A few days passed since the Gathering. My kits were loud and playful, disturbing the peace of the camp, but no-one seemed to mind too much. They were the only kits is the nursery at the moment; although Whitewing was pregnant with Birchfall's kits. Ferncloud was delighted - soon, she would have kits that were her own kin to help protect. I hoped I wouldn't need her.
There were two new warriors in the Clan; Toadstep and Rosepetal - Daisy and Spiderleg's kits. I couldn't wait for Rainkit and Eaglekit to become apprentices, and then warriors. They couldn't wait either. Only four moons left until they could leave the nursery. Lionblaze had already been teaching them some hunting and battle moves, which they practised on each other. They would make fine warriors for ThunderClan.
I was dozing in the sun when a commotion woke me. A looked up to the thorn tunnel to see Brambleclaw's patrol returning with two visitors - Ashfoot and Crowfeather. Firestar was summoned from his den, and descended the rocks to the ground. I moved closer to the WindClan cats.
"Yes?" Firestar prompted the visitors.
Ashfoot cleared her throat. "Firestar, I know you have been WindClan's friend for countless moons, and although Onestar wrongly shunned your friendship, I come to ask a favour."
Firestar blinked slowly, taking in her words. "Go on," he said eventually. Ashfoot swallowed.
"I can't just sit around, waiting to know whether Onestar is okay!" she explained quickly. "Neither Barkface nor Kestrelpaw have had any indication from StarClan, so I want to send a group of cats to the Twoleg place and see if they can find Onestar!"
Firestar stared at her. "Well, why do you need to tell me?" he asked, perplexed.
Ashfoot glanced around; her eyes met mine. "I thought Heathertail might like to go." she said quietly.
Sandstorm, who had been beside Firestar, bristled. "Certainly not!" she hissed. "She has kits in the nursery, and who knows what might happen out there! She is not part of WindClan anymore, Ashfoot. You should know that."
Firestar gently touched his tail to Sandstorm's shoulder. "She is right," he said gently. But he turned to me. "Heathertail, would you like to go and help find your father?"
This was the first time Firestar had acknowledged Onestar's paternal link with me. I stared back, helpless. "I...I'm not sure. I want to, but I don't want to leave my kits!"
"If you want to go, I'll look after your kits for you. Whitewing and Daisy can help," Ferncloud offered. I still hesitated. Lionblaze had appeared at my side.
"You want to go, don't you?" he murmured. Slowly, I nodded. I then nodded more vigorously at Ashfoot.
"I'll come,"
Ashfoot smiled. "Whitetail is going too - with Crowfeather, Weaselfur and Owlwhisker," she told me. I nodded silently.
"When are you leaving?" Firestar enquired.
"Tonight." Crowfeather spoke for the first time. He looked at me from slightly less cold eyes then usual. "Why don't you come over to WindClan camp after the sun has set?"
I looked at Firestar, and he nodded. "Alright," I meowed. Ashfoot dipped her head.
"Well then, we'll see you later," she said formally. I gave a brief nod, and they turned and were escorted back to their territory.
I headed for the nursery, and tried to ready myself for tonight.