystripe felt that way too. Whenever he had the daisy, he always felt like she was with him. Fireheart teased him about it sometimes, the way he always carried it around. But whenever it was with him, he felt like she was there beside him. But even though it was there, he still felt like part of him was missing. The part that died with her.

Graystripe opened his eyes when he smelt something ….familiar. Faint, but very familiar. It was sweet and gentle and it almost made him dizzy. It was…. It was Silverstream! He jerked his head back. Silverstream was standing there, her eyes filled with love. She was looking more beautiful than ever. Feathertail was with her, looking almost exactly like her.

"Silverstream!" Graystripe gasped as he ran up to her. He rubbed his muzzle against hers in joy. Silverstream's tail wrapped around his. He looked into Silverstream's eyes. "I…I can't tell you how happy I am to see you! To see you both!" He added as he looked at his daughter. He rubbed Feathertail's muzzle with his.

Silverstream purred and licked Graystripe's cheek. "I've missed you so much," she whispered," But I've always been with you. And I always will. We need to tell you something Graystripe."

Graystripe took a step back from Silverstream. "Yes, what is it?" His eyes shown with joy.

Silverstream purred. "You need to go back to the Clans. They are all waiting for you. You have to go back and find them.

Graystripe eyes widened in disbelief. "But…but Silverstream! I don't know where they are! I don't know how far away from them I am!" Graystripe said.

Silverstream took a step forward," You have to. There will be one who will guide you there."

As here eyes bore deeply into his, they both knew who she was talking about. Millie.

Silverstream's eyes softened. "She will guide you there. And so will I. I've always been there for you. Always."

That's when Graystripe realized. Of course! That's why I always felt her there. It was the flower. When Silverstream had died, part of her soul took her mother's place inside that daisy. She had been there all along.

Silverstream's eyes glittered with tears. "I love you Graystripe. I always will, more than anyone. But I know how you feel about her, and I know. It's alright. I understand."

Graystripe face flushed red. "No! That's not what was supposed to happen! I don't love Millie…. do I?" he thought.

Silverstream only smiled. She and Feathertail began to walk off. "No Silverstream! Wait!" Graystripe called out in despair.

Silverstream turned around, her eyes showing more pain and love that he could describe. " I will always be there. Always," she echoed.

Graystripe opened his eyes. He was asleep, sleeping next to Millie. Graystripe sat up, still in deep disappointment. He loved it when Silverstream came to see him. When she came, he never wanted to wake up. Then he realized. The daisy! Where was the daisy?" He looked around and found it by his tail. It had completely changed. It was brown and wrinkled. All of the life was drained from it.

In disbelief, he picked it up. He could feel a tear roll down his cheek. What Silverstream had said made perfect sense now. He crouched down and held the dead flower in his paw. Silverstream's word echoed in his head and they gave him more peace than he had ever felt in a long, long time.  " I will always be there. Always."