The days passed by and Gingerclaw still lived in silence. He still hunted and fought, but he was distant from all the cats he knew and loved. Fernwillow was having to deal with Thornkit and Bramblekit (now apprentices) wondering and asking why their father didn't want anything to do with them. Icebird was the only cat that Gingerclaw would speak to, but Gingerclaw had never liked her before. His mood began to darken and eventually he quit talking to any cat except Stripestar. He had been offered to do everything from having an apprentice to leading a patrol to going to a gathering, but he refused everything. All of his fire and ambition was gone. Rosepaw had become Rosepad, Thornpaw had become Thornheart, and Bramblepaw had become Bramblenose. Gingerclaw didn't even bother going to their ceremonies, but his own kits had stopped caring long ago. Rosepad was the only one of his kits that even attempted to speak to him, but most of her attempts failed. The only things he said to her were "Go away" or "Leave me alone." She finally gave up and let Gingerclaw live in his cold and isolated world. After quite some time Fernwillow gave up on him too and found another mate, while Rosepad had also found a mate. Bramblenose and Thornheart got their own apprentices and Gingerclaw never spoke one word to them. As the moons went by his physical appearance began to match how he felt. His once bright ginger fur had dulled and his amber eyes had become hollow. You would hardly recognize him as the same cat. He was no longer a young warrior, but he wasn't close to becoming an elder either even though he looked like he would be one soon. After it had been two seasons, he began to watch all the cast. He stayed out of all conversations, but he noticed everything. He had finally begun to stop feeling sorry for himself, but he still wouldn't participate. One thing her noticed was that Shortclaw was getting old and was going to need a replacement, but he couldn't think of anybody to replace him. Rosepad had gained a lot of weight, which was strange because it was the middle of leafbare, and for the first time in moons, she spoke to Gingerclaw.
"Hello Gingerclaw." She greeted coldly.
"Hello daughter." Gingerclaw meowed dully. "I see you've gained weight."
"That would be because I am having kits." Rosepad stated like it was obvious. Gingerclaw nodded and looked down to show that he was done talking.
"Shortclaw is thinking about retiring." Rosepad mewed quietly, trying to get her father to speak with her, but it didn't work.
"He wants Thornheart to take his place."
It still didn't get Gingerclaw to reply.
"Do you know why her name is Thornheart? Because she's become so prickly after you ignored her. She is not able to get close to anybody because she's afraid of losing them like she lost you."
Gingerclaw blinked and his eyes had some spark in them for the first time in moons. After that he became involved in his kits lives and absolutely adored his new mate Icebird and Rosepad's son, Bumblekit. He got his life back to normal and lived happily for the rest of his days.