Chapter 20
(The last chapter! Oh, how I've enjoyed reading your reviews for my story, and I will dearly miss reading them. If any of you are Harry Potter fans, I'll be writing a story on that next. I will dearly miss reading the emails from my fans. Thank you so much for the support that kept me going in the past.)
Sunfur's pelt was dull in the rain as the WillowClan cats made their first steps onto their journey home. Rainpelt could feel a tension rising in her heart- sorrow. Graystripe had never properly said good-bye to her. She led her Clan toward their territory, plans running through her brain as she prepared to take charge. She knew it would be difficult; they were bringing their old Clan back to life.
She stared at the ground, silent, like everyone else. She knew she wasn't the only one sad about their departing, but she knew she wasn't the only one whose loyalties truly lay in WillowClan. She did receive an expected sneer from Frostfur before they left. Her words still stung, 'I always knew you would never fit in. That's why I never trusted your loyalty!' They didn't sting as horribly as those she had received from Graystripe.
Tigerclaw had been disappointed to see her go. He hid it, but she could tell by the sorrow in his eyes. She trudged on through the rain, feeling the heat from her fellow warriors, which were now her Clan. She could hear a meow in the distance and stopped, listening.
"Rainpelt!" She whipped around, seeing a gray tom bounding toward her. He blended completely in the rain. Nearly hitting her, Graystripe came to a halt a paw-step in front of her, his breath misting in the cool air. "Rainpelt, I couldn't let you go with those last words hanging there. I had to properly say good-bye." Dewflower snorted.
"Graystripe…"
"No, don't even say anything. Before you go, I want you to know that you were everything to me. You and Fireheart were my best friends, and I hate to see you go. I love you so much." His eyes were cloudy like the sky, but she could see clearly the sadness that was brewing within him.
"Graystripe, don't take it personally. Remember when you gave me that stone on the day we went hunting?" He nodded. "I knew that was a symbol of your love. And I love you so much as well. If I weren't to become leader of another Clan, I'd about to become a queen, because I belong with you, as does my heart. I doubt I will ever fall in love again, because when I think of love, I think of you. Don't ever leave my heart, Graystripe." Tears welled up in her eyes again. She could not even begin to explain the pain she could feel stabbing her right now.
"I won't." He nuzzled her. "I hope we meet again someday, Rainpelt. Someday soon…someday in peace." She nodded slowly, gave him a lick on his right ear, and flicked her tail for her Clan to move on.
"Tell Fireheart I said good-bye, as well as Yellowfang, Cinderpelt, and Sandstorm. I'll miss you…" She turned around and followed her Clan through the rain. Graystripe stood and watched her go, eyes full of sorrow. He then turned around and went back to camp. Rainpelt could sense his leaving, but held her head high and continued on.
Rainstar looked around WillowClan camp. Her Clan was getting back on their paws, finally getting the revenge they had been thirsty for. They had successfully killed Krone and returned to camp with nothing but a few scratches. He seemed to have grown soft after joining ShadowClan, and ShadowClan had practically handed him over to them like an offering.
"The border is untouched, Rainstar." She turned to look at her deputy. With his brown fur and green eyes with gold flecks, Dragoneye had been an excellent help to her Clan. She kept in mind what she'd said to Graystripe, but had fallen in love with her deputy as well. She knew she could never love him as much as she had the ThunderClan warrior, but she loved him, and she didn't deny it. She was well aware that her deputy didn't know she loved him, but she could tell he had strong feelings for her as well.
"Thank you, Dragoneye. You may take a breather." He bowed his gratitude and strode off. Rainstar shook her pelt and stood up, stretching her legs in the sunlight. It was good to be back in WillowClan, but she couldn't help feeling a sense of longing to see her old friends back in ThunderClan, to see Graystripe's bug eyes, to see Fireheart's flaming pelt, Sandstorm's quick speed and skill, Tigerclaw's muscular body, and Bluestar's deep blue eyes.
She shook her head, making the thoughts go to the back of her mind. She entered her cool den, settling down there, in her moss bed. Things were going so spectacular, she couldn't be more thankful to StarClan for their success. She gave a low purr as the memories of her apprenticeship filled her mind. She was now training an apprentice of her own.
Rainstar could hear yowls of warning outside the den. She jumped to her paws immediately and dashed from her den. Looking around frantically, she didn't see right away what her Clan were caterwauling about. She looked around again, and something caught her eye. There, running down the hill, was a sleek gray figure. Her heart skipped a beat as he dashed toward camp. She took off running, ignoring the meows of surprise surrounding her.
"Rainstar!" The tom yowled happily, eyes shining. She couldn't believe her eyes. She slowed to a walk and pressed her flank against him.
"Graystripe…"
