Hey guys, I am soooo sorry for the wait! One word – school. I wish I could tell you I won't happen again but I can't. You see I'm going on as trip to Europe (Paris, Munich and the Swiss Alps) over spring break which is going to be awesome! But I'm also going to be behind in work for like half my classes – not so awesome. Also we're two months away from the AP test and still have over five hundred years of history to go through. Also the review is humongous – worth around 1500 points. So I'll be working on that for like the next two months.

So I don't know when the next update will be, as it is I split chapter five and this is really tiny. I wrote it during lunch and listening to band MPAs (long story) hopefully I can update before the AP test. If I can't you have permission to hate me.

I'm so sorry I don't have time for thank yous. Thanks everyone who reviewed, it really is very important to me=)

Quote: "That's what they should teach us here, how girls' brains work. It'd be more useful than divination." Harry Potter, The Order of the Phoenix.

Hope it's right did that from memory, so true though right? I'd take a class on how guys' brains work over math any day. So enjoy the chapter=)

Chapter Five

On the day we reach the edge of the mountains the sun moves quickly, passing through the morning all too soon. We pause to rest and Feathertail entertains the kits while Brook and I hunt.

After we catch two mice we settle down and feed the kits a bit of our meal. They eat slowly, disliking the feel of fur, but otherwise seem satisfied. As we prepare to leave the kits dawdle. They are tired, I can tell, and the excitement of adventure is wearing off. Feathertail notices as well and starts up a fabulous story set on distracting them.

The mountains grow smaller as we walk through the valley, and the edge of them grows near, shimmering like a mirage. Brook and I talk softly, trying to pass the time. We talk of the weather, the crystal blue cloudless sky, what prey is likely to be in season and how the Clans will react to our arrival.

We agree that we'll likely be treated with surprise and suspicion. All we can do is hope that enough of our friends have remained influential – and have remained our friends.

As we walk we see a bird, circling overhead. We tense, weary eyes never leaving its shape, though it's far away. Our fears go unrecognized as it changes course and swiftly disappears over the crest of the mountains. I breathe a heavy breath and we continue on.

"I wonder how Squirrelflight will react, seeing us again." Brook muses softly, "And Tawnypelt… Crowfeather as well."

"Crowfeather probably won't even acknowledge us…" I reply, my voice heavy with bitterness. "As for Tawnypelt –"

"Tawnystar." I glance up and see that my sister has halted, she must have been eavesdropping.

"Pardon me?" Brook mews, surprise ill-disguised in her voice.

"It's Tawnystar now. She's leader. Has been for moons. Her son, Tigerheart is deputy." Feathertail explains.

I let out a low whistle; as they aren't pure ShadowClan, I'd never have thought they'd be put in positions of leadership. "How?" I ask, still surprised.

Feathertail's face darkens by the slightest degree, "That is not a tale for children to hear." She mews softly and continues walking. As she does she continues talking, a light breeze carrying her words back to us.

"Onestar is no longer leader of WindClan, he died. Ashstar has been leader for ages; her deputy is Sunstrike, though I doubt you'll remember her. And Mistystar, of course, is leader of RiverClan in case you've forgotten."

Brook exchanges a wide-eyed look with me but Feathertail isn't done. "Things are very different now, so mind you prepare yourselves." And with that ominous warning, silence falls.

We walk on, each tiring pawstep bringing us closer – me filled with heavy anticipation. The sun has almost reached the center of the sky when a flurry of movement distracts me. I freeze smelling the air. Heavy scents hang in the sky and suddenly the hulking shapes appear.

"Who are you?" A deep voice rings out, rough on my ears.

"Travelers," I call back, puffing up my fur, "We mean no harm, so please let us continue on."

"I'm afraid I can't do that." The animal replies, leaping down in front of us, "You see, our leaders need to talk to you."

I feel my heart fail as I stare at the wolf in front of us.

No one will be hurt! They just want to talk. I'm sorry I wanted to do this chapter justice and with the time I had I couldn't. This also wasn't edited because of time, so if there are mistakes, I'm so sorry.

Hope you enjoyed it, review please.

~Midnight