She struggled away from them, crashing into hard muscle. Thistleclaw and Snowtuft attacked from opposite sides, snarling, slicing her ears. She twisted and ducked under him as he leaped, but his claws sank into her tail and pinned her to the ground. If these cats could accept their destinies, then he had enough courage to accept his. Their destinies shaped ours, right from the moment they were born.' And now that we know about the prophecy, surely the only thing that matters is that these kits were accepted by their Clan? It's not about us, after all. 'It was my fault alone,' Leafpool meowed quietly. Whatever you did, it was because of the lies taht had been told when you were born.' 'You played no part in this deception, I know that. Or a better daughter, Hollyleaf.' Hollyleaf opened her mouth as if to protest, but Brambleclaw spoke first.

'And I couldn't have asked for a better son. Something in the deputy's expression changed. 'I was so proud to be your son'.īrambleclaw looked at him in surprise, as if he'd forgotton Lionblaze was there. 'Don't throw away everything just because you are angry with me!' 'Yes, you were!' Squirrelflight thrust her muzzle close to Brambleclaw's. 'But I wasn't their father!' Brambleclaw hissed. I loved you, and was proud to raise these kits with you. 'You have to understand that I never intended to hurt you. Her voice was stronger now, as if she was tired of being punished for something she had believed to be right. Squirrelflight moved closer to the ThunderClan deputy. In his darkest moments, he couldn't deny that. Leafpool had sacrificed so much and, even though her kits rejected her time and again, she'd never stopped loving them. Perhaps this was the truth that was most important. 'I watched my kits grow into fine warrior, and I still serve my Clan with all my heart'. 'She lost everything anyway', Brambleclaw snarled.

'Did there have to be so many lies?' He was staring at Squirrelflight. 'Will you fight alongside me?'Ĭinderheart pressed her muzzle fiercely against his. 'Did you see that?Ĭinderheart was watching the shadow disappear into the trees. Stepping back in surprise, he saw it peel away from her and drift up like a cobweb carried by the wind. Lionblaze glimpsed a pale gray shape appear like a shadow beside Cinderheart. 'And I choose you'.Ī breeze stirred the ferns. She lived her own life'.Ĭinderheart gasped. It's your choice! This is your destiny, not Cinderpelt's. 'You can only live one life, Cinderheart. 'She gave you the choice'.Ĭinderheart began to tremble. How can it be my choice to make? Doesn't Cinderpelt have a choice? I can't make her a warrior! She was a medicine cat!' 'I feel as though there are two lives inside me, not one. “My head is so full of memories!' Cinderheart wailed.

The Last Hope by Erin Hunter