The day had been a dull, cloudy one, rain falling in moderation at times. There had been a chill in the air that signaled the conclusion of green-leaf was just around the corner. Locust trees had turned brown, and a few of the swamp maples were beginning to show their leaf-fall colors of brillian yellows, oranges and reds. Soon the forest would be alive with color ... if it made it that long. According to StarClan, the storm would soon ravage the home which all Clancats knew and loved dearly. All of the feline's pasts were here, and it had been the dreams of many to spend their future here as well.

Many seasons ago, after the so called 'death' of Rainstar, a warrior by the name of Sedgefur took the spot of leader. For a long time all of the cats thought that Rainstar was dead, but he eventually learned the truth of that. Sedgestar lead the Clan for many moons, and was very loyal to his beloved ThunderClan, that was, until he was summoned by StarClan. No, he was not taken there forever, as he had six lives left at the time, but to be briefed on a mission that he was to complete.

Unfortunately, StarClan had sent him too late, resulting in not only the loss of all but one of his lives, but it also did nothing to help the cats of the forest. It had taken him many moons to return to ThunderClan, only to find things much different than how he had left it. Not many of the cats had met him before, but only heard about him through word of mouth, as though he was already a mythical-seeming figure. It was good to see that his Clan was now in the worthy paws of Duskstar, one of the last warriors he got to name, and his grandson, Lionclaw. Great StarClan, how he was proud of Lionclaw.

His father, Sagewind, had been a total disappointment to Sedgestar. They were scarily similar in looks, but in the personality department, they had nothing in common. Sage had been a self-centered, coward, and upheld none of the honor which his father had managed to obtain throughout his life. The only thing in his eyes that his son ever did right was father his kits. Although there were only two left, now that Saffronbreeze had gone missing, all of them had been loyal. And now his eldest grandchild was following in his pawsteps .. at least he could leave this world knowing he had something to be proud of.

His injuries, he had known when he received them, would be fatal, but StarClan gave him the strength to return home one last time. By the time he returned, the infection was far too bad to treat by any remedies known to the medicine cats of the forest, and his old joints and bones were weak. The tom's emerald green gaze had lost its haunting quality, and was becoming duller with every moment as life rapidly faded from his body. Through his blurred vision, he saw his grandson, Lionclaw, enter the Elder's den to visit him as he had done every day, but today would be his last.

Sedgestar smiled weakly at his grandson, who looked alarmed, but lay down beside the former leader to spend his last few moments on this earth with him. I am...so proud of you, Lionclaw, he managed to say, his voice barely more than a strained whisper. It took every bit of strength he had left in him. The ex-ThunderClan leader felt the breath escape his lungs, as if his life was slipping right through his paws and he had no way to grasp onto it for any longer. Silently, peacefully, Sedgestar passed. his body no longer ached and he felt as though he could run forever.

The tom was alone in darkness, but a sweet scent soon washed over him. Soon he saw his mother, Fawntail, and his mate, Silverwind standing side-by-side, waiting to take him back to StarClan. Sedgestar was finally home.