A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! We're getting close to 100 reviews! Lets keep going! Anyway, enjoy chapter thirteen!

****WARNING: BRUTAL SCEEN****

Chapter Twelve

The light of the full moon glistened in the midnight black sky. RockClan's ancestors twinkled back in the camp as Hollowstar called for his cats. "Toms, tonight, I will take Darkwater, Ruchfall, Blacknight, Gorseclaw, Eagletalon, Sandwhisker, Windwhisper, and Jayflight. Briarpaw and Thistlepaw, there is something I must do before we go."

Cactusthorn cocked her head as the two male apprentices padded up to stand in front of Hollowstar. "I believe you are ready to become apprentices! Briarpaw, Thistlepaw, do you each promise to protect this Clan and our she-cats even if you die trying?" He yowled.

Briarpaw's eyes glittered, "I do!"

Thistlepaw seemed a little more skeptical, "I do."

Hollowstar nodded briefly before continuing, but Cactusthorn cut him off. "Wait, what about Alderpaw? She's their sister," she yowled.

Hollowstar flashed her a warning glance, "Shut up! Alderpaw is a she-cat, she will continue to train until her hunting skills are perfect!"

Cactusthorn scowled at the leader, but kept her silence. Hollowstar continued, "Briarpaw, from this day forward, you shall be known as Briarclaw. RockClan honors your ability to fight and protect. Thistlepaw, from this day forward, you shall be known as Thistlepelt. RockClan, also honors your strength and bravery. Tonight, we have two new warriors!"

"Thistlepelt, Briarclaw, Thistlepelt, Briarclaw!" The Clan cheered.

Cactusthorn joined in only for the two excited new warriors. Not because Hollowstar made them that way. Anger still boiled under Cactusthorn's pelt, but that soon melted away when Darkwater came to her side with a flicking tail. "Don't forget to talk to the she-cats. Your father wasn't called to join us," he whispered to her.

Cactusthorn nodded, "I know. I'll speak to him as well. Don't you forget to talk to the toms. But avoid Gorseclaw and Eagletalon. And possibly Briarclaw, he looked too happy to be made a warrior by Hollowstar."

"I agree," He stated just as Hollowstar called him.

"Be careful," he meowed as he ran his muzzle against her jaw.

Her fur instantly grew hot. Hollowstar made one last comment, directly to her, "Cactusthorn, from this day forward, you shall be leader of the Huntress's. You will organize hunting patrols. I want the fresh-kill pile fully stocked by the time I get back."

Cactusthorn was shocked by the tom's demand. Fully stocked fresh-kill pile in a matter of two hours? It was not possible! Even kits would have to hunt to accomplish his demand. The moment he left with his patrol, all the she-cats crowded around her.

"What are we going to do?" One voice called.

"What if we can't complete it?" Another wailed.

"Silence!" Cactusthorn growled.

All the she-cats quieted down then she continued, "Hollowstar is destroying this Clan! He is dragging this down in the sand we walk on! We can't take it anymore! We have to put this to a stop!"

"Yes!" The she-cats chanted in unison.

"I didn't want to say it this way, but on the day Cliffstar died, I was there. Hollowstar killed him! Addertooth of OceanClan and Brackenfang were there as well. Their plan is to kill their leaders and rule the Clans and get rid of our warrior system! We can't let them!" She snarled fiercely.

The she-cats gasped at the brutality of the situation. "We must destroy Hollowstar," a snarl sounded.

"He can't hurt my kits!" Sunspirit yowled. Winterkit and Nutkit stood defiantly. "He killed our mother!" Nutkit growled.

Sunspirits kits tumbled around her paws. They were its born several sunrises ago and were called Boulderkit, Mousekit, and Thornkit. "No one will hurt our kits! We'll get rid of Hollowstar once and for all! We must practice our battle skills and destroy him! He belongs in the Dark Forest!" Cactusthorn yowled.

"You've turned into a fine warrior, Cactusthorn. I'm proud to be your father," a voice sounded from within the crowd.

Cactusthron focused on her fire-furred father, Fireclaw. "Thank you," she stated plainly.

"What is our plan?" A warrior called Silverdrop called.

Cactusthorn directed her attention to the crowd, "We will sharpen our battle skills. Alderpaw needs to learn battle moves, Silverdream, let Fireclaw teach her all he knows."

Silverdream nodded as Fireclaw made his way over to the mentor and apprentice. "I have a tom that is on our side. He is speaking to the others to find out what they think. If it turns out that we have most of the toms, we'll be able to throw out Hollowstar and his followers," Cactusthorn called into the crowd.

"Why did you agree to be his mate, if you want to throw him out?" Someone asked.

Cactusthron felt we fur bristle, "He would have killed me and Fireclaw. I am not his mate."

Cats nodded as she continued, "For now, we will begin hunting. I want Silverdrop to take Hawkpelt, Rosedance, and Splashfur toward the TreeClan border. Split up if you have to. Hareleap, take.."

"We'll hunt, Cactusthorn. We need to redeem this Clan." Sandfur, the former medicine-cat, came out of the elders den with Brackenfoot -and Lillyfur.

Cactusthorn nodded gratefully, soon, Petalbloom, the Clans medicine-cat raised her tail. "I'll go with Fireclaw, Alderpaw, and Silverdream to collect herbs. I'll put them in a private stash in my den," she stated as she joined the two warriors and apprentice.

"Great. Hareleap, take the elders with you. Everyone, catch as much as you can," Cactusthron meowed as she leaped forward to join Sunspirit.

"We are going to train these kits to protect themselves," Cactusthorn meowed to Sunspirit.

Soon, she was joined by Splashfur. "Cactusthorn, I wanted to let you know that I am expecting kits," she whispered to Cactusthron.

Astonished, Cactusthorn meowed, "Who's the father?"

Splashfur dropped her blue gaze to the floor, "I'd rather not say."

Cactusthorn stared at her sister for a moment longer, then nodded. "Then you better stay here with me," she meowed.

Splashfur shook her head, "No way! I want to hunt to help the Clan."

Cactusthorn saw the determination in her sisters eyes. "Very well, but don't you dare push yourself. Rabbittail would come after me from StarClan," she joked to her sister as she padded away.

Splashfur flicked her tail in agreement as she padded through the entrance. Only then, Cactusthorn could see her swollen belly. She had extreme difficulty squeezing through the entrance. Cactusthorn had been so busy, that she never saw Splashfur with her mate, nor did she notice that her sister was expecting. She suddenly felt guilty. She turned her burning green gaze back to Sunspirit. "Well, lets get started, shall we?" She meowed to the nervous queen.

The moon glistened in the sky and Cactusthorn expected the toms back any moment. She turned her gaze at the fully stocked fresh-kill pile and then flicked her gaze toward the exhausted she-cats. She noticed that Silverdrop's patrol still hasn't returned. Worry pricked Cactusthorn's pelt as she returned her gaze toward the gorse barrier that protected RockClans camp.

Soon, the gorse rustled as Hollowstar's arrogant self barged in with the toms behind him. "My, my, my, it appears my sweet Cactusthorn was an excellent choice," he began as he neared her. "See? I'm wise after all."

He flicked his tail under her chin. As soon as his pelt made contact with hers, her fur bristled. Darkwater came in the camp with satisfied eyes. He nodded briefly toward her before going to the fresh kill pile. "Have you ever been out on a full moon, Cactsthorn?" The growl of Hollowstar interrupted her thoughts.

"No," she meowed bitterly.

"Then follow me," he meowed as he took lead toward the gorse barrier.

After she padded through the entrance, she saw him standing in front of her with a soft gleam in his eyes. Cactusthorn suddenly felt uneasy. "I made a good decision, choosing you," he meowed as he neared her.

Cactusthron's eyes locked with his as he wrapped his tail around hers and coaxed her forward. Reluctantly, she followed. She knew that she had to do what he said.

They ended up in the heart of RockClan territory, in a meadow that Flame and Boulder both said use to belong to VolcanoClan. He suddenly jump on her, pinning her down with his massive paws. "There's no escape now! Once our kits are born, I will train the strongest to lead after me!" Hollowstar yowled evilly.

Cactusthorn was stunned. This tom was strong, she could barely move. Then, a screech sounded. One that sounded all too familiar. She shoved her hind paws into the toms belly, sending him flying through the air. Once she stood, she ran back to camp with him hard on her paws. "Get back here!" He snarled.

She burst through the gorse barrier to see Splashfur sprawled out in the center of the camp with two kits at her belly. Cactusthorn bounded toward her with her fur quivering nervously. "Splashfur? What happened?" She asked the black queen.

"I had my kits, Cactusthorn," she meowed happily.

Relief struck Cactusthorn suddenly. "What are their names?" She asked.

"Dustkit and Rabbitkit," Splashfur meowed.

Cactusthorn's world slowed as she starred down at Dustkit and Rabbitkit. Dustkit's fur was jet black, like his mothers. But brown whisked through his black fur. Rabbitkit was an exact copy of Rabbittail. "They're wonderful, Splashfur," she meowed.

Petalbloom padded up with Sunspirit at her heals, "Come, it's time you came to the nursery. We'll get your kits."

Cactusthron watched as the two she-cats picked up the two mewling kits. Happiness was soon turned to terror as a twig snapped from upon a ledge just above Splashfur and Cactusthorn. Hollowstar stood at the top with an evil grin as a large boulder plummeted down on top on Splashfur's hindquarters.

Cactusthorn's legs buckled as the boulder made contact. The black queen squealed in horrific pain as she was crushed from the hips down by the boulder. Cactusthron watched in horror as blood seeped from under the rock.

A/N: Omg... I'm shocked with myself right now! What will happen to poor Splashfur? What about her kits? Any guesses as to who's the father of her kits? Only one way to find out! REVIEW! REVEW! REVIEW!

If you like this story, check out The Southern Clans: The Heart of the Badger!

Let's get.. 93-95 Reviews before I post the next chapter! We're coming to the end, friends! Lets get me to 100 reviews! Thanks!

-Nightspirit