Chapter 21

"How's everything been going while I was gone?" I asked.

"Pretty normal, in a way. Flurrytail hasn't bothered us in a while," Deathpaw said. "Probably missed her worst enemy, not having fought her for two moons."

"I bet. Heard you've got into a few problems yourself. Two out of three battles you needed to be saved. You make enemies as easy as me, don't you?"

"Well, that's not completely accurate. Three out of three."

"You are too much like me."

"The second time Tallblaze sorta saved me from Grasstail. No one else in the clan knows about my first two close calls."

"Silkshade, you have a couple cats who want to see you," Dawnfur said.

I could recognize those two scents anywhere, although I could've guessed it anyway. "Hey, guys," I greeted.

"So glad you're back," Silentstorm said, betraying more emotion than usual.

"We missed you so much!" Songheart told me.

I kept my head ducked. I had to tell them. It was time.

"I'm so glad to be back. I missed you guys and NightClan," I said. "There's something I need to tell you. I can't pretend everything's alright."

"You think I was mouse-brained enough not to notice anyway? You can fool some cats but you can't fool me," Silentstorm said. "I realized you were blinded the during the attempted trade. It's okay, I'll help you."

"Wait, what? When were you planning to tell me this?" Songheart asked.

"Wow, this is the same cat who can confuse a crush with a murder intent," Deathpaw commented.

"How many times do I have to say sorry?" Silentstorm asked.

"You actually haven't said that yet. You've told me not to talk about it and asked when I'll forget about it, but not one apology," Deathpaw said.

"Well, sorry," Silentstorm said.

"What in StarClan?" I asked.

"I don't know," Songheart said.

"It's nothing," Silentstorm answered.

"Oh, it's something," Deathpaw said.

"Look, you tell her about this and I'll tell her about the tunnels," Silentstorm threatened.

"As much as I would love to hear about this, I have to side with my sister. I could throw in a certain tale that involves a tree," Songheart added.

"First of all, Songheart can make threats? Second of all, fine but if you're interested Tallblaze can tell you about it," Deathpaw said.

"And if you're interested in our stories Boulderfang can tell you those. Just say Deathpaw asked for it," Songheart said.

"Or you can learn none of these and I keep my little pride," Deathpaw finished. "But yes, Songheart, Silkshade is blind."

"Who did this to you?" Songheart asked.

"I'll give you one guess," I said.

"I'm guessing the same cat that got me stuck in here," Deathpaw said.

"Lightstar," Silentstorm guessed.

"What other cat would be fox-hearted enough to think of this?" I asked.

"Murderscar," Silentstorm answered.

"Surprisingly, no. She wasn't that bad. I don't know, there is something going on with that she-cat and it might be a change of heart," I said. She had helped us assassinate Lightstar and had actually agreed she had taken it much too far.

"Wouldn't trust her if she killed Flurrytail by herself," Silentstorm said.

"Have to agree," Deathpaw said. "She and Grasstail ganged up on Boulderfang in the second battle. I actually had to save him." She left the before she had to be saved part out.

"What are you planning on doing after this?" Songheart asked me.

"I'm going to be a warrior until I die," I answered. "It'll take some getting used to and some relearning, but I can do it. I won't let this stop me."

"We'll help every step of the way," Silentstorm promised.

"It's not like cats didn't sneak up on you with all five senses," Deathpaw joked.

"Do you want us to tell her our fabulous stories?" Silentstorm threatened.

"Then I'll tell my story and Songheart's crush," Deathpaw threatened back.

"Forget about the stories!" I told them. "I knew Songheart had a crush. Who is it?"

"This is where I stop you," Songheart said. "There is no way you know about my crush."

"You just admitted you had one," Deathpaw said. "I think I do."

"Last time we hang out with Deathpaw," Silentstorm said.

"Boulderfang likes hanging out with me," Deathpaw said. "And you really care about his opinion, don't you, Songheart?"

"Shut your little muzzle before I make you! I am this close to telling her about the tree!" Songheart shrieked.

Dawnfur walked in. I hadn't noticed she left. "I will not tolerate this level of over-excitement," she said. "Out."

"We're injured, not dying," Deathpaw said.

"And to heal you need rest," Dawnfur said. "Goodness, you are so much like your father."

A fresh wave of grief washed over me. I could tell she hadn't been thinking. We sat there in a heavy silence for a moment.

"We'll be going now," Songheart said. "Bye, Silkshade."

"Bye, Silkshade," Silentstorm copied her.

"Bye," I told them as the walked out.

"It's all my fault," Deathpaw murmured. It sounded muffled, like she had buried her face into her nest.

"That's like saying it's NightClan's fault I'm blind. It's not at all your fault," I told her.

"Wingstar was out of her mind in grief when she told you those things," Dawnfur said. "You can't blame yourself for what you can't prevent."

"If I was a good apprentice who didn't yowl at gatherings or could actually fight it wouldn't have happened," Deathpaw said.

"Do I need to go find Boulderfang? I will if that's what it takes," Dawnfur said.

"No, don't bother him with something like me," Deathpaw told her.

"Than stop talking like that!" Dawnfur told her.

She said nothing for a moment. "I'm going to sleep," Deathpaw said. I could hear her nest rustle and then silence.

I settled down in my own wondering if everything would indeed be okay now that I'm back.

Author Note: Well, a mostly chill chapter, but let's face it. After all the fox-dung that's gone on in this book everyone deserves a little. I apologize for missing an update last week, the internet was dead so I couldn't. One more chapter though... Don't worry, I'm not kidnapping anyone in the final chapter again. I still really need to finish the next book so we'll see if I meet the deadline(I'm hoping). Also in what you may consider good or bad news, I've come up with so many more ideas I think the series will be longer than I expected. I was planning six books, but it could take up to eight so we'll see. I do know the next book is the longest yet with the longest chapters. I'm pretty excited for the next book personally, if I could only write it. Anyway, please leave a review and I apologize for the long author's note. Until we meet again!

-Everly W.