I Don't Wanna Live Forever

HeavenClan: The Battle of Lionhearts Part 1

Wolfwing's POV

HeavenClan was gathered near the entrance of the tunnels, waiting for Butterflystar and Starlingstar to return. Tulipheart came running back into the tunnels and told us what happened with Skybeauty. Stormpool stood in front of all of us, ready to attack Skybeauty if he needed to. But we hoped it didn't have to come to that.

And Shrimp told me that he was going to fight for HeavenClan. It shouldn't have bothered me so much, but it did. The thought of my best friend getting killed was too much for me. The tom that had helped me through this journey of motherhood and finding our old territory again. My heart ached more than I was comfortable with.

I was going to fight, I had no reason not to. Some of HeavenClan's warriors unsheathed their claws in anticipation, but other warriors such as Marquis and Priscilla were reluctant to fight. The latter had the excuse of needing to watch her kits, but Marquis was in a tough spot, trying to avoid looking at Fireflight.

I needed some reassurance, so I got up and sat down next to Marquis.

"Hey Marquis." I whispered. "I know we don't talk much, but I'm worried about Shrimp."

"You're worried about him getting killed like...can I say his name?" Marquis asked, I nodded. "Eddy? You're thinking of what happened to him?"

I wasn't, not consciously anyway, but Eddy's death was different. It was so devastating because I was in love with him, but what about Shrimp? Me caring about his life couldn't be a sign that I loved him, or could it? He broke up with Kestrelstripe for me!

"Um, not until now." I whispered, feeling lightheaded. "I don't think I'm in love with Shrimp, so why does the idea of him dying tear me apart?"

"Maybe because you care about him and he's your friend?" Marquis shrugged. "The last thing I want is for Fireflight to fight, but I can't decide that anymore can I? I think you should tell Shrimp how you feel about this while you have the chance."

"You're right, it's important for us to talk this out." I got up. "Thanks Marquis, do you want me to say anything to Fireflight?"

"No, it won't matter." Marquis looked at the ground. When I looked at the hoard of cats gathered near the tunnel entrance, I realized how right Marquis was.

Fireflight sat closest to the entrance with a vehement gaze, unsheathed claws, and his tail was constantly swishing left to right. Amazingly, he seemed the most determined to kill Gunner out of everyone else.

Gunner had a lot coming to him with all the cats he's hurt. Priscilla and Tasha, two cats that weren't friends at first, were leaned in together speaking in hushed whispers. Darkfang, Gunner's second mate, was talking to her kits. The rest of the cats born to RainbowClan seemed extra fired up to give Gunner and his rogues what they deserved.

I approached Shrimp as he was talking to Chase and Tasha, presumably about Gunner, and lightly tapped his shoulder with my tail.

"Um, Shrimp? I wanted to-"

"Our leaders are back!" A warrior shouted. I saw Jaspershade run past us as he nuzzled Starlingstar affectionately.

"It took all of my willpower not to go out there." Jaspershade growled. "Tell me that snake is dead."

"I killed her." Butterflystar answered. "And I have something to announce: a new RainbowClan is coming. After we kill Gunner and defeat his rogues, there will be no more fear within this Clan. If any of you kill another, you'll suffer more than Skybeauty ever did. I will never let a murderer stay in this Clan again."

Many of her warriors shrunk back in fear except Omegawing, who gave a respectful nod.

"Hopefully you've gotten enough battle training in, because we attack now." Starlingstar puffed her chest, staring into the crowd of cats with a bright passion that can only be tamed by the blood of our enemies. Gunner's blood.

"Let's go!" Butterflystar shouted. "No waiting for a signal, just run into the camp!"

Her sudden confidence wasn't sudden, given that we'd outnumber any group Gunner had. Suddenly, the cats closest to the entrance took off with wild yowls that broke into the sky. 

"WOO! Let's kick some furry ass!" Dan shouted, leaping ahead of the other cats with Arin and Suzy following him.

When Shrimp got on his four paws, I stood between him and the entrance.

"I don't want you to fight." I confessed. "I l-lost Eddy, and I don't want the same thing to happen to you. I k-know it's stupid because we were raised to fight, but I can't lose you. I...care about you so much-"

"You don't need to say anymore, you're right. I won't go, but I don't want you to go either. Your kits need you." Shrimp sighed. "I would've told you earlier, but you seemed so pumped to fight."

"It would've been for AngelClan, but yeah. Why did we think fighting was a good idea in the first place? HeavenClan will be fine." We walked back to the temporary Nursery. "I mean, we'll miss seeing Gunner pay for everything he did, so that's a shame."

"I'm sure all of our bloodthirsty Clanmates won't spare any details." Shrimp laughed, curling his tail around two of my kits.

I looked to my left to see Crowsky playing with the rest of my kits; Auroradawn looked on with a dead look in her eyes.

"She could've been here." Auroradawn mumbled bitterly. Crowsky lifted his head, looking at his friend sympathetically before replying with "I know."

I rested beside Shrimp, hoping to protect him for a long time. And when he looked down at me with those beautiful blue eyes, I finally felt safe.

Marquis' POV

I had to run into the fight so I could keep track of where Fireflight was at. I tried pushing through the army of warriors, barely spotting his bright orange pelt running through the forest.

The camp that we called home was riddled with ugly and menacing cats, rogues that leaped and yowled as soon as we came into sight.

"Protect Gunner!" A fluffy black she-cat yowled before several warriors knocked her over. Every rogue was surrounded and outnumbered by our combined Clan, and yet Gunner was nowhere to be found.

"Where the hell is this guy?" Arin hissed. I heard a branch creak behind me, and I turned around, There was nothing there.

"Hey, it's-"

I turned around, Gunner's jaws were around Fireflight's neck as he lifted him up and slammed him into a tree with one swift motion.

My former mate fell onto the ground, stiff as stone.