Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Always standing just outside of the circle
And no one lets you in
Blame it on yourself
But you're looking in a mirror
Through a broken window
Shout it out, all the noise"

Safe in My Hands (Eli Lieb)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Who's that watching me? Who could you be?

No... You seem familiar... Do I know you?

Of course you know me, you hypocrite. And I thought I was the foolish one here, just getting in the way and being a general nuisance.

A nuisance? I don't understand...

I think you know who I am, Ruby. After all, you two treated me so well, so honorably, so... insignificant.

How does it feel to be so useless now, Ruby? To be the brunt of every word and every kick... to be the forgotten one out of the three of us?

....It can't be... Tiny?

No... you know me well enough by now, don't you?

No one forgets me... 

No one forgets Scourge. 

N-no! I haven't forgotten you! I'm sorry for all we said... I'm sorry!

It's too late you know... Socks has already gone and as for you... It is much too late for you...

Wh-what do you mean? What's going to happen to me?

Oh you already know don't you, my dear so-called sister...

Scourges fangs gleamed in the shadows and he thrust his head closer to her to purr darkly in Ruby's ear.

"There really is no end for you, for we are both stuck in hell. Didn't you realise that?"

Wha-no! You're wrong, you're wrong, you're wro-!

"Am I? "

Those two words resonated and echoed in the empty space with a dissonance that seemed to echo, and a hollowness that stuck around long after it was uttered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

With a sudden jerk, Ruby woke up with her fur standing on end and the haunting words of her brother lingering.

She panted and gulped in the suddenly stifling air around her. It did little to settle her racing thoughts.

The darkness at the entrance of her den looked as though it threatened to immerse her in its shadows and she shivered at the symbolism that sprang to mind.

Wh-what was that dream meant to be about? And why?

The chill that persistently clung to her shaken form offered no answers, and she gasped frantically, as if breathless.

And from outside the entrance of her den, a thickset black-and-white tom remained hidden as he observed the tormented soul that remained within those closed-in walls. 

Is she a kindred spirit like me?

He asked himself yet again with no clear resolution in mind as of yet.

He moved forward and in a pinnacle moment, chose to act on his instincts.

"Are you okay?" 

Ruby started at the unexpected sound. "I-I don't know... I just don't... It's complicated."

Barley joined her and sat down with a puff of dust from the stale moss, noting the she-cat shrinking slightly away with scared eyes.

The moss would need changing soon, no doubt with help from Cinderpelt.

"Hey it's alright - why don't you tell me what's bothering you? I might be able to help and I'll listen."

Why do I want to trust her so easily? I just met her!

He'd dwell on that later.

And so she frowned yet started to haltingly recount her dream.

And from there, something new started to sprout and take shape.

~~Chapter 12~~

Barley wasn't too bad, Ruby thought as she observed the black-and-white tom bringing prey to the Elder's Den. She was currently sitting at the edge of the Medicine-Den (her usual spot) herself. He had listened to her rant about her nightmare and hadn't judged her at all, only nodding in understanding and giving his input on the issue at the right times. It was... nice to have a listening ear she supposed, despite the rather confusing way she had explained it all. The loner tom hadn't told her to slow down or repeat anything though, and that made it all a little easier.

~~Firestar POV~~

Time marched on and the days passed relatively quickly, in Firestar's opinion anyway.

It had reached and passed the second moon in what was meant to be a time of peace, and so much had happened during that passage of time.

Ruby had been found on the outskirts of TwolegPlace... Sorrelpaw, Sootpaw, and Rainpaw had each received their apprentice names, Fernsong was expecting her first litter with Dustpelt and had recently moved into the nursery in anticipation of the upcoming birth, Ravenpaw and Barley were keen to be staying with the clan in the meantime due to the threat concerning their barn, and it seemed as if any small patrols sent out there were having fights picked on them from the remainders of BloodClan's forces. In other words, it was doing Firestar's head in with event after event happening without any chance for a break. Just how the heck did Bluestar deal with this sort of thing!? How would he!?

Ah yes... There was that problem that had cropped up just recently.

BloodClan.

Just how long would they continue to cause trouble!?

Firestar sighed from where he was laying in his nest in the leader's den, looking up at the lichen that covered the entrance without much thought. What was he going to do about this new issue concerning BloodClan? It wasn't as if it were the same from when Scourge was their leader; the rogue clan's attack certainly wasn't as organised as they had been during those times, and Scourge was absolutely and positively dead... of that he was certain. The only explanation that made sense must be the emergence of a new leader, set to rise up from the remnants of the rogue Clan.

So what could these new attacks against the Clans be about? What did they have to prove?

That they won't give in without a fight.

But the fight with them has to be over! His mind screamed back at him. They had battled and won! 

He tucked his head into his paws in confused worry. He didn't know what to do about this situation. He would need to talk it over with someone else to fully comprehend what they were going to do about this. He glanced at the pale-furred she-cat that lay next to him in contemplation; maybe Sandstorm could help him work out where he was going next, but then again she might just point out that it was up to him as he was leader. That was just the way she saw things, he knew. She also hadn't been too enthused with having that cat Ruby in the Clan either, but had eventually come to accept her mate's decision (after a small confrontation and a demand from her about what was going on - he gladly gave a shortened explanation, of course).

"Just who is this cat staying in our camp, Firestar?" Sandstorm had demanded as she cornered him, after he was just finishing the discussions of border watches with Greystripe one day. The young leader had been honestly waiting for this to build up for a little while now, so he was inwardly impressed with his feisty mate's patience. He clarified who she was talking about.

"Ruby?" Sandstorm nodded with narrowed eyes and spoke with a small degree of uncertainly. "I think that's what you mentioned her name being..." Firestar replied to that in assent. "Yes, Ruby is the name of our new guest and I think she'll be staying here until further notice, like I mentioned in the Clan Meeting soon after she arrived. It's for her own safety, Sandstorm."

The pale she-cat looked mystified at his words. "But what's so important about this cat named Ruby? I know some of the Clan believed her to be related to BloodClan but so far, she seems to have done nothing resembling their attitudes or movements... so what are we keeping a random rogue for? I know you probably have your reasons Firestar, and your kind heart can be seen as a strength and I love you for it but the other cats might think..." The sentence trailed off as Sandstorm looked closely at the expression Firestar was giving at that moment, which seemed to be conflicted and yet resigned at the same time. 

"I know that Ruby's presence here may make no sense to a lot of cats but I just feel... she needs to be here? I don't know sometimes, but I know that I do feel uneasy at the idea of casting anyone out when they haven't done anything wrong, and I do feel obligated to help others who've found themselves in situations beyond their control..." He murmured this to himself and Sandstorm took pity on him and felt an inkling of understanding with his attempt of an explanation. This seemed to be a case of Firestar just doing what felt right, and trusting his instincts.

Just like with his rescue of Mistyfoot and Greystripe's kits in what felt like many moons ago now. 

She let out a sigh of acceptance at this and gave him a puzzled but warm look. "I think I understand now, and no one can blame you for doing the wrong thing when it saves lives. I just hope it pays off in this case."

Her brave and kindhearted mate's worried expression lifted slightly as he offered a small smile back. "Thank you Sandstorm. I hope so too..."

The ginger tom now reflected back over those words she'd imparted on him during that tense discussion. At the time it really had felt right, doing what he had done for Ruby, and telling Sandstorm his reasons was a given of course but...

But never mind! She needed to know and you needed your conscience cleared. What's done is done.

Firestar's brain was impossible to switch off so he might as well get going for the day. But before that he needed to decide how to go about with this BloodClan problem!

So then... maybe he could discuss this with his oldest friends? He had a good long talk with Ravenpaw the other day while Greystripe was sorting out patrols and other things, so he could always dwell into more of this today with the both of them...

Just like old times...

Even Barley might have some suggestions too, seeing as he helped with giving insight into what BloodClan was like the last time they went against them. Although the topic seemed to be quite raw for the stout tom, his knowledge on them was pretty useful and could only help in a case such as this. Firestar could only hope that talking more about it didn't bring up mind-altering episodes like the ones Ruby had experienced. The two cats somehow seemed similar in that regard... with their silent behaviour at times.

She was still a dilemma to be fixated on, that Ruby. Especially now that Firestar had (for some reason he couldn't fathom) the strangest dreams and flashbacks last night while he was sleeping. It really was the strangest thing...why he would be thinking about insignificant things now so long ago.

"I wonder what your father is up to now... He's such a wanderer, that tom! I told him you kits would be out and playing in the garden today, and yet still..." Nutmeg's voice trailed off as she looked wistfully and exasperatedly towards the fence line, a soft smile springing to her face. The other kits played and tumbled about the area in a disorganised frenzy, letting out shrill squeaks of "Not fair!" and "I'll catch you this time, Tommy!"

Rusty bounced on his toes as excitement bubbled through him. "I really hope I can see him! I want him to tell me all about those wildcat stories he promised me! He said next time he'd teach me about his adventures and hunting mice!" The young flame-ginger kit sprang up into the air in barely-restrained energy. "I can't wait!!"

His mother purred in response to her son's obvious excitement. "You two are both peas in a pod! Well he shouldn't be too far from here now, I'm sure. He did mention something about visiting his other family, if I recall correctly..." She murmured this half to herself, lost in thought. 

At the time, Firestar hadn't really taken what she had said into account due to winding himself up with anticipation as a kit, but now those words came back to him and lingered there, taunting him with some sense of importance. 

'His other family...'

He hadn't thought of his kithood for seasons, in fact he could hardly remember those times if he was being honest - so why was he only recalling those memories in so much detail nowadays?

Was his mind trying to tell him something, like those times when he got prophetic dreams?

Firestar narrowed his eyes as slowly his thoughts started to trickle in a strange direction of what ifs.

Unless Ruby is...?

Dreams were just dreams and nothing else, weren't they? But in some circumstances...

No... He shouldn't reach any conclusions without a way to confirm it first. Maybe this was a way of StarClan telling him he needed to do something he hadn't actually achieved yet. Such as... 

Tracking down his mother and father, and all his siblings. That would probably be the first step to solving this mystery. And then he could rest easy at last, knowing he had done everything he could about finding out the truth of this matter, and why Ruby's presence here felt so strange and yet right at the same time. After all... he didn't really know if his father's name was Jake despite Ruby mentioning it when she first saw him. He really didn't know much about his own kin at all! But if it really turned out to be...

He needed to confirm this, but not right now when everything else was so uncertain. Whether it be sooner or later, something needed to be done to quench this feeling that couldn't be shaken off that easily. Then Firestar could stop being so distracted over that strange niggling thought that stayed just out of reach whenever he glanced over the grey she-cat's appearance in the camp. Her presence at times felt like it belonged here somehow...

With this decision in mind the flame-coloured tom rose up from his nest, stretching his legs from where they'd been curled underneath him and yawning from his rather sleep-disturbed night. It was quite challenging to rest adequately when one's thoughts were taken up with various ails and worries over scenarios beyond one's control, he'd discovered.

I need to see if Greystripe's sent out any patrols towards the TwolegPlace border yet today... We're going to need more than one to combat any ambushes BloodClan may be planning.

He glanced fondly at his mate's still-sleeping form and pushed himself out of his den with a squint, having to adjust his eyes to the sun as it beamed down on him. It was much later than he realised! He felt like hissing at the time he unintentionally wasted while mulling over things in seclusion.

Mousedung!

"About time you got up and about, Firestar! Barley and even Ruby have started doing various tasks around the camp, and Ravenpaw has been asking what we would like him to do today. You've certainly been keeping everyone waiting." Greystripe padded toward the tardy leader with a smirk on his face. Firestar wanted to stammer and deny his friend's words but knew it was no use. He really had been late in getting the Clan organised this morning. 

"I was thinking over some things." His deputy looked as if he wanted to roll his eyes but refrained out of respect. 

"I'm sure we all have stuff to think about, Firestar. We just don't take as long over it!" The grey tom broke off into a purr of laughter. Firestar tried not to be amused. Not in the slightest...

You don't know the half of it, Greystripe...

He shook off those thoughts and hissed playfully in response to the grey tom's antics. "I don't usually take long over such things! I'm mostly wondering how to deal with BloodClan's new stance they currently have going against us..." He trailed off as worry threatened to leak into his words. No need to make Greystripe as concerned as he was after all. It was all for naught though, as it was evident when the grey-furred deputy's laughing face switched quickly into a serious one. 

"Yes... I've been meaning to ask how you've been dealing with all this, insofar as I've seen you act lately - it's stressful enough for any cat, not just leaders. I hope you're feeling okay?" He seemed to peer closely at Firestar's face with concern for a moment, and Firestar wondered what his friend saw in his expression. Whatever it was made Greystripe lean back and let out a breath to continue, slight hesitant. "Anyways, that actually is something to worry about. I don't know what their goal is either, apart from making us paranoid about them again. I wonder if Barley will be willing to tell us more about their behaviour from his experiences?"

Firestar nodded. "That's what I was hoping to ask him about as well. Better to be safe than sorry, right?" He let himself sit down and relished in the warmth that soaked his short fur; the sun was always welcome after the chilled floor of his den, he'd found. It was also a good opportunity to let the tension bleed out for just a short time.

Greystripe gave a wry grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Definitely. Want me to direct you where I last saw him? I'm pretty sure he's not far from where Ruby may be. Those two seem to be getting along okay from what I've seen." Honestly this longtime friend of his was taking all of this quite well, Firestar had to admit.

Firestar waved his tail and got up, starting to pad towards the center of the camp where the fresh kill pile was beginning to grow for the day. "Thanks Greystripe, but I think I'll be able to find him. He can't be too far away."

"Well if you're sure... When you see him, let him know that there's something I need to check over with him as well!" The shaggy-furred tom called out and went back to what he was doing before, which meant chasing up any cats that weren't patrolling or doing anything. And his hobby of eating, of course.

Firestar continued on past the tempting pile of prey, intent on his hunt for Barley. He could always grab something afterwards he reasoned to himself.

Just a typical day under any normal circumstances if it weren't for these problems that were slowly wearing ThunderClan down. It was soon to be interrupted once again though, due to some expected happenings that were currently being dealt with in ThunderClan's territory.

Yet another patrol made its return into the bramble-walled entrance of the camp with torn pelts and fearful looks in their eyes. One of those cats happened to be Firestar's own nephew, having been instructed to stake out BloodClan's movements by Greystripe earlier that day, along with some others. He stepped forward now with an obvious limp, locking eyes with his uncle's inquisitive green gaze as he began his rant.

"I hate BloodClan!" Cloudtail spat crossly with his bright blue eyes blazing with unsuppressed anger. "They charged at me as soon as we got there and gave me this!" He held up his injured paw with a wince. "Why won't they just leave us alone for once!?" Privately Firestar agreed with his wayward nephew but didn't say anything. It wouldn't do for ThunderClan's leader to act foolishly in this situation. He needed to be responsible about handling this. Why such a situation even existed was beyond him. 

"Did you figure out what they were doing there?" Firestar asked him; it seemed as though Cloudtail was chosen as the leader of this patrol by the looks of it. The white-furred tom tilted his head in a half-nod. "I think sort of? It's hard to really get a grasp on it but... I think they're looking for something or someone? I'm not too certain really..." His blue eyes darkened in confusion. Another cat from the same group pushed through to get the front, jostling past Cloudtail roughly in their haste; it was Willowpelt, and her pale grey coat was quite a bit worse for wear than usual due to the blood seeping through it in patches and darkening significantly. She nodded to the leader respectively.

"Firestar, It seems to have some relation to them being scattered and disorganised without a chosen leader of sorts. From what was observed while fighting them, they seem to have some motivation or desperation to their actions. Like Cloudtail says, their actions indicated that they're searching for someone. I believe that someone is their new leader? Or at least a cat they believe can lead them." Her sky-blue eyes were earnest and gazed at him seriously as she conveyed the news.

Firestar frowned at her words. It made sense, but still hard to believe all this would be over a reason such as that. 

"But even they don't know who that cat will be? Seems pretty stupid to me." Cloudtail muttered this under his breath but Firestar and Willowpelt still heard him. They sent him a sharp look which he ignored. Predictable.

A new voice spoke up then, making them turn their heads to another cat holding their head up in the crowd that was steadily gathering around them. "Does this mean that we're going to send more cats out there to find out more about this new 'leader' BloodClan's looking for?" Longtail's question rang out surprisingly loud over the many whispers that now circulated around the area.

Firestar breathed in and out slowly in order to calm his racing thoughts that rose from the new information. "Not right now. It is important to do but... I still need to organise who goes to the Gathering tonight. With all that's been going on, it's crept up on us."

Cloudtail looked outraged. "The Gathering? Surely this attack is more important! It's our chance for get an advantage over these rogues! Who cares about traditions..." Angry hisses answered his opinion on the matter. Dappletail's aged mew called out from the nearby Elders Den with annoyance leaking from it. 

"Youngsters these days don't know they they're talking about! It's a shame is what it is. A great shame!" 

At least Cloudtail had the decency to look abashed at that. From her space next to him, Brightheart whispered something into his ear and the white tom's ears flattened in reply.

Whatever she said made him bow his head in acknowledgement at her words and Firestar purred at the exchange, inwardly wincing at his kin's outburst..

Those two were good for each other, he reflected. 

He was getting distracted again. "So in regards to the upcoming Gathering..." That got everyone's attention in the clearing. He cleared his throat and went onto the next order of business. "Since we can't really count Ruby as a proper member of the Clan yet along with Ravenpaw and Barley, those three will stay here with Speckletail, Thornclaw, Fernsong, Bramblepaw (the apprentice's face looked disappointed at this but he nodded in understanding), Dustpelt, Dappletail and Cricketpounce. Also since you've got those injuries there, Willowpelt, I think it would best if you stayed here and get checked by Cinderpelt before doing anything else. Everyone else not named will be going in order to show a strong front. Yes even you Cloudtail (here he gave a pointed look at the white tom). We won't let those BloodClan forces bring us down!" All the cats in the clearing cheered at this and it rose Firestar's spirits a bit to hear that support. They would hopefully be fine. This thing they had with BloodClan would probably be fine. They would get through this.

I hope...

"What's all this commotion out here then?" Ah...

Sandstorm had been roused out of the den and had followed after him, flicking her ears in response to all the noise and activity happening outside. 

"Just discussing the Gathering, Sandstorm. You're happy to go tonight, I take it?"

She purred at the question. "I can never say no to finding out what's going on with the other Clans!" The slight smile dropped for a moment as she narrowed her eyes at him. "I haven't missed anything important out here though, have I?"

"No... Apart from BloodClan being up to their old tricks again with the border patrol." Sandstorm's eyes widened and she looked tense.

"Firestar, that counts as being important!" He winced. "Is anyone hurt? I remember what happened with Ashfur last time this happened..."

Firestar nodded to this. "Willowpelt and Cloudtail were both injured, but it seems as though Willowpelt's are more serious than his. I told her to get some rest today and get it looked over by Cinderpelt."

She sighed at this. "Well I guess that's the best outcome to be given in this kind of situation. I hope she's not too badly injured - Sorrelpaw will be worried about her I'm sure." 

That was understandable. Firestar's eyes softened as he met Sandstorm's concerned eyes. "Well she is her mother, after all. Bonds such as that don't go away that easily."

"I can just imagine you being protective and incessantly worried for our kits when we have them, Firestar." The way she said it so seriously, with that gleam in her green eyes, made Firestar splutter at the words.

"H-huh... Wait what!? I d-don't know what y-you...!!"

A mrrrow of laughter was all he got in response to his flailing as embarrassment took over him, and he just knew his ears would be burning for a long while after this.

"Aw you're so tense Firestar!" She touched his ear softly with her nose and smirked. "Want to come on a walk with me? I know it's important that we shouldn't go out by ourselves in these circumstances..."

"Well how can I refuse such an offer?" He agreed.

And, as it it turned out... in the end, he was sufficiently distracted from most of what he had planned to do throughout the afternoon.

So much for his discussion with Barley.

~~Ravenpaw POV~~

As Ravenpaw looked around the camp with a nostalgic eye, he couldn't help but flash his mind back onto what events led up to him staying here in this camp again. It always felt like home... even after he had made a perfectly good life with Barley back at the barn. He breathed in deep and let the scents of Clan-life and those memories wash over him again.

Flashback!

The NewLeaf rain that fell lightly from the previous night lay scattered in puddles on the forest floor, of which Ravenpaw flicked a black paw in annoyance as the water crept into them, only making his legs sink more into the marshy patches of mud that dotted the general area. Any firm ground around them was slowly being churned up by his and Barley’s trek to ThunderClan’s camp.

They were going to visit Firestar to share some rather troubling news that had been found out after a discovery that had been made a few sunrises ago, and it was quite worrying to say the least. It seemed that BloodClan remnants were still hanging around and causing trouble near the barn as well as in the TwolegPlace apparently, and they had seen some of this occurring on his and Barley’s daily scout of the farmland each morning. It was quite worrisome to say the least.

“So let me get this straight, again. You really think it would be best if we stay with ThunderClan for the time being, and we don’t even try to claim back our barn and protect it from those rogues? It’s just going to fall into their clutches! That’s our barn back there! Our home…” Barley let out the last word in a whisper and pressed his ears back against his head, his eyes gaining a faraway look to them.

Ravenpaw only sighed. “It’s like like we really have much of a choice Barley,” he said in response. “Those BloodClan rogues are dangerous as we know, and to take back our barn as well as planning what to do next… that takes some degree of support from others. And the only others I can think of and trust in the meantime are ThunderClan. Remember, we talked over this last night.”

His hefty companion huffed. “That doesn’t mean I completely agree.”

“You agreed to come with me though, right?”

He heard Barley’s tail swish from behind him. “Only because I worry about you being out here alone with them around!”

Ravenpaw’s whiskers twitched.

“Like that doesn’t prove my point.”

Silence… And then. “Oh, you just be quiet now!”

“I rest my case.”

Ravenpaw figured he probably deserved the stumble when his back legs caught on Barley’s extended paw.

He let a surprised, but amused hiss, drag its way out of his throat. It felt good to banter like this again.

Nearly there now…

Barley’s gruff mew brought everything back into focus again. “I think I can see the gorse tunnel entrance up ahead. Should we hurry there, then?”

The black tom offered a sound of assent “I guess we should get this over and done with.”

With that, they picked up the pace and ended up running the rest of the short distance there. Something that niggled in their minds though was the reception they’d receive if they crashed directly into camp, as they were doing right now in the state they were in.

What would ThunderClan have to say for their sudden arrival?

It was time to find out.

Flashback finished

"Ravenpaw!"

The sleek black tom opened his bright-green eyes from where he was reminiscing and got up, glancing over to whoever had called out to him. Did someone want something? Was his friend Firestar assigning him a task after all? His rising heart rate dropped a little as he saw that it was just Dustpelt standing there, looking at him with a strange expression. Dustpelt, his not-so-close brother.

Dustpelt, whom he had never really gotten along with. Here we go...

The tabby looked a bit uncomfortable for a moment and didn't speak... but then....

"Erm... How have you been, Rave? I know we uh... haven't talked in a while... but I um... am glad that you are okay and doing well and whatnot?"

Well this was a surprise to Ravenpaw indeed!

"Hi Dustpelt. You're right, it's been ages. I've been doing well though - the barn has been a good place for me. It's just a shame about the issues we're having with it now." He sighed as he finished his answer, his tail dropping for a moment as he got lost in thought.

The brown tabby was silent himself for a few heartbeats and then exhaled slowly. It sounded rather awkward and drawn out, resulting in Ravenpaw snapping to attention and glancing at him in confusion. And then...

"I'm glad you're here and safe. It's... nice to have you around again. I think I can sort of understand why you left all those moons ago now... I'd do anything to keep Fernsong and these new kits safe, you know?"

Ravenpaw swallowed back a purr. "You've learnt about accepting your feelings now, huh?"

"Oh shut it, you." 

The two continued sitting side-by-side, but now it was a comfortable feeling that surrounded them.

It was nice, Ravenpaw decided. If Dustpelt had been like this when they were apprentices, maybe he wouldn't have felt so helpless and alone. If only...

But that was in the past now. All they could do was move forward and see where this rekindled brotherhood brought them. Who knew? Maybe one day they'd stand by each other again on the field of battle, pairing up like Ravenpaw had always wished deep in his heart. That had been a definite possibility before it all came crashing down after the death of their parents and siblings.

And we had never both completely recovered.

"I'll be allowed to visit and play with these new kits of yours too, right?"

Dustpelt snorted. "Wow, that barn of yours has certainly made you bold. Of course, you furball! How could I deprive them of their kin? You are part of my family after all."

Well this did mark a notable change for once!

The tabby seemed to sense his thought's direction. "I have been thinking a lot on this and I really am... you know... sorry. For back then. And for what I said."

"You always hide, you coward! If you weren't so weak and cursed Cherrypaw, Chestnutpaw and everyone else would still be alive. I hate you, I hate you! You're nothing... nothing to me - just go!"

Dustpelt's cruel and grief stricken words had haunted and lingered in his mind up until this day. He hadn't known how to deal with it until now.

Ravenpaw met his brother's eyes. "I know Dustpelt, I know." And he did.

And so they continued talking for a while, well into the day at least. And the time seemed to slip away like it didn't matter anymore.

Just two once-estranged brothers sharing trials and tribulations of their lives much like old friends.

It was a good feeling for one to have, and one Ravenpaw didn't want to lose again so soon.

'Maybe we'll forget and forgive past transgressions, and move on to just being there in the moment, together like we used to.

I'd like that, for our parents and siblings' sake. They would be proud.'

Ravenpaw glanced at his brother and then tore himself away to look toward the clouds in the sky.

He then let himself release a little purr. Life was getting better.

~Brief Firestar Gathering POV!~

The murmuring and mews of many cats swelled in the clearing of FourTrees. It didn't really do much for clearing Firestar's already-risen nerves, but it was somewhat reassuring to see and experience something familiar again. Especially during such uncertain times. 

I need to make an announcement about BloodClan. I don't want to, but...

"Firestar! I presume you're going to join us?" WindClan's leader, Tallstar, called down to him from where he already sat, his black-and white pelt shining under the moon's glow. It seemed the moor-dwelling Clan had already arrived before ThunderClan and ShadowClan this time.

Firestar looked up and answered the call of the older tom with slight surprise. "Of course, Tallstar. Just basking in the atmosphere of the night."

He only hesitated a moment longer and lowered into a crouched, jumping off with his hindlegs onto the rugged surface of the Great Rock. He straightened up after a hardly-noticable stagger and climbed to reach Tallstar's side, feeling the grit dig into his paws as he did so. It would be nice to converse and forget his troubles with another friendly face, he decided.  

Firestar swallowed uncomfortably as he took in the calmness of the other leaders' expressions and casual body language at the gathering. It seemed like that illusion the clans had of peace was soon going to shatter under the update he would share with them. He felt for them, he really did.

They had all been hoping and ready to welcome a time of harmony and recovery. What would news such as this do for morale?

"Why the long face, Firestar? Don't tell me that the peacefulness is becoming boring now. Days like this are a blessing after everything that's happened." Next to him, Tallstar dipped his head in a friendly way to the ginger tom and his eyes brightened. "These last two moons have been good for WindClan's hunting grounds, and I presume the same for you?"

The flame-ginger tom felt the uncertainty threatening to drown him but knew he should act as normal as possible. 

He opened his mouth to reply and...