A/N: This chapter made me sad. :(
To answer a question from a guest reviewer: Would Darkstripe really care so much about Longtail? Well, you have to remember. Longtail was his apprentice, and it is well-known that the apprentice-mentor relationship is very strong and creates a tight bond between the two cats. So soon after his training, and when Darkstripe didn't seem to have as much evil in him, I think it very plausible he would have cared deeply for Longtail's safety. I fear people see Darkstripe in the books and think him as evil his whole life - but I just don't think that's true. I think once he was just another loyal Thunderclan cat who ended up befriending the wrong cat (*cough*Tigerstar*cough*). I don't like Darkstripe, by any means, I just think that's where he started off.

Brindleface tried to run towards her mother, but before she got halfway there, Redtail blocked her path, his eyes full of sympathy. Dustpaw didn't try to run forward as Brindleface had. He was frozen to the spot, eyes never leaving his mother, and no matter how hard he tried to move, it was in vain - his paws were stuck. He watched as Fuzzypelt and Smallear laid the she-cat down in the sand at Spottedleaf's command, and then the two toms backed away slowly. Fuzzypelt couldn't turn away, refused to take his eyes off of Robinwing, even when the others tried to distract him. Brindleface had stopped her attempts to reach Robinwing, and was now sitting only a little ways from the medicine cat and her mother, Redtail pressed against her side trying - and failing - to comfort the wailing she-cat. Frostfur was standing a little ways from her sister, looking just as frozen to the spot as Dustpaw was, but her eyes were not on Robinwing, but on Brindleface.

"What's going on?" Bluestar demanded, appearing to Dustpaw's left but not stopping until she reached Tigerclaw's side. Tigerclaw - normally so put together and proud - was looking just as defeated as the rest of the cats. Their leader didn't seem to have noticed Robinwing being worked on yet - either that or she wasn't aware of the severity of her wounds. "What's wrong? Did Riverclan win Sunningrocks?" at these words, her grey tail bristled with anger, but flattened again when Tigerclaw shook his massive head.

"No, Bluestar. Sunningrocks is ours. It's Robinwing-" he flicked his tail to the spot where Spottedleaf was working on the she-cat, concentration clear on her face. "-she isn't dead, but her wounds are deep. There isn't much hope,"

"Robinwing." Bluesar's voice was filled suddenly with grief, but she could say no more. Instead, she joined in the silent gazing of her clan, watching and waiting, barely breathing. It took Dustpaw a while to notice that Ravenpaw had joined him, and the grief that overwhelmed his eyes was enough to make the brown tom want to yowl horrible things to Starclan. Why would they take Robinwing now? Such a wonderful, caring, beautiful cat! She had done nothing but good for her clan, for her kits - why now? It was like the simple thought of condemning Starclan unglued his paws, and he found himself drawing closer. Spottedleaf had stopped moving her paws now, and was looking down at her patient with a look that Dustpaw couldn't explain. Didn't understand.

"She's gone." the medicine cat mewed softly, but her voice carried in the silent clearing. Fuzzypelt was the first to do anything after the announcement, stepping forward and grabbing his mate's scruff in his jaws to pull her gently into the center of camp. Dustpaw trailed after him, his mind blank except for the memories of his time in the nursery. His last words to his mother - 'Good Luck' - weren't good enough. They weren't good enough to honor her. He came up beside of his father, who had buried his muzzle into Robinwing's fur, murmuring so softly to her that Dustpaw couldn't even make out the words. He also buried his nose into her soft fur, breathing in her scent, wanting to remember it forever. He was barely out of the nursery, this was so wrong! She was so close to retiring to the elder's den - why was this her reward for the service she did her clan? Another body came up beside of Dustpaw, but he ignored the presence, not knowing or caring who it was that came to grieve. When Bluestar spoke the ancient words, he didn't even register them.

"Dustpaw, you should go sleep in your den." Redtail tried to persuade him away from Robinwing's body, but he just stayed stubbornly by her side, glaring at his mentor. With a sigh, Redtail simply nodded and padded off to the warriors den. After looking up, Dustpaw now saw all who surrounded her. Fuzzypelt was still there, his head on his dead mate's neck, his whole body screaming exhaustion and his eyes swam with grief that could never be washed away completely. Ravenpaw was not there, but Dustpaw didn't blame him. They would mourn differently - perhaps his brother didn't want to see their mother lying dead the whole night. Brindleface was settled opposite of Fuzzypelt, gently grooming Robinwing's matted pelt. Frostfur was not in sight either. Bluestar was at her usual spot when sitting vigil for the dead, at her head. Dustpaw wondered if she'd stay there all night.

Dawn came sooner than Dustpaw expected, and he and the others were gently prodded away from the dead warrior. The elders took hold of her, sharing her weight between them all, and carried her gently from camp to be buried. Fuzzypelt went to go with them, but it seemed he didn't have the strength, for he sat right back down, head bowed. Soon after the elders returned from the burial, camp life went back to normal, though the air was thick with sadness. Robinwing had been a well-respected and well-loved warrior and queen, her death would be grieved for days to come. However, that wouldn't stop the day, nor would it stop the weather that grew colder everyday. Redtail appointed warriors who hadn't been in the battle the night before to check Riverclan border, and then went on for several hunting patrols, being sure to leave out Robinwing's closest family and friends to give them time.

"Fuzzypelt," it was Patchpelt, approaching Dustpaw's father, and the young brown tom couldn't help but lean closer to listen.

"Yes?" Fuzzypelt meowed back in a heavy tone.

"Will you join me out hunting?"

There was a long silence where Fuzzypelt examined his fellow warrior and former apprentice. The grief in his eyes was slowly fading, though that didn't say anything about the tom's feelings inside, and were replaced by the same dignified stare he always had.

"Yes."

Without any more words, the two toms headed out of camp together in tense silence. Dustpaw stood and was intending to get something to eat for the elders after burying Robinwing, but instead, his paws carried him to the apprentices den, and he didn't complain. Instead, as soon as he was in his nest, sleep overcame him.

By the time Dustpaw woke, it was past Sunhigh, and the weariness still hadn't worn off, but he figured that wouldn't wear off until his grief had subsided some. Outside of the apprentices den, Sandpaw was sitting alone, eating a mouse. She twitched her ear in greeting, and her eyes were full of sympathy. Dustpaw thought about just walking away, but something stopped him, and instead he sat down next to her, licking his paw and drawing it over one ear several times before speaking at last.

"Did you go out training yet?"

"Oh yes. Whitestorm took me out before Sunhigh." Sandpaw meowed, finishing her meal and running her tongue around her muzzle a few times. "Tigerclaw took Ravenpaw out."

"Good." Dustpaw nodded. "Have you seen Redtail? I was actually hoping to go out before the sun goes down,"

"Sorry, I haven't, but I wouldn't leave camp if I were you." his ginger friend commented, nodding her head towards the warriors den, and when he glanced over he saw Fuzzypelt and Patchpelt huddled together, along with Smallear. "You should go talk to Fuzzypelt,"

Dustpaw hesitated by her side, then sighed and stood, making his way across the clearing to meet his father. Halfway there, his way was blocked by Whitestorm, whose eyes were clouded yet gentle, and the younger, brown apprentice didn't want to hear what he knew was coming. The worst part about losing someone was hearing all those nice words that came next, words and comments that seemed thoughtless and obligatory. Dustpaw hated it, but he couldn't bring himself to object the older, respected warrior. One of the most respected of the clan.

"Robinwing took care of me when my own mother was killed," he meowed softly, taking Dustpaw completely by surprise. He hadn't known that before. "I always took that care for granted, and I regret that. I wish I had been able to let her know how much she meant to me."

"Me too," Dustpaw said quietly, bowing his head and dropping his ears against his head. Whitestorm leaned forward and gave Dustpaw a comforting lick on the ear, and then he padded away. The brown apprentice watched him go for a moment, then continued on his way to Fuzzypelt, who stood as he approached. "Sandpaw said I should talk to you," he mewed as he got closer.

"She was right. I need to speak to you," Fuzzypelt nodded, stepping away from his fellow warriors and leading his son to a more private spot in the camp. After they had settled down and sat in silence for a few heartbeats, looking around their home cautiously, Fuzzypelt spoke again. "I've asked Bluestar if I can retire."

"Really?" Dustpaw asked, only slightly shocked. It was no secret that his father was getting older, and his service to the clan could never be forgotten. Suddenly, he remembered how Patchpelt had suggested they go hunting earlier that day. "Is that why Patchpelt asked you hunting? Will he retire too?"

"Yes. He's much younger than me, but so are most cats by now-" Fuzzypelt let out a soft purr, and for the first time Dustpaw saw how frail he looked. Though his muscles still rippled beneath his rough, black fur, it was easy to tell the tom was beginning to weaken. When he shifted, his paws moved slowly, and the grey that had begun to brighten his muzzle was thicker now. "-anyway, I know I don't need your permission, but I thought you should hear from me first."

"Thank you, Fuzzypelt," Dustpaw dipped his head respectfully. His eyes closed briefly, and then he snapped his head up, looking at his father sharply. The black elder in front of him looked shocked at the sudden fierceness in his son's gaze, and took a small step back. "Why didn't you protect her?" the question was just as surprising to himself as it was his father, and for a moment he considered apologizing, but Fuzzypelt stopped him with a heavy sigh and the hanging of his head.

"I tried." and then he walked off, tail drooping low to the ground and his head still hanging low. A pang of guilt stabbed Dustpaw's stomach, but he didn't think apologizing would make his father feel better. In fact, the question itself was not the cause of his grief, he was sure. Hesitating only a moment after his father, he headed back towards the apprentices den. Ravenpaw had joined Sandpaw now, but the two didn't speak. When Dustpaw came and sat between them, both opened their mouths to speak at the same time, but Ravenpaw won out.

"I saw you speaking with Fuzzypelt. So he told you?"

"Yes, he did. He and Patchpelt are becoming elders,"

"Not just those two." Sandpaw interrupted before Ravenpaw could. "Smallear and Swiftbreeze as well. Swiftbreeze won't have her ceremony tonight, though, she's caught sickness."

"How'd she do that? We've still got many dawns before Leaf-bare!" Dustpaw exclaimed. It was fairly uncommon for cats to catch illness in the warmer seasons, and most sickness that came during their coldest season took with it the lives of at least two cats each time. To think that Swiftbreeze had become sick so soon before the cold began to set in. Now, Ravenpaw answered, glaring defiantly at Sandpaw. His brother was seeming to become his old self again the past couple of days, and surprisingly, this was only happening as Ravenpaw had fewer training sessions with his mentor lately.

"On patrol earlier, she fell into the stream. It was already getting colder, and now she's caught a chill,"

"I hope she recovers." he meowed, looking between his two friends briefly, and then his attention was directed elsewhere as Bluestar leaped onto the High Rock and called the clan together for a meeting. "I guess it's time," he murmured, standing and making his way over to where the apprentices usually sat during meetings.

"Today, we honor three warriors as they retire from their warriors duty and join their clanmates in the elders den. Fuzzypelt-" she beckoned him forward "-Patchpelt-" now he stepped from the crowd "-and Smallear." at last, the small tom came up beside his two friends. "Swiftbreeze would have been apart of this ceremony as well, but she has caught illness, and the I wish her to get as much rest as she can so she can recover before." the clan muttered their agreement, cast glances toward the medicine cat den, and then looked back at their patient leader.

"Fuzzypelt, is it your wish to give up the name of a warrior and go to join the elders?" Bluestar asked the oldest of the three below her. Fuzzypelt gave a small nod and replied;

"It is."

"Your clan honors you and all the service you have given us. There are many battles that would not have been won without your courage and strength, both with other clans, and among ourselves. Your patience and loyalty made you one of the finest warriors our clan has seen in many moons, and for that, we thank you." there were yowls of agreement throughout the gathered cats, and Dustpaw tried to be the loudest one, but his voice would barely go above a whisper. "I call upon Starclan to give you many moons of rest." Bluestar's last words were nearly lost as Fuzzypelt was cheered on, and the black tom walked proudly over to the other elders, who greeted him cheerily.

The rest of the ceremony was generally the same. Patchpelt was honored for his calculative mind and his loyalty to the warrior code as well as the clan, and sent on to rest with the others. Smallear was honored for his undying strength and love for the entire clan, as well as his compassion. Finally, Bluestar spoke a few words about Swiftbreeze, saying she had served the clan well in her life and deserved the rest she would receive in the next few moons. After that, the clan figured the meeting was over, but Bluestar signaled for them all to stay put, and she spoke again. This time about the recent loss the clan had endured.

"Robinwing has been my friend since I was a kit. She cared so deeply for everyone in the clan, and no mother could love their kits more than she. She was gentle and fierce, and every warrior in this clan experienced her kindness. There is no one in the clan I would have trusted more with anything than her, and it is truly a disgrace she was taken from us, but she must be honored. Starclan, take care of her - she gave her life to Thunderclan, and now it is time for her to live a life of never-ending peace." at her words, the entire clan fell silent, and bowed their heads to honor their dead friend. Bluestar had not been lying when she said every warrior experienced her kindness. Even Tigerclaw, the fiercest warrior in the clan, had grieved deeply at the loss. Robinwing had been around many moons, and cared passionately for every cat that she met, even if they were not her own kin.

"She was perfect." someone added from the elders softly, and Dustpaw didn't even have to look up to see who had said it.

Finally, Bluestar descended from the rock. Instead of disappearing into her den as she usually did, the blue-grey she-cat padded over to meet with Frostfur and Goldenflower, her tail waving in a friendly manner, much different than her solemn attitude over her words for Robinwing.

"That was very nice of her to say," Sandpaw meowed with forced casualness, gazing at Dustpaw curiously to see his reaction. She expected him to be sad again, maybe even angry. However, the words their leader had spoken didn't make him grieve more, but lifted his spirits. If his mother were to see him now, she would not want him to grieve and mourn her forever, she'd want him to try his hardest and focus on his future as a warrior.

"Yes. It was." he purred, then turned and headed to the elders den where his father had recently entered.

What do you guys think about Bluestar's speech? Do you think it fits Robinwing? How do you feel about Robinwing's death? ((Btw, I saw that Vicky once said on her Face-book she thought Robinwing died in battle, which is why I made that her cause of death.))