Shadestorm's pov

They had been traveling for a while now, and had reached the mountains. First Shadestorm had been fascinated by the snow covered slopes and valleys, but now they were beginning to put her down.

It was beginning to snow again, and they were sheltering beneath a rocky slide.

All of the cats were starting to lose hope. There had been no sightings of the strange cats, the Tribe of Rushing Water.

The incident the day before still worried her. A hawk had almost gotten Marshkit, but Brackenfur had managed to save him in time.

They had lost Smokepaw, too. Russetfur had tried to save him from falling, but she hadn't succeeded.

The ginger deputy had been looking crushed ever since. Maybe she has feelings after all.

Now all of them were beginning to lose hope. Oh Starclan. Please let us be saved!

Even the most confident warriors were starting to doubt if they should be here.

...

Shadestorm was huddled with Tallpoppy in the shadow of a rock, away from the snow that was starting to cover everything.

The kits weren't in a great shape. She could see every one of their ribs, and they were mewing pitifully. It's too cold.

But then, a hawk began to circle their camp. All of the kits and elders were being ushered to safety.

Suddenly, Squirrelpaw appeared! There were cats with her. Their pelts were muddy and they were small.

The strange cats launched themselves at the hawk, yowling and screeching.

And it flew away. The strange cats introduced themselves as preyhunters from the Tribe of Rushing Water. A tom named Talon seemed to be their leader, although they assured the cats he was not.

The mountain cats started escorting them to their home. The gray she-cat travelled behind her mother. Tallpoppy's kits were being carried by other warriors.

Shadestorm focused on her own thoughts. That's why she didn't realise the pebble in front of herself until she stumbled on it. Her chin hit the ground with a thump. Mouse-dung.

But the gray she-cat was too tired to care, and just stood up, shaking her pelt free from most of the snow. Great. Now my fur is even more soaked. Before she could start walking again, she heard a worried voice beside herself. "Are you okay?"

It was Blackstar. His mostly white pelt was streaked with snow, but there was undeniable concern in his amber eyes.

Even now when she was cold and hungry and miserable, her chest felt warm as she saw him.

"I'm okay." But her words were cut off when she took a step forward and felt a sharp stab of pain in her front paw. She winced slightly. It wasn't sprained, but maybe twisted. Just when I thought this couldn't get any worse.

And clearly he saw it too. "You sure about that?" The Shadowclan leader's eyes were narrowed.

"Maybe. I'll ask Littlecloud to have a look at my paw when we get to the cave." He looked like he wanted to object, but after a heartbeat he nodded.

Shadowclan cats were known to be independent and the gray she-cat was no exception.

The two cats walked side by side for a while. She noticed that the Shadowclan leader was glancing at her from time to time. And after a while he spoke.

"Do you need a shoulder to lean on?" His voice was quiet and a little awkward.

"I'll be fine, I think. Thanks for offering, though." Her voice was equally hushed.

He didn't respond, but as they walked on the narrow path that led into the Tribe's cave, Shadestorm couldn't help but notice how he walked on the outer side of the walkway so that he was between the abyss and her. Whether it was intentional or not, she couldn't tell. But her heart ached regardless.

As the clans were led into the cave, she was suprised. It was beautiful behind the waterfall!

She caught the eye of a brown she-cat. She was looking at her with the same astonishment Shadestorm felt.

...

Soon Tallstar stepped up, and gave Crowfeather his warrior name. As the chant of his new name rang aroud the clans, Shadestorm found herself searching the crowd for a particular cat.

Blackstar was having a converstation with Littlecloud. The mist from the waterfall was making their pelts glitter.

The escape from the old camp was still fresh in her mind. He had looked at her with such intensity in his eyes.

Her wound had been just a slight sprain, and Cinderpelt had told her it would be fine in a few days. At least I won't slow the others down when we leave this place.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a light touch on her shoulder. It was Tawnypelt, along with Squirrelpaw and Brambleclaw.

They all had prey in their jaws, and Tawnypelt asked. "Do you want to share?"

There was slight nervousness in her tone. "Of course!" Shadestorm replied.

As they settled down to eat, there was awkwardness in the air. I hardly know my best friends brother, or his friend.

Shadestorm remembered only talking to them once on a border patrol. And even it was to exchange insults. It's so different now.

She nibbled at the vole her friend had brought to her. But soon Squirrelpaw broke the silence. "I wonder where this journey will end."

All of them mumbled agreeing words.

"Yeah. And when. It certainly feels like we've been travelling forever." Said Brambleclaw.

"At least we have some shelter for a while. Tallpoppy's kits are feeling better now." Shadestorm told them.

"I didn't know Shadowclan cats were so caring." Squirrelpaw retorted. Tawnypelt rolled her eyes, but Shadestorm spoke. "And I didn't know Thunderclan cats were so mousebrained. Of course I care for my mother."

Brambleclaw's whiskers twitched with surprise. "I didn't know she was your mother."

She suddenly remembered that the Thunderclan tom was younger than her.

But Squirrelpaw spoke again. "Tawnypelt has told a lot about you."

"Well, I just told them I missed you."

The tortoiseshell didn't meet her friends gaze. Shadestorm had a feeling she knew where this was going. "Me too, you know. You're one of my best friends."

"Not the only one, though." Tawnypelt's eyes were starting to fill with amusement.

"Well, Tallpoppy is one, too." She pretended not to know. Her gray pelt ruffled self-consciously.

"And a certain other cat? Maybe a..." Shadestorm spoke before her friend could finish.

"Oh, stop that. You told me we wouldn't speak of that conversation. Ever." Even though her tone was serious, there was mischief in her eyes.

The Thunderclan cats were following the two gossiping she-cats with curious eyes.

Their talking was interrupted by Crag, who had appeared behind them. "Stoneteller wants a quick word with you."

Shadestorm was left watching as the others went to talk with the tribe's leader.

She glanced over to where the nests were. They looked so different from her nest at the warriors den. But that doesn't even exist anymore. And I might not even get a nest tonight.

...

And turns out she was right. All of the nests were already filled with cats. Mostly elders and queens. Those cats need a nest more than I do.

Tallpoppy and Tawnypelt were already sharing nests with other cats.

Then she heard a voice behind herself.

"Hey." It was Blackstar.

"Oh hi."

An uncomfortable silence hung in the air for a moment.

And during that silence she made a decision. I must do this if I don't want to sleep on a rock floor. "Can I share your nest tonight?" She blurted out.

"What?" He looked a bit taken aback by the question.

"Nevermind." She mewed, her gaze at the ground. But before she could turn around and leave, he replied. "No, wait. I didn't say no. "

He turned around, and beckoned for Shadestorm to follow.

They settled together on a nest made of feathers and bracken, back to back. Even though the nest was uncomfortable and small, she felt oddly at peace.

She could feel both of their hearts beating fast.

"Goodnight." She whispered.

"Goodnight to you, too. Sweet dreams." Came a reply just a moment later.

The sound of the waterfall was calming, and soon Shadestorm drifted off to sleep. Sweet dreams to you too, my love.