Part 10. The End

Two moons have passed since Spottedleaf's conception and now the final days until the kittens birthed is drawing near. For that time she was haunted by her dreams. "We shall return !" "Where is your mate ?" The dreams gave her worry. The second path of her life that was never meant to be draws to a close as it continues.

Spottedleaf felt nervous, the day of her kitting was extremely close. She looked at Fireheart who lay in the grass full of glee and happiness.

"Kits, I can't believe I'm going to be a father !" he said to himself.

Spottedleaf felt an extreme weight of uneasiness. The two were alone, there were no other cats they had known of in the woodland. "We shall return !" the words echoed in her mind as she let out a whimper. Fireheart then got up and said, "I am going to hunt, stay here. You'll need to save energy for the kitting soon."

He headed off into the wilderness, without the knowledge that a threat lurked in the shadows of the woods. Spottedleaf decided to sleep, perhaps she could grab a bit of rest without nightmares for the night. So she held Fire heart's plaything close, closed her eyes and fell into a deep slumber.

She awoke in a body of another cat, with the thought of prey for his mate. Fireheart ! She knew there was something wrong here, why was she seeing through her mate's eyes ? Oh no !

"WE SHALL RETURN !" the voice boomed in her mind, she wanted to yowl and escape the vision, yet she could not snap out of it. Fireheart dropped into stalking position as he had spotted a squirrel nibble on a nut. Not for long. As he lunged a body hit him with full force and knocked him off balance. The squirrel darted away, as Fireheart began to struggle with Tigerclaw.

"I told you I would return and destroy everything you worked for. You death will be the ultimate sorrow for your lawless mate," he roared.

"How did you…?"

"Know ? I knew it from the beginning, I was waiting for the day to kill you kittypet, even if that meant being banished by the clan. The desire of your death has driven me to insanity, and now I have you ! After you, your mate."

With a swift strike Fireheart was dead from a blow to the throat.

Spottedleaf woke and let out a yowl of sorrow. This was never meant to be, I have ruined lives, and cause the death of the one who I loved the most. She felt like giving up, let Tigerclaw take her life. No. It would hurt Fireheart more if she and the kits didn't make it. She grabbed the plaything and set out through the woods with feelings of uncertainty and fear. She must find some kind of security and safety, perhaps another group of friendly cats. She moved quickly through the wilderness scanning the surrounding area quickly, making sure that Tigerclaw wasn't nearby. Spottedleaf felt the burden of her kits, but had a fear that drove her until she found a safe haven from the little ones and herself. She wandered aimlessly around the woodlands helpless against any attack that may come about. Starclan help me ! She then spotted a shadow in the distance, she froze in fear. The cat looked at her curiously and came forward. She was about to turn tail until she heard a voice from behind.

"I have you now !" Tigerclaw yowled as made a lunge. Spottedleaf braced herself and closed her eyes. She heard a large thud and opened her eyes and saw the cat she saw earlier wrestling Tigerclaw. The cat looked at her and yowled, "Go to the rocks, you will find refuge there, the cats will protect you there, tell them that Markis is fighting a renegade !"

He was knocked off by Tigerclaw and quickly recovered. He lunged at Tigerclaw and yelled, "GO !"

Spottedleaf started to dash through the forest, her eyes darting around searching for the "rocks" he described. The weight of her kits were becoming almost uncomfortable to bear, but she must move on if they are to survive. She scoured around she lost track of time. Spottedleaf felt helpless as she could not find the way to the rocks. Finally after several hours of wandering she found them. The rocks were stacked on each other in a way that created caves, cats were moving around, in, and out of the caves. She padded up to the cats. The eyed her suspiciously and asked, "Why are you here ?"

Spottedleaf dropped her plaything and replied, "Markis is fighting a renegade that attempted to kill my kits and myself. He said to seek refuge here for my kits." The cats looked at her swollen belly and nodded

"Come," one mewed, "We have a place for kitting queens."

Spottedleaf picked up her plaything and moved along the with the cat until she reached a room floored with moss.

"Rest here," the cat said.

Spottedleaf laid down and was treated to mouse, she quickly ate it up and thanked her benefactors for providing food and shelter. Another cat came into the room, the same one that saved her from Tigerclaw. His wounds were bad, but it seemed like he had them treated. Markis then laid down and asked Spottedleaf is she was okay. She replied that she was. Markis asked who Tigerclaw who he was and why he attacked. She answered both questions. He then asked, "Where is your mate ?"

The phrase hit her and she stayed silent. It was never meant to be.