The wounds I received from Lionsun burned as I limped on beside my clanmates. No one spoke, grief and shock hung over us like a dark cloud. The battle with Shadowclan over our border and prey ended in death on both sides. We lost our leader and Shadowclan their deputy. I couldn't believe that Starclan would take our leader like that.

Sparkheart stumbled ahead of me. I hurried forward to steady her. She turned her head and what I saw in her eyes broke my heart even more. Bramblestar was her father. "It will be okay," I whispered.

The rain had stopped by the time we reached the hollow. The Clan was sharing tongues around the clearing, oblivious to our loss. The first cat to realize we were back was Alderbark. "The patrol is back!" he called, running across the clearing like an excited kit. "How did-" The question died in his throat as he skidded to a halt his amber gaze fixed on the body of Bramblestar. He began shaking his head in disbelief and backed away. An odd keening rose around the clearing. Squirrelflight emerged from the warriors den to see what was wrong. Her green gaze clouded over as we gently placed Bramblestar's body below the Highledge where it was driest.

The Clan began to gather in silence waiting for some cat to tell them what happened. Blackpoppy and Jayfeather hurried forward with leaf wraps, to see to the wounded. I settled on my flank, too tired to take another step. "What happened Foxspirit?" Squirrelflight's voice cracked with grief.

"He died fighting Crowfrost, but Crowfrost died as well." My mentor kept his gaze fixed on his paws. "I don't think Starclan was happy with either of our Clans." I flicked my ears in surprise. My mentor didn't often mention Starclan. Blackpoppy began licking the wound on my shoulder. I blinked at her as she applied a strong smelling wad of green pulp. I hissed into my teeth as it stung, but sighed as the burning pain faded. I rested my head on my paws.

"Who will be our new deputy?" Some cat called.

"Squirrelflight knows what to do," I heard another say. I began to doze.

"I think Foxspirit would make a great deputy!" Foxpaw yowled. I noticed his eyes still shone from the excitement of the battle even as blood welled up in a scratch above his eye and in a nick on his ear.

More cats began adding their voices to the noise. I shut my eyes and clamped my paws over my ears, not wanting to listen to all the arguing. A nose pressed gently against my flank. I opened my eyes and blinked at Nightfrost, sympathy shone in his eyes. "Go get some sleep. I'll come get you for the vigil." I nodded and struggled to my paws.