Skystar woke up to see Thunder standing over him, silhouetted against the moonlit sky. "What's wrong?" Skystar asked. He kept his voice low. Gray Wing, Cloud Tail and Air Leap were curled up nearby.

"It's Quiet Rain," Thunder said, his voice frightened. "She's getting worse."

Skystar was up in an instant and shook Gray Wing.

"I'll get Jagged Peak." Thunder headed to the warriors den. It was almost normal nowadays to wake up in ShadowClan, but Skystar already felt the need to be back in his own Clan.

He and Gray Wing hurried toward Runningnose's den.

Pebble Heart was waiting at the entrance, the young tom's eyes wide with grief. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice cracking. "But there's nothing more that I can do."

"You did all you needed," Skystar assured. He wanted to collapse back into his nest and pretend none of this was happening. But if Quiet Rain was truly dying, he needed to see her one last time. He needed the chance to say good bye.

He took a deep breath, then entered the den.

Gray Wing and Skystar gazed at their mother, and Skystar felt his heart twist. He held back his tears and sat down beside her with Gray Wing on the other side. She'd never seemed so weak. Quiet Rain was limp, all her energy gone. Her breath was ragged and her chest trembled with each breath.

"Mother," Gray Wing said. "We're here."

Quiet Rain groaned and opened her eyes. It took her a moment to focus on them. "You came."

"Of course," Skystar mewed, trying to keep the pain from his voice.

"I knew you would, my friend."

Friend?

"No, it's me," Skystar said. "Skystar."

"It's good to see you, Shaded Moss."

Skystar swallowed. Was she hallucinating…or could she really see the former deceased deputy?

Jagged Peak hurried into the den and sat down next to Gray Wing. "How is she?" Thunder and Air Leap peeked in with Cloud Tail and Pebble Heart peering around the two older toms.

"She's seeing Shaded Moss," Skystar breathed.

Jagged Peak frowned. "Does she even know we're here?"

"I don't think so," Gray Wing replied.

"Shaded Moss…" Quiet Rain's gaze was fixed behind them. Skystar turned but only saw the wall of the den.

"This is the end for me, friend." Quiet Rain gasped for air. She blinked a few times. "Appreciate this new life? But it's only brought grief! It's horrible."

It is…but at the same time I love this life.

Gray Wing glanced at his brothers. "She doesn't know what she's saying."

Yet she spoke the truth. Clan life could be unforgiving. Storm and Fox's dead bodies flashed through his mind. Burying Fluttering Bird. Rainswept Flower dropping deadweight from Thistlestar's jaws. The burning branch coming down on Petal.

And he just felt so much pain…but the only way he pushed himself through was remembering the happier times, and hoping that the deceased had found their peace in the afterlife.

He was a leader and his Clan needed him. He wasn't power hungry, ordering them around. He took care of each of them and heard what they had to say.

Suddenly, Quiet Rain's eyes closed and she fell limp.

Jagged Peak lurched forward in panic and laid his ear on her chest. After a moment, he sat back. "She's still alive!"

As he spoke, Quiet Rain opened her eyes. "My sons. Don't be sad when I'm gone. I won't be. I've had a good, long life, and I'm ready to go on now." She looked at each of her sons in turn then glanced at her grandsons at the entrance, including Cloud Tail. Skystar was happy she considered him her actual grandkit. He only wished his daughters, Owl Eyes and Sparrow Fur could be here too. "Shaded Moss has spoken to me. I know…" She suddenly broke into a coughing fit.

"Mother!" Skystar leaned over her.

"Pebble Heart!" Jagged Peak called quickly. "Do something!"

Pebble Heart started forward, but paused. He shook his head. "There's nothing I can do."

The fit ended and Quiet Rain rasped. "Shaded Moss told me."

"Told you what?" Skystar asked.

"Leave her be," Jagged Peak mewed. "She needs to save her strength."

"For what? She's dying!" Skystar was trembling. "Mom, what did Shaded Moss say?"

"It was all meant to happen," Quiet Rain rasped. "No matter what, nothing would have changed any of you or your tribemates' fates in this new life. And now all I can ask from you all is to remain strong like you've always been, push through the challenges, and follow your hearts."

Her eyes clouded and grew dull. Her head dropped to the ground and her chest fell still.

Skystar felt grief snag his chest. He leaned over Quiet Rain and pressed his nose to her head.

Jagged Peak was the first to stand. He took in a deep, shaky breath, then limped out of the hut, his head low. Gray Wing soon followed and so did the younger cats.

Skystar stared at his mother for a moment longer, unwilling to leave her alone. At that moment, the world seemed so cruel. Why had Quiet Rain come all the way here, just to die?

Thunder shuddered as a fat drop of water landed on the back of his neck and slid down his spine. It had rained for most of the day.

How fitting as Quiet Rain's body lay in the middle of ShadowClan camp. The ShadowClan cats themselves stayed back respectfully as Quiet Rain's family and friends surrounded her. Jagged Peak was beside Holly, trembling, Cloud Tail brushed against Pebble Heart sympathetically as Gray Wing and Skystar crouched near their mother's head. Sun Shadow and Shadowstar near them.

They'd spent the day sitting vigil for Quiet Rain. Patrols had quietly gone out while other cats worked around camp.

Thunder glanced at Sun Shadow, wondering what the young tom would do now. The black tom didn't blink, his eyes wide and wet with grief. Thunder pitied him. He'd come all the way here only to find his father dead, now his companion was gone too.

Shadowstar finally stood. The sun was orange beyond the pines. "We need to bury her."

Sun Shadow looked up. "But this isn't her home. She should be buried in the mountains."

"And do you plan to carry her all the way back?" Shadowstar's voice was soft. "This may not be her home, but her family is here."

Sun Shadow didn't respond.

Skystar lifted his head. "Where should we bury her?"

"Maybe near Turtle Tail's grave?" Pebble Heart timidly suggested. "So she won't be alone anymore."

Skystar nodded. "That's a good idea." He looked to Shadowstar. "And we would be able to come to ShadowClan just to visit her, right?"

"Of course," Shadowstar murmured. "My warriors already know not to attack right away. After all, Sparrow Fur and Owl Eyes have come many times to visit their mother."

Skystar blinked. He'd never known the two young cats had actually visited their mother's grave. He assumed they had been too sad to approach.

Gray Wing, Thunder and Jagged Peak situated Quiet Rain onto their backs and started for the entrance. Pebble Heart, Sun Shadow, Shadowstar, Cloud Tail, Air Leap, and Skystar followed.

Jagged Peak's kits watched them go.

"Is grandma really dead?" Eagle Feather asked.

"Shush," Holly flicked his ear gently. "Yes, now be quiet and respectful."

They walked through the pines in silence.

Pebble Heart glanced around the clearing he had led the others to, trying to find a clear spot for them to bury Quiet Rain. He stared at the mound that Turtle Tail was underneath before looking away.

He started digging a few fox-lengths away and the others joined. Even if his claws ached he continued. He was just glad ShadowClan land was so mushy because it made it easier to dig the hole.

Jagged Peak headed back to retrieve his mothers body and Thunder moved to help. They hefted her onto their backs and brought her to the hole. They set her carefully down in the dirt. Pebble Heart hopped into the hole and set a yellow flower he had brought with him on her chest. Then he scrambled back out and stood beside Cloud Tail brushing pelts with his brother.

Gray Wing smiled fondly at his little action.

"Let us pay our respects," Shadowstar announced.

Gray Wing went first. "Mother," he mewed softly. "Thank you for loving us enough to let us go."

"Thank you for believing in us no matter what," Skystar added, voice thick with grief.

"Thank you for traveling here just so we could see you one last time," Jagged Peak finished, trying to hold back his tears.

Pebble Heart lifted his head to look at the sky through the pine needle canopy. As he did, a drop of water hit his muzzle. Then another. Soon, gentle rain pattered onto the frozen earth.

The others quickly began recovering the hole.

"We should go home," Shadowstar murmured. "We'll catch a cold in this weather."

"Not yet." Sun Shadow trembled as he sat down beside the grave. He laid his chin on it and closed his eyes.

The rain began to fall harder. Pebble Heart shivered. Yet he didn't feel cold. A strange mist filled the hollow, nearly invisible with the rain. He squinted and noticed figures approaching him.

Our deceased Tribemates!

He looked around, but as expected no one but him could see them.

He noticed Hawk Swoop and Turtle Tail first and smiled. Shaded Moss stood beside them. Both of them nodded to another ghost who approached, already in the clearing.

Quiet Rain!

She moved easily across the ground and reached out to nuzzle her old friends. Her eyes were bright and a smile spread over her face.

"Welcome, Quiet Rain," Hawk Swoop mewed.

"Do you understand now?" A voice called. Pebble Heart turned to see a tabby and white she-cat with green eyes, looking just like Air Leap. Pebble Heart longed to tell him and Skystar, but he had to listen to whatever new message his ancestors had for him.

Then he'd let the others know.

"Bright Stream, it's good to see you."

"The past is the past." Bright Stream smiled. "The future is fresh. You must all choose a path that will lead to a new beginning."

Then the ghosts vanished. That was it? Hadn't they all already chosen their paths by moving? Or did she mean to forget their anger with…ThunderClan?

"We should get back to SkyClan," Thunder meowed. He dipped his head respectfully to Shadowstar. "Thank you for having us. We appreciate your hospitality these past few days."

Shadowstar dipped her head back, looking surprised at his calm maturity. Pebble Heart knew he'd make a great leader one day.

But not for SkyClan.

Gray Wing pressed his paw to his mother's grave. Fern and Beech had arrived. Before he had left to bury his mother he had told them to be prepared to leave. Then they would all head back to SkyClan in one big group.

Behind him, Shadowstar was saying farewell to the others. "Tell Cloud Spots and Quick Water I said hi."

Skystar nodded with a smile. "We should get going," he mewed.

Shadowstar nosed Sun Shadow to his paws. "Come back to camp," she murmured. "It's too cold to be out here." Sun Shadow kept his gaze on the ground, but nodded.

Pebble Heart padded beside them, and they all left, Cloud Tail at the rear. Gray Wing wondered if he was truly happy in ShadowClan. He had seemed so eager to run away with Gorsepaw and happy when he and his clanmates had come to stay for a few days.

"Tell Fire Heart I said hi too," he paused to meow. "And Sparrow Fur and Owl Eyes."

"Of course," Gray Wing purred. Cloud Tail smiled and walked on.

Jagged Peak followed, casting a final, tearful glance towards Quiet Rain's grave before he slowly followed his clanmates back to camp.

Skystar turned to Gray Wing. "Well, let's get going."

"Yeah," he sighed. "Let's go home."

It was a long trek. Or at least it felt like that for them since they were all tired.

When they entered camp, all their clanmates rushed to greet them. There was Pink Eyes, their very first elder, that Thunder had helped and Snowkit of ThunderClan poked his head out of the medicine den, curious of the crowd of cats.

And Slate! What was she doing here?

"Hey, Gray Wing," she purred. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine." He smiled. "What are you doing here?"

She shuffled her paws and looked at Skystar. "I…wanted to join SkyClan," she mewed and then turned back to Gray Wing. "To be with you."

"Awwww!"

Gray Wing rolled his eyes as Lightning Tail and Owl Eyes started making moony faces at them.

But he felt more light inside. All the dreams he had of being a moor cat would probably never come true. Not because he thought he couldn't leave, but he couldn't fathom it. SkyClan needed him. Skystar needed him!

But as long as Slate was with him then everything would be better in his life.

He purred as he touched noses with her while all around them his clanmates chatted and joked and laughed.

RIP Quiet Rain.