EPILOGUE

"Gingerwhisker!" caterwauled Redbud. "I know it was you who did this! I want to know why."

Around her, the air chilled until crystals of frost formed on the bark of nearby trees. Sharp conifer scent touched her nose. He had responded.

Finally. One corner of her mouth twitched upward. I'll get my vision back.

"There are other forces at play here, Sun." Even without seeing the last commissioner, Redbud knew he studied the ground. Never had he looked another cat in the eyes, that traitor. "I am not responsible for this."

Her tail lashed. "And what would that be? Who did this, if not you?"

He loves to hear himself talk. He loves to draw the blame from himself. Let him talk. It'll be the last time he does. When he's distracted, I'll strike and take back what is rightfully mine.

"Rogue spirits roam here."

Redbud snorted. "Like you."

"There are good and bad." He ignored her comment. "Some want nothing more than chaos."

"And you expect me to believe this?"

"I don't want to fight you," said Gingerwhisker. "I know you believe you're doing the right thing, but it causes more harm than good."

She shook her head. "You're wrong. You think you can escape fate." Feeling emboldened, the dark red tabby paced forward. "But when you tried to escape it, you stumbled into it instead. I think you know that, at your core, you are the exception to what you believe. And that will always make you wrong." Redbud spat in his face with each of her final words.

"Maybe," murmured Gingerwhisker, "but did you foresee what I would do?"

Redbud curled her lip. "I did, but perhaps you'll foresee this?" Without hesitation, she slashed at where she imagined his eyes to be. Leaves scattered as the large spirit reeled and pride flashed through Redbud. She landed a blow.

You're done here, Gingerwhisker.

The dark red tabby lunged forward to continue her offensive. She felt coarse fur clot her claws and knew the onslaught was at least somewhat effective. Teeth then sank into her shoulder.

What's he doing? He's barely broken the flesh. Does he think he's playing with me? Well, that's the wrong decision.

Redbud rattled the EmberClan cat by his scruff. Blood oozed from the wound as Gingerwhisker's teeth detached from her flesh. She then released him, seizing upon her momentary advantage of disorientation, and twisted her head so as to bite into the side of his neck.

Flesh tore as Gingerwhisker staggered from her grip. I can't let him go! I can't fight as well without being able to see him.

With that fear in the forefront of her mind, Redbud reared onto her haunches. The intent was to crush him against the ground and so pin him there, helpless to respond as she restored her vision. Beyond that, the ValleyClan healer had no plan as to whether or not she would let him live. But this plan never reached fruition.

StarClan!

Claws dug into the soft flesh just below her throat. Unbalanced, Redbud collapsed onto her back. Blood jetted from the long marks. Black spots formed and spread in her vision; breathing became difficult.

He tore one of my arteries. This is the end for me. How is that possible? I thought the stars would be on my side!

"I never meant for this," choked out Gingerwhisker. Red stained his white paws, but he could not stem the flow.

With the last of her strength, Redbud growled, "This is not the end, Gingerwhisker. I'll be reborn over and over again until I kill you and have my vision back. I will never rest even after I blot your name from the stars forever. There will be no opportunity for you to find forgiveness. Just wait."