CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

"Will she recover?"

"I don't know. Her wounds are mostly internal, and I'm no expert in that."

"There has to be something we can do!"

"What do you want me to do? Sit on her? She's a strong cat, I'm sure she'll pull through."

Owlheart held back a huff of annoyance as Archwhisker barged past her. For the past couple of days he had been treating her like this. Always checking in on Breezestar and seeing if there had been any changes. Unfortunately there had not been any changes.

She was careful not to disturb Breezestar as she went through the herbs stored in her little cave. The battle was over, and the rogues had either fled or joined the Clan. Owlheart was surprised to hear how many had decided to join. Once Storm was dead they realized their leader was not so invincible after all.

Archwhisker had ordered guards to keep an eye on the rogues until Breezestar woke up. The decision to let them stay was not up to him. He held a Clan meeting that night to cast a vote. Sootfire was the only one who voted against them staying. And Owlheart couldn't blame him for hating those rogues.

They don't deserve a second chance, she thought bitterly. After what they did to me... to the whole Clan, I will never forgive them. She couldn't forget what the rogues had done to her. Because of them there were two more kits in the nursery that she didn't want.

Suddenly Breezestar began to stir in her nest. Owlheart whirled around, dropping a bundle of comfrey in the process. She had used most of her store to bind Breezestar's back with cobwebs. The leader had nearly been crushed by Storm. But somehow she managed to survive, barely.

"...What happened?" Her voice sounded groggy, and she winced in pain. Owlheart padded forward, giving her side a careful sniff. The bleeding had stopped two days ago. But Owlheart wasn't sure if she was suffering from internal bleeding, and that worried her.

"You were almost crushed by Storm," Owlheart replied gruffly. "If Sootfire hadn't killed him you might be dead now."

"I remember that, but what happened after the battle?" Breezestar tried standing up, but yelped in pain. Owlheart immediately went to her side and helped her up. She shouldn't be standing like this. Not after her back was only just recovering.

"Archwhisker led a patrol to make sure none of the rogues were still there," Owlheart explained. "A few of them asked to join the Clan after Storm was killed." Breezestar stared at Owlheart in disbelief. Owlheart understood her doubt and glared at the ground. "I don't know what Archwhisker was thinking, bringing them here. But he has guards posted around them all the time."

"Good," Breezestar murmured. "I should let the Clan know I'm fine."

This time Owlheart stopped her from moving any further. "You are in no condition to do that," she snapped. "Until your injuries are fully recovered you have to stay here." Breezestar looked startled at first, but amusement suddenly gleamed in her eyes.

"Now you're sounding like a medicine cat," she murmured. Her head rolled to one side, and Owlheart stared at her in alarm. "I'll be fine, you're right. I just need time to recover. Please tell Archwhisker to let the rogues stay if that is what they wish."

Owlheart was ready to argue when she thought better of it. Breezestar would keep coming up with some kind of argument anyways. She helped Breezestar back to her nest and waited until the leader was asleep again.

Please let her live, she begged silently.

With a sigh she padded out of the den. There was nothing she could do. Breezestar's fate was in the paws of StarClan right now. As she padded out she was greeted by Archwhisker. Right now she was in no mood to put up with him, but she had to tell him what Breezestar had told her.

"She woke up, but only for a few heartbeats," she explained before he could even ask. His eyes lit up with surprise. "She wanted me to tell you to let the rogues join the Clan." She nodded towards the small group clustered at the edge of the clearing.

The group consisted of mostly young cats. Many of them bore scars from previous fights. Some of the wounds were still fresh and had not been tended to. Owlheart knew that as soon as they became warriors she would have to look at their wounds. She didn't want any of them getting infections.

"I'm not sure whether or not we should trust these rogues, but if that's what she wants, than fine," he muttered with a shrug. By now most of the Clan had recovered from the battle. Thrushfur's right ear was torn, and he bore several scars now. Jadeleaf looked like she had made a full recovery. Patchwhisker's left eye had been clawed out by a rogue, but he didn't seem to care. Redfire and Brooksong had both made full recoveries.

But memories of the battle were still fresh. And as Redfire and Patchwhisker stood guard of the rogues, Owlheart could tell that it would take time for them to accept the rogues. This wasn't going to be easy for the Clan, no matter Breezestar's orders.

While that was being done, Owlheart decided to take the chance and check on the nursery. Since the two kits were discovered at her paws she had been reluctant to go in. Memories of what the rogues had done to her would always haunt her. She couldn't let go of the past. It was too painful. But that didn't mean she couldn't check on Dapplebird and Berryleaf.

"Owlheart, is Breezestar okay?" She paused when Sootfire approached her. The smoky black tom had not been the same since the battle. He was keeping to himself now more than ever. Owlheart had begun to notice the change more than others, but she never bothered asking what was wrong.

"She just woke up a few minutes ago," she explained again. "She should be fine if she lets herself rest." Owlheart didn't miss the worry in his eyes. Sootfire really did care about his leader. She had taken him in just like she had with Owlheart when no one else would.

"It's my fault she's in pain," he murmured after bowing his head. The guilt in his voice suddenly made Owlheart narrow her eyes. "If I had stopped Storm sooner than-" She cut him off with a hiss of annoyance.

"It's not your fault," she snapped. "Sometimes things happen that we can't control... and we have to learn to face those things, even if it hurts us." She felt her body shake with emotions as she thought of those words. Was that her speaking, or StarClan?

Sootfire was about to speak when he thought better of it. He stared at her for a few heartbeats before dipping his head and stalking away. Once he was gone Owlheart decided to slip into the nursery. She knew what she had to do now.

Once inside she spotted Dapplebird watching the kits carefully. She had her paws full with six kits. Owlheart had never realized just how full the nursery was until now. By leafbare the whole Clan would be thriving.

"They've gotten so big," she murmured when she spotted her two kits. Fawnkit and Stripekit. They really were beautiful kits, even if she hated their father. She couldn't help but wonder how she had gotten so angry with them for so long.

"Of course they have," Dapplebird purred, her eyes were lighting up as she looked at Owlheart. "They'll get bigger once the moons go by. But they're still young."

Owlheart held back a sigh of relief as she watched the two kits nestled between Dapplebird's own kits. She imagined this was what it felt like to be a mother. Suddenly it didn't matter to her who their father was. Owlheart leaned forward and rasped her tongue over Fawnkit's back. Dapplebird didn't even protest, she just assumed Owlheart was checking the kits' health.

"They'll make fine little warriors," Owlheart sighed. Dapplebird murmured in agreement, sounding more exhausted than ever. "Is there anything I can get you? Do you need more borage?" She assumed that because there were so many kits Dapplebird would need more borage.

"That would be nice," the queen replied. "You should get some rest yourself, you look exhausted," she suddenly added.

Owlheart was about to argue when she realized Dapplebird was right. She let out a sigh of frustration and backed out of the den. Maybe she would never have the instincts of a mother. But those kits were hers, whether she wanted them or not.

. . .

He wasn't sure what had led to asking Owlheart those questions. But it felt good knowing that she was trying to reassure him. The guilt he felt earlier suddenly seemed to vanish. It was as if what she had said made it go away.

In the end, the group of rogues consisting of five cats had joined the Clan. Nightwhisper had kept his original name. But Wisp, Stone, Meadow and Leaf had all changed their names. They were now known as Bluefrost, Stonefoot, Meadowspring and Leafstorm. All five of them were now sitting vigil like they were ordered.

Sootfire watched them carefully, suddenly aware of how much these rogues had changed in such a short time. Without their leaders ordering them around, they were like normal cats. For the first time he could see how much they wanted to help each other out. Despite being part of different gangs they had learned to work together.

He only hoped that Breezestar's need for second chances didn't backfire on her. The Clan would need them now more than ever.

AN: So there's the last chapter! No, there isn't going to be a sequel. As much as I'd love for there to be one, I like the way this ended. Breezestar does make a full recovery, but she has a permanent limp. Patchwhisker's eye was clawed out by Thanos, who fled deeper into the city. But aside from that I'm not giving out any more details. This is the end, and I'm proud of the way it's finished! Thanks everyone who reviewed, and please let me know what you thought of it!