Runningpaw woke up to the dawn light filtering through a gap in the roof of the den. She yawned and stretched. Her paws led her outside where she saw Spottedpelt already organizing patrols. Runningpaw trotted up to the crowd of warriors.

"Oh good, Runningpaw, you, me, Petalfoot and Stripedtail will go on a border patrol along the ShadowClan border." Spottedpelt motioned his patrol to go to the side. "Springhollow, you lead a hunting patrol with Mintleaf and Hawkstorm." The patrol left the camp. "Ok, sorry but that's it. Go do something else." The remaining warriors and apprentices broke. Brownpaw, Flowpaw and their mentors left the camp to train. Spottedpelt nodded to his patrol and signaled them to follow. He led the way along the trail to the Snakerocks to reset boundaries and check for ShadowClan.

"So, Runningpaw," Stripedtail slowed down to be with her daughter. "How's training?" Stripedtail smiled.

"Not bad, Spottedpelt says I stalk perfectly!" Runningpaw lifted her tail and waved it around happily.

"Oh, I'm so proud of you." Stripedtail head-butted her daughter. "I can't wait until you become a warrior." She purred.

Runningpaw broke into a purr. "I can't wait either!"

Spottedpelt hissed. "ShadowClan!" His tail lashed back and forth. "They marked the Snakerocks again… It's time to show them who owns Snakerocks!" Spottedpelt burst through the tree line into the clearing.

The ShadowClan battle patrol hissed in unison. Duskstar jumped off the Snakerocks. The patrol was even, four to four. Three warriors, or two and a leader, and one apprentice, the same apprentice Runningpaw fought at Snakerocks. Runningpaw figured out her name is Applepaw from the gathering.

Both patrols met in a battle. The yowls and hisses were loud enough that the hunting patrol with Springhollow could hear it. The back-up patrol raced into the clearing, yowling. Runningpaw leaped onto Applepaw with full force. Applepaw had learned a lot since the last battle at Snakerocks. She twisted while smacking Runningpaw off of her. Applepaw landed on her paws, turned around and reared up. Her paws scratched Runningpaw's face and muzzle, drawing some blood.

Runningpaw lunged forward, knocking the breath out of Applepaw. She leaned in and bit her opponent's shoulder. Applepaw yowled and hissed. She scratched Runningpaw's face kicked her off. Runningpaw twisted in the air and landed on all fours skillfully. Runningpaw raced forward and scratched along Applepaw's flank. A lot like last time… Runningpaw leaped onto Applepaw's back and sank her claws in her enemy's shoulder. Applepaw shrieked and ran out from under Runningpaw.

Runningpaw kept her claws sealed on Applepaw tight so she would be injured by running away. Applepaw ran across the border leaving a blood trail in her wake. Just like last time… Runningpaw turned her head towards her mother as she heard a shriek. A long gouge ripped across her mother's flank. "No!" Stripedtail lay on her side, Duskstar had her pinned.

Runningpaw ran at full speed at Duskstar. She leaped off the ground and tackled him off her mother. Duskstar staggered once he hit the ground. His large muscles rippled under his pelt. Runningpaw crouched and laid her ears flat against her head. Duskstar hissed. Runningpaw leaped towards Duskstar, but to the side. Her claws ripped open his flesh, barley. Duskstar turned around and whapped his paw onto Runningpaw's tail.

He stood on her back and put his large paw on her head. Duskstar put pressure down on her head. Tears welled in Runningpaw's eyes. "Stop!" Petalfoot's voice was loud enough to hear in the fury of yowls and shrieks and hisses. Petalfoot launched himself at Duskstar, knocking him off Runningpaw.

Runningpaw scrambled towards her mother as Duskstar's grip lessened. She skidded to a halt at her mother's side. "Mom, are you okay!?" She heard a groan escape from her mother's lips. "Mom?" Runningpaw put her paw on her mother's shoulder. She looked over and saw Duskstar being tackled by Whitestar, who had joined the battle.

"Run-Runningpaw…" Stripedtail coughed up blood. "Take care, don't forget, I'll be watching from above. I will always be proud of you…"

"No, mom! You can't die! You'll be fine!" Runningpaw looked down at the gaping wound in her mother's side. It welled with blood.

"I love you… so much…" Stripedtail shivered, she pulled her paws in close. Her bright green eyes locked on Runningpaw, and they faded.

"I love you too…"

Runningpaw watched as warriors carried her deceased mother into the camp. She remembered how horrible and bloody it was. Whitebreath and some other warriors placed rosemary around her body. Runningpaw felt tears stream down her face and onto the ground, a steady stream of sadness. She came forward, along with her littermates, and paid her respects. Runningpaw groomed her mother's fur so it laid back, sleek and smooth.

Runningpaw stepped back from her mother's side and into the crowd of warriors. She watched as other warriors came to pay their respects, and be replaced by other warriors. The moon rose and the cats disappeared into their dens. Runningpaw came forward, with her siblings and father to bury their mother. Runningpaw sat vigil that night. It was a long and sad night. With her brother and sisters at her side, the moon set and the sun rose. But at least she was able to be with her mother for her last moments. "Goodbye mother…" She whispered under her breath. A long overdue goodbye…

Author's note: Hey guys... a little sad this one... I almost cried while typing it. Oh well... It's here, a long overdue goodbye