This takes place during Mosskit Book 2: The Journey when Snakekit falls in the waterfall and goes missing for a while. I decided to finish up stories about her, though there might be one of her later in her life. This is just a short little one I wanted to write for now. This is a sequel to "The Shameful Snakekit" I guess

Water filled Snakekit's lungs as she thrashed around. Her limbs were beginning to tire each time she batted at the roaring waves. Mosskit's cries for help had deafened, and she was slowly drifting away from where she had fallen.

No, she thought, tears coming to her eyes. I died once. I can't die again.

She gasped for air again, coughing on the water that had gathered in her lungs.

"Help," she weakly called, though no one could hear her.

She shut her eyes, trying to remember the little bit of clan life she could remember. There was such a thing as StarClan, wasn't there? She hoped now more than ever that there was.

I'm sorry I couldn't be there to complete your journey with you, Mosskit, she thought to herself as her vision faded. Her eyes shot open with this realization, and she pushed forward.

"N-No," she choked. She had to be there for her friend. He couldn't complete this journey without her.

Suddenly, it was as if the waves had been lifted. The water became calm, and she felt herself drifting toward shore. With the little strength she had, she kicked her tiny black legs to shore and collapsed on damp earth.

Her chest heaved as she gasped for air, and moments later, she was spewing river water all over the ground.

Her lungs finally cleared, and she collapsed with the water still tickling her feet.

When Snakekit awoke, it was evening. She wasn't sure what day it was or how much time had passed, but she felt weak and...Grumble. Hungry. She was hungry.

Snakekit tried to rise to her feet, but she was still so exhausted. She shivered a bit, realizing she was still dangerously close to the water's edge, even if the rapids were calm.

She pulled herself away so that she was on dry earth and laid there for a moment. It would've been easy to just curl up and sleep again, but she feared she would not wake up again.

It's not safe for me to lay out here, Snakekit thought as she forced herself to rise. She glanced around, but the forest was unknown to her. She desperately sniffed the air, but there was no scent of either Mosskit or Ginger.

"I'm alone again," she realized.

Thankfully, she had collapsed by the river's edge, so there was more than enough clean water for her. As for food...she wasn't sure how she was going to catch anything.

"StarClan, help me," she breathed.

For the next few days, Snakekit remained by the river's edge. Her thirst was always quenched, and one day, she managed to catch a slow mouse. Other than that, she was mostly scavenging for food. She was growing weaker, and she knew if she didn't start moving soon, she'd surely die in this place.

Snakekit awoke early one morning and got a long drink of water before she took off. She wished she had a connection to StarClan like Mosskit. Ginger was his StarClan guide, yet the river had thrown her in a random forest with no one to aid her.

Though she was tired and hungry, Snakekit trekked one. She managed to find some edible berries that Ginger had pointed out one time and nibbled on those, but they did little to fill her stomach.

I'm going to die out here, Snakekit realized with each passing day. She had no sense of where she was going, and she doubted she'd ever see Mosskit again.

Should I just head home? she thought, thinking of her comfy bed. But why would she? It wasn't like she knew how to get there either.

One night, after Snakekit had vomited nearly all the contents of her stomach for the third time that day, she glanced up at the night sky, watching stars twinkle brightly.

Is StarClan up there? she thought.

"This is my last dying thought," she murmured, knowing it was only a matter of time before her boy could not go further.

Her eyes were glued to the twinkling stars. They were never this bright at her kittypet home. She guessed it was one of the things she was most excited about when she had decided to leave that life behind.

"StarClan, I don't know if you're there," she murmured, refusing to break eye contact with the sky.

"I guess I once heard about you when I was a clan cat. I don't remember that life much, but Mosskit tells me you're there. Ginger was brought by StarClan, and Mosskit remembers his mother well. I don't expect my mother to come down," Snakekit murmured. Though her memories were faint, she still remember the cruelty her mother bestowed on her.

"Is this my calling? To die? If so, then I don't understand. I almost died once, but you brought me back. Was this how it was meant to be all along?

"Why bring me back to kill me again? Aren't I a part of this mission? I want to be by Mosskit's side and help him back home. I want to be a clan cat again. So please, if you're out there...please listen to me!"

All at once, a bright star flashed. Snakekit's heart began to pound rapidly as the star twinkled down to the ground. A blinding light shone in front of her, and she cried out and winced.

Slowly, the light faded, and she found a translucent she-cat in front of her. Her eyes were a bright blue, and her coat was a light gray with a dark tabby pattern.

"I-I don't believe it," she gasped. "You-you're..."

"I am Skycloud, Mosskit's mother," the she-cat commanded. "StarClan hears your cries, young kit."

"Then you can send me back then!" Snakekit gasped.

"I can partially guide you, but you must listen to me first, Snakekit," Skycloud said.

Snakekit nodded, her heart full and her hopes high again. So StarClan would not let her die! Tears filled her eyes as she considered the possibility of not dying.

"You will not complete this journey with Mosskit," Skycloud stated.

"Wh-what?" she gasped.

"You may journey with him to SnowClan, but it is not your destiny to become a clan cat again," Skycloud announced.

"But...I am a clan cat. I was born a clan cat!" Snakekit shouted.

"Just because we have certain blood, that does not determine our destiny."

"Why can't I go to SnowClan with him? Why can't I be with him?! We'll be mates one day," Snakekit shouted.

Skycloud eyed her and then circled around her.

"That is the kind of thinking that will get you in a lot of trouble one day. It is what cost the life of my first mate, Blacktail. You are young, Snakekit, with a long life to live. Mosskit is close to you. I can understand that. But both of you are too young to understand the trials of love," Skycloud explained.

"He's going to be with someone else, isn't he?" Snakekit whimpered.

Skycloud dipped her head.

"Will she be good to him?" Snakekit asked, tears of sadness filling her eyes now. "Will she love him and be kind to him?"

Skycloud bent forward and licked the kit's cheek. Snakekit shuddered. The act felt foreign, yet familiar. Had her mother ever shown her affection like this?

"They will support and love each other," Skycloud assured her, tracing her tail along Snakekit's face.

"Can StarClan really see into the future like that?" Snakekit asked.

"Somewhat."

Snakekit glanced down at her black paws. All this time, she had imagined a life with Mosskit in SnowClan. He had told her all about training as apprentices and catching their own prey. While she had been thrilled, even she was beginning to doubt that it was what she really wanted. Ever since some of her memories of clan life had partially returned, she was beginning to experience bouts of fright when she thought about becoming a clan cat again.

"Then...I will let him go," Snakekit announced.

"That is a very brave thing for you to do, Snakekit," Skycloud told her, wiping her tears away with her tail. "I know Mosskit will not handle this well either."

Snakekit nodded.

"You've always wanted to return to your kittypet life, have you not?"

Snakekit slowly nodded. "I liked it when he was Frosty and I was Gloria and we were all warm in our homes."

"That is the life that StarClan has destined for you, ever since you were taken in by twolegs one day. While I cannot force you to follow this path, going the other way does not guarantee your safety."

"I will be a kittypet again," Snakekit announced.

"Stay as Snakekit for now, even if the name is ghastly. I am sorry your mother was cruel to you."

"What do I do now?" Snakekit asked, her joy now fading.

"See that star on the right?" Skycloud asked, pointing to a star that seemed to shine brighter than all the rest.

Snakekit's green eyes focused on it, and she nodded.

"Follow that star each night, and it will lead you back to my son."

"And after that?"

"You must not tell him about what I have told you. StarClan trusts you to keep its secrets," Skycloud told her. "You have been given a difficult task, but I know you can do it."

Snakekit nodded. Her heart felt like it was ripping apart, but she trusted Skycloud, and she knew StarClan's judgment meant everything.

"When the time comes, StarClan will send you a sign to leave. You will be guided home after that."

Snakekit nodded.

"Is it all right to leave you now?" Skycloud asked.

"Will...will there be a place in StarClan when I die?" Snakekit asked sadly. "I know I will be a kittypet, but I have to know."

Skycloud purred and nodded. "There is always a place for kits like you."

"T-Thank you," she stammered, choking on her tears. "You have been more of a mother to me than any cat."

Skycloud frowned. "I wish I could be a mother to any lost kit. I wish I could be there for my son. But you can do that for him right now."

"I will," Snakekit promised.

"A gift from StarClan," Skycloud murmured. Snakekit turned her head to see a pile of fresh prey appear beside her.

"Eat well, and move forward," Skycloud told her before vanishing from view.

Snakekit let out a squeal of joy, and once she had her fill, she began the long trek back to Mosskit and Ginger.

It was at least seven sunrises before Snakekit knew they were near. After a long night of walking, she had picked up his scent while napping. Her heart pounded, and she quickly stood up, trying to follow the scent.

I will help you, Mosskit. I promised your mother, Snakekit thought to herself as the scent grew stronger.

As she crept through bushes, she heard the yowls of none other than Ginger and Mosskit. She gasped, knowing she was so close to seeing them again.

"Who is it?!" she heard Ginger cry as Snakekit struggled to get through the bushes.

Suddenly, she tumbled out of the bushes and focused her eyes on Mosskit. He looked healthier than ever, and maybe even a little bigger.

"Snakekit?!" Mosskit gasped.

Though she knew she could not grow too attached, not when she was going to leave him, she rushed forward. "I found you!"

As the two questioned Snakekit and slowly comprehended her return, Snakekit kept reminding herself what was to come. Though she did her best to be somewhat enthusiastic, as she headed away, her face began to turn into a frown.

She glanced at her friend as he walked forward, a wide grin on his face.

If only you knew your true destiny, she thought. It had been a bittersweet reunion.