Squirrelflight looked up at the old oak, her tail flicking as the climb had begun. Excitement made her paws tingle; this was going well! Most of the cats who had come were paying attention to the fighting matches but a few mentors were watching their apprentices at the other activities. She turned as Feathertail and Brambleheart caught her eye.

The tom's tail was lashing and both were staring up at the tree as they conversed. "What's up?" Squirrelflight asked as she approached.

"He thinks Berrypaw's going to get stuck," Feathertail explained.

"We don't teach our apprentices to climb trees anymore," He pointed out. "And he hasn't got a tail." Squirrelflight turned, looking to where the mentioned tom was.

"Why'd you let him up, then?" There were other things Berrypaw could have done.

"He insisted," Brambleheart replied.

"Then, if he gets stuck, you go up and get him," Feathertail nudged her friend. "You haven't forgotten how to climb, have you?"

"Of course not. If Firestar had to do that with me at his age," Brambleheart continued, "I would have just wanted to curl up in my nest for the next moon." Squirrelflight had to hold in a snort. Feathertail bunted her head against his shoulder.

"We wouldn't have let you," She meowed. "He's resilient. Berrypaw would get over it quick enough."

"Yeah," Squirrelflight put in. "Even if he were to fall – he's got a thick skull, I think he could live through a bump on the head." The older warriors chuckled. She stood with them for a moment, watching. Squirrelflight's attention turned away at some talking near the base of the tree.

"Cinderpaw." Squirrelflight turned away as a ThunderClan warrior – Brackenfur – spoke. A gray she-cat had descended the tree, her tail twitching as she looked toward Squirrelflight. She recognized this apprentice from when Duststar had announced Cinderpaw and her littermates' apprenticeships. Brackenfur was speaking, "Why did you come down? Is everything all right?" Squirrelflight headed over.

"Mousepaw's stuck." She raised her muzzle, indicating toward a particular branch. Squirrelflight's eyes widened as she caught sight of the gray and white apprentice. This would not be good. "He's too scared to come down."

"We'll get him down," The warrior assured. He looked to Squirrelflight. "Mousepaw's WindClan, right?" The golden-brown tom still seemed cautious of the enemy warrior. A wary look colored his eyes.

"He is – Feathertail!" She looked back over her shoulder calling. Her Clanmates had caught sight of the apprentice now and a troubled look had come across the silver tabby's face. They headed over. Squirrelflight turned back, surprised as the ThunderClan cats stiffened. She followed their gazes to Brambleheart. Cinderpaw almost looked scared as she eyed him. Squirrelflight continued, "Mousepaw can't get down."

"We were wondering why he was sitting there so long." Feathertail tail moved from side to side. She turned to Brambleheart, "Would you?"

"Of course." The tabby stepped forward, ascending. More warriors were beginning to pay attention, gathering around. Most of the apprentices who had been participating had paused now, looking back at the commotion. Squirrelflight raised her head, calling out.

"Everyone, get out of the tree, now." This was not good. She did not know what they would do if Brambleheart could not get Mousepaw down. Cats started cautiously down. Squirrelflight turned, making to look toward the leaders when she was interrupted.

"What's happened?" Nightcloud asked, she looked up to the climbing warrior.

"Mousepaw's stuck," Feathertail responded. "And – it's Cinderpaw, right?" She turned to the gray she-cat. Cinderpaw nodded and Feathertail continued. "Thank you for coming down. It's honorable." Cinderpaw shrugged as Brackenfur licked her ear.

"He needed help. I tried to talk to him but he wouldn't come with me."

"You did the right thing," Feathertail said, looking back to her apprentice. Brambleheart was at the branch now, talking to the young tom.

"He's too big," One of the RiverClan warriors muttered. "why'd he go up there if he was just going to get stuck?"

"He didn't know he would get stuck," It was Brightheart who responded. "All cats can climb; he's just not used to it." Squirrelflight held her breath. The warrior had been right. Brambleheart was strong but Mousepaw was almost fully grown. What if he could not get the apprentice down? Brambleheart was on the branch now.

With encouragement, Mousepaw shifted onto the trunk. The warrior followed, digging his claws in deep as he moved on top of the young tom. Brambleheart took Mousepaw's scruff, holding him as they cautiously started down.

Squirrelflight let out a breath as they got to the ground. Meows of relief had risen and Brambleheart unlatched his jaw. Berrypaw and Hazelpaw bounded to meet their brother, the apprentices who had been in the tree had all descended.

"I can't believe you got stuck!" Hazelpaw exclaimed. Mousepaw's ears folded back.

"It was too high," He mumbled. Feathertail curled her tail around her apprentice.

"That's alright," She assured. "You went up higher than most cats with no experience would." Mousepaw did not look convinced.

"Everything all right?" Attentions turned as Tawnystar approached. The other leaders were still on the log, watching after the ShadowClan leader.

"No one's hurt," Squirrelflight responded. Relief was coursing through her. That easily could have gone much worse.

"Wrong," Brambleheart grunted. "My shoulder did not agree with that." He shook his flank and Squirrelflight realized he was lifting his paw.

This had happened before. "Fine," Squirrelflight conceded, "No one important." Brambleheart hit her with his tail and Squirrelflight was surprised as some laughter rose. Not just from the WindClan warriors, but from cats of the other Clans as well. It was as if the tension was starting to melt. Mousepaw's ears had flattened.

"I'm sorry," He mumbled. The warrior shook his head.

"You're safe, that's what matters." Tawnystar touched her tail to Brambleheart's side.

"Go see Littlecloud, he might give you something," Tawnystar told the tom. He nodded, heading over to where the medicine cat had set up. The ShadowClan leader turned back, raising her voice, "I believe we have what we need here, there's only the run and fight left. Why don't we move over there?" Tawnystar indicated with her tail.

"Who was the highest?" Pinepaw piped up. The brown tabby looked up at his leader, eyes wide. Tawnystar stuck her nose toward the young tom.

"We'll announce the winner at the end," she assured.

As cats began to move, Squirrelflight glanced over to the starting line of the run. She had yet to check in over there.

Most of the attention was on the mock fighting. Excitement grew in Squirrelflight as she realized that Brightheart had begun to talk to Brackenfur as they watched Minnowpaw and Honeypaw circle each other. More cats were starting to talk to each other, this was working!

She shook herself, heading over to the starting line. A gray pelt caught her eye.

"Hello." Ashfur turned at Squirrelflight's meow. She settled next to him. "How's Poppypaw doing?" Her gaze focused on the young tortoiseshell. Two ShadowClan apprentices – Owlpaw and Ivypaw, were there too as well as Frostpaw and Falconpaw. They listened intently as Acornfoot spoke to them.

"She's been well," His blue eyes burned with pride as the apprentices began. "She did well at climbing and it's good seeing her interact with the other apprentices like this." He glanced back at the Sky Oak. "What just happened over there?"

"Mousepaw got stuck," She explained, her gaze remaining on the apprentices. "We got him down though."

"That's good," He answered. The apprentices took off and calls of encouragement rose. Squirrelflight rose to her paws as they disappeared into the forest. The warriors that were watching had gotten to their paws as well, moving toward the opposite side of the tree. They were practically alone. Ashfur continued, "This has been going well. It's really impressive, Squirrelflight." She blinked at him.

"Thank you." Even with Mousepaw's hiccup, this was going as well as she could hope. Perhaps Firestar was right, this could be something to be repeated. "Though, it is almost entirely on the apprentices." They were getting along well! It was as Squirrelflight had thought, most of the hostilities between the Clans were among the warriors. The apprentices were open to each other. Ashfur glanced at her.

"This was your idea," He pointed out. "I imagine this is going to help Clan relations greatly." Her heart skipped a beat at his tone. They needed to talk. Squirrelflight's mouth opened, wanting to respond when a voice came from off to the side.

"I'd think you would want to check on your apprentice." Both cats turned at Brambleheart's voice. Amber eyes stared at Ashfur. "They get through it pretty quick."

"Thought you broke your shoulder again," Squirrelflight responded, annoyance surging through her. Why did he keep doing this? She was a warrior; he should not have been intervening in anything.

"Littlecloud just gave me something for the pain and told me not to do anything strenuous," Brambleheart replied. The toms were staring at each other. Ashfur's tail was slightly puffed up and both were tense. Squirrelflight found herself grateful that everyone in the clearing had their attentions drawn away. Brambleheart cocked his head. "Go on, I think she'd be disappointed if you missed her finish."

"Yeah." The ThunderClan warrior's tail twitched as he broke the tom's stare. Ashfur stepped away from Squirrelflight. "I should go meet Poppypaw."

Squirrelflight bit back a protest. He should be there for Poppypaw.

She could feel Brambleheart's eyes on her as Ashfur walked away.

"Are you trying to mess this all up by fighting him?" Squirrelflight turned back to him, eyes narrowed. It took effort to keep her pelt flat. She did not know what she would do if Brambleheart of all cats started a fight.

"I'm certainly not trying to become his mate," the tabby replied. She snorted, frustration pricking at her. He always did this.

"You're a pain." He ignored her.

"You're sure Rockfall won't do? I think he's nice." Oh, he was back to this again.

"I'm not interested in any tom in our Clan."

"She-cat?"

"You're better off asking Leafdawn that," Squirrelflight answered. Surprise lit up the older warrior's eyes.

"Really?" She gave him an incredulous look. Both of them were beginning to ease.

"Are you blind too?"

"She's not allowed to be into anyone," He responded. Squirrelflight shook her head, correcting.

"She's just not allowed to touch."

"Is she?" The she-cat shrugged, a noncommittal hum rising. She really did not know but this felt like something Leafdawn would tell her. Either way, he did not need to stick his nose into everything.

Brambleheart looked to where Ashfur had headed off. "I still don't like him." His tail tip flicked.

"No one exists for you, Bramble." A noise came from the back of the tom's throat.

"I don't believe anyone does. Can I tell you something?"

"You don't get to control my life," she answered.

"I'm not trying to," he meowed. "You don't listen to me, anyway. I just want you to understand something." Squirrelflight turned to him again, her ears back.

"Which is?"

"I had a talk with Firestar one time," he began. "Where he told me he was envious of Stormfur and me because we were in the same Clan." Squirrelflight's ears picked, surprised. "Look at what happened to Graystripe and Silverstream – Firestar and Sandstorm, too! Silverstream lost her life and Sandstorm lost her Clan. There's a lot of pain in this."

"Are you saying you think Sandstorm regrets this?" She demanded. Brambleheart shook his head.

"I don't believe she does and we're better off with her. I just don't want you getting hurt." The younger warrior nodded.

"Okay."

"If you proceed with this, let him know I'll kill him if he does anything to you." Squirrelflight was surprised as she chuckled.

"You don't need to do that for me," she meowed. "I'm perfectly capable. Either way, I think you've already made that clear to him." Her brother shrugged.

"Agree to disagree."

"You know," Squirrelflight began, "I've been thinking over your proposal." The tom's ears pricked as an almost worried look came across his face.

"Yeah?"

"Don't look at me like that," she shot Brambleheart a look. "I'm not unwilling, harebrain. You always jump to the worst." His brow furrowed.

"Stormfur says the same," He answered. Squirrelflight nodded.

"Stormfur's right, listen to him." His face had relaxed as they had conversed. She continued, "I want kittens – at least a litter or two, but I never thought you would come to me. I did not expect this to be how I would have my first litter." Ashfur filled her mind. He was the only cat she could think of whom she would want to have kits with presently.

Squirrelflight needed to talk to him. About everything. The dark tabby's tail twitched but he nodded.

"I half expected you to reject us immediately," He admitted.

"Why?"

"I didn't know if there was room for kits in your grand plan." She snorted and he continued, "We can talk to Feathertail if you're not open to this presently." Squirrelflight's eyes widened with shock. They had not gone to Feathertail?

"I was your first choice?" Brambleheart's ears went back. He rested onto his haunches.

"I…didn't want to be the sire," His voice was low. "But, if it comes down to it…" He trailed off. Squirrelflight was silent for a moment, considering.

"How many litters do you two want?" The tom shrugged.

"We've only talked about one so far," Brambleheart meowed. "I don't know how Stormfur feels but, right now, I am not against a second – in some seasons," He added hastily.

"Talk to Feathertail," Squirrelflight said. "See if she's willing. I'm willing to give you guys a future litter. Just, the first one I have," She shifted on her paws, not finishing her sentence. She wanted them to be hers. Brambleheart nodded, his gaze darkened slightly.

"You want to have them with him?" Her ears flattened at his tone.

"Is there an issue?" She challenged. No queen was expected to reveal the sire of a litter. This should not be an issue. Brambleheart's mouth opened, making to respond before he caught himself. Squirrelflight's eyes narrowed. There was a pause before the tom answered.

"Just be careful about this. Duststar's bound to have a worse reaction than Firestar," He meowed. "And thank you." Squirrelflight felt her shoulders relax.

"Of course," She replied. Brambleheart was her brother. She would do just about anything for him. "My answer might change," Squirrelflight continued. "I want to talk to Ashfur about it." The tabby rose to his paws.

"That's fair." He continued, "I know that they weren't too far from the last round of fights," Brambleheart looked back and Squirrelflight followed his gaze. The sun was about halfway down now, this surprised her. The day had moved quickly. Attention was focused on the sandy dip by all those in the clearing. "Why don't we go watch?"

"Do you know who it is?" Squirrelflight asked.

"Goosepaw and Tigerpaw." Oh. Both apprentices were strong. Goosepaw had proven herself a good fighter in WindClan. They headed back.

Brambleheart joined Stormfur and Feathertail as Squirrelflight slipped to the front, sitting next to Cloudtail. His mate was on his other side. Brightheart's head was held high as she watched her apprentice. Goosepaw and Tigerpaw were slowly circling each other. The white she-cat growled loudly. Calls for support were rising for both sides.

Tigerpaw made the first move, springing at the WindClan apprentice's side. Squirrelflight held her breath as Goosepaw hit the ground.

She twisted, making for Tigerpaw's striped side as both rolled across the sandy ground. As Goosepaw came out on top, Tigerpaw kicked at the WindClan cat's belly, landing powerful blows. Neither apprentice was fresh, it was unsurprising that they had made it this far.

They struggled with each other, Tigerpaw snapping at one of Goosepaw's forelegs. As she grabbed hold, she jerked her head, causing the other cat to stumble off.

The tortoiseshell scrambled to her feet, letting out a hiss as her opponent turned to face her. Goosepaw charged.

You can do it, Goosepaw! Squirrelflight thought, her heart beating against her chest. The WindClan apprentice slammed into Tigerpaw's shoulder. The ThunderClan cat stumbled, falling onto her side as Goosepaw trampled over her.

Goosepaw leaned onto the other she-cat, crushing her beneath her weight.

"That's enough, Goosepaw!" Squirrelflight turned at Duststar's call. He was standing next to Leopardstar. Firestar had risen to his paws, his tail held high. "Someone get her off her."

Brightheart rose to her paws, heading quickly toward the apprentices. The white she-cat turned to her mentor, getting off as she was told to. Tigerpaw pushed herself to her paws, panting. Falconpaw rushed over to her, touching his nose to his sister's shoulder.

"Woah," Tigerpaw panted, eyes wide at Goosepaw. "You're strong."

"She can't hear," Falconpaw reminded Tigerpaw. He was eying Goosepaw cautiously, as though unsure what to do.

"Here," Brightheart offered. "I can show you how to say that." Tigerpaw nodded eagerly.

"Hey." Squirrelflight turned at Cloudtail's voice. He was looking back toward the log. "I think the leaders are looking for you." She turned, waving her tail in thanks before heading toward them.

Squirrelflight dipped her head as she sprang onto the log. Firestar's gaze was bright, pride burned in it.

"While Goosepaw's an obvious choice for sparring," Leopardstar was speaking. "We still need to choose the winners for the other activities."

"I believe we should give a special mention for Cinderpaw," Tawnystar turned to Duststar. "Darkpaw might have gotten up the highest and quickest, but she gave up her chance of winning to help Mousepaw. She has the makings of a true warrior." Duststar dipped his head.

"She does," He agreed. "I'll be sure she gets her dues." Tawnystar spoke her approval.

"Despite that, this was an overall success," Firestar spoke up, looking to his fellow leaders. "I believe it might be worth considering to do again." Squirrelflight held her breath as Leopardstar's eyes narrowed at the WindClan leader.

"We cannot be doing this every moon," She began.

"Leopardstar's right," Duststar's tail twitched. "I agree that this was a success but we cannot do this every moon."

"I wasn't suggesting that," Firestar dipped his head to both enemy warriors. "Maybe once every two or four seasons? It could be a way to strengthen comradery as warriors."

"I wouldn't want to do it during Leafbare," Tawnystar spoke up. "But every two seasons could work. In Newleaf and Leaf-fall, perhaps? It would be often enough to give apprentices the chance to participate." Squirrelflight's paws were tingling, they were going forward with this!

"The Clans have never done something like this before," Duststar replied.

"New traditions are not a bad thing," Firestar looked to his daughter. "Squirrelflight was right, we are not as connected as we once were. This could bring something similar to how the Clans were before Tigerstar's reign." Leopardstar and Duststar exchanged looks.

"Fine," Duststar conceded. "I suppose we can do it again next leaf-fall." Excitement rushed through Squirrelflight as the leaders continued to discuss.

"All the apprentices did well," Firestar pointed out. "It's a shame not to acknowledge them all."

"There needs to be some winners," Leopardstar replied. "Especially with how Goosepaw just performed. Pebblepaw did well at the racing."

"Well, I suppose that settles who gets the best pieces of prey on the fresh-kill pile," Firestar remarked. Some chuckles followed.

As Duststar turned, raising his voice as he began his announcements, Firestar pressed against Squirrelflight. She could feel the rumble of his purr. He licked her ear.

"You've done well." He said, "I'm so proud of you." Squirrelflight leaned against him, her own purr caught in her throat.

"Thank you."

AN: And I am finally done with this series.
Thanks so much for reading! I'm very appreciative of the reviews and favorites I've gotten over the years as well as just the attention this fic has earned. I don't know if I'm going to write any other fics so for right now this is goodbye
We'll see what the new year brings