Willowshadow picked Ferntail up and carried her across the river, following Sandclaw and Webpelt. I saw Shinewhisker picking Furrypelt up, and Rainstar had Frostspot. They would be greatly missed, I thought as Shinewhisker and Rainstar padded gently into the river and swam for the shore. I couldn't wait to get into the river. My paws still pained from the burning. I gave my left paw a lick, trying to soothe them. "Silverheart!" It was Graymist. Who was she talking to? Then I remembered.

"Yes?" I asked, and bounded up to her.

She meowed, "Cloudkit is terrified, I think she'll only feel better if you carry her across the river."

I nodded, "I'd love to." But my heart was heavy. Cloudkit reminded me so much of my sister. Ferntail and Cloudkit shared the same enthusiasm, the same happy smile that was always on her face. I tried to put one on my face now, so Cloudkit wouldn't be concerned.

The whole clan was almost done crossing the river. Some of the warriors were swimming alongside the elders, making sure they were ok, helping them if they needed it. I grasped Cloudkit's scruff and jumped into the water. "You know, I could swim the river all by myself. If you let me. But this is still fun." I couldn't reply so I just nodded. "Ah! I got water in my eye!" I tipped my head back, trying to avoid getting her any more wet.

I reached Windclan's side of the border and hopped out. I dropped Cloudkit and licked her the wrong way, trying to warm her. "Wow! This place is so weird!"

I smiled, "Don't be rude. WindClan is doing us a kindness, allowing us to stay here." She nodded, and asked me when she and her littermates could explore. I laughed and meowed, "I am not sure whether you'll even be able to or not."

I noticed some of the Windclan warriors running toward us. My warrior instincts kicked up, telling me to run to them and attack. But I forced myself to push them away. Graymist herded her kits together, watching the rival warriors warily. Smallflower and Rainstar walked up to meet them. "Heatherstar said your clan may live in the Windclan camp with us. We have enlarged the dens." Disapproving mews came from the clan.

Sandclaw walked to me and said, "The cat that just spoke is Bramblestripe. The white and gray she-cat is Cinderfur and the brown tabby male is Darkfoot, oh and the calico tom is Wildheart." I nodded. I knew Ferntail would have thought Wildheart was a funny name. "And Rowanstone is that brown and gray tom."

She looked me into the eyes and said, "I told Oakstorm that I heard what he told you and he said that he didn't want to hurt me but I wasn't the cat for him. I said I understood. And if he was happy then it was fine with me."

I wasn't sure what to say, and felt a little awkward. "Erm… Well… thanks Sandclaw. I hope it won't drive a wedge between us."

She smiled at me and meowed, "I know it won't."

Since I was talking with Sandclaw I had missed most of the conversation Rainstar was having with the Windclan cats. He now turned to us and said, "Riverclan, Heatherstar has promised to treat us like guests. I know most of you do not want to stay in their camp, but there is no other shelter on the moor. We will stay with them." I could see the sense in that.

Oakstorm padded up to me and nudged me. "I'll make sure you're comfortable, and no cat harms you." I licked his cheek. He entwined his tail with mine. "I love you, Silverheart."

"I love you too." Of course I did love him. Nothing felt more right than telling him this. "But we need to talk later."

He smiled. "Ok. I understand. Come on. We don't want to be left behind." I nodded, and followed him. He and I caught up with the clan easily. The whole place seemed weird! There weren't any trees, no sound of water and lots of heather.

Shinewhisker and Wetfoot were walking alongside the elders. Rainstar and Samllflower were walking with the Windclan cats, and Sandclaw was with her sister and Reedpelt. The rest of the warriors were walking together. Watersong and Shadepaw were with Rainstar. I saw Splashspot and Frostwhisker heading over to the elders, clearing intending to help Shinewhisker and Wetfoot.

When we reached their camp, Heatherstar was waiting with a few warriors sitting around her. She welcomed us into her camp and said, "My deputy will show you around." She nodded to us and padded away.

A black she-cat stepped forward and mewed, "Hello. I am Nightfur. Over there is the fresh kill pile." She gestured with her tail. There weren't many things besides rabbits on it. I had never ate a rabbit before. "And if you'll come with me, I'll show you the elders den. I am sure Dawnspot and Flowercloud will enjoy the company."

There were empty nests in the elders den. Windclan's elders called out greetings. Bumblenose, Rainfur, Nighteye, and Blackwhisker each claimed a nest and started talking with Dawnspot and Flowercloud. I was sure they'd get along fine.

"And this is the warriors den." Nightfur said once we were out of the elders' den and next to the warriors den. "We made some new nests, but we aren't sure if there is enough, or too many. Do I need to show you the apprentices' den?" Smallflower shook her head. I smiled in satisfaction. I had been the last apprentice in the clan but now I was a full warrior. Most of my clanmates headed inside for some much needed rest. It was sun-high and we had been up for most of the night. Smallflower stayed and Oakstorm, Shinewhisker and Graymist and Reedpelt.

Nightfur took us to the medicine cat den next. "This is Leopardshadow."

She looked up from her herbs and said, "Hello. We are sorry about the fire and glad we could help you out."

Smallflower said, "Thank you. This is Watersong and her apprentice Shadepaw. But I think you already knew that."

Leopardshadow nodded. "I have made two nests for them. We can work together."

Shadepaw looked excited. "Now I'll have twice the knowledge!" We laughed.

"Come on, I'll show you the Nursery. Your kits look exhausted." Graymist looked relieved. Reedpelt's expression mirrored his mate's. We meowed our goodbyes to the medicine cats before leaving.

The nursery was behind the warriors den. Inside were two queens and two kits. "These are Foxtail's kits. Rosewing's are due in a quarter moon." Two kits, one white one black, skidded up to us. Cloudkit, Icekit and Thrushkit padded out from behind their mother and shyly sniffed the other kits.

The white one spoke, "I am Lightkit and this is my brother Darkkit."

Cloudkit, who was always the least shy of her siblings, said, "I'm Cloudkit. This is my sister Icekit, and my brother Thrushkit." She gestured with her tail to her siblings in turn.

Darkit squeaked, "Wanna play moss ball?" Graymist's kits perked up, looking really excited. They nodded eagerly. Lightkit meowed, "Come on then!" She ran out of the nursery, leaving the other kits to scramble after her.

We laughed. Graymist took one of the two empty nests, and pawed at it for a second. She climbed in and Reedpelt nuzzled her before returning to us. We left the nursery. Shinewhisker yawned, and headed for the warriors den. Smallflower and Nightfur padded up to the two leaders. Reedpelt went to the fresh kill piled and pulled a rabbit out and returned to the nursery.

I didn't feel quite comfortable in the Windclan camp. Now that I was alone, it was more awkward. Well, not exactly alone. I turned my gaze to Oakstorm. He wrapped his tail around my shoulders and guided my toward the den. I love that he knew how I was feeling by just looking at me. Inside the den was mostly our clanmates. After all Windclan hadn't been up for the better part of the night. I laid down into the soft moss of one nest. Oakstorm claimed the nest next to mine so I was able to drift into an easy slumber.