To answer TJ Wilson: I think that's a pretty good idea. But part of the problem is, I've got so many cats and OTS that it would be almost impossible to create a family tree. But I'll give it a try. And I'll take a look at your stories too *winks* Oh, and thanks to those who have reviewed!

~Chapter 20~

Pale rays of sunlight gleamed through the forest as Amberpaw followed Icestorm through the forest. Leapordblaze and Rosefoot were with them, whispering quietly to each other. Amberpaw's fur bristled slightly when Leapordblaze shot her questioning glances. Rosefoot was also keeping an eye on her, while Icestorm just continued traveling.

They were the dawn patrol, and Amberpaw's limbs were still stiff from last night. Goldenpaw had woken her up, looking terrified after some nightmare. Though Amberpaw knew something was up, she didn't question her sister, for fears that she might start an argument. Icestorm's tail waved through the air as she led the patrol confidently through the forest.

"Amberpaw, tell me what you can smell," Icestorm meowed when they reached the edge of the forest. The white she-cat sat down and looked at Amberpaw through an unreadable expression.

Ducking her head in embarrassment, Amberpaw sniffed the air loudly. "I smell...Mangofern!" She gasped when she recognized the scent of the dark ginger she-cat. Mangofern had been sneaking out of camp recently; only Goldenpaw seemed to know what was going on, though she refused to tell Amberpaw anything.

Icestorm blinked in surprise, but before she could reply, a tabby kittypet strolled out of the ferns, looking terrified. Amberpaw remembered Goldenpaw saying something like a kittypet had been seen on the territory, but she didn't know that the kittypet had been seeing Mangofern. In fact, her scent was practically rolling off of him in waves.

"Please help!" he cried, his voice sending a chill down Amberpaw's spine. "Mangofern, she's giving birth...and...there's...so...much blood!" He stammered as he spoke, and it was difficult for Amberpaw to catch what he said.

Icestorm exchanged shocked glances with the three warriors, than looked at Leapordblaze. "Go and fetch Rainshower, this could be bad," she ordered.

Immediately Leapordblaze nodded and dashed away. Icestorm allowed the kittypet to lead the way, though her eyes were narrowed with rage. Amberpaw's own expression was hard to fathom, as she tried to figure out why Mangofern would have ever wanted to see a kittypet in the first place. What made it worse was that she was on the farthest part of the border. It could take Rainshower some time before he finally came.

"Mangofern, are you alright?" the kittypet asked. He had come towards a tiny clearing; one where they had obviously met several times. Amberpaw noted dutifully that the ferns that surrounded the clearing were covered and warm looking, with imprints of feline shapes. Dusty paw prints also covered the area, though they were more frequent. What scared Amberpaw the most, was the stench of blood that filled the air.

"I'm...sorry...Archy," Mangofern rasped. Blood spilled from her mouth, and her eyes closed with effort. Onto the nest next to her came a tiny, squirming shape. Before Amberpaw could react, Rosefoot, who had given birth before, leaped onto the sack and nipped it open with gentle teeth. Instantly squeals of hunger and terror came, and Amberpaw's ears pricked forward with curiosity.

Archy's eyes were wide with grief as Mangofern's eyes closed. She shook violently, sending droplets of blood into the air. Suddenly, she gasped, and stopped breathing. Amberpaw closed her own eyes, feeling a wave of grief for the she-cat.

"No!" Archy wailed. His legs crumpled from beneath him as he sobbed over Mangofern's body.

"What's going on?" Amberpaw turned to see Rainshower bounding past Icestorm to reach Mangofern. His yellow eyes were wide with sorrow when he realized that it was too late.

"Why would StarClan do this to her?" Rosefoot whimpered as she crept forward. A shudder went through the dark cream she-cat as she remembered her own birth.

Rainshower was silent for a few moments. "It is a sign," he finally meowed. His voice was choked as he tried to speak. "Kittypets and Clan cats don't match." He then glanced at the squirming kit who was now mewling for milk. "Poppyfrost should still have enough milk for her. Take the kit to her; I'll take care of the kittypet."

Archy watched in disbelief as Icestorm nodded and took the kit gently by the scruff. Even Icestorm had had kits before. She had suckled Firespirit when he was a kit; Leafspots, Hollystar's best friend, had died giving birth as well. It had been a painful memory, according to Brightheart. The elder had told Amberpaw and her siblings so many stories. She wished she would have listened to them more.

She sighed as she followed her mentor through the thick undergrowth, avoiding logs or tree stumps. It would be bad for the poor newborn if Icestorm tripped. Amberpaw watched through carefully trained eyes for any signs of enemy warriors, as they streaked past WindClan's territory. Luckily they hadn't run into any patrol, so it was just a straight run.

Eventually they reached the camp, where Cinderstar was pacing beside Leapordblaze, who had stayed behind to warn the Clan. The kit dangled loosely from Icestorm's jaws, and Cinderstar's eyes widened in shock.

"What happened?" the gray tabby demanded.

"Mangofern gave birth to a kittypet's kit," Icestorm explained when she handed the kit over to Leapordblaze. He carefully took it and immediately headed over to the nursery. "She's dead."

Cinderstar bowed her head, and a look of pain flashed through her eyes. Amberpaw noticed a strange look cross Blazepaw's face as he watched. It was almost as if he were harboring some sort of secret. He had been acting that way since he'd gone into Rainshower's den to get his paw--which was still swollen--checked.

"She didn't deserve to die," Cinderstar murmured. Her blue eyes were gleaming sharply as she looked at Amberpaw. "Where is her body?"

"Rainshower's bringing it back," Icestorm replied instantly.

The ThunderClan leader let out a sharp gasp. But before any cat could say anything, Rainshower returned, with Mangofern's body. His expression was unreadable as he dragged the body across the ground and into camp.

"I've taken care of the kittypet," Rainshower muttered. Amberpaw glanced down at his paws, which were stained with blood. Her eyes widened in horror when she realized what he meant by, 'he took care of the kittypet'. Rainshower had murdered Archy, through cold blooded hate.

Now I bet you didn't expect that! I wasn't sure whether or not I should write it like that, but...I don't know. Anyways, please review, as always!