"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered."

- Nelson Mandela

Neither spoke much as they followed the river on its winding path. Both were anxious to return home once and for all. A thousand thoughts raced through Lichenkit's head, faster than she could possibly follow. Her troubled mind was riddled with many pressing questions. Will they accept me, or will I be shunned? What if DarkClan had already launched their attack, and RushingClan was scattered and dying? What if Shadowstar had taken over RushingClan entirely? The fears that plagued Lichenkit were almost enough to convince her to turn tail and return to Twolegplace or make her life as a loner, but loyalty kept her moving.

The river lead them through an endless moor, though the kits never once scented SwiftClan (based on their best guess of SwiftClan's scent), despite the winds that swept over the moor. Part of Lichenkit was glad that they'd hence avoid an impromptu meeting with their enemies, but the other part of her had grown to wonder if they were even going the right way.

The moors were beginning to give way to a lightly-packed wood around the time that the sun began to dip in its and descend from the sky. Although the trees ignited a flicker of hope in Lichenkit's heart, she knew it could be a while yet before RushingClan's territory was within sight.

Lichenkit studied her paws. She could tell that Ashkit was as uncertain as she as to what they would meet when they reached their homeland. Both were engulfed in thoughts, and still, neither spoke. It was around dinnertime when the river began to carve its way into a ravine. The kits exchanged an excited glance, but Lichenkit could see nervousness in her sister's eyes. Although they both ached for a good meal, neither could be bothered to stop and catch something. More than anything, they wanted to be home.

Eventually, the cliffs became so steep and rocky that it was impossible to safely stay by the river's shore. Their only choice was to stray into the woods and follow the river by its sound. They knew it was a risky move. Night was falling, and as they were only kits, neither Ashkit nor Lichenkit was eager to meet whatever prowls. Nonetheless, both steadfastly ignored their instincts and demanded to continue onwards. They would reach their Clan, and they would do it tonight.

The moon was rising. It was a half moon too, Lichenkit noticed. Lillystep and Dappledpaw would be meeting up with the medicine cats from the other three Clans to share tongues with StarClan at Dreamfalls. The kits struggled to stifle their yawns and ignore their aching legs until they discovered the sign they were looking for: a RushingClan scent marker. Suddenly, energy coursed through their veins. They'd follow the ravine until they reached the stairway into camp, and then, they'd be home!

What neither anticipated was how hard it was to find the stairway unless you knew exactly what to look for. The kits were now developing an appreciation of how hard it is to break into RushingClan's camp for rival Clans. Their patience was beginning to run low. The two cats who had escaped the Shelter and Twolegplace, the two kits who had journeyed to the river, the two cats who had caught their first fish, the same two cats who had accomplished all of that were now reduced to being two cranky kits that were tired and sore.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid," Lichenkit mumbled under her breath crossly. Ashkit jumped in fright at the sound of her sister's voice. Both were on edge, for they both knew it was a bad idea to be out this late at night when they didn't know how to defend themselves from any enemy they may meet.

Ashkit let out a frightened yelp. Lichenkit wheeled around and immediately regretted it. In front of her was none but an enemy warrior with some terrible stench! DarkClan! DarkClan has come to kill the medicine cats, but it seems we'll be their first victims instead.

Based on her paranoid train of thought, it's no wonder Lichenkit was taken aback by the cat's next words. They were not hostile, but simply inquiring. "What are you two doing on my territory?"

Lichenkit studied him through narrowed eyes. He was a shaggy red tom, with a pelt slightly dappled as if it had been permanently bleached by sunlight. "What?" she retorted. "You're not RushingClan!"

"No," he agreed. "But you're not in RushingClan."

Both kits took a step back, bewildered. What did he mean, not RushingClan?

"Are you looking for RushingClan?" he went on. They nodded.

"You look tired. You must have crossed the border by mistake." Lichenkit blinked. Oh. "I am Maplebark, deputy of StormClan. I would kindly show you back to the ravine, but my question stands. Why do you wish to find RushingClan?"

So this was the StormClan deputy? Maybe one day he and I will be fighting side by side.

"Well," Lichenkit replied. "We are RushingClan kits. We were captured by Twolegs several moons ago, but now we've found our way back."

He purred, and the kits ducked their head, embarrassed. "Such a long adventure for two so young! I expect you're very tired." They nodded. "In that case, if you are RushingClan, as your ally, I welcome you. I'm eager to watch you grow into fine warriors.

"Well, with that, I'll escort you to your camp."

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I'm excited to actually begin writing about these two with the suffix 'paw on the end, rather than 'kit! I'm not going to drag this chapter on too long, so I'll make the apprentice and warrior phases of their lives shorter. I do have a plot left to follow, vaguely stated in the summary! ;P

I don't think I've ever written so much about two kits!