Nearly a moon passed since Peartuft's rebellion and there were still no signs of Rootstar returning any time soon. Russetstripe walked into the stone hollow and dropped a mouse on the fresh-kill pile, feeling anxiety tug at her paws. Half a moon after Winterfall had brought Firefall and Lionflight back to camp, they had returned to Peartuft's territory to examine their camp. There, Shimmerwing, Rippleheart, Runningflame, and Shellfall from RiverClan had joined them. When they had seen the camp, Peartuft's group had doubled in size, with more rogues joining them, proving to be a sizable foe. Runningflame had helped Russetstripe locate the camp, and she couldn't help but remember the heartbroken look in his eyes when she had told him that she had been residing in ThunderClan for a little bit. Their exchange flashed back in her mind.

"Why are you in ThunderClan?" Runningflame had asked. "Did you join them?"

"Mouse-brain," Russetstripe remembered replying. "No, I didn't. I just went to help, that's all. They're just going through a bit of a tough time, and WindClan didn't need me, so…"

There had been a visible wince on Runningflame's face as he replied, "But I need you."

"I know," Russetstripe had replied to him. "I'll be back before you know it."

"So that's why you haven't been showing up," Runningflame had mused. "I thought that you weren't…"

"Of course not," Russetstripe remembered meowing to him. "No matter where or when we end up I'll always be with you. We'll always be together. There are no absolutes in the universe, but even so, I promise this one fact is true. I love you. And I can live anywhere for you."

Runningflame had opened his mouth to say something, but at that time, they could feel the RiverClan cats growing impatient, and they had decided to return back to them before any of them could suspect anything. After that, they had left, even though all Russetstripe wanted to do was stay with him, even just a second longer. Maybe if I was helping RiverClan, things could be different. But Russetstripe couldn't imagine Dapplestar ever asking another Clan for help.

As Russetstripe began to look for Winterfall, wondering where he had headed off to, she heard a panicked screech from the Highledge. Sweetfern was racing outside of the cave, looking around with scared, wide eyes. "I need Sedgefall!" she gasped.

"I'll get her," Russetstripe said, bounding over to the cave that made the medicine den. She poked her head inside, seeing Sedgefall sorting through an unusually low number of herbs. "Sedgefall!"

"Yes?" Sedgefall looked over her shoulder.

"Sweetfern needs you," Russetstripe gasped out. "I think something is wrong with Sunfire!" There would be no other reason why Sweetfern would be wailing the way she did. Just as Sedgefall grabbed the herbs she needed, Russetstripe bounded out of the den and scaled the Highledge. She turned to see Winterfall right behind her, his blue eyes wide with worry, and at his heels was Sedgefall. The three cats burst into the leader's den, where Sunfire was groaning and convulsing in the nest.

"No!" Winterfall gasped.

"Sunfire!" Russetstripe exclaimed.

Sedgefall walked over to Sunfire, an ethereal smile on her face, as if she was not of this world. She sat next to him and placed a soft paw on his shoulder, which calmed him down and he stopped moving. He blinked open his unseeing green eyes – they were unfocused, but he sniffed the air and seemed to recognize the cats around him. "Ah. Thank you all… for gathering in my last moments."

"Sunfire." Winterfall's voice was hard.

"Don't say that," Sweetfern whispered.

Russetstripe stared at the ThunderClan deputy, her paws glued to the ground as he went on. "I want to tell you all… a warrior's life is short. But the harder he fights for his life, the more precious his life becomes. Just as now, when I am realizing, far too late in this life how much kindness I have been blessed with."

"Stop that!" Russetstripe snapped at him. "You're not dying."

Sunfire smiled sadly. "I've loved, I've hated, I've been betrayed, I've served… the life of a warrior is one I have lived and one I would never trade for anything else. I am so very grateful to share the last moments of it with the cats I love, even if… even if they are not all here."

"Oh, Sunfire, please…" Sweetfern dug her small tortoiseshell face in Sunfire's broad yellow shoulder.

Sunfire turned to Sweetfern. Although he could not see her, his words were strong and true. "I wish I could see you one last time… but I know that you are still as beautiful as ever. In another life… I would have devoted everything I had to loving you. That wish may never come true, but you've given me more than words can say. To have shared my feelings with you and know they are returned is all I could ask for."

Sweetfern sobbed, her voice trembling and cracking into so many shattered pieces that it hit Russetstripe and nearly sent her staggering off her paws. "I love you, Sunfire."

"I love you too." Sunfire let out a sigh, and then he swiveled his head, his unseeing gaze focusing on Russetstripe, Winterfall, and Sedgefall. "And… to the rest of you… thank you. For everything."

Sedgefall raced over to Winterfall and Russetstripe. "Out," she ordered the two, pushing them with her slight shoulders. "I will take the last of his moments." When the two cats were pushed outside the den, Sedgefall walked over to Sunfire and curled next to him, slowing her breathing until it matched his. Winterfall and Russetstripe watched with horrified eyes.

Sunfire can't die! Russetstripe thought in a panic. He's so young! He's such a good cat! He doesn't deserve to die. She felt a shudder run through her pelt and her eyes start to swell. No… he can't…! Sunfire had kept the Clan together until he had been turned on by his own warrior. Then he had fought hard against the sickness, and now it was going to claim him? Russetstripe shut her eyes, trembling in her pelt.

"He can't die," Winterfall croaked out. "He can't. I won't let him. I'll go to StarClan and haul him back if I have to. He's my friend."

Russetstripe swallowed a whine in her throat as the two cats watched Sedgefall curl up against Sunfire's body, her pelt pressed tightly against his. But… what is she… doing? Both of the cats looked as if they were barely breathing. Is Sedgefall dying, too? What was happening? Why were they not breathing? Their bodies were completely still, and Sweetfern was watching them, her eyes wide with horror. Winterfall's breath came in rapid gasps, and the fear stench that emitted from all three cats was sickly and ghastly. It was rank in the air, and Russetstripe knew that Sweetfern and Winterfall shared the same concerns as she did – that these cats were about to die.

Just as Russetstripe was convinced that both cats were meeting their maker… Sunfire's breaths started to grow stronger, as did Sedgefall's. Sedgefall opened her eyes and glanced over at Sunfire. Russetstripe's jaw dropped as she realized that the color had returned to Sunfire's face and his breathing was steady. Russetstripe shoved Winterfall in his side, and the two cats raced back into the leader's den, staring down at the two cats, who had once been limp as corpses, were now breathing steadily. Sedgefall got to her paws, giving Sunfire a long, affectionate gaze, and then turned to the other cats.

"He will not be leaving any of you today," Sedgefall meowed as Winterfall and Russetstripe walked back into the den. Sweetfern lunged herself at Sunfire, curling up next to him and looking up at Sedgefall, her blue eyes brimming with tears.

"Thank you, Sedgefall," Sweetfern gasped. "Thank you so much."

"Sedgefall, what did you do…?" Russetstripe asked, walking over to the medicine cat, completely baffled. Had Sedgefall just saved Sunfire's life? But how? By nearly dying alongside him?

"I simply reminded him that life is much harder than death." Sedgefall flicked her tail across Russetstripe's shoulder and chewed the herbs she had brought, trickling the liquid down in Sunfire's pale green eyes. "He is still sick, though. I must keep a close eye on him. I request that you give him space."

"Okay." Winterfall nodded and let Russetstripe outside of the den, and both of them climbed down the Highledge, an uneasy silence between them as they recalled what happened to Sunfire. It had happened so quickly that Russetstripe barely had any time to process it. He nearly died in front of us… but Sedgefall brought him back before he could.

"Winterfall…" Russetstripe murmured.

"Russetstripe." Winterfall turned to face Russetstripe. There was a soft, albeit bitter smile on his face. "Go home."

"Go home…?" Russetstripe echoed. "But why…?"

"Because you've seen what a mess ThunderClan is." Winterfall's voice was shaking. "And what a mess I am. I don't want you to be forced to see any more of it."

"Are you kidding me?" Russetstripe was so close to clawing the dismayed expression off Winterfall's face. "I'm not going anywhere… I want to help you and your Clan. Do you think any Clan hasn't suffered before? I don't think your Clan is a mess. I respect you and your warriors… deeply. Any other cat would've given up and let their Clan fall to shambles. But you took leadership and your Clanmates followed you, and working together, all of you are picking up the pieces, even with such troubles ravaging you. And you're not giving up. So… you could chase me to the border, but I'd turn back just to help you all."

"Ah…" Winterfall gasped and stepped back. Russetstripe wondered if she had said something wrong as the silver tabby tom looked away from her. Russetstripe flattened her ears. Did I do the wrong thing? Then, Winterfall turned back and gave her a deep nod. "All right."

And with that, Russetstripe's time in ThunderClan continued.

Russetstripe was waking up from a nap when she heard a commotion outside the camp. Winterfall bounded into the center of the camp, his eyes narrowed. He nodded to Frostfang. "Check out what's making that sound."

"Yes, Winterfall." Frostfang raced outside of the camp, and the ThunderClan cats held their breath, wondering if it was Peartuft coming to attack. But Frostfang's voice was full of joy when he yowled, "Rootstar! He's back!"

Winterfall and Russetstripe gasped at the same time, and the ThunderClan cats started to murmur among themselves. Russetstripe bounced on one paw and then another until Frostfang appeared in the camp entrance. Behind him was the slight, small build of Rootstar. The ThunderClan's yellow eyes gleamed as he held a wreath of leaves around his neck, a dent in them to hold bright red berries. Huh…? As Rootstar walked in, the traveling cats followed him, each of them wearing the wreath.

Rootstar stood in the center of the clearing, and Frostcloud walked next to him. His black-and-white pelt was sleek and well-groomed, and his yellow eyes were bright, but a shadow fell across his gaze as he scanned the camp. He clearly had noticed something was awry. Frostcloud seemed to pick up on this, as her blue eyes narrowed while she clicked her tongue and said, "Dear oh dear. It does seem as if something may have happened if your Clanmates are not welcoming you with open arms."

The ThunderClan leader didn't respond to Frostcloud's pointed jab. The white she-cat walked away and headed into the medicine den. The warriors that followed her – Icefrost, Honeyfeather, Briskheart, and Dewpaw all cast dubious glances at the camp before dropping their wreaths into the medicine den. Rootstar stared at Winterfall, his eyes dark.

"Winterfall, little one, what has happened here?" Rootstar inquired.

Winterfall flattened his ears, and a vein above his eye throbbed. Russetstripe hoped he wouldn't take out all his anger on his own leader. "It finally happened."

"What…?" Rootstar stepped back and he looked around the clearing. There was the slightest flare of his nostrils, and he turned back to glance at Winterfall. "Where is my brother?"

"Gone," Winterfall replied flippantly.

"You're going to have to elaborate a little more," Rootstar said to Winterfall.

"He and Houndheart led a rebellion in the camp," Winterfall said. Every word of his made Rootstar's eyes widen. "Houndheart clawed Sunfire in the eyes, and Sunfire has been nest ridden ever since. At the Gathering, we heard a patrol running away, and we went to see what it was. It was Peartuft who had taken Houndheart and several more warriors. They killed Pinesnow and made their own camp in the hills."

Rootstar's lips were pressed tight in a straight line and he shut his eyes. When he opened them again, there was a dark, hard light in them, smoldering with the light of battle, a fire Russetstripe had never seen before. He took a deep breath. "Where is Sunfire?"

"He's in your den," Winterfall replied.

"I need to see him." Rootstar brushed against Winterfall, with the wreath of berries still around his neck. Honeyfeather walked behind Rootstar as the two cats disappeared into the cave on the Highledge. Russetstripe watched him go, wondering what he would think of the sight he was greeted to. It's like… he wasn't even surprised. Was he expecting this, all along?

When Winterfall climbed the Highledge, Russetstripe was after them as the two cats poked their heads in. Honeyfeather had dropped a banana leaf next to Sunfire, and Frostcloud was in there with them. Frostcloud picked up what seemed like ash from the leaf, and as Sweetfern pinned Sunfire down and Honeyfeather forced Sunfire's eyes open, Frostcloud dropped the ash into his eyes. Sunfire thrashed violently as Frostcloud poured it, but Sweetfern held Sunfire down tight and Honeyfeather had his eyes wide open. Finally, Frostcloud took away the banana leaf and placed it on the ground, a serpent's smirk on her face. She totally enjoyed doing that, Russetstripe thought.

"Can you see, Sunfire?" Sweetfern was asking the tom.

"I…" Sunfire's voice trailed off as he blinked multiple times. Then, his green eyes lit up, even as a cough escaped his mouth. "Yeah. Yeah, I can!"

"Great." Frostcloud snatched one of the berries from Rootstar's wreath around his neck and shoved it roughly into Sunfire's mouth. "There, eat this. I am not in the mood to pin you down again."

Sunfire swallowed the berries reluctantly, while Sweetfern and Honeyfeather didn't react to Frostcloud's rough methods, making Russetstripe think that this was something they were used to. Rootstar sat up and a smile blossomed on his face.

"I'm glad to see you're all right, Sunfire," Rootstar purred. "My little sunflower. We have much to discuss. I heard about Peartuft and Houndheart."

"Yeah." Sunfire's claws were digging into the sandy ground, but even the reminder of the betrayal couldn't seem to dampen the return of his eyesight. "It's awful. But I don't know what to do."

"Oh, little Sunfire." Rootstar let out a sigh. "We cannot control these things. We will just have to give Peartuft the battle he wants. It is the only way to stop him. But I can assure you that I will not allow him to harm the cats I hold dear to my heart."

"So, what now?" Honeyfeather was asking, her voice rough, thick with the lust for battle. "We go there and we kick some tail?"

"Not yet, my dear honey flower." Amusement was rife in Rootstar's voice as he purred loudly. "We must think first, of course. Sunfire, please get as much rest as you can. I will come back to check on you."

Russetstripe darted back down the Highledge immediately just as Rootstar got up – she didn't want to be punished for eavesdropping. Winterfall waited on the ledge for Rootstar, and Rootstar met him there, giving him a nod. Winterfall's blue eyes were cold, and Russetstripe finally realized that somewhere in his heart, he blamed Rootstar's absence for Peartuft's betrayal and Pinesnow's death. Maybe not Rootstar himself, but of course they were gone for so long. I wonder if Peartuft would have never betrayed him if Rootstar never left.

Rootstar skirted down the Highledge and towards Russetstripe. "Why, little one," he meowed to her. "Still, you bloom radiantly like a wildflower, even though I sense that you may have suffered just as much as dear Winterfall."

Ah… Russetstripe backed away, feeling her ears flatten in embarrassment. She hadn't done much, really. If there was any cat who suffered, it was Winterfall and Sunfire. "I don't know if that's quite true."

"Oh?" Rootstar tilted his head. "Then, tell me, why do I see more shades of sorrow in your eyes than I did when you first came here?" He leaned in towards her, his breath sweet and intoxicating. "And why does Winterfall insist I tell WindClan to treasure you?"

"Gah…" Russetstripe's eyes widened as she stared at the black-and-white tom. "He really did?"

Rootstar twitched his whiskers. "Thank you for what you have done for ThunderClan," he said to her. "You have supported Winterfall and Sunfire, you fought Peartuft and Houndheart for us, you put your life in harm's way, and you are still standing. Any other cat would've packed up and ran. Yet I am told that you were given the chance to leave… and refused it."

"Oh, come on, Rootstar," Russetstripe murmured. "You're really giving me too much credit."

"Certainly not." Rootstar chuckled. "Feel free to stay as long as you want. We owe WindClan a debt for you – and Sedgefall." He rested his chin on Russetstripe's head, much like a leader touching a recently made warrior, after their ceremony. Russetstripe watched with puzzled eyes as Rootstar walked away towards the center of the camp, where Koiwatcher and Goldensky bounded over to him, greeting him with loud purrs.

Russetstripe walked over to the medicine den, poking her head into the rock and calling out, "Sedgefall?"

Sedgefall looked over. "Ah, Russetstripe." She twitched her whiskers and walked over to her. Even though Sedgefall usually was the epitome of grace and calm, there was an excited and animated light in her eyes. "Frostcloud returned with the cure, and it is working! Come and see." She beckoned Russetstripe inside, and Russetstripe squeezed her way into the cavern.

Frostcloud looked up from where she was preparing the rest of her herbs. Her piercing blue gaze rested on Russetstripe's, and the ginger she-cat wondered if Frostcloud remembered her from when she had brought her the limp Emberflame as an apprentice. "Sedgefall, if I recall right, the medicine den is for medicine cats and their patients," she said dryly. "Of course, I could be mistaken."

The white medicine cat's sting had no effect on Sedgefall. Instead, the pale tabby purred, "Dear Frostcloud, surely you know that any cat is allowed in the medicine den."

"Maybe in WindClan." Frostcloud bent down to strip a certain berry of its flesh. The berry was pure red with a pale sheen, and carried an odd, far-away scent, something Russetstripe had never scented before. What could this possibly be? It can't be something found near the lake. I'm sure Sedgefall would've talked about it.

"Is that the cure?" Russetstripe asked, bending forward to study the berry further.

Frostcloud looked up. "So you have eyes! Yes, it is."

"Why did it take so long to get?" Russetstripe inquired. It was just a dark red berry. Why couldn't anything like that be found near the lake?

"We had to wait for the berries to become ripe," Frostcloud explained. "I will say, the Dragon Guardians provided us quite a show the entire time. I am surprised Icefrost came home in one piece after her exchanges with Lord Doomsayer, and it baffles me that Honeyfeather wasn't followed by Lord Mariven, seeing how interested she was in the Clans."

"That's weird," Russetstripe commented. "Who are all those cats?"

"We traveled to the Dragon Blood Tree," Frostcloud said. "At the Tree, these berries grow and can heal anything. The Tree has many guardians, some of which who I just mentioned. Lord Wyvern was the cat who gave us the berries and told us it would heal our Clanmates."

"And the ash?" Russetstripe asked, recalling what Frostcloud had poured in Sunfire's eyes, as the yellow tabby tom struggled under Honeyfeather and Sweetfern's grip.

"Lord Nightstalker gave it to us," Frostcloud explained. "He knew there was an injured cat in the Clan. When Winterfall said what happened, we knew immediately it was for Sunfire." The white she-cat finished peeling the berries. "Now, can I assume that is the last of these incessant questions?" The same serpent's smile was plastered on her face. "Any more would make me very upset, you see."

Damn, she scares me. "Right." Russetstripe followed Sedgefall as the medicine cat led her deeper into the den. She spotted Mintsplash, Peartuft's mate, lying on her side, and her kit, Snowkit, was rolling around in the most, excited mewls escaping her.

"Just hours ago, they were unresponsive," Sedgefall explained as Russetstripe watched Mintsplash observe her kit playing. "Now, look at how active Snowkit is."

"That's incredible," Russetstripe breathed. "Amazing how just a simple berry can do this." Russetstripe looked over to see Willowsong, Winterfall's mate, taking a deep breath as she curled up in a moss nest. Right, she was one of the sick ones, too. I hope Winterfall comes and sees her. I've got to tell him. I know how upset he was and he didn't have the strength to face her. Giving a nod to Sedgefall, Russetstripe bounded out of the medicine den to search for Winterfall. She spotted the silver tabby tom sitting at the foot of the Highledge, staring at his paws.

"Winterfall!" Russetstripe meowed, bounding over to the silver tabby. When she saw how desolate the tom looked, she skidded to a halt. "…Winterfall?" Worry for the tom shot through her like a lightning bolt. "Are you all right?"

Winterfall sighed. "My brother is dead, Russetstripe. And… Peartuft was right. When I led the Clan temporarily, I let it collapse. He used my weakness to rebel."

Russetstripe felt the fur prick on her shoulders. "When I despair, I remember that the way of truth and love has always won. There may be tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it: always."

Winterfall's eyes widened. "Oh… maybe. I… I never thought of it that way."

"I just saw Willowsong," Russetstripe said, changing the topic.

Winterfall tilted his head.

"She's all right!" Russetstripe exclaimed. "You need to go visit her."

"She's all right?" Winterfall echoed. A shadow crossed his eyes. "But… what if she doesn't want to see me? I haven't been quite the supportive mate."

"Who cares?" Russetstripe pushed the silver tabby towards the medicine den. "She'll forgive you, I'm sure. So long as you see her now."

Winterfall opened his mouth, and Russetstripe fixed him with a stony glare. "Winterfall, why are you so hesitant on seeing your mate? The mother of your daughter?"

"What if she hates me?" Winterfall whispered. "For not seeing her? And for being rude to Icefrost before she left? And…" There was clearly another reason, but Winterfall obviously did not have the strength to say it. Russetstripe eyed him.

"She won't hate you," Russetstripe assured him. "She needs you, Winterfall. And you need her. Now go see her!" She shoved the tabby tom into the cave, and Winterfall disappeared into the shadows. Russetstripe sat down and focused her green gaze on the medicine den. He better be talking to her, or I'll shred him, Russetstripe thought to herself.

Russetstripe finally allowed herself to examine ThunderClan's camp. It was not as if Rootstar's arrival had united them – no, it seemed to be exactly the same ever since Peartuft had rebelled. The air was full of fear and disbelief, and cats shot distrustful glances at each other. Uneasiness was sharp between the warriors, but it was also tinged with the relief knowing that their ill Clanmates would be all right. I'm glad, Russetstripe thought. But they have a big problem to deal with now.

But Russetstripe felt her world shatter into pieces when she saw a familiar brown figure at the entrance of camp, bringing with him the scent of rabbit and moor. She turned her head over to study the lithe, small figure of the cat, and recognized him in seconds. Harewhisker. The WindClan deputy looked around, his ears flattened, until Rootstar caught sight of him in the middle of the clearing. The black-and-white tom walked through the hollow and approached the brown tom.

"Can I help you?" Rootstar asked the WindClan deputy.

"I'm here to take Sedgefall and Russetstripe back." Harewhisker's voice was strained and tight.

"Ah." Rootstar waved his tail towards Goldensky. "Please retrieve Sedgefall for me. And as for Russetstripe…" Rootstar looked over his shoulder, locking his gaze with Russetstripe. "Your little flower is there. She has been far radiant here, I would love to whisk her off her paws and steal her for ThunderClan forever."

"Well, I'm afraid that's not going to happen." Harewhisker's eyes blazed.

Russetstripe walked over to Harewhisker, wondering what could possibly have happened to put the tom in such a bad mood. Rootstar purred in amusement as he glanced at Russetstripe again. "Well, remember, little one, we're always here." Genuine affection glittered in his yellow eyes.

"Thank you, Rootstar." Russetstripe lowered her head to him and glanced to the center of the camp, where Sunfire and Winterfall were walking over to her. Grief stung at Russetstripe's heart as she realized she would have to leave the friends she had made.

Sunfire gazed at the orange she-cat. "I thank you. I shall never forget the debt I owe you. Farewell, my friend." There was an ocean of unsaid words behind his green eyes, and the only thing Russetstripe could surmise to the deputy was a low nod of her head, acknowledging everything he had done for her.

Winterfall touched noses with the WindClan warrior. "If the world ever allows for those kinds of kindnesses once more... I hope I will see you again," he meowed. "Thank you. For everything."

Russetstripe met Winterfall's tumultuous gaze. "Until we meet again," she told him and Sunfire. "Thanks for showing me who I really am." With that, Russetstripe watched as Sedgefall joined the two cats. Sedgefall's green eyes were unreadable, and Russetstripe wondered if Sedgefall would miss living in ThunderClan or not. The medicine cat had definitely suffered while staying in ThunderClan, but she had never left of her own will, even pushing back against the idea when it had been suggested.

"Ready?" Harewhisker asked.

Sedgefall nodded, and Russetstripe dipped her head ever so slightly.

"Then let's go." Harewhisker turned on his heel, and Russetstripe found herself forcing her paws as she followed the pale brown tom back into the freezing lands of WindClan, away from the good friends she had made here.