Greenleaf is finally here, for real. It's as beautiful as I remember it. The whole world has opened up in a huge and perfect yes. I watch, my heart full of pure bliss, as Amberkit and Everkit play side by side with Phantomkit and Mousekit, who are soon to become apprentices when leafbare comes.

Sunshadow, who has just become a warrior, is tail in tail with Cobrastrike. The solemn warrior finally found someone to open up to, and I'm happy for them both.

Lilyfrost yells, "Icestorm!" I prick my ears suddenly, and she's there, looking for me. Blinking, I walk over to her.

"Do you need something?"

"Oh, I just thought you'd want to see how they're coming along. Mousekit and Phantomkit just love playing with them, you see." She gestures to the kits who are both hers and mine, Amberkit and Everkit.

Everkit looks up at me with his huge blue eyes, confused by the sudden attention to him and his littermate. I assume they're not related by blood, because there could not be two kits less alike, in both character and appearance. Amberkit, who wants nothing to do with the 'big cats', spends his days dozing in the sun, his red fur glittering in the warm golden rays. Everkit, in stark contrast, rarely leaves the shelter of his adopted mother and I. Lilyfrost is so kind to him.

It's almost like Everstone is among us again, and this time, we will keep him safe from nightmares and calico cats who clasp in their paws the blue fire of souls.

Greenleaf comes with it's own prices. I hear a loud hacking, and run to the medicine den. "Is he having another one?" I ask, concerned.

"Yes, he is. He's not going to hold out for long." Nightsky shakes her head, looking down at the shivering old cat.

I feel pity stab me like a sharp claw, and I press my head against the grizzled flank of the cat who had been my only father for so many moons.

"Please... just... one last squirrel." He asks, and Nightsky looks down at him in angry disbelief.

"That's all you can think of on your deathbed?! A squirrel?!"

He nods feebly, and I walk outside to get him one to find the prey pile empty. A squirrel chatters in a nearby tree, and my mouth salivates. Just one deathbed wish, and then I'll fill my own empty stomach later. I run after the squirrel, chasing it up the tree. I don't have it's grace and versatility in the treetops, but I still manage to corner it and bite it's neck, bringing my catch down the tree.

I bring it back to Volcanoheart, who's shuddering coughs now fill the whole clearing. I pad into the medicine den where many cats are gathered, Mothstar at their helm.

"Please. Allow me a few minutes with my granddaughter."

"What about Flintfang?" asks Mothstar.

"Please." Volcanoheart says no more.

Everyone clears out, Flintfang casting a worried look over one shoulder as he leaves. The two of us, just me and the crazy old cat, are alone now.

"You- she's coming. I- all my fault. I should've..."

"That cat. You summoned her?"

"Icestorm, you need to know the truth-"

"Tell me." I say, hardly containing my rage.

"Kittypets and rogues don't go to StarClan, but when my mate died... I pleaded to StarClan and they promised that the firstborn daughter of my firstborn would be her reincarnation. However," He breaks up coughing, "The spirit didn't take hold. You got everything I loved... about her... and all that's left is an empty shell. Revenge. It... please forgive me?"

I look down at this desperate cat, his eyes deep and tired, about to make their final journey on to StarClan. I think about Firepool, and then I think about Talonfall, about Snowkit, about Dawnpaw. I close my eyes and reimagine the lights, snuffing out, one by one.

"No. I can't."

I've betrayed him in his final moments. His expression is one of utmost pain as blood trickles down his mouth, his glazed eyes rolling back into his head.

I see another blue flare disappear, and I know there aren't many left. I also know who's coming next. I lean into him, and whisper into his ear, "I hope you end up in the Dark Forest."