"sunwhisker, we're supposed to be working together!! i cant believe you forgot."

sunwhisker felt guilty when he watched lariana stalk into camp with deerleap and acornfang.

he had completely forgotten about her.

"look, im sorry. but featherstar was talking to me, i cant just ignore her!"

lariana huffed. "good thing im killing her soon. i dont need anyone to distract you."

lariana growled and stalked away, and a rush of guilt hit sunwhisker.

lariana was going to kill featherstar... and he knew that. he could always rat lariana out right now, but... he couldnt do that.

they were destined to be together, ever since kithood. they were made for eachother.

sunwhisker watched her go, wondering if he should say anything.

he decided against it. maybe she just needed time alone.

he would talk to her tomorrow. it was getting late, anyway.

he sighed, his eyes eyes landing on goldenswoop and bunnysnow.

maybe he would try to talk to them.

he padded over, putting on a fake smile.

"uh, hi guys! what're you talking about?"

goldenswoop sat up, licking her paw and drawing it over her ear. "the cats that were lost in the flood."

bunnysnow gave her a stern look. "goldenswoop!!" she hissed, narrowing her eyes.

goldenswoop gasped, realizing her mistake. "o-oh, im sorry sunwhisker... i know its a touchy subject for you..."

sunwhisker sighed, looking at his paws. "no, its fine. we can still talk about it if youd like, it wasnt just my family lost in the flood."

grief crossed over goldenswoop's face. he remembered her father, who had also died in the flood.

bunnysnow laid her tail on goldenswoop's shoulder. "the flood was terrible, and it will definitely take time for the clan to move on. but we can still remain strong. we lost so many great cats in the flood, but we still have so many great cats here. take featherstar, for example. we are lucky to still have her. if she would have died, who knows what would have happened? ivypaw isnt old enough to take over."

sunwhisker nodded. despite everything bunnysnow has been through, she always remains positive. she was a great friend to have around.

"life.... it sucks sometimes." goldenswoop whispered, her eyes set on her paws.

bunnysnow nodded, "yes, it does. but look at us! we are alive and strong. yes, both of you lost family members, but this can help us become stronger. goldenswoop, cloudydune loved you very much. you were his last surviving kit. you can still make him proud! he watches from above now, and he'll make sure that nothing happens to you.

and sunwhisker- ferntalon, flowerpetal, swaybreeze, and lightstripe couldn't have loved you more. so as the last cat in your family, show them that you can be strong! you both have your whole lives ahead of you. make it count!"

bunnysnow's words of encouragement lifted sunwhisker a little.

but goldenswoop... she still didnt look up.

sunwhisker sighed. he wasnt as close to the golden molly as he was when they were kits.

he didnt know what to say to her.

"thank you for the encouraging words, bunnysnow. it means a lot. but im going to go to sleep now, goodnight you two."

bunnysnow smiled. "goodnight, sunwhisker. sleep well."

-

sunwhisker opened his eyes, familiar pelts surrounding him.

not this again..

flowerpetal jumped up, and sunwhisker felt water surrounding his paws.

"flood! everyone, get out! evacuate!"

sunwhisker wasnt sure who had yelled it, he was too busy looking for lightstripe. he noticed her standing at the den entrance, looking out wildly.

cats filed out of the large den.

sunwhisker was last to leave, being sure every cat had escaped the den.

making it out in the cave, it was already filling quickly.

he needed to get out. and quickly.

screams of terror came from the advisors den.

and thats when his heart almost stopped.

a fallen tree had been swept into the cave... and now it was trapped in front of the advisors den.

and ferntalon was in there.

sunwhisker yelped in terror, half running and half swimming over to it.

as soon as he reached it, he threw his body at the tree, trying to move it.

it didnt even budge.

he spotted a tiny hole inside.

he poked his muzzle in.

"ferntalon? can you hear me?!"

"son! you must go, get out of here!"

"but... but dad!! i cant leave you, youll die!"

a moment of silence passed.

"sunwhisker... everyone in here has accepted that we are dying. son, don't be scared. every cat has their own time to die, and this is not yours. go, now. get out of camp, and make sure your mother and sisters are safe."

sunwhisker's throat went dry.

"ferntalon, ill get you out! i promise!"

"sunwhisker, no! get out! i swear if you dont leave this second-"

"sunwhisker!" lightstripe called, "sunwhisker, its no use! come on, we need to leave!"

the water was getting higher by the second.

but he wouldnt leave without saving ferntalon.

he ignored his sister.

he clawed at the tree, using all of his strength to try and move it.

"sunwhisker, please! i... i know its hard, buddy. but you need to accept that im dead for. im sorry, sunwhisker. and ill miss you very much. but youll be okay without me. youre strong. tell lightstripe and flowerpetal i love them very much."

a sob escaped from sunwhisker.

no. no no no no.

this was... this was just a nightmare. soon he will wake up next to flowerpetal. he will go on the morning patrol with ferntalon. he would go hunting later in the day with firelight.

everything would be fine.

"sunwhisker?!"

flowerpetal was calling for him, but he wouldnt give up just yet.

"son.... i love you. dont forget that."

and that marked the night where not only ferntalon died, but also lightstripe, flowerpetal, and several other cats.

turtleclan would never be the same after.

* author's note

I KNOW I JUST POSTED A CHAPTER BUT I CANT HELP IT I WANT YOU ALL TO SOB WITH ME 💕

also make sure to vote and comment how you feel about this chapter 😏