I walked back to the den after we took the kits hunting for the first time. They are 7 moons old. They need to practice on more than just leaves. The hunting session went fairly well. Each kit caught something worth eating. We all feasted on the good food. I curled up before the others to sleep. Petal followed me in and curled up into a small ball by my side. I purred soothingly toward her and placed my tail over her flank.

My eyes gradually closed and I slipped into a dreamless sleep. Before too long, grass brushed up against my paws and a warm breeze ruffled my fur. Slowly, I opened my eyes and looked around. I was in Starclan's hunting grounds. What do they want from me? I killed a cat and don't belong here. Am I dead? "No, Minnowtail. You are not dead, but I needed to talk to you." I froze at that voice. "Starnight?" I rose to my paws and spun around to see a black, white, and cream speckled cat before me. "Hello, Minnowtail. It's been a while hasn't it?" I swallowed and nodded, trying to hold back the fresh tears. "I'm so sorry!" Starnight raised her tail to silence me and walked forward so we were face to face. "It is I who should be sorry." I blinked confusedly. "Follow me." She ordered as she turned around and vanished into the trees. I ran after her in an effort to catch up. She was sitting next to a puddle and was looking in it. "I sit here every day to see my family, Minnowtail. I also watch you too. I've seen how you've tried to make up for your mistake by helping that loner and her kits. I want to show you what you can't remember that night." She turned to glance at me and beckoned me to look into the puddle.

I ran through the trees to our meeting spot by the tunnels. They were blocked now, but it was still a good spot to meet. "Starnight?" My best friend walked out of the bushes creeping low to the ground. "Hello, Minnowtail! How are you?" I purred in greeting. "I'm doing well, Starnight. How's the family?" Her eyes lit up with joy. I've had two kits. Icekit and Fallkit. I'm also fostering Racconfur's kits. He named them Splashkit and Shadowkit. They are beautiful. I think something is wrong with Shadowkit. She has a hard time crawling around the nest." I gave her a sympathetic lick. "They sound wonderful!" She sighed, "They are indeed." We walked a ways from our spot. Starnight began to look troubled. I gently nudged her. "Hey, what's wrong?" She looked up at me. "I have something bad to tell you. You remember how your mother died?" I nodded as the old wound tugged inside me. "Well, I know how she died." I laid down next to her. "Please tell me, Starnight. You know how much this means to me and Foxpaw." The queen nodded. "She died in battle. I was there as an apprentice at the time. She was badly wounded. I fought her trying to drive her away so she could get her wounds treated. Your mother pushed against me. I kept fighting her and eventually, she fell. I tried to call for help because she was bleeding from multiple wounds. The Riverclan medicine cat rushed over and tried to drag her away. "I'm so sorry, Willowshine! I didn't mean too!" Willowshine looked at me. "I'm sure she'll be fine. Now go before You get in trouble." I nodded and backed away. It was later at a gathering that I learned she died. I didn't want to fight her, but she didn't stop. I ended up striking the final blow. I'm so sorry, Minnowtail. I murdered you mother." Starnight bowed her head and I felt anger. Boiling anger build up inside. I lashed out and caught her in the throat. Starnight fell to the ground and whimpered. I pounced on her and thrashed her pelt before biting her neck. Her last words were. "Please forgive me for what I did to you for so many years."

I pulled back from the memory. Raising my amber eyes to Starnight's green ones. "You killed my mother and held the guilt of it for moons. I killed you in anger and I lived with the guilt of it for moons. I'm so sorry, Starnight! I was just so angry that the murderer who killed my mother was right there in front of me and was my best friend. I didn't realize what I'd done until after I did it. Please forgive me!" I wailed burying my face in between my paws. Starnight licked my head soothingly. "Oh, Minnowtail. I forgave you the moment you ripped my throat. I should be the one who is sorry. I caused you so much misery and pain that finally found a way out." I pressed my head against her legs. Mumbling I murmured, "I forgive you, Starnight. I never did blame you for what happened. I just blamed myself." I raised myself to my paws and looked into her eyes. "I've missed you, Starnight." She dipped her head. "I've missed you too." Briskly she shook out her pelt. "It's time for you to return home. Tell the clans what happened and I will always be with you. I will visit each medicine cat to let them know that you are indeed innocent. You weren't in the right mind when you did it. Don't be afraid of their anger. They will still have to punish you for what you did, but it may be a bit more lenient." I nodded my head. "I'll return for you, Starnight." I sank to my paws and curled up. Starnight licked my head softly and I went back to sleep.

Once I awoke, I went to Brownie. "Brownie, it is time for me to return to my clan. I don't know if I'll be back or not. I had a dream and Starnight visited me. I remembered what happened that night and she told me that she already forgave me. I just had to forgive myself. Thank you for everything you've done." Brownie looked at me sadly but accepted the fact that I can't stay here forever. "I hope Starclan lights your path, Minnowtail. Always know that you have a home here." I leaned forward and licked her head. As I was walking out of the den, Petal, Storm, Feather, Snow, and Rabbit all ran up to me. "Where are you going, Minnowtail. Are you leaving us? I thought you were happy here? Please don't go!" I turned and nuzzled each kit on the head. "My dears, know that I will always love you as if you were my own. But I have to go back to my real home. There is something I have to do there. Don't worry, I will always be with you. One day, maybe we'll see each other in Starclan." I left them to head back and meet my fate. I didn't feel scared but comforted. I had found what I really needed. It wasn't to leave others behind but to redeem myself. Starnight forgave me and that is all I need.

Okay, so anyone want to guess what will happen to Minnowtial? This is the last chapter, so you can guess all you want and I might tell you whether you are right or not. ;)