And the word of the day/lifetime is: Anhedonia.

I knew this was going to be a large and carefully made chapter, but I wasn't really motivated to spend so much brainpower on it so soon after the last gargantuan chapter. Sorry for the multi-month wait but I wasn't going to start this until I was in a happy healthy place.

AvidWarriorsFan3 In the original Jayfeather's Conclusion, he used the Casting of the Stones technique when the Tribe had an issue they needed to decide on. That issue doesn't exist in this version but I still intended to use the trick. Jay's plan was risky but it paid off... maybe.

espiritduchat I'm glad you like Cash! I'm always worried when I introduce an original character that people will hate it. I've read other people's stories where their own oc's are super strong and/or perfect and that kinda ruins the story because it just turns into a character showcase. I try to make my own characters flawed but still believable and fun.

MistLion Jayfeather is easily one of the cleverest characters in the entire book series. I try to make it show.

P D Val de Fleur took you long enough, haha! I do love me a good cliffhanger.

Guest nah, no updates for you good m'am or sir :P

The sun lit up the newleaf sky with bright reds and violets and cast long shadows across the rocky mountain's face. The previously pleasant breeze had turned into an icy gust that pounded against Briarlight's pelt and made her shiver. Even though she had been somewhat hardened to the mountain air after living with the Tribe for almost a quarter moon, she knew it would never be her permanent home. As much as I like a lot of the cats here, I don't think I could live in a place that had no trees to climb or bird song to wake me up in the morning.

She tried not to let her twitching tail give away how nervous she was as she sat with the Tribe cats on the border. The meeting was planned to take place before sun-down so the Pack should be arriving at any moment. There was no visual boundary that she could see, nor scent marks like how the Clans did it. According to Brook, the Tribe had stopped maintaining scent markers long ago since the Pack never respected them anyway.

Ruffled Tribe cats were scattered among the rocks around Briarlight. Some had found perches at the tops of large boulders from which they might spot the Pack's approach, while others huddled beneath bushes or between the nooks of rocks to avoid the cold breeze. Brook and Storm stood many fox-lengths away from her, guarding Stoneteller who waited closest to the border.

"If I have to wait here in the cold any longer I think my paws might just freeze to the rocks."

Briarlight turned to the young tom by her side. Cash's brown tabby fur was dancing in the breeze like the long grass on the moors of WindClan. Even though he had been worried that a fight could break out he had been determined to come anyway to watch the Tribe and the Pack come together. She rested her tail on his shoulder. "Sit closer to me. We can keep each other warm."

But Cash looked nervously around at the Tribe cats who were standing vigilantly around them.

Briarlight released a purr, realizing his discomfort. "No cat will think any less of you. The Tribe have thicker fur than we do and they're used to living with the chill. Besides, I'm cold too."

The young tom looked back at her, his green eyes bright with gratitude. "Okay."

Briarlight lifted her paw so Cash could get in closer, and draped it over his other side once he was tucked comfortably against her chest. She hadn't been lying when she said was cold. The stone beneath her pads seemed to suck the heat out of her body and without any tree-cover, the wind billowed relentlessly against her face making her eyes water. I wish newleaf could keep the nights as warm as the days. Cats are more agreeable when they don't feel like icicles.

"I hope the Pack cats get here soon," murmured Cash through chattering teeth. "Then we can all go back to the cave."

"The Pack will be here soon," Briarlight meowed encouragingly into Cash's ear, trying not to let her own teeth chatter. "Then this will all be over."

"Maybe Jayjay will come with us, too," Cash whispered with excitement. "He might not need to help the Pack anymore if the Tribe agrees to let them stay in the mountains."

Briarlight thought about Cash's words for a moment. She hoped one day Cash could be together again with his best friend, but she also knew they were very different cats. Maybe it was their destiny to be apart. "I don't know if that's true," she murmured cautiously. "Jayjay chose to stay with the Pack instead of leave when the Tribe arrived. Maybe he will adapt better to life with the Pack than he ever could with the Tribe."

Cash let out a gasp loud enough to make a few of the nearby Tribe cats' heads turn towards him. "How could you say that!"

Briarlight instantly regretted opening her mouth. She should have known Cash wouldn't be happy accepting that Jayjay would rather live with some strange savage cats rather than with his own half-brother. "Forget I said anything," she mumbled, backtracking quickly. "It isn't my place to judge him. I just know he has a good heart and he wants to help those who need it the most. Jayfeather is the same way which is why he made me stay here with the Tribe while he risked his own life to aid the Pack."

Even in the dimming light, Briarlight could see that Cash's pelt was still sticking on end. But after taking a couple deep breaths, he slowly let his fur fall back into place. "I suppose you're right. Is it selfish of me that I wish he was here instead of helping the Pack? I mean, he is my half-brother and we have always done everything together. I just don't know anymore."

Briarlight didn't answer for a few moments, staring off in the direction of the Pack's land. I feel the same way for Jayfeather. I know he is doing the right thing, but I still worry for him. All it takes is one dissatisfied Pack cat and a bite to the throat to ruin everything. She shook her head, forcing herself not to imagine how quickly her mate's life could be ended if nobody was close enough to help him. Instead, she forced out a purr and gave Cash a lick on the shoulder. "It is only natural to miss those closest to you," she reassured him. "It couldn't have been an easy decision for Jayjay to make -choosing to stay with the Pack- but I know he misses you just as much and is eager to see you again soon."

Her words seemed to soothe the young tom's heart slightly and he relaxed. He pressed closer to Briarlight's side and a purr bubbled up from his throat. "I guess that makes sense. Thanks, Briarlight."

"I'm always happy to help."

Briarlight sat with Cash and watched the last of the sun's rays flicker out across the horizon. A pale moon was rising in the sky but she couldn't tell what shape it was because it was hidden behind clouds. All she could see was a smudge of glowing white among the gray. No cat made a sound as the night fully engulfed the mountain. She suddenly realized how different the darkness was here compared to the forest. Back in the ThunderClan camp, nights were mottled with the sounds of the breeze rustling the dry bracken walls of the camp. Even on still nights, the eerie cries of owls would occasionally reach Briarlight's ears.

But here it was truly quiet. No tree creaked in the breeze and no owl disturbed the complete silence.

"My patience has run dry," Stoneteller growl quietly to the cats around him as he stood up. He raised his tail for his cats to listen. "Flora has chosen not to show up so peace is not an option anymore. Storm, gather the Tribe. We're beginning our attack on the Pack's cave right now."

Briarlight's fur pricked in horror. The whole point of the meeting had been to avoid a battle! She bolted forward, ignoring the ache in her legs from sitting still for so long. "Wait!" She stopped in front of Stoneteller, Storm, and Brook. "Give them a little more time. I know they will come."

Storm froze, his eyes flickering between Briarlight and Stoneteller.

Briarlight was met with a grim and apathetic gaze but Stoneteller raised his paw for Storm to wait. "Briarlight, I have to put the well-being of my cats before all else," he meowed coldly. "The longer I keep my guards here the longer I risk the chance that Flora could be setting up an ambush. If there is to be a battle, it needs to be on our terms, not theirs. Peace clearly isn't important enough to them if they can't even muster the courtesy to arrive on time."

Briarlight opened her mouth, hoping that anything would come out to dissuade the Tribe leader, but she couldn't think of anything. Resignedly, she lowered her head and stepped back.

Storm made to move, gesturing with his tail for Brook to follow, when suddenly a loud yowl pierced the night air.

"They are coming!"

Briarlight breathed a sigh of relief as one of the Tribe cats announced the arrival of the Pack. Through the darkness, she could see glowing eyes approaching from the shadows. More and more eyes flickered into sight as the Pack cats clambered over the rocks towards the border. As they got closer, Briarlight recognized Flora leading them. The white patches of her fur were just as dark as the brown parts of her pelt.

Behind the Pack leader padded another she-cat Briarlight thought was Nettle, and behind her limped Jayfeather.

What in StarClan happened to him? Briarlight's eyes grew wide with shock as she realized her mate's pelt was laced with fresh cuts. Blood darkened his neck and muzzle but he didn't seem to let his injuries slow him down as he proudly marched along.

"I suppose they came after all," Stoneteller muttered, his glowing eyes fixed on Flora with disgust. More loudly he called "Tribe cats, take your positions! No cat attacks or says anything unless I give the order!"

Briarlight stepped back to sit with Cash who was standing on his toes hoping to spot Jayjay among the faces that were streaming closer. She rested her paw on his side, encouraging him to sit back down. There would be time for reunions but now was not that time.

She could almost feel the tension crackling in the air like lightning as the Tribe and Pack faced each other. Many of the Tribe cats had spiked fur as the Pack cats lined up just a few pawsteps away from them. Even though Flora's cats were all horribly thin and many of them were battered and scarred, they easily outnumbered the Tribe. Every single Pack cat's eyes glittered with pride and confidence. If they attacked now, the Tribe would have to fight for their lives.

Stoneteller also seemed to notice how unnerved his cats were and Briarlight wondered if he wished he had given the order to attack before the Pack could organize. He narrowed his eyes and lifted his head high as Flora stepped towards him. A tiny growl rumbled in his throat. "You're late."

"My apologies," Flora hissed, clearly taking offense to the Tribe leader's hostility. "We had a few... problems in our cave that we needed to sort out first." She looked over her shoulder in Jayfeather's direction who stood quietly with his eyes seemingly focused on the sky. "But we're here now and ready to talk."

Problems? What did you do to Jayfeather? How is he a problem? Briarlight let her gaze flick back to the skinny gray tabby tom who still held himself high with pride, but it was too dark to see the look on his face. She instinctively took a step towards him but Stoneteller held out his tail.

"Stay where you are," he growled at her, his fur spiking as the Pack cat's foreign scent filled the air. "Until I hear the full story it may not be safe."

Briarlight froze in surprise, but slowly returned to her sitting position. She stared longingly in Jayfeather's direction, but she would have plenty of time to talk with him after this was all over.

Flora's eyes gleamed as she stared at Stoneteller. "We are here as agreed. I apologize again for our tardiness, but some things can not be helped. As for terms of peace, I have a proposition for you-"

"There is nothing you can do or say to make up for the atrocities the Pack have committed against the Tribe," Stoneteller snarled, interrupting her. "I gave up on forgiveness a long time ago. The only way I am permitting you to stay in the mountain is if abandon all of your territories close to our lands and know that if you ever cross the border again, we will chase you out once and for all and kill any who resist."

A twinge of uneasiness squirmed in Briarlight's belly at that open loathing that wrung in the Tribe leader's meow. It was clear he wasn't here to offer up a diplomatic solution, but to secure the safety of his own cats at whatever cost. She expected Flora to take offense, and maybe attack, but instead, she just lifted her head towards the moon and let out a small sigh. "I completely understand your anger," she meowed calmly, but loud enough for every watching cat to hear. "You have every right to hate me and my Pack, we have been enemies since the first day we met. But my cats can barely feed themselves with the territory they have now so I couldn't reduce our hunting grounds. That is out of the question."

"If you will not comply to the Tribe's demands, then we are still at war," Stoneteller growled coldly, lifting his tail to sign for his cats to be ready. "I was foolish to believe you could be reasoned with." He took a step back from Flora, his tail still raised. He was about to order the Tribe to attack.

Flora lowered her head in disappointment and raised her own tail for her own cats to prepare themselves. "Then I suppose we start fighting now."

"Wait!"

Jayfeather rushed forward, stepping between the two leaders. He turned his head to Stoneteller as he spoke. "You need to trust the Pack just this one time. I've lived with them for only four days now but we've had much to discuss. I believe they are ready to make lasting peace."

Stoneteller glared at Jayfeather with frustration. It was as if all he wanted to do was rid the mountains of the Pack and never have to think about them ever again. "Fine! What could the Pack possibly do or say to convince me they are worth keeping around? What could possibly make up for the many moons of defiling and disgracing our ancestors' lands?"

Flora gave a small nod of gratitude to Jayfeather before stepping closer to Stoneteller. "Teach us your ways. Show us why this land is so sacred and how to respect your traditions. Tell the Pack about the Tribe of Endless Hunting and make us your allies."

Even in the dim light, Briarlight could see Stoneteller's eyes grow wide as moons in disbelief. But they soon narrowed again into slits of suspicion. "The Pack has never had any interest in becoming like the Tribe," Stoneteller growled. "You so conveniently want to change now that they are in danger of destruction. This is a trick to make the Tribe of Rushing Water let down their guard so your cats have a chance to strengthen themselves before attacking us again."

Flora let out a cold snarl, baring her teeth and flattening her ears. "Are you calling me a liar?"

Stoneteller held his head high. "I'm calling you a liar and a villain. You once said you would respect the border after the Clan cats helped us defeat you moons ago. But as soon as they were gone, you resumed your trespassing on our lands. The Pack has never wanted to be like the Tribe!"

"That isn't true!"

Stoneteller turned to look at the cat who had spoken.

Briarlight hadn't even realized that she had said her thoughts aloud, but now every single gathered cat was staring at her expectantly. "It isn't true," she repeated nervously, looking down at her own paws. She remembered what Cash had told her. "A Pack cat once tried to join the Tribe but you turned them away. You were mad because the Pack had recently attacked one of your hunting patrols."

"Who told you this?" Stoneteller growled furiously. "If it was a Pack cat, you know they can't be trusted!"

Briarlight shook her head. "It was one of your own cats." She didn't want to get Lark in trouble so she didn't mention that the young cave-guard had been the one who told Cash. "You turned down a cat in need out of spite, not because they were a threat to your way of life."

Stoneteller let out another growl, but it was actually Flora who spoke next. "I was unaware that one of my cats tried to switch sides. Does anyone know who it was?"

"It was me."

A gray and tortoiseshell she-cat pushed her way past the rest of the Pack cats so everyone could see her.

"My name is Petal and I made the decision to ask the Tribe for help when food stopped making it back to the cave," she meowed, her voice shaking horribly. "But the Tribe refused to help me. And when my milk ran dry, one of my kits, Glass, died."

Briarlight's heart ached for the she-cat who was quivering like a leaf as the others stared at her. For a few moments, the mountains returned to their perfect silence. It didn't matter who's side you were on, the death of a kit was always tragic. Especially when the death could have been easily avoided if some cat had helped.

"I'm so sorry, Petal," murmured Flora, fixing her sorrowful gaze on the distraught queen. "Why didn't you tell anyone that you were desperate enough to ask the Tribe for help?"

Another Pack cat, Nettle, padded forward to stand beside Petal.

"You were afraid to go against the laws of the Pack," Nettle meowed knowingly. "Only the strong were allowed to survive and you thought you or your kits might be harmed for daring to ask for help. It wouldn't have been the first time young cats were left to die when they couldn't take care of themselves."

Flora cleared her throat and raised her head high. "As times got harder, the Pack hardened and became savage. It seemed like the only way we could survive and defeat our enemies." She glanced at Stoneteller, making sure he was listening. "But that is all going to change. My cats have made the decision to change their ways to align more with the beliefs of the Tribe. Only this way can we secure our future in the mountains."

Stoneteller's eyes were narrowed in suspicion, still finding it hard to believe the cats in front of him. "If you are speaking the truth, then I will consider making peace with the Pack. For you to continue living in these mountains, you will need to give up what makes you who you are. Are you really ready to sacrifice your own customs and beliefs to become like the Tribe?"

Flora met the Tribe leader's gaze with complete sincerity. "Only If it means we can live happily and safely in the mountains and our young cats will have the chance to live out there lives without fear of dying from cold or hunger."

"She really is speaking the truth," Jayfeather added. "Both the Tribe and the Pack are flawed. That is clear in the fact that both would turn down a desperate queen in need. Now is the chance for you both to begin mending and fixing your mistakes."

Stoneteller paused for a moment as if trying to see the trick that was being played, but couldn't find it. "Fine. As long as you behave, you are permitted to stay. I look forward to a cooperative alliance between our two groups of cats." He dipped his head to Flora in the first polite gesture Briarlight had ever seen him give to a Pack cat. "But you still know the consequences if you attempt to deceive us."

The Pack leader returned the gesture, dipping her head respectfully to the Tribe healer. "I know it will take many moons before the hostilities of the past can be washed away, but if your cats share with us your knowledge, we in turn shall respect your borders and customs. It hasn't been an easy decision for my cats to make but I'm proud of their courage to sacrifice their own way of life for a chance at a better future."

"Then it is settled," Stoneteller meowed, finally relaxing his bristling pelt. "We shall meet here tomorrow at sunhigh to begin the Pack's transformation. Bring as many cats as you can spare from hunting patrols. We have much more to discuss."

"You can trust me. We won't be late," Flora purred, relief filling her voice as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her chest. She turned around and raised her tail for her cats to follow. "We are returning home!"

Joy tingled in Briarlight's paws as she realized she could finally join Jayfeather as the Pack and Tribe began moving their separate ways. She rushed over to where he was standing silently on a patch of sand. He made no move of acknowledging her until she was close enough to touch him.

The tabby tom flinched slightly as she pressed her head into his side. He must have been thinking about something because usually he wasn't so distracted that she could sneak up on him. "Hi Briarlight! How was life in the Tribe without me for a few days?"

"Lonely," she replied, breathing in his familiar scent and feeling the hardened muscles beneath his pelt. "I missed you."

Jayfeather let out a loud purr and wrapped his tail around hers. "I missed you too. But we each had our own part to play in making peace between the Tribe and the Pack. We couldn't have done it if we had stayed together. Ouch! That cut is still tender."

Briarlight felt her paw over the long gashes in her mate's sides. The fresh cuts were long and covered most of Jayfeather's chest and shoulders. "What in StarClan happened to you? Why does it look like you got in a fight with a bramble thicket and lost?"

"I got in a fight with one of the Pack cats, but it's nothing."

Briarlight's eyes grew round. "You got in a fight? How-"

"Don't worry about it," he interrupted her, pressing his head against hers. "If you want the details, ask Jayjay about it. He saw the whole thing."

Briarlight looked around and spotted Jayjay and Cash sitting a few foxlengths away. They seemed to be deep in enthusiastic conversation as they told each other about their separate adventures over the past few days. It felt good seeing the two half-brothers together again.

Briarlight turned back to Jayfeather and stared into his round blue eyes. "Are you coming back to the Tribe's cave with me now that peace has been made?"

Jayfeather's eyes seemed to meet hers in that eerie sort of way. Even though he couldn't see her, he had gotten very good at pretending he could. "I don't see why not. I haven't eaten in days so-"

"Lying rat!"

Briarlight jumped in shock as a large figure burst across the rocks from the Pack's ranks and pounded in the direction of the retreating Tribe. She recognized the broad shoulders of Boulder and his eyes and jaws were wide in hysterical fury. The large tom's pelt was laced with scratches but it didn't seem to bother him as he bounded towards Stoneteller who was facing the other direction.

"I will not let you destroy the Pack!"

Stoneteller turned around just as the large Pack cat slammed into him and knocked him easily off his paws. With a snarl, Boulder lunged downwards with his teeth bared and snapped at the Tribe cat's throat. Stoneteller kicked and struggled as he tried to keep the gnashing teeth away but he was clearly not as strong as his attacker.

Storm and Brook who were the closest leaped to their leader's aid, but the attack had been so sudden and unexpected that it first took them a moment to realize what was happening. They rushed forward but their movements were slow and clumsy as their claws slipped on the smooth stone beneath their pads.

Then another cat slammed into Boulder from the side, knocking his vicious teeth away from Stoneteller. Briarlight recognized the brown and white pelt of Flora who had her jaws locked around Boulder's neck. With a swift jerk of her head, she ripped her teeth through the other Pack cat's flesh and sent blood spattering into the air.

Stoneteller scrambled to his paws, gasping for air as Boulder's body sloughed off of him. The other Tribe cats quickly made a protective circle around him in case more cats attacked. But the only Pack cat who moved was Flora who's chest heaved rapidly as she stood over Boulder's slumped body.

Blood spilled out onto the rocks, forming a black pool as the large Pack cat's chest rose and fell. He stared up into his leader's eyes and managed to gurgle a single loathing word before falling still. "Traitor."

There was a moment of shocked silence. Every cat's eyes were on the Pack leader, waiting for her to say something. Flora stood with her head lowered, panting as she stared down at her fallen Packmate. When she finally looked up at Stoneteller, her green eyes were filled with fiery conviction.

"I told you... you can trust me."

Welp, I just only now realized all the "good" Pack cats in the story are female while the only significant male cat, Boulder, is "bad." I did not have an agenda going into this, it just sorta happened... Also yay for a 4600 word chapter, it's huge!