Chapter 33

Five Moons Later...

Panthershade pushed his way through the undergrowth, a starling hanging from his jaws. It had been more than five moons since Viperstrike had left, and he missed her desperately. Since she had left, more than half of the cats had died. The very few survivors had decided to move to a small cluster of trees close to the gorge, as it was far too cold out on the open moorland.

Panthershade let out a sigh as he remembered every cat that had been lost, from either sickness or starvation. Squirrelflight had been the first to die after Viperstrike left. Despite all of Nettlebreeze's efforts, the ThunderClan deputy had been a lost cause, dying in her sleep.

Webfur had been the second cat to die. The young queen had starved to death while trying to make sure her daughter had enough to eat. Unfortunately, she wasn't the only cat to starve to death. Hollystorm, Lionblaze, Daisy, Leafstar, Rowanpaw, and Creekfeather had also starved over the next couple of moons. Despite the Clans efforts, there simply wasn't enough food to go around.

Lastly, Lichenpelt, Fernsong, Crowfeather and even Nettlebreeze herself had been claimed by a last bought of greencough. It had been a terrible shock to lose their only medicine cat, and it only caused more chaos. Shyfur and Shrewpaw had even abandoned the Clan, afraid for their lives. Bramblestar had tried to stop them, but they refused to stay.

I need to stop thinking about this, Panthershade scolded himself. Picking his starling back up, he padded in the direction of the new camp. Despite all of the terrible events that had occurred, things weren't completely hopeless.

Shortly after moving camps, Bramblestar had made Redpaw, Branchpaw, Boulderpaw and Dapplepaw warriors. The four were now called Redstorm, Branchtail, Boulderstripe and Dapplecloud. Even though the three had grown up during difficult times, they had remained optimistic and ready to serve their Clan. Redstorm was even the father of Thrushfeather's new kits, which would be arriving within the next moon. There was even a rumor going around that Sunheart would be expecting Hailstep's kits before long. The two had grown so close, it wasn't hard to see why such a rumor was circulating.

Things were even shaping up for Panthershade himself. Pretty soon, Mistlekit would reach six moons, meaning she would be becoming an apprentice. Heathertail, who had taken over as WindClan's new leader, had promised him he could mentor the young kit. The idea of training Webfur's daughter made his heart swell with pride. I promise I'll be the best mentor the Clans have ever seen! He vowed silently. And lastly, Panthershade had Blizzard by his side. Despite everything that had happened, Blizzard had stayed in the Clans, doing everything she could to help out. I'm glad to call her my friend, Panthershade thought happily.

After dropping his starling onto the fresh-kill pile, Panthershade looked out across the clearing. For the first time in moons, the cats looked healthy and happy. Several cats were even sharing tongues with one another, which had become a rare sight during the time of the cold season.

Things can only get better from here, he thought, purring slightly. Suddenly, he felt a cat walk up on him from behind. Turning around, he saw that Blizzard was standing there. The white she-cat had a mischievous grin on her face, which caused Panthershade to grow suspicious.

"I see you've caught a starling," Blizzard purred, her green eyes gleaming. When he nodded she added, "starling is my favorite. Do you think I could have it?"

The gray tom nodded. "Help yourself." Panthershade nudged it over to her.

"Wanna share?" she asked hopefully.

"Sure!" Panthershade smiled at her, before following her over to a small clump of ferns that grew near the nursery. As he took a bite of his catch, he felt a pang of sadness in his chest. "I wish all of this prey had been around during the cold season. Then all of those cats wouldn't have died..."

Blizzard gave him a sympathetic look. "I know it's hard, but try not to think about it."

He let out a sigh. "I try not to, but..." he trailed off, unsure of what to say. "Never mind. Forget I said anything."

The two cats were silent for a while, before Blizzard coughed awkwardly. "Can I talk to you about something?"

"Go ahead," he replied, taking another bite out of the starling.

Blizzard let out a deep sigh before starting. "Well... I've been thinking about something for a while now." The white she-cat paused for a few moments, shuffling her paws on the ground. "I think I like you." Slowly, she turned to face him, waiting for his response.

Panthershade sat there for a few seconds, unsure of how to respond. "I like you too," he meowed confidently, smiling.

Blizzard began to purr. "I was so worried you wouldn't feel the same way." She then lowered her voice as she added, "Do you mind if we keep this our little secret? At least for right now? I want to make sure things will work out between us before we announce it to every cat."

He nodded. "That's fine with me." As Panthershade stared at Blizzard, he began to purr. Even if things didn't work out with her, Panthershade was glad to at least try.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather for a Clan meeting!"

Panthershade pushed his way out of the warriors den, before taking a seat next to Boulderstripe. As he stared up at Bramblestar, he noticed how elderly the ThunderClan leader looked. At one point in his life, the dark tabby looked strong and muscular. Now he appeared frail and depressed, most likely due to the loss of all his loved ones. I don't think he'll be around for much longer, Panthershade realized with a jolt.

"I have several announcements that I would like to make," Bramblestar began. "First of all, I would like to announce that Pinenose will be my successor. Second of all, I would like to make Mistlekit an apprentice."

Heathertail and Jaggedclaw nudged Mistlekit forward. As the young kit bounded up to Bramblestar's side, Panthershade could see that her eyes were gleaming with excitement.

"From this moment on, you shall be known as Mistlepaw. Panthershade shall be your new mentor." Turning to face him, Bramblestar added, "I hope you will pass on everything Elmclaw and Mudwhisker have taught you."

Panthershade dipped his head to Bramblestar. "I promise I'll do my best." Leaning down, he touched noses to his new apprentice. As Mistlepaw stared at him, his heart ached with sadness. Webfur should be here, he thought gloomily.

"Mistlepaw! Mistlepaw! Mistlepaw!" the cats cheered.

Mistlepaw ducked her head, embarrassed. "I've never been the center of attention before," she admitted shyly. After the commotion died down, the dark brown she-cat squeaked, "Do you think you could take me out to explore the territory? Please?"

Panthershade let out a small chuckle. "Of course," he responded, padding over to the camp entrance. Right as he was about to walk out into the small forest, Jaggedclaw stopped him.

The brown tom had a nervous expression on his face as he meowed, "Keep an eye on her, Panthershade. I trust you."

Panthershade dipped his head to the ShadowClan tom. "I'd give up my life protecting Mistlepaw," he promised, before padding out into the forest.

To his surprise, the young apprentice stayed right by his side. Despite her excitement, she was doing her best to remain calm and collected. "The forest is so beautiful," she chirped, eyeing a clump of bracken.

"Believe it or not, I actually prefer the moorland," he said, sniffing the air. "Can you tell me what you smell?"

Mistlepaw nodded, before scenting the air. Turning back towards him she reported, "I think I smell Honeysplash and Branchtail."

The gray tom nodded his head in approval. "Good job!" he praised, before continuing on his way. The two cats continued to explore the territory, before making their way home.

As they padded into camp, the sun was beginning to set. "My paws are aching," she complained, limping towards the apprentices den. Just as she was about to pad into the den, she paused. "I'm going to be all alone," she whimpered.

Panthershade flattened his ears to his head. As he opened his mouth to speak, Branchtail interrupted him. "I'll sleep in there with you," the young tom offered.

Mistlepaw's eyes gleamed. "Really? Thank you." She then followed Branchtail over to Hailstep's den to gather moss. As Panthershade watched them go, he turned and padded in the direction of his own den.

Since so many cats had died in the past few moons, the den was nearly empty. Just as he was about to shut his eyes, he heard the den entrance rustle. Looking up, Panthershade saw Blizzard was standing there.

"Aren't you going to eat?" she wondered.

He shook his head. "I think I'm going to take a nap, and then eat when I wake up."

"There might not be anything when you wake up. Redstorm is out there eating like a pig!" Blizzard laughed, before taking a seat next to him. Suddenly she grew serious. "I have good news," she meowed.

"What is it?" Panthershade asked.

"I'm expecting kits!" she exclaimed, her green eyes sparkling with happiness.

"A-already?! But we've only been mates for a moon." The gray tom sat there for a few moments, shocked. He then stared down at Blizzard's belly, which now that he noticed, seemed more plump.

"Aren't you happy?" she demanded, flattening her ears to her head.

His blue eyes widened. "Of course. I just didn't think we would have kits so soon is all, especially since you said you wanted to take things slow." Standing up, he gave her a nuzzle. "This is the best news I've ever heard in seasons."

"How many do you think we'll have?" Blizzard questioned as she pressed against him. "And do you think they'll be toms or she-kits?"

"I'll be happy with whatever we have," he told her, breathing in her scent.

"I want she-kits, to be honest," Blizzard meowed. "However, I suppose a little tom kit would be wonderful too."

As they sat there talking about their new kits, Panthershade's heart swelled with pride. Perhaps things are going to change for the better?

"Push!" Hailstep ordered as he placed his paw on Blizzard's swollen stomach.

The white she-cat let out a blood-chilling scream, before pushing. At first, nothing happened, which caused Panthershade's heart to sink. "Is it stuck?" he asked slowly. Before Hailstep could answer, a small bundle slid out onto the ground. It was covered in a bloody sack, which the medicine cat pulled off.

"Congratulations! It's a she-kit," Hailstep purred as he pushed the new kit over to Blizzard's side. The white queen stared down at her daughter in awe, before covering her in licks.

"There's only one?" Thornkit gasped, her eyes round with shock.

"Thornkit, Briarkit, come away from there. Blizzard has just been through a lot, and she doesn't need you to disturb her," Thrushfeather ordered.

The two kits hesitated for a moment, before padding over to their mother's side. As Panthershade watched them, he couldn't help but let out a mrrow of amusement. Before long, my daughter will be getting into mischief.

"What do you think we should name her?" Blizzard asked softly, her eyes drooping slightly.

As Panthershade stared down at his daughter, he noticed how much she resembled his father. She was dark gray, with a small build. "She looks just like Crowfeather," he breathed in astonishment. Slowly, he leaned down to lick her. As he did this, she let out a high pitched wail. "Don't cry, little one!" Panthershade begged.

Blizzard purred. "I think Crowkit would be cute for her," she commented.

"We don't have to name her after my father," Panthershade insisted. "You can name her whatever you want!"

"I think Crowkit fits her," Thornkit murmured as she peered over Blizzard's side.

"Thornkit, what did I just tell you?" Thurshfeather snapped. Thornkit flattened her ears to her head, before scampering back over to her mother.

"I agree," Blizzard spoke. "Crowkit fits her perfectly." As Crowkit nursed, Blizzard wrapped her tail over her new daughter's back. "Isn't she perfect, Panthershade?"

He nodded. "She's darling." When he noticed how tired Blizzard was, he began to back out of the den. "I promise I'll come visit you later, my love. Take care of our little one."

Blizzard nodded her head, before closing her eyes to go to sleep. As Panthershade padded out of the den, he was greeted by Mistlepaw.

"Did Blizzard have her kits yet?" the young apprentice wondered.

Panthershade nodded. "She's given birth to one she-kit, whom we've decided to name Crowkit. She's absolutely adorable..." he trailed off, to happy to speak.

Mistlepaw smiled at him, before frowning. "Now that you have Crowkit, you won't forget about me, will you? Like I won't have to get another mentor?"

"Absolutely not! I'll always have time to train you," Panthershade promised.

The dark brown she-cat blinked happily. "That's good, because you're an amazing mentor. I don't think I would like to be trained by any other cat than you." Suddenly, her eyes widened. "If I'm a warrior by the time Crowkit reaches six moons, do you think I could train her?"

He let out a chuckle. "We'll see," he meowed. "We'll see."

This chapter may seem rushed due to all of the time skips, but it is supposed to be that way. As this book wraps up, I wanted to show you the most important moments of Panthershade's life, as this is the last chapter we will see from him. Also, it was very hard for me to chose who lived or died. I really liked all of those cats, so it was really tough. I especially had a hard time letting go of Squirrelflight and Nettlebreeze, but these sort of things had to be done. And unless there is a sequel to this story (which I doubt, however I am thinking about writing a one-shot) the fate of the Clans is up to you: Will they live, or will nature continue to take it's course and claim more cats? And in case anyone was wondering, here are the allegiances:

Leader: Bramblestar - very old, dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes

Deputy: Pinenose - black she-cat

Medicine cat: Hailstep - large gray tom

Warriors: (toms and she-cats without kits)

Dovewing - gray she-cat with blue eyes

Redstorm - dark ginger tom

Branchtail - fluffy gray tom

Dapplecloud - tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat

Jaggedclaw - brown tabby tom with amber eyes

Heathertail - light brown tabby she-cat with blue eyes

Featherpool - gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes

Mudwhisker - dark brown tabby tom with green eyes

Panthershade - dark gray tom with blue eyes

Apprentice: Mistlepaw

Boulderstripe - large gray tom

Honeysplash - pale ginger she-cat

Sunheart - golden tabby she-cat with bright blue eyes

Apprentices: (cats older than six moons in training to become warriors)

Mistlepaw - dark brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes

Queens: (she-cats expecting or nursing kits)

Thrushfeather - dark brown tabby she-cat. Mother of Redstorm's kits, Thornkit (torbie she-kit) and Briarkit (dark brown tom).

Blizzard - pure white she-cat with green eyes. Mother of Panthershade's kit, Crowkit (lithe dark gray she-kit).