AN: Sorry for the shorter chapter this time around, but Reedriver's just a little more complicated to write about... Next chapter will be longer, that much I can promise. As for the story itself, I'm actually updating quickly for a change :) At any rate, thanks to Niqhtshadow and Somerandomperson for reviewing! Your reviews are always appreciated :D I'm also sorry for the chapter title; I really don't know a better way to name it...

Niqhtshadow - I'm glad that you enjoyed it so much :) I think that was my favorite chapter to write, especially since I worked hard on adding extra detail.

Somerandomperson - I wouldn't necessarily say that it's new, but I've never seen it done before on the site, so I guess there's that ;) I've always wanted to try something like that out and see where I can go with it, and that's what I came up with. As for when they'll meet Shadow, it will be soon. I'm looking forward to writing their reaction as well, and how she is somehow connected with the Clans. And thanks, I'm glad that you enjoyed that tidbit... I tried to give everyone different personalities from their original characters for plot reasons. It's good to know that you don't like Smokey, that's what I was aiming for :P

CHAPTER FIFTY THREE

Fishbrains, Reedriver nearly rolled his eyes as he thought of what had been discussed just heartbeats ago.

His mind was still reeling from all of the information Spruceleaf just shared with them. A small part of him refused to admit that he had been mildly interested in what she had to say. After all, sharing the memories of a long-dead cat seemed as fishbrained as it was talking to cats outside his Clan. The more Reedriver thought about it, the more he knew she was chasing bees in her sleep. There was no way in StarClan something like this was possible.

He shook his head as he finally reached Frozenfoot. She tilted her head towards the direction of the other three still gathered in the undergrowth. When their sleep had been disturbed, Reedriver decided it was better to make a small nest beside Acorntail in the attempt at hiding what they were really up to.

The last thing he wanted was for cats to accuse them of seeing each other, even though that was exactly what they were doing. It went against the warrior code and everything he once believed in. Yet, Reedriver couldn't help but feel affectionate towards the SkyClan warrior. Frozenfoot had never treated him with the hostility his siblings always treated him. Instead, she respected him and saw the value he provided in his own Clan.

"What were they talking about?" she asked curiously, her voice dropping to a whisper so they wouldn't wake Acorntail.

The golden brown tabby had been more than concerned when he noticed how much time they were spending together. Though, Reedriver refused to admit out loud that he was probably right. Acorntail was older and a bit wiser when it came to the warrior code. He had a feeling in the back of his mind that the rest of the Clan wouldn't tolerate Frozenfoot's presence.

"Some stupid prophecy," he retorted with a lash of his tail. Frozenfoot's eyes lit up at the mention of 'prophecy'. He suspected that Emberstar had also mentioned the prophecy to his Clanmates if they were traveling back to the lake Clans. "They think that I'm somehow part of it."

"And you don't think you are," she tilted her head to one side.

Reedriver practically snorted at the thought of being part of some prophecy. His whole life had revolved around making his mother proud. Or avoiding the conflict between his sisters. He knew where he stood in the Clan. They would never see him as anything more than another Clanmate pining for the attention of his leader.

"The only thing I do know is that every prophecy has ended in some form of tragedy," he growled after giving it some thought. "Why should I be part of something that isn't going to end well for anyone?"

His tail lashed when Frozenfoot suddenly stepped up and pressed her muzzle into his shoulder comfortingly. He wanted nothing more than to ignore what Spruceleaf had said. Yet her words kept rushing back at full-force. If what she said was true, then the Clans were going to be in danger, and everyone needed to prepare for it.

"The prophecy of the ancients... Emberstar mentioned it to the Clan before we left our home," she meowed, her voice dropping to a whisper. Reedriver narrowed his eyes when he realized what she was implying. He took a step back as she studied him thoughtfully. "I never wanted to believe that all five Clans were in danger, but... over the last few moons, it seems like that is all we've faced. And it's only going to get worse unless we somehow unite."

A lump formed in the back of Reedriver's throat as her words weighed down on his shoulders. His mind was still trying to process what Spruceleaf had told him. But what Frozenfoot said made even more sense. The terrifying reality that things were going to get worse before they got better only made him that much more reluctant to believe in the prophecy.

"You think they're right," he sighed irritably.

"I think there's a lot to consider," she corrected him. Frozenfoot sat back down and wrapped her tail around her paws while studying him warily. "Reedriver, I think you are part of the prophecy."

Why does everyone keep assuming that I'm part of this fishbrained nonsense? he silently demanded.

All Reedriver wanted was a normal life without the chaos of having to lead a Clan or worry about everyone else. It seemed StarClan had different answers for his future.

"What makes you think I'm part of it?" he snapped.

Frozenfoot was silent for a few heartbeats. For a moment, Reedriver was afraid she wouldn't answer. He understood what sort of position he was putting her in. As much as it pained him to admit it, they were probably better off remaining in their own Clan. But he wanted her, and he wanted to believe that those feelings were entirely mutual.

"Do you know what the founders of the Clans looked like?" she suddenly asked.

Reedriver blinked a few times when she asked that. He had to think it over, not really knowing what the founders looked like. It had been many generations since the Clans spoke of the founding leaders. After all, the Clans had been at peace for so long that the only stories that were passed down were about Firestar and other great cats.

"Honestly, I don't," he admitted sheepishly.

"No one knows what they looked like," she acknowledged with a slight nod. Frozenfoot's tail flicked as she looked down at her paws thoughtfully. "But I'm willing to bet that if you looked deeply enough, you could see a bit of River in yourself."

His heart nearly skipped a beat at the thought of what might happen if he truly was River. All of a sudden, the dreams and connections made sense. His claws sheathed and unsheathed as more thoughts that weren't his own swept through him.

Your loyalty is to the Clan, and the Clan alone! a voice snapped at him. Don't let your feelings dictate your destiny!

"Reedriver?" He nearly leaped out of his fur at the sound of Acorntail's voice.

His ears flattened in disbelief when he spotted Frozenfoot among her own Clanmates. Her gaze traveled towards his own, and she flinched when he glared at her. She'd left him! He should have known better than to trust her!

The others were beginning to stir in their makeshift nests. Emberstar was the first to sit up and observe his Clanmates warily. The SkyClan leader gave his chest fur a few quick licks before he started speaking to Birchpelt and Dewspots.

"I'm sorry," he shook his head to cast the darker thoughts away.

He wasn't sure who had been yowling at him. It was difficult enough to accept what Frozenfoot and the others told him. Now he had voices telling him what he should or shouldn't be doing.

Acorntail tilted his head to one side when he noticed the tension rolling off the young warrior in waves. With a heavy sigh, he too rose to his paws and flicked his tail across Reedriver's shoulder. He didn't seem to notice why Reedriver was so stressed, and he was suddenly thankful for that.

"You've clearly had a lot to think about over the last couple of days," the older warrior meowed thoughtfully. "Maybe it's best if you take a small break from warrior duties when we get back to the Clan. I'm sure Minnowstar won't mind it."

Anger rose within him at the thought of shirking his duties. True, he had a lot to think about when they got back. But that didn't mean he planned on stopping himself from keeping the Clan safe. His job was to hunt and defend the borders, not run away with his tail between his legs.

"I never said I was feeling too tired to do anything," he growled in a tone full of determination. Reedriver lifted his chin and looked back at Acorntail defiantly when the RiverClan warrior looked as if he was about to argue. "Minnowstar would never forgive me if I decided to give up."

The golden brown tabby only blinked in amusement when he realized what Reedriver was implying. Instead of saying anything in his defense, he padded over to where the others had been gathering. Reedriver held back a sigh of relief as he decided to join them.

"We still have at least a day's worth of a walk to the lake," Oakfire informed Emberstar. "Once we get to the lake, it will take time for us to discuss how we'll handle the situation."

Flamestrike and Spruceleaf were watching the two cats anxiously while Birdpaw seemed to be holding her breath. Though, Reedriver wondered if she was more concerned about what Emberstar would do once they reached the lake.

The Clans aren't going to be happy knowing they have to give up some territory, he thought with a lash of his tail. I wonder how the others are going to react when we bring an entire Clan with us?

His gaze swept across the crowd of cats gathered in the small clearing. Most of them looked eager with the idea of finally returning to the lake. Only a couple were glancing at one another with the same anxiety Flamestrike and Spruceleaf shared. It was clear that it would take time for them to adjust living in another territory.

With those thoughts in mind, everyone took their places among the gathered group. Reedriver found himself traveling alongside Acorntail this time. He kept glancing in Frozenfoot's direction, but she refused to return his gaze as she padded alongside Darkflower.

The black and white SkyClan warrior seemed indifferent with it all as they talked eagerly about what the hunting would be like when they arrived. Reedriver's fur bristled slightly at the notion that they would never likely see each other again because of all this madness.

"You're acting as if you've got bees in your fur," Acorntail's meow made him look at the older warrior with narrowed eyes. "Relax. We're not far from home now."

"That's what worries me," he grumbled under his breath.

Reedriver was afraid of admitting that he had been worried about what the Clans would say. He knew the others were thinking of the same thing. And as the first signs of snow began to reveal itself along the forest, he knew that things would only get worse once SkyClan arrived.

"The first snowfall," he heard Stormshadow breathe out. "It's early this season."

"I'm not surprised," Birchpelt meowed thoughtfully. "Back in the gorge, snow could fall unexpectedly during leaf-fall. So it doesn't surprise me too much to see it falling now."

"But it also means that the Clans aren't going to be in a listening mood when you arrive," Oakfire growled irritably. His tail lashed at the thought of having to explain to everyone why there was another Clan with them. "They've never taken kindly to surprises like this."

"SkyClan has been around for as long as the other Clans," Emberstar retorted.

Unlike the others, he had been watching silently and waiting for the right moment to speak. Reedriver had to admit, the SkyClan leader did have his moments where he seemed like a wise leader. But his actions before had left Reedriver wondering if he was in any condition to lead the Clan.

Oakfire and Stormshadow exchanged doubtful looks at the thought of the Clans accepting that notion. Reedriver knew from experience that the Clans would simply turn them down if times were difficult. They wouldn't want to accept another Clan into the mix after suffering from moons of starvation.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean the other Clans are going to be reasoned with so easily," Acorntail voiced his thoughts as he managed to catch up with them.

"Then we'll have to make them listen to reason," Emberstar lashed his tail in annoyance. "My Clan has gone too long suffering because of the choices the other Clans made."

That, Reedriver had to agree with. SkyClan had suffered the most because the Clans never wanted to help them. As much as he wanted to deny it, he knew that they had to help the other Clan find a place among the lake. It only seemed like the right thing to do. He just hoped that this wouldn't lead to an all-out war between all five Clans.