So much to say, such little time and room! First off, I'm alive and kicking again. I know a lot of you are probably about ready to give up on me now, and I apologize. CST's, finals, and my grades got in the way a lot this past month. I was constantly stressed and I couldn't write like that. It sucked. Secondly, these last few chapters are going to probably feel rushed and are going to be slamming into you guys because I have a time constraint now! One of my lovely reviewers can't read after June 3rd, which is in two days, so I gotta finish this thing NOW.

Third, I am finally off school, which means endless writing time. And endless chapters fo' you guys! :) I really am extremely sorry for my lack of competence and capability these past chapters. I love you guys so much, and I'm so ashamed of my laziness. I hope you can forgive me?

This chapter is dedicated to reader/reviewer, Tatyana, whose birthday passed a few days ago. Happy birthday love, I hope your day was as beautiful as you :)

Moving on!

Chapter 28

Featherstream

The tortoiseshell warrior watched as the Clan woke up to its last peaceful dawn. Ravenwing and Mosspelt slipped from the den first, heads close together and speaking in hushed tones. All the other warriors began to awaken as well and Featherstream watched as they stretched and yawned and grumbled. The sun was already warming the air and any other day, it would be just a normal dawn.

But it wasn't.

The warriors were tense, eyes gaunt and shadowed. Their complaints were muttered half-heartedly. Featherstream was struck by the lack of kits and apprentices to lighten the atmosphere.

Snowpelt sat before the nursery, sunning. Her stomach was huge and she looked ready to burst. Featherstream doubted she would ever be fully accepted again though. Her kits were half-Clan, and their rogue father was none other than Shadowfur. She looked at the white queen-to-be with pity.

Leafstar emerged from her den and the warriors hushed for a moment. The silver she-cat nodded to her warriors, approaching Ravenwing and mewing a cheerful good-morning. Although her movements were easy and graceful, Featherstream detected a certain fatigue behind her eyes. Their fearless leader was growing older by the day, and she worried about the toll the battle would take on her.

Then she stood and shook herself. The sky was a deep and pleasant blue, warm sunlight fell on her pelt and birds sang endlessly in the forest. It was a beautiful day, and Featherstream was determined to spend it happy. Or at least trying to be.

"Featherstream," Thornflight called. She glanced at him and gave a purr of welcome, her heart skipping a quick beat. Although the tom was distracted by other things and had no time for her, she couldn't help but love the way he said her name, or the way he hunted; smooth and quick. "Ravenwing wants you on patrol with me and Blackfur." Featherstream nodded, following him to the gorse tunnel.

Any other day, it would be just another day. But it wasn't.

The patrol returned at sunhigh with dusty paws and tired eyes. Featherstream's stomach reminded her constantly that she had forgotten to eat that morning and she groaned as it rumbled again. Thornflight cast her an amused glance. "Hungry?" he asked light-heartedly. Featherstream laughed.

"Starving," she answered cheerfully, making her way to the prey pile. Thornflight followed her and they enjoyed a peaceful meal together, maybe their last. Roseheart joined them halfway with Gingerstrike at her side, and they made a happy foursome. The warriors joked and chatted and shared-tongues until the sun was setting. They all fell silent after a while though and just lay and gazed at the sky together.

"You know what I'll miss?" Gingerstrike asked suddenly.

"Hmm?"

"I'm going to miss how everything used to be."

The other three nodded and Featherstream exchanged a sad glance with Thornflight. Even if none of them died, nothing would ever, ever be the same. Shadowfur was about to change everything.

"Me too," Roseheart sighed. Her voice was weighed with grief and her eyes glinted with a deep wisdom and understanding. Featherstream wondered suddenly if she knew something the rest of them didn't, then shook the ridiculous thought away.

"Well," Roseheart muttered after a few minutes. "I'm going to go hunting and battle training before bed. Gingerstrike?" Featherstream watched the pair walk away, tails entwined. The upcoming battle seemed to have joined them even closer together, and Featherstream envied their obvious affection.

"I'm going for a walk," she mewed suddenly, getting to her paws. Thornflight glanced at her curiously but didn't say anything as she slipped away. She was overcome suddenly with a desire to visit one last place before the battle. As she trotted through the moonlit forest, she flicked away memories of other trips through the forest, all of which had ended in either deceit or tragedy.

She came at last to a small, secluded clearing, closed in by gorse and thorns. The trees overhead were thick and the leaves rustled in the soft breeze. In the center of the clearing, barely noticeable mounds of dirt were covered in new grass. Featherstream was taken to another time, when she was younger and lighter. Her paws were covered in blood again and the scent of death was heavy in the air. Her mother's body lay before her, mutilated and destroyed. Spot's as well, bloody and unrecognizable. Suddenly, Darkflight was there, and she was killing him again, slashing his throat open.

"I'm so sorry, Darkflight," she whispered wretchedly, staring at her mother's grave. "Mother, I'm sorry. Spot, I'm sorry. Can you ever forgive me?"

A heavy sorrow settled in her chest and she sighed, sitting down, eyes never leaving the graves. Guilt racked her thin body and tears welled in her eyes. "I took you away from your family, Darkflight." Self-hatred filled every fiber of her being and for just a moment, she felt all the fury he must have before dying. "I'm a monster."

"No."

Featherstream spun around, ears flat and claws extended. Thornflight's dark eyes were narrow and filled with conviction. "You're not a monster," he growled firmly. Her gaze raked his sleek pelt and blazing eyes.

"Who's to say?"

"I am."

"I killed your father," she whispered. "How can you forgive me?"

Thornflight padded forward until they were face to face. She shivered at the expression in his eyes. "I haven't," he answered, voice dark. "But I can understand why you did it. It doesn't make you a monster. Featherstream, you are more than that."

"Then what?" she challenged, straightening as anger poured into her tired body. "What am I, Thornflight!"

"You are a strong warrior that has fought time and time again for our Clan. Featherstream, you are ThunderClan!"

His words and the fiery tone with which he declared them brought a wave of fresh motivation. Featherstream purred and relaxed her taut muscles. "Thank you, Thornflight. For everything," she murmured. She took a step forward and pushed her nose into his thick neck fur. "I love you," she whispered, too low for him to hear. Then, she turned to face the graves again.

"Mother," she mewed. "I hope, wherever you are, you can see me. And I hope you know I'm happy."

Without another backwards glance, she turned and walked away, Thornflight at her side.

I'm no longer Feather. I am Featherstream, a warrior of ThunderClan. And I vowed to protect them, no matter the cost.

Thornflight

He watched as Featherstream lead him home, her fur glowing in the moonlight. Her shoulders were squared once more. Her eyes glowed with a new purpose. He watched her muscles as they contracted smoothly beneath her tortoiseshell pelt, sleek and beautiful. Yes, she looked beautiful in that moment, shadows and moonlight alike dappling across her fur.

Then Dapplepaw's ice blue eyes flashed before him and he stumbled, shocked. Featherstream turned back, eyes concerned. "Thornflight?"

Dapplepaw's voice instead of Featherstream's reached his ears, and he looked at her longingly, tortoiseshell turning to a mottled pelt. His heart began to pound and her sweet voice wound its way through his mind and crept through his veins.

"Thornflight!"

The young tom jerked back to reality. Featherstream stood in front of him, eyes wide with a hint of irritation. "Sorry, what?" he asked, straightening. The she-cat turned forward once more, eyes slanting to look at him.

"You were thinking about her, weren't you?"

He jumped, startled. She gave a low purr of amusement before continuing. "Dapplepaw. You get this look in your eyes, you know." Thornflight gaped at her before flicking his ears and turning his head way.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he muttered.

Featherstream shrugged, resuming their journey. "Just be careful, okay? It's dangerous."

He made no response and they didn't talk the rest of the way to camp. In the warrior's den, his sister and Gingerstrike were already sleeping and a wave of content swept over him. Roseheart's scars were barely visible in the dark, and she looked young and peaceful in sleep.

As he gazed at her, her prayed a desperate prayer to StarClan.

Please, don't take her tomorrow. Please, don't take anyone, I beg of you. She just got better. I need her here, StarClan. He paused, curling up in his soft nest. I need them both.

The next dawn shone bright and glorious. The sky was a beautiful pale blue. Thornflight stood beside Roseheart as she ate, watching as the Clan hovered nervously around the center of the camp. Leafstar and Ravenwing conferred silently in the shadows of the Highrock; Thornflight could practically taste their apprehension.

His own stomach roiled with nerves. The fur along his spine prickled and he felt uneasy to say the least. Something drove him to remain close to his sister. She accepted his company wordlessly, her eyes showing no turmoil. Her peace calmed Thornflight and he forced himself to relax. Nothing would happen. Nothing could happen.

At last, it was nearly time to go. Thornflight shoved his way through the crowd of cats to Snowpelt, who looked on with a forlorn expression.

"Snowpelt," he called and she glared at him coldly. "I just wanted you to know…I'm sorry about what happened at the Gathering. And I know your kits will grow to be great warriors," he meowed, embarrassed by the looks cats were giving him. Roseheart, who had followed him, slipped past him and gave Snowpelt a brisk lick on the cheek.

"Not even the strongest warrior can deny the heart's demands," she murmured before withdrawing. The icy queen trembled and blinked as the young warriors padded away. They didn't hear as she whispered a shaky thank you, surrounded by former friends yet always alone.

Thornflight pressed against his sister, who rasped her tongue over his ear sympathetically. Gingerstrike took up position on her other side as they, along with the other warriors, headed to the gorse tunnel. The elders called out croaky good byes and the warriors waved their tails in return. Thornflight turned one last time at the top of the ravine, looking down lovingly his home.

It looked peaceful, beautiful and still in the early dawn's light. "What does it look like?" Roseheart breathed from beside him. Featherstream purred.

"It looks like StarClan's light," Thornflight murmured and Gingerstrike nodded agreement.

Roseheart closed her eyes, obviously savoring the image. "Let's go fight for it then."

NEXT IS THE BATTLE. Who's excited? I am ;) You guys get to finally see the epic ending I've had planned allllllll story xD Also, I know I promised a Ravenwing/Leafstar chappie, but it refused to work. So, as a compromise, after this story is over, I'm going to write and compile a collection of one-shots on the beloved characters in this story, so you can see their emotions before, during, and after the battle, how it affected their lives, etc. The epilogue can only reach so much, you know? So, looking forward to writing those. And the first two are going to be Leafstar and Ravenwing, promise!

Love you all so much! Next chappie up either today or early tomorrow. And it is freakin' PACKED. And you're all probably going to really hate me after it xD

~Ciao, Monkey~