"What are you planning on doing?" Bounceheart asked. "A fighting tournament with the warriors or something?"

"That's a good idea," Tinywing licked her muzzle, nosing half a chipmunk toward Mintberry. "We've got Brambleheart – we're guaranteed to win." Squirrelflight's ears went back. Before she could speak, Stormfur looked up from the rabbit he was pulling the fur off of.

"Oh, do that. I'd love to see that." Squirrelflight kicked his shoulder.

"Gross," she said. "That's my brother." Stormfur snorted.

"I'm allowed to think he's hot."

"I was thinking of sticking with the apprentices, anyway," Squirrelflight continued. The last thing that would help with Clan relations was sticking Brambleheart in front of the other Clans like that. Even after these seasons, that would not be taken lightly. "They'd have more fun with it – be more open to interacting with the other Clans. But, yeah – a fighting tournament will be part of it." That went without saying, truly. It has been long enough where very few apprentices had been so under Tigerstar's reign. This was not about winning. The apprentices would appreciate that better.

This conversation was certainly proof of that.

"If you say so," Bounceheart shrugged before adding, "Stormfur, pass me the rabbit." The other warrior looked up.

"I'm almost done, just give me a second." Mintberry's tail flicked. She licked her muzzle as she pulled away from her prey.

"I don't get why you do that," she remarked, eying the pile of fur.

"They do that up in the colony," Squirrelflight put in. Stormfur nodded.

"It makes good nesting material," He looked up at the younger warriors. "And I know you all enjoyed it last Leafbare. They know what they're doing." Tinywing swatted at him.

"It's Greenleaf, harebrain. We don't need the extra nesting material right now." Stormfur went to respond when they were interrupted.

"Squirrelflight." She turned at Sageclaw's voice. "Firestar's looking for you." The she-cat nodded, rising to her paws. It was the next day, she had yet to talk to him.

She waved her tail at her companions, heading over to the Tallrock. The leader was sprawled out on top. Graystripe lay with him, grooming his friend's back as they sunned. Squirrelflight paused, grabbing a couple of mice from the fresh-kill pile as she passed. She jumped to the top, careful not to land on the toms. A warm green gaze regarded her.

"Good morning."

"Good morning." Graystripe blinked at her as she responded, rising to his paws. Squirrelflight set the mice in front of their leader.

"I'll leave you two to talk," he said as Firestar blinked at him.

"Thank you."

"Always." Graystripe licked his ear before leaving the Tallrock behind. Squirrelflight watched after the tom, puzzled. She shook off the surprise she felt as she turned back to Firestar.

Squirrelflight nosed one of the mice closer to her father, settling at his side. Firestar murmured his thanks, taking it in his jaws. There was a pause as each of them took a few bites. Firestar turned to her when he began.

"You should have brought this to me first."

"Then we would have to wait another moon to mention it," Squirrelflight protested. "A cat could have been killed in that period! We needed to do something." This Gathering would not solve everything but it could begin something. The Clans needed to get better. Firestar took a bite of prey.

"So, it was spur of the moment." Squirrelflight's ears went back and her father chuckled, looking to the nursery. "I was planning on making Kestrelkit, Harekit, and Heatherkit apprentices soon," He commented. "You're making me have to delay that."

"They could come," Squirrelflight replied. "I was considering sticking with the apprentices – having them do it instead of the warriors." They might not be able to participate but they could watch.

"It'd be like throwing a rabbit in front of a starving dog and expecting it not to eat it," A glimmer had come to Firestar's eye. "It's unfair to them. They aren't quite old enough; I can give it a quarter moon."

Squirrelflight curled her tail around her paws. "I did not intend to cause that," She began. Firestar shook his head.

"Let them enjoy being kittens a bit longer. I'm still not angry at you. It was inappropriate but there is an opportunity here."

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"It is not a bad idea, Squirrelflight," Firestar replied. "The Clans need a way to reconnect, we need a way to settle this tension. Tell me – do you still want to be leader one day?" The warrior nodded.

"I do."

The tom shifted, abandoning his meal as he regarded his daughter. A much more serious look had come across his face. "I want you to succeed," He meowed. "I want you to get what you want and I believe you have what it takes to eventually do so. However, we also just had a tyrant who liked assigning his kits deputy. I cannot help you here nor would I be a good leader if I were to give you this without merit."

"No one thinks you're like him," Squirrelflight began. Where had he gotten this idea from? She understood what he meant but Firestar and Tigerstar were very different cats. The leader rested his head down.

"Leopardstar still doesn't like me," He answered. "Were I to do this, she would certainly jump to the comparison. I could see Duststar following her lead, he's still stuck up on territory for his formerly WindClan warriors." His tail twitched, "You need to build yourself up. If your idea works and we are able to continue upon it, it could mean a lot." Her ears pricked.

"You want to do this more than once?" She asked. She had not thought of it beyond once.

"If it works," Firestar replied. "Not every moon, of course, but it could be beneficial. Fun. It's going to take a lot more than one day to fix the scars Tigerstar has left." Squirrelflight nodded, her paws tingling. He was right, there was so much riding on this.

"Do your best, that is all I can ask of you," Firestar continued. "You're still young, you will have so many opportunities to prove yourself." Squirrelflight dipped her head.

"Yes, Firestar." He raised his muzzle, licking Squirrelflight between her ears. She could feel the slight rumble of his purr as she leaned against him. There was a pause before she spoke.

"Can I ask you for some advice?" Her father paused in his grooming.

"Of course. I'm always here for you." Squirrelflight shifted, curling her paws under her chest as she went to face him.

"I was talking with Brambleheart and Stormfur yesterday…" Firestar's eyes widened as she explained the conversation they had had. Squirrelflight was surprised by the look of absolute delight on his face. His gaze had brightened in a way she had never seen before and his whiskers were forward. Suddenly, he shook his head.

"And what are you asking?" He asked, clearing his throat.

"I'm not sure what I want to do," Squirrelflight responded. She was not against the idea however she had not expected this. She did not know how she felt. Firestar blinked at her.

"It's only been a day, that's perfectly fine." He licked her cheek, "I do hope they're not trying to pressure you, are they?" Squirrelflight shook her head, a slight purr in her chest as she leaned back against him.

"No, they said they're fine with whatever." Firestar nodded.

"Good. You're all still young. You have time to figure things out." Squirrelflight mewed a thanks, resting her head against his shoulder. She wasn't sure what she expected him to say but this made sense.

"I'd talk to your mother, or any of the other queens if you're unsure about what it's like," Firestar continued. "I can't help you there. It varies, but I know Sandstorm did not have the most comfortable pregnancy. You'll need to talk to her. Actually," His eyes were trained below, and Squirrelflight flowed his gaze, raising her head off his shoulder. "Here she is now."

Sandstorm had left a patrol behind and was heading toward the Tallrock. Greetings were exchanged as she started up. "What are you talking about?" Sandstorm asked as she came to the top.

"Kits," Squirrelflight replied. Her mother turned to Firestar. She stood over him.

"You can go find another she-cat to have more with," she said. "Then we'll see where we stand." Firestar pushed himself up slightly with his forepaws. He stuck his muzzle up toward her, straining his neck as he licked her throat.

"I like what we have."

"Good." She settled on his other side. Squirrelflight snorted. Firestar continued.

"And we weren't talking about us." Sandstorm's eyes widened as she turned to Squirrelflight. Her mouth opened, tasting her daughter's scent.

"Brambleheart and Stormfur," Squirrelflight meowed. "They asked me to help yesterday." Sandstorm nodded.

"Are you going to?" the older warrior asked. It took Squirrelflight a second to respond.

"I'm thinking about it."

"That's up to you," Sandstorm meowed. "Don't let your father's ardor sway you." Firestar scoffed.

"I'm not pressuring anyone." Sandstorm glanced at her mate.

"I know you've been eager for one of them to have a litter," She replied.

"Are you not?" Squirrelflight asked. Sandstorm turned to her daughter.

"Of course, I am. I want you to have whatever you want. Just don't cause trouble and you don't need to rush into anything."

"Like we're ones to talk about trouble," Firestar muttered. Sandstorm swatted him.

"How do you think I know to warn her?" Firestar laughed and Squirrelflight leaned over him, licking her mother's shoulder.

"Of course, Mama." There was a slight purr in Sandstorm's voice as she continued.

"Do you know what you're going to do for this Gathering?"

"I do," Squirrelflight replied. She had been thinking about it since they left the Gathering behind. She knew what she wanted to do.

"She wants to focus on the apprentices," Firestar put in. "Rather than the warriors." Sandstorm nodded.

"The leaders will need to know that, won't they?" Sandstorm asked. Surprise jolted through Squirrelflight as Firestar spoke an agreement. Her father turned so he could see her.

"They do need to know that," Firestar commented. "I'd solidify this all and ask Leafdawn along if I were you." Squirrelflight dipped her head.

"Yes, Firestar." His green gaze was warm as he blinked.

"This is entirely on you," Firestar rested his head back down as Sandstorm leaned against him. He teased, "Now, run along Squirrelstar. I know you'll make us proud." Sandstorm's whiskers twitched and Squirrelflight's tail rose as she shifted onto her paws. She dipped her head to her parents before leaving the Tallrock behind. Her belly was rolling at her father's words. She shook herself.

She would need to find Feathertail first, Squirrelflight realized, stumbling in her step. They would certainly be out past Sunhigh if they were to reach all three Clans. Squirrelflight scanned her surroundings, heading over as she spotted the silver tabby.

"Hey, Feathertail!" The warrior in question turned as Squirrelflight trotted up to her. She had been conversing with Brightheart. "I don't mean to interrupt," she began. Brightheart shook her head.

"You're fine," She assured. "We're just talking."

"What is it?" Feathertail asked.

"Firestar wants me to talk to the other Clans," She explained, "about the Gathering. I'm sorry, I don't think I'm going to be able to help you today." The warrior nodded.

"That's alright, you can owe me later."

"Of course."

Feathertail turned to Brightheart, "Could you help me with Mousepaw later? It could be good for Goosepaw to watch."

"What would we be doing?" Brightheart asked and Squirrelflight slipped away, leaving them to their discussion. Next was Leafdawn.

She opened her mouth, taking in her sister's scent as she ducked into the medicine den. "Hey."

Leafdawn looked up, a partly eaten hare's leg lay in front of her. "Hi. What's up?"

"Firestar says I need to talk to the leaders," Squirrelflight explained. "He suggested I ask you along?" The medicine cat rose, her jaws opening into a yawn.

"Why do you need to talk to them?" Squirrelflight explained her conversation with their leader. Leafdawn nodded, "Of course – let me just finish this, alright?" Squirrelflight, to her surprise, felt something in her ease.

"Of course."

As they left the den behind, Leafdawn let out another yawn. Her sister gave her a puzzled look.

"Did you get any sleep last night?" There was no reason Leafdawn could not have as far as Squirrelflight was aware. She was alarmed as Leafdawn did not respond right away. Her mew was low as they pushed through the gorse tunnel.

"Sandstorm came to get me not long after the Gathering," she began. Squirrelflight stopped in her steps. Her ears flattened to her head as she turned to her sister, alarmed.

"Why?" It had to be something with Firestar. He and Sandstorm had seemed fine when they spoke!

However, that would have explained Sandstorm still being above ground. Squirrelflight cursed herself. She knew the other tunnelers were working. Leafdawn blinked.

"He didn't have a good night," she meowed. "Probably from stress around everything."

"Tigerstar died seasons ago," Squirrelflight protested. She had thought Firestar was doing better. He should have been.

He seemed better.

"The Clans are still being affected by his reign," Leafdawn pointed out. "That's why we're going out and doing this, right? It's no different for him." Squirrelflight carefully nodded, speeding up in her pace as they continued. That made sense. A wave of uneasiness had engulfed the warrior. This needed to work.

"RiverClan or ThunderClan first?" Leafdawn asked, peering toward the lake as they came to the top of a hill. Squirrelflight glanced to the sky. It would take a while to go to all three Clans.

"Let's do RiverClan." While these territories were bigger than the old ones, RiverClan's territory was smaller than the others. It might be easier to run into warriors there first. They took off toward the farm.

Squirrelflight paused in her steps as the scent of RiverClan began to hit their noses. Leafdawn slowed, glancing back at her sister in puzzlement.

"I typically go right to their camp," She began.

"You're medicine cats," Squirrelflight pointed out. "I'm not. I don't think they're going to be that welcoming of me." The tabby nodded and they settled at the border.

Squirrelflight turned, beginning to groom herself as she listened for an enemy patrol.

It was sunhigh before a shape appeared from the cattails.

Squirrelflight raised her head, meeting the eyes of a RiverClan tom, a small patrol following after him. The enemy warrior's eyes narrowed as he approached the WindClan cats. "What are you doing here?" He demanded. Squirrelflight dipped her head.

"We were hoping to speak with Leopardstar," She began.

"What about?" The tom interrupted.

"Tomorrow." A gray she-cat stepped up on her Clanmate's side.

"What is there to be discussed about tomorrow?" She asked.

"Just some orderly things regarding it," Squirrelflight replied, eyes focused on the RiverClan warrior. They looked less than accepting. Leafdawn spoke up.

"We don't have to go to your camp or anything," The medicine cat dipped her head to the warriors. "Or – Volefang, if you prefer, we could just talk to Mistyfoot? She could discuss it with Leopardstar later."

"Mistyfoot's down by the shore," The gray she-cat put in. She stepped back, her gaze on the patrol leader. "I could go get her?"

"Fine," he said.

"Thank you, Shadepelt," Leafdawn blinked at the enemy warrior, who nodded. Squirrelflight quickly added her own thanks and Shadepelt disappeared. She shot her sister a grateful glance. Leafdawn flicked her tail in response.

When Shadepelt returned, Mistyfoot was with her.

"Thank you for watching them," the deputy meowed, looking at Volefang. "You can continue on, we'll be fine."

As the patrol disappeared, Mistyfoot turned to Leafdawn and Squirrelflight. "Shadepelt said this is about tomorrow?" The deputy's gaze focused on the warrior.

"Yes, I wanted to let Leopardstar know how I plan to structure this."

Mistyfoot was nodding when Squirrelflight finished her explanation. "I'll talk to Leopardstar about this. Did Firestar help you out here?" Squirrelflight was surprised by the question. She shook her head.

"No, he said this is all on me."

"Well, you've got a good head on your shoulders, Squirrelflight." The praise made her chest warm. A compliment from any Clan's deputy would mean a lot, not to mention Mistyfoot. Squirrelflight meowed a thanks.

"I could get it to ShadowClan, too," Mistyfoot offered. Squirrelflight's eyes widened, surprised by the deputy's offer.

"Really?" Leafdawn asked. The blue-gray warrior nodded.

"You'll need some time with Duststar, won't you?" She asked, glancing at the sky. Squirrelflight's tail flicked, following her gaze. They had lost time waiting for this patrol. "He can be a bit anal. It's no bother." The sisters exchanged looks. As an agreement passed between them, Squirrelflight dipped her head.

"Thank you." Mistyfoot blinked at her as the WindClan cats got to their paws.

"You're welcome and good luck." Squirrelflight's tail rose. She blinked at the deputy before they turned, heading back along the shore.

"We can't run into the border patrol this time," Leafdawn meowed as they headed across. "What do you want to do?"

Leafdawn was right, Squirrelflight realized. The next ThunderClan border patrol would not be at the border until sunset.

"Maybe there'll be a hunting patrol around?" Squirrelflight suggested. Wandering onto ThunderClan territory would certainly be worse than RiverClan. They stayed by the shore, pausing as they came to the border. Squirrelflight opened her mouth, tasting the scent of ThunderClan.

"Hey, look." She followed Leafdawn's gaze as the medicine cat spoke after some time had passed. Curious blue eyes stared at them as a pale shape appeared from some brush.

"What are you doing here?" The apprentice Squirrelflight recognized as Falconpaw asked.

"We wanted to talk to Duststar," Squirrelflight replied. "Is your mentor around?" She could not remember who that was, but a warrior had to be around somewhere. The apprentice glanced over his shoulder, tail flicking before he looked back to the WindClan cats.

"You'll stay here?" Falconpaw asked cautiously.

"Of course," Leafdawn responded. The ginger and white tom studied them a heartbeat more but seemed to accept the medicine cat's words as he disappeared back into the forest.

He returned with Runningbrook. Squirrelflight relaxed as she caught sight of Ashfur, his own apprentice, Poppypaw, following after. This should make things go by easier.

"You wanted to talk to Duststar?" Runningbrook asked. The lean warrior eyed the enemy warriors suspiciously.

"Yes, I wanted to talk to him about tomorrow," Squirrelflight dipped her head. "Perhaps – see where we will be having this Gathering?" That would be useful. Squirrelflight could know what she was working with.

The ThunderClan warriors exchanged a look. Runningbrook finally said, "Alright. I will see if he will speak with you. Wait here," She ordered the others before disappearing back into the forest.

"Ferntail just had her litter around sunhigh," Ashfur explained. Squirrelflight's ears pricked. "He's been with her since."

"I didn't realize she was this close to giving birth," Leafdawn commented.

"Littlecloud wasn't expecting them for another few days," Ashfur replied. "But he said they're healthy. It's a tom and a she-cat."

"Congratulations," Squirrelflight said. "No names yet?" Ashfur was Ferntail's brother. Leafdawn echoed her sentiment and the spotted tabby blinked at Squirrelflight.

"Thanks, neither was named when I was there." Attention went to Poppypaw as she piped up.

"Should we be telling them this?" The tortoiseshell eyed the WindClan cats nervously while Falconpaw watched them. The young tom had sat down and Squirrelflight could not read the look in his eyes.

"Duststar's just going to announce it at the next Gathering," Ashfur flicked his tail assuringly at his apprentice. "Whether that be tomorrow or the next full moon."

"Okay." The tortoiseshell did not sound too convinced.

It did not take long for Runningbrook to return, Duststar with him. The dark tabby did not look pleased as he caught sight of Squirrelflight and Leafdawn. Amber eyes narrowed.

"What is it?" Squirrelflight dipped her head, recalling how she had seen Firestar handle similar situations before.

"Ashfur was telling us about your newest litter," She meowed. "Congratulations." A gleam came to the ThunderClan leader's eyes and he raised his head.

"Foxkit and Icekit, we've named them," He meowed. "They're strong – bound to be great warriors."

"Of course," Leafdawn agreed. Duststar's attention focused on Squirrelflight.

"Runningbrook said you wanted to talk about tomorrow?" He asked. The warrior nodded.

"I've already let RiverClan and ShadowClan know," Squirrelflight meowed, "I also was hoping to see the Sky Oak." The ThunderClan leader's tail twitched as he eyed the enemy warrior. Squirrelflight's fur wanted to rise but she kept it still. He should not reject her.

Duststar finally nodded, flicking his tail at the warrior as he turned.

"Fine," he concluded. "Let's go, it's not far from here."