A thousand apologies for not updating but school is getting to me.

"Ivykit shall be trained by Fallowbreeze until she is able to have kits."

Streamflower lay utterly defeated as her new 'mate' brutally cuffed her ear. When Bittenstar had chosen to take Streamflower as his own, the whole clan was shocked. The good news for her however, is that Bittenstar had no interest in kits just yet, so she was free to stay with the other she-cats in the abandoned den.

Almost immediately Ivykit rushed to her mother's side and licked her cheek. "I'll be okay. Fallowbreeze will be kind to me."

Gloryheart couldn't meet his sister's gaze. Ever since Spottykit had been killed, she refused to look at him.

"Dad, did you hear me?"

"No, sorry my dear."

"I said, can you come to guard the den again tonight?"

The only time Gloryheart ever saw Rainkit was when a ceremony took place or when he sat watch with her at the den. Weatherstorm had sat with him for a long while, pleading with him to do something about Bittenstar. And then there was Mallowleaf. She was terribly shaken by Spottykit's death and wouldn't talk to anyone but Gloryheart and Jasminescent.

"I will." Then more quietly he added, "How's your mother?"

"She said that she is feeling sad and sick."

"She said that to you?"

"No, Jasminescent told me."

Gloryheart would have to remember to have a talk with his friend regarding Mallowleaf's health later. Rainkit looked up at him sadly. "Will Bigkit ever be happy again?"

"I don't know, my sweet. You must go before we get into trouble. Keep an eye on your mother for me. And Beestripe."

Gloryheart was scared for Beestripe. He didn't know why but he just had a bad feeling in his gut.

"Come on, Ivypaw, I must show you the territory." Fallowbreeze said. "We have to know to stay away from the borders and where to collect moss and feathers."

"But I want to hunt and fight!" Ivypaw said with the old conviction of Streamflower.

Gloryheart froze and watched Fllowbreeze talk to her sternly. "Ivypaw, we can't. Now come with me."

"It isn't fair, is it?" Growlingbelly whispered.

"I remember when you and your sister went out for the first time. So eager to learn. It appears Ivypaw is like that. But no, she must suffer with the knowledge that she will be forever giving kits to some ungrateful tom."

Gloryheart swallowed hard. "What can I do father? Tell me what I can do to help her without killing my daughter?"

Growlingbelly simply shrugged. "I think your daughter is dying already. Inside."

"What do you mean? Rainkit is fine, just shaken."

"Ivypaw is your kit too, whether you want her to be or not."

"That is a lie. She is not mine; she is Streamflower and Brownear's."

"It is your choice to deny it."

Gloryheart fought back a snarl as his father walked off.

"Hey, Gloryheart!" Rattletail called.

"Yes?"

"You were going to take me and Groundstep to patrol the WindClan border."

"Right. Let's go then."

"You, know, I haven't seen Specklepaw all day."

"So?"

"She usually comes to the Clan meetings."

"Perhaps she felt tired."

"Ivypaw is her friend, she wouldn't miss this."

Ground step rudely interrupted. "Look, I don't care about some stupid half WindClan cat. Can we get moving?"

Gloryheart cast a glance at Rattletail and dived into the bushes. Could it be that Specklepaw had left for WindClan?

He stopped when he saw Fallowbreeze standing alone.

"Fallowbreeze, where is Ivypaw? And have you seen Specklepaw?"

"I told Ivypaw to wait here for me, then when I came back she was gone. I'm not worried though, Specklepaw was with her."

Gloryheart's nodded to his littermate.

"I think I know where to find them."

"You do?"

"Come on, we must hurry."

Gloryheart was right. At the border sat the two apprentices. With Drearyclaw beside them. Gloryheart was about to turn on Fallowbreeze when he heard Drearyclaw.

"She has nothing to do with this."

"Then why are you here?" Rattletail asked coolly.

" I am helping this apprentice escape."

"Ivypaw!" Fallowbreeze said. "I know you're unhappy but surely not that unhappy that you'd leave?"

Specklepaw stepped up. "She was just seeing me off. Ivypaw would never leave ThunderClan. But I gave her the option."

"And I declined."

Drearyclaw came right up to the border. "Gloryheart, she is WindClan. You told me you would be good to her. But you can't. Let me take her. Whatever knowledge we have of your clan will be forgotten."

Fallowbreeze looked at him lovingly. He was still her hero. Rattletail and Groundstep just stared.

" Rattletail and Groundstep, I am willing to let her go. If you do not tell Bittenstar."

Rattletail nodded. But Groundstep had other plans. "Let's kill her!"

He leaped, lunging for the untrained apprentice's throat. Drearyclaw jumped in front of her. And Groundstep was left holding Drearyclaw's neck. The tom was not beaten, for he kicked and bit until they rolled into the stream. Groundstep bit down hard and left Drearyclaw dead.

But in his triumph he became careless and slipped, cracking his head.

"Drearyclaw, no!" Fallowbreeze screeched in anguish. "He can't be dead."

Rattletail looked at Gloryheart. In that shared moment he knew he would not tell.

"Fallowbreeze, escort the apprentices to camp." Rattletail told her.

"You had better. Leave Drearyclaw. He shall not be swept away." Gloryheart whispered in her ear.

Gloryheart jumped into the stream and pulled his body out.

"I was wrong about you. You really are talented. Thank you for saving Specklepaw, and most of all, for giving my sister many moons of happiness."

He closed the tom's eyes for the last time and left him at the border, knowing that he would watch over Fallowbreeze from StarClan. Taking a clump of heather from WindClan territory would be forgiven just this once. To mask the scent of a great cat's death.

Specklepaw looked at Gloryheart through teary eyes. "You should have let me go."

"I know. I'll tell you what; at the gathering you'll meet your sister. Go back with her, I won't tell."

"You know, you're a great cat. But you and Bittenstar are nothing alike. You care about us. That is something Bittenstar will never have, the love of his clanmates."

"Thank you, I guess."

Specklepaw looked down at her paws. "I just wish I knew how to fight, then Drearyclaw wouldn't be dead."

Gloryheart couldn't stop himself. "Meet me tonight at the training ground. Don't tell anyone. I'll let you get out, I'm on guard. When I excuse myself ill meet you there."