Chapter 21

Author's Note: Okay I know I just uploaded barely an hour ago, but I have so much muse right now it would be a waste not to use it. This will most likely be the cats final night in SkyClan- it may carry on for another chapter- and one JayClan cat will stay. I've read many reviews and know that many people think they know who it is. I'm not going to give it away except that the cat who stays will fulfill their part of the prophecy in SkyClan. I will also no longer be going into their point of view since I tell the story of JayClan so I'm sorry, but some of you will have to say goodbye to a character. Please read and review.

"I'm pregnant with your kit."

He wasn't a special cat. He wasn't the father. He didn't share anything with the SkyClan she-cat who stood only a short distance away from him. Then why did StarClan choose him to stumble upon Darkshadow and Birdheart's conversation? As he had many times before, Airpaw wished he was Talonclaw or Songheart or any cat that could speak to StarClan so they could tell him why he was the one who had been asked to find the two young warriors. Why not Waterpaw? Or Cloudpaw? Waterpaw would have immediately gave her hiding spot away, ecstatic that she would be an aunt while Cloudpaw would congratulate the two new parents softly. Airpaw wasn't his sisters which was why he was still crouching in the ferns, able to hear everything shared between Darkshadow and Birdheart.

"What?" Darkshadow growled softly and Birdheart began to repeat herself, but the black tom hissed, "I heard you the first time. What I meant to say was how? When? Why?" Airpaw understood where Darkshadow was coming from. After all, Darkshadow had only known Birdheart for a couple moons... he probably didn't mean for them to become mates. Not to mention he had Lakesky waiting for him back in JayClan.

"Darkshadow, StarClan has given us a gift with this kit," Birdheart meowed happily, not noticing Darkshadow's wild black gaze. "I know you have responsibilities in JayClan, but SkyClan would be just as good as a home. Mintstar would accept you in a heartbeat and with your reputation you could become deputy in a couple moons. Just think about it, you could live here with me and your kit."

Airpaw crouched down lower as he waited for Darkshadow's response, his heart racing. Would his brother choose to stay in SkyClan with Birdheart and his kit? Or would he return to JayClan, forgetting about his child? Airpaw knew that staying with Birdheart was the right thing to do, but he didn't think he could bare to say goodbye to his brother. A moment that felt like several days passed and Darkshadow whispered, "I'm sorry, Birdheart, but I don't love you that way. You're a good friend and we were both looking for comfort that night. I can't leave JayClan for anything even my own kit. I have a job to do in JayClan that can't be done by anyone else."

"It's her," Birdheart snarled, eyes darkening with anger, "She's the job you have to do. Your precious friend. Your precious Lakesky." Airpaw blinked in shock. He had not expected Darkshadow to tell Birdheart about Lakesky.

"I'm sorry, Birdheart," Darkshadow murmured before darting away, Birdheart running in the opposite direction. Airpaw crouched for a second longer before springing to his paws and following Darkshadow.

"Darkshadow! Darkshadow, you coward!" Airpaw was surprised the words were coming out of his mouth, but he felt so angry at Darkshadow all of a sudden. His brother was abandoning his kit and for what? The prophecy? His Clan? His love? Airpaw knew that Woodstar had taught them that there was nothing more important than family. Darkshadow was a disgrace to Woodstar.

"Airpaw?" Darkshadow asked in surprise and then narrowed his eyes, "How much did you hear?"

"Enough to know that you are abandoning your own kit!" Airpaw snarled.

"You don't understand!" Darkshadow growled.

"Then enlighten me!" Airpaw shot back.

"I'm not ready to be a father!" Darkshadow whispered, "Even if Lakesky said she was pregnant I would be freaking out!"

"You're not freaking out! You ran out on Birdheart!" Airpaw snarled.

"I'm sorry!" Darkshadow growled.

"Too late," Airpaw hissed and as though he couldn't control his movements, he was at his brother's throat, the two cats rolling around on the ground. Airpaw sank his teeth in Darkshadow's shoulder, but howled in pain when Darkshadow attacked his bare belly.

"Darkshadow! Airpaw!" Airpaw felt himself be pulled away by Cloudpaw, watching Waterpaw try and calm down Darkshadow. Cloudpaw was panting, "What in StarClan's name is going on?"

"Nothing," Darkshadow snarled, stalking away, Waterpaw following him nervously.

Cloudpaw turned to Airpaw, "What happened?" Airpaw was silent. Cloudpaw sighed, "Come with me. I need to talk to you."

Airpaw followed Cloudpaw and the two of them raced towards the abandoned rat barn. Airpaw stared at it and sighed, "Can you believe that just days ago this place was swarming with rats?"

Cloudpaw sighed, "Airpaw, I-"

"And just think in a couple days we get to go home," Airpaw meowed excitedly, "We get to see Woodstar and Gingereye. I wonder how old Orangepelt's kits are. They should be apprentices don't you think? Who do you think are their mentors?"

Cloudpaw began again, "Airpaw, I-"

Suddenly Airpaw understood, "Your- you're not coming home?"

Cloudpaw looked away, "My place is here."

"But what about Father and Mother? What about Darkshadow and Waterpaw? What about me?" Airpaw whispered.

"Stay," Cloudpaw offered quietly.

Airpaw thought about it. SkyClan needed his help. But what about Woodstar, Gingereye, Waterpaw, even Darkshadow. They'd miss him. No, Airpaw corrected himself, I'd miss them.

"I'm sorry, Cloudpaw. I can't," Airpaw whispered.

"I knew you would say that," Cloudpaw murmured.

"But why?" Airpaw asked quietly.

"Because my heart is here. With the Clan. With the cats," Almost as if on cue, Ratpelt led a patrol consisting of Birchfeather and Smudgefur, leading them away from Airpaw and Cloudpaw.

"Ratpelt?" Airpaw guessed.

Cloudpaw purred and followed Ratpelt's retreating form with hungry eyes, "I thought it was Sandfire, but I was wrong. It was Ratpelt. I just didn't see it at first."

Airpaw sighed and Cloudpaw meowed, "Cheer up, brother. We'll meet again I promise and tonight you get to see me become a warrior."

"What?" Airpaw exclaimed.

"I talked with Mintstar and Jaggedclaw. They already accepted me into SkyClan. My warrior ceremony is held this evening." Cloudpaw explained.

"But what about Darkshadow? And Waterpaw? Aren't you going to tell them?" Airpaw asked.

Cloudpaw purred and blinked her eyes, "Let's let them be surprised."

AN: This part was really hard for me to write because I wanted to really capture the bond between Airpaw and Cloudpaw. I wanted to show how good of friends they were despite being brother and sister.

*

"Everyone gather round," Mintstar yowled, "There is a ceremony I must perform."

Airpaw sat beside Waterpaw who turned to him and whispered, "Who? Everyone is already a warrior?"

The brown tom swallowed hard and murmured, "You'll see."

"Cloudpaw, please step forward," Airpaw could feel Waterpaw freeze beside him.

"What?" Waterpaw exclaimed, "She's a JayClan cat!"

"Cloudpaw has decided to remain in SkyClan," Mintstar yowled.

"Not anymore," Airpaw breathed.

"I, Mintstar, leader of SkyClan call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her a warrior in her turn. Cloudpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Cloudpaw nodded, "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Cloudpaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Cloudleaf. The Clan honors you for your patience and love, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SkyClan," Mintstar meowed and Airpaw's eyes widened. Cloudleaf. His sister was Cloudleaf.

The Clan echoed Cloudleaf's new name and Airpaw watched his sister race over, touching noses with Ratpelt.

His sister was home.

It was time for him to return to his.

AN: Well what do you think? Please review. This was a very important chapter to me.