Hi guys! Sorry this was late but I've had to start my homework=( I hope you guys had a great New Year!

WildCroconaw- Glad you enjoyed it! Hope you like this one too!=)

Arianna Flamepelt- Glad you like the chapter! Thanks for answering the questions, I think I'm going to post the last one as soon as I write it and then put up the side story=) Hope you enjoy this one too!

Brambletail88- I'm sorry to say you've been outvoted=( The other two voters want the chapters fast, that's why this one is going up, but I'm not sure when the next one will be since I have to do homework now not write so…. It might actually be slow=) However I am going to write the side story so look for that too! =)

GinnyStar- Don't know if you've gotten here yet but thanks for the reviews! I'm glad you like Snakepaw=) Hope you enjoy this!

Graywhisper- Oh I know right? I hate him and his name *Shudders* Thanks though! He was always my least favorite cat in ThunderClan=) And I will have the next chapter up as soon as I can write it=) I will also have the side story as well!

So couple of things before you get to the chapter: I am going to write the story of Brook and Stormfur's journey back. I haven't written a plot yet (I'll actually do that after I post this=)) but I'm planning on it being around five chapters, so very short. I'm not sure on the title yet but I'll be something like The Journey or Coming Home, what do you guys think?

Also I've run into another problem. I had a random idea while writing, but I don't know if I want to do it or if it's plausible so I haven't written it in yet, since I couldn't talk to Echo about it. Would you guys like to hear it and then let me know if it's a good idea or a crazy one or should I just go for it and not ruin the surprise? And now, with no further ado: the chapter!


Chapter Fifty Two

"Wake up my loves." I mew nudging Moonkit as Lightingkit blinks awake.

They stare at me through sleep laden eyes and mew, "What is it mommy?"

"You have to go stay with Aunt Ravenclaw, its Gathering night loves." I reply, helping them stand up.

"Ohhhhhh can I go?!" Moonkit begs batting her eyes at me. I smile and lick her forehead as she continues to flutter her eyes.

"No sweetheart, you're tired." I whisper as we tiptoe through the nursery so as not to wake anyone.

"But you said I have daddy's eyes." Moonkit mutters as I settle her down into Ravenclaw's nest.

"And what does that have to do with anything?" I ask curtly, now settling Featherkit next to Hopekit.

"When he does that you always do what he wants." Moonkit mumbles snuggling into Lightingkit.

"I do not!" I mew, taken aback and slightly insulted.

"Do to." Ravenclaw mutters.

"Stay out of this." I hiss. Raven huffs slightly but doesn't respond otherwise.

I leave the den and see the sun almost done setting. "We're late." Lionblaze mews as Blazefeather runs around double-checking all of the cats that are going on the Gathering.

"When are we not?" I ask. Lionblaze shrugs and I call the patrol to order. Then we set off as we have so many times before.

We're second to arrive after RiverClan and I'm happy to see that they look healthy. I jump into the tree and look at Mistystar.

"All well?" I ask quietly.

"As well as it can be. And you?" She asks politely.

"Quite, we have more visitors." I mew, glancing down into the crowd.

"Ah… more rogues?" Mistystar questions, looking over at me.

"Not quite…" I mew and then nod into the crowd at Stormfur, at the sight of him Mistystar gasps slightly. "Stormfur and Brook have returned, with some of their kits." I explain.

"What in StarClan's name for?" she asks looking shocked.

"StarClan came to them. Told them we needed help. Stormfur wanted to help his old home and Brook agreed. It doesn't bother me. They are more warriors are they not?" I ask, surprised at this reaction.

"I suppose so. But kits…" Mistystar mews seriously, her voice trailing off.

"Yes I was rather surprised about that. But they are as safe as any of our kits are. And they are quite young; I suppose Brook didn't fancy being away from them for so long." I mew casually as WindClan and ShadowClan arrive.

"Well it's your Clan." Mistystar replies as Ashstar and Tawnystar jump up.

"You ready Mistystar?" Ashstar asks after she settles herself on the branch.

"I believe so." She replies somewhat dryly before stepping forward.

"Welcome, welcome to another Gathering! RiverClan is well and we would like to express thanks for the Clans' aid in our last battle. While some cats died and a few now reside in the medicine den, many more would have been killed had you not come to our aid. Thank you for this. I believe it is a sign – united we posed a great threat to the Dark Forest. Thank you again. Other than that we have little to report."

Tawnystar steps up before anyone else can and mews, "I would like to express my forgiveness. Ashstar, Midnightstar, I have found forgiveness for you. So long as you promise to always come to our aid, you again have ShadowClan's allegiance. We would like to rejoin the Alliance." I glance at the crowd and see a few ShadowClan cats looking sulky, but most look relieved.

"I see no problem with that." I mew swiftly.

"Nor I." Ashstar agrees.

"It is settled then." Mistystar mews, "The four Clans are once more united against this great threat."

"We have little else to report in ShadowClan." Tawnystar mews after a moment and turns to Ashstar.

"WindClan was attacked a short while before RiverClan was. It was little more than a skirmish, but I believe they are looking for something. Before they left they were asking me, "Do you have it?" The Dark Forest wants something, though I have no idea what. Just thought you should all know. But other than that not much has happened. We have a few new warriors: Dawnshadow, Appleleaf, Shrewpounce, and Redsun." The cats yowl for the warriors and I see Dawnshadow sitting near Onyxnight. She's talking to him and after a moment I realize she's his apprentice, or was. From what I can see she seems like a nice cat, her black and white pelt is warmed under all of the attention and her green eyes are happy. Hopefully things are looking up for WindClan. And they're getting less snotty.

After a moment Ashstar nods to me and I move up. "ThunderClan is doing well though we have a warning, my deputy saw an apparition on a border, but we don't know what it is or where it went. Try to be on your guard. We also were attacked though it is nothing and we have recovered. But for happier news we have some new kits and old friends have rejoined us. Stormfur and Brook have returned from the mountains –" I'm cut off as the cats go crazy at the news and Stormfur disappears under a pile of happy cats. I hear jovial voices calling out,

"I knew it was you!" and, "Why'd you stay away so long?!"

The younger warriors and apprentices look baffled at this behavior and I smile gently letting a chuckle escape my lips. A RiverClan paw hears and shrugs at me as if to say, they've finally gone crazy, haven't they?

I let it go on for a moment longer before I recall the Gathering to order.

"Yes, yes they have returned and this time they brought along some kits as well. They rejoined us temporarily to help us in the war. Also the rouges that joined us have become full warriors: Duskdream, Shadowcatcher, Creamlight, and Violetdrop. Now I believe that it all for us too." Duskdream and Violetdrop look taken aback as the Clans yowl for them to, but the return of Stormfur has charged the atmosphere with happiness and I see delight shining in everyone's eyes.

"How about we let them all catch up for a bit?" Tawnystar suggests, picking up on the happiness.

"Wonderful idea." I mew nodding.

"This Gathering is adjourned, but we will stay on the island for a little while longer. Chat and catch up with friends!" Mistystar calls out to great reception.

We all jump down and Tigerheart joins me as I walk through the milling crowd. "Long time no see huh?" he asks.

"Quite. Many things have changed in such a short time…" I reply sadly.

"You're holding out on me aren't you?" he asks ruefully.

"Maybe a little." I reply sitting down, "I never got to thank you for saving Lilacfire. I nearly had a heart attack that day…"

"You're welcome. How is everyone? How is Echosong, since Smokefoot died?" Tigerheart asks anxiously.

"The Clan is happier now that Stormfur's back. It seems to have distracted them from – well – everything. Echo's doing okay… it was hard at first but she's moved on. Her kits are learning well, I'm quite proud of them. And I suppose I should tell you… I had kits." I'm expecting to get chewed out again, but instead Tigerheart just laughs.

"You would." He mews shaking his head. "Well what are their names?"

I smile and reply, "Moonkit and Featherkit, they're she-kits. Then Lightingkit, he's my tom."

"Very nice, very nice. I look forward to meeting them." Tigerheart mews nodding his head.

"I'll let you know when they're apprenticed, hang out on the border."

He laughs lightly and then mews, "Is that all, you look worried?"

"Ivypool was discovered… she just nearly got away." I confess, allowing my senses to fan out.

"Was she?" Tigerheart asks looking alarmed, "Then you know – there are no more spies. Every cat there is loyal to them."

"I was afraid of that." I mew heavily, "Perhaps we should start recruiting… send cats in undercover."

"It's too dangerous." He counters shaking his head.

"I have to go. I have to find Onyxnight." I mew standing up.

"Why what's happened?" he asks, looking alarmed.

"Ravenclaw had his kits." I explain and Tigerheart groans quietly.

"You lot never know when to give up, do you?"

"Sorry!" I mutter.

He shrugs and then mews, "Visit me sometime okay? I miss having someone sane to talk to."

"Whenever I can." I promise quietly.

"All right. But don't be such a stranger at these." Tigerheart mews and I give him a small smile.

"I'll be your friend as long as I can be."

"Same to you." He replies with a nod. I mew a quiet good-bye and weave off through the cats quickly, knowing I will have to leave soon. I find him at the water's edge, mumbling to himself.

"Onyxnight?" I mew hesitantly. He jumps slightly and turns around.

"Hi." He mews coming closer, "What is it, what's wrong?"

"Nothing… I just…" I bite my lip hesitantly. Don't do this! The leader side of me is screaming. "I have a proposition for you."

"Really?" Onyxnight asks looking surprised, "What?"

"Would you like to join ThunderClan?" I ask quickly before I can change my mind.

"I-really?" he stutters looking floored.

"Yes. No parent should have to live without their children." I mew and his eyes continue to grow wider.

"I-I'll have to think about it…." Onyxnight mutters still looking shocked.

"Of course. Let me know at the next Gathering. They're growing up fast… but well." I turn and leave him still berating myself for my rash action. I find my deputy and my senior warriors, they all want to go home.

"Well then let's be off." I mew and we leave the island running for home.

Back at home I go to the Nursery, but I wake up Ravenclaw. "What?" she snaps angrily, her mind clearly still on sleep.

I saw Onyxnight. I say in her mind, catching her attention.

Did you? She asks scrambling up, dislodging the kits.

Yup. I reply simply.

Well, what happened? She demands.

I offered him a chance to join ThunderClan. Ravenclaw's eyes go huge and I continue before she can interrupt, He said he would have to think about it. He'll let me know at the next Gathering.

She nods, still looking excited; I'll dream then and see him.

Since when can you walk in dreams? I ask startled.

Dovewing takes me to him. Raven replies while I nod. I grab my kits as she settles down and soon I drift off to sleep as the moon starts to sink in the sky.


What didja think? I thought it would be nice to have a Gathering with no horrible news so I had to have Midnight wander around to make it more interesting. Plus we haven't heard from Tigerheart in forever so I thought it would be nice to hear from him again=)

What'd you think about Onyx? Do you think Midnight was rash or do you think that was the right thing to do?

Quote time! It's a Harry Potter one of course: "What was there to be gained by fighting the most evil wizard who has ever existed? Only innocent lives Peter!" ~ Sirius Black, The Prisoner of Azkaban, The Servant of Lord Voldemort.

I love this because I love Sirius and it's such a powerful thing to say since at that time in the book he was only just barely proved to be innocent. Next time it won't be Harry I promise=) Already have it picked out!

So with that said I think that's all….. Yup I said everything I wanted to say!=) Review please!

~Midnight