(Credits to -peachyymilk for the banner!)
(Gore warning, don't say I didn't warn you! Because I did...)

Echoclaw gasped. Could Birchwing see her? It had been so long, but she could still recognize her mother's scent, and she still smelled like a nursing queen. "Echoclaw!" Birchwing exclaimed, bounding towards her, purring. "It's been so long! Oh, my shining star!" Shining star? The words brought back so many memories, some she didn't want to remember.

"D-Do you remember my name?" The black and white she-cat asked, her green eyes rounding. "Of course!" Echoclaw exclaimed. "You're Birchwing! You're my mother! And I'm your shining star!" She purred, rubbing her jaw over her mother's head. "Oh, you're so grown up!" Birchwing meowed. "I've been missing you, and Foamsky, and Fuzzfoot, and Reedstar! He's a wonderful father, you're very lucky to have him! And I've seen you training with Copperheart, what a lovely tom he is-" "You've seen me with him?" Echoclaw asked.

That seemed a little unfair. She couldn't even see herself with Copperheart! "Of course, he's very handsome and caring! For Beestar's kit." She snorted. "W-Why are you here?" Echoclaw hated to interrupt Birchwing, but she needed to know. "StarClan sent me here! I'm here to tell you something." Birchwing's face grew solemn.

"StarClan has realized that the Clans won't listen to our warnings-poor Reedstar, making such a decision-so I'm just here to tell you to do what you do best- heal and lead." "Why did I never see you before?" Echoclaw asked. "StarClan wouldn't let me, they wanted to give you something to fight for, so it was best if you couldn't see me." The pretty she-cat replied.

"But I've been watching you, and I say follow your heart, my shining star! You've worked hard enough to deserve happiness." I don't think I can find "happiness" in this life, but thanks anyways. Echoclaw thought grimly, whisking her tail but not daring to look at it, because every time she looked at her paws she would get scolded. Birchwing's face suddenly twisted with concentration.

"What are you doing?" Echoclaw asked worriedly, taking a step forward. "The moonlight is....gone....but I need to tell you one last...thing." She managed, her eyes flickering up to meet Echoclaw's. "I love you....do what you think is right, my shining star." Birchwing meowed, her voice fading away.

"No, don't go! Will I see you again?" She asked, hurrying up to press her body against Birchwing's but finding her fur flattened against the stone floor instead. Echoclaw scrambled up to her paws. "Birchwing!" She exclaimed. Flickerblaze gasped. "Birchwing? No cat's heard from her since she...since she, uh...." "Died. Yeah, I know my mother's dead." Echoclaw finished dryly.

"No, I didn't mean it that way, it's just....I thought.....we thought....maybe Birchwing didn't make it to StarClan." Flickerblaze muttered under his breath. Echoclaw huffed out a breath of disbelief and let her fur spike. "You thought that Birchwing didn't make it to StarClan!? Like, the Dark Forest? What d-" "I mean that maybe Birchwing's spirit couldn't find StarClan, it's possible when-"

"Hush, Flickerblaze. The point is Birchwing is in StarClan and she has spoken to Echoclaw." Weedfoot rasped. "Now, would you like to share what she has said?" Echoclaw shook her head. "No, it's just a little something meant for me, and me only."
. . .
Copperheart watched Whispershade and Firepaw fondly as they bounded up to Meeting Rock together, pelts brushing as they gazed up at their Clan leader. Reedstar cleared his throat as he looked down at the cats of ShadowClan and RiverClan, his eyes shining. "This is a difficult time, but I have some news that will cheer every cat up. We have some new warriors and apprentices to make!" The gray tom announced proudly.

Copperheart swallowed a purr as Firepaw's fur rippled with excitement. His apprentice was becoming a warrior! "Mochapaw, please step forward." Mochapaw slid past his Clanmates and stopped at the foot of Meeting Rock, his whiskers trembling with excitement. "Do you promise to uphold the ways of the warrior code and protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" With a side glance at Heronpool, Mochapaw nodded. "I do."

Reedstar raised his muzzle."You have worked hard to earn the trust of your Clan, Mochapaw, and I am proud to be the one to welcome you to ShadowClan. From this moment on, you will be known as Mochaswirl. StarClan honors you for your positive energy and contribution to the Clans."

Whiskers dripping with water, Reedstar padded down from the rock and rested his head on Mochaswirl's head. "Mochaswirl! Mochaswirl! Mochaswirl!" The two combined Clans cheered happily. "And Firepaw, please step forward." The dark ginger she-cat wobbled forward, her nervousness clear in her step. "Copperheart, has Firepaw learned the skills of a warrior? Does she understand the importance of the warrior code?" Copperheart felt all of the cats' gazes upon him as he nodded.

"She does." He meowed. A tingle of amusement trickled through him as he spotted Firepaw sag with relief. "Then, by the powers of StarClan, you shall be named as Firedaisy. StarClan honors you for your bright energy and skill." Reedstar announced, laying his chin over the she-cat's head. "Firedaisy! Firedaisy! Firedaisy!" The Clans roared, yellow, amber, green, blue, and brown eyes lighting up the rainy camp.

"Now, one last ceremony! Birchkit, Branchkit, Poppykit, and Ripplekit, please step forward." Birchkit and Branchkit scampered over one another and skidded to a stop in front of Reedstar. Mistnose sighed loudly from her place next to Stemthorn, staring at their dirtied pelts. Poppykit and Ripplekit were slower, padding up to their leader shyly. "Poppykit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to become an apprentice.

"From this day until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Poppypaw. Your mentor will be Robinflight. May she teach you her skills in battle and her loyalty to ShadowClan." Robinflight stood rigid, shocked before grinning and padding over to touch noses with Poppypaw. "And Branchkit, you will be known as Branchpaw, and your mentor will be Heronpool. May she teach you her patience and share her knowledge with you." Reedstar meowed proudly, beckoning the black she-cat over.

Heronpool touched noses to Branchpaw, her fur fluffed out happily. "And Birchkit, you shall be known as Birchpaw until you receive your warrior name. Your mentor will be Whispershade. He will teach you warrior skills as well as how to stay calm. Whispershade, train him well." Reedstar said, nuzzling the tabby towards the blue-eyed warrior. Eyes sparkling, Whispershade touched noses with Birchkit.

"And, last but not least, Ripplekit! You will be known as Ripplepaw until you receive your warrior name, and I have thought long and hard about your mentor. I have decided that you will be my apprentice." Ripplepaw's silver eyes widened to the size of twin moons as he gazed at the dark gray tom. "Oh my StarClan," He murmured, his tail bushing up in excitement.

Copperheart felt a rush of happiness for the young apprentice, who was obviously thrilled to have the leader mentor him. "I'll make you proud!" Ripplepaw exclaimed, touching noses with Reedstar. "You are dismissed!" Reedstar purred happily, standing next to his new apprentice. "Congratulations!" Snowsap was purring to Mochaswirl, her white fur slicked to her frame.

Now it's night because I'm lazy ;)

Copperheart pressed his muzzle deeper into the moss in his nest, trying to get comfortable. The sound of light rain was soothing, but the air was thick with the reek of wet pelts. The RiverClan cats had lost most of their fishy scent, and they now smelled faintly of ShadowClan pines. Suddenly, a flash of light lit up the camp, long enough for Copperheart to see Rosecloud, Robinflight, Firedaisy, and Orbeye leap out of their nests as another flash of light lit up the camp.

Before he could leave the den, he heard a gasp. "Great StarClan!" Echoclaw yowled. "I smell smoke, what's happening?" She asked frantically, nudging Whitefeather back into the den when he managed to crawl to her side. Poppypaw scrambled out of the apprentice den, her yellow eyes wide with fear. "Fire! Fire! Branchpaw's not moving!" The brown she-cat cried, tufts of her fur carrying small red specks. On her forehead there was a patch of bare skin smoking.

Copperheart saw Shardstorm dart to the nursery out of the corner of his eye. He sprinted into the flaming apprentice den and instantly felt his eyes dry as smoke filled them. This is what happened to Orbeye! Holding his breath, he tracked down pained wails and made up two small figures. "Copperheart!" Birchpaw exclaimed, huddled next to his littermate in the corner of the den. Copperheart suddenly felt a rush of protectiveness for his siblings and flung Birchpaw away from Branchpaw.

"Go!" He choked. "I'll get Branchpaw." He said, everything on him stinging. He grabbed the black and white tabby by the scruff and bolted to the den entrance, only to find more scorching flames. The camp was catching fire! The apprentice's breath grew shallower as Copperheart spotted a broad-shouldered figure pelt through the flames. "Give me him." It growled, snatching Birchpaw away and running out of the flames, his black fur glittering against the flames.

Copperheart stumbled after the two cats, suddenly feeling very tired. He felt teeth grasp his scruff and pull him away from the fire. "Go, Copperheart!" Robinflight exclaimed. "The camp's on fire!" She yowled. Suddenly, Copperheart realized that his Clanmates were huddled together a few fox-lengths away, staring worriedly at the flames behind him. "Take the queens and kits!" Curltail shouted at Shardstorm, Copperheart, Reedstar, Whirlwind, and Mousestrike. "Me and Orbeye will lead the other cats down the trail that leads to the training clearing, then we'll decide what to do next." The deputy added.

Copperheart scrambled to his paws and watched Branchpaw and his littermates be carried away. "It was very brave how you saved him, leading him out before yourself." Robinflight murmured as the ran away from the camp set ablaze with fire. "But-shouldn't you thank Whispershade?" That must have been the cat who took Branchpaw, he's the only cat with a solid black pelt. "No....he was with Firedaisy....are you alright?" The brown tabby asked, glancing back at the spreading flames.

Copperheart blinked shaking out his pelt. "Then who took Branchpaw?" "Get up here, hurry!" Whirlwind ordered. "Help the queens get ahead!" He hissed, falling behind. Suddenly, Sorreltail froze, staring down at Splotchkit, then turned to Reedstar. "Where did you take Velvetkit?" She asked, her voice shaking. Reedstar's amber eyes rounded. "Velvetkit?" He whispered, freezing to his spot. Copperheart felt his blood run cold.

"Where. Is. Velvetkit?" Sorreltail asked again, her voice dangerously low. "I-I don't know." Reedstar admitted, his gray fur spiked in alarm. "You LOST Velvetkit?" Copperheart caught Sunspots glance uneasily at Stemthorn, who stood rigid. Reedstar stood with his jaws parted slightly, and he felt bad for the ShadowClan leader. There was nothing he could do. "Velvetkit!" Sorreltail's voice came out like a strangled screech as she pelted towards the towering flames, which eagerly lapped at the dirt in front of her. Reedstar, Whirlwind, Mousestrike, and the other warriors pelted towards the queen and dragged her a safe distance from the fire.

"You....can't...go back....Velvetkit's....gone." Reedstar panted. With a screech of fury, Sorreltail leaped onto the leader, her green eyes wild as she stomped a paw onto Reedstar's head so he couldn't struggle up. Copperheart would've helped if he could, but he felt drilled to the ground, his heart beating erratically. "Sorreltail," Reedstar managed, his amber eyes trying to meet with the queen's. "Do you really want me to die?" He choked out as Sorreltail slammed a paw against his neck. "Yes...." The she-cat growled, slowly sliding her claws into the leader's neck fur. Reedstar's words gurgled in the back of his throat as blood bubbled on his lips.

His eyes rolled back in his head, body convulsing and pained screeches escaping his mouth. Suddenly, the frozen scene resumed, and Mousestrike lunged at Sorreltail, knocking her into the dirt, trying desperately to hold her down. "YOU ALL ARE MURDERERS, TRAITORS!!! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!?" The brown queen screeched, raking her claws over Mousestrike's sides. Copperheart let out a furious hiss but kept his claws sheathed as he swiped Sorreltail away and flattened her to the ground. "You're the murderer." Shardstorm growled in his deep voice, his yellow eyes glittering menacingly.

"The last leader I lost was my father-" His gaze gave way to hidden pain before flickering back to fury. "and I will not let another leader die this soon." Instead of leaping at the writhing Sorreltail, as Stemthorn and some other cats had obviously expected, the black tabby pelted away through the rain and scorching fire towards where the other patrol had left.

"It's here! The fire's too close!" Whirlwind yowled, dragging Reedstar by his blood-soaked scruff away from the flames. Copperheart helped Mousestrike, who was panting to get Sorreltail not to rip them apart, and guided her and Splotchkit, who looked frightened out of his mind. Robinflight and Whirlwind dragged Reedstar with them while trying not to spill more blood. Mudtail shot a frightened glance around and pulled Fadekit closer to her side.

"I-I don't want mom to hurt me..." Splotchkit whispered, dangling by his scruff in Copperheart's jaws. "No, she's just upset." The red-furred warrior assured the light brown kit. "I'm here!" Echoclaw yowled, feeling her way through the rain with scorched ends on her cream fur, Shardstorm by her side. Her blue eyes widened as she stared at her father. "What in the Dark Forest is going on here!?" She hissed, shooting a white-hot glare at Sorreltail, her wet fur bristling.

"Get me cobwebs! And some cat move us all away from the fire, into the tunnels where Curltail and Orbeye went!" She ordered, her gaze sweeping across the queens, their kits, and the warriors. "It's not far, now some cat listen to me unless you want to be devoured by fire or for me to rake your fur off." She growled, tearing at some plants beside her and grinding them in her teeth, spitting them into her paw and pressing them against Reedstar's neck.

"S-She's mean." Slushkit stuttered quietly to his mother before squealing as the fire licked at the tip of his tail. "Run, hurry!" Mousestrike yowled, pushing Stemthorn in front of her. Copperheart couldn't see Echoclaw through the smoky haze, all he could do was stumble after the other cats into a tunnel, where it was cold, and damp, and the ground was was mushy with rain.

Splotchkit kept squirming in his jaws until Copperheart had to put him down, which was when he heard a grunt of pain.
He peered over the swarm of cats to see Reedstar shaking his head, the mark down his neck already healing into a jagged line across his throat. Sorreltail had stopped fighting and had sank to the ground, and she lifted her head miserably, green eyes clouded with grief and fear.

"I'm so sorry! I really am! Just- just don't make Splotchkit leave. I'll leave ShadowClan, you won't see me again, just if you can let-" Her choked pleads were cut off by Reedstar's scratchy reply. "Sorreltail, I understand. I am so sorry for your loss, I remember how upset I was when I lost Birchwing. I am okay, and you may always stay with us." He meowed levelly.

"That's all good and well,but our territory's getting burnt down." Stemthorn hissed with a lash of her tail. "It'll reach the water eventually, we just have to stay down here where it can't get us." Reedstar replied. Splotchkit coughed, huddled in a ball next to Sorreltail. Branchpaw and Poppypaw were close by, looking like they took most of the hits for their littermates. "Wait-where's Whitefeather?"

Word Count: 2,682 words (not including this)
Well, I was going to write more, but I thought you all deserved another cliffhanger, you love those, don't you? XD
What do you think? Was Whitefeather left back at camp? Did he fall behind? Did he die of smoke intake or exhaustion? Did he make it to the cave, or is he stuck outside of the tunnels, burning and suffocating? Well, you'll have to find out next week, one update every week! ;)