AN: I figured it's time for an update... I think if I stick with three or four times a month, that should be acceptable enough since I'm only getting one or two reviews per chapter. Even so, that means I'll need to stick with a regular schedule and actually do some writing. Also, I want to apologize in advance for the abrupt ending; hopefully it isn't too rushed towards the end, but I couldn't find a good place to stop. ;) Thank you Niqhtshadow for reviewing; your reviews are always appreciated!

Niqhtshadow - I mean, it isn't as if it's an important destiny or anything like that :P But yeah, hopefully he will. And thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I'm trying to aim towards longer chapters and better details, including characterization. Which means updates are probably going to be a little slower than I intended, so I apologize in advance for that. But hopefully that means readers will get to enjoy the story more when a new chapter is posted :)


CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR

Muscles rippled beneath her pelt as Birdpaw studied the path ahead of her carefully. Her white and gray pelt blended in almost perfectly with the snow-covered forest. Birdpaw used that to her advantage while she stalked through the sparse undergrowth. Though the undergrowth had begun to dwindle away, the trees had become thicker and larger with each passing tail-length. Birdpaw knew that Birchpelt was hiding around somewhere, waiting for the perfect chance to strike.

She kept low to the ground, whiskers twitching in anticipation as she tasted the air. Her tail flicked with amusement when she finally picked up Birchpelt's scent. Though her mentor tried disguising her scent by rolling in the snow earlier, Birdpaw was still able to pick up the faint, familiar scent

Gotcha, she thought after bunching her muscles together.

Without warning, she suddenly pounced on her target. A purr escaped her throat when Birdpaw heard a mrrow of annoyance when she landed on top of her unsuspecting mentor. Birchpelt batted away at her affectionately, knowing that this was part of the test she'd set up for her.

"Alright, you big oaf; you can let me up," her mentor scolded her lightly.

"I was faster this time," Birdpaw meowed when she climbed off of the SkyClan deputy.

Birchpelt shook the snow off her pelt and looked at Birdpaw thoughtfully.

She had been working on her tracking skills since they reached the forest. Birdpaw knew that in the forest, the scents were different from up in the mountains and even the gorge. She could hardly remember what the gorge smelled like because she had only just been born before they left. But the mountains had smelled so strange compared to what she was now used to. She was grateful to find out that her skills had improved over the last few moons since she started her training.

"Yes, you were much faster this time," the silver she-cat nodded in agreement. "And I am proud of everything you have accomplished. There aren't many apprentices your age who could stand training for this long."

Pride blossomed within Birdpaw at Birchpelt's praise. Her mentor was right about that - she was able to hold off her warrior ceremony for as long as she could. It hadn't felt right at the time when Emberstar wanted to give her her warrior name. Brightfire, Wrenflight, Ebonypelt and Driftwind had only been apprentices at the time, and they were more than ready themselves to become warriors. But Emberstar's reluctance to hold their warrior ceremony had irritated her.

I didn't want to be seen as someone special because he gave me my name early, she told herself. She still didn't feel as if she was ready for the next step forward. There was a lot to learn, and once they reached their new home, she would have more to learn. For now, Birdpaw had been trying to hold it off until she had no choice. After all, she was still the youngest out of the other three who were suspected to be part of the prophecy.

"I can't wait for us to reach the lake," she sighed when they returned to the group that was ahead of them.

She and Birchpelt had fallen behind so that she could work on some of her training. She was grateful that Emberstar had given them the opportunity to hone her skills out in the forest, especially since it was now covered in snow. She hadn't begun training in the snow since they climbed the mountains, and this provided her the perfect opportunity to do so. It was a bit more difficult learning how to hunt and stalk with snow covering the ground, but Birdpaw knew she would eventually adapt to the new challenge.

"It will feel good to finally see our new home," Birchpelt replied with a wave of her tail. "I'm more concerned though about how the other Clans are going to accept us... if there is any acceptance at all."

Unease swept through Birdpaw at the thought of what would happen when they reached the lake. Her mind had been constantly trying to mull over the endless possibilities of how the Clans would react. RiverClan had been accepting of the idea that there was a fifth Clan, along with ThunderClan. But that didn't mean they along with the other Clans would be willing to share some territory. She could already imagine what the other Clans were going to say when they did show up.

Flamestrike had warned her that ShadowClan was infamously hostile towards other Clans. The only times they did show peace was when they needed help, ironically enough. Though Birdpaw suspected that was only because she heard one side of ShadowClan. She hoped they would be willing to listen to reason once they arrived at the lake.

Then there was WindClan. Birdpaw had no idea how the other Clan would react to SkyClan's sudden arrival. From what Spruceleaf had explained, Icestar wasn't exactly the friendliest leader around. Her belly churned with anxiety.

I would hate to go to war over something as silly as territory, she thought guiltily.

She watched as Flamestrike padded ahead with Spruceleaf trailing alongside him. Oakfire and Stormshadow were walking side-by-side, their heads close as they spoke to one another while shooting the pair uneasy looks. The rest of her Clanmates milled about while trailing after them. Everyone was so dispersed that it was hard to believe they were even a Clan.

Birdpaw couldn't help but frown at the sight when she realized they had a lot of work ahead of them once they did reach the lake. Not only did they need to find a new camp and a new territory to claim, but they would need to learn how to work together as a Clan. She knew it was going to be a challenge after seeing how distant everyone was with one another.

"I can see the abandoned horseplace up ahead!" Spruceleaf's cry caught her attention.

She didn't give Birchpelt time to say anything when she bounded forward towards the rise where Spruceleaf and Flamestrike were standing. After seeing the abandoned horseplace for the first time in what felt like moons ago, Birdpaw felt a spark of excitement at seeing it again.

Sure enough, Birdpaw could see the spiraling land ahead of her. Her pelt brushed against Spruceleaf's as she stood beside the former WindClan warrior. Excitement and worry gnawed at her stomach as Birdpaw wondered what sort of greeting they would receive.

"Do you think Wildheart is going to be happy knowing we brought an entire Clan with us?" Flamestrike asked warily as he looked over his shoulder.

Spruceleaf didn't answer. Instead, Emberstar padded forward until he was just a tail-length behind them. His green eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he studied the hills himself along with the empty spaces where the Twolegs used to keep their strange barriers.

"This isn't the lake," he meowed in a matter-of-fact tone.

"No," Spruceleaf quickly replied. "My uncle is living at the farm here though... he and his mate were able to escape WindClan when it was taken over by Icestar. They have been living there ever since with their kits."

This was new information for Emberstar. Birdpaw watched as his eyes narrowed with thought as he realized what she and her family had been through. A hostile leader made moving to the lake a bit more difficult.

"Why would he target you and your family?" the SkyClan leader asked curiously.

"It's a bit of a long story," Spruceleaf admitted after shuttling her paws with unease.

She doesn't want to relive the moment, Birdpaw realized.

Not that she couldn't blame Spruceleaf for wanting to avoid the uneasy subject. Her mother had been murdered right in front of her by Icestar himself. To make matters worse, he'd killed off half of her family and had threatened to kill Wildheart, along with his family for standing against him. Birdpaw had no doubt the WindClan leader would go to such lengths to show everyone that he wasn't to be taken lightly.

A shiver swept through her at the thought. A Clan leader with that much power and greed couldn't be trusted. She had a feeling that Icestar wasn't going to relinquish his power over the Clan anytime soon. But he was a problem that needed to be taken care of, and the sooner they did something about him, the better off everyone would be.

"Come on," Flamestrike flicked his tail to take the lead, knowing that they were short on time, "The sooner we get this done and over with, the better off we all are."

Birdpaw nodded in agreement to that. She and the others began trailing after them as they took the lead once more. It surprised Birdpaw when she saw Spruceleaf move along with renewed confidence. Despite her earlier unease, her head was raised high, and her ears constantly flicked back and forth to listen for signs of danger.

It wasn't until they were a couple of tail-lengths from the barn when Birdpaw heard a yowl of alarm from within. Everyone stopped in their tracks when a small gray and ginger-dappled cat lunged from his hiding place. Flamestrike was able to duck out of the way just in time, but Spruceleaf was nearly tackled to the ground as the young tom batted at her with tiny paws.

"Get off our territory, you mangy rogue!" he yowled.

"Gorsepaw, that's enough!" Birdpaw stiffened in surprise at the sound of Wildheart's voice. The mottled brown and ginger tom stopped in his tracks when he spotted the large group clustered behind Spruceleaf and Flamestrike. "Spruceleaf?"

"Wildheart, it's good to see you again!" the pale brown she-cat purred affectionately as Gorsepaw rolled off of her. "Your kits have grown."

"Of course they have," he returned the gesture by approaching her and rubbing his muzzle against hers. Then his gaze swept over the large group of cats. Birdpaw hadn't missed the way Emberstar was eyeing him with suspicion, or the fact that Birchpelt had reached her side. "Are they SkyClan?"

One nod was all it took for Wildheart to eventually decide that it was safe for all of them to head into the barn. Birdpaw ducked her head under Birchpelt's questioning gaze as she followed the others inside. She had been watching Gorsepaw with interest as the young cat kept a steady pace with his father. He really had grown since they last saw him and his sibling, along with their mother.

"My StarClan, I wasn't expecting there to be so many here at once!" Palemist meowed in shock upon seeing so many cats.

"I do apologize for intruding on your territory," Emberstar started after deciding to tackle the situation himself. "It has been a long and difficult journey, and we don't plan on sticking around for long."

He cast an uncertain glance around the large space that made up their temporary home. Birdpaw noticed with a start that the spiky-furred tortoiseshell she had seen earlier had returned. Her hackles were raised upon seeing so many unfamiliar faces. She remained hidden in the background, refusing to emerge from her hiding place until she no longer perceived the group as a threat.

Spruceleaf mentioned that she suffered when she was just an apprentice, Birdpaw reminded herself after realizing why the she-cat refused to emerge. From what she had gathered, the loner had been living on her own for moons after she was cast out from the Clans. Birdpaw wasn't all that surprised by her lack of communication with the others.

"Please, feel free to help yourself to whatever mice you can find," Palemist flicked her tail, gesturing to the piles of golden grass that covered the floor.

"Is there going to be enough to go around?" Wildheart asked warily.

"We aren't going to take away all of your prey," Birchpelt meowed defensively. She didn't like the idea of taking advantage of anyone anymore than Birdpaw did. She secretly admired Birchpelt because of her ability to keep fighting for what she believed in. Despite everything Emberstar said, and what felt wrong, Birchpelt wasn't afraid to speak her mind. "We can share among ourselves, and hunt for ourselves if we have to."

Emberstar was silent for a long while as he put some thought into her idea. It made sense. They weren't going to stay at the barn for long. Birdpaw knew they had to wait until the full moon to present themselves at the Gathering when it was safer. For now, the barn truly was the safest place they could stay.

"It would be better not to rely on someone else for our prey," he eventually nodded in agreement. "Especially when we will have to fend for ourselves once we have our own territory."

"I can show your Clan some of the best hunting spots," Wildheart reassured them once that was settled. "It would also be good to take the kits out and show them how to hunt."

"Can we please go out?" Gorsepaw asked with wide eyes.

His brother was practically leaping up and down at the thought of going out to hunt. Birdpaw had to restrain a purr of amusement at the sight. She wished she could share their enthusiasm. It had been moons since she was able to feel enthusiastic about anything. The truth was, she knew the days of acting like a kit were long-gone.

Becoming an apprentice was one thing, but now I have a Clan to look after, she silently reminded herself.

Though she wasn't the Clan leader, she knew that she had an entirely new responsibility on her shoulders thanks to the prophecy. If what they had discussed earlier was true, she understood that the Clans would need them in the future.

"Well, it would be good for them to learn from other cats," Palemist nodded in agreement. Her tail flicked as she looked at the ThunderClan and RiverClan cats. "Are you going back to your Clans?"

"I don't see why we need to stick around here now that we've brought SkyClan back," Oakfire meowed with a shrug. "Spruceleaf can show them where the Gathering is held at the next full moon... though that won't be for a while now."

Spruceleaf didn't look the least bit happy with the idea of going back anywhere near the Clans. And after the way Icestar had treated her, Birdpaw couldn't blame her for not wanting to go back. She just hoped that SkyClan received a warm welcoming upon their arrival.

"The thanks of our Clan goes with you," Emberstar meowed when he realized that this was where they parted ways. He glanced at Birdpaw when she started looking between Flamestrike, Reedriver and Spruceleaf. Though Reedriver looked more annoyed with the idea of being considered part of their ragtag group, he looked equally unhappy that they were parting ways. "I will give you time to say your goodbyes. But we must continue looking after the Clan."

The warning in his voice only left Birdpaw rolling her eyes as she padded over to meet with Flamestrike and Spruceleaf. To her surprise, Reedriver slowly stalked over and sat down beside them. He didn't look any happier for being there, but at least he was willing to listen.

"Thank you... for everything you've done," she whispered to Flamestrike. The ThunderClan warrior simply brushed his muzzle against hers affectionately, knowing that they had been through a lot together over the last few moons. "I don't think I could have done this without your help."

"I'm sure you would've found a way," Spruceleaf purred in amusement. "After all, you've got Sky's determination, and guidance. I'm willing to bet that you'll make a great leader one day."

Birdpaw stiffened in surprise upon hearing her encouraging words. She didn't say anything, but she ducked her head in embarrassment as Flamestrike nodded in agreement. Only Reedriver rolled his eyes and lashed his tail.

"I still refuse to believe that this fishbrained nonsense is real," he muttered crossly. "But I am glad that we found SkyClan. At least it means that you're not completely insane."

"I'm glad you came along too to help, Reedriver," Birdpaw nodded her thanks, knowing that this hadn't been an easy journey for him.

His reluctance to admit that he had anything to do with the prophecy made sense in some way. When she was younger, Birdpaw would have jumped at the opportunity to be part of any prophecy. Now that she knew the weight of what was expected out of them, she wasn't so sure. The only thing she did know was that they needed to accept their destinies sooner or later.

"We should make a point to meet up sometime after the Clans find out about SkyClan," Flamestrike put in. "We can't just ignore the dreams we've been having... something tells me that this is only the beginning of what's to come."

Again, Birdpaw nodded in agreement to that. She knew that they would need to get together again sometime to discuss how to handle the prophecy. But for now, they needed to focus on rebuilding what was lost. She couldn't wait to see what their new territory would be like once they found it. And more importantly, what the future of the Clans would be once SkyClan made their presence known.


ALLEGIANCES

ThunderClan

Leader: Petalstar - light gray she-cat with white paws, belly and muzzle; has blue eyes

Deputy: Hawktalon - light brown tabby tom with amber eyes

Medicine Cat: Dusknose - gray tom with a darker gray nose

Warriors

Oakfire - ginger-brown tom with tabby markings along the tip of his tail

Heatherpelt - pale gray she-cat with yellow eyes

Stormshadow - dark gray, almost black tom with yellow eyes

Feathermist - gray and white she-cat with feathery-tipped ears
Apprentice: Dovepaw

Robinwing - brown and white tabby tom with amber eyes

Roseclaw - ginger and white she-cat with green eyes

Shademask - gray tom with a darker gray, almost black face

Timberleaf - slender brown she-cat with pale green eyes
Apprentice: Stormpaw

Foxfur - dark ginger tom with green eyes

Hazelwind - tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes

Kestreltalon - light brown tabby tom with amber eyes

Flamestrike - ginger tom with faint brown stripes along his tail

Lilypool - pale ginger she-cat with amber eyes

Shrewfang - light brown tom with darker brown stripes along his legs and tail

Apprentices

Dovepaw - light gray she-cat with yellow eyes

Stormpaw - darker gray she-cat with amber eyes

Queens

None

Elders

Rockfur - dark black tom with a white-tipped tail and pale amber eyes; partially blind

Daisytail - black and white she-cat with amber eyes

Kits

None


ShadowClan

Leader: Russetstar - brown tom with dark ginger paws

Deputy: Grayshadow - gray and darker gray tom
Apprentice: Newtpaw

Medicine Cat: Scorchheart - dark ginger tom with green eyes
Apprentice: Ravenflight - darker gray she-cat with yellow eyes

Warriors

Cloudfall - white she-cat with patches of gray along her fur; has blue eyes

Sageleaf - gray and white she-cat with green eyes
Apprentice: Longpaw

Barktail - light brown tabby tom with amber eyes

Talonclaw - pale tabby tom with yellow eyes

Sleetstorm - very pale gray, almost white she-cat with pale green eyes
Apprentice: Bramblepaw

Nightclaw - black tom with yellow eyes
Apprentice: Marshpaw

Mousefang - light brown tabby tom with amber eyes

Poppyfur - brown and ginger she-cat with green eyes

Snowstorm - gray she-cat with amber eyes

Smokefrost - dark black she-cat with piercing green eyes

Apprentices

Longpaw - pale brown she-cat with green eyes

Bramblepaw - light ginger tom with amber eyes

Marshpaw - tortoiseshell she-cat with pale green eyes

Newtpaw - pale ginger tom with amber eyes

Queens

Thistlepatch - spiky-haired tabby she-cat with amber eyes, expecting

Briarheart - brown, white and black she-cat with amber eyes, expecting

Elders

Pineclaw - dark tabby tom with amber eyes; former deputy

Kits:

None


WindClan

Leader: Icestar - white tom with gray paws

Deputy: Rowantail - gray and ginger dappled she-cat with a tabby-striped tail

Medicine Cat: Furzewhisker - light brown she-cat with unusually long whiskers

Warriors

Harewhisker - gray tabby tom with white paws and yellow eyes

Ferretpelt - short-haired tabby tom with yellow eyes

Twigfur - dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes

Berrystripe - brown and ginger tabby tom with amber eyes

Owlflight - silver tabby tom with green eyes

Sootfall - dark gray tom with amber eyes

Antwhisker - brown tabby tom with yellow eyes

Apprentices

None

Queens

Olivebranch - brown and white she-cat with amber eyes

Whitebirch - white she-cat with brown spots along her back leg

Leafshine - tortoiseshell and white she-cat with green eyes

Elders

Redstripe - dark ginger tom with stripes along his legs

Sparrowsong - very old brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes; Larksong and Leafshine's mother

Kits

None

Deceased

Larksong - tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes

Mosskit - gray-brown she-cat with yellow eyes


RiverClan

Leader: Minnowstar - light brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes

Deputy: Mintwhisker - gray tom with amber eyes

Medicine Cat: Scarletfur - dark ginger she-cat with green eyes

Warriors

Watertail - gray-blue she-cat with amber eyes

Ashfang - silver and gray she-cat with amber eyes

Cinderfire - dark ginger tom with green eyes

Foampelt - silvery gray she-cat with blue eyes

Pricklefur - long-haired dark gray tom with yellow eyes

Blossomwind - tortoiseshell and white she-cat with amber eyes

Eagleclaw - brown and white tom with amber eyes

Pebblepelt - fluffy gray and white tom with yellow eyes

Acorntail - golden brown tabby tom with amber eyes

Reedriver - long-haired silver tom with pale blue eyes

Hollycloud - black and white she-cat with amber eyes

Larchwing - gray and white she-cat with amber eyes

Willowsong - gray she-cat with yellow eyes

Redclaw - light ginger tom with green eyes

Dawntail - dark ginger and brown she-cat with amber eyes

Firestorm - ginger tom with amber eyes

Apprentices

None

Queens

Foampelt - silvery gray she-cat with blue eyes, mother of Silverkit, Puddlekit and Ripplekit

Ambertail - brown she-cat with a ginger-tipped tail

Elders

Ripplecloud - silver tabby she-cat with blue eyes, mother of Blizzardwind, Watertail, Ashfang and Mintwhisker

Sandfang - pale ginger tom with green eyes

Kits

Silverkit - sleek pale gray she-cat with blue eyes

Puddlekit - fluffy gray and white she-cat with amber eyes

Ripplekit - gray tom with white paws and blue eyes


SkyClan

Leader: Emberstar - ginger tom with darker ginger ears

Deputy: Birchpelt - silver she-cat with light ginger markings
Apprentice: Birdpaw

Medicine Cat: Dewspots - gray and darker gray spotted she-cat with yellow eyes

Warriors

Thorntalon - smoky black tom with pale yellow eyes

Mothflower - tawny colored she-cat with amber eyes

Hollowstorm - dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes

Lightningstrike - black tom with green eyes

Darkflower - black and white she-cat with green eyes

Frozenfoot - gray she-cat with darker gray paws

Specklewing - tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes

Wrenflight - gray-brown she-cat with amber eyes

Brightfire - tortoiseshell and white she-cat with bright green eyes

Ebonypelt - dark black she-cat with amber eyes

Driftwind - pale gray tom with darker gray paws

Apprentices:

Birdpaw - white she-cat with gray patches of fur and dark blue eyes

Queens

None

Elders

Goldenpelt - golden ginger she-cat with amber eyes

Ivyclaw - dark gray she-cat with yellow eyes

Bouncestep - long-legged tabby tom with amber eyes

Kits

None


Cats Outside Clans

Frost - white and dark gray she-cat with pale green eyes, mother of Smoke, Luna and Dusk by unknown tom

Luna - dark gray she-cat with yellow eyes

Dusk - smoky gray tom with green eyes

Pinion - spiky-haired tortoiseshell she-cat who lives near the abandoned horseplace

Wildheart - mottled brown and ginger tom with amber eyes; Former WindClan warrior

Palemist - pale gray tabby she-cat with yellow eyes; Mother of Wildheart's kits, Gorsekit and Harekit; Former WindClan warrior

Gorsepaw - gray and ginger dappled tom with amber eyes

Harepaw - gray and white tom with amber eyes

Spruceleaf - slender pale brown she-cat with amber eyes; Former WindClan warrior

Blizzardwind - silvery white she-cat with pale green eyes; Former RiverClan medicine cat