The journey back home was slow on account to Raven's injuries. Ravwnpaw had learned that Firestar had died killing Tigerstar and had learned all about the battles from after he left. He also learned how Graystripe died and that Bramblestar was Tigerstar's kit. He learned a lot more, good and back. "I've missed so much," he whined, "and now the clans are in danger again."

"It is alright," Leafpool mewed cheerily. "Now that Cherry is here, we can stand a chance and hopefully prevent it."

"I should've been there," Whitethunder growled angrily. His mate had almost died. He didn't know what he was going to do to thank these clan cats, but he was going to try. He also owed Raven. 'A true guardian,' he purred thoughtfully. 'Trained by a kit my mate has adopted.'

'But if her kits hadn't died she wouldn't need to adopt kits!' An angry voice whispered in his head, sounding suspiciously like Silverclaw.

"I am sorry for your loss," Ravenpaw went on, and Leafpool smiled painfully.

"It's OK. Hollyleaf is up there with Firestar now. I am happy that she is finally somewhere safe and out of harm's way." 'And that's she has forgiven me, unlike some cats.'

"I'm curious," Autumnspot asked as he walked up beside her limping. Leafpool briefly glanced at his paw.

'I should look at that later.'

"Why can't your medicine cats have mates? Our medicine cats have mates."

"If a medicine cat has a mate then they will be distracted from their duties and put their family before the clan."

"Yea, but can't you have two medicine cats, both of them take on apprentices? That's what we do."

"No, well, I don't know. It has been that way since the beginning. It sure does make things easier."

"Of course it does!"

"So, tell us, why are you and feather boy here ex mates?" Mudfur asked with sparkling eyes.

Crowfeather snapped at her. "It's Crowfeather!"

"That is personal business, and not because we are from a different clan."

"Then what? Come on just give us a hint!" Mudfur begged, practically jumping up and down like the kit she acted like. Leafpool mused.

'Well, it wouldn't hurt right? I've already told Cherry.'

"Well, if you must know one thing, he denied my kits."

Whitethunder and Autumnspot growled. "Seriously?"

"Yes. But everything is fine the way it is." She said calmly. Raven made it a mission to get closer to Lionblaze and Jayfeather as soon as he got well.

"Well, we are a day and a half late, but we will make it to the clans tomorrow at noon." Leafpool mewed, looking up at the sun.

"Thanks Starclan," Crowfeather muttered. After Leafpool practically told everyone that there was no way of them getting back together, it made him think seriously about his actions throughout the journey. 'Stupid! Think of your clan! And your mate!' He felt ashamed, but brushed it off. He would shut that feeling out now. 'And for good, even if they didn't listen to my side of the story.' It burned him that Raven beat him though. He did not stand for losing.

Raven winced, and the group stopped. "Time to check his wounds," Leafpool called out, and the group instantly scattered for resources. Crowfeather pawed at some cobwebs. He couldn't wait to get home.

~ooo~

"You guys are a day late! What happened?!" Lionblaze screeched as Leafpool and her group walked through. He eyes instantly latched onto Raven. "What happened?!" he repeated again, this time bristling in rage.

"Whitethunder got claw happy and tried to attack Leafpool. I just happened to be there to stop it and this is the result." Raven answered, cutting a crossed look towards said tom.

He only rolled his eyes. "Hey, I apologized didn't I? Dear Skyclan you are such a kit!"

"My goodness!" Sakura yelped as she raced at him. Are you alright?!"

"He is fine Sakura. Most of his wounds have closed; he is going to have another scar on his cheek and back though." Leafpool assured.

The clan welcomed them back, and some gave an excited and surprised yowl to see Ravenpaw and Barley again. "We have nowhere to go. Hope you don't mind our intrusion."

"I'm not a clan cat," Barley muttered grumpily.

Sandstorm smiled at him. "Well, we have a spot in the elders den waiting right for you. Purdy will like another cat around."

After the greetings them clan went into a tense silence. In the middle stood Autumnspot and Whitethunder, and across from them was Cherry and Sakura. Whitethunder and Cherry stared at each other for such a long time that it was hard to tell if they were breathing. Sakura was the first to act, launching herself as her father and giving him a horrible scratch across his face as she yowled angrily. The Moonclan deputy yowled on pain and threw her off, and she landed neatly on her paws. She then turned and left out through the brambles, Ocean and Luna following her. Raven snickered and shook his head.

"Told ya so."

"Shut up," Whitethunder growled.

Cherry padded over to him as he picked himself up, watching the blood run down the side of his snout and drip off his chin. "I did tell her not to do that," she mew dispassionately, eyes wondering his body and face. She then stepped closer and clicked his cheek lovingly. "You have a lot of making up to do. I suggest you don't mess up from here on out." She walked towards the entrance. "I will try to talk some sense into her daughter," was all she said before she disappeared behind the brambles.

Whitethunder just stared, not minding the blood running down his face. She had given him another chance! While it wasn't forgiveness, it was close. "You're lucky. If I were your daughter I would have claw your whole face off." Autumnspot hissed. Whitethunder ignored his comment, gears turning in his mind. He had to impress his mate again, he just had to find out a way how.