I keep feeling bad about the weekly updates. :( I'm sorry, but exams! (the sentence fragment explains it all) Updates will hopefully pick up in just over 2 weeks.

ShadowHawk540: I enjoy winter because of my birthday, Christmas, snow, and snow days. :) Cold is okay but then they overheat the schools.

Sweetflower0409: Ah, maybe not for some time. ;) She was just getting butterflies. And yeah, Arizona's probably extremely hot right around now, right?

QLKwriter: Every ship must have its anchors! (I just made that up right now, so sorry if I'm copying something already out there...) If you don't ship Cinder x Fox, do you ship Cinder x anyone else? Or do you think Cinderstrike's perfectly fine without any mate, thank you very much?

Willowdream of ForestClan: Thank you! :) And if you don't have exams for another month, does that mean you take all your exams at once? Or are you just exempt from most of them?

The Story Of Your Life: I've never heard of Ghost Adventures, but since it sounds like some horror-esque show and I'm a complete pussy when it comes to horror shows and movies, I'm probably (sadly) not going to check it out. :P I wish I could take you up on your suggestion, though!

walkswithwheels: That's cool that you use a voice recognition program! I've never used one of those before, though I have tried the "Ok Google" thing on my phone, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Generally speaking I take Honors level classes, or AP when available. My AP is actually in History (I'm glad it's not Chemistry! Chem is fun when we do labs but sometimes sort of confusing). I'm hoping to major in some sort of writing or literature when I get to college and my dream job is to be an author. The first book I remember writing was in third grade when I wrote a story about my Webkinz stuffed animals. Ever since then, I've just kept on writing and then in middle school it finally occurred to me that I could be a writer. And that one line you said about me having natural talent... *goes to copy it down on paper and tape up the paper all around my room and highlight it and show it off to the world "SEE I CAN WRITE I AM A WONDERFUL WRTIER"* (Ahem) It was rather inspirational. I'm also not normally one for romance, but if you've ever read Just One Day by Gayle Foreman you will see the prime example of a really good romance novel. And also, I just stuck Lionblaze in as leader, but then after I posted the chapter realized that the reason he couldn't be leader is that he would still be alive and invincible. So that was just a mistake.

ilovewarriorcats: Spring! When the pollen comes out to attack me! XD If it wasn't for pollen and allergies, Spring would probably be one of my favorite seasons. It was fun developing Cinderstrike and Foxtooth's relationship. First, I got to go after every single annoying quality Foxtooth had, and now I get to let Cinderstrike live in a sort of self-denial that no, she doesn't want to spend time with Foxtooth, it's of course just because she can't spend time with anyone else. :P

Nightfeather: Naw, sorry. XD I already broke Rainsky's heart. It'd just be cruel to do that to Sootthorn, too. I'm sorry she's pretty Mary-Sueish. And I loved putting in the part where Cinder pushed Fox into the river! I thought it was perfect. 3 :D You're getting an account! Yay! Sorry for the wait between chapters. Do you have a username and an account yet?

Rainsky's POV

After another half day of traveling we finally made it to the edge of the Twolegplace. I looked in relief at the finally visible greenness of nature. Bounding ahead of the group, a wide smile involuntarily breaking out across my face, I plunged headlong into the long, lush grass, rolling around to enhance the fresh scent. I rubbed my nose into the soft dirt, trying to rid my nostrils of the smoky stench of the Twolegplace.

I hoped I'd never have to return to that dreadful place.

Turning, I saw Aspenpaw and Alderpaw laughing at me. Growling playfully, I crouched in a hunter's crouch and leaped at them, bowling into Alderpaw and knocking him to the ground.

"Hey, I'm the only one who gets to beat up Alderpaw!" Aspenpaw complained, swatting a paw at me. I purred, rolling onto my back and kicking out with my hind paws at her.

Then, my eye caught something behind me that completely took my attention off of Alderpaw, who had thrown himself onto his sister in retaliation for her last comment, and Aspenpaw, who shrieked in laughter as they tumbled into the grass together. I rolled back onto my paws, staring over at Lightwing and Hyperion, who were standing slightly off to the side from the rest of the group.

Abandoning the play-fight, I padded over just in time to hear Lightwing meow, "But you'd be welcome, I'm sure of it!"

"It's not a question of whether or not I'd be accepted, it's more a question of whether or not I'd want to go," Hyperion replied. I tried to catch his eye over Lightwing's shoulder but he was looking at the ground.

"Are you saying you don't want to come with me?" Now Lightwing sounded hurt. Recalling what she'd said last night, I realized I understood her pain. It must be sort of like when I lost Silverdapple and realized she was going where I couldn't go yet—my littermates needed me more than I needed her.

"Of course I want to come with you," Hyperion said earnestly, glancing briefly up at her, "but… well," he turned to look over his shoulder, "the Twolegplace is my home. It's always been my home."

"You could make a new home at the lake. With me." Lightwing's voice sounded close to breaking. I stepped up beside her and laid my tail across her shoulders. She turned her face into my fur, her face screwed up with her internal pain.

"Hyperion, please," I said softly. "I know it's hard to leave your home, but isn't it worth it?"

Hyperion still looked hesitant. "I…"

He trailed off. Into the silence I meowed more forcefully, "Think of me. Think of Lightwing. We've both left our homes and look at what joy we've found." The image of Silverdapple flashed across my vision but I forced it away. "I've met my father. I'm bringing my mother to our new home. I've met so many wonderful cats along the way." I gestured behind me to where Alderpaw played with Hopkit and Lionkit, and Aspenpaw was teaching Rowanpaw and Oakpaw a new battle move.

"Please come with us, Hyperion. You can start a new life with us." I bit my lip. "You can have a family."

Hyperion's head jerked up. So did Lightwing's. Both stared at me in something bordering on incredulity, though Lightwing's expression was also filled with a little hope. "Rainsky?" she asked in a slightly quavering voice. "Are you saying you're okay with us? With Hyperion and I?"

I looked down. "It'll take some adjusting to," I muttered, "but yeah, I'm willing to try adjusting." I glanced up at Hyperion. "And I must say, out of all the toms it could have been, I'm glad it's you."

Hyperion's face split into a wide grin. "Rainsky… thank you," he purred. I smiled shyly back. During my first trip to the lake, I'd wished he was my father. Well, now it looked like I was getting that wish.

"So you'll come with us?" Lightwing asked eagerly, turning to Hyperion once more. I kneaded the ground nervously—if he said no now…

"Of course I will," Hyperion replied, stepping forward to press his cheek against Lightwing's. "If I can be assured a place in your life, of course I'd leave the Twolegplace behind." He glanced over his shoulder at the towering, strangely square stone Twoleg dens. "The dirt and stench grows on you after a while, but I must say, I'm ready for change."

He took a step forward, his eyes suddenly bright with the prospect of adventure. "Let's go."

The rest of the day passed enjoyably with the apprentices and kits scrambling around through the grass, playing games of tag and keep-away. As the sun touched the horizon, we crested a hill and saw below us a shimmering, grayish mass surrounded by forest and hills.

"We made it!" I crowed, leaping into the air in delight. "We're here!"

My excitement seemed suddenly to course into my paws. I surged forward, feeling not so much that I was running but more that I was flying, my paws barely touching the ground as I skidded diagonally down the hill, swooping low over the territories to land in the red-gold forest.

Sootpaw! I called. I'm back! I'm home!

The response was almost immediate. Rainpaw?!

I leaped over a decaying log, my paws skidding on fallen leaves as I dodged trees and underbrush, sprinting toward the stone hollow. It's Rainsky now, actually. Lightwing gave me my name.

Lightwing…? Then you managed to convince them to come?

I felt Sootpaw's excitement through our connection. Yes! Sootpaw, I did it!

Sootthorn, he corrected me, and I felt a stab of excitement stronger than before. My brother was also a warrior! That's great news! Congrat-

I burst through the thorn tunnel and rammed straight into a mass of bulky gray fluff. I stepped back and was amazed that I had to look up in order to see my brother. Sootthorn had grown!

"Sootthorn!" I yowled at the top of my lungs. Purring, I pressed myself against him, my chin just managing to slip over his back and my tail curling around his wide chest. He did the same. Suddenly it occurred to me that I felt like I was an apprentice next to my mentor. It was probably just because I wasn't used to him being so much bigger than me.

"How's LeopardClan been?" I glanced around at the Clan, all of whom had gathered to see me. My eyes landed on four tiny kittens near the nursery. "Amberwing, you had kits? Congratulations!"

Amberwing dipped her head from her place beside Molewhisker. "Thank you, Rainpaw." She smiled widely. "We're all overjoyed to see your safe return. Have you succeeded in your mission?"

The thorn barrier rustled behind me. I turned to see Lightwing emerging through the thorn tunnel, staring around with wide eyes. Sootthorn broke away from me, bounding over to our mother and pressing himself against her. "Lightwing!" he purred.

"Sootpaw! You've grown so much!" Lightwing also had to look up at him.

"It's Sootthorn, actually," my brother corrected gently.

Lightwing's eyes glittered with moisture. She blinked and looked down. "You always were so much like Ashthorn," she murmured.

Sootthorn's eyes hardened. "Not anymore," he growled under his breath, retreating to sit beside me. I eyed his bristling tail and decided not to ask out loud. Still, I couldn't help but wonder. Had something happened between Sootthorn and Ashthorn?

Other cats had begun drifting into the clearing. Hyperion came after Lightwing, blinking in the dusky light. Sootthorn looked startled at the sight of him, but made no comment. I realized we'd have a lot to talk about later.

LeopardClan cats started exclaiming at the sight of familiar faces. The ragged circle of cats broke as many raced across the clearing to touch noses with loved ones, asking how they've been. Hopkit and Lionkit, spotting other kits, raced over to join Amberwing and her litter the moment Whistlefur and Tansyfoot placed them on the ground.

Larkwing bounded to Lightwing's side and the two embraced. I looked on with mild confusion, wondering if they were friends before Lightwing left. Then, noticing suddenly how similar their pelts looked, I did a double take. Yes, they looked exactly the same, albeit Larkwing older and slightly taller.

Lightwing disentangled herself from Larkwing's embrace and led her over to Sootthorn and I. Glancing sideways, I was relieved to see Sootthorn's fur had flattened and he looked civil again. I also noticed a certain pale gray she-cat standing with her tail over Sootthorn's shoulders, apparently calming him.

"Sootthorn, Rainsky," Lightwing meowed, "let me introduce you to my older sister."

I stared at Larkwing. I had an aunt?

Larkwing dipped her head to both of us. "I am your mother's sister," she confirmed. "I'm sorry I never told you, but I felt like Lightwing should tell you herself."

It seemed like a feeble reason to me, but Lightwing nodded at Larkwing as though it were perfectly acceptable. "Thank you, Larkwing," she murmured. With one last nod at us, the two drifted off to talk with Hyperion and Crouchfoot.

I turned to Sootthorn. "So what's going on with you?" I asked, letting my gaze drift sideways to Dawnpaw.

Sootthorn either recognized my silent question from my expression or my mind. He turned to the she-cat beside him and meowed, "Well, Dawnshine and I have decided to become mates." His face relaxed into a purr.

Excitement coursed through me once more. "Oh, Sootthorn, that's wonderful news!" I exclaimed, pressing my head against his. "Congratulations!"

"Sootthorn's been trying to get his nine lives," Dawnshine meowed. "But Ashthorn wouldn't let him." She glanced sideways at her new mate.

Sootthorn seemed to undergo a physical transformation at the mention of Ashthorn's name. "No," he hissed, lashing his tail, bushed once again. "That piece of fox dung wouldn't give them to me."

"Why not?" I asked, slightly warily.

"He didn't have a warrior name," Dawnshine explained.

"But you have one now," I meowed in confusion. "Why don't you-"

Sootthorn got up so abruptly my question died on my tongue. Without a word, he stalked away.

I stared after him, hurt. Had I done something wrong? What had happened to Sootthorn in the time I'd spent away?

"I don't think he's ready to face Ashthorn yet," Dawnshine whispered, looking in concern after the dark gray tom. "They had some sort of falling out over Sootthorn's warrior name."

"Oh."

I glanced around. Now that Sootthorn wasn't here, I felt a little lost in this huge clearing. Had I really spent several moons here not so long ago?

My gaze fell on Aspenpaw and Alderpaw. Those two had stuck with me even to the lake, through the Twolegplace and through the forest. If I could feel at ease with anyone, I would with them. "Come on, Dawnshine," I meowed, smiling at her. "Let me introduce you to some of my friends."

I had a tough time finding a good place to end this chapter, so it went a little long. I hope it doesn't drag on near the end!

AOTD: When I was younger and organized everything, I organized my list of most-liked seasons to least-liked seasons. Winter and Summer are tied at the front, then Spring, then Fall/Autumn. I've never really liked Fall, though I'm not completely sure why.

QOTD: I went for a bike ride today, so... Do you like riding bikes? (sorry for lameness)