A/N yep 2 updates in one day.

*Spoilers* Though I wouldn't be to exited if I were you. *spoilers*

It saddened me to write this chapter. That's all I can say.

Disclaimer: I don't own warriors.

Chapter 25

Swirlpaw POV

No cat wants to do anything. Go anywhere. Littlecloud and Berrypaw have been franticly working all day. Blackstar didn't heal like he was supposed to after losing a life two days ago. It's just gotten worse.

The rain is continuing, as if even StarClan is crying out in pain for our clan.

Tawnypelt walks over to me. "Come on, lets go hunt. The clan still needs to eat."

I nod and follow her out of the camp. The rain isn't as hard as it has been, it's still annoying though. When we are far enough from camp, I begin to scent all the prey. There's a squirrel over to the left by a stump.

I crouch down and creep toward it. I pounce, and miss. But anger causes me to chase it. It doesn't get far and I am soon able to grab it with my claws.

I take it back to Tawnypelt who has a frog at her paws. "Good catch," she meows "next time stalk it for a bit longer and you won't have the problem of having to chase it."

I nod. I still haven't put the squirrel down. I would much rather go back to camp and wait with Blackpaw.

After we each catch one more price of prey, we head back to camp.

In camp we are met with the smell of fear and tension. Something is happening. As soon as I set my prey on the fresh-kill pile, Blackpaw runs over to me.

"Swirlpaw you need to come now!" She meows "Blackstar wants to see you."

Me? He wants to see me?

I pad into the medicine den. The rain has stopped but I hear thunder in the distance.

When I see Blackstar, I nearly turn around and run away. He looks so, skinny, weak, helpless. I don't want those to be the things I remember him by.

Then he lifts his head to look at me. In his eyes are the same fire that has always been there. The same determination, a bit of mischievous amusement, the same love for his clan. It's all in his heart, even if it no longer shows in his body.

"Swirlpaw, I know you have only been here a moon, you only know a few of us by name, and you have no real reason to stay," he rasps slowly "but if you will, I would have you become a warrior here, in this clan. I can tell there is something special inside you."

I just stand very still. His breathing slows, his white tail no longer flicks by his paws. He stops breathing. He's gone.

Littlecloud pads over to me. "I have to ask you to leave now. You can sit vigil for him later."

I slowly walk toward the entrance to the den. Behind me I hear Littlecloud mutter a few wards over the body of Blackstar.

"I wish good hunting, swift running, and shelter were you sleep, my friend, my leader."

as I exit the den, many of my Clanmates rush toward me.

"What news of Blackstar?" They ask

I say nothing, but the look on my face must say everything, for they all soon take up a cry of pain and of loss. I join in but do nothing else. Rowanclaw is out hunting, I wonder how he will react. I sit down near the medicine den. No cat can get me to move. After a time, I lay down, my head on my paws.

...

The next time I know anything is when Rowanclaw returns.

Come on, get up you lazy furball! I tell myself

There's no use lying around any longer, he's gone.

Cats have told him what is going on and he sits for a while, clearly in shock. Then he stands, determination lighting his gaze. He calls Tawnypelt to him and they walk into the medicine den together.

We all gather near the low-branch, the moon is beginning to come out and he must choose a deputy.

Soon Rowanclaw, Tawnypelt, and Littlecloud pad out of the den carrying Blackstar between them.

They set him down in a clear place near the middle of camp. Rowanclaw jumps up onto the Low-Branch and begins the meeting.

"I know you all know what has happened to our leader." He starts, sounding unsure "if you'll have me, I'll be your leader now. I know I can never be Blackstar, but I promise to be the best leader I can be."

He pauses and the clan cheers for him.

"Now, it is time for me to choose a deputy. I say these words before the body of Blackstar, that he might hear and approve of my choice." He hesitates before continuing "Tawnypelt will be the new ShadowClan deputy."

The clan cheers both their names and most go up to congratulate Tawnypelt. Though both her and her mate look saddened, not fully wanting what they are getting. Not yet anyway.

Blackpaw and Berrypaw pad up to me. We stand near the back of the crowed. Away from any cat. We stand strong together.

I will never go back to ThunderClan.