"So Pinestar's dead," I murmured sadly. "and your the leader now."

Bluestar nodded. "Pinestar died in a fight with a rogue."

"Well, congratulations on becoming leader, I hope you haven't missed me much. Is Pantherpelt still here?" I remembered the gray pelted warrior and his sharp claws. He drove me out.

She shook her head. "Pantherpelt became a kittypet after you left."

I didn't know whether to be happy or not. I really didn't want to be obliterated by a seasoned warrior, but it's always sad when a fellow warrior leaves. "Why?"

"Trouble. Absolutely depressed that his mother was dead through and through."

"No thanks to you," A voice growled at the entrance.

Bluestar let out an exasperated sigh. "Addertail, I understand your concerns but-"

"She left our clan once, she'll do it again."

I bristled, but stayed silent. "She came back didn't she?" Bluestar replied, obviously annoyed.

"She'll take us out! One by one!" She stuck her face into Bluestar's. "And it'll be your fault."

"It's my decision."

"It's your mistake!"

"Leave my den," Bluestar ordered.

Her eyes shone cold fire, but she left without another word. Lilykit looked up at me, followed by Cometkit and Solarkit. "Are we going to be okay?" Cometkit whimpered.

"I wanna go back home." Solarkit murmured.

"This is home," I replied simply.

Bluestar glanced outside. "That cat will be the end of me," she sighed. She looked back at us. "Take those three to the nursery. You and your mate will be apprentices. You won't receive your warrior name until you prove your loyalty once more. Lightning will become a warrior under the same circumstances as all other apprentices. I'll set up the ceremony soon."

I nodded, and the three kits stood up and followed me to the nursery. It occurred to me that I had never been in there, and it was a mystery how I still knew the layout of the camp. There was no moss yet, and I decided to grab some when Lightning hurried into there. "Sorry! I was talking to Bluestar! Do you need anything?"

"Yes, could you watch these three while I get some moss for a nest?"

"Already done," a muffled voice answered from the entrance. Lionheart squeezed his way in and dropped a mouthful of moss at my paws. He dipped his head to me. "It's nice to have you back, Phoenixpaw," he murmured. "I'll see if I can persuade Wingflight and Seedthorn to see if they can find feathers."

"Thank you Lionheart. You, Graystripe, and Bluestar seem to be the only cats happy with my return. It's making this easier."

Lilykit and her mischievous self took one look at the moss and plunged into the pile, emerging again with a scrap of moss on her nose. She sneezed. "What is this stuff?" She squeaked. She chewed on a ball of it, then spat it out. "And it tastes horrible," she added.

I purred with amusement. "You sleep on it, not eat it."

Cometkit jumped on top of the pile. "But it's not comfortable!"

"That's why we make it comfortable by making a nest out of it. Like this," I weaved one of the bundles in an old bracken furl. "We keep doing that until it's cozy enough to sleep on." But as I went to weave another piece, Lightning blocked my way.

"Let me do it," he offered. "I'll make it all snug for you."

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the highrock for a clan meeting!" Bluestar yowled.

Lilykit's eyes grew wide and she lead the other two towards the exit. "No," I stopped them. "You're not old enough to catch your own prey."

"Yes I am!" She protested. "Watch!" She leaped onto Cometkit's back. "And shred it!" She pummeled his back with tiny claws.

He squeaked with pain. "Mom! She's hurting me!" He feel to the ground.

I batted her off of her brother and cuffed her ear with a sheathed paw. "Don't be mean. And you three had better be asleep by the time I come back."

"But where?" Solarkit chimed in. "We don't have a nest."

"Find someplace to get comfortable," I threw the words over my shoulder as I hurried outside.

"Today, one of our apprentices returned from where we thought as the point of no return. And although she has not earned the title of a warrior, she will be with us once more as an apprentice."

Lionheart and Graystripe leaped to their paws. "Phoenixpaw! Phoenixpaw!" Most of the rest of the clan joined in, but some didn't pay attention to me. The cheers that made up the majority of it were halfhearted.

"And now, we welcome Phoenixpaw's mate, Lightning. He wishes to join as an apprentice. Now Lightning, do you promise to take on responsibilities an apprentice has, and learn the ways of the Warrior Code?"

"Yes, Bluestar."

"Then you will train along with Phoenixpaw as an apprentice warrior of Thunderclan. Lightningpaw, your mentor will be Flamefeather. Flamefeather, your enthusiastic, sometimes clumsy personality brings a purr to me every time. Please pass on your skills and sense of humor to Lightningpaw."

"Lightningpaw! Lightningpaw!" The clan cheered, seeming to be happier now.

"Phoenixpaw, your mentor will be Wingflight. Wingflight, pass on your speed and courage in battle to your apprentice, and try not to think about the fact your apprentice is older than you." The clan purred at this.

"Phoenixpaw! Lightningpaw! Phoenixpaw! Lightningpaw!" They cheered.

As I basked in their calls, a voice sounded in my ear. "The bird of fire will rise from death, and nothing will bring it down again." And after that, another voice. "Only the one with the heart of a flower can save the forest against a force even the strongest storms cannot stop."