Silverflame's Fall

Chapter 11 (Winter's Frost)

I thought for a while Starclan would be kind, I had lost so much. But these kits where a wonderful gift. Alas that was to much to hope for, only a few sunrise after Skyfall gave birth I went out to hunt and I wish I could have changed things. I went out with Stormbreeze and Creamfur, my brother was glowing with joy. Saying he couldn't wait for his kits to be born, and hinted that Stormbreeze and I should have kits.

I huffed at him, "I already have kits."

"Yeah, but you can have more than one litter." He giggled.

Stormbreeze and I shared a look. Stormbreeze tripped him and I tackled him. I sat on top of him but he pushed me off.

"You may be quick sis, but I'll always be bigger."

Stormbreeze poke him in the belly, "That's a good thing."

I snorted as the two toms tussled. Then my ears flicked upwares, at the sound of leaves rustling. My pelt fluffed up, as the sent of fox hit my nose.

"Guys?" My voice isn't as strong as it normally is, so they dont hear me.

They continued to play fight, and I hear the snarled too late to warn them. A fox stands above them two pups behind her. The bark send the warrior apart, and I bond up next to them. My fur is straight up. We stood shoulder to shoulder. The toms looked shocked, so I took over.

"They can't stay in our territory. Drive them out or kill them?" I asked.

Both toms paused for a moment, and Stormbrezze spoke, "We have kits in camp."

"We kill them all." My brother snarled. I flicked my ear, thinking of all the kits in the nursery.

"Stormbrezze," I turned to the leaner warrior, "Run back to camp and get help. We will hold them here for now."

He nodded and turned tail and ran, Creamfur lept and the mother and I went for her legs. Everything tunneled, and I can still see it when I close my eyes. I was powerless to stop what happened. We shared our attacks jump in and out. Back and forth we must have become predictable. Because she grabbed Creamfur when he lept at, she was bloody and weak. But she still had some power left in her. She snapped her jaws shut with him in them. All I could do was scream. She left him go and he flew and high the ground hard. Before I could get to his side the patrol turned up to save us. I knew somehow. That there was no getting him back to camp, I padded it over to him. Nosing him gently, I could feel history repeating itself. He looked up at me, his eye sad.

"I'll never be able back, you'll take care of them? won't you."

I nodded, "yeah, of course I will."

He reached up and put his paw on my chest, "it's not your fault, don't blame yourself. I watch over you always."

Then the light in his eyes flickered and went out. He's paw drop to the floor, and his pelt became silent. I pressed my muzzle deep into his fur, and sobbed. I had lost him again, my brother. He told me not to blame myself. But that's all I could do, when we dragged his body back into camp. All I could do was stand there mutually as I heard as if from far away Shadeleaf's scream. She didn't blame me, she knew how much I loved him. But she was almost a moon from giving birth. And raising kits by yourself is never easy. I knew that first hand. Lizardblaze wouldn't let me go back to my kits, covered in blood. It was the first time she had bathed me since I've been in the nursery.

"Only we can know the pain of losing him twice." She sighed, "It doesn't get any easier."

I didn't reply, I didn't need to, I have been there for both. Watching him die and spending his last moments with me. His final words were all I had. The last time we have been apprentices. And I had taken his words to heart, I've become the biggest and the best warrior in all of camp. This time what can I use to be a Valkyrie of his words? I can take care of his family. But I have my own this time, I have two beautiful kits, raise into warriors. How can I take care of his family, if his mate only see me with those sad eyes.