Challenge for NightClan AKA Children of the Shadows.

Disclaimer: I do not own Warriors. If I did, then I would not be on Fanfiction.

Echoleaf winced as a sharp pain rippled inside her, but her eyes remained icy and bitter. She spluttered as her throat tightened up; which signified another round of coughs. A few days ago, Frostfeather, DewClan's medicine cat, had told her that she had a sickness that was incurable. She didn't say what it was, but the silver-and-white tabby knew that death was sneaking up upon her, ready to take her away from the world of the living…

What do I have left to live for, anyways? Echoleaf closed her eyes as she remembered her sister Lilykit, who died of greencough on a harsh leaf-bare day. Leafcloud, her mother had died the next day, the same cough gripping on to her life. Then, there was Mallowpaw and Dapplepaw, Echoleaf's best friend and sister, whose life had been ripped away by foxes. When she became a warrior, her brother Spottedclaw was added to the list of Echoleaf's dead family and friends. Then, Tawnypaw, Echoleaf's first apprentice had been ripped away from her because of a battle—her first battle. Also there was Birdkit, who was a little kit Echoleaf had adopted. But StarClan took her away before her apprentice ceremony. After that, her father Darkstorm had died, making Echoleaf's life miserable. Ever since then, Echoleaf had lost hope in everything around her, waiting for her death to come. She had watched many apprentices become warriors and kits becoming apprentices.

Blood splattered on the ground, the crimson shade overlapping the stains of the recent rain. Her eyes narrowed in pain and agony, and her claws started tearing up the moss. Why is StarClan so cruel? First taking away everyone I loved, and now ripping my life away so painfully.

"Err… hello? My mentor told me to see if you're okay…" The voice of an apprentice drifted in.

"Come in." Echoleaf meowed, her voice bitter.

A little black-and-white she-kit stepped in, her green eyes wide and scared. Why wouldn't she be scared? All the cats know I've sunken too deep inside of my grief, the silver elder told herself silently. She looks like Birdkit… The little apprentice saw the bloodstains on the ground. "Do you need Frostfeather to come and check on you?" She asked with concern in her voice. "My name is Windpaw, by the way."

Echoleaf shook her head. "No. I am going to die anyways, and Frostfeather can't cure me."

"Oh, I'm sorry about that," Windpaw obviously wasn't scared anymore. "Err… why are you so bitter? Why do you seem to bite off the tail of every cat who comes near you? Everyone says you are a crazy old cat who hates everyone."

The tabby glared at the ground. "If you had lost as much as I have, then you would understand. I cannot afford to love anyone again." Grief spilled out of Echoleaf's heart as she said those words. She spluttered again, blood pouring out of her throat like an open wound.

Windpaw however, tipped her head questioningly. "What do you mean?"

Echoleaf sighed. Instead of saying everything she meowed, "You look like Birdkit. If she hadn't been dead, I would've thought you were her." A vivid image of the little kit flashed through her head. Is she in StarClan? Or is she somewhere else?

"Who's Birdkit?" Windpaw piped up. Echoleaf let out a little laugh. I knew it. Apprentices these days, always wondering about things they shouldn't be.

"You want to know about Birdkit?" Those words slipped out of Echoleaf's mouth.

"Yes please!" Windpaw mewed eagerly; her eyes shining with anticipation.

"I guess a story wouldn't hurt," Echoleaf muttered. "Many moons before you were born, when I was a young warrior, I found a little black-and-white kit at the border between DewClan and the forest where loners and rogues lived. I was on a hunting patrol then, trying to find prey, of course. I just didn't know I'd stumble upon a kit." A purr rumbled in Echoleaf's throat, only to be cut off abruptly by a fresh wave of grief and bitterness. "After that, Dawncloud and Rainclaw came and saw the kit with me. They had asked who she was, and I replied that I didn't know the kit." Echoleaf's eyes almost clouded over with grief at the mention of Birdkit. Almost, but not quite; for years of concealing her grief stopped her from feeling the emotion. "And then—"


The black-and-white she-kit's blue eyes stared up at Echoleaf. "Are you my momma? She left me."

The silver-and-white tabby she-cat shook her head. "Sorry, I'm not your mother. What is your name?"

"Bird," the kit mewed.

"Would you like to come live with us? You'll die out here," Dawncloud meowed, and the kit nodded. The patrol of warriors started padding back towards the camp.

"There aren't any queens in the nursery at this time," Rainclaw pointed out, "except for Petalfall, whose kits will arrive a moon later."

"I guess I can take care of her," the silver tabby she-cat meowed.


Echoleaf was jerked out of her thoughts as she let out a weak cough. Her vision grew blurry with black spots. My time is coming to an end. There is nothing I can do about it.

Windpaw seemed to notice that something was wrong. Her eyes darted to Echoleaf, and then to Frostfeather's den. "I'll fetch Frostfeather for you, no matter what you say," the black-and-white apprentice meowed stubbornly.

"There's no need to. I'm going to die anyways," the silver-and-white tabby's eyes narrowed to slits. Echoleaf didn't hear what Windpaw said next, for she was dragged back into her thoughts.


Birdkit's green eyes glistened with excitement. "It's my apprentice ceremony today, Echoleaf! Aren't you proud of me?"

The silver tabby warrior purred. "Of course I am."

"I want you to be my mentor!" Birdkit squeaked. "I only want you; no one else."

Echoleaf let out a little purr. "Be thankful to whoever your mentor is. Any warrior would be great."

The little black-and-white kit looked disappointed. "So you won't be my mentor?"

Echoleaf sighed. "No, but I can give you advise on your training."

Birdkit let out an excited squeak. "Really? You will? Do you promise?"

Echoleaf nodded. "I promise. Now hurry along, you don't want to be late!"


A rattling cough shook Echoleaf's weakened body.


"Echoleaf? Are you here?" Birdkit mewed. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry that I couldn't make you proud of me… I'm sorry… I can't hang on…" Birdkit's voice became pained as a crystal-blue tear rolled down her cheek.

"No! Birdkit, please, stay strong for me! For both of us! Please," Echoleaf buried her nose in the kit's scorched fur.

Birdkit drew in a shuddering breath. "No, Echoleaf. I can't stay for any longer, I'm so sorry," the black-and-white she-kit's eyes clouded over with sadness. "I'm sorry," tears rolled down Birdkit's cheek. "I wish I can stay, I really do!" She ducked her head as tears continued to stream down. Her eyes locked with Echoleaf's. "Can you stay strong for me?"

Echoleaf choked on her tears. "Yes, Birdkit. I promi—"

A smile crossed Birdkit's face, and she closed her eyes.

"P-promise," the silver warrior choked out. She buried her face into Birdkit's warn fur, now laced with the stench of death.

Echoleaf had failed Birdkit. Utterly failed.


Echoleaf's chest tightened. "Birdkit," she started, "are you coming for me?" Her question lingered in the air. A black-and-white shape appeared. "Birdkit?" Echoleaf meowed. Her eyes cleared. "Windpaw."

Windpaw's concerned eyes rested on Echoleaf. "Frostfeather's coming soon. Hold on for a bit."

Echoleaf shook her head. "StarClan's coming for me. Goodbye, Windpaw." A peaceful smile crossed her face, and she closed her eyes. "Goodbye," her voice drifted with the wind.

Perhaps I haven't failed Birdkit. Just maybe…

This should have been posted a while ago, but I have a few tests coming up… Hope you enjoyed! (I might edit this sometime. ) I really wish this is accepted.

Constructive criticism is allowed, but please do not swear in the reviews! Thank you!

~Night