One moon later

"Do you think you're ready to go on a patrol again?"

Mentoring both of Erin's kits had been a little hectic this past moon but I managed to do it. Jaspershade had made a steady recovery and now fur grew over his cuts making him appear good as new as Marquis would say.

Speaking of which, him and Fireflight seemed practically glued to the hip now as their jabs at each other seemed more friendly now.

"I've been putting it off for too long, of course I'm ready!" Jaspershade purred as he left the medicine cat's den for hopefully the last time.

Jessie and Minty were at my side as Jaspershade approached us seeming much happier than usual. I mean, I didn't tell him how I felt yet, so what else could it be?

No, he couldn't found someone else already. Oh great StarClan, what if he did? It was my fault that he got hurt!

"You okay Starlingmask?" Minty meowed.

"Yeah, I'm doing great!" I lied. "Jaspershade, you wanna come along so we can test your hunting skills?"

"Sure!" Jaspershade's eyes brightened as he lumbered over to me. My heart fluttered and Jessie winked at us both.

Briarpool, who was far away from the Nursery as possible, looked at us with panicked eyes and bounded over to us in several steps. Just leave us alone already!

"Hunting patrol should have at least three cats so I'll come with-"

"Briarpool, what're you doing? You said you'd come on my patrol." Deerflight stopped him. "Come on."

Briarpool looked horrified as he reluctantly followed his mate's sister along with Cupcake and Kestrelstripe who were also on the patrol.

I knew Briarpool wouldn't let us get this alone time again, so I had to tell Jaspershade today. I just hope his feelings haven't changed since last time I checked.

Me and Jaspershade left and I heard prey from close by. Jaspershade was already on it and ready to pounce. Fortunately he leaped almost perfectly and caught a squirrel behind a tree.

"Seems like a moon didn't change your hunting skills at all." I purred, then I felt my heart beat at a thousand beats per minute and my fur tense.

Jaspershade looked at me with that warm green gaze and I felt like I was floating in the clouds. Now seemed as good a time as any.

"I...I like you a lot." I managed to say.

"Only like? I thought you said 'I love you, you big goofball.'" Jaspershade purred. He heard that?!

"Oh...I guess I did." I whispered. "Is it just me?"

"No. I love you too Starlingmask, from the moment I saved you." Jaspershade confessed.

After Briarpool betrayed me many moons ago I never planned to love again. Even when I was still getting over him the one cat who was my true love was right beside me.

Now, it was perfect.

"Will you be my mate Starlingmask?" Jaspershade asked me.

"Yes, I'd love-"

No, not that fox again.

This time I was ready, I pushed Jaspershade out of the way and slashed my claws down on the fox's face. How the hell did she even survive? I'm pretty sure the last attack would've killed her three times over!

...oh no. That must mean-

"IT'S VIXENSTAR!" I yelled to Jaspershade. "Get all the warriors! Now!"

Jaspershade wasted no time questioning my crazy suggestion and bolted towards camp. The fox tried to follow him but I slashed her eyes, this had to be her. But how?

"Rrrargh!" The vixen grunted, trying to communicate with me. Like hell I will!

"You killed your daughter and your mate! And my brother!" I yowled at the fox while keeping her at bay. "Don't even try to change back because your Clan is going to see you for who you really are!"

She looked like she was in an internal struggle when Rabbitsong showed up leading every warrior to see me facing the fox that was our leader.

"My attack would've killed any normal fox, but here you still are." I told the vixen in front of all the warriors. "You can't run away this time Vixenstar."

"You have bees in your brain!" Hazelstripe growled. "This is just a normal fox!"

"She killed our brother!" I pointed out. "This is the same fox as every time before. Look! She has the completely white muzzle!"

More warriors gasped as they realized that and Rabbitsong walked up to the fox.

"I remember I almost got killed three moons ago...Vixenstar how could you do this?" Rabbitsong whimpered.

The fox began to shrink and her paws turned from black to orange again and her muzzle disappeared as she revealed herself to be Vixenstar after all.

"See?!" I hissed, pointing my paw at our leader. Unfortunately, in that moment I was distracted Vixenstar leaped at me.

Jessie knocked me out of the way and used both back paws to kick Vixenstar right in the throat. Vixenstar fell back coughing and gasping for air.

"Why? Vixenstar I loved you..." Rabbitsong still looked stricken by Vixenstar's betrayal.

"I wanted you...dead!" Vixenstar managed to cough out. "Nobleclaw is really the father of Blueberrypaw and Sneakpaw. Not you! No. You wouldn't leave me alone!"

"And you!" Vixenstar snapped, looking at me. "You were meant to return AngelClan to it's former glory, and instead you've let it be run by kittypets and homosexuals!"

"Don't think I didn't notice how you act around that badger-mouthed kittypet Marquis, Fireflight!" Vixenstar snarled. "I already had to kill Acorndapple because she was barren, and now to know that my own firstborn son is gay of all things! You both deserve to rot in the Dark Forest!"

Vixenstar looked at us like she was debating on who to kill, and she leaped at her former mate Rabbitsong. If she landed her claws on his neck, he would surely die.

Instead, Jasminepetal leaped in front of him and took the blow.

"JASMINEPETAL!" Deerflight yowled, running to her dying sister. Briarpool just looked at her briefly before looking away. Heartless.

I wouldn't even give Vixenstar a chance to strike again. I shoved her away from Rabbitsong and slashed my claws across her throat. Vixenstar coughed blood and fell over.

"Noble-agh! Help!" Vixenstar gargled to the cat she truly loved.

"I'm sorry." Was all Nobleclaw said before Vixenstar became still. "I'm leaving AngelClan."

"I'm coming with, my mom was right." Skybeauty growled, glaring at Fireflight. "These kittypets and gay cats have ruined the AngelClan name."

Nobleclaw looked at all of us before he and his daughter left the forest. Good riddance.

Marquis was sitting next to Fireflight awkwardly.

"So..."

"We should bury Vixenstar before anything." Fireflight said over Marquis.

"Yes, of course." Marquis squeaked nervously.

What was left of Vixenstar's kits left to bury her(minus Blueberrypaw and Sneakpaw) while the rest of us headed back to camp.

"I know I should be heading to the Moon-Den with Myrtleflower soon." Rabbitsong started. "But I must declare my deputy."

Holy mice I forgot about that! I was so caught up in protecting AngelClan that I didn't even think of what would happen next.

"Starlingmask will be the new deputy. After all, she's lifted the curse and defeated the monster that no longer has control over AngelClan." Rabbitsong announced.

Me?!

"Rabbitsong, that's very kind of you but I haven't been a warrior very long let alone a mentor." I replied sheepishly.

"Accept it Starlingmask! You deserve it!" Minty yowled in excitement, with Jessie and Marquis nodding in eager agreement.

Rabbitsong gave Minty a look of affection and I knew in that moment he was easily over Vixenstar. Minty was right, I was the reason AngelClan was blooming with diversity. Then Hollyleaf spoke.

You're an amazing warrior, and will be an amazing leader.

"I'm honored. I'll be AngelClan's deputy." I told Rabbitsong, changing my mind. Many cats cheered, especially the kittypets. Especially my best friends. And definitely my mate Jaspershade.

Several cats didn't cheer at all, and Briarpool certainly didn't.

It didn't matter one bit, I was in charge of the Clan till Rabbitsong would come back with Myrtleflower as Rabbitstar. We would work side by side to make AngelClan even stronger.

Skybeauty was wrong, all these new cats have brought pride to AngelClan's name. AngelClan finally was living up to it's proud name.