A/N: Hello all! If you haven't noticed (I'm sure it's quite obvious) I am in a hurry to finish this story. The entire ending plot hit me all at once the other day and I just can't stop writing it. So I hope you don't mind the sudden rush of updates. Oh. And.

Echo in the Whispering Wind: You are my hero. Thank you so so so so SO much for reviewing! I was truly beginning to fear that I had lost all interest from my readers in this story, but your review has given me life again, and the motivation to keep pushing forward! Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you continue to enjoy this story!

Before I move on I would like to say that I'm still taking suggestions for Brambleclaw and Sorreltail's kits! They will have two, a tom and a she-cat. Let me know what you all think, and enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 25

Stormfur let out a satisfied growl as he straightened, the thrush he had been stalking in his jaws.

"Great catch!" Sorreltail purred, lifting her head from where she lie basking on the smooth stones of Sunningrocks.

Stormfur accepted her compliment with a gracious nod before burying his thrush with the rest of the prey he had caught. He was on a hunting patrol with Sootfur, Sorreltail, and Silverstream, but by the time they had reached Sunningrocks, Sorreltail had hardly been able to put one paw in front of the other, and Silverstream had insisted they stop and hunt there. Now the silver tabby lay beside the younger warrior, grooming her fur and purring warmly.

"When do you think she'll finally give in?"

Stormfur started, blinking incredulously at Sootfur as he stood beside him. "Give in?" He echoed.

Sootfur's eyes widened. "You mean you can't tell?" He gasped dramatically. Sorreltail shot a glare at her littermate, but her amber eyes were warm and drowsy, and the act lacked conviction. "You're as daft as Brambleclaw," the black warrior went on, rolling his own amber eyes. "Just take a closer look. I'll give you a hint—she hasn't been eating on patrol."

Stormfur turned his bewildered gaze to Sorreltail's mottled tortoiseshell and white flank. Lying side by side, Sorreltail's rounded flank made Silverstream's lithe form seem underfed, though all of ThunderClan was enjoying a bountiful green-leaf.

"I'm expecting kits, mouse-brain!" Sorreltail finally burst out, exasperated by Stormfur's scrutiny.

The dark gray warrior felt a rush of happiness for his den-mate. The tortoiseshell and white she-cat had been shooting longing looks at the nursery for as long as he could remember—even as an apprentice she had been fond of playing with kits. "That's great!" He padded forward to touch noses with her. "Congratulations, Sorreltail."

"Thanks," she purred warmly. "I've known for a while now, but…" The young she-cat sighed, seeming troubled. "I'm not sure how to go about telling Brambleclaw. He's always seemed nervous when I've mentioned kits, I'm not sure how he's going to take it."

"All toms are nervous about kits," Silverstream sniffed. "He'll come around. But those kits won't be long now." Her voice grew gentler and more serious. "You have to tell him soon, before Yellowfang orders you to stay in camp. Most warriors already know, it's a wonder you're not twice the size you are now, honestly."

"How long have you known?" Stormfur asked, watching with wonder as Sorreltail's rounded stomach seemed to twitch.

Sorreltail shrugged. "A moon and a half or so. Yellowfang says I'm much further along than that, though."

Sootfur, who had slipped away to stalk a vole, returned with his tail high. "Sorreltail, look what I've caught." He stepped aside, revealing Brackenfur, Thistlepaw, and Brambleclaw. "It's the sunhigh patrol." There was mischief in Sootfur's eyes as he watched Sorreltail scramble to her paws in an attempt to make Brambleclaw think she hadn't been resting. The dark warrior flicked his ears at Stormfur to draw him aside.

"We're going to bring our fresh-kill back to camp," Sootfur announced loudly.

Silverstream jumped to her paws. "I haven't caught quite enough yet," she meowed. She and Brackenfur shared a knowing look. "Mind if I join your patrol, Brackenfur?"

"No problem." The golden-brown tabby flicked his tail casually at Brambleclaw as he continued past him. "You've been complaining about wanting to hunt since we left, why don't you stay and hunt?" The older warrior didn't wait for an answer, trotting quickly away and leaving Brambleclaw dumbfounded on the smooth rock. Sorreltail flashed Stormfur a panicked look that screamed, "Don't you dare!"

But Stormfur only waved his tail in farewell and fell in beside Sootfur as they left to gather their catches. A brisk wind was blowing, but Stormfur welcomed it as they travelled back to camp. Green-leaf had been witheringly warm, the gray warrior would be lying if he said he wasn't ready for leaf-fall.

After depositing his prey on the pile, Stormfur instinctively looked around for Feathertail and Foxtail. He spotted his best friend's red fur beside the nettle patch as he ate, but his sister's light tabby pelt was nowhere to be seen. Concerned, Stormfur took a mouse from the pile and joined Foxtail.

"Hey," Foxtail swallowed the bite he'd been chewing and swiped his tongue around his jaws. "How was the prey running?" Impatient as ever, the blue-eyed warrior continued speaking without waiting for an answer. "Weren't Sorreltail and Silverstream with you?"

Stormfur nodded as he began picking at his mouse. "They were. Sorreltail stayed behind to talk to Brambleclaw." I hope, he added silently. If she was farther along than she thought, Brambleclaw needed to know. "And Silverstream joined Brackenfur's patrol so she could stay out a bit longer."

Foxtail's whiskers twitched. "Finally telling the poor tom? It's about time."

"You noticed?" Stormfur stared at his companion in dismay. He couldn't have been the only cat in the camp to not know!

Fortunately, Foxtail shook his head. "No, how could I have? I'm no medicine cat." He finished his meal and began washing. "Hailpaw was complaining about her continuing her warrior duties the other day. He was pretty surprised that I hadn't noticed. I guess it's obvious?" The ginger tom shrugged indifferently. "I'm sure Brambleclaw will be happy though."

"Wouldn't you be?" Stormfur ventured, surprised by Foxtail's lack of interest.

"I suppose," he shrugged again. "I never really thought about it." He stood and shook his now-glossy pelt. "Besides," he added, flicking his fluffy tail-tip across Stormfur's ear. "Keeping Hailpaw safe is about the same as keeping track of kits, and one is more than enough for me!"

Stormfur purred in amusement, still nibbling on his own meal as his denmate strolled away. If only Feathertail could have heard that! He licked his paw and thoughtfully drew it over his face. It seems every cat in ThunderClan is trying to get her and Foxtail together, it would be a relief for her to hear he's not interested in kits. He scanned the camp for his sister again. The thorn tunnel quivered, but Stormfur sighed as Brambleclaw shouldered his way through. Sorreltail was only a step behind him. Both set of amber eyes were glowing. I'm glad he took it well.

Sorreltail met Sootfur at the fresh-kill pile, then bounded to the nettle patch with a fat squirrel in her jaws.

"I'll be moving to the nursery tonight!" She announced proudly.

"I'm glad to hear it," Stormfur gave the young queen a lick on the shoulder. Brambleclaw and Sootfur had followed her with fresh-kill of their own. He turned to Brambleclaw. "Are you excited?"

"Of course!" The big tabby looked ready to leap out of his fur.

They ate in silence for a few moments, until Sootfur piped up, "The Gathering is soon, isn't it?"

Stormfur nodded. "Do you think you'll be going?"

"I hope I am," Brambleclaw put in as Sootfur shrugged. "RiverClan's hardly been marking their border with us since the last Gathering. It's obvious they're more worried about WindClan than they are ThunderClan."

"I thought for certain they'd be after Sunningrocks by now," Sootfur growled. "They did help us battle the rogues, after all."

Sorreltail snorted as she swallowed. "Prey's probably been so good for them this green-leaf they haven't needed it. If I know RiverClan, they'll wait until we're weakened by leaf-bare and they're still sleeping off their green-leaf fat!" The tortoiseshell she-cat looked as if she was ready to jump into battle that very moment. Brambleclaw frowned.

"Well, no matter when they attack you won't be in the battle, so don't get so excited." He growled.

Sootfur could barely contain his laughter as Sorreltail shot her mate a defiant glare. "I'm expecting kits, not dying!" She snapped. "I can fight just as well as any cat!"

"Expecting kits hasn't done Sorreltail's mood any favors!" Sootfur snickered to Stormfur under his breath. Stormfur curled his tail in silent agreement.

ThunderClan has grown strong enough that it shouldn't matter what happens at the Gathering, the dark gray warrior mused inwardly as he finished his meal. No matter what the other leaders throw at us, we'll be ready to meet it tooth and claw.

It seemed every warrior wanted to go to this Gathering, but Stormfur couldn't help but to notice that Firestar had deliberately left behind some of his more eager warriors. Foxtail was one of them, standing aside with Hailpaw as he made the medicine cat apprentice promise to tell him everything that happened. Dustpelt and Swiftstep would also be staying in camp, as well as Brackenfur's fiery young apprentice, Thistlepaw.

"It's a much bigger patrol this time," Sootfur noted as he joined Stormfur near the thorn tunnel. Stormfur murmured his agreement. Yellowfang was bringing Hailpaw as always, and the rest of the patrol consisted of Cindercloud, Brackenfur, Runningwind, Brambleclaw, Feathertail, Sagepaw, Brightheart, and a pawful of elders. Feathertail stood on his other side, but she seemed distant, and Stormfur was hesitant to ask her what was on her mind. She seemed to be avoiding Foxtail, and by association Stormfur as well. It made the dark warrior even more grateful for Sootfur's presence as Firestar led them out of the camp and through the forest. The two warriors had grown close since Whitestorm's death, and Stormfur was glad to count Sootfur among his closest friends.

When they reached Fourtrees, only WindClan was there. Feathertail's blue gaze swept around the clearing before darkening with disappointment.

"Looking for someone?" Stormfur asked carefully.

To his relief, Feathertail sighed, seeming to acknowledge him for the first time in days. "Yes, but it seems she's not here." She turned her eyes to her paws. "I was hoping to speak to Whitetail, since her kits are a little older now, but it seems she wasn't quite ready to leave them yet." With that, she padded into the hollow to a different she-cat; Stormfur recognized Ashfoot's gray pelt. He started after her, only to be halted by a friendly greeting.

He turned, surprised to see Onewhisker padding towards him, a much younger cat close behind. "Hey, Onewhisker! It's good to see you again." He blinked curiously at the younger tom, and Onewhisker lifted his head proudly.

"This is my apprentice, Rabbitpaw." The WindClan warrior announced. The gray-and-white apprentice dipped his head and mumbled a small greeting.

"Wow," Cindercloud had joined them. "Congratulations, Onewhisker. I'm sure you're a great mentor."

Stormfur was opening his mouth to agree when a jubilant yowl cut through the quiet chatter. He spun around, bewildered as Tigerstar burst from the trees, Leopardstar and the rest of both ShadowClan and RiverClan flowing behind him like the river. The massive tabby jumped onto the Highrock in a single bound, and Leopardstar followed him like a golden shadow.

"Cats of all Clans!" Tigerstar's entrance had already drawn the attention of the cats below. "I come bearing the news of StarClan themselves!"

Cindercloud snorted disbelievingly, and Stormfur couldn't help but to back her skepticism. Since when did StarClan share news with traitors?

Tigerstar continued boldly, "Hard times are coming to the Clans—the past seasons have been rougher than they ever have before, and the bitter leaf-fall wind brings me news of change: change we must adapt to by changing ourselves."

Disconcerted mutterings were rippling through the clearing, but RiverClan and ShadowClan stared silently up at Tigerstar as if he were a StarClan warrior himself.

"We must join," Tigerstar yowled. "And become one Clan!"

Yowls of outrage broke out even before he had finished speaking.

Tallstar stepped forward, his tail stiff and bristling. "What you speak of goes against our very way of life!"

"There have always been four Clans in the forest," Firestar added, his green gaze cautious as it met Tigerstar's glittering amber glare.

"It's okay to be uncertain for now," Tigerstar rumbled. "Sometimes it is hard to accept change. But Leopardstar has already seen sense, and we have merged our Clans into one great Clan—TigerClan! And we have come to this Gathering tonight only to extend our welcome to you. Together, as joint leaders, we can make our Clans stronger than they have ever been before."

Tallstar recoiled as if he had seen crowfood in his fresh-kill pile. "TigerClan is a name of our ancestors," he hissed. "WindClan will not be a part of this."

"Neither will ThunderClan," Firestar growled.

Tigerstar's eyes gleamed with derisive delight. "I don't expect and answer right away," he amended mockingly. "So please, take some time to think. But I won't wait forever." With a lash of his tail, Tigerstar sprang from the rock and landed amongst the merged Clan, charging out of Fourtrees without waiting for any further response. ThunderClan and WindClan were left staring after them in astonished silence.

Stormfur looked to the sky. Surely StarClan didn't approve of this—surely thick clouds would come blowing in any moment to cover the moon?

But the moonlight continued to shine.