Brambledusk and his patrol took their time heading towards Iga. Iceheart had been suffering sharp pains as of lately, and even though every cat in the patrol had cautioned her not to go further – there was a cat who could stay behind with her – she had refused. Brambledusk knew she was intent on finding Hotaru, but he just wished she would have allowed Brambledusk to find her mate on his own.

The five cats came to a stone floored valley that spread out between several peaks of the mountain, creating what seemed like a cut in the roughness of the mountains. Brambledusk narrowed his eyes, making out a massive cave right at the end of the stretch, where the rock walls surrounded the valley. The scent of cats was thick, overpowering to the point where it made Brambledusk's nostrils wrinkle. But there was no sign of any cat. Nothing moved, not even a pebble that would indicate a cat's pawsteps, and there were no pawprints in the snow. What is going on here?

Iceheart crouched down Brambledusk. "Hotaru said the Momochi village was quiet and lifeless," she explained. "He lived in a cave his entire life, and he said the leader had his own cave, too. Maybe it's that cave." She nodded with her head, pointing towards the cave at the edge of the valley with her tail.

"Should we go in?" Redmoon asked.

"If Iga really is as strong as Hotaru says, then that would be suicidal," Brambledusk remarked flippantly. "First, we've got to figure out if Hotaru really is in there."

"If we cross the valley, cats are sure to see us," Lightningtalon said. "We'll have lost the element of surprise. There's no way to even get around – one fall from the rock, and you're gone."

"So, the only way to get to the cave is straight through the rock valley," Brambledusk murmured, clicking his tongue in irritation.

Lightningtalon nodded. "Yep."

"Dear StarClan." Brambledusk sighed and then looked at Iceheart. She's expecting kits, and Hotaru is the father of them. Hotaru is the cat she loves, and if I can defeat Iga now, that means I won't have to worry about them attacking WindClan.

"I promised Hotaru that in newleaf, we would see the flowers bloom," Iceheart whispered. "I won't break that promise. And I have to make sure that Hotaru won't go past the point of no return."

Brambledusk shut his eyes and turned to look at his Clanmates. Then he focused his hard amber eyes on Iceheart. She could test fate, but there was a limit, and Brambledusk would tell her what that limit was. "Iceheart, if we get into a fight, you need to stay out of the way. If you dare join the fight, I will have some cat drag you out of there. I will not hear any objections to that, do you understand me?"

"Yes." Iceheart nodded, her blue eyes misting with tears as Brambledusk led the cats through the stone valley. As he walked through the crowd, he noticed that even though the scent was full of cat, no one came to apprehend them. What in all the… Brambledusk shook his suspicions away until he reached the cave. He didn't enter, instead he pressed against the front of the cave and angled his ears to try to hear what was going on.

"Why are you so intent on fighting this?" a cat was snarling. Brambledusk recognized the voice of Hotaru's brother, as clear as the day when he had come into camp, terrorizing every single warrior, all with the sole intent of bringing Hotaru back.

"I have to protect them." That was Hotaru's voice, ringing loud and clear through the cave. "Because I'm not alone anymore. Because I have cats I care about now."

A furious hiss echoed through the cave, and the sound of claws on claws, the tearing of skin, the metallic scent of blood splattering the cave walls, all came to life.

"Move in!" Brambledusk barked. "Now!" He leaped into the cave, shadows illuminating the pelt of Hotaru and his brother as the two cats wrestled furiously. Another cat, menacing and dark, stood on a much higher boulder, watching the fight between the two brothers with flat gaze. Who is that? Is that Momochi?

"Your friends have come," the observer meowed, fixing his dark gaze on Brambledusk, but made no move to attack. Saizo, Hotaru's brother looked up, curling his lip in a sneer as he flung Hotaru across the cave.

"Of course we came!" Redmoon yowled. "You think we'll leave Hotaru alone?" He lunged onto the big cat, with Hawkfire at his side. Hotaru's amber eyes glowed with joy as he turned to face Saizo. His tail bristled and his haunches rose as he glared furiously at his brother.

"You lied to me," Hotaru hissed. "You told me that I was worthless without my skills. It wasn't true! None of it was true!" He leaped onto his brother, pushing him back. For the first time, Hotaru's claws split open Saizo's skin, making it the first bit of damage the silver tom had endured. "I've learned so much from other cats. They've saved me. And that's why there's no way I'm going to lose!"

Saizo's amber eyes narrowed, while a menacing laugh made Brambledusk's blood chill. He looked up to see the cat who had been sitting on the boulder watch their exchange, amusement glowing in his eyes. Hawkfire and Redmoon laid, limp at his claws. No! Brambledusk stepped back, horrified, wondering if they were dead. But the rise and fall of their haunches assured Brambledusk that they were alive.

"Isn't this touching?" the tom hissed. "Hotaru thinks he's so strong, and he was sure his friends would come. I fear they do not know that they are walking into death's hands." He waved his tail to the cats in welcome, his features both feminine and youthfully masculine. "They couldn't even form a greeting before they barged in like fools. Is that your little lover, Hotaru, right at the edge?"

Brambledusk looked over at Iceheart, who was doubled over at the corner of the cave. The pale brown tabby swung his head and raced over to the big tom. This must be Momochi. "Put one paw on her, and I'll shred you into tiny pieces," Brambledusk hissed at him.

Momochi scrutinized him through narrowed eyes, and what should have been a simple gesture sent a cold shiver down Brambledusk's spine. Their gazes were locked, and Brambledusk found he couldn't even open his mouth. Not only that, but his voice wouldn't work. The fighting had stopped when Momochi held Brambledusk with his all-seeing eyes. I can't move… why can't I move…?

"You have traveled far," Momochi purred, "to get something that means nothing to you? How very foolish indeed."

He's my kin's mate! Brambledusk wanted to yowl at him. He felt his legs about to give way, but Momochi would not release him from the hold he had on him. He desperately fought his knees from giving way as he held Momochi's glare. The tension in the air wound around Brambledusk like strands of vines. He couldn't move a single muscle. Damn it, let me go! There was a placid smile on Momochi's face, his smooth figure aglow with laughter. He did not give off the impression of a cat on the edge of murder. All the sense, Brambledusk got the feeling that he could kill him in a heartbeat and may as well just do that. I will not allow myself to be overwhelmed. I will defeat Momochi, no matter what it takes.

"See, I was planning on sending my cats to the forest to drag your leaders to me, but it seems that you came to me yourselves," Momochi went on. "Isn't that right… Brambledusk of WindClan? Did you not bring your leader, Scorchstar? It would be very easy if you accepted me as your leaders so I can merge the lake into the mountains. I hope you do not insist on fighting me."

"Stop it!" At Hotaru's cry, Momochi's spell on Brambledusk was broken, and the pale tabby staggered back. He held Momochi's glare again, but this time, he could speak.

"I will never let you take over the Clans by the lake," Brambledusk growled, "just as I will not let you take Hotaru or kill my Clanmates."

"What a beautiful display of companionship," Momochi said. "Saizo, end them all."

"Yes." Saizo nodded and threw himself at Brambledusk. Brambledusk wriggled out of his way as Hotaru and Lightningtalon landed on Saizo, meeting him blow for blow. Brambledusk turned and circled around Momochi. The murderous air the silver tom was emitting made Brambledusk realize that this was an enemy that rivaled the caliber of the most feared cat in the forest, Dapplestar. I need to defeat him, Brambledusk thought, but how?

Momochi smiled as he gazed at Brambledusk. "Any minute now."

Brambledusk curled his lip in fury. Just as he was steeling his resolve to leap, he heard a pained cry from the cave. He glanced over his shoulder to see Iceheart doubling back in pain, and the cries that came from her were something Brambledusk had heard many, many times. Oh, no! Don't tell me she's having her kits?

"Wonderful!" Momochi laughed maniacally, swiveling his ears towards the same sound Brambledusk had heard. "Now I get to kill all of you and more. Isn't that excellent?"

"Redmoon, Hawkfire!" Brambledusk barked as the two young warriors finally pulled themselves to their paws. "Protect Iceheart! She's having her kits!"

"What?" both cats exclaimed at the same time. The two cats raced over to Iceheart, where Saizo was trying to get to her. Hotaru's amber eyes blazed as he bounded over to his mate.

"That leaves you and me," Momochi said, gazing at Brambledusk. Brambledusk's paws itched to help his niece, but someone had to fight Momochi. I know what to do. Brambledusk arched his back and leaped onto Momochi. But Momochi was faster, and Brambledusk landed on stone hard floor while he felt Momochi's sharp claws digging into his back, deeper and deeper until blood flowed on the ground. Brambledusk winced in pain and rolled away, but Momochi was on him. Crazed bloodlust shone in the rogue's eyes. Brambledusk leaped to his paws, and the pained cry of Iceheart split the cave into two. Momochi looked over his shoulder, but Brambledusk clawed him and he looked back over.

Now! Brambledusk pounded away from Momochi, fleeing the den. Momochi's face contorted in anger and he pelted after Brambledusk. Brambledusk's blood poured into the snow as he yowled to mimic fear. He turned on Momochi, yowling at him, "Get away from me!"

"No!" Momochi howled. "You came into the Iga village. Nobody who comes in gets out alive."

"I don't want to die!" Brambledusk wailed, hoping that Momochi would believe his fear-ridden, flee-driven act. "Please, don't kill me!"

Momochi smiled thinly, and before his claws could slash down Brambledusk's chest, Brambledusk turned on his heels and ran. He leaped out of the stone valley, his heart pounding in his chest as he tried to remember the path he and Lightningtalon had taken to get here. There was one specific path in his mind. Brambledusk leaped over rocks, letting out fearful yowls to lull Momochi into his act. Just as Brambledusk reached the ledge he was looking for, he immediately crouched down, hoping Momochi would take the bait.

And he did.

Momochi soared over Brambledusk, seconds from landing on him when Brambledusk headbutted him in his stomach, sending him plummeting over the ledge, into the darkness below. Brambledusk looked over, down the ledge, watching as Momochi fell, a soft smile on his face as he was swallowed by the shadows. Brambledusk's chest heaved as the tom disappeared. There's no way he could survive a fall as high as that, he thought, panting. Brambledusk turned on his heel and bounded away from the ledge. He knew he should feel triumph for defeating Momochi, but the only thing he could think about was Saizo in the fight against Hotaru and the other cats. Saizo was a strong foe, and Iceheart was giving birth just as he spoke. Even as his wounds burned, Brambledusk pushed himself further until he saw the stone valley. He burst through the cave, seeing that the fight was indeed not over.

Frostpetal protected Iceheart, her tail lashing as Saizo was preoccupied with fighting Hawkfire, Redmoon, and Hotaru. Saizo's claws lanced through Hawkfire's side and sent the ginger-and-white she-cat flying away, across the cave. Saizo sank his teeth into Redmoon's throat, and the tom fell to his paws. The only cat standing was Hotaru. Hotaru held his brother's gaze with a menacing light, and Saizo peered over Hotaru's shoulder. There were three kits near Iceheart as the silver-and-white tabby moaned in agony.

She gave birth! A murderous gleam shone in Saizo's eyes. He'll do anything to kill those kits. But I can't stop him. It's up to Hotaru. Brambledusk stood back, feeling his paws tremble. He wanted to drag Iceheart out of the way, but the kits were crying as they squirmed against her, unable to feed because of the dire situation they were in. Brambledusk clenched his teeth. Do something, Hotaru!

Hotaru lashed his tail as he glared at Saizo. He lunged forward and drove his brother back, unleashing a flurry of blows from thorn sharp claws on him. But Hotaru never made a move to land the death blow. Is that what it's going to take? Brambledusk wondered as the two cats fought. Will Hotaru have to be forced to kill his own brother?

Saizo leaped off the cave walls and was backed into the corner, staring furiously at Hotaru. He clicked his tongue irritably. "Momochi is dead, isn't he?"

Brambledusk stepped forward next to Hotaru, unsheathing his claws. "He is."

"Then I have no business with you any longer." Saizo focused his telltale glare on Hotaru. "Without Momochi, Iga is nothing."

"You're his heir," Hotaru growled.

"They pay no mind to me. Their loyalty was only to Momochi. He did the things that I wouldn't do for them." Saizo turned his head away. "Do what you want. Raise those damned kits, I don't care." A smirk fell on his face. "You know, this is the first time I've ever been jealous of you, Hotaru."

Hotaru let out a gasp as Saizo spared him one last glance. Then, in seconds, the silver tom was gone. Brambledusk yowled after him, "And never come back! If we see you again, we will not be as merciful!"

"Ah…" Hotaru gasped as Saizo disappeared. "He… he really let me go…"

"Is he going to come back?" Brambledusk asked Hotaru.

"No…" Hotaru shook his head. "No. If he wanted to end things, he would've done it here. I don't think I'll ever be seeing him again." With a broad smile on his face, he turned on his heel and ran towards Iceheart. "Iceheart!" he exclaimed, his voice shrill.

Brambledusk watched where Saizo had disappeared. He hadn't wanted Hotaru to kill his own brother – he didn't want Hotaru to step on the last remaining places of his soul. Was Saizo still a danger to the Clan? Momochi is dead. He's the leader of Iga, right? And if Saizo is right that the Iga cats are loyal to only Momochi… then Iga must be nothing without him. Brambledusk shook his head. At this rate, it seemed like Iga would no longer be a problem. Now, the elephant in the room… Brambledusk turned on his heel and followed Hotaru towards Iceheart. The three kits that had been at her stomach had quieted their crying and were suckling at Iceheart's belly. Iceheart had a few wounds on her side, and anger boiled in Brambledusk's stomach as he realized Saizo must've gotten a few blows on her. But it melted away when he looked at the three kits.

"Oh, Iceheart, they're beautiful," Brambledusk whispered.

"They made every second of it worth it," Iceheart murmured, love shining in her eyes. She looked up at Hotaru. "These are your kits, Hotaru. Promise me you'll never leave me again. I love you. I can't raise them without you."

"I love you too, Iceheart," Hotaru purred. "I won't leave you again. I promise."

Iceheart shuddered. "Saizo was about to kill me. But… Lightningtalon stopped him."

"He did?" Brambledusk looked over his shoulder to see an unmoving black-and-white figure on the ground. Oh. Oh no. No! Brambledusk raced over to his brother, watching as the blood gushed out of him in waves from the wound on his throat. Brambledusk pulled him onto his back, gazing into his eyes. He's still breathing! "Lightningtalon! Lightningtalon, can you hear me?"

Lightningtalon opened his eyes weakly. They blinked multiple times, and Brambledusk felt his heart pounding as he realized the light was slowly dimming from them. Oh, no… "Brother…" Brambledusk rasped. "I… you…"

"Is… Iceheart… okay…?" Lightningtalon rasped.

"She is," Brambledusk gasped, "thanks to you."

"And her kits?" Lightningtalon croaked.

"They're fine, too," Brambledusk replied, nuzzling his brother's cheek. "You're so brave. You're a hero. You've made it up to your kits. They'll forgive you."

"What you did for Iceheart…" Frostpetal's voice shattered as she walked over to her father, digging her nose into his shoulder. "Lightningtalon… thank you. And I forgive you." Her eyes swelled. "Father."

Ah… Brambledusk shut his eyes. He opened them again, seeing love swell in Lightningtalon's eyes. He knew that Iceheart couldn't come over – she was nursing her kits, but he knew what she'd say. "You saved Iceheart's life, Lightningtalon. I'm sure she's forgiven you."

Lightningtalon took a deep breath and gazed in Frostpetal's eyes. "I… love you…" he gasped. "And I'm so sorry… for everything. Tell Iceheart I love her too."

"I will," Frostpetal whispered. She touched Lightningtalon's nose, and Brambledusk pressed his head into his brother's shoulder. I can't lose another brother, he thought miserably. I just can't. But Lightningtalon's head rolled back, and the light left his eyes as he looked lifelessly at the sky. Brambledusk shut his eyes in grief. No…

"Guys?" Iceheart's voice was small. Brambledusk looked up to glance at her. "What happened?"

Brambledusk walked over to her and touched his nose to her nuzzle. His throat tightened and his stomach churned. Grief misted his eyes as he said softly, "Lightningtalon died."

"No!" Iceheart gasped. "No, that can't be. He was the one that saved me!" The she-cat tried to get up, but Hotaru held her down so she wouldn't disrupt the kits. The silver tom licked her gently, allowing her to rest, even though her blue eyes clouded with worry.

"It's okay," Brambledusk meowed softly. "He knows. And you know. He'll be with you forever, Iceheart."

"I'm not mad at him anymore," Iceheart whispered. "He saved me… and my kits."

Brambledusk rested his chin on Iceheart's head. "Then let's name your kits," he said. "So we know who Lightningtalon saved."

"Okay." Iceheart's voice was trembling as she looked down at her kits. For the first time, Brambledusk was able to get a good look at them. There were three, and one of them, a small she-kit, had the same exact silver-and-white tabby pelt that Iceheart did. The other one, a tiny tom, had Hotaru's light silver fur, and the last kit, another tom, had a fur that was a mix of Iceheart and Hotaru's, pale silver with white patches. "The tom… he has white patches. Like a cloud. I'd like to call him Cloudkit." She glanced at Hotaru. "What do you think?"

"We can name them whatever you want, Iceheart," Hotaru said, gazing at the tomkit. "But I like Cloudkit."

"Don't you want to name one, too?" Iceheart pressed.

Hotaru stared at the pale silver tom. "Can he be Rainkit? Since, you know, his fur is kinda like the color of raindrops?"

And his fur is the exact shade of yours, Brambledusk thought as Iceheart nodded. "Yes, I love that name." She gazed over at the last kit. "She looks like me."

"Yes, as bright and as kind as you," Hotaru agreed. "Let's call her Brightkit."

"Brightkit?" Iceheart looked up. "Okay. That's a good name."

"Oh, Iceheart!" Hawkfire cried out. "You have kits!" She raced over to Iceheart's kits. "They're so cute!" She poked Brightkit with a white paw.

"I feel like I could step on them," Redmoon commented dryly as he walked over.

Iceheart gave Redmoon a glare that could cut bone. Redmoon stepped back. "But I won't!"

Frostpetal had tears stained on her cheek as she walked over to Iceheart and licked her sister's pelt. "They're beautiful," she murmured. "I'm happy to be their aunt. And happy to be your sister-in-law." She looked up to gaze at Hotaru. "But if you ever leave my sister again, I have no problem boxing your ears in. Got it?"

"You won't have to worry about that," Hotaru said. "My brother is gone. Momochi is dead. There's nothing threatening us anymore."

Frostpetal sighed in relief.

"Okay, hate to say this, guys," Redmoon said, "but we have three kits here, and…" He glanced sorrowfully at Lightningtalon's dead body.

"We'll bury him here," Brambledusk told Redmoon, "and send him to StarClan."

"Right." Redmoon nodded. "I'm fine with that. But these kits are newly born. How can we bring them through the mountains, all the way back home?"

The cats exchanged nervous glances. Brambledusk realized he hadn't even thought of that. He gazed back at Iceheart's kits and furrowed his eye whiskers. "We'll probably have to stay here for a couple of days until they're well enough so we can pick them up," he decided.

Redmoon sat down and Hawkfire let out a yawn. Brambledusk wasn't as keen as staying in the mountains as they seemed to be, but he couldn't let Iceheart's newborn kits travel so soon. They would need to stay for a couple of days until they had enough strength. Brambledusk glanced over at Lightningtalon's body.

And I need to bury you, my dear brother.