Two in one!

Chapter One

I watch the cats as they mill around, eyes still wide with shock. I want to find Nightwhisper. But what can I say? He ended it. It' over… over.

"Midnightstorm?" Jayfeather stands behind me, wrapped in worry.

"What is it?" I can't help the fear that steals my heart.

"Come." He turns and weaves through the cats leading me to the elders den. Inside I see Mousefur on her side, breathing irregularly.

"There's no fever and no illness. It's simply her time."

"Right after Firestar? This is going to kill the Clan!" I yelp.

"Psh you should all be happy for me!" Mousefur snaps. "Out of this old bag of bones body, free from aches and pain, a young cat again."

"That actually sounds nice." Purdy mews. I watch Briarlight, her eyes slightly glazed over. She's imaging being able to run again, hunting for her own prey.

"Still we'll miss you, I mean who will annoy the apprentices with their incredible crankiness?" I ask.

Mousefur laughs, wheezing slightly, "Oh Purdy can be cranky enough and Briarlight will learn."

"I certainly hope not!" Briarlight snaps, watching the old cat sadly.

"Listen to me all of you!" Mousefur hisses suddenly stern, "I am ready to die. I've lived my life well; I've seen all I need to see. And I want to fight in this war; I can't here, but in StarClan? I'll be a fierce warrior again!

"I need all of you to let me go."

Purdy stares sadly down at his old friend, "It won't be the same without you, come and visit at least okay? Bring Longtail with you."

"Of course."

"Enjoy running free." Briarlight mews sadly, "I set you free."

"Thank you, Jayfeather?" Mousefur asks, turning to my father.

"I was always ready," he replies with a shrug, "I'll still see you, maybe you'll replace Yellowfang in my life!"

"I can do that." Mousefur laughs and then turns to me, "Keep ThunderClan strong, fight for me, and all those wronged."

I bow my head and murmur, "Live fierce in the stars, Mousefur."

She sighs and a look of contentment slides over her face as she draws her last breath, and mews quietly, "Hello old friends."

For the second time in a day tears soak my face and I flee from the den, unable to face what has happened.

"You have to tell him."

"What?" I ask, turning to Jayfeather who had followed me so skillfully from the den.

"Lionstar, it is your duty as deputy." He replies grimly.

"Father, I don't know if I want this." I confess, shaking my head as a lost feeling overwhelms me.

"And I don't know if I want this for you." Jayfeather admits, closing his eyes.

"But we don't have a choice." I whisper and he nods.

"Not really."

"Take care of our family." I mew dully and climb the steps to my future.

As I reach the top I hear voices and realize that Lionstar and Cinderheart are alone in the den. "Hmmm Lionstar…"

"Cinderheart…"

"LALALALALALALALALA!" I mew loudly, wanting to flee back down the steps. I can't believe I've walked in on this! Gah, awkward!

"Midnightstorm?" I hear Cinderheart call.

"Yeah I'm here." I mew into the den.

"Come in." Lionstar mews as he laughs.

"I have some news for you." I mew meekly. I walk in and I'm hit with the scent of Firestar. Some of his flame colored fur is tangled in the nest I know Lionstar doesn't have the heart to throw it out.

"What's happened?" he asks and I brace myself and looking my leader's eyes wishing my first news could be a bit happier.

"Mousefur has passed." I whisper.

"What?" he gasps.

"She's joined StarClan. It was natural, and she was old –"

"Now? We just lost…! This is terrible! What am I going to do?" He asks, shaking his head in despair.

"Carry on." Cinderheart mews. "You're leader now. You have to put others above yourself. When they look to you for strength, you must show them some." Lionstar flinches but nods.

"Then you'd better leave, I'll make the announcement right away. No, stay," he mews to me as I try to slip out of the den.

"Lionstar it'll be okay…" my voice trails away feebly.

He turns and smiles at me, "Course it'll be okay, were family, what could go wrong?"

Everything? I think miserably, moving to stand by his side on Highledge.

"All those old enough to gather their own prey gather beneath Highledge for a Clan meeting." I feel his astonishment that has not yet faded, as he utters the words, and his surprise that cats listen. "I have called you here to once more say good-bye. Mousefur joined StarClan not long ago, and now hunts young again with our starry ancestors."

Silence rings loud in the hollow, pressing down all around me. Echosong's green eyes meet mine and I sense she feels the same way.

"How did she die?" the question breaks the silence and the Clan resemble angry bees as the buzz repeating the question. Lionstar side glances at me and I have to yowl to be heard.

"It was natural, there was no foul play, and it was her time. What did she say? Oh 'I am ready to die. I've lived my life well; I've seen all I need to see. And I want to fight in this war; I can't here, but in StarClan? I'll be a fierce warrior again! I need all of you to let me go.' we need to honor her memory and let her go. Even though we'll miss her like crazy."

"Well we'd never keep her here if she wanted to… go on. Everyone knows Mousefur's the most stubborn cat out there." Lilacpaw mews, looking to her father and me, her pretty purple-blue eyes glass-like with unshed tears.

"Oh I don't know, Jayfeather could rival her." Hollyleaf mews to general laughter.

"It's good you're my sister!" Jayfeather hisses when the laughter dies down.

"Or you'd shred me." Hollyleaf mews bored.

"Now, now, enough," Lionstar mews before Jayfeather can retaliate, "You're giving me flash backs."

The Clan erupts in laughter again and I see that some of their pain has eased. I scan the crowd and find his black pelt. Not looking at me. Chatting idly with Blazefeather, without a care in the world. I look away forcing myself to accept the truth. I've hurt him too much and I've lost him.

I sigh and look to the sky. I can almost hear Mousefur's grouchy mew.

How much more do I have to lose?

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