Silvershy's POV:

"Stay calm." Ebony meowed as Silvershy writhed and kicked in her nest. "I'll get help.

The silver she cat whimpered, clawing at the ground as the pain raged through her body. Her kits were coming fast. They weren't taking their time at all. At least it would be over quickly. If only Spectrum were here to help as she promised... Silvershy glanced around the clearing, her green gaze searching for Spectrum's black pelt, or gleaming pale eyes, but there was nothing. The Promethean was not coming back.

It wasn't long before Ebony returned. Java and Stump followed her, with another cat taking the rear. "This is our healer." Java meowed, stepping aside to allow the strange feline to crouch beside Silvershy. "His name is Wind."

Barely able to utter a simple greeting, Silvershy examined the healer as quietly as she could while his paws felt around her belly. The sand-coloured tom didn't seem trustworthy to her. Maybe it was her motherly instincts already kicking in, but she felt anxious giving her kits' lives to an unknown tom. It was all happening too fast, she hadn't expected her kits to arrive right at that moment, and her head was all over the place.

Appearing to sense her worry, Wind glanced briefly at Silvershy. "Don't worry, I'll deliver your kits safely to you. You have nothing to fear." The moment his gaze met hers, Silvershy felt much safer. His grey eyes had a warm glow to them, and they held such genuine care that the silver she cat found herself completely relaxing. Not all rogues were heartless and cruel. It seemed that Java's group worked much like a Clan, despite his resentment towards them.

Distracted, Silvershy didn't even realise the first kit was nearly out until Wind exclaimed. "The first kit is here already!" The pain erupted again, sharp but swift. It faded away as the first kit slipped onto the rocky ground, mewling almost immediately. Wind gasped as he gently picked up the wailing kit. "So strong!" The sand-coloured tom carefully placed the kit into the curve of Silvershy's belly, allowing the silver she cat to greet her first kit.

It was a beautiful black tom-kit, his chubby face an exact mirror of Tyler's. Silvershy purred, a sad smile on her lips. If only Tyler were here to see his kits being born.

Silvershy was interrupted when the pain returned, and Wind announced the steady arrival of the second kit. The silver she cat winced from the pain. This was going to be a long kitting.

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Shadeheart's POV:

He was a fool. An absolute fool.

Shadeheart hadn't even noticed Blossomfur's slow approach, he had been so distracted with persuading her to stop that he hadn't seen the way she had inched closer and closer to NoName... planning to strike when he wasn't paying attention.

The black furred tom had no time to think, his instincts took control. He moved to intercept Blossomfur's attack, but she had already reached NoName's throat. The red she cat couldn't move out of the way in time, all she could do was roll into a protective ball, her hind legs reaching out to kick Blossomfur back, but her futile attempts to fight back didn't stop the cream furred she cat from seizing her neck.

A terrible screech ripped through the den. It was so loud it made Shadeheart's ears ring for a while.

Warm, sticky blood pooled in Shadeheart's mouth, the iron taste making his jaws numb. He pulled away sharply, more blood spraying into the air.

The thump of a feline's body fell in sync with his heartbeat, making the dark furred tom visibly jump.

Dread filled his body, rushing through his veins. His blood roared within him, his heart pounding faster than a monster on the thunderpath. He could barely make sense of what he had done; he refused to look away from his now blood-soaked paws.

There was a wail from the den entrance. Someone had come to help. It's too late.

Shadeheart's golden gaze travelled slowly upwards, falling upon the limp body that lay before him. Her jaws were stretched wide, as if she were still trying to utter that awful screech from before. Her cream fur was splattered- no, coated- with blood. Her neck was ripped open; a gaping hole left by none other than Shadeheart's jaws. She didn't move.

"You killed Blossomfur." A murmur of disbelief sounded from behind Shadeheart. He didn't know who the cat was. To be honest with himself, he didn't care.

He had killed Blossomfur to save his mother. He had murdered his own mate the preserve the life of a shadow-wielding psychotic killer.

The realisation of his actions was too much to bear in silence, and so Shadeheart let parted his jaws to let out a long wail.

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Cinderkit's POV:

"Shh, it's okay Obsidiankit." Cinderkit cooed, patting the tiny black kit to try and quieten his mewls and cries. "Everything will be alright." The grey she kit promised, her gaze travelling briefly to NoName's den. Everyone in camp had heard the terrible screech. Many heads now peeked from their dens; even the prisoners were able to look outside as the guards were distracted.

Cinderkit shifted around in the hard soil. She and Obsidiankit had escaped the scene as soon as they could, and were taking shelter in the bushes near the camp wall. Cinderkit prayed that NoName was okay, Obsidiankit needed his mother. Without her...

The grey she cat swallowed thickly as stared at the den. Dime had already gone inside to investigate the commotion, and he had not come out. Everything was so quiet. The tension was thick in the air. What had happened? Cinderkit wondered if everyone was okay. Who made that screech? Fear plagued her thoughts as multiple possibilities rushed in, but the young she cat fought to stay calm. If Obsidiankit sees me freak out he'll be scared for sure. She wanted the little tom to stay as relaxed as possible.

A mournful wail made her jump, and Obsidiankit let out a loud mewl of surprise, which quickly morphed into cries of fear. Cinderkit patted him again, urging the small black tom to remain quiet. "You're safe here."

She had the intense urge to see what was wrong, but Cinderkit knew she had to stay at Obsidiankit's side. She couldn't let anything bad happen to him. If I wait, I'll find out eventually. She promised herself, refusing to look away from NoName's den.

It was some time before there was movement. A wave of small gasps passed through camp as Shadeheart emerged, carrying a limp body with him. Cinderkit immediately knew who it was, and she abandoned all responsibilities to race to her father's side. "Mother!" She cried, scrambling to Blossomfur's body. Shadeheart had stopped, letting his mate drop heavily to the ground so that Cinderkit could see her.

"M-Mother!" Cinderkit pawed at Blossomfur's face, her eyes wide. "Wake up!" She sobbed, feeling the sticky, cold blood glue itself to her grey paws, staining them a dark red. There was so much blood. So much... Did NoName do this?

"She's gone." Shadeheart mumbled, his golden eyes dull with grief. His face crumbled into a soft cry of anguish. "I did this to her." The black tom collapsed beside Blossomfur, tugging her body closer to him. His paws squeezed her blood-stained pelt, as if he believed he could give her life back with a hug.

Cinderkit watched as her father sobbed into his mate's fur. She felt an overwhelming feeling of saddness fall upon her, forcing the young she cat to a crouch. I'll never get to see my unborn siblings. She swallowed thickly, forcing back tears as she stared at her mother's swollen belly. Those innocent kits didn't even have a chance.

There was a presence behind her suddenly; a menacing one. "Where is Obsidiankit?" It was Dime. Cinderkit turned to meet her grandfather's gaze. He looked as stern as usual, seemingly holding no emotion at all.

The grey she kit mumbled in a soft voice. "The bushes over there." She pointed to where she had left Obsidiankit, suddenly feeling guilty for leaving him alone there.

Dime left in silence to retrieve his kit, leaving Cinderkit alone with his father and dead mother. She couldn't help the small whimper that left her lips as she looked back at Blossomfur. She really was gone. For good. Why did I fight with you so much? She gently ran a paw over her mother's foreleg. I never had the chance to apologise.

"Oh Blossomfur." Shadeheart whispered into his dead mate's fur. "Forgive me Blossomfur. Forgive me please."

Cinderkit padded closer to her father. "Forgive you? You really did this to her?"

"I.." He didn't look at his kit as he spoke. "I-I did.. I k-killed her, Cinderkit. I killed your mother."

Cinderkit's eyes widened at the confession, taking a step back. "Why?"

"I-I don't know!" Shadeheart cried. "It all happened to fast, I.. I'm sorry Cinderkit. I really am." He reached out for her, his teary golden eyes searching to meet her gaze.

Cinderkit met his gaze, curling into her father's chest fur. "It's okay." She sighed, looking down at her paws. She didn't want to waste time dwelling on the past. She couldn't change the fact that Shadeheart had killed Blossomfur, and she didn't care why he had done it. She trusted her father enough to know that he was a good cat, and that he had no other choice in the matter. She looked to the positive side of the disaster; NoName was most likely unscathed. Obsidiankit still had his mother.

Shadeheart seemed relieved with Cinderkit's acceptance, and she smiled as she sensed a burst of joy rush through her father. Even in grief there was still room for happiness, even if it were only for a few heartbeats.

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