Wow. Chapter 30! That's a lot! This story is coming to a close so I'm expecting about another 6 chapters or so. Guess what else? Today is my daddy's birthday! Happy birthday dad! :) Also, how many of you even read my babbling? Because I usually don't get very many answers from my questions… if you do, than the question of today is: Who do you think Rosewater's best friend is? (besides Stonefang), onward! Epic, dramatic, action-y long chapter! Enjoy! Please review! Deserve something special for me daddy? :)

Starbomb: Oh deaths always show up somehow don't they :) Enjoy!

Stormfeather: Thank you so much! You don't understand how much the things that people say about my story mean to me :)

ScourgeXScarlet: Oh she's getting there, slowly but surely. Thanks for reviewing!

Ferretwolf: haha, I'm a pretty fast reader myself! Well here's a nice long one for ya! 2,456 words! Enjoy!

Chapter 30: New Life

Rushfall's POV

Rushfall gasped for breath as blood trickled down her side. She stood shaking against the WindClan deputy, Bloodwhisker. She could feel the fear emitting from Thornpaw who stood off to the side, struggling to contain her horror. Rushfall looked up into her attacker's face. It was twisted and dark with a smug grin planted on it.

"Rushfall… are… are you okay?" Rushfall looked off to see Thornpaw gazing at her. This was Thornpaw's first training session, and Bloodwhisker had come to watch, Burningheart came with too. When Burningheart and Rushfall had faced off, Bloodwhisker was very disappointed to see Burningheart's claws were sheathed, and had stepped in to show him the proper way to do it.

"Yes…" Rushfall struggled between breaths. "I'm fine Thornpaw." She could feel the worry wavering off of Burningheart.

"Come on now Rushfall." Bloodwhisker sneered. "Let's see you teach that to your apprentice." He growled. Rushfall heard a gasp of terror echo off of Thornpaw. Rushfall looked up wearily to see Bloodwhisker nudging Thornpaw to his place. Thornpaw was trembling with fright and Bloodwhisker watched with satisfaction. "Go." Bloodwhisker ordered. "Now!"

Rushfall walked forward. She didn't unsheathe her claws but kept them tucked inside. She would not hurt this innocent cat. Thornpaw's green eyes flashed as she treaded towards Rushfall. Her claws too were sheathed. "Take them out!" Rushfall whispered urgently. "Now Thornpaw! You must hurt me!"

Thornpaw shook her tabby head. "I'm not going to hurt you!" she cried.

"What's this?" Rushfall shuddered at the booming voice of Adderstar. "Warriors who refuse to fight? An apprentice at most!" Rushfall only lowered her head. "That is not what I will have my warrior become! If this apprentice refuses to fight at this young age, then she'll be no use to me later on!"

What happened next was a blur. Rushfall felt her jaws part and cry out as Adderstar flung his tortoiseshell body at Thornpaw's miniscule one. Rushfall burst herself forward, her claws sliding out. She watched in terror as Adderstar's jaws enclosed around Thornpaw's throat. The tabby apprentice was thrashing wildly and crying out and blood seeped from it.

Burningheart got there before Rushfall did. "No!" He shouted as he flung himself at Adderstar. Adderstar, obviously surprised was knocked backwards and landed on the ground with a loud thud. Thornpaw fell motionless to the ground. Rushfall crouched over her apprentice whose breathing came fast and hard.

"No Thornpaw! Hang on there!" She cried. She cast a helpless glance over at Burningheart.

The tom was fighting Adderstar feircly. Adderstar had numerous opened wounds all over his body that blood fluidly. Burningheart hissed at him with unmatched fury. But Bloodwhisker soon came to his leader's aid. Leaping ontop of Burningheart and sinking his teeth into his shoulder.

"Stop!" The shout came from Adderstar.

Bloodwhisker looked up at Adderstar, hunger in his eyes. "But Adderstar, why not finish him off. He is not loyal to us, what use would he come?" Bloodwhisker asked.

Adderstar shook his head. "He loves the black cat." He meowed, flicking his tail towards Rushfall. Burningheart and Rushfall shared a look, a look of longing. "He will suffer more to be banished. Rushfall's heart dropped. No! They couldn't take Burningheart away from her. "Burningheart, you are banished from the Clan this point on!" Adderstar snarled. "Bloodwhisker, chase him off of our land!"

Burningheart was too weak to fight him and went easily as Bloodwhisker snapped at his tail. Rushfall felt her heart die inside as she looked off after him. Adderstar confronted her next. "Rushfall." He snarled. "I see that you can't be trusted with an apprentice. No eating. Four sundowns starting tonight." He growled.

Rushfall just nodded, feeling a sob rise up in her throat. She was skinny enough already, surely she couldn't go four more days without eating? Would she even make it? She looked back down at her apprentice to see stillness. She felt her heart drop to her paws again. Thornpaw's lips were spread up in a permenant snarl, her claws feeble and loose, her tabby fur freshly covered with blood.

"No!" Rushfall just sat there and sobbed as Adderstar left. She had just lost everything. Everything to her in just a matter of seconds. She leaned over Thornpaw and cried. Cried her heart and soul out, she had nothing left. Nothing.

Rosewater's POV

Rosewater's eyes drifted open to expose a light-filled clearing. Where am I? She wondered a she looked around. Bright green trees loomed overhead. Rosewater opened her jaws to breath in the wondrous fresh air. "This is StarClan." She breathed, looking around. It suddenly fell down on her shoulders. The fox. Snowpaw. She must have died from that bite to her neck. She felt herself shudder.

"But how am I to kill Adderstar if I've died?" she cried out, hoping for an answers. StarClan wasn't usually so desolate. Wasn't someone supposed to come and get you when you died? A purr of amusement reached her ears. She flickered them. "Whose that!"

"Calm down now Rosewater. It's just me." Rosewater turned to see a beautiful tortoiseshell she-cat emerge from the brush.

"Leopardheart!" Rosewater smiled, bounding over to her old friend. "I haven't seen you in ages!" she exclaimed.

Leopardheart purred. "I know, I know. Great StarClan you've grown from the little Rosekit I once knew." She meowed with a smile.

"So, I guess I'll be staying here for the rest of time, won't I?" Rosewater asked. She felt her heart drop as she thought of Stonefang. Oh how she'd miss him! And Lionfire! Who would be there to comfort him? And Snowpaw even too, the happy-go-lucky apprentice.

Much to Rosewater's surprise, Leopardheart cocked her head at Rosewater's comment. "The rest of time? Oh no dear, I'm afraid this is a dream."

Rosewater felt her fur stick to her side in embarrassment, but a cold rush of relief wash over her. Thank StarClan! "Why have you come to me then?" Rosewater asked.

"It's about Snowpaw."

"What of her?"

"Her sister died today."

Rosewater felt her heart crumple in her chest as she saw another starry figure appear. A young apprentice, with shining tabby fur and bright green eyes. "Hello Rosewater." Thornpaw meowed, her tail slowly swishing back and forth. Rosewater dipped her head in reply to Thornpaw.

"How did you die? Surely Rushfall wouldn't…"

"No." Thornpaw argued with a gleam of determination in her eye. "It was Adderstar. Burningheart was banished for attacking Adderstar after my death.

"Burningheart…" Maybe Rushfall's friend was really good. Maybe he wasn't just spying them to see their plans

"I ask of something from you." Thornpaw continued, her fiery green eyes meeting Rosewater's blue ones.

"Of course." Rosewater replied cooly. "What is it?"

"Tell Snowpaw of her past."

Rosewater felt herself stiffen up. "I… I will." She promised.

Leopardheart purred. "Great Rosewater. It was wonderful talking to you, but you must wake up now." With that, the images faded into darkness. Rosewater pulled her eyes opened and blinked. The scene was foggy at first though after a few moment cleared up. She was in the medicine cat den, the smell of herbs rushed through her nose. Iceblossom sat with her back to Rosewater, speaking quietly with Petalwind.

"Hello?"

"Rosewater! You're awake!" Petalwind's eyes widened as she rushed over to Rosewater. "How do you feel?" she asked with a cock of her head.

Rosewater felt that her neck was tight and plastered with cobwebs. "I feel good." She answered cheerfully. She looked around. "Will you fetch Snowpaw for me? I need to speak with her?" Rosewater didn't want to waste any time.

Petalwind nodded. "Of course." She left with Iceblossom following behind. Rosewater let out a deep sigh. What would Snowpaw think of her past? She felt her fur fluffing out at the thought. What if she didn't like it here anymore? A few moments later, Rosewater saw Snowpaw's white pelt flash in the entryway.

"Rosewater? Are you in here?"

"Over here Snowpaw." Rosewater answered back. Snowpaw bounded over, her eyes shining joyously.

"Oh! Rosewater! I'm so glad you're alive! I was really worried! I ran off to get the Clan after the fox bit you! I hope that you're okay! How do you feel? Are you okay? Can we go hunting again do you think?"

Rosewater purred in amusement. "Maybe later, but I need to talk to you right now." Rosewater said solemly.

"What is it?"

Rosewater took in a deep sigh and told of Snowpaw's past. Through it, she could feel Snowpaw's fear, and her eyes shocked with disbelief. She felt terrible for telling her. Oh how she'd be fine to just let her believe that she was Featherfoot and Firestripe's kit. She'd be happier that way.

"So…" Snowpaw was sad. Rosewater could feel it and couldn't blame her.

"You were almost dead Snowpaw! I couldn't let you die!" Rosewater felt her voice rising.

"But… Featherfoot and Firestripe aren't my parents… they don't love me… my sister… both my sisters…. They're dead!" Snowpaw gave out a cry and Rosewater caught the glint of fresh tears of her apprentice's eyes. Suddenly, Snowpaw bolted from the brush.

"Snowpaw! No!" Rosewater jumped to her paws. She felt her head aching and blood squeeze out from behind the cobwebs as she bounded out. She looked around desperately to see Snowpaw's white tail disappearing behind the exit of camp.

Stonefang came rushing up to Rosewater. "What happened?" he demanded gently, his green eyes serious.

"Leopardheart told me to tell her of her past!" Rosewater explained quickly. "I must go after her!"

"No!" Stonefang protested. "You're hurt Rosewater! It's not safe for you!"

"I need to Stonefang! She's my apprentice!" Firestripe ginger pelt suddenly flashed up to them.

"What's going on?" the warrior demanded. "Where's my daughter."

Rosewater couldn't help but feel a rush of warmth when Firestripe referred to Snowpaw as his daughter. "She… she ran away." Rosewater whimpered.

"Rosewater, stay here, Firestripe and I will go and find Snowpaw." Stonefang meowed.

"No." Rosewater protested. "I'm going."

"And I'm coming too." Firestripe put in. "Don't worry Stonefang, I'll watch after her." Firestripe promised.

"You'd better." Stonefang grumbled.

"Let's go." Rosewater meowed, racing out of camp with Firestripe behind her. Oh Snowpaw. Please come home!

Minnowbreath's POV

Minnowbreath stood inside of her den, sorting out the herbs. Tansy, catmint… She let out a sigh as she looked outside. I really need an apprentice. She thought.

"Minnowbreath! Come quick!" Minnowbreath's eyes flashed to see the black and white pelt of Badgerstorm standing close by. "Larchwing is kitting!"

Minnowbreath couldn't help but feel a stab of reluctance at Badgerstorm's worry. They're not your kits! Mouse-brain! She thought. Larchwing hadn't said, but Minnowbreath was sure that they were another tom's litter, she had seen the way that Larchwing slinked away when Badgerstorm was near. But she couldn't put her paw on whose kits they were.

She gathered some herbs and set them in a leaf to pick it up. "Alright Badgerstorm, I'm coming." She mumbled, picking up her pace to a trot. She headed for the nursery which was already crowded by other cats, including Boulderstar himself who peered inside with worry.

Minnowbreath pushed herself through the crowd easily to see the golden she-cat lying the center of the den, her mother Flutterfur crouched beside her. "It's alright my kit," Flutterfur soothed.

Minnowbreath padded over. She could feel Badgerstorm's eyes burn into her pelt. Minnowbreath put her paw on Larchwing's flank. "Push now Larchwing, you have several kits coming." She ordered gently.

Minnowbreath heard a grunt of effort from Larchwing and a kit slipped out. Quickly, Minnowbreath set to work on the kit, licking it's fur the wrong way before pushing it to Flutterfur to continue further. She looked back to Larchwing to see that another kit had come out. This birthing was going very well.

Minnowbreath struggled to ignore Larchwing's cries though. That was the only thing that got Minnowbreath when being a medicine cat. The cries of pain. How terrible she felt for them. She licked the next kit and pushed it reluctantly to Badgerstorm.

Another kit was out, Minnowbreath licked it before giving it to Boulderstar. She couldn't help but purr from amusement at the baffled look on his face. "Come on now Boulderstar, you've been through this before."

"Of course…" he murmured.

Minnowbreath turned to see a final kit. She took it into her care, gently licking its fur the wrong way until she heard a pitiful cry emerge from it's jaws. She looked back to Larchwing to see some blood, and another kit there too. Minnowbreath gasped as she padded over. Stillborn. She wrapped her tail around her paws. It was a lost kit, of course, though it never truly lived, so it wouldn't be sent to StarClan.

Knowing this was the last kit, she quickly set to work, plastering cobwebs over her body before setting the kit in the curve of her body. She padded over to Larchwing's face to drop a herb. "Eat these, it'll give you more milk." She meowed.

She padded back over to the stillborn kit and picked it up in her jaws, turning around she found herself face to face with her sister, Sorrelfeather. "Go bury this kit please." She asked of her.

Sorrelfeather nodded with understanding, grasping the kit in her jaws and silently slipping away. Minnowbreath turned back to Larchwing and smiled, seeing four healthy kits suckling. There were two she-kits and two toms. Minnowbreath's claws kneaded the ground. All kits were of a golden shade like Larchwing, looking as though they inherited no traits from Badgerstorm.

Does he realize know that they aren't his kits? Minnowbreath wondered, casting a glance at the tom. He had a big grin on his face and his chest out in pride. Not yet.

"I'm going to name them now." Larchwing meowed to everyone, though Minnowbreath noticed a hint of edge as she looked at Badgerstorm. She wants to name the kits, she doesn't want him to be a part of it.

"I'd like to call this one Brightkit." Her tail placed on a golden tabby she-cat with a white underbelly.

Brightkit… in honor of… of Brightpaw… Rosewater's deceased sister… but also… Lionfire's sister! These kits are Lionfire's! Minnowbreath's eyes widened. She knew it. She could tell by the bashful look in Larchwing's eyes. She knew her secret.

"And this one… Goldenkit." She motioned to a golden tabby tom. "Honeykit," a she-cat, her coat a pale shade of golden.

They sure do take after their father. Minnowbreath realized.

"And this one Sunkit." The last was a pale ginger tom.

Minnowbreath noticed Badgerstorm struggling to say something, though he remained quiet. She looked at the kits before leaning to Larchwing, her muzzle near her ear.

"I know your secret."