The world was still so, so full but it's borders were starting to shrink. Like she had so many times before, Dovewing managed to get her range down to a smaller area. She could still hear pretty far but instead of listening to the whole world, she just listened to the forest, bank, or moor they were in. By focusing even more deeply on the noises within it, her mind felt busy as ever but at least it wasn't overwhelming.

She felt she grew closer to her companions, in a way, because of it. They didn't notice anything different and nothing really changed between cats but she felt it. The ability to become in tune with Lionblaze and Jayfeather's breathing, following Riley and Bella's heartbeats, understanding what the different creaks of Barley and Ravenpaw's joints meant- There was just a whole new personal level to it.

The same went for the earth. Nothing was different, not really, but the earth and terrain became all that much more of a constant companion. The breeze was its breaths, the rush of the river was its purrs, so many things that couldn't be explained. It was the same world but Dovewing just felt so much more connected to it. It wasn't an extension of herself, not quite, but it felt like her senses were one with the world. And the feeling only grew as they traveled.

She didn't know how long the seven walked but it was long enough to lose count of the days and nights. Whether it be too long to remember or just that no cat cared enough to count, she didn't know nor did she care.

But eventually, they reached their destination.

"I hear pawsteps up ahead," Dovewing announced and the group came to a halt, noses going up into the air. Well, mostly everyone stopped.

"So we're almost there?" Bella asked, bumbling ahead with her brother excitedly. Ravenpaw yelped and quickly caught Riley by the scruff but wasn't quick enough to keep Bella from darting a few tail lengths ahead. "Where are they? Are we close to the border? Can you smell it yet?"

"Keep it down," Jayfeather hissed, swiftly pulling away from Lionblaze's side and weaving past Barley to grab her tail in his teeth and pull her back to the group. He spat fur out of his mouth with a glare. "These are warriors. They won't take kindly to cats at their border."

"You got that right," an unfamiliar voice mewed, startling Dovewing. She flinched ever so slightly, surprised by the sudden noise. Her senses had been so focused on Jayfeather and Bella that she hadn't realized how close the patrol had gotten.

There were five cats in the patrol, four warriors and what looked to be an apprentice, all well-muscled in the way that only SkyClan cats could be. At the lake, ThunderClan cats were known to have thick haunches but even Lionblaze's hind legs couldn't compare to these cats' haunches. It was clear these cats were conditioned to live in the rockiest of terrain and hunt in the tallest of trees.

The leader of the patrol was a ginger and white tom with a small brown speckled white she-cat at his side. Mentor and apprentice, Dovewing assumed. The dynamic was clear as greenleaf day. Somewhat surprising. Dovewing knew this was a clan but her mind's eye always saw them as other and alien yet they really weren't. A clan was a clan.

The mentor and apprentice were flanked by a small white she-cat and a pale brown tom. Neither were hostile. Curious and defensive but hostile? Definitely not. The same, however, didn't apply to the last warrior. He was a stocky thing, ginger legs highlighting his rippling muscles well against his light brown fur. Dovewing wouldn't want to get in a fight with him.

"Tinycloud, Nettlesplash," the patrol leader barked, "flank them. Sandynose, bring up the rear. Pebblepaw, stay at my side."

The warriors moved with a purpose, following orders as well as any clan cat Dovewing knew. Bella and Riley squeaked, ducking behind Ravenpaw and Barley as they eyed the warriors with fear and awe.

"I am Billystorm," the patrol leader announced, stepping had to hold back a snort of amusement. What kind of name was Billystorm? "From what we've overheard, you know where you are. Who are you, where do you come from, and why are you here?"

Jayfeather padded up to him, ignoring Lionblaze's clear displeasure with the action. "These cats are Barley, Ravenpaw, Bella, and Riley from the forest territory. I am Jayfeather and these are my clanmates Lionblaze and Dovewing of the lake territories. We've come to speak with Leafstar."

Billystorm blinked and Dovewing glanced between the two toms, silently observing. Billystorm was a far bulkier cat than Jayfeather but Jayfeather was a wily creature when he wanted to be. As per usual, Dovewing was impressed with his diplomatic skill. For such a prickly cat, he always seemed to know what to say. Then again, he was the only cat who knew about the cats they were meeting most of the time.

"Why do you want to see Leafstar?"

"That is for Leafstar's ear's only," Jayfeather responded, not missing a beat. Billystorm's gaze remained level but his eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Whether he was annoyed or impressed by Jayfeather's boldness, Dovewing did not know.

Billystorm exchanged a glance with his fellow warriors. "Thoughts?"

"They say they're clan cats?" Nettlesplash spoke up, uncertainty evident in his voice.

"They smell like they've traveled pretty far," Sandynose added, nose twitching. "There's no telling if they're speaking the truth or not."

"But if they are clan cats, I'm sure Leafstar would like to see them," Tinycloud pointed out.

Billystorm was silent for a few heartbeats. His apprentice nudged his side, looking up at him. "There's no harm in bringing them into camp, right? Only two of them look like fighters. And they have kits with them. I doubt they'd try to attack with little ones to protect."

"We're not little!" Riley squeaked from his hiding place behind Barley's leg.

Billystorm ignored him and turned, beckoning the group with his tail. "Very well. Come. I will take you to the SkyClan camp."

Lionblaze felt tense as he padded into SkyClan's camp, feeling dozens of sharp gazes fall on his pelt. He'd been in camps before, of course, but never had he been in one so foreign. There wasn't a single familiar face in sight but there were plenty of hostile ones and that put him on the defensive. He was the only warrior born here and everyone knew it. If anything went wrong…

No. He couldn't think like that. It was good to be prepared but paranoia only made the situation worse. If he was ready for battle, everyone would be able to tell and all hope for help would be lost.

Jayfeather hummed softly, making a near silent noise in Lionblaze's ear. It was a bit out of character for his brother but it was a comfort to hear. Jayfeather never spoke of feeling others' minds but it was clear he knew exactly what Lionblaze was thinking and approved.

Lionblaze shifted his attention back to Billystorm. His apprentice had run off but the three warriors stayed close, keeping an eye on the newcomers. Lionblaze's tail tip curled in annoyance and frustration but he knew it had to be this way. He would think less of them if it wasn't.

The tom led the group up to what Lionblaze could only presume was the leader's den and approached a brown and cream she-cat and a dark ginger tom. The pair was lax and casual but two pairs of ears pricked at the sound of pawsteps and the two sat up to look at the newcomers. Any sleepiness or potential vulnerability was gone in a heartbeat. These two were warriors as well, Lionblaze could tell.

"Leafstar, Sharpclaw," Billystorm greeted, dipping his head. "We met some cats at the border who wish to speak to you."

"Just Leafstar," Lionblaze informed them quickly. He wasn't sure if he wanted a bunch of random cats hearing the tales and pleas they came to tell.

"Sharpclaw's the SkyClan deputy," Jayfeather interrupted before Leafstar could speak. Lionblaze felt a twinge in his belly, annoyed that Jayfeather contradicted him in such a serious moment, but his blind brother continued. "Firestar and Sandstorm respect him. He can stay."

"You know Firestar and Sandstorm?" Sharpclaw and Leafstar said in unison.

"One of their kits, Leafpool, was named after you," Jayfeather answered. His expression shifted, becoming something almost soft. "She's our mother. Lionblaze and I, that is."

"Kin of Firestar? Firestar and Sandstorm had kits?" Leafstar murmured. She shook herself, regaining her stoic demeanor. "State your purpose for coming here. Is ThunderClan in danger?"

Jayfeather shook his head while Dovewing hesitated. Lionblaze shifted his paws, unsure how to answer that question. In reality, yes. ThunderClan was in danger. Not immediate danger but they were in danger. But that wasn't his responsibility anymore, not really. His heart longed for Cinderheart's safety but the clans rejected his power and ability to help. Whether or not they were safe was no longer his concern.

The three exchanged a glance. None of them knew what to do.

"Can we talk in private?" Barley spoke up finally, eyeing the warriors nearby. "And can our young ones share your fresh-kill? It has been some time since they've had a proper meal."

"Of course," Leafstar said with a dip of her head. "Tinycloud, Nettlesplash?"

"We'll watch over them," Nettlesplash promised. He offered Riley and Bella a kind smile. "Come on, you two. You like thrush?"

The pair of kits took off with the SkyClan warriors, chattering excitedly. Billystorm and Sandynose lingered for a moment longer only to be dismissed by a flick of their deputy's tail. Soon enough, only the three and the farm cats remained.

"Is this suitable or would you like to leave camp?" Sharpclaw asked, voice rich and deep. "I must warn you, our warriors would not take too kindly to their leadership leaving the safety of the camp with a group of strangers."

"It's fine," Lionblaze responded even though he really didn't think it was. "We know the ways of clan cats. They'll feel better if we're in sight."

Sharpclaw's lip twitched, amused. "So, why have you come?"

Lionblaze fell silent, looking to his brother. Jayfeather was always the three's guide. He had the answers.

The blind tom glanced at Barley, the pair silently communicating. Jayfeather dipped his head, prompting the farm cat to speak first.

"Our reasons and decisions to come aren't the same," Barley spoke up. "Ravenpaw and I were planning to bring Bella and Riley here when these three came to us asking for guidance to the gorge."

"Who's kits are these?" Leafstar asked, looking somewhat confused. She glanced at Dovewing.

Dovewing's pelt fluffed up in embarrassment. "Oh. Um, no. They're not mine. They're Barley's sister's kits. Barley and Ravenpaw have been raising them."

Sharpclaw and Leafstar looked like they wanted to prod but held their tongues. In all honesty, Lionblaze didn't know how Ravenpaw and Barley ended up with kits on their paws or the nature of their relationship. And he didn't feel comfortable asking. It was none of his business. He was curious, of course, but he didn't think they would appreciate the questions on his mind.

"My sister and I were once part of BloodClan," Barley said. His voice was strong but his voice was still strained. "You may have heard the story of how Firestar led the clans into the battle that freed the twolegplace of their reign. The clans left the forest seasons ago but my sister told her kits the stories and those two were fascinated by clan life. It was clear they weren't suited for kittypet life so she took them to the last clan cat-"

"Ravenpaw," Leafstar said softly and her gaze filled with more warmth than Lionblaze had seen in his own mother's gaze. It was strange but comforting in a way. These cats clearly had a fondness for ThunderClan cats.

Ravenpaw, however, didn't seem nearly as endeared. If anything, he looked confused and possibly unsettled.

"All of SkyClan's kits know your story," Sharpclaw spoke up. "Ravenpaw who was Firestar's friend, they call you. There are nursery stories about you."

Ravenpaw leaned back on his haunches, tipping his head. "I'm flattered?"

Barley cleared his throat. "Anyway, Ravenpaw and I agreed it would be best for Riley and Bella to live in a clan if possible. Firestar and Sandstorm told us the way to SkyClan so we thought you would be the best choice."

"But you said that these ThunderClan cats came to you after you made the decision," Sharpclaw pointed out. "Why not change your plans if they knew the way to the clans' new territory?"

"We're not welcome back in our clan," Jayfeather answered. Leafstar and Sharpclaw stiffened, shifting from leaders to warriors, and rose to their paws, ready to get their claws out if needed.

Lionblaze jumped to his paws, waving his tail wildly, before the situation could escalate. "We didn't do anything wrong!"

"Doubtful Firestar would cast his own kin out of his clan," Sharpclaw responded, not easing up a whisker.

"He didn't," Jayfeather continued, not wavering under Sharpclaw's glare. "When Firestar came to SkyClan, he met a cat named Skywatcher. You know him?"

Leafstar nodded. "He was our first elder and last surviving member of the original SkyClan. Firestar was with him when he died."

Jayfeather nodded. "When he died, StarClan gave Firestar a message through him. He told him that 'there will be three kin of your kin that hold the power of the stars in their paws.'"

Sharpclaw and Leafstar's stances shifted again but not out of intentional ease. Ravenpaw made a noise of amusement, mirth dancing in his eyes, at their shock. "Unbelievable, I know."

"The three of us- the sharp eyed jay, the roaring lion, and the gentle dove's wing- hold the power of the stars in our paws," Jayfeather continued, voice carrying. The warriors of SkyClan who had been eavesdropping to no avail now sat upright. "We were gifted this power to do what StarClan can't and save the clans. We were meant to be their saviors and guides but unfortunately the clans do not see it that way."

"What do you mean?"

"They turned against us," a bitter voice said. Lionblaze was surprised to realize it was his own but he didn't stop. "Some of the medicine cats figured it out and outed us at a Gathering. The clans turned against us and drove us out."

Leafstar looked confused but found her voice again. "If your power exists to save them…?"

"Catkind fears what it doesn't understand," Dovewing spoke up in a tone uncharacteristic of her. Usually she was soft and gentle and often hesitant and unsure when it came to her feelings regarding what happened but now she sounded angry. "We tried to talk it out with them but they tricked us and lured us into a trap."

"We were betrayed by our own clanmates," Jayfeather continued, voice lowering gravely, "and the cats we live to protect. They drove out a medicine cat and two warriors out of hate and ignorance. We were hoping that your clan would be different."

"You want to join our ranks?" Sharpclaw questioned.

"If you'll have us."

Leafstar looked to Ravenpaw and Barley. "What about you two?"

Ravenpaw hesitated then glanced at his friend. "We'd like to rest here for a bit but we were planning on returning to the barn. I miss clan life but I'm happy back home."

Leafstar blinked in acknowledgement. "Very well. Sharpclaw and I will discuss this with our senior warriors. We will have the decision in three sunrises."

Jayfeather tried to hide his annoyance as Sandynose led him across the camp. The tom wasn't being particularly invasive of Jayfeather's space but he was wary of him. Understandable, considering he was a warrior, but Jayfeather always found the ways of the warrior tiresome.

"I don't see why Leafstar is allowing you to stay in the medicine cat's den," Sandynose complained as they padded across camp.

"There are already four cats sleeping in the warriors' den. Unless you want me sleeping on top of you, I'd say this benefits the both of us," Jayfeather replied sarcastically. Honestly, warriors. It was like they always had clouds in their heads. They were incapable of thinking critically about anything outside of battle.

"I just don't like the idea of a stranger sleeping in the medicine den with our medicine cats," Sandynose said with a frown on his voice. "They're essential to the clan."

"I know. I'm a medicine cat too."

"Medicine cats can still use their claws. I know both Echosong and Frecklewish have had some warrior training. I bet you do too, if you are who you say you are."

Jayfeather mustered up the best deadpan stare he could. "I'm blind, mouse brain. Most of my warrior training involved tripping over roots and being knocked off my paws by my mentor."

Sandynose's pawsteps faltered and he nearly fell over. Jayfeather would have laughed if not for the tone that followed. "You're blind? And you walked all the way over here?"

"I'm blind, not helpless," Jayfeather retorted, suddenly annoyed at himself for being snarky in the first place. He exhaled through his nose. "Don't even try to flank me. There are very few cats I will let guide me and you are not one of them. I'm perfectly capable on my own four paws."

"I- understood," Sandynose said, almost sullen. Jayfeather felt waves of confusion and curiosity wafting off the other tom but, to his surprise, there was a great deal of newfound respect mixed in. "The medicine den is just up ahead. Let me know if you need anything that Echosong and Frecklewish can't help you with."

"Will do," Jayfeather grunted as Sandynose turned away and padded toward the den, using his nose to follow the scent of herbs and find the den's entrance. He poked his head in. "Hello?"

A she-cat's voice responded. "Oh hello. You're one of the new cats that Billystorm's patrol brought back, right?"

Jayfeather nodded. "I'm Jayfeather, ThunderClan's previous medicine cat. Leafstar said I could rest here?"

Echosong didn't verbally respond but Jayfeather assumed she was nodding. The positive feelings he could sense hovering around her confirmed it. She seemed like a friendly cat. "Of course. Would you like some dock leaves for your paws?"

"I think Barley could use some more than me but if you have enough to spare…"

Echosong purred. "Of course. Frecklewish is out right now collecting more, actually, but I'm sure you know how much we medicine cats like to stock up in case of emergency."

"Yeah. I do."

And Jayfeather purred genuinely for the first time in a long time. He missed this. Maybe things were looking a bit brighter for his future.

Edited 4/8/2021: Minor edits fixing and adding some sentences