We're nearing the end of our story but there are still a few chapters to go. Bear with me for these last ones.

Primrosebutterfly woke to see Scalesplash and Cherryflower together. Outside, Treeclaw was with his kits, Darkfur and Lakebreeze were sitting together, sharing a mouse, and Dreadclaw was talking to Sleekface. Horseflight and Rustlestep were on a patrol. All her friends had someone more important than herin their lives..Everyone but her. Life is so unfair.

"Morning, Primrosebutterfly." Cherryflower said between licks from Scalesplash. They sounded so happy.

"Yeah, good morning."

They didn't detect her sarcasm so she left. Scarletfur and Flamedash were sitting outside the nursery and talking to Scarletfur's mother, Treadflower. Her kits were six moons very soon. Perhaps, they were discussing Scarletfur's mentorship?

"Help!" Bluepaw yelled, running in at phenomenal speed. "Rustlestep, Fernstar and Horseflight are being attacked on the Shadowclan border!"

Instantly Lakebreeze and Drakfur went to find herbs. Shypaw and Primrosebutterfly left with Bluepaw and some others. Shypaw had not been informed yet of her change in mentor.

I should've had more control. Then she would still be my apprentice.

When the Shadowclan border appeared, the grass was bright red. Horseflight was taking on three warriors at a time and so was Fernstar. Rustlestep was nowhere in sight amongst the Shadowclan warriors. She leaped into the fight and came face to face with a familiar tom. Acornpaw.

"It's Acornclaw now. How many more of yours are dead? I just killed that brown tabby friend of yours…"

Rustlestep. "I'll kill you, for every one of our warriors that did at your paws!"

"I'd like to-" he didn't finish, for Horseflight had slashed his throat in two, killing him.

"He killed my best friend. I don't know what I'd do if he killed my other one."

Primrosebutterfly sat stunned for a while until a massive tom jumped on her, raking his claws along her back. She howled in pain. The tom bit the back of her neck and scratched her eye. Remembering her battle training, she rolled over and the tom moaned as she crushed him, her long brown tabby fur was thick so his light scratches barely touched her skin. Turning over, she clawed at his chest.

"Shadowclan retreat!" Antstar called and all cats left.

She helped carry Rustlestep part of the way before having to lean on Treeclaw for support. Lakebreeze and Darfur supported Fernstar between them. Bluepaw and Horseflight whispered to each other.

"Did I do well?" Shypaw asked Primrosebutterfly.

She smiled weakly. "Very well. Listen Shypaw, Scalesplash will take over your training. Fernstar says that I need time before I can mentor an apprentice. I am mourning and I agree. I am too emotional at the moment. I've lost so many of the cats I care about lately."

"But I don't want another mentor! Scarletfur deserved it! I won't listen to Scalesplash! I just won't!"

"I'm sorry, but you must, he can train you better than I can."

"But he's being all over Cherryflower at the moment."

"You're right. If you like, I'll ask Fernstar if another cat can mentor you. It's your choice."

"I want Dreadclaw or Sleekface."

"I'll ask him as soon as he's recovered."

"Thanks, Primrosebutterfly. You'll always be my mentor."

"Thank you for all the good times," Primrosebutterfly whispered to Rustlestep. She stood and stretched her joints. She was going to tell Shypaw the good news: Sleekface would be her mentor. Scalesplash would mentor Treadflower's kits. After Treadflower left, the nursery would be empty so Primrosebutterfly had plenty of time to redeem herself.

"Would all cats please gather for a clan meeting." Fernstar choked.

He said that he wasn't going to announce the mentor thing to the clan. Then what?

"Listen to me, we have had many battles and death these past couple of moons. We shall remember all we have lost. Be on your guard. No cat must go out alone and kits should not leave camp and their mothers must watch them. However, I think we've seen the last of them as we have killed Acornclaw and their deputy. Flamedash wishes to say something."

The lithe red tom stood up, his wavy fur rippled in the gentle night breeze. It was cold by now. She had once loved this cat. Greed for power destroyed him.

"I have something important to ask. Scarletfur, will you be my mate?"

"Yes!"

Primrosebutterfly turned to go to the warriors den. No, she did not feel like listening to that. And it certainly wasn't good news. She curled up and fell asleep.

Her dreams were haunted by a bunch of tiny Scarletfur's taunting her and those those had died. And then a voice whispered: 'the flame is gone.'

She sat up and blinked. Frost covered the ground. Prey scents hit her nostrils.

"Want to go hunting?" Horseflight asked. "I don't have traning until after Sunhigh."

"Sure."

The river seemed to flow slowly today. They talked about many things. The fish, the fights, the deaths, Scarletfur and even the prophecy.

"It is past Sunhigh. We must go back to camp."

"Fine, if we have to. I was just beginning to enjoy myself."

His whiskers twitched. "Come on, I have Bluepaw to attend to."

"Alright, alright, calm yourself."

He grinned. "Last one there is a rotten minnow!"

Shorter than usual I think. What do you think; Scarletfur is a good match for Flamedash? The good news is that no more drastic deaths are coming. Yay?