If a cat were to ask Ashfoot if her eldest son had ever gotten into fights before, her response would be that all-too-familiar mother's laugh to the sky before laying down with a droll, "How long have you got?"

In other words. A lot.

Her son, as prickly as he was, didn't help himself most of the time. He was no bully by any means, but he was no pushover either. He fought with all his might whenever he found himself in a scuffle, be it with clanmates or even other clan Warriors when encountered on the border.

Needless to say, Crowpaw was used to wounds. He could deal with a few scrapes or bites; all it would take was a day and they would close up again. And even though he hated losing, he understood the best thing was to suck it up and re-strategize for next time; then he would be the one basking in victory.

He was going to be a Warrior soon; he couldn't afford to get bothered over a loss.

It was like a coping mechanism.

Now, it was failing.

Because, for some aggravating reason, he couldn't force away the stinging in his shoulder whenever he moved, and the flashing wracks of pain in the clawmarks on his neck made him hiss softly whenever they panged.

The cuts hadn't been too deep and whatever blood that had been drawn had dried. But none of that gave Crowpaw any comfort, he still boiled from the anger and indignity of his loss.

He knew it was stupid. He couldn't have done anything, Brambleclaw had come out of nowhere, when Crowpaw's back was turned. It also didn't help how freakishly large the Warrior was, Crowpaw had felt like he'd have had better luck in pushing off a log than the Thunderclan cat.

But whatever he said couldn't change the fact that the Warrior now held something over him.

He hated that.

Half of the sun was now visible over the shape of the hill, whatever light sprouting was now dull and toneless. The orange sky darkened and crept around the cats as dusk padded closer. At least the air had cooled and they were all full with prey. It would make the approaching night a tad easier to get through.

Not so much for Crowpaw.

He almost felt guilty, Squirrelpaw and Feathertail and kept close by him, trying their best to pepper him with light jokes and comforting purrs. Deep down, Crowpaw was truly grateful for their efforts, but it wouldn't shake off the looks he had received from the others.

He didn't mean the mistrusting, deceitful glares he'd typically receive, he couldn't care less about those. It wasn't like he trusted the other Warriors himself. No, it was how they looked at him now that bothered him, and it didn't matter who it was, he would be furious to receive those looks from anyone.

Those soft, sympathising glances that made him turn cold.

Just because a cat had caught him off-guard, they all stared at him as if he was some wet kit crying for mama. He was almost a Warrior for Starclan's sake! He was willing to fight again and again for his clan whenever he was needed, he deserved their respect not their thin compassion!

Feathertail had tried to tell him that the others would go easier on him now they knew he wasn't looking for trouble. Crowpaw could have started spitting. They should have known that already from how much he'd tried to help the group, but no, it had to come because that hare-brain had attacked him. It was just bitter sympathy, nothing more.

Crowpaw didn't need that kind of friendship.

He kept his gaze low so he didn't cat any of those condescending glimpses anymore. Though he was still aware of the presences beside him. Nobody had said anything for a while now, an eerie silence loomed over them and no one really had the desire to say anything in fear of provoking anyone.

Like always, Brambleclaw had made his way to the front, but he was shadowed by isolation. Tawnypelt may have been only a few steps behind him, but it was as clear as the sun that she was aggravated by her brother's actions. Whether or not Brambleclaw cared was not an issue as he hadn't met a cat's gaze since the fight, Crowpaw assumed it was just his fox-brained stubbornness.

Stormfur was walking closer to Feathertail than normal, they shared a hushed conversation, but it wasn't a mystery on who it was about. Before, Stormfur usually was the most obvious in how much he distrusted Crowpaw's friendship with his sister, but now he kept on sneaking gentle glances back on the apprentice. It stung Crowpaw like his cuts were frazzled with saltwater.

And Squirrelpaw.

She hadn't left his side once.

And while part of Crowpaw desperately wanted to appreciate her friendship, a stronger feeling just made him feel sick.

He didn't want her pity.

Even now, Squirrelpaw continued to stroll beside him. She wasn't saying anything anymore, she'd learnt that was pointless after Crowpaw's obvious lack of investment in small talk. But she was still there, close enough to be brushing fur with him, and she was warm and humorous and Crowpaw knew she only wanted to cheer him up. But those eyes! Those sad eyes that kept on finding him! They frustrated him so much!

"You don't need to keep looking at them." Crowpaw monotoned when his wounds felt her gaze for the hundredth time. "They're already healing."

Squirrelpaw had jumped enthusiastically when he actually spoke again, but her ears fell back in disappointment when she heard his tone. "I know. I'm just checking them."

"Thanks, but I already said I'm fine."

Squirrelpaw managed a wry smile, "I'm sure that's what you thought before you were going to fight those kittypets with your scratched side."

Always one for a laugh. If only Crowpaw was.

"These aren't as bad as that." He wasn't lying to her. The wound from that thorn had been strangely deeper than Brambleclaw's claws. "Just give it a night and it'll look like nothing happened."

Crowpaw winced when he saw Squirrelpaw's eyes narrow. The Thunderclan molly shook her head weakly, "That isn't the point." Her gaze found the front of the group, narrowed on her target. "It shouldn't have happened at all."

Crowpaw felt a chill go through him. He couldn't talk about it right now. It made his head hurt.

"Well, it already did. Just drop it." Then they could try to move on at least.

"And if I say no?" Squirrelpaw remarked listlessly.

Crowpaw's tail swung agitatedly. His jaw tightened. "What's the point? Done is done. I can handle a few swipes."

"You just want me to act like nothing happened?" Squirrelpaw asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, that would be great!" Crowpaw wondered why his mind wanted him to sound gentle but his voice just came out cold. Idiocy. His tail drooped even further in guilt, but he couldn't find the heart to apologise. Not right now.

Squirrelpaw blinked slowly at him. Her head dropped for a moment, rising and falling in a quick puzzled pattern, then reserved to face down with a heavy exhale. "Fine."

Crowpaw's eyes widened and he tilted his head to face her. She didn't usually give up so easily, not with her natural stubbornness. What was going on? Yet, as if on order, she looked completely uninterested in what had been said before. She just wandered beside him, face up, blank expression, abnormally indifferent.

Wait? Wasn't this what he wanted her to do. He wanted silence, and she'd given him silence.

The silence was deafening.

Crowpaw twisted away from her exasperatedly, whining softy as his neck stained again. Fox-dung! Now he was annoyed by something else that was completely unreasonable! This afternoon was stretching out like a nightmare! He couldn't wait for it to get dark already so he could try and sleep this stupid day away.

A more uncomfortable quiet now surrounded Crowpaw, one that made his fur prickle and his mind fuzz. He swallowed and it felt like a river was overcoming a mound of sand. The cuts were not throbbing so frequently now, but he still felt ill at ease.

He knew what he wanted to do. Say something to her. An utterance of thanks. An apology maybe? Crowpaw knew it couldn't be any worse than the nothing he had brought between them, but no words would form.

He didn't feel like he deserved to say anything.

Not when the cat who he'd stood by her against had left him bleeding.

He grunted at his own stupidity, but he still wouldn't bring his mouth to move.

And so the silence reigned until Crowpaw noticed someone slow down in front, only regaining the normal speed when they were right next to him.

"Hey guys." The shadow remarked in a familiar tone, but an unfamiliar friendliness.

Crowpaw didn't respond initially. But Squirrelpaw chirped with her normal comity, "Hi Stormfur."

The Windclan apprentice could tell Stormfur was waiting for him to say something. Tough luck, Crowpaw considered. He wasn't interested in whatever phony politeness the Warrior wanted to offer. Looking forward, he saw Feathertail looking back. Upon seeing his gaze, she gave him an innocent smile and looked away.

Of course. She had put him up to this.

"Are you doing alright?" Stormfur asked anyway.

Knowing he wasn't going to respond, Squirrelpaw answered for him. "They don't sting anymore he says."

From the shadow, Crowpaw saw Stormfur nod. "That's good. Brambleclaw really went for it, I was worried."

He couldn't resist. "Oh yeah? Why's that?"

Stormfur gave out a small blow of air, and Crowpaw could feel Squirrelpaw's eyes cutting into him. "Crowpaw!" She snapped, clearly holding herself back.

"No, it's fine. I understand." Stormfur sighed, his yellow eyes flashing with forgiveness. "Um, how are you holding up, Squirrelpaw?"

You would want to know that, wouldn't you? Crowpaw rolled his eyes.

The Thunderclan apprentice exaggeratedly groaned, "Honestly, it feels like my paws are about to drop off." Crowpaw could share that sentiment. It had been hard enough walking without the scars of that fight, he couldn't describe how exhausted he was now.

"Ugh, I know what you mean." Stormfur groaned. "I'm trying not to lose faith here, but I'm seriously wondering how long it'll be before we start thinking about turning back." He said, solemnly looking out to the endless hills.

Squirrelpaw rose with a start, "No, don't say that!" She exclaimed, her tail pointing to the air. "We'll get there eventually! Even if it takes until we are elders, we can't just give up!"

Crowpaw could appreciate his friend's optimism, but he too was beginning to lose hope. In all honesty, he'd been sceptical of this journey from the beginning, and now he was slowly fearing that he was right all along.

Not that he regretted coming along, of course. Even if he went back without some special message from Starclan, he had some things to look back on fondly.

Stormfur let out a raspy chuckle, "I feel like an elder now!" He said stretching his strained neck.

Squirrelpaw laughed along and Crowpaw could tell that the Warrior was blushing when he heard it. Crowpaw stiffened, as if things couldn't get even more annoying.

Squirrelpaw whipped her tail excitedly, "Oh, you just need to loosen up a little! Like Feathertail!"

Stormfur seemed to flinch at his sister's name, suddenly realising what he was there to do. "O-Oh yeah. Heh, you're probably right there." Starclan above, he was horrible at hiding his nervousness. "Um, listen Squirrelpaw?"

"Yeah?"

"Could I just have a word with Crowpaw?" Stormfur asked.

Crowpaw had to hold back an audible groan.

Squirrelpaw didn't speak for a second. She looked at her friend, and Crowpaw wanted to give her a begging look. He couldn't handle his friend's company now, nevermind those he still didn't really like. But he didn't have the heart to do it. He couldn't meet her eyes.

It's that reasoning that made Crowpaw unsurprised when she agreed to his request.

She rubbed her pelt against Crowpaw once more, still smiling despite his mood. "Have fun." She said, walking ahead to where Feathertail was, but still shooting cautious glances back at the two toms.

Crowpaw felt like he wanted to smile at her.

For a long time, the two toms did nothing. Just a replaced silence between two cats who were not as close. Inevitably though, it was Stormfur who broke the ice.

"So, listen," Was that embarrassment in his voice? "About earlier?"

Crowpaw sniffed dismissively. It was just like he thought. All it was going to be was empty pity that didn't mean a whisker, the kind you feel for a hatchling that's been thrown out of its nest before you give it the killing blow.

But he had to just take it in now. Just take in his stupid sentimental dirt, chew it up and spit it out when he was most certainly looking. He knew what this was. He allowed his face to rise without meeting the warrior, already looking unimpressed.

"I'm sorry."

Crowpaw was surprised.

FOX-DUNG!

He has to get this moving or else he would quickly lose his cool. He allowed himself to find enough strength to murmur. "About what? You didn't do it."

"No." Stormfur quavered, "That's not what I meant. I'm sorry about how I believed Brambleclaw so quickly."

(He did what?)

Oh… that. Crowpaw honestly hadn't thought much of it at the time, he'd really been too furious at the rat who had just beat him up. But if he thought about it clearly, he could just about make out how sharp and full of anger Stormfur had been at Brambleclaw's accusation.

He'd really believed Crowpaw had attacked Squuirrelpaw.

Thinking about it now, Crowpaw realised how angry that made him. He knew that Stormfur probably trusted a rogue with Feathertail more than he did Crowpaw, but to think he would just spring on her with tooth and claw out of nowhere?

He really had no brains at all.

But still… It wasn't like they'd ever gotten along in the first place, Crowpaw would have probably thought the same thing if he'd seen Stormfur pinning down Squirrelpaw. Besides, if the fool was apologising with his tail between his legs, there was no reason to hold a grudge. It would just get tiring. He was already angry enough at Brambleclaw.

Plus, if he held a grudge against Stormfur, that would definitely incense Feathertail. He didn't want that. Internally, Crowpaw shrugged. It wasn't worth getting bothered about.

"Whatever, it's fine." Crowpaw said, flicking his ear carelessly at the Warrior.

Stormfur looked astonished. "Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, you don't believe him anymore now, do you?" Crowpaw gave him an icy look, pointing towards his bruised face as an explanation.

"No, not at all." Stormfur shuffled around awkwardly, "I shouldn't have thought you'd try to hurt her."

Crowpaw noticed Stormfur's eyes soften at the mention of her. The Windclan cat let out an exasperated puff of air. At least that explained Stormfur's anger a little more.

"No, you shouldn't." Crowpaw agreed stonily, "Just because that fox-brain said so, it doesn't mean a mouse-tail."

Stormfur seemed to take it on the chin, sighing guiltily. "Yeah, I know, I know. It's just that…"

Crowpaw flicked the Warrior with his tail to shut him up. "I get it. He's a Warrior; why would he lie? The answer is that he's a self-righteous idiot." Crowpaw fumed, his claws glinting as they flicked out.

Stormfur made a small humming noise, his fur shivering slightly. "Maybe. It's just, I mean, he's her clanmate. I thought he must have been right."

"Well he wasn't."

"I know." Stormfur's lips turned up. "It was kind of impressive that you didn't just take it, though."

Crowpaw lifted his head in bemusement. "What are you talking about? I didn't land a strike on him." Bramblelcaw hadn't been the one left almost limping, he didn't have blood seeping through his fur. What did Crowpaw have to be proud of?

Stormfur chuckled lightly, "Crowpaw, look at him. None of us would have if we were pinned under that! I certainly wouldn't have done much better." The grey warrior looked down warmly. "But still, most apprentices would have been in tears if that had happened to them. At least you just got up without making a hassle about it." Stormfur nudged the apprentice playfully. Friendly. "I, for one, respect that."

Crowpaw stared at the elder cat, not knowing what to say. Stormfur respected him? Just because he'd tried to take on Brambleclaw back. "But that's just what any Warrior would do?"

Stormfur laughed, flicking Crowpaw's ear with his tail. "Maybe any Warrior, yes. But not just any apprentice. Only one as stupid and brave as you would do that, Crowpaw." Stormfur piped.

Crowpaw could have cringed as he felt a sudden admiration burst for the Riverclan cat. This cat had only days ago claimed that he didn't trust Crowpaw with his sister, and now he was openly praising him for just not taking Brambleclaw's attack like a young kittypet? Despite himself, Crowpaw couldn't deny the Warrior's words gave him a jolt of pride.

Stormfur didn't pity him at all. He respected him.

Luckily, Crowpaw was able to cover that up. "I'm not as stupid at him, at least. You still think he makes a good Warrior?"

Stormfur hardened with a sigh. "Skilfully? Without a doubt." Crowpaw frowned but he too had to admit the mouse-brain was good in terms of strength. That's clear enough… "But I have to admit, I am worried about his attitude?"

"It took you this long."

"Shut up." Stormfur quipped softly, making sure no one else could hear them. "I was talking to Tawnypelt earlier. Even she is getting concerned about how officious he's become?"

Crowpaw winced. His own sister doesn't trust him. The grey apprentice scoffed though; he certainly wasn't going to give the fool any sympathy now. "He's always been like that to me."

Stormfur looked forward pitifully, "I was okay with it before when it was just him acting like a leader. But… if he loses it like that again…" Crowpaw could see fear begin to well inside Stormfur. Something erupting in his memory.

Crowpaw pursed his lips. Then he gave the Warrior a light push with his pelt. "Steady. After what happened, I don't think he'd dare." And he didn't. Brambleclaw surely couldn't be stupid enough to try that again after how it had made him look.

Stormfur gave the apprentice a gentle look. "Starclan, I hope you're right. Or else-"

"WAIT!"

The two toms, along with every cat, spun their eyes towards Squirrelpaw. The molly's nose was in the air, sniffing and quivering in excitement.

Beside her, Feathertail gave her a questioning glimpse. "What is it?"

The apprentice turned to her, eyes glimmering with joy. "Can't you smell that?! It's salt!"

They all stared at her, unsure whether to let the hope seize them. Crowpaw quickly lifted his mouth to taste the air. Sure enough, that disgusting taste he'd received from that Twoleg pond, days ago, came back to smother his tongue. It sent a shockwave of emotions through the young cat.

"She's right!" Stormfur exclaimed, his gape contorting into a grin. "It's close!"

As if seizing the moment, Brambleclaw thrust his head into the direction of the sun, storming off into a sprint. "Come on!"

Every emotion was swept away from the cats, leaving cold adrenaline. They all burst off after the brown Warrior, their muscles clenching with a thrilling power. Crowpaw's heart pounded, not with exhaustion, but with hysteria. The salty tang was growing closer and closer, beckoning them all to their destination.

Then, Crowpaw raised a brow as he saw Brambleclaw skid to a halt. The apprentice was about to lash out until he looked closer; soon enough he and every other cat paused as they met the edge of a huge cliff, towering over an expanse of blue-green water, shifting across itself in spitting white waves.

In the furthest reaches of what they could see, the sun sank into the watery bed, casting a gleaming orange glow over the horizon.

Crowpaw felt a sudden giddiness creep across him, making him sit down as he felt his paws numb in amazement. This was it. Their destination. The Sun-drown place.

This journey hadn't been all for nothing.

For once, Crowpaw was glad that he had been wrong.

"We made it." Feathertail's voice came from Crowpaw's left. Her eyes sparkled against the golden rays, glistening just like the water below them.

Crowpaw nodded to his friend. "Yeah, we actually did." Feathertail turned to him, smiling brightly at the tom, almost looking like she was about to cry from the relief.

"Was there ever any doubt?" Squirrelpaw cut in playfully, rubbing her tail between the two cats before resting at Crowpaw's right. The grey cat sighed aside, not able to stop himself from smiling at the apprentice's attitude.

"Not from you, Squirrelpaw. You know best after all." Feathertail teased with a half-lidded smirk.

Squirrelpaw shook her fluffy pelt. "The words of a genius, Feathertail." Against the glow of the sun, her orange fur swayed gracefully, almost mimicking a small fire. Crowpaw felt his stomach settle peacefully for the first time in hours, and he snickered before he knew it.

"Great work on finding the smell." Crowpaw praised, gently pressing his tail against the cat.

Squirrelpaw may have blushed, but she shrugged so quickly that Crowpaw couldn't tell. "Hey, I learnt from the best." She smiled at him.

Crowpaw smiled back.

Then Brambleclaw cut into it. "We've got to hurry. We have to find the cave with teeth before it gets dark."

As much as Crowpaw tensed at the sound of the idiot's voice, he had to let it slide. Brambleclaw was right. They did need to move on and find Midnight as soon as they could. Just because they'd found where Starclan had directed them to, it didn't mean their journey was over yet.

"Which way should we go?" Tawnypelt asked, looking out over the cliff face. There wasn't a clear direction now, unless they wanted to submerge themselves in a watery grave.

Before anyone could even look around, Brambleclaw seemed to have made a decision for them. "This way." He ordered, leading along the cliff face.

Crowpaw noticed the others looking between themselves questioningly. Clearly, Brambleclaw was losing his hold as a leader. However, there was nowhere else that could have been any worse, so they just followed along. Maybe one of us can spot a place to rest if he doesn't. Crowpaw thought.

They all kept as safe a distance as they could from the cliff's edge, but near enough to peer over to check for the cave. It filled Crowpaw with a small anxiety to imagine any of the cats tumbling down into those waters. Especially from this height.

He shuddered to think about it.

None of the cats said anything to each other as they walked. They were all concentrated on finding the cave. Crowpaw squinted down time and time again, but all he could see was the roaring waves, jagged rocks spiking from the bottom, and the land of the cliff slowly becoming less and less steep. The latter was a comfort at least.

Another comfort was that as they travelled, they could make out plenty of places where they could rest if they didn't find the cave. From clefts in the cliff face, there had been several hollows made in the ruinous rock, but also creases wide and deep enough for the cats to gather if they needed to.

"There are plenty of places to shelter for the night if we don't find the cave." Stormfur pleasantly echoed their thoughts.

"We'll find it!" Brambleclaw insisted roughly, jumping over another cleft as he did so. The cats shared a collective groan at the crude desperation of his tone. "Don't lose heart so quickly when we've just found the Sun-drown place."

"I'm not!" Stormfur exclaimed, exasperated. "I'm just saying we have other options."

Brambleclaw grunted, not bothering to look back. "Well how about we stick with Starclan's option until it gets dark. Then we can follow your lead, alright?"

Crowpaw exhaled deeply. Here we go.

Stormfur's ears went flat against his head, his eyes burning into the tom's back. But Feathertail wouldn't let her tongue rest. "Would you mind calming down? How is snapping at everyone for no reason going to help any of us?" She hissed.

Squirrelpaw watched carefully over Feathertail, hoping her anger wouldn't make her lose focus. "Careful now."

"Better than another setback, at least." Brambleclaw spat. "We've been out her for days, who knows what's going on back in the forest? Our clans aren't going to wait while we waste another day."

"And they might not have anything to wait for, if we take needless risks!" Tawnypelt snapped, her tail flaring in a fury. "You may want to push yourself beyond your limits, Brambleclaw, but it isn't just you that Starclan chose!"

Brambleclaw's shoulders broadened at his sister's harsh tone. When he spoke, his teeth were clearly clenched. "I'm just trying to make sure nothing happens to my clan. Is that so wrong?"

Crowpaw couldn't stop his lips from whispering. "Knowing your judgement, yes."

It wasn't clear if Brambleclaw had heard what was said, but his ear flicked at the sound of the apprentice. "What was that?!" He yowled, looking over his shoulder maliciously.

Crowpaw stared him down, he wasn't going to submit to this bee-brain. "Keep your eyes on the cliff."

"If you want to keep your eyes, you'll shut up!" Brambleclaw grumbled, clearly not caring who heard him as the rest of the cats drew back in shock.

Crowpaw wasn't intimidated, but before he could laugh off the threat, Squirrelpaw started forward with a snarl. "Don't you threaten him!"

"That's right, favour other clans over your own, like you always do." Brambleclaw growled, his tail shaking in anger.

Squirrelpaw's eyes blazed like the sun over the horizon. "Oh yeah! Because you treated me soooooo well when we first set off! You're a real good clanmate, you are!" She hissed sarcastically.

Brambleclaw's eye appeared over his shoulder, along with the grit of his teeth. "If it wasn't for me, you ungrateful kit, you wouldn't even be here in the first place! You should be thanking me!" The Warrior seethed with an unbelievable venom.

Crowpaw pulsed, rage filling his heart. After ever insult, every cold shoulder, after his attack, this fox-heart still had the nerve to say that to Squirrelpaw. Crowpaw wasn't sure if he'd ever felt as enraged as he did now. His fur was on end until he could have resembled a hedgehog.

But what he also knew was that Squirrelpaw was perfectly capable of speaking for herself.

The Thunderclan apprentice narrowed her eyes, not even blinking at her clanmate's words. "Remember what you said? I would have come along anyway. I don't owe you anything but a rake on the ears!"

As sharp as always.

Brambleclaw let out a growl that was more like a roar. He blazed with outrage, but he knew he couldn't react, every cat was staring at him as if he was the bad guy. His expression twisted, he looked certain to say something else, even more hurtful.

"Brambleclaw, please just shut up for once!" Tawnypelt exclaimed, stepping forward to her brother cautiously. "This isn't helping any of us!"

"What in Starclan has happened to you, Tawnypelt?" Brambleclaw hissed softly, stopping in place.

For once, Tawnypelt looked caught off-guard. "Excuse me?"

"My leader, my clan?" Brambleclaw's voice was low and dangerous, bubbling with icy fury. "And now my sister. Why can't any of you understand that I'm trying my best for you all?!" He spat ruthlessly, his back quivering as he did so.

Tawnypelt stared at her brother, silent for a moment, then her lips contracted into a grimace. "Will you stop blaming everyone around you?" She erupted, taking another heavy step towards the Warrior. "It's no one's fault but your own that you're acting like this!"

"Acting like what? A loyal Warrior! Is that so wrong to you?!"

"No, it's not-" Curtly, Tawnypelt stopped. The air around the cats dropped, becoming cold and hollow. The only thing they could hear was the crash of the waves below. "…Was that supposed to mean something?"

At that, every cat realised that it had. And they shivered when they put together what it was that Brambleclaw had meant.

If there had been any regret at his words, Brambleclaw didn't turn to show it. He continued to shake, growling softly. That was his only frustrated reply.

The scrape of Tawnypelt's claws against the rock became evident. The Shadowclan Warrior breathed slowly and roughly. "No, Brambleclaw." Tawnypelt said with a remarkable, frightening calmness. "There's nothing wrong with acting loyal. But there is something wrong when you're acting like…" Tawnypelt stopped again, wondering if she was angry enough to stoop to that.

Every cat realised what she was about to say. Every cat's eyes widened with caution. Brambleclaw's head rose up sharply, his claws clenched in, and his breathing became fast and ragged. "Acting like who?" He dared her to finish.

She did.

"Acting like him."

The roar of waves built up, crashing against the rocks violently. Brambleclaw didn't move, only motioning with the shaky, rasping breaths coming behind his fangs. No cat could find the strength to make a move. A cruel tension had swept over them all. Suddenly, with a rush, Brambleclaw twisted to face his sister. Eyes wild with furious, aching tears. "DON'T COMPARE ME TO-"

He wasn't able to begin on his tirade. When he turned, his paw had found the edge of the cliff face. He slipped on the cleft. The anger in his face subsided, panic welling as he tumbled sideways into the hollow.

That panic swarmed over the other cats as they watched him helplessly slip through the hollow. Brambleclaw tried to cling his claws into the loose vines, but it didn't help as soil battered his face making him cough and fall further. Crowpaw watched the frenzy in horror. Even if he hated Brambleclaw, he didn't want the Warrior to die! But what could they do? There was no way he was going to be able to cling on, and they couldn't reach him even if he did.

That didn't stop Stormfur though.

"Stormfur!" Feathertail wailed after him. The Grey Warrior leapt into the hollow after the Thunderclan cat, trying to cling onto his shoulders. It didn't work. The soil was too loose and soon both began tumbling down at a more furious pace.

Crowpaw's heart clenched with dread. That idiot! What had he been thinking?! Feathertail's jaw hung with hysterical fear, wanting to go after her brother, but Crowpaw held her back. He couldn't sit back and watch more cats potentially lose their lives. If they could just take a moment to think, just maybe they could find a way to reach them at the bottom.

Then Crowpaw watched as Squirrelpaw darted into the hollow with a yowl.

He watched as she landed on top of the falling cats, and saw when they fell out of the dirt, flailing into the water.

"No!" He yowled, grim despair enveloping his heart. But he couldn't do anything but watch as they plummeted into the unknown.

"Brambleclaw!" Tawnypelt cried, peering over the edge, but the hollow blocked her sight to where they could have fallen. Horrifically, the soil beneath her feet crumbled and she too tumbled over the edge with a howl.

"Where are they?" Feathertail screeched, trying to find any signal that their friends were still alive. Crowpaw searched desperately as well, never before overcome by such sheer terror. His heart thundered as the sound of the water rushed through his ears, taunting him. The current carried along the cliff, slow but clearly heavy. Crowpaw rushed along beside it. He couldn't even find the time to breathe.

Come on, come on, please! Please be alright! Had he ever been this terrified before? No. He didn't care. He just had to find his friends! The other two ran behind him as he did so. But not as fast as him. He ran until his sides hurt and his scars felt like they were burning and it was painful to breathe and he was pretty sure he was crying and when he stumbled he got back up again in half a second to continue through the pain.

His body wasn't in control. His mind was. And it was set on one thing.

He didn't even question anymore why he was so scared.

That would just be stupid at this point.

…

How had she ended up here?

The short answer would be that she jumped off a cliff. But that was also the dumb answer. There were so many things running through her mind, and she only knew how to handle a select few.

On the one hand, they had found the Sun-drown place. They were one step closer in completing their journey. That was the good news, and it was amazing news after all they'd been through so far.

On the other hand, she was certain she was going to lose her mind over that grey apprentice.

She couldn't get him out of her sight. Not once. She didn't want to. Every time she tried to keep her eyes forward and focus, some part of her panged to look back, to check over him, to hope to see him better.

It wouldn't stop.

And after it had become clear that he was in no mood to talk, she surprisingly didn't find herself bothered that much. She understood. So she tried to keep it quiet, to lie that she would forget what had happened that had hurt him. She knew she wouldn't, but she would try. If that would help him, she would try.

It was only when they had found the Sun-drown place that it had worked. That was when he smiled again, looking more like the cat she had grown to adore.

But that was when another problem had surfaced. When she saw his smile against the yellow-blue radiance of the water, fizzing around him like the aura of a star.

Squirrelpaw knew that something had changed. And it scared her. It scared her more than the roar of the waves below them ever had.

That was why she had kept necessarily quiet when Brambleclaw had started on his tirade. She had other, more important things to worry about. She couldn't be. She just couldn't.

She thought about how Feathertail and Stormfur would never see their father again because of his feelings.

She thought about Feathertail and the way she looked at Crowpaw.

She thought about the Clans back home.

And then she finally brought up her voice again when Brambleclaw had threatened Crowpaw. She wouldn't allow that to go unrecognised, not after what he did. She didn't care about whatever cruel comments he had to say about her, but he was never going to attack her friends if she had anything to say about it.

Maybe her heart throbbed a little at how much it had hurt Brambleclaw when Tawnypelt had said what she'd said, but her satisfaction that someone had finally said it was stronger. If Brambleclaw really wanted to wipe away the visage of that cat, he needed to hear it. Especially from Tawnypelt.

Then he had fallen into the hollow.

Squirrelpaw did not like Brambleclaw anymore. He had shown her nothing but insults and hurt throughout the journey; while the others had given her the confidence to speak up and treat herself like the Warrior she was going to be, Brambleclaw had seemed determined to remind her that he was the chosen cat and not her.

She knew that he had no respect for her.

But that did not mean that he wasn't her clanmate. Her Clan flowed through her blood, and it meant that she would always protect them when she needed to. No matter who it was.

That was why she had jumped. It wasn't a choice, it was instinct.

Although she had to roll her eyes despite falling through the hollow when Brambleclaw had protested her help. "No-go back!"

A little late to do that! He'd sure picked the wrong time to act like he cared!

The wind rushed in Squirrelpaw's ears, and it was harder than she'd thought to keep her balance as they fell. She braced herself to be enveloped by the water, taking in a deep, life-saving, breath.

Only to be met with the heavy slap of pebbles.

Squirrelpaw hissed from the pain, looking around to find her friends, where her jaw dropped at what stood before them. The cave: a massive mouth of rock, splintered with sharp pillars of stone near it's entrance. Fresh drops of water gleamed against the murky rocks, winking in the red sunlight.

It's here! The cave with teeth! Squirrelpaw thought excitedly.

Squirrelpaw tried to stand on her paws, and was whisked back down as a torrent of water shoved against her backside, dragging the weight away from her feet. Taking a small breath, she stopped the salty liquid from entering her mouth, shifting her small weight in the waves and just about managing to find her balance.

Nearby, she heard a mixture of frightened yowling and coughing. Squirrelpaw turned and saw Brambleclaw writhing helplessly in the water, his eyes squeezed shut in pain. He must have swallowed and gotten an eyeful of the saltwater. A protective impulse pounded in Squirrelpaw's mind and she forcefully kicked her paws into the direction of her clanmate.

The waves were strong, but Squirrelpaw was persistent. Once she was near enough, she latched her teeth onto Brambleclaw's shoulder, dragging him up, making sure his head was above the draining water. The tom coughed out a splatter of saltwater, hazily blinking at his clanmate.

"No." He rasped, water spilling out as he spoke. "You can't-you'll drown…"

So will you if I don't help you, mouse-brain. Was what she wanted to yowl, but she couldn't do that without letting go of him. She kicked her paws away from the sucking waves, furiously edging towards the cave. She settled slightly when she felt pebbles beneath her feet, and the tide changed, pushing them onwards.

She found herself on drier pebbles and she shifted all of her strength into pulling Brambleclaw along with her. By Starclan, was the tom heavy. It also didn't help that the shallow water threatened to drag him back into the watery tomb. The pebbles scattered underneath her, almost causing her to trip. Then Bramblecla seemed to lighten, and Squirrelpaw noticed Stormfur behind, showing Brambleclaw along with his head. He looked so much smaller with his fur sodden and plastered against his skin. She'd hate to think how small she looked right now.

Finally, she and Stormfur had pulled Brambleclaw onto what felt like solid rock. Squirrelpaw released him, gasping and collapsing onto her belly. Every bit of strength had been sucked out of her and she felt clagged from the water soaked in her fur. She looked down at Brambleclaw who lay still, softly panting, his eyes dimming over.

Oh no you don't! Squirrelpaw stumbled over to where the still tom laid, and she frantically prodded him with her paw. He didn't have the right to leave them now! "Brambleclaw, wake up!" She shouted, feeling her heart pace at the thought of darkness taking over her clanmate. They all needed each other, every clan cat deserved the right to go home a hero.

Blinking lazily, Brambleclaw rose his head, opening his eyes finally and managing to meet Squirrelpaw's eyes. She let out a sigh of relief. Even though he was moaning in pain, at least he was alive.

"Thank Starclan." Squirrelpaw muttered, taking a step away to give the tom some space. "I thought you were dead."

Brambleclaw grunted weakly, "I-I'm okay." He said, seeming to choke as he did so. The haze faded from his eyes and he softly rose to meet Squirrelpaw's eyes. Squirrelpaw was amazed, he actually looked… thankful. Well, he should have been, anyway. But he also looked fragile. Not so much the angry cat that had darkened her journey.

She sighed. What was she thinking? This wasn't the place. Of course, she was glad he was okay.

Something shifted in Brambleclaw's gaze and he suddenly made an effort to lift himself up. Retching, he vomited several mouthfuls of water, clearing his body of the heavy pain. As he shivered from the cold and the sickly tremors, Squirrelpaw never thought she'd seen him this vulnerable before.

"Feeling better?" She asked.

Brambleclaw spat out whatever saltwater was left and he nodded.

"Thanks to you, he will be." Stormfur called. Squirrelpaw found him shaking his sodden fur, but his eyes gleamed with admiration for her. It made her blush slightly. "If it wasn't for you, that could have ended badly."

"Oh, it wasn't like it was me alone." Squirrelpaw purred.

"You still jumped in." Squirrelpaw turned with a start towards Brambleclaw. Wearily, the tom lifted his head again, his amber eyes darkened with confusion. "You could have died… Why- I thought you said you hated me." The tom challenged, his voice numb with fatigue and mystery.

Squirrelpaw rolled her eyes. That was the first thing he thought about. Starclan… what a bee-brain. "I did." She affirmed, her green eyes flickering with annoyance. "But you're still my clan. What else am I going to do?"

Brambleclaw only stared at her, his eyes hazing over again with a misty expression. His head dropped again, staring at the pebbled floor, when they all heard footsteps approach.

"Brambleclaw?" The tom turned at his sister's voice. She approached him with a hard expression, her legs were damp with water, but her body was mostly unscathed. She must have been lucky enough to find her footing on the pebbles before the wave came.

Brambleclaw's tired eyes brightened suddenly at the sight of his sister, then dropped again, the memory of their last conversation thundering over them. He frowned deeply at the floor, but his mouth was thin with visible conflict. As Tawnypelt's steps closed in, Brambleclaw's hard façade crumbled like the pebbles below him, making his mouth quiver and his tail dip between his legs.

It was only when she was right in front of him that Brambleclaw found the courage to raise his head. "Tawnypelt… I-"

He sounded off when Tawnypelt leaned close against him, rubbing her head against his tenderly. Brambleclaw's pupils shrank at his sister's action, but when he tried to speak she swiftly silenced him. "Just, shut up." She yapped, her voice strained with relief.

The Thunderclan Warrior did shut up, and his eyes creased with unspoken words that needed to be said, and he buried his face back against hers, sharing in her momentary fondness.

Squirrelpaw and Stormfur looked on at the sentimental display. It was kind of cringy to look at, but Stormfur pointed out that he could see Squirrelpaw smiling. Perhaps there was some hope for them after all.

"Are you all alright?" Feathertail's panicked tone erupted around the cave. The cats turned towards the cave. Just past the rush of water and the sparkling pebbles, the cave opened its mouth in a frightening invitation. The walls were large and smooth, mostly covered by shadow, except for a small hole in the roof.

Where Crowpaw and Feathertail peered through.

Squirrelpaw's heart leapt with alleviation. "We're okay now. Just a little wet."

"Hold on! We're coming down!" Crowpaw exclaimed. Squirrelpaw's ear twitched at the panic in his tone. That was something she'd never heard before. The two cats padded quickly down a series of clefts and ledges safely embedded in the rock, until they too had found their destination.

Feathertail wasted no time rushing to her brother and enveloping him with loving licks on the cheek. "Oh, thank goodness. I thought I'd lost you!" The Warrior exulted through her fear.

Stormfur blushed under his sister's affection but he rubbed against her comfortingly. "Hey, hey, we're fine. Look around, we're here." He cooed as his sister continued to smother him.

Now Squirrelpaw didn't mind that she was smiling. Feathertail's happiness had that effect on cats. She heard pawprints coming towards her and she went to grin at Crowpaw. "Here we are! Pretty amazing, r-"

She lost her voice as Crowpaw pulled her into a tight embrace.

It came back like the roar of a lion.

He was so close. His paws were wrapped around her body, never breaking, like he was afraid to let go. Her heart began to thunder again, and she lost her breath like she had been submerged by another wave.

There was wetness were his cheeks were pressed against her. It wasn't from her fur. Had he… Had he been crying? He'd been that worried? About her?

It no longer shocked her why that made her heart melt.

"C-Crowpaw…" Squirrelpaw sputtered, she felt his grip around her tighten.

"Mouse-brain." He tried to hide the break in his voice. "You could have been killed." There was a low anger there, but he never let go at all.

Squirrelpaw felt something bloom inside her. He really had been… scared over her safety.

Was she meant to want to smile this much?

"W-Well, I wasn't." She breathed, hoping wit would calm him down. It did a little as he let out a crooked note of a laugh, but mostly he just hugged her.

"Just be quiet." He snapped, but she could feel him smile against her cheek. "And never ever do anything like that again."

Earlier on, she'd wanted him to cheer up. Squirrelpaw wasn't sure if this counted at all. But it had to be better.

Why else would it feel so good?

She knew why. That was why it was such a delight to wrap her arms around him and hug him back.

"I won't." She promised, knowing that she would break it like she did to so many.

It wasn't like it mattered now.

It didn't even matter that in a few minutes they would be thrown off by what Midnight really was, and the dreading news she was to bring about their clans.

That could wait.

All that mattered was now. And now was hugging Crowpaw.

Now. It was nice.

…

Ohhh this is gonna be fun!

I am so looking forward to the next few chapters of this, and I can only hope you guys feel the same way! I really do appreciate how much love this story has received so far, considering the ship surrounding it! It really has been a pleasure to tell this story so far!

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Please leave a review to tell me your thoughts and feedback!

And as always, I'll talk to you in a while!