Chapter Twenty

Tigerheart's P.O.V.:

"Tigerheart, talk to me!" pleaded Dawnpelt pleaded in a low voice so only I could hear her. Night was rapidly falling, and I wished she would just let me go to sleep. I glanced down at the marshy grass near the fresh-kill pile, avoiding her gaze. "You've been so distant lately!" she continued. "What's wrong?"

My kits are dead! I wanted to wail to her, to my Clan, to the skies. Why did they have to die? I choked down the sob that was forming in my throat and swallowed hard. I looked up unwillingly at my sister. "Nothing is wrong," I lied. "I'm just tired."

She raised her eyebrow suspiciously. "Tired?" she repeated. "Tigerheart, this has been going on for days! You can't tell me you're just tired!" You're right, I longed to tell her. It's much, much more than that.

"Leave me alone, will you?" I growled. "I've told you! I'm fine! Now let me get to my nest; I have dawn patrol in the morning." My sister's eyes widened, looking hurt. Before the creamy she-cat could reply, however, I stalked past her towards the warrior's den. I felt a prickle of guilt flow through me. There was no need to be so mean to Dawnpelt. She was just trying to help.

I settled down in my nest, putting my chin on my paws. I squeezed my eyes shut and slid my claws in and out. I would do anything to bring my kits back. Dovewing's image flashed through my mind. What about her? Was she okay? Was she recovering, or was she simply getting more sick? I couldn't lose her, too! I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. Dovewing will be fine, I told myself firmly. She has to be. I forced my mind to be still, and after what felt like moons, I finally fell asleep.

I opened my eyes and found myself engulfed in a dark, misty forest. I sighed, unsure whether or not I was happy to be here again. I wanted to be alone- to mourn, but training in the Dark Forest would take my mind off the kits. It would take my mind off everything. I was torn between agitation and relief.

Suddenly, Tigerstar made an appearance in the shadows. "Hello, young warrior," he greeted coldly. "How are things in ShadowClan?"

"Fine," I muttered. Truthfully, I had hardly noticed my Clan in the slightest over the past few days. My kits had been my only focus.

"You sound doubtful," Tigerstar accused. "What are you hiding from me?"

I sighed. There was no point in lying to him. It would only get me in trouble. "Dovewing's kits died," I meowed with a shaking voice. "I haven't been paying my Clan much attention lately."

"Losing kits is hard," Tigerstar began as gently as a cat such as he could, "but you cannot let grief take over. You must be strong."

I shook my head sadly. "I know, Tigerstar," I meowed. "I'll try harder. I'll be strong for my Clan."

"Good," he replied. "Now, let's train." Practice was difficult and rigorous. By the time we were half way through, I was already out of breath.

"Your aim could use work," Tigerstar meowed critically as I sat down for a moment, "and you could be steadier on your paws." I panted, but said nothing. I didn't have the breath to even give a meow of agreement. He studied me over until finally I managed to collect my strength. As I stood unsteadily to my paws, he added, "You have much to learn."

"Yes," I agreed. "Let's continue on with training." The fighting, though difficult and tiring, was effective. I had completely forgotten about my sick mate and my dead kittens, but the numbness was wearing off. I needed more fighting, more distractions.

Tigerstar opened his jaw to reply, but was interrupted by the sound of swishing brambles. His ears twitched in surprise and my head shot up. What was that? I waited intensely. The noise grew louder. There was no doubt about it. Cats were coming! I slid out my claws, prepared to fight if they were enemies. I growled threateningly. "Who's there?" I hissed into the bushes.

The ferns parted and out darted a familiar gray she-cat followed closely by two broad shouldered toms. I gasped. "Where are my kits?" snarled Dovewing with blazing eyes. "Give them to me, Tigerstar, or I'll rip out your throat!" I felt my world spin around me. What was happening here?

Hey guys! I'm thinking that the next chapter will be the last chapter! So keep your eyes peeled for the grand finale! :)