This is a quick one-shot I made for FernClan, which is a great forum I'm a part of.

Here you go, guys!

Redemption

Reedkit laughed and launched herself at her friends again.

Barkkit had suggested earlier that they play "Clans", and she was the leader of ShadowClan.

The white-and-gray kit batted Minnowkit's ears playfully. "ShadowClan will be victorious," she yowled mightily. Right then, flash of movement caught her eye and she jumped away as Stormkit ran towards her.

"Not if I having anything to say about it; WindClan and RiverClan are going to win this battle!" He tripped, stumbling and barging into Minnowkit.

Minnowkit purred and helped him steady himself. "Not if you keep tripping over your paws!" Reedkit laughed as Stormkit's face reddened, but her thoughts were troubled.

I know that Hailfoot said that he wanted to talk to Barkkit, and that we sort of left him, but Barkkit should have been here by now. It's past sunhigh for StarClan's sake! Her fears guided her, pulling her away from her friends. "I'll catch up with you guys later; I'm going to go find Barkkit," she told them with a twinge of worry in her voice.

When the pair nodded, she turned and left in the direction of the warriors den. About a fox-length from the den, a pair of deep green eyes flashed at her from a stray shadow.

The cat stepped out and padded towarrds Reedkit, his dark gray fur matted and patchy. "I need your help."

Reedkit backed away in fear. "With what,"she meowed shakily. The tom beckoned for her to follow and, with her thoughts about Barkkit being replaced by newfound curiousity, she did.

She was led through the reeds that surrounded the RiverClan camp into the forest beyond. "You never answered my question," she meowed hotly when they stopped.

The tom dipped his head in apology, "Forgive me, Reedkit. I need your help getting to StarClan."

Reedkit stared at him in disbelief, "What do you mea—" Her eyes widened. "You're a Dark Forest cat!" The fur along her spine bristled instinctively and she hissed at him, "Why should I believe you?! What reason do I have to help you?"

He smiled,"Because, Reedkit, I'm your father's brother."

Herontail!

Reedkit watched as he turned away and started to leave. "If you do not wish want to help me, that's fine, but soon I will fade from memory. There will be nothing left of me."

Reedkit dashed up to him, "Herontail, wait. What happened to you? Why are you part of the Dark Forest? Troutfoot said that you were a good cat!"

Herontail growled,"I am; I was framed for murder and exiled! Your righteous leader, Pebblestar, thought that I caused two kits to drown in the river... I tried to save them!" His voice grew more angered as he spoke. "She never gave me the chance to explain myself. That is why I'm asking you for help, Reedkit. I need the word of a cat in my family who still sees some shred of good in me to get to StarClan."

This rush of information dazed Reedkit, and she hopelessly fumbled for words. What was she to do? How in StarClan's name could she help him? She stared at Herontail blankly for several heartbeats before her mind cleared. "Please, Reedkit, I need you," Herontail mewed, his eyes pleading.

Reedkit nuzzled him and looked into his eyes. "No cat is defined solely by their past," she meowed with an air of wisdom about her. "I believe you, Herontail... I never once heard my parents say anything bad about you, and I don't think what happened to you was right." Heronflight purred, licking Reedkit between the ears.

The gray tom stood and padded closer to the river. He looked back at her as he began to fade away. His voice drifted to Reedkit's ears like a soft breeze as she ran to find her friends.

"Thank you."