I'm sorry, guys. This is the last chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 17
"Leafpaw, please. What's wrong?" Skypaw asked.
Leafpaw turned around and faced Skypaw, Whitepaw, and Spiderpaw. "My sister found Mistpaw in a cage, among the other missing cats, me included. But when we were on our way back, Mistpaw was struck by a monster when we crossed a Thunderpath."
Skypaw's eyes became huge. "You don't mean…" she began.
"I'm sorry, Skypaw. He's dead," said Leafpaw.
"No!" Skypaw shouted, waking up her four kits.
Spiderpaw and Whitepaw bent their heads down in sadness. Skypaw felt hopeless. Later, Firestar came in and told the three that Graystripe had been taken by Twolegs. That only made things worse. She tried to be strong for her new children, but while they slept that night, she stayed up, filled with grief beyond measure.
A week later, the clans gathered at Sunningrocks, the party ready to leave. A few elders chose to stay behind. As the four clans began filing out, Skypaw stood on a tall rock, gazing out at her house, far away.
Some Thunderclan cats paused and went up beside Skypaw. "Are you coming?" Whitepaw asked.
Skypaw turned to her friends. "No, Whitepaw. I'm not."
Some cats were shocked. Longtail simply walked away without a word. Firestar, Whitepaw, Spiderpaw, Squirrelpaw, Leafpaw, Fleckpaw, Mudpaw and Ferncloud all knew this was coming.
"My parents need me. I have too much left over from my life as a Twoleg to leave it behind. You all have changed my life, and I'll never forget any of you."
"Whitepaw, you were my best friend, and the first one to accept me. Thank you, and tell Shrewpaw I say hi."
Whitepaw's eyes were happy and sad. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Shrewpaw sitting a few feet away, waiting for her.
"I will, Skypaw. I will." She said, and ran to join Shrewpaw.
"Leafpaw and Squirrelpaw, I feel like a grandmother just knowing you exist."
Leafpaw and Squirrelpaw mewed with laughter, and said their goodbyes.
"Spiderpaw, you were a great friend, and perhaps someday, you will be an even better mate."
Spiderpaw jumped happily, then put his head against her pelt. Skypaw's cat instincts told her to lick Spiderpaw's ear, and she did.
"Firestar, I can rest easy now because I know you are alive."
Firestar purred, and said his goodbyes.
"Ferncloud, I only had a week to get to know you and Birchkit in the nursery, but I have learned to trust you. I want you to raise my kits so that they can grow up where they belong."
Ferncloud was taken aback. By chance, Whitepaw and Shrewpaw walked back up to the rock so Shrewpaw could say goodbye. He did, and Ferncloud asked Whitepaw, Spiderpaw, Squirrelpaw and Leafpaw to each pick up a kit, while she carried her own Birchkit.
"Fleckpaw and Mudpaw, you two were faithful companions, but the clans are your true calling. I'll miss you."
Fleckpaw said goodbye, for he belonged with his old friend. But Mudpaw stayed behind, still sitting with Skypaw.
"Why aren't you leaving, Mudpaw?" she asked.
"You don't really think I'd let you stay behind all by yourself? And by the way, my name's Hershey. Should I call you Miranda again?"
"Yeah. I guess you should," Said Miranda.
Hershey and Miranda watched them all leave.
Months later…
Miranda was sleeping, curled up next to Hershey. They were still in what was left of the forest, and living on garbage. Bluestar and Spottedleaf appeared in her dream.
"Hello, Miranda," said Bluestar. "Midnight has brought the first day of Newleaf. Have you made up your mind about who is it you want to be?"
"Yes," said Miranda. "I have. I choose to become a human once again."
"So be it," said Spottedleaf. The two closed their eyes. A bright light surrounded Miranda. The vision faded, and only a white light and a strange feeling remained.
Miranda woke with a start. But, when she looked around, she could see a lot less then she had become used to. She tried unsheathing her claws, but then, looked down at her… hands?
Realizing that she was a human again, Miranda sighed, and stood up, examining her long black hair, now matted. Looking down, she saw Hershey in the morning light.
"Hershey! Wake up!"
"What is it Mirand-AAAHHHHH!!!!" Hershey screamed.
"Hershey, it's me," Miranda said, picking up the bewildered cat. Then she realized something.
"I can still talk to you!" she exclaimed.
"I thought you were going to stay a cat."
"Nope. Neither of us can survive on garbage for much longer. Let's go home. We both deserve a good meal."
"Great, cat food." Hershey said sarcastically.
"Don't worry. I'll sneak as many table scraps as possible."
"Yay!"
Outside the House…
Mrs. Peck heard rocks pounding the screen door at four in the morning. She stepped to the window, and she couldn't believe what she saw.
"Miranda? Is that you?"
Indeed, her daughter Miranda was standing on the back porch, with Hershey in her arms.
Mr. and Mrs. Peck ran outside in the light of the sunrise. Hugging and tears were clearly visible.
"Where have you been? And where's Rusty and Smudge?" said Mr. Peck.
Miranda looked down at Hershey, then back at her parents. "You'd never believe me if I told you."
"At this point, we'll take anything."
"All right, but it's a long story."
Miranda walked inside the house. Hershey went immediately to the food bowl, while Miranda sat down at the kitchen table with her parents, and told them the whole story. It was dark by the time she finally finished.
That's all, folks! Or is it?? I am pleased to announce that there is a sequel in the works!!! Look for "The Twoleg of Thunderclan II" sometime this summer!!!
You all are THE BEST!!!! Thanks for all your AMAZING reviews. I couldn't have done it without you. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing this! Rosepelt, out!