A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry for the long update! But that's what happens when you are in college and working!

Just a couple of things I wanted to say:

1) If you're wondering where I found my inspiration for this book, just listed to City and Colour's album, "Little Hell." The song titled Fragile Bird is what I used to create Eagle Cry. Sorrowing Man is what I used to create Running Storm's character, and the song titled O' Sister, is the song I used to create Running Storm and develop Eagle Cry's character a bit more. These songs could not fit these characters any better!

2) I have a speedpaint of Eagle Cry to the song All Around Me by Flyleaf on my youtube channel! The final picture is also on me Deviant Art (Link is in my Bio on my profile)

3) I am going through a rough time in my life and am using that to influence my art more than my writing. I have been more active on Deviant Art more than anything, so if you wish to contact me, that is the best way, I am afraid.

4) A lot of you have informed me that my forum has been deleted, and have decided that it would be cool to re-boot the forum again, for the third time. Haha. The only issue I have with this, is that after a few months, the forum dies. If we could have a few more members who are dedicated to having a stable, active forum, I would be okay with re-creating it. I would choose moderators who are active a lot. I would give them permission to create new topics, hold contests, games, etc. And if I were to do that, I can think of a few people who would be great for the positions. That means, I would expect these people to take charge of the forum if I am away, dealing with life or other things, like recently. SO, if you want to be dedicated enough for a Messenger Forum again, let me know again in a review or PM, and I will recreate the forum to launch in May when everyone is (hopefully) out for summer.

Now on to the reviews:

Splash the Porcupine: Thanks for the long review! I really appreciate you taking the time to break down everything and give me an honest review! :)

Guest: I know right?

Nettlecloud: You should totally get an account! A lot of people have accounts and don't necessarily write. A lot of them use review stories and have their accounts to favorite and follow the story of their interest. That way, you can get email's and stuff right away when an author updates. It's more of a convenience! Anyway, yes, Lonespirit does have a two-shot and a story in development by the author Reminiscent Lullaby. She is a frequent reviewer of my stories, so I am sure if you browsed through the reviews, her name would pop up! I am really glad I had you eager for that update, so hopefully you'll be just as eager for this one and the next! We'll see what happens in the future for Eagle Cry and everyone down the road!

Talon of Soaring Eagle: Haha that's a good point! As far as the political thing, I guess you'll just have to wait and see what happens next!

Creekrunner: I am glad you like it! Here's some more!

Pianodevotion (2 reviews: Good point! Thanks for the second review! :) I may need to change the summary up a bit, huh?

Brightfur: Thanks! :D And I agree, Eagle Cry and her Tribe should do something about him, huh?

Amberstorm233: I think Eagle Cry and Roaring Puma have a very strong bond from everything they've been through and are probably the best sibling development I have ever done. I love them so much! And yes, perhaps a slow painful death is EXACTLY what Wolves Teeth needs!

Lightclaw's Shadow: Thanks! Sun Lily is Eagle Cry's close friend, so we will see more of her in the future. Perhaps even in this chapter/ :)

Lets get on with it, shall we? FINALLY?!

Chapter Nineteen: Rekindle

Upon exiting the shadowed cave of the elder's den, she could feel the sympathetic gazes from the cats of her Tribe. Several emotions began to cloud her mind: fear, sadness, pain, joy, and love. Her throat tightened when she saw her brother across the camp clearing, sitting with Night Gazer, Clear Water, and another she-cat. She knew she met this cat before, but for some reason, a name did not appear in her mind. She padded quietly over to the small group and found herself sitting on the other side of her grey pelted brother. The tom gave her a gentle nudge in the shoulder with a faint smile, though his eyes had reflected her pain and grief. The littermates had not only lost their mother so young, but now have pretty much lost their father. At least he remembers you, she thought bitterly with a faint smile back.

The tom was nudged by the she-at on the other side of him. She was a surprisingly large grey tabby with black stripes and yellow eyes. Why did she look so familiar? Her brother's gaze darkened with embarrassment when he began to speak. "Oh, uh, as I'm sure you remember, Eagle Cry, this is Wolf's Howl. Her cast was announced with her brother, Minnow's Jump, just before your... disappearance," he stated awkwardly with a brief flick to the she-cat that sat oddly close to him.

Her yellow eyes were hard and emotionless, slightly making Eagle Cry uncomfortable. She shifted briefly before clearing her throat and smiling at the younger cat as memories flooded her mind. "Right, I remember well, now that I have a name. It's nice to officially meet you properly," she ramped roughly, though not on purpose.

The she-cat flinched slightly at the sound of her voice, making her feel horrible. She flattened her ears to her head and whispered, "I'm sorry."

"I have a few ideas of treatment for your voice, Eagle Cry; maybe a mixture of catmint and honey will so the trick," a new voice spoke up.

She turned to see Clear Water and Night Gazer sitting with them. Embarrassment flooded her when she realized they had been sitting there the entire time. After a moment of collection and thought, she nodded in agreement, "Perhaps. It's something I'm willing to try."

The pale grey tom dipped his head in acknowledgement, though his eyes revealed obvious worry. "I will also want you to eat thyme every morning and evening before sleep. You've suffered a lot of trauma. We can discuss this more later. I'm sure Night Gazer has some things to say," he me meowed with a look at their leader.

She sat ridged with the sun glowing on her dusty brown pelt. Light winds ruffled her fur as her green eyes sparkled with pure joy. "I cannot stress enough how glad I am that you have found your way home," she began before her eyes darkened with hate. "Clear Water has notified me of what has happened to you. There is nothing to be ashamed of or worried about. You are and always will be welcomed here in this Tribe."

Eagle Cry felt a rough purr gargle in her throat after her mentor finished speaking. "A lot of cats have missed you dearly," she meowed just before Roaring Puma cut in.

"Particularly that one," he scowled with a glance toward the guard's den.

She followed his gaze to land on Burning Oak. His dark brown fur was turned black as he tussled with other guards in the shade of the cliff side. His amber eyes glowed with playfulness, but she could see his sly looks at her. She couldn't help but feel her fur grow hot under his gaze. She felt a faint smile appear across her muzzle, as the world seemed to disappear around her. All she could see was the large, handsome tom padding toward her now. Upon exiting the shade, the sunlight beamed onto his dark pelt, making it glow a dark ginger color. His eyes were fixed on her with relief blazing from their depths. When he stood before her, he butted his head against her shoulder gently with a purr rumbling in his chest. He was about to speak when an abrupt shriek echoed behind them. She turned to see Clear Water rushing over toward a small brown she-cat. Soon, the kits mother exited the nursery behind them with her green eyes wide in alarm. It was Sun Lily. "What is happening?" she yelped as she leaned over her panting kit.

"Eagle Cry, come here!" Clear Water hissed urgently as he picked up the kit in his jaws.

Eagle Cry's throat tightened when she saw the kit trembling. Red juices dyed the kits brown muzzle red and her green eyes were glazing over and streaming. "Watch her," he ordered urgently to her just before he rushed over to the healers den.

Eagle Cry placed her gently on the ground and began to lick the fur on the kits for head. The kit was burning up as she panted. Soon, foam began to bubble at the kits mouth as her body began to shake. "What were you three thinking?! Do you know what these are?" Sun Lily snapped at her two remaining kits.

One was a larger orange tabby and the other was a smaller white and brown patched tom. The orange tabby lowered his head shamefully and his brown eyes reflected the sadness vibrating from his pelt. The white and brown tom just turned his face away from Sun Lily, clearing avoiding her disappointed and urgent gaze. "No," he answered with a rude tone.

Sun Lily's face screwed up in anger. "They are yew berries," she whispered.

Eagle Cry shuddered at the desperate mother's hushed voice. Why we're yew berries on a bush just outside the nursery? Wasn't that dangerous for kits? That's got to go, she through sternly. Within moments Clear Water returned with a couple of leaves in his paws. "Listen closely," Clear Water ordered as he shoved small leaves down a kits throat. "I just gave her yarrow. Lick down her throat to work the leaves down; hopefully this will cause her to vomit."

Eagle Cry nodded right away as she began to lick down the kits tiny esophagus repeatedly. "Hopefully its not too late," Clear Water breathed.

Eerie moments passed as the young kit began to thrash. Eagle Cry leaned back and waited hopelessly. The entire Tribe was standing near by, whispering to each other. She watched as Sun Lily escorted her kits into the nursery, before returning alone to Eagle Cry's side. "What's her name?" she asked to distract the frantic mother.

Sun Lily's green eyes never left her daughter body. "Her name? It's.. It's Painted Lily," she whispered as the kit abruptly turned over and convulsed.

The kit's eyes were shut as a gargling sound exited her jaws. Within seconds, the foamy, red vomit exploded from her jaws. Eagle Cry leaned back in surprise as the kit fell to her side and breathed faintly. "This is a good sign," Clear Water murmured. "Here, young one, I have a poppy seed, honey, and lavender poultice for you. Eat it and it will make you feel better. I promise."

The kit blinked slowly at him and remained silent. She quickly lapped at the goopy substance for drifting off into sleepy. Eagle Cry could finally feel her body relax. The tension in the air was finally diminishing as the cats of the Tribe returned to their duties. "Will she live?" Sun Lily asked with her voice wavering.

Eagle Cry looked at the healer next to her, who's eyes blazed with uncertainty. "Only time will tell," he murmured as he lifted the kit onto his back and padded toward the healers den.

"You did well," a voice suddenly meowed.

Eagle Cry turned her head to see her leader, Night Gazer, just now sitting beside her. She dipped her head respectively. "Being a leader to a tribe means many things. It means guidance, gratitude, bravery, and dependence. We all depend on each other for comfort in a tragedy such as this," the dusty she-cat meowed without looking at Eagle Cry once.

The tortoiseshell nodded and an image of her father appeared in her mind. She hissed bitterly, "How can we remain so strong when tragedy lies under every rock and every shadow on this mountain side?"

At this, Night Gazer turned and looked at her with an intense green gaze. "It is part of life. Bad things happen, whether they are for a reason or not. If Painted Lily is to survive, we must all show our confidence in our ancestors to bid their will of survival for the young kit," she responded calmly, though her eyes were fixed with irritation.

Eagle Cry flattened her ears as anger boiled inside her. "I was strong enough, and look where it got me? My mother was savagely taken from my family when we were young. I was trapped in a cave with a monster for moons, hoping and praying for help, and our ancestors remained quiet. And now, my father is trapped between reality and make-believe. Our ancestors turned their backs on my family," she hissed as her claws extended, digging up the dirt below.

A tail lay across her shoulder and she looked to see Burning Oak's sympathetic amber gaze. She shrugged it off aggressively and snapped, "I don't want your sympathy!"

Without thinking, she padded away into the elders den. She saw Hunting Tigress lying in her nest and Swooping Dove munching on a few mouse bones. She saw the distress look in Eagle Cry's eyes and kept to herself. The tortoiseshell lay beside her father, who was curled up in his nest with his bony tail over his nose. "Running Storm," she sobbed as she gently placed her head at the edge of his nest.

That poor kit. How could Streaming Star Tribe be so cruel? To her? To Sun Lily? To me? She thought as she slid out her claws and scraped the floor. Her shoulders tightened when a cold nose pressed against one. "Don't cry. Everything is going to be okay," a broken voice meowed softly.

She slowly looked up to see the slightly clear gaze of her father. She sniffed as a confused look appeared on her face. "Do you know who I am?" she asked as tears beaded in her dull golden eyes.

"Of course. I could never forget such a beautiful face," he purred with a gentle lick to her forehead.

Hope beat in her chest next to her heart. Her breath grew shallow as a purr began to rumble in her chest. She was about to speak when her father spoke first. "Dancing Lily, I have missed you so much," he breathed with a smile.

Eagle Cry stiffened and leaned away from him. His gaze darkened with hurt as she spoke, "No, it's me, Eagle Cry."

Disappointment flooded her mind as a familiar pain beat in her chest, washing away the hope that was there. The grey tom's gaze flinted to anger. "Why does every cat keep trying to convince me of something that's impossible?" he yelled at her.

Eagle Cry felt the tears explode from her eyes as a small wail exited her jaws. As if the grey tom was hit, his gaze cleared as he looked around wildly. "Where am I? What's going on?" he rasped like a lost kit.

Eagle Cry stopped abruptly and looked at her father, tears dropping from her whiskers onto his massive paws. His clear blue eyes landed on her. His blue spheres widened with disbelief blazing within. "Eagle Cry? Is that you?" he whispered as he leaned closer to her.

"Running Storm?" she whimpered as she thrusted her muzzle onto his. "You're back!"

"Back?" he echoed as he looked around the den in confusion. "Why am I in the elders den?"

Eagle Cry felt her body stiffen. "I'll go get Clear Water," she heard Swooping Dover stammer as she stumbled out of the den in shock.

"You're very sick. Losing me has driven you madder than a hare. Clear Water might be able to help you," she meowed with a slight purr. "What matters now is that you're back."

The once strong, brave grey tom's blue gaze darkened. He opened his jaws once then closed them again before shaking his head. Hurt and anger blazed in his eyes. "No, Eagle Cry. Clear Water can't help me. I understand what has happened here. My mother had the same fate," he whispered before turning and intense blue gaze on her. "Are you happy? Being here?"

She nodded with a smile appearing on her muzzle. Her father smiled back with his blue gaze blazing with joy. "That tom, Burning Oak. He's a fine tom, isn't he?" he murmured to her with a glint of teasing in his eyes and meow.

She nodded as he grabbed her shoulders with his paws and licked the tears from her face. "I am so sorry, Eagle Cry, to you and your brother. I will only get worse. And eventually, I won't remember anyone or anything," he breathed gently with a darkening gaze of knowing and love. "I love you and your brother with all my heart, Eagle Cry. It's time I have parted from this word to be With Dancing Lily. I am glad that you are safe; back at your home. Promise me you won't let me live this fate broken and lost? Promise me, Eagle Cry!"

At his shout she nodded vigorously with her golden eyes wide with shock. "At least I get to die knowing my daughter and son are home. The moment Clear Water rushed in with Roaring Puma on his tail, Running Storm's gaze moved from hers. In the single moment, his gaze clouded. He returned his gaze to her; distant and lost. She stiffened when she felt his claws tear into her flesh. "Who are you? What are you doing in my camp?" he snapped as he shoved her away with a hiss.

She landed harshly onto the ground, sending dirt and dust into a cloud and onto her pelt. "Help! Help! Ambush!" Running Storm shrieked.

Her brother helped her up gently as Clear Water pounced onto their father, using his massive size to pin the tom down and shove poppy seed and thyme into his gaping mouth. Eagle Cry began to shake aggressively as her father suddenly began to calm down into a deep sleep. Clear Water was at her side immediately placing thyme into her paws. "Eat it," he ordered sternly before padding out of the den with his tail dragging in the dirt.

Roaring Puma licked her face clean of any stray tears and cleaned her ears as she ate the thyme. "What did he say to you?" Her brother asked as he threw his sad blue gaze at their father.

Pain swelled into her chest as the tears returned in her eyes. She couldn't tell her brother their father wished to die. It would break him, like it had broken her. Her claws dug into the ground as she clenched her eyes shut tight. She would have to figure this out on her own, and let her brother believe their father died a normal death, caused by his sickness. She took a deep breath as she rested her head on his chest. "He apologized and he said he loved us both, with all his heart," she responded.

As her brother sobbed gently to her, she could feel the tears drop onto her whiskers. They both stood and padded over to their father. She laid down next to his nest with her brother right behind her. She laid her chin on Running Storm's nest and closed her eyes. Just one more night. One final night with you, and I will keep my promise, she vowed silently.

A/N: Depressing? Do you feel the feels? I do. It seems as through Eagle Cry is finally starting to break at all the tragedies rising around her. What will happen next? How will she keep her promise to her father? Will Roaring Puma find out? What's next with Burning Oak and the Tribe? Only one way to find out! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!

Let's get me to 240 reviews before I post the next chapter! Let's break 300, guys! Thanks!

-Nightspirit