Oh my goodness I am so sorry for the wait! I feel horrible! But after the exam was over all I wanted to do was watch TV so that's pretty much what I did… sorry! If your still here, thank you so much for sticking with me!

Jayleaf1- Glad I made you laugh! And I'm glad liked the wolves=) Thanks so much for reviewing! Hope you enjoy this=)

Graywhisper- Thanks for all of your support, to be honest the last time I updated I think I was close to a nervous breakdown. But I am soooo much better now that my AP class is over. This huge weight has been lifted and it feels so good to write again! So know that I am much better now=) I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter. To be honest I'm not sure where my ideas come from, the creativity has always been there, but I think I'm influenced a lot from what I read;) And don't worry; your review was just fine. You help me so much by just reviewing and showing your support, it really makes my day! Thank you so much for that! I hope you enjoy this chapter=)

Scourge627- I'm so sorry I wasn't able to respond to your earlier reviews I was just swamped with work. Thank you for all of them=) I hope you enjoy this!

Chapter Seven

When we reach the valley again the sun has set and long shadows reach out to us in the dying light. The clouds are stained dark pink and purple as a cool, deep, dark blue creeps up on the edges of the sky. The sounds of crickets and owls grow louder and the breeze blows, bringing cool air with it.

The kits have calmed and stumble slightly after Feathertail, their eyes half closed. I push on, wishing to back in ThunderClan's camp. I feel Brook hesitate behind me, but she soon rejoins me with a closed look on her face.

"We should carry the kits if we want to make good time." Feathertail mews softly. I noticed her outline has grown stronger and I have to wonder if it is because we are closer to the Clans or if because it is closer to night.

As one Brook and I nod and I scoop Bramble while Brook takes Feather. Moon dangles limply from my sister's mouth, her little chest rising and falling in a deep slumber.

Slowly trees appear, at first far apart and then only separated by a few foxlengths. As they grow closer, the light grows fainter and we begin to leave dusk for night. The forest brings on a rush of memories.

I see Hollyleaf and Lionblaze run out in front, their eyes alight with wonder while Jayfeather sulks in the background and Breezepelt scoffs. I feel the pain of recently losing my sister, and the tired murmurs of the others from the journey. I see Purdy emerging and Brambleclaw's face, shaper than it has been in moons.

I stop as suddenly as though I have hit one of the large trees that surround me. Gently I put Bramble down and I close my eyes, taking several deep breaths. But that doesn't help, it only makes the faces and images seem more real and I gag, moving swiftly away from the group before I throw up the rabbit the wolves gave us.

In a moment Brook is by my side, whispering gently in my ear, her voice soft and soothing. "It's okay, it's all right, deep breaths love, deep breaths."

I nod distractedly and try to fight the wave of emotions. Brook's face looks in pain as well, and I can only imagine what she is thinking.

*Brook*

I shiver as we enter the edge of the forest, Feather gently bumping my chest. I remember, sharp as day, the first time I entered this place, running with Stormfur away from a home that would no longer have me. They pain and betrayal descends on me again and I have a horrid, wild thought: How is then any different from now?

No, a different voice says firmly, of course we have a home, why wouldn't we? Lark and Pine are there, that will always be our home.

Will it? The other voice whispers, spreading doubt through my veins.

Suddenly Stormfur puts Bramble down, his eyes closing and his face filling with pain. I understand at once his feelings; the turmoil taking place inside him for it is my own. I am unsurprised when he turns and flees, nor when he bends over and throws up.

However, he needs me so I push aside my own feelings and lay Feather on the forest floor before rushing to him. I coo condolences in his ear and hum softly until I feel his tense frame relax and his amber eyes look at me, dark and shining with loss.

"I'm sorry." He whispers his voice weak and strained.

"Hush," I mew, "never be sorry for having feelings. I understand love. I know it hurts."

He nods and mumbles a soft, "Thank you." We walk back to the kits and Feathertail whose eyes are shining with translucent tears.

We continue on, sticking to the edge of the trees for fear of getting lost in the darkness if we venture too far in. We walk quickly trying to shut off the river of memories and make good time. The kits continue to sleep and everyone stays quiet for we are lost in bittersweet memories.

*Stormfur*

We come out close to the edge and near the horseplace. Feathertail coughs slightly and we stop, looking at her.

"I say you lot stop at the horseplace and spend the night there. We might get into a fight coming back in and you'll want your strength." Brook and I exchange shocked and worried looks but we nod anyways and change course heading for it.

The horses are sleeping in the middle of the fenced off area, except for one, a small young horse. He runs over as we pass and tries to stick his head through the fence. His soft gray pelt glows slightly in the dark and his wide eyes stare at us in wonder. He whinnies softly and we respond with gentle meows. After staring for a few more moments he whickers in delight and scampers off – I imagine to tell his mother all about the strange, small creatures he saw.

Cautiously we approach the large structure that smells of dead grass and cats. Outside the entrance we stop and I call out. At once Smokey appears. He frowns softly and mews, "Forgive me, but you look familiar."

"I am Stormfur." I mew, "I used to live with the Clans around the lake?"

"Ah yes, I remember now. What are you doing here?" he asks politely.

"We are going to visit the Clans, but we were wondering if we could rest here?" I ask cordially.

"Oh, of course. It is not easy traveling with kits." Smokey smiles at their slumbering forms and beckons us to follow. Inside I see a new cat sitting next to Floss. At once I feel a rush of dislike I cannot explain. She is a small brown tortishell and is sitting as though she is the most powerful leader in the entire world.

"Who are they?" her voice is a haughty sneer.

"Now Hollow, remember what we talked about." Floss mews patiently. I can't help but think how Hollow is the most appropriate name for something like her.

Hollow takes a deep breath and forces a smile. "I'm sorry, I meant, who are you?" Now her voice is filled with child-like curiosity and she wears a not-so-believable look of innocence.

"I'm Brook," Brook mews softly, "and this is my mate Stormfur, these are our kits. We live in the mountains but we once lived in the Clans, we are returning to help them." I notice Hollow tense at the mention of the Clans and little miss stuck-up says no more.

"So who are these little ones?" Smokey asks sitting down.

"The white one is Moon, the gray Feather and the tabby Bramble." I mew quickly opting out of telling their full names.

"They're adorable!" Floss coos as she stands and starts to make a nest for us.

"May I catch a mouse or two?" I ask Smokey.

"Be my guest," he replies a slight smile. Quickly I sniff one out and kill it, then another, and bring the food to Brook. I have no doubt the kits will wake us up wanting food but the mice are easy to catch so for now I let them sleep.

Brook eats her mouse quickly and curls up in the nest around the kits. I eat more slowly thinking everything over. We're so close now… I think about Brambleclaw and wonder if I'm ready for this.

And then I think the thought that has had me frightened the whole journey: Will I really be able to leave here again?

I shake my head and lay it on my paws. Slowly I slip into an uneasy and fitful sleep.

Okay kind of short for what a month? Sorry about that! But I did write this after school so I think it's fairly good=)

We have one more chapter left of this story! But unfortunately the next books plot still isn't finished=( Just so you all know the poll for the next books name is still open! Fading Shadows is in the lead followed by Empty Warnings but we also have Dawn/Soft Echoes, Dark Waters, Silent Warnings, and Hushed Secrets. Vote please!=)

Quote: "Do you think I'm special? Do you think I'm nice? Am I bright enough to shine in your spaces? Between the noise you hear, And the sound you like, Are we just sinking in an ocean of faces?" ~All the Right Moves by Onerepublic

Thanks so much for everything and please review!

~Midnight