It's time to get this final or second to final chapter up and ready. I want to thank you all for reading this story and it truly means a lot to me. It'sgoing to be heart breaking to leave this story, but I enjoyed every second I wrote it. Now, without further adieu...

16. Each Clan has the right to be proud and independent, but in times of trouble they must forget their boundaries and fight side by side to protect the four. Each Clan must help the others so that no Clan will fall.

Rabbitleap looked out into the distance of the pines, where he had last seen Doetail two moos ago. Mottlestar had been heartbroken to hear the news and it was obvious that the tabby tom missed her. Rabbitleap couldn't blame him. He also found himself worried about the kits. They were his kin and all he could do was hope they were safe. Feeling a nudge, he turned to see Pinelight urging him on to lead the patrol. With a silent dip of his head he moved. The border patrol was silent and a heavy sense of doom lingered in the still air. There were no queen in the nursery now that Sparrowpaw was an apprentice. The group of ShadowClan cats kept alert as they neared their border. However, there was no one there waiting to ambush them. As the patrol returned to camp, Bramblepaw stopped outside of the camp entrance. Rabbitleap became concerned.

"What's wrong?"

"Why did this have to happen? Why do we have to fear every pawstep we take?" A stone formed in his belly when the usually pridefull apprentice started to sob. "I don't want to be afraid anymore."

"Neither do I... But these are hard times."

"I... I'm sorry me and Mintpaw got you in trouble..." Rabbitleap looked at her confused until the memory of the frog returned. He carefully sat next to her, giving a faint, and partially forced purr.

"It's alright. I'm not angry about that."

"When do you think things will go back to normal?"

"Soon, Bramblepaw. Soon."

"Promise?"

"On my life." The apprentice gave him a hopeful look.

"Thank you." Rabbitleap followed her back into camp where most of the cats sat outside their den. Amberthorn was the only warrior inside of the warriors den,keeping to herself rather then sharing her worries. Suddenly silence fell and Rabbitleap turned his head to see Mottlestar standing on the hazel branch. He didn't need to speak a word to have every cat gather around. The silence hung a few heartbeats longer until the leader finally spoke.

"As all of you know, tonight's the gathering... I don't want to pull any of the other Clans into this, but... We need help. We're losing many cats and I fear that without the help from the other Clans, we may lose this battle. For this gathering, I will be leaving some of our toughest warriors behind to protect the camp. Who will be going is Willowshade, Beefire, Dapplefur, Hazelear Rabbitleap, and Bramblepaw. We will head out the same time as always." With a wave of his tail the meeting was over, leaving the Clan to carry on in silence and quiet whispers. As it came time to leave, fears raced through Rabbitleap's mind. Would the other Clans try to help ShadowClan? Did the code mention anything about that? The cats began to leave and the moment Rabbitleap stepped out of the camp, he could feel someone watching him. Looking over his shoulder, he saw nothing to prove that he was. Looking back ahead of him, the feeling never faded. His pulse was quickening as the invisible eyes burned into his pelt.

I-it's okay, Rabbitleap... No one's there. But that didn't comfort him. Feeling something press against his leg, he was startled until he saw it was only Bramblepaw. She looked up at him with her green eyes shining dimly in the moonlight.

"I'm scared, too." She admitted in a silent whisper. He allowed her to stick close to him so that they both didn't have to feel so scared. As they crossed onto the island, Rabbitleap took a short moment to look behind the patrol. For a moment, he thought he saw amber eyes watching him in the distance, but after being forced to move by Dapplefur, he was unable to confirm it. RiverClan and ThunderClan were all already there, as well as WindClan. As the leaders prepared for the gathering, Rabbitleap sat by himself for the most part. He looked up a few times to see Bramblepaw talking and enjoying time with two apprentices. One was a black and white tom and the other was a gray she-cat with a slightly darker muzzle.

At least she's making friends. He turned to look at Waspwing, WindClan's deputy. Seeing the tom brought back dark memories of Softface. Finally, Gorsestar announced that the gathering was about to start. Silence fell upon the Clans and anticipation from the ShadowClan cats filled the air.

"WindClan has been doing well. However, there have been rogues spotted hunting rabbits just beyond the edge of our territory. We've been making attempts to chase them off, but they remain persistent. On brighter news, Onepetal had earned her full medicine cat just last half moon."

"Onepetal! Onepetal!" For the most part it was WindClan and the medicine cats calling her name, thought there were others as well. As the cheering died down, he nodded his head over to Vinestar. The tabby she-cat took her stand next.

"Prey has run been running well in ThunderClan. We believe to know what rogues you're talking about, Gorsestar, because we, too, have had strange cats hunting close to our territory. We also would like to welcome back Sammy and Dash to ThunderClan. They were great and loyal warriors before being banished by Yellowstar. They also took warrior names. They are now known as Dustflake and Runningcloud."

"Duskflake! Runningcloud!" Rabbitleap called out the names, even though he barely knew them. He did, however, know that they had been the ones to save ThunderClan from a hawk that had been stealing kits from their camp. Next was Snowstar.

"RiverClan has had begun to prepare for the late snow, so when the streams freeze over, we will still have plenty of prey. We also had another cat leave the Clan. Hollyberry is now considered a loner. Other then that, we have nothing else to report." Now Mottlestar stepped up. Tension rose from the ShadowClan cats.

"For ShadowClan, prey as been running well... But that's not I want to report. Though it's hard to admit it, ShadowClan needs help. Those rogues you've spotted and most of the cats who left the Clans have joined a loner named Python. This cat is becoming a large threat to not only ShadowClan, but for all of us."

"What do you mean all of us?" Snowstar asked, her white pelt bristling slightly.

"This tom has taken every opportunity to attack ShadowClan. We can't fight them on our own... We need help from the other three Clans." He looked at the other three leaders as he pleaded for help. Grosestar shuffled his paws slightly and Snowstar looked unsure. However, Vinestar stood next to the ShadowClan tom.

"The Code states that the Clans must be there for each other. I will stand and help ShadowClan and I'm sure my Clanmates will agree. After all, they were the ones who saved Echokit."

"RiverClan will help, too," Snowstar announced. "I want to know the truth of why our cats left us."

That only left Gorsestar, who looked really unsure. The tom was looking towards his medicine cat, who made no attempt to sway his choice. Looking up towards the sky, both Gorsestar and Rabbitleap noticed flecks of clouds slowly rolling over the moon. Finally the light golden tabby turned to face the others.

"We took advantage of your Clan many moons ago when the foxes kept you busy... It's the least we can do to right our wrongs." Grosestar finally announced. Though there were warriors scattered throughout the Clans who seemed unsure, most cats yowled in agreement. A burst of joy shot through Rabbitleap. They had help. They weren't going to be alone. As the yowled died down, the sound of someone bursting into the gathering place made many cats turned their head. There stood a very shaken Pinelight.

"P-Python and his cats a-attacked! W-we need help! Now!" The exhausted she-cat collapsed. Immediately the leaders yowled for their warriors to move towards ShadowClan. Rabbitleap took off at full speed, only being passed up by a few WindClan cats as the four Clans headed towards ShadowClan's camp. The sharp scent of blood filled the warrior's nose and made him use every ounce of energy he had to get there. As he and the other warriors burst into the camp, the first cat Rabbitleap set his eyes on was Python. Knocking the tom away from the weak form on Oddeye, he shoved the rogue out of the camp and took this fight into ShadowClan's territory. He slashed at the sleek, dark brown tabby and cur open a new scar on Python's muzzle. Python rammed into Rabbitleap, causing him to lose balance. A harsh yowl sounded and Rabbitleap found himself pinned by Yellowstar. The she-cat rose unsheathed claws, but was stopped by Python. He knocked the former ThunderClan leader away.

"We talked about this, Yellowstar," He spat as Rabbitleap got to his paws. "I'm going to be the one to kill him."

"Ha, you think a weakling you can really kill anything?" The golden tabby taunted. Python hissed darkly and slashed the leader's throat while she was mrrowing in laughter. As she fell limp, Python turned his attention to Rabbitleap, his thick tail lashing violently. The cream and brown tom pounced at the rogue, but Python ducked away. Landing hard on the cold ground, he let out a gasp of pain as his back hit a tree. He felt claws press up against his throat. Looking up, he saw Python glaring down at him.

"You know, it's a shame it came down to this, I was so sure we could have been friends at first," He then shrugged. "But on the bright side, Possum and Dew won't have to meet the same fate as you and Jade."

With a sharp yowl, he shoved Python away with his front paws. He then turned around and pinned the rogue down.

"Who's Possum and Dew? What you you know about Jade? What happened to her?" He spat, glaring down at the dark brown tabby. However, all he got was a dark look from the tom.

"I told you I'd stop at nothing to get rid of you. If you kill me, your kin will pay the consequences." Realization hit Rabbitleap hard. They were Mottlestar and Jade's kits. They were his kin. Python took advantage of this and kicked Rabbitleap away. The tom then cut open the cream and brown tom's side, causing him to cry out in pain. He tried to get to his paws, but the loss of blood was weakening him.

"Stay away from him!" Looking up, he managed to catch a blur of brown as Bramblepaw ran at Rabbitleap's attacker. The apprentice jumped at the rogue, only to be swiped at by unsheathed claws. Unable to move, he watched as Python scrapped his claws against Bramblepaw's belly. With anger burning inside him like a fire, Rabbitleap ignored the pain and launched himself at Python. With a swift swipe, he knocked Python away from his apprentice. He ran at the tom, ready to sink his claws into the dark brown tabby's throat. Pinning the dark tabby down, he glared down at him. Part of him wanted to kill this time, but his conscious stopped him. Instead he shredded on of Python's ears and leaned down.

"If I ever see you here again, I will kill you." He warned, stepping off of Python. The rogue got to his paws and ran off into the pines. Though the soreness returned full force, he made himself go over to Bramblepaw. Her breathing was labored and she barely lifted her head when he approached.

"I-is he gone?" She asked, her mew a hoarse whisper. His throat felt dry as he looked down at her weak form.

"Yes... It will be okay now."

"You kept your promise..."

"O-of course... And you'll be just fine... I c-can go get Brownwhisker right now..."

"T-that would be ni...nice..." Taking off the camp, he nearly ran into the medicine cat as the last of the rogues were chased off.

"Q-quick! Bramblepaw! She... She needs help!" He begged. This caught the brown tom's attention. Taking off behind the warrior, when they got to Bramblepaw, her hunches were still. Rabbitleap carefully nudged her. "Come on, Bramblepaw, Brownwhisker's here."

But she made no movement. Rabbitleap buried his muzzle into her pelt, "I'm so sorry... I.. I was too late."

"This wasn't your fault, Rabbitleap..." Brownwhisker tried to comfort. "It was her time to go." A memory flickered suddenly in Rabbitleap's mind. Without a word he darted after where the rogues had gone off to. He was lucky to see one who hadn't completely staggered off of the territory. Jumping in front of the tortoiseshell she-cat, he let out a low hiss.

"Where are the kits?" She jumped back, surprised and frightened.

"W-what-"

"Possum and Dew." The she-cat took a step back to run, but his glare warned her not to. After a moment, she motioned for him to follow.

"T-they're this way." Following the tortoiseshell, she lead him to an old fox den protected by two toms. One was pure black while the other was black and white. The black tom went to attack, but the she-cat stopped him.

"It's over, Prince... W-we can't keep the kits away from where they belong."

"What are you talking about, Fay?" The other tom hissed.

"These kits are Clan kits, Jigsaw!"

"We're not going to let you pass until Python says so." Jigsaw insisted.

"Don't let them through," A weak voice ordered. Rabbitleap turned to see Python approaching, leaning against Cupcake for support. "Tell Lulu and Miracle to bring Dew and Possum out."

Rabbitleap looked at Python in shock as Prince slipped into the fox den. The dark brown tom only shot him a glare.

"I'm not doing this for you. Leafbare is here and we need to find a place for our own queens so that they can have enough food. Those furballs will only take up space." Out of the den came a spotted, silver and white she-cat as well as a silver tabby. Each on carried a kit. One was a mottled, light brown tom and the other was a cream tabby she-cat. They both placed the kits in front of him before leaving into the den, where the mewls of kits could be heard. Another black tom stepped forward as well as a silvery white she-cat.

"You will need to use your own strength to carry yourself. I will help carry the kits, and so will Miracle."

"Thanks..."

"It's the least we could do. Me and Shadow Run couldn't just let you do this yourself." Miracle explained.

They're so kind... What are they doing with a cat like Python? As they began to move out, Rabbitleap found himself loosing the energy to walk rather quickly. Both Shadow Run and Miracle supported him all the way back to camp, leaving the kits there with him. As he carried Dew and Possum into the camp, he fell over. The cream tabby and her brother cried out loudly in surprise. Sparrowpaw ran over to him as his vision became fuzzy. Every part of hurt.

You will survive. Silverwing's voice promised. Now is not your time.