A/U: Finally I got this chapter up. Thanks Spottedstar of ShadowClan for reviewing! You've reviewed every chapter in the story, and you get to have a Batwing plushie! Anyways, on to the story!

Chapter 12

Tonight was the night. Coppershine shifted from paw to paw as she thought of what would be happening. She would leave her Clanmates. They didn't know what was happening between her or the other Marked cats. A feeling of remorse had been eating at her heart as she patrolled with her Clanmates for one last time. None of them were aware of the sharp pain she felt at leaving them behind.

Mousewhisker continued to sent-mark the borders like he always did on border patrols. This time they were checking the WindClan border. Scents had been detected by an earlier patrol. Now Bramblestar wanted to make sure that no cat was trespassing. He was worried that Onestar might be at his old tricks again.

Many moons ago the WindClan leader had tried to take the treeline that bordered WindClan. Firestar had been more than happy to give it up when Coppershine's father was an apprentice. But as after a while Onestar had grown bolder. Soon the WindClan cats had been trying to take more and more territory from ThunderClan. When Firestar had lost his last life, Bramblestar immediately went after the trees that bordered WindClan territory. Onestar had been furious by this, but by the time Bramblestar struck he had been on his third life. The WindClan leader had given up without much of a fight.

The forest itself was oddly quiet. Bright sunlight filtered through the leaves, bathing Coppershine's dark colored pelt. She was pleased to feel its warmth. It reminded her of the warmth her mother had given her as a kit. Hazeltail would not be happy about her departure, but at least she had Mallownose. Coppershine knew that her brother would keep Hazeltail happy. Even Lionblaze was beginning to pay more attention to Mallownose.

Cloudtail and Shrewpaw were talking to each other about practicing their fighting moves. Shrewpaw had been named an apprentice two moons ago, soon after Coppershine had become a warrior. The young tom was enthusiastic about his training, but he could be clumsy at times. Once he had been chasing after a squirrel, and ended up running into a tree after it climbed the trunk. His enthusiasm wasn't wasted on Cloudtail though. Coppershine could already see the makings of a fine warrior in him. She was grateful that Cloudtail could mentor such a fine apprentice.

I'll probably never get that chance, she thought as she followed Mousewhisker towards the stream.

Bramblestar didn't give apprentices to young warriors like Firestar had. Instead he gave them to seasoned warriors who knew what they were doing. When a young warrior was ready he would give them an apprentice. His tactic seemed to have worked for the moment.

"I don't know what that patrol was talking about," Mousewhisker muttered after lapping up a few drinks of water. "There aren't any WindClan cats around here. All I can smell is prey."

"Maybe the patrol already scent-marked the border," Coppershine suggested.

"Or those WindClan rats could be scheming about what to next," Cloudtail growled when he approached them. Shrewpaw bounced excitedly at his side, unaware of the situation. "I heard Weaselfur was named as Onestar's deputy, and you know how ambitious he is."

Mousewhisker's eyes widened in surprise, but Coppershine kept silent. She had already known this, thanks to Rockfall. He had explained to them that Crowfeather was banished from the Clans after searching for Leafpool. Many of the WindClan cats were still wary about his disappearance.

"We should tell Bramblestar this," Mousewhisker murmured. He glared across the moors, towards what he thought was the WindClan camp. If a cat was standing guard, they probably wouldn't notice. Coppershine almost grinned to herself at his foolish behavior. Someone might believe that he had gone mad. "He will want to know what is happening to WindClan. It might effect us."

Coppershine lowered her gaze when Mousewhisker turned around. She knew that he would want to know why she hadn't spoken up. To her relief though he kept silence as he led the way back to camp.

The camp itself was buzzing with activity. Warriors were working on their den to make room for more newcomers. Shrewpaw and Timberpaw weren't going to be the only apprentices. Ashkit was going to be named an apprentice soon.

She could see the little tom playing with Ferncloud's tail. The speckled gray queen purred loudly enough for Coppershine to hear.

Ashkit had been born under strange circumstances. No cat had expected his arrival, not even Jayfeather. Most of the Clan had been surprised by his birth. All except Dustpelt. It had seemed like Dustpelt knew what was happening all along. Coppershine had been shocked by Ashkit's arrival, especially when she considered Dustpelt's age. Now however most of the Clan had accepted the young kit.

Poppyfrost and Berrynose were sharing tongues by the half rock. The two cats looked content as they groomed each other. Cinderheart was pacing around the fresh-kill pile as she waited for someone to come out of the warriors' den. Coppershine guessed that she was going on a hunting patrol.

Mousewhisker had gone towards the Highledge, where Bramblestar stood. The dark brown tabby looked down at Mousewhisker as he explained what had happened during the patrol. A look of anger replaced Bramblestar's content expression after Mousewhisker finished his story.

"What's going on?" Mallownose asked as he picked up a small mouse.

"Mousewhisker caught the scent of a WindClan cat," Coppershine replied without thinking.

"Again?" Mallownose sounded annoyed. "When are they going to give up?"

"I doubt they ever will," she murmured when she met his amber gaze. "Weaselfur is now Onestar's deputy."

She wasn't surprised by Mallownose's reaction. Most of the Clan hadn't known about Crowfeather's disappearance, as she had thought earlier. Even Mallownose was unaware of what had occurred. She felt guilty for knowing what had happened before the rest of the Clan found out at the next Gathering.

"What?" Mallownose nearly choked on a piece of meat. "Why would Onestar name Weaselfur as his deputy? That mousebrained warrior is too ambitious for his own good."

"Yes, but he's a good warrior that WindClan needs," Coppershine told him.

Mallownose blinked at her like she had gone nuts. She only shrugged and padded away, unaware of other cats who had been watching them. Silverstripe was busy chattering with her brother who had returned from a hunting patrol. The small black warrior had returned with a squirrel in his jaws.

"Prey is running well now," Batwing meowed as he dropped to a crouch beside his sister. Rainleaf had been spending less time with the two of them. Since she'd disappeared from their lives, Batwing and Silverstripe had been getting closer towards each other. "I don't think we'll have to worry about empty bellies for a while," he added as he dropped his catch on the fresh-kill pile.

Coppershine hoped that he was right. She knew that there would be one less hunter to provide for them when she left. Worry had been stabbing at her belly all day. She didn't know how to say goodbye to her Clanmates. Or what they would think when she was gone. She wondered if they would even miss her with so many warriors in the Clan.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt a pelt brush against hers. Coppershine turned around and blinked in surprise when she saw the small form of Jayfeather. He stared at her in the eyes, sending shivers down her spine as she watched.

"I think there's something you should be telling me or Lionblaze," he rasped after heartbeats of silence.

The dark ginger she-cat gulped when he turned towards his den. She didn't see Hollypaw inside like she had expected. Instead Lionblaze and Dovewing sat side-by-side. Both looked worried as she followed Jayfeather into his den. She couldn't meet her father's gaze when she sat in front of the two cats. Lionblaze shifted on his paws as Jayfeather joined them in a quick hustle.

"You were planning on leaving without telling us?" Lionblaze asked after Jayfeather sat down beside him.

Coppershine stared at him skeptically, until Dovewing ducked her head in embarrassment. "I'm sorry Coppershine," she murmured. "I shouldn't have eavesdropped."

"Eavesdropped?" Coppershine stared at Dovewing in disbelief.

"We should have never told any cat," Jayfeather growled under his breath. "It looks like we now have no choice." He glared pointedly at Dovewing, as if he could actually see her.

"Coppershine has a right to know," Lionblaze told him. "After all she is one of the Marked." He glanced at Coppershine in a guilty expression. "We...Have been keeping a secret from the Clan. One that should have been revealed the moment our prophecy was completed. But now it's too late."

"What Lionblaze is trying to say is, that you aren't the only one with powers," Jayfeather finished for Lionblaze. "We too were born with powers, above StarClan's will. Lionblaze has the ability to fight any enemy without getting harmed. Dovewing can hear farther than any cat could possibly believe. I can feel emotions and hear what other cats are thinking." Lionblaze and Dovewing looked uncomfortable as Jayfeather pointed them out. Coppershine was surprised that he took the lead. Normally her father would have been more than happy to take the lead.

"Wait...how is this possible?" she asked when Jayfeather met her gaze. She still felt strange when he stared at her.

"It sounds as impossible as your powers," Jayfeather retorted.

Coppershine bowed her head when Jayfeather glared at her. Dovewing met her gaze sharply. "Look, all we're trying to tell you is that you have a right to leave," she meowed. "You don't have to feel guilty."

"Feel guilty?" Coppershine stared at Dovewing skeptically. "Why would I feel guilty?"

Jayfeather scoffed angrily. "I know what you're feeling," he growled. "I think the entire Clan could figure it out if they decided to hang around you long enough. You're leaving the Clans, and you're leaving without telling anyone."

Lionblaze suddenly stepped forward, ignoring Jayfeather's hiss of annoyance. Coppershine held her breath when he touched her forehead with his muzzle.

"I will miss you," he murmured. "Hazeltail will as well."

Sorrow clenched at Coppershine's heart as she felt her father muzzle brush against her fur. This was the last time they would share tongues together. Hazeltail would never know what had happened to her daughter. Mallownose would find a mate with someone in the Clan later on. He wouldn't miss her.

"Tell Hazeltail that I will always remember her," she mewed.

Lionblaze nodded in agreement after they had pulled away. No cat would ever find out where she was going. And for once, she was grateful that everyone would be left behind.