"No!"

Rainsong's yowl of grief rang louder than the others. She pushed past the patrol, collapsing next to the unmoving deputy. She looked over at the patrol. "Help me!" She yowled.

All cats had fallen still. "Please!" Rainsong yowled again. Hollypaw glanced uneasily at Stormpaw and Icepaw before running to the two warriors. She shoved her nose under Featherfall, trying to lift him up before Rainsong too began to help. Hollypaw murmured something Stormpaw couldn't hear.

Together the two lifted him. They staggered under the weight until Crookedtail bounded over.

They got to camp as quickly as they could. "We need a medicine cat!" Rainsong yowled. "Quickly!" Lightpaw rushed out of the medicine den.

"What happened?" She asked, her eyes wide with fear. Rainsong shook her head.

"ShadowClan patrol," she mumbled. "Border skirmish went too far..." She placed a paw on Featherfall. "He's my father," she whispers. "Please don't let him die..." Rainsong closed her eyes, shaking her head again.

As they eased Featherfall into one of the nests, Stormpaw saw that there was a long, nasty looking gash down his side. She stared, wide-eyed. "Tha... no.... wha..." She turned away. "He doesn't deserve this." She breathed.

"He won't make it..." Moonwing whispered, padding up behind them. "I'm sorry, Rainsong, but nothing I do will help." Rainsong seemed to be shaking now.

"P-please... There has to be something you can do to save him!"

"I'm really, really sorry. There's nothing we can do."

Rainsong pushed past Moonwing, diving for the herb store. "Cobwebs, cobwebs, where are they?" She began rummaging through it. "There!" She pulled out a fat wad of cobwebs.

"Rainsong-" Lightpaw scrambled to snatch the cobwebs back. Rainsong glared and rushed away to tend to Featherfall. Stormpaw padded over. The light had already died from his eyes and he felt cold.

"He died a warrior's death, Rainsong." Stormpaw's voice cut through the air like claws. "He.. he was a noble deputy. Your father was a very honorable cat."

"He lived for many moons..." Rainsong choked out.

"And now it's his time. You'll see him again in StarClan." Moonwing dipped her head respectfully.

For the rest of the day, Rainsong was huddled in her nest. She refused to move, not even when Heatherstar called the clan to appoint a new deputy.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here before Highledge for a Clan meeting!" Her voice was tainted with greif. The cats padded out, eyes low. Clearly the news of Featherfall's death had already spread around camp.

"I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirit of Featherfall may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of ThunderClan shall be Silvershadow."

Despite the death, they all broke out in yowling to congratulate him. "Silvershadow! Silvershadow!"

The silver and black tom dipped his head. "I will keep this Clan safe until death do us apart." He promised.

The cheers soon diminished as Moonwing, Lightpaw and Leopardwhisker carried Featherfall's body out for vigil. At last, Rainsong crept out of her den, laying next to Featherfall now.

Stormpaw could hear the whispers of the kits in the nursery.

"Can we see?"

"Why is Silvershadow the deputy now?"

"Where is Featherfall?"

"What happened?"

"Hush," Echopool whispered. "This isn't a good time right now."

Stormpaw looked towards the entrance. A faint rustling could be heard, then Whitesong bounded towards her. Her eyes were bright and showed her excitement.

"You aren't going to believe this— I'm expecting kits!"

Quick question: Why do I torture myself like this? c: