Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors, but I do own the characters of this story.

Chapter 23

"Ghostwind! There you are! Where have you..." Ashflower stopped running toward Ghostwind when she saw Goose walking beside him. "Who is that?"

The others were all staring at Goose suspiciously. Ghostwind sighed. Would they believe him when they told them that Goose knew Ghostlight? Ashflower gasped, and he knew she'd been listening to his thoughts.

"This is Goose. He lives here in the valley with his family," Ghostwind explained. "He used to know Ghostlight."

Fernstripe padded forward. "Did you tell him what happened to Ghostlight?"

"Yes. He told my family and me everything," Goose said. "And we're all very grateful to him. We've been wondering for many seasons what happened to Ghostlight."

"Ghostlight had a mate and kits," Ghostwind added. "They live here in the valley, too."

Fernstripe's eyes widened. "Really? Did you tell them about my father?"

"They know about Duskstar. I didn't mention you, though," Ghostwind replied. He'd been so focused on telling Ghostlight's family about what happened to him that he hadn't thought to explain that Ghostlight had a niece. "I'm sorry."

Fernstripe nodded to Goose. "My name is Fernstripe. I'm the daughter of Duskstar, Ghostlight's brother. My father spoke very highly of Ghostlight. I wish that I'd gotten to know him. Was he really as great as my father says he was?"

Goose's yellow eyes brightened. "Yes. Ghostlight was my best friend. We grew up together. I've never met another cat who was more willing to help others, despite any risk to themselves. Ghostlight was a really special cat. I knew that from a very young age. Tell me, how is his brother? We always worried about what would happen if the two met."

"My father betrayed DarkClan and helped to stop their destruction. Duskstar is leader of LightClan now," Fernstripe said. "It's full of members from the old DarkClan, but they have all changed their ways. We live near a lake where four other Clans live. These cats are from those other Clans."

Goose nodded. "Ghostwind said that you all were on a mission into the mountains."

"That reminds me!" Ghostwind said. He looked at the others. "I found the eyes of terror! They're these two huge boulders in the valley here. Goose said they're also called the Mooneyes."

"Mooneyes..." Ravenheart whispered. The medicine cat apprentice suddenly gasped. "Oh, my goodness! I know why we're heading into the mountains! StarClan sent me a dream, but I'd forgotten all about it until just now!"

"What is it, Ravenheart?" Ashflower asked.

"Have you heard the stories about how the Tribe of Rushing Water was nearly forced from their territory by a bunch of rogues? Back when Firestar was leader of ThunderClan?" Ravenheart asked the others. They all nodded. "It's happening again. A bunch of cats from another Tribe were forced out of their territory. They've been traveling for moons, looking for somewhere to stay. They discovered the Tribe of Rushing Water, and they've been trying to take their territory."

"That's horrible!" Fernstripe said.

"Yet this is what we expected, wasn't it? One friend from old, one who is quite bold. Two groups at war. The bold are looking for more. Know that conflict is not the answer. Find the eyes of terror and know that all is secure. We were expecting there to be fighting," Eaglefeather said.

"We found the eyes of terror," Tigerflame said speculatively. "So does that mean everything is fine? Do we really have to go up into the mountains?"

Ghostwind looked over his shoulder at the next few peaks that they would have to climb if they were to go and find the Tribe of Rushing Water. "It's a daunting task. But I know we could do it. What if the Tribe really needs us? I can't imagine they enjoy fighting over their territory."

"I could go up into the mountains," Goose said. "You look like you've been traveling for a long time. I'm sure you all want to go home. If you'd like, I could go up into the mountains. If there's a Tribe of cats looking for a home, they can come here to the valley. There's plenty of room."

"Goose, you'd be doing us a huge favor," Ghostwind said. "But we can't just stop and turn around now. Not after everything we've already been through."

"That's why it's already been taken care of," a familiar voice said.

Ghostwind and the others jumped. They turned around to see a white tom sitting on a small boulder nearby. It was Ghostlight. His white pelt was twinkling with starlight.

"Ghostlight!" Goose gasped.

"You can see him?" Ghostwind whispered.

"Goose deserves to see his best friend one last time," Ghostlight spoke. "Say hello to Banjo and my kits for me, dear friend."

"Of course, Ghostlight!" Goose nodded solemnly.

"Ghostwind," Ghostlight said. Ghostwind looked at the StarClan cat worriedly. "You have done what I hoped you would. You found the Mooneyes, the eyes of terror, and told my family the reason I never returned. The prophecy brought you here so you can help Goose and the rest of my family accept the Tribe that is looking for a home. I visited the Tribe's leader last night in her dreams, and she and her Tribemates will be here tomorrow morning. You won't have to travel into the mountains, and you'll be able to return home in just a few days."

"Why would you string us along like that?" Tigerflame demanded of the sparkling cat. "It's bad enough we had to help SkyClan get back together! We could have been home much sooner without you interfering and bringing us here!"

"Tigerflame," Ghostlight said. "Imagine being a member of my family. I left them and never returned. Ghostwind gave them what they needed. Closure. All I ask now is that you help the Tribe settle into this lush, green valley. And then you can go home."

Tigerflame grumbled under his breath, but he didn't argue anymore.

Ghostlight turned back to Ghostwind. "Good luck. You're going to need it in the blood-filled future I see for you." With that, the strange cat disappeared.

Ghostwind felt his veins freeze over. Why had Ghostlight needed to remind him of the possible war looming over them?

I don't think it's a possibility anymore, Ghostwind. I think the war is a certainty, Ashflower said in his head.

That's what Ghostwind was afraid of.

Cottonclaw shredded bits of dry grass with his claws. He was sitting with Sootpelt in front of the log that led to the island where they held Gatherings. Somehow, he and Sootpelt were the first cats here. Nobody else had showed up, and the morning sun was rising higher and higher. If the other cats didn't show up, should he and Sootpelt head to Twolegplace regardless or just head back home?

"I smell LightClan," Sootpelt said.

Cottonclaw perked his ears up and inhaled through his mouth. The blue-gray tom was right. He could smell fresh LightClan scents. Plus, he recognized the scents.

"Cottonclaw!" a familiar voice said.

"Hello, Reekfur," Cottonclaw replied as the black tom came trotting up. Beside him, his sister, Boomflower, was looking sleepy.

"Hello, Boomflower," Cottonclaw added.

"Morning," Boomflower said with a wide yawn.

Reekfur chuckled. "Excuse her. She's not very fond of mornings. Where's everyone else? They haven't left without us, have they?"

"Nobody else has showed up," Cottonclaw shrugged.

"Well, I wouldn't be saying that!" Brownclaw said as he came walking up with Smokefrost by his side. "We're here now, aren't we?"

"Brownclaw! Smokefrost!" Cottonclaw shouldn't have been surprised to see them. His uncles were both former kittypets. Graystar was smart for sending them; they would know the best places to get fresh catmint.

"It's nice to see you, too," Smokefrost laughed.

"What will be really nice is when we're done with this and back home where we should be!" a rough voice said. Two ShadowClan cats stepped out from behind a holly bush. Pineroot was the one who had spoken. Beside him was Dwarfshadow, a tom around Rowanstar's age. Cottonclaw was glad to see Dwarfshadow; he was one of the nicer ShadowClan toms.

"Hello to you, too, Pips," Brownclaw said. "Oops, I mean Pineroot."

Pineroot smirked, and Boomflower giggled.

"Your kittypet name was Pips?" Boomflower giggled some more.

"I'm not a kittypet anymore," Pineroot snorted.

"It's a good thing you used to be, though," Reekfur said, trying to lessen the humiliation from his sister's giggling. "We can use cats who know Twolegplace."

Pineroot ignored him. "Looks like all that's left is RiverClan. I'll be surprised if any of them show up, though. The mouse-brains let the sickness spread so much in their Clan."

Smokefrost glared at the kittypet turned ShadowClan cat. "You know, Pineroot, I used to like you a lot more when you were known as Pips."

"Like I care," Pineroot replied.

"You don't care much about anything anymore, Pineroot," Willowsky said as she and Ashwhisker came walking up. "Not since my sister chose Rowanstar over you."

Pineroot's neck fur bristled. "That's ancient history now, Willowsky. I don't even know why you bring it up anymore."

Cottonclaw twitched his tail. Obviously, it was ancient history. He'd had no idea that Pineroot had liked his mother once. That explained why Pineroot had never seemed to really like him or his siblings.

"I'll stop bringing it up when you've gotten over your grudge against Rowanstar," Willowsky replied. She turned to look at everyone else. "Let's go. The faster we get there, the faster we can get back with the catmint my Clan needs."

"Your Clan isn't the only one that needs it," Pineroot snapped. "It's because you didn't ask for help sooner that ShadowClan now has greencough!"

"Believe me, I'm sorry about that," Willowsky said, her voice suddenly rough. "But it's no use complaining about it when you can do something about it."

"Willowsky, are you okay?" Cottonclaw asked his aunt as the group of cats started heading for the Twolegplace in the distance.

Willowsky's blue eyes flashed. "I'm fine, Cottonclaw. You don't have to worry about me." She flicked her tail and trotted faster to catch up with Brownclaw and Smokefrost.

Ashwhisker took her place beside him. He glanced over at Pineroot and Dwarfshadow, who were walking a few tail-lengths to the left of the rest of the group. "Don't tell anyone else, Cottonclaw, but Willowsky had greencough. She didn't get it as bad as usual. She was really sick for about two days, but then her symptoms went away. Her voice is raspy from the cough she had afterward."

Cottonclaw flattened his ears. "No wonder she's so defensive."

Ashwhisker sighed. "We're in pretty bad shape. RiverClan really needs this catmint. Willowsky and I are supposed to collect as much as we can carry." Ashwhisker flicked his whiskers. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Of course."

"After Willowsky and I get back, Lionstorm is sending another patrol into Twolegplace to fetch more catmint," Ashwhisker admitted.

"You need that much catmint?" Cottonclaw whispered.

Ashwhisker nodded. "We'll lose too many of our cats if we don't. My mate, Peachfur, is sick. She's due to have our kits soon. She has to be healthy, or she and the kits won't survive."

"I'm sorry, Ashwhisker. I wish there was more that could be done for your Clan," Cottonclaw said.

"All you can do is pray to StarClan for us," Ashwhisker said softly. "Other than hunting and patrolling, all I've been doing is praying."

"I'll do that," Cottonclaw nodded to the gray tom.

"Thank you, Cottonclaw. You are a good friend," Ashwhisker said.

The two toms noticed that the group had reached the Thunderpath. It was time to focus on their mission: get catmint and get back home. Cottonclaw just hoped the other Clans wouldn't be angry if they discovered that RiverClan was making two trips to Twolegplace, rather than just this one. He sent up a prayer to StarClan that RiverClan got all of the catmint they needed to survive. Otherwise, they might go from five Clans to just four...

A blast of cold air made Ghostwind shiver. He blinked open his eyes to see the sun just peeking over the horizon, way in the distance. Its rays began to touch the valley, lighting everything in a beautiful, yellow glow. Orange and pink clouds drifted across the horizon line. It was one of the most beautiful scenes he'd ever seen in his entire life.

"Today's the day."

He turned his head to look at Ashflower, who was awake and looking at the sun rising, too. She turned her head to look at him.

"I can just feel it. We're going to be heading home today," she went on. "The Tribe that's looking for a home will come here, we'll help introduce them to Goose and his family, and then we can go home. Back to the lake."

"Back to healing injuries," Ravenheart said.

"Back to swimming!" Eaglefeather purred, his rearend rising as he stretched.

"And hunting," Tigerflame grumbled.

"And patrolling," Russetfrost laughed.

"Back to our families," Moonmist sighed.

"Back to sleeping in dens!" Ghostwind finally added, making the others laugh.

"It's obvious you all want to get back home very bad," Banjo said from where she was lying, curled up in the middle of her kits.

"We've been gone for longer than a whole moon," Fernstripe said.

"That's such a long time!" Goose said, sitting up. "I can't imagine doing that."

"It's been tough," Ashflower said. "We had a lot of close calls. But we haven't lost anybody, and we did what we came to do. We aren't finished yet, but I know everything will go smoothly with this Tribe we're supposed to help."

"When do you think they'll show up?" Ghostwind wondered aloud.

"No idea. So we're just going to have to wait," Eaglefeather said. "What should we do in the meantime?"

"I could go for some more fish," Swanpool said.

"Rats are better," Tigerflame stated.

"Oh, no! Fish are definitely the best!" Swanpool retorted.

"You're all wrong!" Moonmist laughed. "Rabbits are the best!"

Ghostwind laughed as the three went back and forth, squabbling over what prey was the best. He felt a sudden pang of guilt when he realized that he was going to miss this. When they returned to the lakes, they'd all go back to their separate Clans. Fernstripe would go back to LightClan and Reekfur, the mate Eaglefeather felt threatened by. Eaglefather and Swanpool were heading back to a Clan that might still be riddled with sickness. Tigerflame and Moonmist would be on opposite sides of the lake once more. And Ghostwind would be back in ThunderClan, he and Ashflower reunited with Cottonclaw.

It's okay, Ghostwind. We're all going to miss this, Ashflower's voice whispered in his head. But it's not something we can change. Unless we decided to stay here, in this valley, with Goose, his family, and the Tribe we've come to help.

Ghostwind's heart clenched again. For a split moment, he wondered if the others would be up to that. But then he thought about everyone he'd left behind in ThunderClan. Smudgewing and Cottonclaw were waiting for him. His parents were probably worried sick, and his mother was supposed to be having kits soon. The others all had family, friends, and mates back in their Clans. They couldn't stay here, no matter how much they wanted to.

Ashflower was right. Losing the friendships they'd created on this journey was something that couldn't be helped. They'd see each other at Gatherings, but it would never be like this again.

Never.

Cottonclaw knawed another stalk off the catmint plant he and Sootpelt were gathering from. The other Clan cats had gone off somewhere in the maze of Twolegplace, looking for other fresh catmint plants to gather from. They'd agreed to meet back up at a designated safe spot once they'd all finished.

"Sootpelt, remember not to eat any," Cottonclaw said.

"I know, Cottonclaw," Sootpelt replied around another stalk. "My mother needs this catmint more than I do. Even if it does smell so good."

Cottonclaw realized then why Sootpelt had volunteered to come on this trip. Why hadn't he seen it before? Rainfur was sick, and Sootpelt was her son. That explained everything.

They worked tirelessly, knawing off an many stalks of catmint as they could manage. Finally, the two of them bent to grab the stalks and head off to the safe spot to wait. They walked side-by-side, slipping under fences and pushing through bushes. Cottonclaw had never seen Sootpelt so determined as he was now.

The two of them reached the safe spot. Willowsky and Ashwhisker were already there waiting for them. Their piles of catmint were huge. Cottonclaw couldn't believe the two cats could carry so much. Then he realized that there were large leaves under the piles. That explained how they could carry so much!

"That's so much catmint!" Sootpelt said after he'd dropped his.

"Blossomfur told us we should find the largest leaves we could and bring the catmint back wrapped in them," Willowsky explained. "That way we could carry more."

"Pineroot probably won't be very happy to see that you used a medicine cat trick without cluing the rest of us in about it," Cottonclaw commented.

"Pineroot can go shove a rat down his throat," Willowsky grumbled. "That tom has been hanging around ShadowClan cats for too long. He would have been better off in WindClan with friendlier cats. Or maybe ThunderClan. He probably regrets not asking to be in ThunderClan. He'd have had a better chance with your mother then."

Cottonclaw flattened his ears.

Willowsky sighed. "I'm sorry. It's just that I find it difficult to deal with the way Pineroot acts. He really needs to get over his grudge. There are some very lovely she-cats in ShadowClan that would be lucky to be his mate."

"I understand how you feel, Willowsky," Sootpelt said, lying down and tucking his paws up underneath him. "It's not healthy to hold a grudge. For any amount of time."

Willowsky nodded to him. "I take it Nimbleclaw is still blaming you?"

Sootpelt averted his eyes. "Let's just say she and I haven't had a civil conversation since we were first apprenticed."

"That's terrible, Sootpelt," Ashwhisker said. "Wasn't there nothing you could do to stop Webpelt from dying?"

Cottonclaw blinked and looked at Sootpelt.

"No. I couldn't stop her death," Sootpelt whispered. "But Nimbleclaw doesn't understand that. She continues to blame me."

Cottonclaw was learning a lot about Sootpelt today. He'd heard the name Webpelt when he was a kit. She'd been one of the cats who'd died in the war against DarkClan. But how she was related to Sootpelt and Nimbleclaw, he wasn't sure.

"I've heard Webpelt's name mentioned in the elders' stories of the war against DarkClan," Cottonclaw said. "They never said anything much about her, other than she died."

Sootpelt put his chin on the ground. "That's because Webpelt was still an apprentice when she died. She, Nimbleclaw, and I were very close to our warrior ceremony. Clawstar gave her a warrior name moments before she passed on."

"She was your sister?" Cottonclaw couldn't imagine how that must feel. If he lost Ashflower, he would feel like his life was over.

"Yes. I was standing next to her when she was fatally wounded. Nimbleclaw blamed me for her death because I didn't do more to stop it," Sootpelt murmured.

That explained why Nimbleclaw was always glaring at her brother. It also explained why many of the other cats never spoke much to him. Everyone who'd been in the war put some blame on Sootpelt for letting Webpelt die.

Cottonclaw sighed and sat down. "I'm sorry, Sootpelt."

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Sootpelt said, his eyes closed. "You aren't the one who is holding a grudge against me for something that I had no control over."

But that didn't mean Cottonclaw couldn't feel sorry for the poor tom. Not knowing what else to say, Cottonclaw spread out on his stomach to wait for the others to return.

Ghostwind and Ashflower were lying on a boulder in the sunlight when the Tribe showed up. The others were around, eating or enjoying the sunlight. Ashflower was the first to raise her head. Ghostwind opened his eyes when he heard her move.

"They're here," she said. "I can hear their thoughts. They're very tired. Many of the cats think their leader has gone crazy, chasing her dreams. The leader just spotted us."

Ghostwind sat up and looked around. "Where are they?"

"Directly across the clearing from us," Ashflower said, sitting up as well.

Eaglefeather, Moonmist, Fernstripe, and Tigerflame walked over to the boulder they were lying on.

"Should we invite them over here?" Eaglefeather asked.

Ashflower looked over into the trees. "It's okay! You can come out! We aren't going to hurt you. We knew you were coming. The white cat told us."

Ghostwind turned to look in the direction Ashflower was facing. A group of cats appeared from the shadows of the trees. There were about twenty of them. Leading the rest was a long-furred, white cat with brown and ginger patches on its back and tail. Three of the cats looked to be apprentice size, and three were small enough to be carried. The rest were all obviously of warrior or queen status.

"Hello, cats of the valley," the long-furred she-cat at the head of the group said. She stopped about five tail-lengths away. Her Tribe sat down behind her. "My name is Leaves that Dapple her Soul. You may call me Souldapple. I am the healer of this Tribe. We were once known as the Mushroom Tribe, for the forest we lived in was overrun with mushrooms. We were forced from our home by Twoleg monsters, and our Tribe no longer has a name."

"Hello, Souldapple," Ghostwind replied. "My name is Ghostwind. I am a visitor here to the valley. My friends and I were sent here by our ancestors to aide you in finding a new home."

Souldapple bowed her head to him. "The white cat you spoke of. He told you we were coming? I saw him in my dreams. He said that we must stop fighting the Tribe of Rushing Water because there was a home for us further in the mountains."

"Yes. His name is Ghostlight," Ghostwind said. "Before you can settle into the valley, you must know that there is a family of cats who already call this place home. They are the family of Ghostlight, the white cat who came to you in your dreams. If you are willing to live beside them peacefully, you can have this valley as your new home."

Souldapple looked around at Goose, Sky, and the other cats who had gathered together as the Tribe approached. "You're the family of the white cat?"

"Yes," Goose replied.

"Then I ask for your permission to live in your valley," Souldapple bowed her head.

"You have our permission," Goose replied. "My family has talked, and we would like to join your Tribe. If that is okay with you. Some of us are getting on in our seasons, but we will help in whatever way we can."

"We've traveled for many moons, and we've lost many of our Tribe on the journey. We would be happy to have you join our Tribe. We will choose Tribe names for you, if you do not mind," Souldapple said. "We will try to keep them close to the names you have now."

Creamheart lumbered forward, her pregnant belly making movement cumbersome. "I come from a Clan a few days travel from here. I left my Clan, and I wish to join your Tribe. If you will have me. My name is Creamheart, and I wish to keep that name in memory of the Clan I left behind."

"Creamheart. The names suits you," Souldapple said. "You may join our Tribe and remain as Creamheart, to honor the memory of your past life."

"Thank you, Souldapple," Creamheart purred.

"This has been really formal and all, but isn't it time to quit the formalities?" Tigerflame asked, looking at Souldapple. "I'm Tigerflame. I hope you like the valley. It's the perfect place to live."

Ghostwind thought the she-cat was going to hiss at Tigerflame's disrespectful tone, but the she-cat surprised him by twitched her whiskers and laughing.

"I think I know why they call you Tigerflame," she said. "My Tribe and I couldn't be more happy to finally have found a place to live."

Ashflower jumped down from the boulder. "My name is Ashflower." She nodded. "I think it's time you gave your Tribe a new name, don't you think? You can't remain nameless now that you have a home again."

"You're right," Souldapple said, looking around. "This valley is so green, despite the season. Hmm. What about the Tribe of Green Valley?"

Moonmist purred. "I think it's perfect!"

"Yes!" Souldapple's Tribemates shouted in agreement.

"That settles it," Souldapple purred. She padded forward and jumped up onto the boulder where Ghostwind sat. He respectfully jumped down to allow her to speak. "From this day forward, we are the Tribe of Green Valley! We thank you, Ghostwind and friends, for coming here to help us, but your help is no longer needed. I believe you were sent here by the white cat you call Ghostlight, and I thank Ghostlight for bringing you to us. Without him, we would have continued to fight the Tribe of Rushing Water for endless moons."

"You mean you don't need our help setting up a camp? Or finding the best spots to hunt for prey?" Tigerflame asked.

"No. We can do that all ourselves," Souldapple said. "We are not mouse-brains!"

Ghostwind looked up at Souldapple. "You should know about the Mooneyes, though. Ghostlight's family members can show you the way. It is a magical place."

"Mooneyes," Souldapple said. "It sounds like the perfect place for me to speak with our ancestors. When I am ready, Ghostlight's family can show me the way there. Right now, I want my Tribe to spread out and explore the valley. Find the best place to make camp. Tomorrow we will begin marking our new territory!"

The Tribe cats cheered and began to disperse.

"Good-bye, Ghostwind," Goose said. "We're going to go show these cats the best places in the valley! Thanks for everything you've done for us."

"Yes, thank you again," Banjo said. She touched her nose to Ghostwind's ear. "I suppose we might not see you again. So this is good-bye. We are forever in your debt."

"Don't worry about it," Ghostwind said. "I was just doing what my destiny asked me to."

He watched Goose, Banjo, and the rest of their family disappear, followed by some of the Tribe cats. It was good that Ghostlight's family members had decided to join the Tribe. Perhaps the kits would find mates in the Tribe cats, and Ghostlight's family would expand and flourish into generations in the Tribe of Green Valley.

"Ghostwind," Souldapple said. "I must speak with you privately."

Ghostwind turned to see the Tribe healer standing beside him. He hadn't even heard her walk up beside him. "Okay." He wasn't sure what this was about, but he followed the healer away from his friends.

Souldapple sat down and wrapped her tail around her paws. "The white cat told me something that I was supposed to tell his namesake. You say his name was Ghostlight, and your name is Ghostwind. I assume you are the one he was talking about."

Ghostwind felt his pelt crawl under his fur. What could Ghostlight possibly want Souldapple to tell him that Ghostlight couldn't tell him himself?

"Yes. I was named after Ghostlight," Ghostwind muttered.

"A new illness will spread, one you will dread. Only one cure, one most pure. A plant found in the green of the mountains will be your only hope," Souldapple said.

Her words sent a shiver down Ghostwind's spine. Another prophecy? How could this be? He turned away from the she-cat to stare at a rock lodged in the dirt. The first prophecy hadn't even been fulfilled fully, and Ghostlight was sending him another one? Now he had to look forward to a war and a sickness that had only one cure?

"Ghostwind, do you understand what it means?" Souldapple whispered.

"I think I have the general idea," Ghostwind sighed. "A sickness is going to come to the Clans around the lake, and it can only be cured by one thing. And that thing is found somewhere in the mountains."

"Not just anywhere in the mountains. In the green of the mountain. I believe you'll be returning to this valley in the future," Souldapple said.

Ghostwind finally turned to look at her. Her eyes were an unusual, light green. "You really think it's that simple?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "We'll just have to see, won't we? I bid you good luck, Ghostwind. You and your friends look like you've been through a lot."

He nodded glumly.

"You and your friends can leave whenever you wish. We will not hold you here any longer than you wish to stay," the she-cat said. She touched his shoulder with her tail. "Keep your chin up, Ghostwind. Not everything is darkness and evil."

Ghostwind looked up at the afternoon sky. She was right. If anything proved that, it was LightClan. The members of LightClan had once been beyond evil, their hearts full of darkness. But many of them, given the chance, had turned from that darkness and embrassed the small spark of light and goodness in their hearts.

I wonder what Sly would have been like, if he'd been given the chance to embrass the light instead of the dark. Would he have chosen differently?

"Ghostwind! Can we go yet, or not?" Tigerflame shouting, breaking him out of his thoughts.

Ghostwind smirked as Souldapple laughed.

"That's Tigerflame for you," Ghostwind said to the Tribe's healer.

"Well, are you going to answer me?" Tigerflame called.

"Good-bye, Souldapple. It was a pleasure meeting you," Ghostwind said before he shouted, "Okay, Tigerflame!" He ran over and tackled the tom in the grass. "We can go when you can keep your mouth shut!"

Swanpool snorted. "Like that'll ever happen."

Tigerflame bristled. "I can keep my mouth shut!"

"No, you can't," Swanpool retorted.

"Yes, I can!" Tigerflame hissed.

"Nope. Not possible!"

"Hey, mouse-brains! You coming home with us, or are you staying here with the Tribe?" Ashflower called over her shoulder as she and the others trotted away.

"Hey!" Swanpool shouted.

"Wait for us!" Tigerflame yelped, racing to catch up.

"That's what I thought," Ashflower purred.

Ghostwind looked back one last time at the lush, green valley. The thought of the prophecy Souldapple had just given him made his heart sink. She was right; he would be back in this valley again someday in the future. But only time would tell when.

"Come on, slowpoke!" Ashflower said loudly.

Ghostwind turned around and padded after his friends, heading for home at last.

End of Chapter Twenty-Three