Nightwhisper's eyes flickered open slowly. He yawned and kneaded the moss at the edge of his nest in the medicine den as he stretched. He looked around. It had been a few days since Nightwhisper had first awakened after collapsing in the forest and he still hadn't fully recovered from his battle wounds. He knew that the deep wound Brightsong had left on his heart would never heal. He could feel it bleeding as the thought returned to him, but he prevented the tears from showing. If anyone saw him crying, they could end up finding out about Brightsong. Nightwhisper didn't know how, but he knew that it was a possibility. He sighed when he couldn't fall back to sleep and he padded out of the medicine den and into the warm sunlight. He looked around the camp until his eyes spotted Marshfur sitting in the middle of camp. Didn't Lizardleg say that she needed to talk to me? He thought as he debated whether or not he should walk up to her. Finally, he decided that if Marshfur needed to talk to him, he would have to bear with it. He slowly walked up to his sister and sat beside her. She looked over her shoulder as he sat beside her. Her eyes drifted back towards the sky and Nightwhisper followed her eyes. She was watching the clouds.

"Nightwhisper… I…" Marshfur stopped she coughed and shifted uncomfortably. Whatever she was going to say, it wasn't what Nightwhisper had expected. "I'm sorry for all those things I did to you when we were kits." She mewed sorrowfully. She looked at Nightwhisper and the look in her eyes told Nightwhisper that she was sincerely sorry for everything that she had done. "Making fun of you, the fox attack, and everything else I ever did… I'm sorry." Marshfur mewed. She looked at Nightwhisper. "You… You saved my life in that battle… After everything I did to you… You saved my life." Marshfur sighed. Nightwhisper looked at her. Marshfur… You haven't always been the best sister, but you are still my sister. I'm glad I saved you. He thought and he yawned. Marshfur looked at him, and she yawned to. Then she started laughing. "I suppose we should be getting back to our nests."

Nightwhisper padded up to the cold black bark of the Charred Oak. Memories of forbidden meetings with Brightsong flooded back into his head. The battle had been the first they had won in many seasons and they had earned all of their territory back… Including the Charred Oak. Nightwhisper picked up the squirrel he had just killed and he went back to fetch the rest of his prey. He had caught a frog, a squirrel, and quite a rare sight down by the river; it was a duck, and it would probably be enough to feed the elders, queens and the kits. Nightwhisper had difficulty carrying it back to camp, but he eventually got it there, and when he did, Moonkit was the first to see it.

"What is that?" She asked curiously. "It's huge!"

"It's a duck." Lunarclaw explained. She padded over and examined it. "I haven't seen one of these in a long time. That should be enough to feed the elders and my kits." Lunarclaw mewed cheerfully. Nightwhisper dropped it on the fresh kill pile. He padded over to the warrior's den and anxiously waited outside the entrance. A half moon had passed since the battle. He hadn't been chosen to go to the gathering because Shadestar didn't want LightningClan to accuse Nightwhisper of murdering Jayclaw so viciously. Shadestar had already talked with Nightwhisper about it, just the day before.

"I know it was an accident, Nightwhisper. You were defending yourself." He had explained. "But LightningClan will do anything to make us look bad."

Nightwhisper let out an exasperated sigh. He placed his head on his paws and he was once again left alone with his thoughts. Then again, he was always alone with his thoughts. The silence didn't usually bother him, but now Brightsong's cruel words couldn't escape his mind. He tried to think of something else, anything else, but his efforts were futile. Everything he thought of brought him back to Brightsong. Every noise carried through the thick night wind only reminded Nightwhisper of how alone he was. He had lost the last cat that understood him for who he was. He knew he had a clan that would protect him, and that he could finally give his full loyalty to that clan, but Nightwhisper wondered how long he would have to live through his sorrow. Maybe I should just give up… Nightwhisper thought disparately. There is nothing left for me here… Everything would be better if I joined Toadleap and Sourfang… and Nightflower and Raggedpelt… If I could just go to StarClan and stay there forever… Everything would be better… Nightwhisper sighed again. He closed his eyes and let sleep wash over him.

"Don't give up, Nightwhisper." Nightwhisper's eyes shot open. Starlight sparkled like sunshine on water around him in the bright clearing. He looked around to see that seven starlit cats were sitting in a semi-circle around him. Directly across from him was the figure of Nightwhisper. Raggedpelt and Sourfang sat on either side of her. Next to Raggedpelt sat Toadleap, and next to Sourfang sat Sorrelwhisker. Mudpaw and Rosetail sat on the side next to Toadleap. Nightwhisper peered around at all the cats who had left the ranks of EclipseClan to walk with stars in their pelts. For once he desperately wished that he were one of them. Mudpaw stepped forward. "Don't give up, Nightwhisper."

Why should I keep going? He wondered defiantly.

"Because there are cats, living cats, who still care about you." Rosetail mewed warmly as she stepped forward. "Owlfrost would be devastated." She'll be fine! He snapped. She has Marshfur and Lizardleg to look after her. He thought bitterly.

"What about Shadestar? And Lunarclaw?" Sorrelwhisker growled. "They look after every one of their warriors." Except for me, because I'm different. I can't speak. I'm useless.

"Moonkit doesn't mind that you can't speak." Raggedpelt reminded Nightwhisper. "She wants you to mentor her. She's fond of you." But she's the only one, isn't she? No one else cares! If I died… No one would grieve.

"Sagespot would grieve." Toadleap pointed out when he finally stepped forward. Nightwhisper cringed at his words. "You know how she feels about you. We all know how she feels about you." Toadleap mewed. But… I… I'm not ready… Nightwhisper shook his head. It's too soon after-

Nightwhisper. Nightflower stepped forward. Brightsong was never meant for you. She's moved on. It is time that you should too. I know it hurts. I know what its like to lose something you care about. I wasn't always mute, you know. Nightwhisper's eyes widened. He thought he saw Sourfang cringe beside Nightflower. He relaxed with a soft flick of Nightflower's tail against one of his ears and Nightwhisper wondered what all of that was about. The important thing is that you need to learn to forgive. If you can't forgive, then you can at least forget. Relinquish the past. Relinquish all of your memories of Brightsong. It's for your own sake, Nightwhisper.

What if I can't? Nightwhisper wondered. How am I supposed to forget?

Follow my instructions and I will teach you how to forget. Nightflower mewed calmly. She stood in front of Nightwhisper and looked into his eyes. First, close your eyes. Nightwhisper closed his eyes and waited for farther instruction. Take a deep breath, and remember every good thing you can about Brightsong in just a few short moments. Nightwhisper breathed in. He imagined Brightsong's scent flooding over him. He saw the gleam of her amber eyes as she gazed at the stars. He recalled her soft fur touching against his and her beautiful voice speaking to him. Secret meetings in the night and hidden glimpses at the gatherings were brought back to him. He held his breath as memory after memory flooded into his head. Now breath out. Release these memories that you have conjured. Nightwhisper was afraid to let it all go. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he breathed out, and the memories seemed to leave him. They were still there, but less painful. Now remember the last words she said to you. Waves of anguish washed over Nightwhisper as their last conversation returned to his mind frame. Tears streamed, forming a pool on the starlit floor. He trembled and shook viciously as her harsh tongue lashed at his fragile ears. He covered his head with his paws, wanting it to fade away, but now that it was fresh in his mind, it was so loud that he could no longer hear Nightflower's calm mew and when he opened his eyes, she was gone, along with all the other StarClan cats.

"Are you alright?" As Nightwhisper's vision cleared and his tears were blinked away, he recognized Sagespot gazing down at him worriedly. He rose to his feet and nodded half-heartedly before giving his chest fur a few embarrassed licks. "Nightwhisper… You're crying." She mewed worriedly. She moved forward and licked a few salty tears off of his cheek. He instantly felt his fur grow hot at the touch of her rough tongue on his wet fur, but he shied away. Sagespot took a few steps backwards. She looked at the ground shyly, but soon she looked up into Nightwhisper's bright blue eyes. "Nightwhisper… There is something I've always wanted to tell you, but… I never got the chance. Nightwhisper, I-"

"Sagespot!" Scorchflame burst through the camp entrance. He bounded towards Sagespot, but he froze in his tracks when he found out who she had been talking to. He let out an angry hiss. His claws slid out and he looked as if he was about to leap on Nightwhisper right there, but Sagespot stepped in front of Scorchflame. Her pelt bristled as it started to rise.

"Stop, Scorchflame, just stop!" Sagespot hissed. "I know how you feel about me, and I'm sorry, but I don't feel the same way. At least not about you."

"What…" Scorchflame's eyes widened. He took a step backwards as hurt clearly showed in his eyes. "What do you mean?" His voice was hoarse, as if some cat had been clawing at his throat.

"I'm in love with Nightwhisper." Sagespot confessed. She sighed. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you long ago, but I couldn't… I didn't have the courage."

"But… You… I… We were going to have kits!" He screeched.

"No we weren't, Scorchflame. I'm sorry, but my heart is with Nightwhisper."

"Nightwhisper…" Scorchflame spat the word in a cold hiss. He glared at Nightwhisper. His claws penetrated the soft soil beneath them and the rage in his eyes was enough to paralyze any cat who looked into them, but Nightwhisper stood where he was, returning Scorchflame's gaze. "You will pay for this…" He snarled before turning tail to race out of camp. Sagespot sighed before turning around to face Nightwhisper.

"So now you know why I couldn't tell you…" She looked back. "I hope he'll be alright. Wounds heal, don't they?" Sagespot asked as she looked into Nightwhisper's eyes. Her green ones were full of guilt, but they were also full of love. Wounds heal, and I think mine finally has… Nightwhisper thought as he leaned closer to Sagespot. He licked her forehead and she smiled shyly at him. "So… You feel the same way that I do?" She wondered aloud. Nightwhisper nodded slowly, smiling. He could forget Brightsong. In fact, he already had. Him and Sagespot walked into the warrior's den, where they claimed new nests, side by side.

Nightwhisper awakened the next evening and took in Sagespot's warm scent beside him. He rose to his feet and padded out of the warrior's den and into the moonlight. It was only dawn, but the moon was bright. As Nightwhisper looked around, he noticed that some cats seemed closer than friends, and he wondered how he had missed it before. Maybe I was too caught up in everything else… But now… We have all of our old territory back. Things have been calm and peaceful ever since we won the battle. There is actually time for mates and kits, when there wasn't before. Marshfur and Russetfoot were sharing tongues and to no surprise Marshfur seemed a bit heavier. She's expecting his kits. Nightwhisper glanced around. Molefang trotted up to Sandheart and mewed something in a soft whisper. Sandheart nodded and the two of them headed toward the camp entrance.

"Where do you think you two are going?" Lunarclaw asked, smirking at them as if she suspected what they were up to.

"We're going out hunting." Molefang mewed, licking his chest fur, as his fur grew hot with embarrassment.

"You should take more than just two cats." Shadowclaw advised as he walked up. "Take Honeypaw and Yellowbelly with you, but don't leave now. Shadestar is going to make an announcement shortly." Only a few moments after the words had left his mouth, Shadestar appeared at the entrance of his den and climbed onto the tree stump.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey join here before the Tree Stump for a clan meeting!" Shadestar's mew awakened any sleeping cats, and soon they flooded from their dens to gather beneath the tree stump. All cats whispered quietly as they wondered what Shadestar could possibly have to say. When the clan was silent, Shadestar began. "I have some unfortunate news to share with you. Lunarclaw has informed me that she no longer wishes to be in the deputy position. I am sad that she no longer wishes to serve as deputy, but she will serve her clan just as fine as a regular warrior. Of course I must use the ceremonial words to discharge her before appointing the new deputy." Shadestar took a deep breath, trying to recall the words that had not been used in many, many seasons. Finally, they came to him. "Lunarclaw, the deputy of EclipseClan, has given many moons to serving her clan in her current position. However, she wishes to return to her rank as a warrior, so I hereby discharge her of her current rank. I hope that she will continue to serve her clan as a warrior for many seasons." Shadestar dipped his head respectfully to the previous deputy.

"Thank you, Shadestar." She mewed before dipping her head in return. Shadestar nodded in acknowledgement. He then lifted his head to the stars, preparing himself to choose a new deputy. His eyes skimmed over the cats of the clans.

"Before I choose the new deputy, there is something I must say… A few sunrises ago, Lizardleg received a prophecy from StarClan." Shocked gasps rippled through the clan. Shadestar took a deep breath before he continued. "When the bodies of fallen warriors litter the ground, and all hope is lost, a whisper in the night will bring the calm and comfort we seek." Shadestar mewed the ominous words loud enough for every cat to hear. Every cat in the clan had eyes wide with shock. They all looked at each other and murmured in hushed whispers. Nightwhisper noticed that all of the cats were flicking their ears and tails at him. No… I am not the cat from the prophecy… I can't be… But Nightwhisper felt very unnerved. "Lizardleg and I decided it would be best if we kept it from the clan until we were absolutely sure of who the cat from the prophecy was. Now we are sure we know who that cat is and that cat will be EclipseClan's next deputy. I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of EclipseClan is Nightwhisper." Shadestar's voice was confident. He was absolutely certain that Nightwhisper was indeed the cat from the prophecy… and now all heads were turned toward the jet-black tom. He shook his head to protest, but they were cheering his name. This can't be right… I can't be the cat that will put everything right, can I? A chill went up Nightwhisper's spine. How can I bring the calm if I can't even speak?

The clan dispersed as Lunarclaw rushed them to join the patrols that she would continue to assign. Nightwhisper's gaze followed Shadestar to his den. As soon as he had disappeared inside, Nightwhisper approached. Shadestar turned around to face him, as if he had expected the tom to come into the den after him.

"I assumed you would want me to speak to you about the prophecy, and about being made deputy," Shadestar began. "But I am certain that I made the right decision. You have always been a loyal warrior. You may not know this, but I have been keeping my eye on you... Ever since Toadleap's death, I've seen a spark that has been ignited within you. You are unlike any cat I've ever met before, Nightwhisper. You may not be able to speak, but you are smarter than a lot of cats… I can see it in your eyes. Nothing gets by you easily." Nightwhisper was made uncomfortable by Shadestar's praise and he gave his chest fur a few quick licks to hide it. Shadestar chuckled. "And when Lizardleg received the prophecy, I became increasingly convinced that you are unlike any other cats. You will make a fine deputy… And a fine leader." Shadestar sighed. Nightwhisper saw something in the old tom's eyes. For once he noticed the slightest trace of silver fur around Shadestar's muzzle and thinness of his pelt. With a jolt he realized what Shadestar was implying. This is his last life…

Nightwhisper padded out of Shadestar's den. He felt uneasy as he padded through camp. Cats were looking at him with a sense of authority he had never known before… And he didn't like it.

Nightwhisper eventually got used to his new position. Lunarclaw had to help him assign patrols for the first couple days, but he soon mastered it. He would first flick his tail to indicate the leader of a patrol, and then he would flick his tail to each warrior the leader of the patrol would take with him. If it was a border patrol, he angled his ears in the direction of the FloodClan border or the LightningClan border. If it was a hunting patrol, he dropped into a hunter's crouch and flicked his tail in the direction of where he thought they should hunt. It took a while for everyone to get used to the system, but soon they knew how to read Nightwhisper's signs. It was a lot easier than he had thought, except that he went on a lot less patrols than he usually did. He didn't get to go out as much, and every cat seemed to look up to him, which was something he would never get used to, even though it was an entire moon since he had been made deputy.

Speaking of which, the moon was once again full. Nightwhisper assigned small patrols of the cats who weren't going to the gathering before he joined the patrol that was about to head out. He walked beside Shadestar until the Tree Circle came into view. Then he dropped back to walk next to Sagespot. He vaguely wondered if it was a good idea for her to come to a gathering. Her kits weren't due for another half-moon, but Nightwhisper had been worried sick…

By the time the EclipseClan cats trotted in, the other clans were already gathered in the hollow. Shadestar leaped onto the large mushroom effortlessly. He motioned for Nightwhisper to follow. Nightwhisper scrambled up the tree in much less graceful a manner, but he eventually collapsed onto the mushroom that he would share with the LightningClan deputy, Hailstorm. The deputy was now on the mushroom with the other leaders, as Adderstar was still out caring for her kits. Nightwhisper vaguely wondered who would start the gathering this time. Lilystar was the first to step forward.

"We have three new warriors and three new kits!" She mewed cheerfully. "Graypaw, Rubypaw and Ravenpaw have earned the names Grayfoot, Rubyflame and Ravenwind." She paused as the warrior's stepped forward. FloodClan cats cheered joyfully, but nothing followed as the other clans remained silently. Nightwhisper thought nothing of it. Gatherings were always like that. "And our three new kits are Shellkit, Ripplekit and Forestkit. Their mother is Seaheart and their father is Blackstorm, but as you heard at the last gathering, Blackstorm was killed by a badger." Nightwhisper knew that Lilystar had lied about Blackstorm's death. She didn't want anyone to know about his so-called treachery. Lilystar nodded before stepping backwards and motioning for one of the other leaders to take their turn. It was Cloverstar who stepped forward.

"TornadoClan was also blessed with a new litter of kits. Pigeonlight had two kits named Dovekit and Eggkit. Their father is Coalface." Cloverstar explained. "In addition to the kits, we have two new warriors. Runningpaw and Harepaw have earned the names Runningwater and Harepelt." The two warriors stepped forward and other TornadoClan warriors cheered their names. Cloverstar stepped down and Shadestar claimed his turn, butting in before Hailstorm could.

"EclipseClan have had fine hunting in the territory we won from LightningClan, and we intend to keep it. Make sure that Adderstar knows that, Hailstorm!" Shadestar hissed before continuing. "And to prove our strength I am happy to announce that two of our warriors are being moved to the nursery until their kits are born. Marshfur is expecting Russetfoot's kits whilst Sagespot is expecting Nightwhisper's." He announced proudly. "I also wish to announce that Lunarclaw has returned to her position as a warrior and I have chosen a new deputy. Nightwhisper is the new deputy of EclipseClan." The other clans responded with silence. They all stared at Nightwhisper. Even the crickets ceased to chirp as all eyes locked on Nightwhisper. Luckily, Hailstorm stepped forward before trouble could arise.

"LightningClan has much good news to share!" Hailstorm cheered. "Three of our queens have given birth!" He exclaimed. "Dawnsplash has a tom named Falconkit and a she-kit named Breezekit. Their father is Dragonblaze, a senior warrior. Crimsontail has four healthy kits. Unfortunately, their father Jaywing was brutally murdered in the battled two moons ago. There are two she-kits, Volekit and Clawkit, and two toms, Bramblekit and Stripedkit. Finally, Brightsong had Wildfire's kits. Their names are Robinkit, Nightkit and Jaykit."

Nightwhisper stood rigid, but he forced his hackles to smooth down. If any clan saw his reaction, his secret could be revealed. She… She named a kit after me… He fought down the lump in his throat and blinked away the tears. A realization hit him. She still loves me… She… She used Jayclaw as an excuse to leave me because she didn't want to get hurt... But it's too late now… Sagespot is expecting my kits… And I'll be happy to father them. I'll be the best father I can be. I promise, Sagespot…