~Chapter Seven~

"It HURTS!" Emberstorm screamed as he was dragged into camp.

His leg was twisted and bleeding. Longclaw pulled the screaming tom into the medicine cat den. I ran up to Silverflower. "What happened?" I asked alarmed.

"We were training the apprentices when bozo over there decided to show off by jumping out of a tree." Silverflower whispered.

I rolled my eyes. "Mouse brain." I growled.

Heatherstar jumped onto Highrock. "Okay, Sunpaw since your assessment is tomorrow,y= you will not be needing a new mentor."

Sunpaw trotted over to me. "Hi." she purred.

I smiled. "Hi Sunpaw."

"Gross." Silverflower growled playfully. "Go flirt else where." she laughed.

Sunpaw darted over to her brothers and I turned to Silverflower. "Rude much?" I joked.

"Look who's talking."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Silverflower winked and walked offf, probably to find Stormrain. I got up and found Leafshine sitting by the medicine cat den. "Its my fault he's hurt." she said quietly.

"No its not!" I laughed. "Emberstorm's the one who took a flying leap out of the tree!"

"But I was there!" Leafshine hissed. "I could've stopped him!"

"Yeah, you and all the apprentices who were there."

"I feel responsible! Its a terrible feeling." Leafshine looked sadly at her paws and sniffed.

I put my chin on Leafshine's head and she pushed her face into my neck. My fur soon grew warm with her tears. "Its not your fault. I know it in my heart, Leafshine."

Leafshine looked up at me and smiled. "You always know what to say, Fallenshadow. I love you."

"Lilypetal!" someone shrieked.

I jumped up and sprinted to the nursery and saw Tawnyflower wailing and backing out of the nursery with her newest litter. "Where's mum?" I yelled.

Tawnystar looked at me with horror. "She was having trouble sleeping, so i fetched some poppy seeds from Stormflower, but they were foxglove seeds."

My eyes widened and panic filled me. Iburst into the nursery, Lilypaetle lay stiff in her bed. I lowered my ear to her chest and I heard her faint heartbeat. "Mum?" I whimpered.

"Can't... move..." she whispered. "Hurts..."

I saw her eyes were full of pain and terror. "Get Stormflower now!" I shouted.

Stormflowed grimly walked into the nursery. "There's nothing I can do, except give her peace."Stormflower lay a small purple flower at my feet. "This is Nightshade." she whispered. "It will kill her instantly. She won't suffer, just slip away. Otherwise, she'd suffer this paralysis before her heart finally gives out. I'm sorry Fallenshadow."

Tears rolled down my cheeks now. "Lilypetal." I whispered. "I love you. You were always my real mum. Though, not by blood. You were always there for me when I needed you. Now I'm here for you. I love you so much. Remember that."

"My fallen star." she choked out. She rolled her eyes towards the entrance. "And my shining leaf."

I looked back at Leafshine standing in the entrance. "Leafshine..." I whimpered.

Leafshine was at my side in an instant. "Mom... don't die."

"She's paralyzed. She's suffering." Stormflower whispered.

"Then help her!"

"I can't. But I can end her suffering. With the Nightshade."

Leafshine began to cry harder. I leaned against her. "Let me die... in peace." Lilypetal said softly. "I will eat the flower. I will return to my storm of red and my tiny mallow flower. I miss them so terribly."

I pushed the nightshade to Lilypetal. "Goodbye mother." I said softly. "Tell Mallowkit and Redstorm we miss them."

Lilypetal ate the nightshade and she never spoke another word. Her breath was gone. Her eyes closed. Leafshine wailed and sobbed into her mother's cold fur. "She died thinking of her family. She did not die alone." I told her.

Leafshine looked at me with hate in her eyes. "Its you." she hissed.

I stepped back, alarmed. But I noticed something. Leafshine's green eyes had turned grey. "Leafshine?" I whispered.

"You killed her. And your precious Redstorm and Mallowkit and Fernpelt."

"Gingerfeather." I hissed. "Get out of my sister."

"She isn't your sister." Gingerefather's voice sneered. "She never was. But what does it matter? She too will die soon. You don't deserve to have friends anymore. I'll kill everyone you love. Until you are all alone. Then and only then, will I take you."

Leafshine collapsed, but she was still breathing. I crouched beside her. "I won't let her take you too, Leafshine. I couldn't live without you."

I'M BACK! And so's Falling Stars. Back and just as thrilling as before. Questions to keep you up at night, Does Leafshine really die? How did foxglove seeds get into the medicine cat den? WWhy does Stormflower carry around Nightshade? Could Lilypetal have been saved? Find out next chappie! Or maybe the next one :) Also check out my forum!