Pale light filled the clearing, giving it a strange eerie air. The clumps of heather and fern rustled in the slight breeze, the wind almost enough to whisk away Nightfeather's worries.

Almost.

The black she-cat gave a sigh as she stared into the darkness that is ShadowClan territory. It had been so long since she had breathed in the comforting scent of pine and night air. Now that the battle was over, it had all come rushing back, and the weight on her had increased until she felt she couldn't take it anymore. She had been chosen to guard camp, but the cool air made the job even more difficult.

Nightfeather shivered and shook out her pelt. Leaf-fall was approaching, signaled by the amber or red leaf here or there. She perked up a bit at the thought of leaf-bare. It was her favorite season, with its frosty weather and snowflakes.

She opened her jaws to taste the air, wrinkling her nose in disgust. The strange mixture of Clan and rogue scent still filled her nostrils, though ShadowClan scent lied deep under.

Nightfeather curled her tail around her paws and looked up, trying to catch a glimpse of the stars. She smiled a little when she spotted them, littered across the dark indigo sky in strange patterns. They sparkled softly beneath the light of the moon.

A voice sounded behind her. "I couldn't sleep."

Nightfeather's eyes widened, and her strance immediately stiffened. Sparrowwing was the one thought on her mind.

His husky voice filled the air once again as he sat beside her. "I'm sorry."

Nightfeather avoided his burning gaze, rage bubbling in her throat. He didn't deserve to be forgiven. "Go away." She spat. "I'm sure you have better she-cats to play with."

Sparrowwing laughed. "You're cute."

Nightfeather whipped around, eyes glittering with anger. "Don't call me cute!" She snarled. "You betrayed me for...for a rogue! "

His yellow eyes glazed over with shock. "How did you know?"

Nightfeather avoided his gaze. "That's none of your business."

Sparrowwing shook his head. "No, no. Nightfeather, I'm so sorry." His voice cracked. "I didn't mean to. I just-"

Nightfeather cut him off with a hiss. "Oh, of course. You didn't mean to. You're sorry. Well guess what? I'm done with your apologies."

Sparrowwing didn't respond for a moment, and when he did, his voice was deathly calm. "Get back to camp, Nightfeather."

Nightfeather dug her claws into the ground. She glared at him, hoping to see the tiniest bit of weakness, but there was none. There was only regret.

She screwed her eyes shut. "I just want you to know," she whispered, "that I still love you. I don't know why, but I do."

Sparrowwing's eyes sparkled with curiousity for a few seconds before he turned back to the forest.

Nightfeather tried to ignore the ache in her heart and sprinted back into the camp, tail stiff as she ducked into the warrior's den. She made her way through the many wounded, exhausted bodies until she finally found her nest. Next to it lied Sparrowwing's. She bit back a sob and turned away, eyes narrowed as she attempted to sink into sleep.

》》》》》》》》》

Finchwing was waiting for her the second she opened her eyes, gaze flashing. She smiled even wider when Nightfeather faded into view.

"You're finally here!" She exclaimed sweetly. Nightfeather shivered at her tone, but she continued. "Oh, I'm so glad you got rid of that annoying tom."

Nightfeather felt rage wash over her as she dug her claws into the ground. "Get this thing out of my head!" She hissed. The nasty voice in the back of her mind had pulled her into sleep, whispering about how worthless she was and how Sparrowwing was right to have left her.

Finchwing smirked and tutted. "Oh, no, Nightfeather. You chose this. You can't back out now."

Nightfeather got up, her heart beginning to race as she panicked. "No," she whispered, voice coming out as a squeak. "No, please! I don't want this anymore!"

Finchwing cackled and stepped closer. She used her tail to gesture to a puddle of water next to them. "Then perhaps you'd like to get a little...revenge?"

Nightfeather gazed into the pool, eyes widening when a black she-cat with white paws appeared. Her amber eyes glowed as she nuzzled into the neck of a familair brown tabby tom. Sparrowwing.

Finchwing flicked her tail. "You don't need to come back here. Pass it on to someone else."

Nightfeather's eyes hardened as the she-cat's belly seemed to grow plump, as if she was expecting.

"Do it," Nightfeather hissed.

Finchwing smiled and used a paw to touch the water, shattering the picture. "Perfect. You never need to come here again."

As the scene began to blur and fade in front of Nightfeather, the black she-cat pricked her ears. A voice began to echo, louder and louder until it becane a defeaning scream.

Beware the night. Beware the night. Beware the night.

》》》》》》》》》》

Sunlight filtered through the warrior's den, as Nightfeather opened her eyes, still groggy from sleep. The soft breathing around her siganled that some cats were still asleep.

The black she-cat slowly got up, shaking out her long fur. She glanced at a puddle that rested next to her nest, seemingly unfazed by the warm light of day.

"How are you feeling, dear?" Leaftail inquired as she padded into the den.

Nightfeather gave the tabby she-cat a smile. Ever since Fawnfur's death, she had become quite the mother figure to her. She guessed that Leaftail felt it was her duty, now that her best friend was gone. It was her way of grieving.

"Great. I'm just happy we got our camp back." The black she-cat purred.

Leaftail's eyes brightened at this. "How about we visit Lilyheart?"

Nightfeather curled her tail and nodded. Willowkit, Sagekit, and Robinkit were probably old enough to play.

Leaftail turned around, stepping over a snoozing Addertooth. Nightfeather followed, ducking into the clearing. It wasn't very lively, with most cats either sleeping or hunting. Thornpaw and Runningpaw looked as if they were in a heated debate.

Lilyheart perked up at the sight of Nightfeather. The black she-cat was glad to see how much happier the queen seemed to be.

"Hi Nightfeather!" She meowed in her usual soft tone. "The kits were just asking about you."

A high-pitched voice rose indignantly from behind her. "Sagekit was asking! Not me!"

Nightfeather watched, amused, as Willowkit sauntered out to the open. She shot her mother a glare before turning to the two she-cats. "Hi, I'm Willowkit." She started, sounding very professional.

Leaftail leaned down to give the kit's ear a lick. "We know who you are, little one. Where are your littermates?"

Willowkit huffed. "I don't care about them. They think I'm mean."

Lilyheart gave her a warning glnace before curling a tail around her. "Now, now." She meowed quietly. "Your siblings love you very much."

Willowkit pouted, but sank into her mother's belly fur. "That's not what Auntie Birdsong said."

Nightfeather purred. She liked this kit. She seemed confident and mature.

"Oh?" Lilyheart rumbled.

Willowkit nodded. "Auntie said that as long as you love someone, you don't need their love as well. She said that your own fills up your heart enough."

Nightfeather felt a pang in her chest and sat down. Those words seemed so mature. They clicked perfectly with her. She glanced at the silver kit and smiled.

Lilyheart nodded. "Are you sleepy?"

Willowkit shook her head, then let out a yawn. "No..." she trailed off as her eyelids drooped.

Leaftail flicked her tail and got up. "Come on, Nightfeather."

Nightfeather followed her out of the nursery, smiling a bit to herself. The black she-cat yelped when she bumped into Leaftail, who had stopped.

There, on the ground in front of the medicine den, lied a heap of fur. Blood was seeping from a large wound on its back.

Only when Leaftail screamed the name did Nightfeather recognize who it was.

"Runningpaw!"

》》》》》》》》

Gasp!

I just relaized next chapter is ch. 20 0.o

But seriously guys, thanks for sticking with me through this.

Question; Favorite cat from my book?

Answer: tie between Lilyheart, Nightfeather, Snowstripe, Dawnpaw, and Duskpaw tbh.

Who still ships DuskxDawn?

*raises hand*

Lol

Dont forget, once I finish this book, two mini books will come out.

Dawnpaw's Regret

And

Rosestar's Story

I'm really excited about these two! X3

I feel like I need to get more in depth with Rosestar. What do you think, should I do a short part of a chapter from her point of view? Or should Nightfeather ask about her, or???

Thanks for reading!

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