Feathertail charged quickly through the skies, the wind ruffling fur. With every breeze-swift step, she got farther and farther from StarClan, and closer and closer to the Tribe of Endless Hunting.
How much farther?
"Feathertail!"
Feathertail halted as she heard a deep voice call her name. She spun around, and came face-to-face with a sturdy, brown tabby tom. "Greetings, friend," he meowed, dipping his broad head, "It has been quite a while since we have seen you. It's great to see you again."
"Greetings, Tawny Feather of Eagle," Feathertail replied, dipping her head in return, "I was just on my way to see Stormfur."
"News?"
Feathertail glanced to the side and saw lithe ginger-and-white she-cat pad up to her. "Indeed there is, Lightning That Flashes in Sky" she meowed, "Good news."
"Well, tell us!" Lightning mewed, her amber eyes gazing interestedly. Tawny lightly clubbed Lightning's ears and hissed, "Quiet! This isn't our business," he turned to Feathertail and meowed, "Ignore my sister; she never can stick to her own fur."
"Oh, I don't mind," Feathertail purred, amused by the eagerness of the she-cat, "I'll tell you. I have recently become a half-sister."
Lightning's yellow eyes glowed with excitement, while a loud purr rumbled in Tawny's throat.
"Congratulations!"
"How many? Is their mother pretty? Are they cute? What are their names?"
Feathertail's whiskers twitched at Lightning's infinite questions. "There are three. Yes, Millie –that's their mother- is very pretty, and they're very cute. The she-kits are named Blossomkit and Briarkit, and the tom is Bumblekit."
"Well, don't mind us, half-sister," Tawny purred, "Go ahead and pass the news on to Stormfur."
"Yeah, he'll love to hear this!" Lightning squeaked like a kit.
Nodding in thanks to her friends, Feathertail continued on her travel to the cave where the Tribe of Rushing Water lived.
Finally, she arrived at the waterfall that signified the entrance to the Tribe's cave. She settled herself on the bulge in the rocky turf where her body rested. In a ghostly whisper, she called out to her brother.
"Stormfur...Stormfur..."
After a while, Feathertail saw a dark-gray cat step out of the cave. His amber eyes widened as his gaze rested on her shimmering form. "Hello, Stormfur," she purred.
The cave-guard stared, dumbfounded at her. "F-Feathertail..." he stammered, "Is it...is it really you?"
Feathertail nodded.
"Oh, Feathertail," Stormfur murmured, "I've missed you so much. I'm sorry I couldn't save you," he bowed his head, "It's all my fault you..."
Feathertail lifted her feathery tail for silence. "I understand," she meowed, "You don't have to apologize. I couldn't let Crowfeather get killed, now could I?"
"Yes, but-"
"I don't want to hear you blame yourself," she continued, kindly yet seriously, "Now for the reason I came. I have good news, Stormfur."
Stormfur lifted his head. "You do?"
A purr rumbled in Feathertail's throat. "Oh, Stormfur, it's just wonderful. Graystripe and Millie have kits!"
She hesitated, waiting for her brother to reply. The former RiverClan warrior's eyes were blank, as if he were deep in thought.
Isn't he pleased?
Jumping to conclusions, Feathertail mewed, "Look, you have no right to question Graystripe's loyalty to-"
"It's not Graystripe I'm thinking about," Stormfur quietly interrupted her, his face shadowed, "It's..."
"Oh..." Feathertail whispered, realization making her heart ache, "I see. You're thinking of Silverstream. You think that she'd be angry with Graystripe for taking on another mate."
"No," Stormfur replied hastily, "I mean...well...I've gotten over that. It's just...is she happy for Graystripe and Millie? Does she like the kits?"
"Couldn't be happier," Feathertail replied, "Now would you like to hear more about the kits?"
Stormfur, all doubts about their mother's feelings, sat down. "All right."
"Well, there are three: a tortoiseshell-and-white she-kit, a dark-brown she-kit, and a pale-gray tom with black stripes. Their names are Blossomkit, Briarkit, and Bumblekit."
Now Stormfur's eyes glowed with pride. "Wow...I wish I could see them."
A smirk crossed Feathertail's face. That is just what she would do. She leaned forward and touched noses with Stormfur. Focusing her mind on the ThunderClan nursery, with Millie's three kits sleeping next to her warm belly, she channeled the vision into her brother's mind.
She watched as his amber eyes seemed to glaze as the vision melted into him. He shook his head as it cleared. Stormfur blinked at Feathertail. "They're beautiful."
"Aren't they?" the silver she-cat purred, she instantly changed her tone to a more sober sound, "I must go now."
"Now?" Stormfur's voice quaked with anguish.
"Now," Feathertail repeated, "I've told you what I needed to tell you. Now I must be off," she turned her head to the horizon, now with a golden strip at the bottom, "And you must be waking up."
"I wish you could stay longer, Feathertail."
"I know. But I'm always with you, in your heart."
She gaze her brother's cheek one last lick before continuing toward StarClan's hunting grounds.
He's seen them, and he loves them. My work here is done.