AN: I thought it was time for another update, and since I had this chapter all typed up waiting to be posted. A lot is happening in ThunderClan territory, as we are about to see. And I only just realized that I have two cats with the 'Storm' prefixes... I wasn't even sure what I was thinking in regards of writing their names, but I'm sure I'm not the only author who has done that. Next chapter probably won't be coming out for a while, since it revolves around Smokefrost and what's been happening with ShadowClan. There's going to be a lot to cover with all that's happened. Anywho, big thanks to Clear Water and Niqhtshadow for reviewing!

Clear Water - (54) Yeah, poor Reedriver is going to have a difficult time accepting his destiny once it's thrown at him. The others managed to accept it just fine, and we haven't seen any reaction from Smoke just yet, but we'll be hearing from her next chapter (and it's certainly going to be exciting... I hope), so hopefully her reaction will be just as interesting. (55) Thank you :) It means a lot when reviewers are happy with the way my writing has gone, especially since I'm always worried how they'll react. I've actually made it my goal to write chapters that are over 2k long; I know it's a bit of a stretch, but I'll get there eventually. And yeah, the next chapter is definitely going to be a doozy as far as Gatherings and meetings are concerned. Smokey will be meeting the other four eventually (she's already met Reedriver once), but that may still be a while until it happens. And yep, that's exactly what I intended for Birdpaw and Spruceleaf. They're closer to their previous memories because they've faced hardship (which will likely be explained later down the road), and Flamestrike has had visions of his old past in previous chapters, but it happened so long ago that I may just need to write something new. As for Reedriver, he's still quite a while away from accepting his destiny, and something tells me that River is going to clobber him on the head for being so stubborn XD (Also, sorry about the super-long response, I do enjoy talking to reviewers regarding what happened)

Niqhtshadow - Thanks! Yep, it's going to be an interesting and possibly chaotic reaction from all of the Clans when it finally happens.


CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE

For the first time since they started the journey to find SkyClan, relief swept through Flamestrike. It had been nearly two moons since they started their journey, and he realized with a start how happy he was to be back. The familiar scent of the forest wafted around him, and the moment they were back on ThunderClan territory was when it felt as if a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. He picked up familiar scents here and there after tasting the air, including those of his mother and his siblings.

His thoughts churned with anxiety as he wondered how the Clan had been since they left.

When Spruceleaf had explained how Icestar had risen to power and was determined to spread that power across the lake, it sent a ripple of alarm through him. He knew that the Clans had always been balanced in some way or form. Sure, there were times when battle-hungry cats would get out of line. But they were usually taken care of before they could reach the point Icestar had.

Maybe that's why we're here, he realized.

A shift in balance meant that the Clans were doomed to suffer for moons if Icestar wasn't taken care of. Not to mention how the other Clans would react when SkyClan returned. A shiver of unease swept through him at the thought. He tried pushing the uneasy thoughts aside when he caught Stormshadow's ears pricking forward.

"Is something wrong?" Oakfire asked after pausing in his stride.

"I smell trouble in the air," the dark gray warrior growled under his breath.

Flamestrike's claws unsheathed as he too tasted the air. To his surprise, and to his alarm, he too picked up an unfamiliar scent.

"WindClan."

Oakfire and Stormshadow exchanged knowing looks. A recent patrol had passed by, closer to the border than they should have been. Flamestrike hadn't realized until Stormshadow pointed it out how dangerously close they were. His tail lashed as he imagined what sort of chaos would follow if they were caught by a passing patrol. WindClan's aggression towards the other Clans hadn't gone by unnoticed. And he doubted Petalstar would be happy knowing that they had crossed into enemy territory on their way back home.

"They've moved their scent markers across the clearing," Oakfire hissed when he inspected where the scent markers were. "Those mousebrains really think they can get away with suddenly moving the border!"

He scoffed under his breath, though Flamestrike didn't miss the worry flashing across his eyes. If what he said was true, then they needed to take this up to Petalstar. She needed to know that the Clan had moved the border without their knowledge.

"Let's get back to the Clan before we jump to unnecessary conclusions," Stormshadow suddenly meowed. Flamestrike glanced at him warily. The older tom was staring off into the distance, as if something had distracted him. "We can't just jump into war after fighting one recently. Especially without the Clan's knowledge."

I can't argue with that logic, Flamestrike thought. He tilted his head to one side as he wondered whether or not this would lead to war. With WindClan already on edge over Icestar's reign, he had no doubt in the back of his mind that it would lead to that. But Stormshadow was right. They needed to think this through before jumping to conclusions. Petalstar would have their tails if they crossed the border and demanded answers from an enemy Clan.

With that thought in mind, the three of them continued on their way, but not before Stormshadow and Oakfire reset the border. Even they were smart enough to know that the border needed to be reset before the rest of the Clan made the same mistake they nearly did. Once that task was finished, Flamestrike's shoulders sagged in relief. They hadn't run into a passing patrol, which meant that whoever set the border had been long gone.

But that didn't stop him from worrying about how Petalstar would assess the situation. He shook his head at the thought, knowing that he had no control over what decisions were made. As much as Flamestrike hated to admit it, this was up to her.

"Intruders!" Flamestrike's fur suddenly spiked up at the sound of a yowl. Before he or the others could reach the entrance that led to the hollow, a small dark gray figure suddenly erupted from the tunnel. Stormshadow hardly had time to react when a tiny pair of paws jabbed at his chest. "Get out of our territory, you flea-bitten rogues!"

"Stormpaw, that's enough!" Stormpaw paused in her 'attack' and blinked in surprise at the sound of Timberleaf's voice. "I would expect my apprentice to treat her Clanmates better."

Though there was annoyance laced in her meow, Flamestrike could see the amusement in her eyes. Timberleaf acknowledged their presence with a nod, looking more than relieved to see familiar faces. Eventually, Stormpaw finally backed off after she realized the mistake she made. Her ears flattened in embarrassment when she noticed that they were indeed Clanmates.

"I'm sorry," she quickly apologized, though it was clear in her eyes that she didn't feel apologetic.

"Had I been an enemy of the Clan, you would have had me running with my tail between my legs," Stormshadow purred affectionately. "It is good to see you again, Timberleaf."

"And you as well," the pale brown she-cat nodded in response. "I trust that your journey went well?"

Flamestrike exchanged an anxious look with Oakfire. They had a lot to talk about. Between WindClan's scent markers and SkyClan returning, he knew that it would take time for the Clan to figure out where to go from there.

Timberleaf wasted no time in leading them through the tunnel. Flamestrike had to duck to avoid getting his fur snatched by the thorns surrounding the entrance. Before they left, he'd been smaller. He hadn't realized until that moment how much he had grown, both in strength and in size.

The Clan was milling about in the stone hollow when they arrived. Flamestrike restrained a purr as he saw familiar faces sitting before them. He spotted Lilypool and Shrewfang sitting together while sharing a mouse. Roseclaw was sitting nearby, ears flicked in their direction as they talked between bites. Everyone seemed oddly at peace, despite the tension he and his companions felt.

He tried to avoid their questioning gazes when Petalstar emerged from her den with Hawktalon following close behind. The ThunderClan leader's eyes lit up one she saw the new arrivals standing next to Timberleaf. Stormpaw, who Flamestrike guessed was her apprentice, had already joined his denmate by the apprentice's den. Flamestrike's eyes widened in disbelief when he noticed just how big Dovepaw and Stormpaw had gotten since they left.

We've only been gone for almost three moons, he thought. It hasn't been that long!

"I trust you had a safe journey?" Petalstar asked once the whole Clan was gathered around the Highledge.

"More or less," Oakfire meowed with a shrug. "Blizzardwind chose to stay with the Tribe since their Healer went mad and tried to hold SkyClan captive."

Murmurs of surprise rippled throughout the Clan. Flamestrike couldn't help but glance at his family anxiously as he wondered what they thought of this whole scenario. The Tribe hadn't had contact with the Clans since Firestar's time. Since he passed away, they mostly kept to themselves. But the shock of finding out that they had planned on keeping a Clan captive was what jostled everyone. Petalstar's eyes narrowed when Stormshadow went into a full description of what had happened.

"We managed to find SkyClan after reaching the mountains, but they weren't in the best shape," he explained calmly.

"Where are they staying now?" Hawktalon asked curiously. "We still need to discuss with the other Clans what to do with them."

Flamestrike's ears flattened with unease at the thought of what they would do with SkyClan now that they were at the lake. He and the others had been trying to figure out how to tell the others about SkyClan. They would need territory of their own, and the other Clans wouldn't be so eager to give up their territory.

"They're staying at the abandoned Horseplace for now," he finally spoke up, ignoring the warning look Oakfire threw him.

"Good," Petalstar dipped her head thankfully after realizing they were in safe paws, for now. "It will be good to meet this other Clan… especially with tensions so high among the other Clans."

"Speaking of high tensions," Stormshadow cut in. His paws shuffled with unease as he locked gazes with Petalstar, "While we were on our way back, we picked up scent markers on the other side of the border. WindClan scent markers."

It didn't take long for his report to sink in. Petalstar's fur fluffed up with irritation, while Hawktalon narrowed his eyes. The fact that WindClan had carelessly moved their border was what annoyed them the most. But Flamestrike was worried about how Icestar would react if Petalstar declared war on WindClan.

Something told Flamestrike that the WindClan leader would jump at the opportunity to fight for territory. If he had already killed Spruceleaf's family like she claimed, he had no doubt that Icestar would do the same to ThunderClan. Especially if he was given the chance.

"This is the third time this moon they've moved their border," Robinwing hissed with a lash of his tail. "We should do something about this before it gets out of paw."

"And what are we going to do if we go to war with them?" Feathermist challenged.

Robinwing's ears flattened as he rounded on the gray and white she-cat. Feathermist wasn't backing down from the challenge. Instead, she held his piercing gaze and returned it with one of her own.

"We must not fight among ourselves!" Petalstar snapped. "Even if you are both correct, that does not mean fighting is the answer. We must remain strong."

Her words cut through the tension like a sharp claw. Flamestrike couldn't help but feel impressed with the way Petalstar was able to keep a fight from breaking out. As a Clan leader, it was her job to maintain the peace among the Clan. But when he glanced at Hawktalon, he noticed the deputy didn't look happy with the way things were going.

"What exactly are we going to do about WindClan?" Shademask asked warily.

"I'm going to lead a patrol and demand that we speak with Icestar," Petalstar meowed. "If he cannot be reasoned with, then we will move on from there."

That seemed to settle the tension within the Clan. Yet, Flamestrike's unease suddenly increased as he thought of what Spruceleaf had said. He knew in the back of his mind that the WindClan leader wouldn't listen to reason. Icestar had already killed innocent cats, he wasn't likely going to listen to the leader of ThunderClan.

"And what about SkyClan?" Foxfur asked warily.

His tail lashed as other cats began whispering among themselves at the mention of SkyClan. Flamestrike's fur began to bristle slightly when he noticed how tense everyone was. If ThunderClan opposed the idea of SkyClan returning, there was no telling what would happen if the other Clans opposed it. Petalstar was the one who had agreed to allowing them to find the missing Clan and return them to the lake. But that didn't mean the other Clans accepted the idea as well.

"That is a discussion we will have for another day," the ThunderClan leader replied. Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she gazed across the crowd of cats. "SkyClan belongs at the lake as much as the rest of the Clans do. But we will not make a decision for them unless the other Clans are involved."

Flamestrike watched as the rest of the Clan seemed to accept that rule. Only a few cats still looked ruffled with the idea of another Clan moving into their territory. But it wasn't as if SkyClan was demanding land from them. Flamestrike had no idea what would happen once the other Clans found out about SkyClan, but he hoped their reactions would be a little more accepting.

Whatever the case, we all need to be more accepting of SkyClan, he thought after mulling over the possibilities of what would happen once SkyClan arrived. Once it became clear that Petalstar was finished addressing the Clan, Flamestrike allowed himself to relax just a little. The tension from earlier seemed to dissipate once Petalstar gestured for Hawktalon, Stormshadow and Oakfire to join her. For a moment, Flamestrike was tempted to join them when he hesitated.

Even if he had been part of the traveling cats, he doubted she would want him to be part of whatever meeting she was holding with her senior warriors. His ears twitched nervously at the thought. It was possible that Petalstar was discussing the possibilities of what would happen with SkyClan. He wanted to be part of that meeting, especially since it meant having to relay the news to Birdpaw and the rest of her Clanmates.

"You didn't meet any pretty she-cats along the way, did you?" Flamestrike flinched at the sound of Hazelwind's voice. He spun around in time to see the tortoiseshell she-cat looking at him in amusement. "Don't get your fur all twisted in a knot, Flamestrike."

"Sorry," he ducked his head sheepishly as he realized what she was implying. He wasn't sure what had gotten him so on edge. The only thing he was aware of was the fact that everyone else seemed intent on figuring out what to do with the new-found Clan. "I just have a lot on my mind… what with SkyClan and everything."

"It is a lot to take in," Hazelwind meowed in agreement. Flamestrike watched curiously as she closed the distance between them, shifting forward so that their shoulders were almost touching. "I was worried about you. But seeing you return is reassuring."

"Yeah, it feels great to be back."

He couldn't fight back the purr that followed. Truer words couldn't have been said. It did feel good to be back in the Clan among his own Clanmates. He hadn't realized until that moment just how much he missed being around them.

"So does this mean that SkyClan really has returned?" Hazelwind suddenly asked.

She gave her chest fur a few quick licks as she glanced at Flamestrike warily, and he suddenly felt self-conscious.

"Yeah," he gave a slight nod. His tail twitched every few heartbeats when Hazelwind looked slightly relieved with that bit of news. "Were you really that worried about us finding SkyClan?"

"No, of course not," she replied a little too quickly. Her ears flattened in embarrassment when Flamestrike eyed her in amusement. "I was more concerned over the fact that you and Birdpaw seemed really close."

That was enough for Flamestrike's fur to grow hot with embarrassment. For a moment, he wasn't sure how to answer as he looked away at nothing in particular. Birdpaw was nothing more than a friend to him, along with Spruceleaf. The only reason they had been spending time together was because of the prophecy. He knew the sooner they got the answers they needed, the better off everyone would be. But not everyone seemed to see it that way.

"We're just friends," he reassured her after thinking over his answer carefully. "Besides, she's still an apprentice. And a cat from another Clan."

He added the last part with a bit of exaggeration, hoping that would be enough to alleviate her worries. Truthfully, Flamestrike couldn't blame Hazelwind for feeling so concerned. After seeing how close Reedriver had gotten to Frozenfoot, the last thing he wanted was to get tangled in a mess like that.

Besides, he had enough to worry about as it was. He wanted to prove his loyalty to the Clan and fight for them like any true warrior would.

"So you're not interested in her in any way?" she pressed.

Flamestrike just stared at Hazelwind as if she had grown wings. He nearly rolled his eyes in exasperation. How many times would he have to explain to her that he wasn't interested in Birdpaw or any other she-cat that way? Yet, when he met her curious gaze, his heart nearly skipped a beat.

Does she see me that way? he wondered.

"No, of course not!" he repeated himself, this time with affirmation in his voice. "Look, I've got enough to worry about as it is without having to moon over she-cats all day."

He hadn't meant to say it so harshly, but the words slipped out too quickly. Hazelwind narrowed her eyes, and for a brief moment, he was afraid she'd lash out at him. Instead, she finally tore her gaze away and pulled herself to her paws.

"Well, I'm glad to know that that's how you feel about she-cats," she hissed. "I'll be sure to remember that."

Before Flamestrike could defend himself, she left him without another word. Confusion swept through Flamestrike as he stared at the direction she wandered.

What in StarClan's name just happened?