"What is this?"

"I'm not sure."

Extending before the two cats was what appeared to be a different kind of grass. It was taller than the surrounding grass, and was gold in color. Pharaoh carefully stalked forward and stared into the forest of unknown plants. Zari followed more casually.

"We should stop. The sun is up."

"But we're close! I can sense it! The star hasn't changed direction so far, why would it now? If we just keep walking in the direction it disappeared in-"

"Alright already! Let's just go."

She ran ahead, not caring what might be hiding in the golden grass. She couldn't tell where she was going, but didn't really care if she was going in the right direction. When she finally did stop, Pharaoh wasn't behind her. She couldn't even hear his footsteps. She was alone.

Pleased, she laid down and let the sun warm her fur. The foreign plant swayed in the wind. It reflected light a little too well and Zari closed her eyes to stop the light from burning them. Sleep hadn't been her intent, but it came to her regardless.

What are you going to do when you reach the portal?

Well, she wasn't going back. She was only leading Pharaoh there. Whatever happened to the stray after that didn't concern her. She looked around, trying to make out where she was. But this was not a visual dream.

I believe I shouldn't hide the truth from you any longer, Zari.

What are you talking about, she questioned.

That portal you're trying to get to? It doesn't exist.

Zari's grey eyes opened wide with horror. Natra had been lying to her all this time. Pharaoh was now sitting in front of her, an irritated glint in his eyes. It was sunhigh. A few storm clouds floated far above them. Pharaoh's expression quickly turned to interest.

"What?"

"Pharaoh…. There is no portal."

He blinked. "What do you mean, there isn't a portal?"

"Natra's been lying to me!"

"Calm down. Why would she do that?"

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out."

"Zari! Come back here!"

She ignored the black and white feline's voice and bounded in the direction they'd come from. Her tiredness forgotten, she ran as quickly as she could, hoping she would get to RogueClan in time. She soon left the strange grass behind. Looking around, she spotted an orange pelt in the background of green.

She changed her course and sprinted straight towards the figure. It took a minute for Hawkstrike to notice her, but he did and waited for her approach. Zari at last reached the orange cat and he stared at her, confused.

"Zari? What are you running from?"

"Natra," she panted. "Where is Natra?"

"I haven't seen her since the other night. Why?"

"I have to find her. Where are the others?"

Hawkstrike pointed with his muzzle. "Back that way. Windfang insisted we stop resting so often, but Whiteroad was about to collapse. I was supposed to come see what's ahead…. Is that gold grass?"

"Never mind. Do you know where Natra could be?"

"No. Why is this so important-"

"Because I think she has something to do with the prophecy!"

Suddenly, Hawkstrike looked fearful. She'd never seen him look fearful before. "Something to do with Song or Death?"

"I don't know. But the Clan's lost many cats, and she knows why. I'm sure about it. She's been lying to me about something all this time, and you know how strange her behavior is. She must know something."

"You seem…. Worried."

"I am! The Clan is in danger, and Natra knows something about it, but she didn't tell me. I want to know what and why."

"You care about the Clan?"

The question irritated her. "Why wouldn't I?"

Hawkstrike stared at her, and then mumbled something her ears didn't pick up.

"What?"

His response was the same, just a little louder.

"What? I can't hear what you're saying."

"I was wrong! You have changed."

"Thank you for finally realizing that," she replied, feeling amusement despite the situation.

"I thought it wasn't possible for someone so cruel to change for the better. So I listened to your conversation with Mosspaw and…. Well… you know what happened next."

Her tail swished. "So does this mean we have a truce?"

"Yes…. So long as you don't turn back into the cat you were, I won't attack you again, with claws or words."

She hoped the peace would be a permanent thing. But now wasn't the time to think about that. She had to find Natra. She followed Hawkstrike back to where the Clan was resting. Everyone was surprised at her arrival with the orange cat. Zari put Pharaoh at the back of her mind and kept an eye out for Natra.

Before long, she noticed a crowd had gathered around Whiteroad. Curious, she went and sat beside Mosspaw. Snowstripe was staring at the white she-cat with a horrified expression. Where they related somehow? Thunderpaw and Blizzardpaw where there too, along with Shadefeather.

Emeraldfire joined the group just after Zari. "What's going on?" the fire-colored cat asked.

"Bladetooth is here." Whiteroad's voice was weak.

"But Bladetooth is dead," Mosspaw timidly argued.

The elder cat nodded. "I'm about to join her in MoonClan."

"But we're so close to the new territory," Shadefeather's upset voice got Zari's attention.

"Oh, I'll be there, you just won't see me." The normally irritable cat seemed at peace. She laid her head on her front paws.

"Whiteroad!" Snowstripe seemed the most upset.

"I'll be waiting for you, Snowstripe. I'll come and lead you to MoonClan when it's time. Until then, serve the Clan as best you can. Be the strong warrior cat I know you are."

Whiteroad's blue eyes slowly closed, and her breathing stopped. Silence followed. Heartbeats felt like hours to Zari. Snowstripe trembled, and laid down, burying her nose in Whiteroad's fur. Blizzardpaw copied the gesture. Thunderpaw did the same after a few moments.

Shadefeather backed up and turned around to see if anyone else had realized what happened. Oneclaw had, and was speaking with her twin. Zari sighed sadly, but at least Whiteroad's death had been a peaceful one.