As she stepped outside, the first thing Hollyshade felt was triumph. It coursed through her body, sending shivers down her spine. Although her wounds bled freely, nothing could dampen the feeling of success that she had at that moment.

The silver tabby began to count the members of her group, gazing with pride at each and every one of them. They were walking across a large, cracked Thunderpath. Monsters rested on it, and there was only one asleep there now. Moonlight shone down on the party of cats.

Reggie.

Hollyshade's gaze fell on the black tom. Although he was a joker, he turned out to be quite a vicious fighter.

Peanut.

The brown tom was padding almost at the head of the group, right behind Hollyshade. He held his head up high, and his wide brown eyes shone with exhilaration.

Smokey.

The tom's pelt was stained with crimson blood, but its shades shone through. He was walking with a spring in his step.

Isabelle.

She looked exhausted, and blood was all over her. But Hollyshade could tell it wasn't her own by the way she was energetically chatting to…

Sunfeather.

Hollyshade was relieved to see that the golden she-cat was safe. Her amber eyes were filled with pain, but she was okay.

Blackie.

The tom was walking with a limp, and he looked like he would fall over at any time. Hollyshade flicked her tail to Sunfeather, who hurried over to the kittypet and let him rest on her side.

Fletch.

The sandy-coloured tom had only minor scratches. Hollyshade felt extremely proud of him.

Honey.

The dark golden she-cat had several deep scratches, but nothing that wouldn't heal with the help of her garden's herbs.

Wait…

Hollyshade realised with a start that there were three cats not with the group. In the chaos of the battle, they had to leave without counting members. Now, crouched in a dry garden bed, Hollyshade realised that they were short of members.

"Dovesong, Snow, Dew?" she called, wondering if she had missed them. "Where are you?" She glanced around frantically, scanning the moonlit area. Hollyshade had already started to worry. "Stay here," she hissed to the rest of the group. "I'll go back and look for them."

No one else seemed concerned, obviously confident that the absent cats were okay. They settled down to lick their wounds without as much as a glance towards the warehouse. Hollyshade frowned and trotted towards the warehouse, soon breaking into a run.

As she neared the entrance, she stopped in surprise. Snow was hauling Dovesong through the doorway, panting with exhaustion. Dew was trailing behind them. And Dovesong was lying unconscious, blood welling up in her wounds.

Hollyshade dashed over to them and sniffed Dovesong frantically. She was really worried for her friend.

"What happened?" she gasped.

Snow looked at her strangely. "Dovesong collapsed on the ground just before she could reach the entrance," he explained. Something in his voice seemed so familiar it gave Hollyshade a pang of heartbreak for IvyClan, AspenClan and HazelClan.

Déjà vu, much? Hollyshade thought.

"Thank you for rescuing her. The group didn't even notice you were gone," Hollyshade meowed gratefully.

"Don't thank me," Snow meowed. "Now pick up that kit, and let's leave before they come after us."

Hollyshade didn't like being ordered around, but she dipped her head obediently and bent down to pick up Dew.

The little kit looked terrified. Hollyshade doubted he would ever forget this experience. And neither would she. This was the first step towards building a new Clan. This experience would bond them together tightly.

They made their way over to the group. Snow's white-and-brown pelt was glowing in the dawn light, as was Dovesong's and Dew's. Hollyshade marvelled for a moment over how pretty white pelts were. Then she snapped back to the present.

Sunfeather looked up, surprised. "Hollyshade! What happened?" she gasped.

"Dovesong collapsed inside the warehouse," Hollyshade explained tiredly. The rest of the group were anxiously gazing at Dovesong, worry clear in their eyes. These cats were united now, united as one.

"Now come on, let's go back," Snow meowed impatiently.

Hollyshade nodded and began rounding up the cats. "How about you all stay back at our den? That way the Death Rogues won't be able to pick you off by yourselves. And we have plenty of room," Hollyshade added.

"I have plenty of herbs to treat your wounds," Honey announced cheerfully. Hollyshade wistfully thought about how much easier their journey would be with a medicine cat.

"You're all welcome," Hollyshade finished. Every cat nodded, agreeing to come. They all looked happier now that they knew they had a safe place to stay.

-o0o-

Hollyshade was sitting in the entrance of the abandoned nest. The sounds of sleeping cats echoed from behind her, making her feel safe. She gazed up at the moon, even though she was supposed to be keeping guard.

Dovesong was fine. Honey knew just the right herbs for slight stomach wounds and she used cobwebs from an old log in her garden to stop the bleeding.

A sound behind her distracted Hollyshade from the moon; she frowned. Slowly and quietly, she turned around and peered inside. Through the gloom it was hard to see what was going on, but the two white pelts stood out the most.

It was Snow and Dovesong. The white cats were murmuring quietly to each other. Hollyshade frowned again. What business did Snow have with Dovesong?

Suddenly, Snow's voice rose. "What? That's great, Dovesong!" he exclaimed. Almost immediately after the outburst, he shoved his tail in his mouth.

But Hollyshade's curiosity was too much for her. She had to go and see what had happened. Slowly, she took several steps inside the nest. Dovesong and Snow looked up at the sound of her paws.

"What's going on?" Hollyshade whispered.

Snow looked fondly at Dovesong. Hollyshade was confused. What was going on?

"Hollyshade…" Dovesong began, looking overjoyed. "Hollyshade, I'm with kits."

"What?!" Hollyshade shouted. The cats around them began to stir. Hollyshade mentally scolded herself and waited until the other cats had gone back to sleep.

"What? How?" she whispered again. Dovesong let out a purr.

"When we were back at camp," the white she-cat whispered.

"But… who's the father?" Hollyshade asked, confused. Snow was watching proudly. "Wait a minute…" she narrowed her eyes.

"That's right. It's Snow. Snow is the father. Or should I say, Northlight," Dovesong purred loudly.

Hollyshade gasped. Suddenly, all the pieces fell together. Dovesong and Northlight had become mates a half moon or so before the fire came. How could Hollyshade not recognise her own Clanmate?

Perhaps it was the slightly haunted look in his eyes, or how much darker his coat had become. Even though Northlight's coat was white, it seemed a lot dirtier than back at camp. And maybe because of all the stress Hollyshade didn't recognise him.

"Northlight," Hollyshade said. The name sounded unfamiliar. "Northlight… welcome back."

Northlight nodded gratefully, conveying all of his emotion through his golden eyes.

Hollyshade sighed. "Well, congratulations, Dovesong," she purred. But all she could think about was the delay this would cause in building their new Clan.

"I'd better get some sleep," Hollyshade muttered.

Northlight nodded. "I'll stand guard," he meowed.

Hollyshade responded with a flick of her tail. She trotted over to the 'couch' and jumped up. She curled into a ball and rested her head on her paws.

-o0o-

"Hollyshade…"

The voice seemed to come from all around her.

"Hollyshade, wake up," came the voice again.

The silver she-cat blinked, opening her eyes. She was in a starry forest. Standing in front of her was a sandy coloured tom with green eyes. Stars were entwined in his fur.

"Fallenstar!" Hollyshade gasped. "Father, I miss you!" She hadn't realised it before, but she truly missed having her father around for her.

Fallenstar's eyes shone with warmth. "Well done, Hollyshade. You did the right thing, rescuing Dew. That little kit could mean a lot to the future of your new Clan. And you're going well there, too," Fallenstar meowed. "But you'll have to leave the Twolegplace soon."

Hollyshade nodded slowly. "I see… Father, Dovesong is expecting kits." Tiredness coursed through her. Hollyshade was sick of all this worry and stress. How much longer could she keep going?

"I know." Fallenstar smiled. "That shouldn't delay you too much, only if you make good time now and move out of Twolegplace."

Hollyshade nodded again. "I understand, father."

Fallenstar trotted up to her and pressed his pelt against hers. It felt cool and comforting. Fallenstar smelled like frost and night.

"And one more thing," Fallenstar continued wistfully. He looked down at her. "Beware the one that is taller than all."

Hollyshade glanced at him, confused as always. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Fallenstar shook his head. "I'm sorry, I can't tell you. But I'm sure you'll figure it out. I have to go now."

Hollyshade sighed. "I miss you," she said, as the dream began to fade. Hollyshade saw an apprentice run up to Fallenstar.

"Come on, there's a meeting!" the apprentice meowed. It was Splashpaw, a bright young she-cat that used to be part of IvyClan.

The dream faded until they were nothing more than transparent outlines. Fallenstar nodded and fixed Hollyshade with his green gaze.

-o0o-

AN: So sorry for the shortness and the long time it took to update. I've been really, really busy lately, so. Many. Tests. :O

But anyway, who remembers Splashpaw from the first or second chapter? When Hollyshade said that she saw Splashpaw in Berryflower's den getting herbs? :D Reappearance!

Please review, I don't really like this fic anymore. I have another, a better one called 'When The Earth Began To Tremble'. I'm sure you'll like it. I also have a short chapter fic, but I don't think I'll post it on this site.

So anyway, please review and make my day. ^-^

Issy.