Epilogue

Ivypool stared blankly as Sandstorm and Purdy gently lifted up Bumblestripe's stiff, cold body, trying to stop it swinging madly between them. Graystripe trailed behind them, too hung down with grief to do anything but follow along, Millie and Blossomfall just behind him. Ivypool gaze rested on Briarlight, who was rapidly dragging herself after them.

"Briarlight! I really don't think you should be leaving camp right now, it-" Jafeather abruptly stopped his protest as Briarlight swung her head round and fixed her fiery piercing gaze upon him.

"MY BROTHER HAS JUST DIED, CAN'T I AT LEAST SEE HIS BURIEL PLACE!" She shrieked, forcing the entire camp into silence. Her voice was so despairing, so distraught, it was impossible to ignore, Ivypool was sure they could hear it across the lake in Riverclan. Jayfeather gave a small sigh, not replying to Briarlight, but everyone could see that he wasn't going to argue with her when she was like this. No one would. Jayfeather simply attached himself to the procession, and Briarlight followed. Ivypool suddenly felt an overwhelming wave of emotion, not just for Bumblestripe and Tigerheart, but for everyone in the camp. There had been so many deaths before, Ivypool wouldn't have expected it to be this bad, but the way that they had died, was just so heart wrenching, that Ivypool couldn't bear it, and she turned her back at slipped inconspicuously into the warriors den. No one in Thunderclan blamed Dovewing for Tigerheart's death, but Shadowclan probably would, no one really understood the circumstances except Ivypool, as no one but Ivypool had known about Dovewing and Tigerheart's secret meetings. It would probably take some work on Bramblestar's part, but Ivypool was certain that Dovewing would live on without punishment. It would take some time, probably quite a lot of time, but everything would go back to normal.