Stormfur carried the mouse in his jaws as he followed Brambleclaw to the clearing where they'd agreed to meet Purdy. It felt like a lifetime ago. Two days ago. Two days ago, they'd felt invincible, a team, ready to take on everything that could be thrown at them. And to think, Brambleclaw falling into the water wasn't the worst part. Stormfur closed his eyes and prayed. Prayed that Reedpaw and Mistyfoot could forgive them for leaving them to face whatever was coming to the forest on their own. They'd done it to help.

But StarClan, he knew what it was like to lose the cat you looked up to right when you needed them most.

Brambleclaw rested his tail against his shoulder and he opened his eyes to catch his warm amber eyes and blinked back, taking comfort in his steady support and presence.

The group settled in the clearing, Stormfur set the mouse down and rested his paw on it, "where do you think he is?"

Squirrelpaw bounded forward and sniffed around, "I don't smell him, well except for from when we came here the first time. He's probably just meandering over. You know how elders are."

Crowpaw rolled his eyes as he sat down, "he's probably completely forgotten he was supposed to meet us and is sunning himself somewhere."

Stormfur shot the younger tom a look, Crowpaw stared ahead without acknowledging him. It felt like a step forward and then two steps back when it came to understanding Crowpaw.

Feathertail brushed her tail against Crowpaw's flank and he relaxed, Stormfur watched curiously, now that he watched them lean into each other, he remembered some of the same tension in his sister, after they came back to RiverClan. The wariness that weakness shown could be used against them. Did Crowpaw think the same of them?

Stormfur swallowed, he hoped not. He may not always like the hot headed, prickly tom but he was still a dependable warrior and he would never want to be the reason a cat felt that way. He looked at Brambleclaw, who was calmly washing his face with one paw, how much had he had to endure on his own, with his sister in another Clan. To have to go this alone without Feathertail, Stormfur didn't know that he could bear it. The gaze of his Clanmates on him, their judgement and scorn without her support would be unthinkable.

Brambleclaw paused in his grooming, "Are you alright?" he asked, head tilted, "you look troubled."

Stormfur shook himself off, "Tawnypelt told me to stop overthinking things, I ought to listen to her."

"You should," she agreed from his other side, where she sat near Midnight, head raised to the wind, "I don't smell Purdy but the winds coming from the wrong direction."

"You don't think he's hurt, do you?" Feathertail looked at all of them in alarm. Squirrelpaw lifted her head where she was still nosing around near their original spot.

"There he is!"

"Well hello youngster," Purdy greeted her warmly, the old tom barely came into view but halted to look down at Squirrelpaw, Stormfur thought he'd looked a bit better since they'd last seen him. Or maybe since they'd first met him. Perhaps traveling with all of them had been good for the old tom.

"Hey Purdy," he ducked his head to grab the mouse, "got something for you."

Purdy looked over at him and froze, yellow eyes huge and Stormfur suddenly became very aware that a badger was behind him and Purdy didn't know why.

"It's alright!" Tawnypelt had figured it out as well, scrambling to her paws, "Purdy, this is Midnight, she speaks to cats, we were supposed to meet with her."

"What?" Not the most enlightened response but to be fair that had been how Stormfur felt when Midnight had first spoken.

"Greetings traveler. Purdy yes?" Midnight dipped her head in greeting, in her dark eyes Stormfur thought he saw traces of mirth, "thank you for getting them to me safely. Appreciated."

Purdy just stared at her and for a moment Stormfur was worried the shock had killed the old tom before he just shook his head.

"Well, ya see something new every day." He slowly flattened his fur, "knew a youngster like you lot who said he could talk to dogs. Never paid him much mind but maybe he was right. What did ya say you had for me?"

Stormfur let out a sigh of relief and grabbed the mouse to trot over to Purdy and offer it to him, the tom blinked in surprise.

"Didn't I tell ya I can catch my own squeakers?"

"Yes, but we wanted to give this one to you." Stormfur pushed it to him, "We caught too many."

Purdy sniffed it, "well hardly going to tell ya no. Good to see young cats with manners." He tucked in, Stormfur almost wondered if they should try to bring him back with them, would leaving him behind be leaving him to his death?

But no. The elderly tom had survived this long out here by himself, and Midnight had told them the forest couldn't support their Clans soon, taking Purdy with them wouldn't be right. And he would slow them down, when they needed to get moving.

Purdy finished the mouse and sat up, washing his whiskers quickly, "right then. Say your good-byes," he gave Midnight a side eye which only made the badger huff warmly, "and we'll be off. If you're headed home, we ought go quick before the rats wake up."

Stormfur fought back a shudder remembering the hoard that had swarmed them on their way here, and the injury Tawnypelt had suffered. He looked around at the others, to see if they were

The tortoiseshell spoke up slowly, "actually, I was thinking about that. I think we need to go over the mountains." She glanced to the horizon, where the large stones loomed, Stormfur followed her gaze and then turned back to her.

"What, Twolegplace wasn't bad enough for you?" Crowpaw snarked, his tail lashed behind him, "we already went through that once, at least it'll be easier this time."

"And that's just it," Tawnypelt gave him a look, enough that his tail stopped lashing, Stormfur was rather impressed, "we have to bring our Clans through here, right?" She looked to Midnight, who watched her silently, before back to the others, "and there's no way we can safely get all of us through Twolegplace."

Stormfur swallowed, she was right. The six of them had almost gotten lost trying to get through there, apprentices and kits would be lost at every turn, elders struggling to cross thunderpaths quickly, not to mention the rats and lack of food.

"If we went through in small patrols though…" Squirrelpaw trailed off, ears flattening, "no, we'd risk getting lost…"

"And drag it out as it only gets colder." Tawnypelt finished for her, Stormfur could see the logic in that.

Brambleclaw sighed heavily, "and you want to go through them now because?"

"Then we'll know what were up against and how to get through them, or do you want to figure that out halfway through them with kits freezing to death?"

Purdy looked up at that as though about to speak but Crowpaw spoke up, "I think she's right. WindClan…" He took a deep breath and Stormfur's respect for him grew as he watched him swallow his pride, "You know WindClan was bad off when I left. If things have gotten worse, they won't be able to survive us not knowing the way through the mountains."

Brambleclaw looked to Stormfur, who shrugged and looked to Feathertail. His sister was staring at the mountains thoughtfully, as though waiting for a sign. She nodded slowly, "Tawnypelt's right. If we can't get them through Twolegplace we'll have to go through the mountains."

"Sounds exciting!" Squirrelpaw bounced forward, Stormfur was grateful for her energy, "we can do this, I know it!"

Purdy shook his head and started to speak, "you all can't go through the mountains right now, don't you-"

"But they must." Midnight rumbled, the badger speaking for the first time since she'd greeted Purdy. "Must find a safe way for their friends. Must know the dangers."

Purdy's ears flattened, "that's just it, ya know. There's eagles up there not to mention-"

"They must." Midnight's tone left no room for argument and Purdy started to turn to them, the old tom's concern turned to grief as he seemed to realize they'd made up their minds. Her voice softened and became gentle, "is destined."

"Well don't say I didn't try to warn ya." He gave a look to Midnight, "destiny or not. You all change yer minds you can come back down the way you came and find me. I'll get you through Twolegplace. Safely this time."

Stormfur knew he wasn't the only one who glanced over at Tawnypelt, but the tortoiseshell just nodded, "wasn't your fault the rat got me. It was bad luck." She padded forward to touch her nose to his, "thanks for everything Purdy."

Stormfur nodded, he actually felt a bit sad they wouldn't get to travel with the old tom again. Sure, he'd been a bit mouse brained and gotten a bit lost but he'd meant well and been a true friend to them. "Yes, thank you Purdy. We'll miss you."

Crowpaw and Squirrelpaw shared a look but Purdy looked so touched at Stormfur's words that he couldn't care less what they thought.

"Well thank you youngster. I'll miss you lot too." His eyes softened, "you sure this is where 'your destiny' takes ya?"

Brambleclaw pulled in a deep breath and then nodded, "I… I think it is. I'm sorry Purdy."

Purdy shook his head and glanced at Midnight again, "can't say I think it's a good idea, but then I wouldn't 'ave thought to talk to a badger either." He looked at them with no small amount of worry and sorrow.

Stormfur wondered if he'd been looking forward to having them around again, it didn't seem like he had many cats to talk to.

Midnight grunted, "worry not. Our friends are strong young cats. Clever, and trust each other. They will find a way through."

Purdy huffed and flattened his ears, "I'm gonna hold you to that, badger."

The six of them stirred, moving together, but stopping to say their good-byes to Purdy, the old tom angled his ears, and shook himself.

"I'll be around here for the next coupla days if ya change yer minds." He huffed, eyes gleaming as he glanced over at Midnight, "might even pay you a visit, see what you have to say 'bout destiny then."

Midnight dipped her head to him, "welcome to do so. I would like the company."

Purdy paused, and slowly closed his mouth, "well, if yer goin', ya better get going youngsters. Days only getting shorter now."

Stormfur blinked at him, "thanks again Purdy. And you too Midnight!"

Midnight dipped her head to him, Tawnypelt nodded and waved her tail, "yeah, thank you."

"Good-bye!" Crowpaw called, starting off for the mountains, Squirrelpaw yelling a hurried good-bye before bounding after him. Brambleclaw rolled his eyes but his whiskers twitched as he headed after them. Tawnypelt dipped her head and set off at a smooth trot, Stormfur was relieved to see no limp in her step.

"Wait." Midnight's voice caught Stormfur's attention as he'd started to turn, he and Feathertail shared a look before they turned to Midnight, her eyes deep as the abyss, dark as the night sky as she stared at them, "challenges lay before you. A difficult path, and difficult choices. Faith, and resolve, will be tested. But trust each other, and ancestors to guide you."

Stormfur and Feathertail shared a look, before Stormfur dipped his head, "we will."

"We will," Feathertail echoed, "and thank you again for everything, both of you!"

With that they turned to catch up with the others, Tawnypelt had halted to wait for them, eyes narrowed. She said nothing though, only nodded as they caught up, and let them pass her.

Stormfur continued on before looking back, following Tawnypelt's gaze to where Purdy was speaking to Midnight. After a brief exchange the elderly tom slumped slightly, gave one last look in their direction and headed off in the direction of Twolegplace. Midnight glanced to them and nodded before she too left, in the opposite direction of Purdy.

Now, they were truly on their own again, with only StarClan to guide them. Stormfur hoped that faith, in their ancestors and each other, would be enough for the mountains ahead.

Author's note: Once this story is through, that is to say, they arrive at the lake, I'm moving entirely over to AO3, it's just more user friendly and people interact with my stuff more over there. I'd been staying because I started here, but I think this will be the last fic I upload to . All my stories will stay up! But the sequel will be over on AO3. Just as head's up for the far off future.