What is Everything Comong To?

Nestflame and Rippleblaze waited until all the cats had left to their dens to bring Dreamstar over to the leaders den. Dreamstar sat down, her pelt on end, dried blood matting her fur.

"How... did this happen? I just remember Cloudriver coming to me, and then going to this huge cave in StarClan... I met a cat there, Stillflame. He... I'm not sure. Then, I woke up here. It looks like a lot has changed."

Rippleblaze nodded, sitting beside her. Nestflame stood still.

"We can't tell the clan... not yet. It would freak them out. I'll go talk with StarClan, see what they have to say about this. For now, stay here and don't let anyone in."

Dreamstar nodded.

"What has happened while I was... ummm... dead?"

Rippleblaze smiled soflty.

"Lots. Markstar and Strongspirit became mates and had kits. Wanderpaw, Blazedpaw, Silhoettepaw, and Shatteredpaw. And she's expecting again. Can Strongspirit know?"

Nestflame nodded.

"Yes, she should be able to know. Only a few cats, so we can discuss."

Rippleblaze nodded and continued.

"Then, some sad things. Like, Ridgefeather."

Dreamstar tilted her head.

"Ridgefeather. He got his full name. That's great. Where is he?"

Nestflame ducked his head, and Rippleblaze cleared his throat.

"On the night he got his full name, they were attacked. They found Stormbreak, dead, on the top of the MoonCave. Then some unknown cats attacked them. Ridgefeather was almost about to die. But, he was brought to the two-legs. They healed him."

Dreamstar nodded.

"Cats attacked you... at the MoonCave. Is he back?"

Nestflame shook his head, his voice turning cold and bitter as he started to speak.

"No. I thought he was dead for moons. I heard nothing from him. Except about a moon ago, I saw him. We talked... fought I guess. He doesn't want to come back. He... he found love. There was a she-cat living with him, and he can deny it all he wants, but I could tell in his voice about the way he spoke about her. But... he was hurt. He wanted to come back. He would have if that she-cat hadn't been there! He's turned into a kitty-pet."

Dreamstar sighed.

"It's not your fault Nestflame. Maybe this was his destiny."

"I-I don't care. I failed. I thought he would come back. I've failed so many times. With Rosedawn. We were supposed to work together, then she found love too."

Rippleblaze shook his head.

"Then, later on there was another battle with BlackClan. Covepaw, Markstar's other son was killed as a new apprentice. But Erol, he drove Fierystar out of BlackClan and took over. Sunnyblade, she joined LakeClan and I heard she had kits with Erol. Icycurrent also left to go back to BlackClan, and Rosedawn just disappeared... So we don't have to worry about BlackClan anymore. Then Markstar grew sick... He appointed Grin as deputy, because he got a sign from StarClan. Grin found out that Markstar had been purposefully poisoned, and Grin should have been poisoned too. And you... sort of know the rest."

She nodded sadly.

"Can you bring him in here? I-i want to say good-bye."

Rippleblaze nodded, and went out with Nestflame to bring Markstar into the leader's den.

Dreamstar buried her nose into her son's fur, silent tears running down her face.

"Did I ruin his life?"

Rippleblaze narrowed his eyes.

"Huh?"

"Did I ruin his life!? He was only 9 moons when he was made leader! 9 moons! He never got a chance to be young. Because of me. I took it away."

Rippleblaze shook his head.

"No Dreamstar... It was StarClan's choice. He did fine as leader. Sometimes... you could tell he would wish he didn't have to be. But he coped. He lived. He loved. He died. He couldn't have asked for a better life."

Dreamstar sighed and licked Markstar's fur gently.

"But he died so young... He was murdered."

Rippleblaze pressed his forehead to Dreamstar's.

"That is a warriors life. He's my son too Dreamstar. I'm going to miss him a lot too."

Dreamstar closed her eyes and curled into a ball. Rippleblaze brought Markstar back outside for the elders to bury him, then lay next to Dreamstar.

"We'll figure what's happening. We will."

Dreamstar sighed and drifted into sleep.

::---::

Ridgefeather lay curled on the couch when he heard Maple leap onto it. He opened one eye to see her sitting on the edge, her tail twitching back and forth.

"R-ridgefeather."

He lifted his head, and yawned.

"Ya? Is something wrong."

"I-i'm not sure. Not for me, but... maybe for you."

He narrowed his eyes.

"What do you mean Maple?"

"You may not like it. Because... of what you are."

He blinked, trying to figure out what was wrong.

"Are you hurt...?"

"No. Not hurt."

He stared at her eyes, they were filled with worry, but hidden behind that was excitement.

"Maple... what do you mean because of what I am?"

She whispered quietly.

"Because you're a medicine cat..."

At that he understood.

"Oh. Oh!"

Maple looked away.

"I'll let you think it over."

Ridgefeather didn't say anything, just watched as she leaped away.