I am so sorry this is so late! I've just been so incredibly busy it's been unreal. Thankfully things have calmed down a little and I've got the Easter Holidays now, so two whole weeks of getting stuff done. Hopefully that means I can write future chapters for you all so you don't have to wait so long for updates in the future! Originally this chapter was intended to be far longer, but I wanted to get something up for you quickly so, sorry about that. This is an awful chapter, just a warning, it's so rushed and all over the place.

Q&A

Q: "What inspired the name "Blue Moon"?"

A: I really wish I could have some really cool story for how I thought up with the name, but I honestly don't. xD I heard the saying 'Once in a Blue Moon' and I just kinda thought, 'hey, it's not every day that you find out there's a fifth clan and you have to return it and all that bla, it's like once in every blue moon.' xP That's really how it happened I think... :3

Disclaimer - I, unfortunately, do not own Warriors.

~ .:Review Replies:. ~

Willowdream of ForestClan ~ I know right? So adorable. 3

Orangeflight ~ Thank you so much! :3 Sorry this chapter took so long!

Foreverwifeh ~ Thank you! #DEDSHIPPING for the win! xD Baha, that really made me laugh. :D

KatieK101 ~ Aw, I'm afraid the contest has ended now! So sorry! Thank you so much for reviewing! I always look forward to your review. ^^ As for the names thingy... It's funny you should say that about having a whole notebooks of names 'cause I do as well! We must be twins or something. xD Don't worry, all the names for new characters, like kits that will be born in the near future, are already planned out and most of them are unique. Coincidentally there's actually a character with the Timber prefix in this chapter, and there's definitely a Fallenkit and a Dusk-kit being born at some point. ^^ Thank you so much for all the Q&A questions! It's a great idea, having a Q&A section on the Blue Moon website, I might try and get something like that going actually! :3

WyldClaw ~ Yeah, Dewclaw and Redflower are both quite naïve, I don't think they quite realise what they're getting themselves into... And I know right? Redflower does seem to have the gift of giving awesome nicknames. xD I was originally going to have Ambersky be a mentor to one of the kits, but then I decided against it unfortunately. I think she becomes good friends with Flamekit though once she's older. :3 And about Honeypaw? Totally, Honeypaw is awesome. I love her so much, she's like my baby. xD

arcticfoxlover ~ Thank you! Onestar's a weird character really, I don't like him that much. He was awesome as a warrior though, I agree. ^^

Raven cries Nevermore ~ Welcome new reader! It's time for your initiation. xD Just kidding. I'm glad you like my writing, thank you so much! It really means a lot. :3

Numbuh 227 ~ xD Thank you!

Brackenflame ~ Aw, thank you so much! -virtual hug- Well, I'm sorry it took a little longer than usual! You can blame homework for that. :/

koilered ~ Thank you! :D

Frostblaze ~ Oh my gosh, thank you so so much! That really means a lot! -huggles-

Clearfeather ~ He he, coincidentally this chapter was always going to be based on Redflower. So here you go! A Redflower chapter! :3

Silkbreeze-Of-ThunderClan ~ :3 In answer to your question, I think that's just the way Dewclaw is. He always felt a little left out as a kit because Snowfall and Ambersky were really close and always playing together, so I think it comes a little from that.

Goldentail-Of-WindClan ~ Thanks! :3 He he, I have a lot planned for this series, a lot more. :) Love your name by the way! :3

mzmingle ~ Thanks so much! :3 Haha, it could've quite easily been Breezepelt really. Funny enough he will be appearing at some point in the future. Oh and thank you for pointing that out! Sometimes when I'm typing fast I make silly little mistakes like that. xP

Cupcake ~ Here's the update! Sorry it took so long! Been so busy! I'm not dead though, thankfully. You know, one of the things I always worry about, if I were to die tomorrow, is that I'd never get to finish Blue Moon and you guys would never get to read it. :/ I always worry about that.

Stunna13 ~ Thank you so much! :)

Well, without further ado, Chapter Three! I'm so sorry, it's really short and rushed.

Redflower

There was no tiredness in the tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat's joyful, springy movements as she emerged from the cave that hosted the Warriors' Den that morning, eyes wide and bright with hope. Far from it, Redflower was on Cloud Nine, overjoyed with the events of the previous night. She just wanted to share her happiness with the world, to reach out and let everyone feel what she was feeling right now.

She just couldn't get those precious moments spent with Dewclaw out of her mind, even if she wanted to. They'd agreed to meet again in a few days, much to the SkyClan warrior's delight. Redflower couldn't wait, and it hadn't once occurred to her that by meeting the dark grey ThunderClanner she might be breaking the Warrior Code. They weren't anyway, so she'd decided, there was nothing opposing two cats meeting and just talking. Or at least, if there was, there shouldn't be.

That morning, the sky bore a new lick of paint, differing from the previous day; it's new coat was a wash of pale blue, with flickers of cloud drifting across lazily, gently ushered by the soft breeze.

The previous day, Leafstar had travelled along with two of her warriors to RiverClan, to discuss borders between the two clans. They'd received a surprising welcome and the SkyClan leader had returned satisfied with their agreement, the border being set shortly afterwards. However, they still had to reach an agreement with WindClan.

A little territory across the Thunderpath which had previously been neutral had been claimed as SkyClan's in the past few days as well, to help support SkyClan's growing numbers. Redflower hadn't yet ventured beyond the Thunderpath, but she was looking forward to fully exploring their new home.

As the young warrior bounded down the rock-path into the centre of the red-stone hollow, her gaze was quickly caught by a dark ginger pelt. Father! Redflower felt like she hadn't talked to the SkyClan deputy in moons!

With great enthusiasm in her steps, the spotted tortoiseshell-and-white warrior bounded over to the dark ginger tom, green eyes brimming with warmth, "Sharpclaw!"

He turned, his gaze flickering across the hollow until it settled on his daughter, he instantly broke into a smile, beckoning her over with a sharp motion of his tail, "Redflower, you seem rather happy this morning," he purred, briefly smoothing down his chest fur for a few moments, "Settling into life here now, I see?"

The young warrior skidded to a halt before her father, "Yeah," she beamed, green eyes bright, "I love our new home, it's even greater than our old one!" she meowed enthusiastically, tail flicking from side to side, "I'm so glad we found this place," her gaze drifted to their surroundings for a moment.

Sharpclaw smiled, briefly glancing over his shoulder at where a group of warriors were collected together, looking to him expectantly, "It's a wonderful home, but so was the gorge," his gaze briefly turned wistful, then he blinked it away, gesturing to the warriors behind him, "As much as I'd love to speak with you, Redflower, I've got to lead a patrol out now."

"Oh," there was no hiding the disappointment in the tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat's mew, "I mean, that's okay, don't let me keep you waiting," she'd been desperately hoping to be able to spend some time with her father, her sister too. Redflower had thought that after the journey, things would settle down. But it seemed not.

Sharpclaw was always up to his muzzle in his duties, whilst Whitefern had just been downright ignoring Redflower for some reason. The spotted tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat couldn't think why.

Sharpclaw gave a smile, "I'd better go," his gaze briefly trailed to the members of his patrol, Whitefern was amongst them, "There's always later though, or tomorrow maybe? We could go hunting if you like?" he offered, gaze light with a gentle warmth.

Redflower nodded slowly, "O-Okay, I guess I'll see you later then."

Sharpclaw dipped his head, giving a motion of his tail as he began to pad forwards, beckoning for his patrol to follow as he shot a brief glance over his shoulder at his daughter, "Bye!"

The dappled tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat watched as Sharpclaw began to ascend the rock-path, his patrol, consisting of Creekfeather, Rockshade, Whitefern and Cloudfoot, trickling after him. It was only when they dissapeared from sight that the young warrior, giving a little sigh, began to make her way over to the Fresh-kill pile. Mouse-dung! Why did Sharpclaw always have to be so busy with his duties, she never got to spend time with her father anymore; it just wasn't fair.

Giving a respectful nod to where Echosong and Patchfoot were sat side by side in the dappled shade of a hawthorn bush, Redflower delicately plucked a small mouse from the fresh-kill pile. It was still warm, freshly caught. Despite a lack of hunger, Redflower devoured it quickly, her tongue swiping around her jaws in satisfaction.

Slipping briefly into a stretch, the dappled warrior gave a little smile, letting her mind retrace the night's events. If she closed her eyes, she could practically picture the scene, hear Dewclaw's voice, soft in her ears –

"Hey, Redflower!"

Her thoughts were jolted away from her, evaporating like mist in the sunlight. The dappled tortoiseshell-and-white warrior lifted her gaze across the hollow to the ginger-and-white she-cat lightly picking her way towards her. Redflower smiled, green gaze lightening with warmth as Brightwing reached her, greeting her with a friendly tip of the head and a warm purr, "A beautiful day, huh?"

Redflower rose to her paws, eyes bright, "I know right?" she agreed, giving a friendly nod, her tail flourishing enthusiastically from side to side, "New-leaf's finally here!"

Brightwing gave a warm mrrow, tipping her head to one side, "I know we haven't spoken much since I became a warrior, but I tell you what; you haven't changed one bit," she meowed affectionately, her gaze clouding a little. She quickly blinked it away before continuing, her tone warm, "Anyway, Frecklewish asked me to try and collect some borage leaves, Tinycloud needs some. I wondered whether you'd like to join me? It'd be nice to have a friend along."

The dappled warrior gave a soft purr, "Of course I'll come with you!" she mewed brightly, green gaze aglow in the sun's soft light, "Why didn't she ask Brackenpaw to do it though? He's the medicine cat apprentice, shouldn't he be doing stuff like that?"

Brightwing began to lead the way towards the rock-path, pawsteps light against the rocky ground, "I think Wolfkit had a bit of a cough, Frecklewish wanted Brackenpaw to just check over him," she meowed, uncertainty flickering behind her gaze, "I'm not entirely sure though. I think that's what she said. She seemed a little flustered, I think Aspenkit and Sootkit got into her herb supply."

The dappled tortoiseshell-and-white warrior fell in beside her clanmate as they began to ascend the rocky path that led out of SkyClan's new camp, "Kits will be kits," she murmured softly, amusement dancing in her leaf-green gaze. Breaking into Frecklewish's supply of herbs sounded just like the sort of thing Sootkit and Aspenkit would get up to. Although they were only two moons old, they'd been causing all sorts of trouble since SkyClan had found their new camp. Frecklewish had just started to build up her supply of herbs, to organise it and place it in the little dips in the cave walls of her den; to have it all disrupted by a couple of troublesome kits would be frustrating.

Redflower didn't blame little Sootkit and Aspenkit though. The other four kits, Tinycloud's litter; Wildkit, Lark-kit, Wolfkit and Frostkit, were still very young, not quite a moon old. Tinycloud was very protective over them, desperately worried that something would come to them, like her first litter.

Redflower's gaze clouded, just at the thought. She'd been a young apprentice when Tinycloud had birthed her first litter, only seven moons when they were swept away by the river that tumbled through the old gorge, rather like the one that meandered through SkyClan's new home. There had been two kits in the litter, almost six moons old at the time, two brothers; Timberkit, the eldest, and Crowkit, the little one. Whilst Tinycloud was sleeping, the two kits had snuck out of the Nursery. Timberkit had boasted to his brother that he could leap across the river, and when Crowkit hadn't believed him, he tried to show him. He fell into the river, which after heavy rain was well above the normal depth and had almost swelled its banks. Crowkit, in an attempt to save his brother, leapt after Timberkit. Sparrowfoot, who'd been an apprentice at the time, spotted the two kits, but couldn't reach them in time. Their bodies were never found.

Tinycloud had been absolutely distraught. She didn't want her second litter to come to the same fate, what mother would? You couldn't blame her being so protective over them after what she'd experienced with her first kits.

Redflower knew that Wolfkit and Frostkit had opened their eyes in the last couple of days. Wildkit had been the first to open his eyes, on the day before SkyClan had reached their new home. Now just Lark-kit had to open her eyes. Tinycloud had promised her kits that when they'd all opened their eyes, they could go out into the red-stone hollow for the first time.

"Redflower?"

The dappled tortoiseshell blinked for a few moments, slowly letting her gaze drift to Brightwing, "Oh sorry, was just thinking."

The ginger-and-white warrior smiled, touching her tail lightly to Redflower's shoulder, "No worries," her green eyes drifted to the sky, "Now, Frecklewish said that borage grows best in forests," she muttered thoughtfully, half to herself.

The dappled tortoiseshell-and-white warrior nodded, "Right. We could check out that little clumping of forest there?" she gestured towards it with a flick of her tail, "I mean, it's only a little wood, but it should grow there right?"

The warrior nodded, "With luck, Frecklewish said that it's quite common, so it shouldn't be hard to find."

"Okay…" she drifted off into silence for a heartbeat or so, "So, what does borage look like again?"

Brightwing chuckled lightly, amusement dancing in her green eyes, "You're hopeless you know, I would've thought you'd know what borage looks like."

"I'm no medicine cat, how am I supposed to know?" Redflower poked her friend playfully, mischief flaring in her bright green gaze.

The ginger-and-white she-cat gave a little smile, "You really haven't changed at all," she murmured absently. She blinked, before continuing, "Borage has little blue, or sometimes pink, flowers, a little like stars. Oh, and furry leaves."

Redflower let the information sink in for a moment, blue or pink star-like leaves, furry leaves, got it. She grinned brightly, "Let the borage hunt begin!"

With jaws firmly clamped around the easily distinguishable furry green leaves of a borage plant, the two warriors entered camp side by side. Redflower didn't hesistate in racing over to the Medicine Cat's Den, one of the caves midway up the red-stone cliff, and depositing her findings in a pile on the floor. Brightwing hadn't been kidding; the leaves were really furry and now, the little tiny hairs were stuck to her tongue.

Spitting some of the little hairs out, with a distasteful, "Ppph!" Redflower gave an expression of disgust. She let her tongue hang out, desperately trying to get rid of the little hairs by licking her paws. Ugh, they're everywhere!

Frecklewish appeared from the back of the den, slowly emerging from the shadows. A poultice of some sort clung to her mottled paws and when she spotted the dappled warrior, she smiled, "Redflower! You managed to find borage then," her gaze trailed to the pile of hairy, green leaves, "Where's Brightwing?"

"Here," Brightwing entered the den, her mew ever so slightly muffled by the herbs she carried in her jaws. With great care she lay her herb bundle down beside Redflower's pile. The dappled tortoiseshell she-cat noticed Brightwing didn't seem to have gotten any of the little hairs in her mouth, "Hey, how come I've got loads of the little furs in my mouth, and you've got none at all?" she protested, a little annoyance in her gaze.

The ginger-and-white warrior let out a purr of amusement, "How'd you manage to do that?" she chuckled, amusement dancing in her eyes.

Redflower didn't reply, continuing to lick at her paw. Most of the little hairs had now been transferred from her mouth to her paw, much to her relief. The warrior swiped her tongue around her jaws, seeking out any little hairs that still remained.

"Thank you so much for doing this," the medicine cat meowed gratefully, her gaze lingering on Brightwing for a moment before flickering to Redflower, "Tinycloud will really appreciate it."

Brightwing and Redflower dipped their heads in unison, "Our pleasure," the ginger-and-white warrior mewed softly, green gaze light.

Frecklewish smiled warmly at the two warriors, her eyes bright against the shadows of the cave. She tipped her head to the two young cats before collecting the borage leaves together and aligning them at the back of the den.

Brightwing's gaze rest on the dappled tortoiseshell-and-white warrior for a moment. Then, as if remembering something, her eyes suddenly widened, "Oh, mouse-dung! I completely forgot!" she hastily got to her paws, "I was going to share tongues with Berrystep! I'd better go!" she disappeared into the sunlight, Redflower could hear her thundering pawsteps as the young warrior raced down the little rock-path that led down into the central hollow.

Redflower turned towards Frecklewish, "If you don't mind, I'd better go too."

The mottled medicine cat smiled, "Of course, no need to ask," she purred softly, amber eyes warm.

The dappled tortoiseshell-and-white warrior grinned, "Thank you, Frecklewish," she moved towards the entrance, welcoming the sunlight that reached in, "Bye!"

The young warrior let her paws guide her down the path, a little cautious of falling. The sun was high in the sky by now, its warmth soaking into Redflower's silky pelt and sending ripples of delight through her. She stopped before the little stream that swept through camp, pausing to take a drink from the clear water. It was only a very shallow stream, a little wide, but still not at all deep. The deepest part was the pool beneath the waterfall, but the rest was only just up to her belly fur. Tinycloud certainly didn't have to worry about her kits being swept away by the current; the stream was only flowing very gently, slowly drifting through camp and disappearing into one of the caves. Redflower suspected it was one of the underground streams that led to the lake.

The water was cool and refreshing on her tongue. Redflower lifted her gaze, letting it wash over the camp, raking over her clanmates, as they made their way around the hollow, about their duties.

Berrystep and Brightwing lay, their pelts pressed together, sharing tongues beside the waterfall, their tongue strokes rhythmic. It was not far from them that a small dark grey tom and a golden brown tabby she-kit tumbled about, wrestling each other to the ground. Sootkit and Aspenkit. Redflower smiled warmly. Firesong watched from a distance, in a seemingly interesting discussion with Fallowfern and Stormwhisker.

Sandypelt and Plumwillow had just returned from a hunting patrol, clearly having been successful and pleased with their catches, which hung proud from their jaws. A few of the elders; Redflower's mother, Cherrytail and Petalnose, were basking in the sun by the river. Brackenpaw emerged from the shadows of the nursery, looking quite content. Wolfkit's cough can't have been that bad then, Redflower realised, with a great sense of relief.

Everything all seemed so perfect, the way it was supposed to be. The dappled tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat couldn't help but just grin to herself.

A scrabble of pawsteps and the rolling of pebbles quickly caught her attention and she let her gaze rise to the rock-path. At the top and racing down, out of breath, her flanks heaving and her gaze nervous, was Whitefern.

With an increasing urgency, Redflower lurched to her paws, padding over to her sister, "Whitefern, is everything okay?" she tried searching her sister's gaze, but the white warrior just shut her sister out, blinking and turning away. A crowd of cats had begun to gather round the young warrior, concern in their murmurings.

Whitefern took a shaky breath, panic darting behind her deep green gaze, "A rock pile collapsed," she gasped, deliberately avoiding Redflower's gaze, "Sharpclaw and Cloudfoot… they're trapped underneath."

Panic immediately flared in Redflower's heart and her eyes widened, suddenly losing all power of speech Sharpclaw's trapped! My father…

"Someone get Frecklewish and Brackenpaw," Rabbitleap ordered, his gaze not straying from Whitefern. Mousepaw scampered off in the direction of the Medicine Cat's Den, returning with the medicine cat and her apprentice shortly.

"Take me to them," Frecklewish's mew was calm and clear, but there was no hiding the anixiety in her amber gaze. She carried a bundle of herbs in her jaws, as did her apprentice. Brackenpaw didn't reveal any emotion he may be feeling, he was rather quiet in fact. But Brackenpaw had always been a rather strange character, so it didn't bother Redflower much. All that mattered to Redflower right now was getting to her father.

Whitefern nodded slowly, gradually regaining her breath. She didn't speak, just motioning with her tail for them to follow before racing up the rock-path. Frecklewish and Brackenpaw followed, hot on their heels, Rabbitleap. Redflower was right behind them, then Cherrytail.

Rabbitleap paused briefly to call over his shoulder to the remaining cats in camp, "Stay calm everyone, alert Leafstar of the situation. Don't let anyone else out of camp in case of any more rock falls," his tone was calm but firm.

Several of the cats gathered below nodded, whilst Berrystep scrambled off in the direction of Leafstar's den.

"Let's go," Rabbitleap muttered.

Not a further word was exchanged as they travelled. Conscious of stirring any other rock-falls, they travelled at a steady pace, but not too fast. It didn't take long to reach the site of the rock-fall.

Rockshade and Harveymoon were working side by side, digging furiously at a pile of dust and rock. Redflower's heart faltered. Beneath all that… Beneath all that was her father… Father…. Daddy…

Redflower, Whitefern, Rabbitleap and even Cherrytail, despite being a little frail, didn't hesitate in helping Rockshade and Harveymoon. The dappled tortoiseshell-and-white warrior dug frantically, furiously shovelling up pebbles and rocks. It invaded her nose and cloaked her in dust, but she didn't care, not in the slightest.

"They're both under this?" Rabbitleap's mew, directed at Rockshade and Harveymoon, was gusty. He seemed a little panicked, compared to his usual calm, collected self. It took a moment for Redflower to remember that Cloudfoot was Rabbitleap's son; it was no wonder he was so worried.

It was Rockshade who responded. His thick black pelt was flecked with dirt and Redflower noticed he seemed to be limping a little, "Yes."

"Sharpclaw, please, Sharpclaw… Please be alright," Cherrytail was whimpering, green eyes flushing with a painful hope. Redflower couldn't help but feel a sinking feeling.

They seemed to be making ground, the dappled warrior catching a glimpse of dark red fur beneath the rubble. A tiny whisp of hope kindled within her heart, please be okay, you've got to be okay.

A pained moan sounded from underneath the rocks. Redflower instantly gave a small smile, they're alive! They're alive!

It all happened in a blur; suddenly two bodies were visible, one a dark brown tabby with distinctive white paws, the other a dark ginger-pelted tom. Both their pelts were coated in dust and stained with blood, but Sharpclaw…

Rabbitleap and Rockshade heaved Cloudfoot out from under the rocks, whilst Redflower, Cherrytail and Harveymoon managed to release Sharpclaw. Whitefern seemed to have dissapeared.

Heart racing, eyes wide, Redflower searched her father's body for signs of life, any little signal that he may still be alive. Brackenpaw and Frecklewish were seeing to Cloudfoot, What about Sharpclaw?! You should be taking care of Sharpclaw!

The dark ginger tom suddenly spluttered into life, giving a dry cough. For the first time, Redflower forced herself to look properly at her father. The dark ginger tom's pelt was crimson with blood, a long gash stretching down his flank. His back legs were splayed out awkwardly, but they didn't seem to be at all injured. Several smaller wounds marked his face and body, but none as awful as the long gash. Redflower couldn't look at it, it was just too much.

Sharpclaw's only movements were the frail, weak rising and falling of his pelt as he breathed. His eyes flickered open and upon recognising his mate and daughter, he attempted to smile. Redflower felt a sob rising within her.

Cherrytail appeared unable to speak, just whimpering softly, pressing her nose into the dark ginger tom's pelt.

"D-D-Da-d-ddy," The dappled warrior choked out, sobbing softly, "D-Daddy-y-y, you're going t-to be ok-kay. Frecklewish will h-heal you, D-Daddy," her words were interupted by gaspy breaths. Her gaze turned to the SkyClan medicine cat, "W-What are you doing? You've got to… You've got to h-help him."

The mottled brown she-cat tentatively stepped closer, resting a paw on the SkyClan deputy's chest. Her knowledgable gaze picked over him briefly before she pulled back, shaking her head, amber gaze wistful, "I'm sorry, Redflower, Cherrytail. There's nothing I can do," her eyes rested on the tortoiseshell elder for a brief moment before she returned her attention to Cloudfoot. The dark brown tabby tom seemed in a lot better shape than Sharpclaw at least.

"Redflower," a weak, raspy mew drew the young warrior's attention back to her father. She swallowed, trying to smile for the dark ginger tom, but it was almost impossible.

"R-Redflower," he repeated, stammering a little over his words. Redflower could hear the pain in his voice, and not just the physical pain from his wounds, but the emotional pain as well. Longing whispered in his eyes. Redflower forced herself to meet his gaze, "D-don't ever f-forget…" he broke off, giving a gaspy breath before continuing, "Don't ever forget t-that… that I'm so proud of you… Of you, of Whitefern… Robinsong and Flintclaw too… I couldn't…" he was interrupted by yet another gasp. His body tensed and he screwed up his face, gritting his teeth, as if enduring a lot of pain, "I couldn't be more proud to be your father."

"D-Daddy," Redflower whimpered between violent sobs, stepping forward and pressing her muzzle into her Father's soft pelt. For a brief moment, as she let his familiar scent wrap around her and tickle lightly at her nose, she felt like a young kit again, "D-Daddy, I love y-you. Don't leave, you can't leave," she begged, green eyes filled with pain. This couldn't be happening. This wasn't happening. It was a dream, it had to be. StarClan couldn't just take Sharpclaw like that, they couldn't.

"I love you too," his mew was scarcely audible. Redflower could already see the light fading from his eyes, his breaths becoming shallower and less often. The dappled tortoiseshell-and-white warrior felt another pelt brush against her, tortoiseshell just like hers. Cherrytail.

The elderly tortoiseshell she-cat stepped forward and crouched down beside her mate, pressing her fur against his. Sharpclaw made a sound that vaguely resembled a purr and for a moment, he was smiling.

Instinctively, Redflower took a few steps back; leaving her mother and father to have a bit of space. It didn't take long, perhaps a few minutes? She caught a few snatches of their conversation,

"I'll see you again, some day."

"No, please. Just hold on a little longer. I can't… I can't live without you."
"It's my time, my love."

"B-but, but"-

"I love you."

Redflower lifted her gaze from her paws to her father and mother. Cherrytail still laid pressed against her mate, but Sharpclaw was absolutely motionless. Not a breath stirred his dark ginger pelt, not a word leaving his jaws. His eyes had lost their glow and were a dim, glazed reflection of what they used to be.

There was silence for a heartbeat, then Cherrytail whispered, soft and slowly, violent sobs shaking her whole body, "I love you too, Sharpclaw."
Redflower rose to trembling paws, stepping forwards, a lump in her throat. He's not dead. He can't be dead. But as many times as she tried to deny it, she knew in her heart it wasn't true. Cherrytail didn't utter a word as her daughter lay down beside the dark ginger tom's body.

And as she gazed down at her father, she felt her heart sink. Sinking, sinking, but it never seemed to reach the bottom, it only fell deeper. Deeper into a chasm of deepest despair. Sharpclaw was gone. He was really gone.

Dun Dun Dun! Sharpclaw's dead! Bet you didn't see that coming!

I'm so sorry it's such a bad chapter!

I bet you guys can't guess who's going to be deputy... Nah, you probably can actually, it's pretty obvious. :)

Live, love, read and review! Don't forget about the Q&A!

Love Leafy x