A/N hey guys, sorry about how long this took! Had exams and work and just generally faded out of the Warriors world for a bit! Don't worry though, my friend dragged me back in tooth and claw so now I'm back in the game and ready to go ;)

Greystripe jerked awake with wide eyes, panting. As always, he was cramped in the elders den, Millie on one side of him, and Sandstorm on the other, shuddering in her sleep. The she-cat had been so traumatised by the death of her mate that she had begged him not to leave her sight at almost any point. Out of pity and empathy, he found himself agreeing, and it was nice to have somebody who shared his grief. Dustpelt and Firestar had never been close, and though the other tom grieved, it was mostly for his mate Ferncloud, who had been needlessly slaughtered when the Dark Forest attacked.

Greystripe heaved a sigh and dropped his head on his paws. He missed his friend greatly, and the nightmares were the ever-present proof of that. Almost every night he would be dragged back into that night, the sudden burst of flames, the thunderous creak of the falling tree-a symbol of the great cat's fall. And then the huddled body of his best friend lying before him.

He swallowed hard, holding back a sudden urge to wail with grief. Nobody, except Sandstorm, understood how much it hurt. Most had even faded back into routine, only a faint linger of dull pain remaining in their eyes as they got on with their day.

Of course there were others who had yet to recover. Cloudtail, Leafpool and Squirrelflight, Sandstorm of course. Bramblestar had refused to sleep in the leader's den for the first few nights until Squirrelflight managed to coax him inside. In honesty, Greystripe had been in agreement with the young leader. He felt no bitterness towards Brambleclaw, but he couldn't stand the idea of anybody else in that den.

There had been the occasional time, when Greystripe was deputy, that he would walk by and see Squirrelkit and Leafkit sneaking inside in the early morning, then high-pitched yowls and a yelp of shock, followed by giggles and a mock-furious growl. Firestar would storm out after the little kits as they wailed in play, bouncing at him until he gave up and flopped to the ground and let them both clamber over him in triumph. It was those times that Greystripe would meet his friend's eye and see the glint that told him that no matter what rank he ever became, no matter how old- This was still the energetic, witty apprentice he had trained with all those moons ago.

Something about the memory made him wince, and he looked at his ruffled grey paws thoughtfully. Squirrelflight and Leafpool had grown into fine cats thanks to their mother and father's gentle care. What about his own kits? Feathertail was dead, Stormfur in the mountains; possibly never to see him again. Briarlight was crippled and Blossomfall and Bumblestripe were estranged to him.

Greystripe sighed, "You're an idiot you know that?" he muttered, "Had to go off to Starclan before you could give me some decent parenting tips."

He smirked softly as he imagined how Firestar would have responded. Probably telling him he was hopeless and flicking him over the ear with a smug grin.

The old tom looked around the elders den with a sigh, and wondered why he hadn't just gone off to die yet. What did he really have here? He cared for Millie, but she'd changed since their first meeting, her life revolved around Briarlight these days. Stormfur wouldn't even know if he died, and though Blossomfall, Bumblestripe and Briarlight might feel an initial sorrow, they didn't know him well enough to mourn terribly like Squirrelflight and Leafpool had for Firestar. He glanced down at Sandstorm and sighed. She needed him, it would crush her to lose somebody else, and Bramblestar needed guidance for now. Starclan wouldn't go anywhere, they could wait a few more moons- he doubted he would last much more anyway.

He rested his head on his paws and closed his eyes, "I'll see you soon old friend." he grunted, "Save a nest in Starclan for me."

He felt a faint breeze over his shoulders, like a comforting tail. He didn't bother to look, he already knew who it was. He smiled and let sleep return to him, ready to face the nightmares again. None came.