"And once the storm is over, you won't remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won't even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what this storm's all about."
-Haruki Murakami

"What was that supposed to do?" I asked once Blazeflower disappeared into the water.

"If I'm correct it should separate Redblossom from Blaze and the Crimson Heroine will be completely back!" Rowanpelt purred excitedly.

Mothleap arrived moments later with Flyfur, Brownpelt, Spidermoon, Voletooth, Songpool, and even Stonestar who was wide awake now.

Flyfur and Stonestar appeared to be the most anxious but Spidermoon and Songpool were more excited with the latter talking to her mate about Redblossom seeing their kits. I should be excited, but I had this gut feeling that something was wrong...

Redblossom's POV

My eyes flashed open...and they were mine! I have my own body back!

I realized that I was in the water and I saw Blaze looking back at me devastated. There was no reason for me to feel bad, I had my own life to live! Wait...FLYFUR!

I swam up to the surface excitedly not wanting to wait to see my mate any longer. I leaped out of the water and onto the dirt where I saw them. My father, my brother and his mate, my close friends Voletooth and Songpool, Rowanpelt, Spidermoon's son and his mate...and then...finally.

Flyfur, the love of my life. His amber eyes locked with mine and our love for each other couldn't be any stronger than it was now.

I leaped to his side and we nuzzled each other as he used his paws to pull me over to his chest. I didn't care for having kits moons ago before I died and came back. But this whole experience taught me that life is too short to let that experience pass by for the two of us.

Stonestar looked delighted to see me along with everyone else. Spidermoon was leaping in circles, Songpool didn't hesitate to tell me about her new litter of kits, and Oakbranch and Owlmask were properly introducing themselves to me. My life couldn't feel more complete.

Then Blaze finally leaped out of the Moonpool.

Blaze's POV

I came out of that disgusting lake hacking up water before I shook my fur. I'm definitely not a RiverClan cat.

Then I looked up to see eleven cats looking at me including Redblossom who had her paw on Flyfur's. I could hear Mapleshade's voice ringing in my head.

Take the opportunity! Kill him now.

I looked for that anger that drove me earlier and I found only grief and defeat. I fell over and covered my eyes with my paws. Why am I like this?

I felt several cats nuzzle me and I looked up to see Spidermoon and Songpool. Oakbranch came over and placed his paw over mine reassuringly. I didn't deserve this.

"Redblossom...I'm sorry." I sobbed. "I was jealous of you and I didn't want to be my own cat. If you were like me, a nobody...you'd see why I wanted you to stay as half of me."

"You're not a nobody." Redblossom told me as she walked towards me. "Your story has yet to be told Blaze, and you may be jealous because I found my purpose, my mate, and my friends. But you'll find all of those things."

"Maybe...but not here." I admitted. "I'm going to leave this forest and then...I have no idea. I still love you but this is where you belong. With him. And I h-hope you're very happy."

"Thank you, may StarClan light your path through your whole journey." Redblossom meowed. All the other cats nodded and I looked at the trees beyond the Moonpool and the moor leading off into the unknown. I had a gut feeling that the unknown is where I must start.

"Goodbye everybody, thank you for forgiving me Redblossom." I gave one last look at the loving community of RiverClan cats before me. Then I turned the other way and walked away till I broke into a sprint. I was underprepared...but wasn't Redblossom all those moons ago? With that last thought I left the forest.

Redblossom's POV

I smiled feeling lots of nostalgia being surrounded by my closest friends. Stonestar, my kind and unwavering father, Brownpelt, my simple and easy-to-please brother, his mate Spidermoon, one of the most energetic cats in the forest, Voletooth, the fierce no-nonsense she-cat and sister of my mate, and her mate Songpool, who was brought to us by fate from ThunderClan and is one of the most kindhearted cats in RiverClan.

Then there was my mate Flyfur who I know had a crush on me long before I began to like him. My tail was still intertwined with Flyfur's when the eleven of us headed back to RiverClan camp.

Life couldn't be more perfect.

One moon later, Oakbranch's POV

"Redblossom! Redblossom! Redblossom!"

We were at the Gathering and cats from every Clan were elated and in awe to see the Crimson Heroine before them. Young warriors and apprentices crowded around Redblossom and they were simply amazed.

To no surprise I didn't see Blossomheart or Sagefur there, the two were definitely avoiding me. I told Redblossom about my broken bond with my sister and she told me the whole story about Jioveheart, and that she moved to ShadowClan for Sandytuft. The two situations seemed to be very similar to each other and knowing that someone else went through the same thing as I did made me feel relief.

After all my Clan was more important than worrying of what my sister thinks. Owlmask leaned against me and I looked to Spottedpelt and Irisgaze who were mates now and our closest friends in RiverClan. Hogtussle sat on my other side and was filling me in on what was happening in ThunderClan. The five of us were best friends. I found my happiness.

And I hope Blaze does too.