Heyoo! Back again! It's been a long time (again) but I have a legitimate reason. I was grounded from my laptop before I had the chance to publish this chapter. I had already started to work on it and was about halfway done when I was grounded. It sucked. But I'm back and I was just released like two days ago! And here it is! The newest chapter. So, Rose's bit is a little awkward, a tad bit too mushy for me, but I thought we might as well have one before the battle and some cat dies...not saying whooo though. Woops, I slipped a little of the ending! Ah well, you guys knew anywhoo, right? I mean, c'mon. I am Monkey after all. You cannot have a battle scene without death or near-death. Just how it goes in my writing xD Review answers!

Devil's Deadly Nightshade: Whoo, long name! Can I just call you Devil? Haha, anyway, I am so glad you liked her name :)

S.H. Raven: First, love your name :) Second, I do not believe you have reviewed here? Or you have, and it's a different username? Confuddled, but thank you :)

CrimsonEyedWolf112: Hey you again! Missed you :) Bunnies! Chickens! Congratulations :) And look at you with your fancy schmancy italian haha ^.^

TearStainedAngel: Isn't it just so...emotional? I was kinda tearing up... :') And thank you deary

XSpiritwingX: Thank you so much lovey :) And I think I did, but a while ago, and I didn't review? Or wait, no, I did cause I remember you asked me a question. Confusion solved haha! Lovely story by the way! School is fantastically stressing me out right now. Ugh. Testing.

Silvertail of shoreclan: I think I will try brushing up on that. Revisit some of Raven's Wing with both Raven and Leaf :)

kingszey: 'Tis indeed! Aren't you excited! And thank you ever so much!

Shadowmist1999: Oh gosh, how I do love you deary! I am so so happy you loved her name so much, and I feel extremely honored to have named your favorite character a name you yourself chose :)

Shadows of the Stars: Lovely word my dear, Might just use it xD And the Rosep-heart is totally on purpose. He almost calls her Rosepaw, then changes it at the last second haha. Sorry if that was confusing! And no, go ahead and rant! Everyone needs to rant sometimes :) And I just realized that Blackfoot and Nightstar were canon. 'Cause I am a, you know, idiot. Oh well *sigh*. The Erins are just too freakin' fast and smart and original.

Random Falcon: Thank you! I am glad to be back :)

Tangleflame: Haha, you make me laughh :) And of courseee you are!

WatercolourRainbows: Oh dear, I just love your reviews so much xD I am so glad you love Roseheart just as much as I do (of course, I will always love her more, but ya' know xD) And about the battle...haha, we are going to have some issues with the whole "don't kill anyone thing". Oops xD *hands Roseheart plushie* Forgive me ahead of time?

Runningmist: I am so happy you liked them! Running's took me a bit before I finally figured it out! and Black's was perf (although it is canon. *sigh*)

Cloneguin: Are you-are you in a movie? Wait, what? My mind has just been...I dunno, blown? And I missed you! :)

Sparrowclaw of ThunderClan: I respect your opinions although Thornflight will forever seem like my biggest achievement only because his was the hardest name xD But I do love that you like Rose's and Dapple's! Thank you!

Snowflower3618: I know, Snow really needs her name! Still kinda figuring out how to wedge that into the story, but it shall come! And we shall see about the Leafstar thing...

Raintail of RiverClan: I am so glad you are that happy! Thank you! And yet another ThornxFeather shipper xD Only a few are ThornxDapple. I seriously wonder why... Love you!

Spottedflame: Thank you :) Battle coming soon!

Ashheart15: Extremely hard!

Tatyana: I think you read the closest out of all my reviewers xD The BlackxRose pairing, I cannot say anything at all on or I will give away part of the epic ending, as I have said. The ending is indeed epic on many proportions. I am extremely excited to write it. You have no idea xD As for Snowpelt's kits, I dunno...It will definitely be a challenge to write, and it may just turn into a sort of one-shot thing.

Viper331: Missed you! :)

Sunleaf13: New reviewer/reader! Welcome! *hands Darkfire plushie* as you requested ;) And yes, someone likes Shadowfur! I love him too! And my dear friend Angel shall not be pleased that you do not enjoy Dapplesong. She created her xD As for who dies...MWAHAHAHAHAHA. You shall see.

starbomb: thank you :) Love you too ^.^

On with the story!


Chapter 27

Roseheart

"I miss you," Roseheart whispered. Her father stood before her, glorious and radiant. His pelt glittered with stars and his eyes shone with the light of StarClan. He purred and when he answered, his voice was young and strong.

"I miss you too my little rose. I am so proud of you and your brother," he murmured, leaning his head forward to brush his muzzle against her cheek. His breath warmed her body and she loved him with a new intensity. "Roseheart, there are difficult times ahead. Your brother, you must be strong for him."

Roseheart cried out as he suddenly faded away. His pale eyes lingered for just a moment later before the wind snatched him away. However, instead of falling into her icy torment, she found herself surrounded by a warm darkness. Roseheart felt suddenly at peace.

Roseheart jolted up in her nest. Warm sunlight poured on her pelt and she could feel that it was just sunhigh. Stretching her jaws in an enormous yawn, she slipped from the den. Her brother and Featherstream were leaving for battle training while Gingerstrike chatted with Jaypelt. Roseheart remembered the conversation she and Gingerstrike had shared after the ceremony.

"Roseheart, I-I don't really know how to say this," the young tom admitted awkwardly, clearly embarrassed. After her ceremony, the she-cat felt…young again. She felt brave and fearless once more.

"Gingerstrike," she murmured. Roseheart could practically feel his paws shaking. "I love you." Her heart pounded and she suddenly felt lightheaded with the confession. Her whole body was floating.

The tom suddenly purred and brushed his cheek against hers. "I love you, too."

Roseheart approached him slowly. Jaypelt was just mewing a farewell and paused to greet Roseheart.

"Good morning, Roseheart," the queen meowed sweetly. Roseheart purred a welcome. Jaypelt brushed past her and padded towards Ravenwing, who had just emerged from Leafstar's den.

Gingerstrike bounded towards her, licking her cheek. "How you feeling?" he asked cheerfully. Roseheart laughed, following him to the prey pile.

"Tired, but happy," she answered honestly. He picked out a vole for her and together they lay down in the sunhigh warmth. He had already eaten and groomed her gently as she devoured her meal.

"Roseheart," he whispered. She pricked her ears. "I love you." His voice was filled with a kit-fear and she nearly laughed.

"I love you, too you mouse-brain," she teased gently. Something about this tom made her feel strong again. He made her feel as though she could run forever without ever losing breath, as though she could catch the wind and keep it in her heart. Gingerstrike had breathed life into the empty shell she had become, and Roseheart loved him all the more. The intensity and fervor of her emotions frightened her and she halted in her breathing for just a moment. He seemed to sense how her muscles tensed because she could feel his gaze switch to her.

"What is it?"

"I-I just love you too much, Gingerstrike. You make me feel so much better, and I hope you know something. You fixed me. And that just means I'm going to fight even harder to keep this," she confessed, scared and unfamiliar with the words pouring from her.

Gingerstrike seemed to understand as he buried his head in her fur. "Roseheart, you put the stars in the sky and you make the wind blow. You are what makes my heart pound and my breath catch. You make me a better cat and I always fight for you. I won't ever let you go, and I won't ever let you wither. Because you, you mean more to me than anything. And I will love you until the day the stars die."

His profound expression of love caught the young warrior off guard and she found herself blinking away tears. He was everything to her. She had no doubt she was in love, she just wished it wasn't so disconcerting.

All too soon, he had to leave on patrol and Roseheart was left alone. The scent of her mother surrounded her just moments before her mother sat down beside her. Roseheart mewed a welcome, brushing her pelt against Ravenwing's.

"You and Gingerstrike are growing closer," the deputy remarked. Roseheart ducked her head shyly before bringing her chin up defiantly.

"Yes. I-I love him, mother," she meowed, voice softening.

Ravenwing purred. "Love is the most beautiful and painful emotion in the world, Roseheart. It tears you up just as much as it heals you." Roseheart nodded, the truth in those words washing over her.

"Is that how it was for you? When you fell for Darkflight?" she questioned warily. Ravenwing sighed and Roseheart could feel the heavy grief she had buried when her father died.

"Yes. It was so scary, but so," she paused, trying to find the right word. "Liberating. He made everything clearer and sharper. With him, I could find sense and reason in this chaotic life. Roseheart, he kept me from falling. After Shadowfur," her voice lowered. "He was the only reason I had left. And you, you and your brother."

Roseheart buried her head in her warm fur, breathing in the familiar scent. Memories of her kithood flashed before the young she-cat. The nursery felt like a thousand seasons ago, and Roseheart suddenly missed those days.

"I miss him," she whimpered. She rarely ever did this with her mother; bare her heart and weaken for a moment. She was her strong little rose, and had always acted as such. Now though, with everything about to draw to a close, she felt as though she must do this just once. "Why did he have to go?"

Ravenwing's pain became her own and the two she-cats sat like that for a few eternal moments. Ravenwing drew away and gave Roseheart a quick lick between the ears.

"Patrol time, my dear. Make sure you train as well. The battle is in two dawns from now."

Her stomach lurched and the thought of the upcoming battle nearly tossed her back into her nightmares. But she was quickly regaining her previous strength and fought against the black tide. Roseheart stood and nodded, turning and bounding out of camp. Jaypelt and Whitefoot followed her and they returned at sunset with plentiful prey. Newleaf had come just in time. Roseheart spent the meal time with cats she rarely spent time with. The young warrior suddenly realized just how much she would miss her clan mates if anything happened to them.

As the sun began to set, she went for a quick session in battle training. She found herself squaring off with Fernpelt. The two she-cats had a spirited match and Roseheart enjoyed the challenge. It took her mind off everything and relaxed her muscles. By the end of it, both were panting.

"You-you did well, Roseheart," the former queen panted. Roseheart purred and accepted her praise gratefully.

"I could easily sleep until the battle now," she joked. Fernpelt nodded agreement and they returned to camp together happily, joking and talking of old times. Roseheart listened, fascinated, to the stories of Stonepelt. She remembered meeting the tom and realized, sadly, that they hadn't spoken since the badger attack. She missed him.

"You sound like you loved him a lot," Roseheart murmured. Fernstep suddenly stopped. They stood together in the early evening and Roseheart could hear the birds singing in the distance.

"I loved him more than I have ever loved anything. He was my reason to be, and when he left…everything fell apart," Fernstep whispered painfully. In her words, Roseheart heard seasons of pain and grief and wondered at her strength.

Roseheart purred. "And he loved you too," she replied confidently, resuming their walk. Fernstep laughed and padded alongside her cheerfully.

"I know. And someday, we'll never be parted."

Roseheart lay beside her brother and Featherstream that night, the three new warriors silent. Thornflight took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly as though bracing himself for something. "I'm scared," he announced suddenly. Roseheart merely pressed herself closer to him.

"We all are," she answered softly. She could feel his love and fear, clashing.

"I'm so glad," he paused, seeming to register Featherstream's presence. He hurried one. "I'm so glad you are you again Roseheart. I missed you."

Roseheart purred and licked his cheek. "I missed you, too."


Shadowfur

The dark tom's tail lashed. His pelt crawled and his skin was hot and flushed. Blue eyes glittered feverishly from the shadows, and the phantom cats that flickered at the edges of the den shifted uneasily. When he spoke, his voice was raspy and dry.

"We shall win."

Their yowls filled the air and Shadowfur's heart pounded as he listened to their blood thirsty wailing. This time would be different. He knew. All thoughts of Rosepelt were pushed from his mind. All he could think of was Ravenwing and Leafstar. Dead.

Satisfaction at his day dreams blazed forth and the cats relaxed. Their leader was himself again.

"Get some rest," he ordered. "Just a couple more days and we go to war."

The cats slipped away, fluid shadows in the dark night. Shadowfur lay down at last, allowing himself to relax. His dreams were filled with agony-filled cries and the stench of blood. He awoke joyfully in the middle of the night, anticipation coursing through every fiber of his being.

He would win. Or die trying.


Shadowfur has changed, eh? I am aware that his part is rather short, but I feel it just...got the job done. And to add any more would have ruined it. So, I also liked Rose's dream. A better piece of my writing, I think. Again, this chapter was a little mushy, but again, if you look closely, you will see hints to the end...

Hehe. I feel evil. So next is Leaf and Raven, Thorn and Feather after that, Rose for the battle, and after that it's a mystery. :) I am not giving away any ANY part of the ending except for this: we say good-bye to one beloved character at least in the battle. All I am saying!

Here is the pointless rant part of this chapter! So, school is getting intense in this last stretch. Track ended finally, though I shall miss those hurdles. CST testing is now here, and I am stressed. However, on the bright side, I passed my proficiency exam in Algebra! I was so freakin' excited, you have no clue. Now, before you say "you're how old and you're taking Algebra 1?" you should know that I would be in Geometry if it hadn't been for my middle school. I went to a school outside of our district, so I was bumped down and had to take Algebra AGAIN. Irritating.

Oh, and BY THE WAY! 674 REVIEWS! OAJFOAIFJADIOFJIODJ! I cannot contain these emotions. Wow. All I can say. Wow.

~Ciao, Monkey~