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"FINALLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!"

"Storm! Shut your mouth! I know you can finally go out, but be quiet! You're going to attract all the foxes, badgers, and dogs here!"

"You're not my mother!"

"No, but I AM YOUR OLDER SISTER. And I TELL YOU TO SHUSH!"

The expression on Storm's face was hilarious, and Brook burst out laughing. "Shut up!" He fumed at Brook. "Shush. Follow me, kits." Rosemary ordered. Storm glared at Snowflake as she passed him, and Blaze nudged him sternly. "Wow," Brook gasped ounce they headed out the den, "It's amazing!" Storm seemed to be in awe, too. "Are you going to show us around?" Storm asked, squeaking in excitement. "No, I'm afraid not." Blaze meowed, and his tail drooped, "Maybe another day." He meowed. "Alright." Storm pouted. 

They led the kits back into the den. "Rose, nap for a while." Blaze coaxed. "Why?" Rosemary asked, "I have to watch the kits." She insisted. "Snowflake and I will watch them." Blaze meowed. "Alrightttt." Rosemary huffed. But her mate was right, she was exhausted, but she didn't like admitting it. Rosemary curled up on her mossy nest and Blaze lay down and started grooming her. She watched the kits listen to a story from Snowflake before resting her chin on Blaze's paws, twining her tail with his, and listened to the rasping of Blaze's tongue as it lured her to sleep.

_____

"Have you forgetten?" Maple snarled. "Forgetten wha-oh. The prophecy." Rosemary meowed, surprised. "You must get ready!" Maple insisted. "You will fight your one ally, and break one of your most deep promises." Maple meowed sternly. "What promise?"  Rosemary asked. "I never made one." Maple growled in frustration, "You'll see and remember when the time comes." She meowed. And then, she saw a shape through the mist surrounding her and Maple. 

The shape drew closer and closer, and she could make out a black cat...just like...

Her father.

"You're Shadow?" Rosemary gasped. The cat purred, "Don't worry. I'm no "nightmare". I'm your father." He meowed. Rosemary beamed. She had never thought she would ever meet him. "I'm afraid we have to go." Shadow meowed, glancing at Maple, who gave him a nod. "But.." She started to say. "I'm sorry, my kit. I promise we will meet again, in the Shimmering Spirits." He promised. She smiled and nodded, watching the two shapes fade away, before she faded away herself.

_____

She sighed. What promises had she made? It was sun-blaze, and everyone was taking a nap, or taking a break from the heat. Everyone..besides her. I have made no promises... She thought. She was wrong.


Can you guess what promise she made? SPOILER ALERT: Reread chapter eight to find out! 

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