Hello, everyone. I'll try to keep this AN short. I just want to let y'all know that I'm going on an extended hiatus to work on the allegiances, plan out the story in a more extensive manner to provide a better experience, and work on a backlog of chapters so that I can provide a consistent update schedule instead of uploading whenever I finish a chapter like I have been. I hope you understand, and I apologize for the inconvenience.

Alder had been walking for days longer than he thought possible. He'd witnessed two full moons and as many moonless nights since his journey had begun. The warmth of no-snow was fading. He was tired, hungry, and his throat felt dry. He hadn't found much prey, and only the occasional puddle. A part of him thought about turning back and seeing if he could shelter with Snow for a while. He didn't even care about using her as a scapegoat anymore. He just wanted something to eat and drink.

The tom shook his head, knowing it would take too long and he risked dying on the way, then looked around the thinly populated forest he walked through and stopped. He strained his hearing, sniffing the air. Not hearing or smelling anything, Alder sighed and looked behind him. He'd gone more or less in a straight line. By his estimation, from what the she-cat he was chasing had told him of her home, he should have been there by now. Maybe he had gone the wrong way?

The thought sent a jolt of fear through him. The mere idea threatened to tear the wind from his chest. Alder shook his head again, taking a deep breath and resuming his trek with renewed vigor. He had to be going the right way. There was no other possibility. The tom nodded to himself as he walked, noting a thicker tree line up ahead.

He hoped there would be prey and water there.

As he stepped into the thicker tree line, he detected a strange scent. It smelled like a cat, but it had hints of pine tree. Alder tilted his head, confused, and looked around to see if he could see anything telling him where it came from. He backed up a few steps, noticing it got weaker outside the thick tree line. The tom stepped up to where the scent was thickest, realizing it seemed like some sort of scent marker, and his ears stood up in realization. He remembered being told about this scent.

He'd made it!

Wasppaw walked through the forest with Brownpaw, the two apprentices having been given a day to relax after almost a whole moon straight of intense battle and hunting practice. The snow was beginning to melt a little, though it was by no means close to warm. Brownpaw hadn't even wanted to leave camp, but Wasppaw had talked him into it by promising they wouldn't go near the lake or borders.

Sorrelstripe had kitted a few days prior, two toms and a she-cat. Her and Tigerstripe had named them Ashkit, Smokekit, and Maplekit. Ashkit and Smokekit were light and dark gray, respectively, and Maplekit was a brown tabby like Tigerstripe. Wasppaw thought two such similar names odd, though he was unwilling to voice it. The naming decision was none of his business, and he'd be lying if the names weren't fitting.

"I can't believe it's only two more moons until we become warriors," Brownpaw said quietly, as if in awe of how close it was. Wasppaw felt a shiver of excitement run up his spine.

"Hey, at least the den isn't empty anymore," Wasppaw replied. "Vinepaw and Bluepaw help keep the den a little warmer at night, when they can finally lay still."

"Starclan above, I know we were not like that as fresh 'paws," his friend said with a roll of his eyes. "I know they're excited, but I wish Sagepatch and Echofoot would tire them out a little more, you know?"

"Hey, I'm not gonna hold it against them," Wasppaw replied with a shake of his head. "I remember how exciting it was. Not to mention that there probably isn't a single cat in Thunderclan who would make a better mentor for either of them."

"You're just saying that cause Sagepatch is Lakesplash's mate," Brownpaw said teasingly, which got an eye roll from Wasppaw. The brown tom chuckled softly. "But yeah, you're probably right. Sagepatch keeps them calm and focused, and Echofoot...well, I think Jaystar put them together because of his outburst when Foxear tried to attack Lakesplash our first day as 'paws. Try to make him change his mind on Lakesplash, you know?"

Wasppaw had completely forgotten what Echofoot had said, though he guessed it hadn't been flattering. "She's smart like that," he replied with a nod. Brownpaw hummed in agreement. After a few moments the two 'paws stopped and sat down, just listening to the sounds of the forest. Wasppaw could just faintly hear the waves crashing on the lake shore, and it took him a few heartbeats to realize he shouldn't be able to. His head tilted, Wasppaw standing up and following the sound. His friend seemed to notice it just then as well, hesitating before following the red and black tom. They eventually came to the source of the sound, finding that the lake had come further up the bank than they'd seen it before.

"Whoa," Brownpaw said, blinking in surprise.

"Yeah," Wasppaw whispered. "It's not higher than the sand, but still, that is weird. The snow's not even melted yet, and it hasn't rained in moons. I guess maybe snowmelt from the moor, but would it raise it this much?"

"It has been snowing pretty strongly the past few days," Brownpaw replied. "Especially near and after sundown, and then warming back up near sunhigh. Could be snowmelt from that running into the lake. But even then…"

"We should probably tell Jaystar, maybe send a cat to the other clans just to make sure they know," Wasppaw suggested. Brownpaw nodded in agreement, the two toms turning and running back to camp. There was a chance the dawn patrol had already seen the lake and informed their leader, but they weren't going to leave it to chance. Wasppaw remembered the stories of floods in the past, though it had been a long time since the last one. Not even Ravenpelt had been alive during the last flood.

They slowed down as they neared camp, not wanting to cause undue alarm in case it wasn't as bad as they thought it was. Catching their breath to appear normal, the two toms entered camp. Wasppaw sent Brownpaw to Brackenfur while he went searching for Lakesplash. He saw the two brown toms conversing for a moment before Brackenfur nodded and walked away, going up to Highledge and entering his and Jaystar's den. Wasppaw ducked his head into the warrior's den while he waited for them to be done, finding Lakesplash sitting alone as he washed himself. The older gray tom seemed to sense Wasppaw, turning to look at him curiously.

"I think the lake looks like it might be close to flooding," the red and black tom whispered. Lakesplash blinked, then quickly stood and exited the den as Wasppaw backed up.

"Are you sure?" his mentor asked, keeping his own voice low.

"I don't know, but it's definitely higher than Brownpaw or I have ever seen it," he answered, shaking his head. Lakesplash hummed in thought. "I already sent Brownpaw to tell Brackenfur and Jaystar. They're in their den right now discussing it."

"Good thinking," Lakesplash said. "Let's wait a moment, see what they decide to do."

Wasppaw nodded, the two toms standing in silence as they watched Highledge. More time than Wasppaw was expecting passed before he saw Brownpaw exit Jaystar and Brackenfur's den, clambering down the small path and approaching them. Jaystar stepped out a few heartbeats after him. She looked around the camp for a moment, then nodded to herself.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highledge for a clan meeting!"

Vinepaw and Bluepaw had rushed out of the apprentice den faster than Wasppaw was even able to notice, already in the center of the clearing by the time he'd processed the movement. He blinked in surprise, caught off guard by their speed. He glanced at Brownpaw and saw he was just as surprised, if not more so.

"We sure they aren't half Windclan?" the brown tom whispered.

"Does make you wonder," Wasppaw replied. He nudged his friend, then started walking towards where everyone else was gathering with Brownpaw right behind him. Lakesplash joined them after a moment to finish his cleaning.

Jaystar waited for everyone in camp to be present. "It's been reported that the lake appears to have begun flooding," she began. "I've decided to send patrols to the other clans to issue a warning, just in case we're the only ones who have noticed. Lakesplash, take Brackenfur to Riverclan. Warn Windclan along the way. Quailbelly. Spruceflower, warn Skyclan and Shadowclan."

"May we take our apprentices with us?" Lakesplash asked, Jaystar glancing towards the two young toms. "They were the ones who reported it. Besides, I think Brownpaw could use the exercise."

"Hey," Brownpaw complained.

"He's teasing, Brownpaw," Wasppaw said with a chuckle. "You look fine."

His friend simply grumbled something under his breath, and Jaystar finally nodded.

"You may, but keep an eye on them," she said. "Wouldn't want them to get swept away." There was humor in her voice and gaze, Wasppaw unable to help but huff in amusement. Brownpaw huffed as well, though he sounded much less amused. Wasppaw's amusement faltered, the red and black tom gently nudging his friend and offering a small smile. Brownpaw returned it after a moment.

"Come," Brackenfur said as he passed them. The three toms followed their deputy, Quailbelly and Spruceflower already going through the camp entrance and disappearing through it. By the time Wasppaw had gone through and come out into the forest, they were gone.

The four toms set off at a light run, trying to pace themselves while also getting to Windclan and Riverclan as quickly as they could.

"Brownpaw, with me. Wasppaw, Lakesplash, you go to Riverclan," Brackenfur said as they neared the border. "Stick next to shore. It'll be faster that way."

Lakesplash simply nodded, the four toms splitting off as Lakesplash and Wasppaw got as close to the lake as they could, passing the scent markers while Brackenfur and Brownpaw slowed to a walk and went deeper into the territory to try and catch a patrol. Lakesplash glanced at the water as they ran, and Wasppaw noticed his eyes widen slightly. The younger tom ignored it, and he ignored the cold as a wave brought water just up to his paws. He'd dry them off when they got back to camp.

The pair came to a stop as they arrived at the border, Lakesplash sitting down to patiently wait. Wasppaw remained standing, panting softly. The young tom strained his hearing and smell, trying to see if he could detect anyone nearby. Lakesplash glanced at him, though didn't say anything. After a moment, he sighed, unable to smell or hear anything.

"Rainpelt always leads a hunting patrol close to here around this time of day," Lakesplash said suddenly, which made Wasppaw pause and look at him in surprise.

"They a friend of yours from when you still lived in Riverclan?" he asked curiously, head tilting slightly.

"She was..." Lakesplash paused, silent a moment. Finally, he said, "She was like a sister to me, after Reedwhisker died. We'd always been friends, but his death hit the both of us hard. We leaned on each other a lot in those days. I think she might have liked me, at one point, but she never said and I never asked."

"Did you like her?" Wasppaw asked. Lakesplash seemed caught off guard by the question, but before he could respond the reeds in front of them shuddered and a Riverclan patrol stepped out. They stopped once they saw the two toms.

"Lakesplash," the patrol leader said, a gray she-cat with amber eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"Hey, Rainpelt," the older tom said, Wasppaw silent. "Wasppaw here noticed the lake seems to have risen recently. Jaystar asked us to warn Pikestar while some other cats warn the other clans, just to be safe."

"Yeah, we noticed this morning," another cat said, this one brown with darker spots. "Why'd they send you?"

"I guess she thought I might enjoy the chance to talk to some friends before the next Gathering, Spottedpelt," Lakesplash replied, and Wasppaw thought he noticed a hint of aggression between the two.

"Hey, control yourselves," Rainpelt snapped, which told Wasppaw he wasn't imagining it. She looked to Lakesplash with a small, warm smile. "Thank you for coming. Even if it was a waste of a trip, it's always good to see you again."

"Yeah, likewise," Lakesplash replied with a smile. "I guess if you already know, then, we should head on back."

"Yeah, I know you hate being out after dark," Rainpelt said with a knowing grin. Lakesplash rolled his eyes and stood. "Take care, you two."

"You too," the older tom said. Wasppaw hesitated, then dipped his head farewell before turning and following his mentor.

They walked in silence until they passed the Windclan border. Lakesplash hummed suddenly.

"Yeah. Yeah, I did."

Alder was silent as he slunk through the trees. Half a moon had passed since he'd arrived at the lake, and he was quite enjoying the bountiful prey around him. It didn't hurt that he no longer had to share everything he caught. He did enjoy taking care of others, but that didn't mean he wanted to do it every day for his entire life.

With a flick of his ears, the tom crossed the scent marker he'd been staying clear of so far, completely silent. He noticed a new scent as he crossed it. It reminded him of the she-cat he was after, only with a hint of something sweet, like tree sap. It took him a moment to place it. Skyclan, which meant the territory he'd first found must have been Shadowclan. He just had to cross this territory, find the camp, then make the journey back. Alder was silent, nodding to himself. He was the closest he'd been in over twelve moons.

Glancing around, the tom moved deeper into the territory, though he made his way away from the lake just so he could avoid accidentally stumbling across a camp and getting chased or attacked. He needed to be in and out of the territories without being seen, if he could. The faster, the better.

"Come on, come on," he whispered to himself as he kept up a low but quick pace. He almost jumped out of his fur when the snap of a broken twig sounded from under his paw.

"Hello?" a voice called, and the tom froze. His eyes closed, Alder lowering himself down as far as he could as he hoped the cat decided not to investigate.

His hope went unfounded, paw steps approaching the bush he crouched in.

"Hello?" the same voice called, a moment passing. "Hey, I know you're here. No use hiding."

Alder paused, noticing a squeak in the voice. His eyes opened, realizing the cat was young. He might be able to use that to his advantage.

"Okay, I'm coming out," he said, hearing paw steps back away a tail-length or so in surprise. The tom stepped out of the bush, standing up to his full height and looking around for the voice. He found a wide-eyed tom staring up at him, barely larger than a rabbit. His pelt was ashy gray, blue eyes filled with fear as he realized just how large Alder was. The older tom hummed softly. He'd forgotten just how much larger he was than most other cats he'd met, until now. "How old are you, kitten?"

"E-eight moons," the younger tom answered shakily.

"And what's your name?" Alder asked, head tilting slightly. He supposed he may as well use his size and the stranger's fear to his advantage.

"I-it's...Owlpaw," the gray tom answered.

"Owlpaw, my name's Alder. I'm just passing through, but I thought I would go around the lake so as to avoid any trouble with you clan cats." He was silent a moment. "I don't like groups. In fact, I'd rather not be here at all. Do you understand?" Alder took two steps closer to the shaking young tom, Owlpaw shrinking in on himself in fear.

"I-I think so, yes," he said quickly, nodding his head.

"You think?" Alder questioned, and Owlpaw let out a shaky, terrified breath.

"I understand," he corrected. "I do."

"Good. Run along, Owlpaw. I have places to be, and I'm getting peckish." The gray tom had turned and sprinted off before Alder had even finished speaking, the larger, older tom humming quietly. "I hope that wasn't a mistake."

Alder remained where he was for a moment, eventually turning and resuming his trek. It didn't take him long to reach another scent marker, and this one he did recognize. The scents of the forest, intense but somehow not overwhelming. This was Thunderclan territory. This was what he'd been looking for. With a nod to himself, the red tom continued forward. Now descending into the territory proper to try and find the camp. It had been described as a massive hole in the ground, stone walls stretching almost as high as a tree. He supposed that would make it hard to miss.

As the tom walked, he noticed a mingling of scents. He stopped in his tracks, taking a moment to try and parse the scents. Eventually he shook his head. Too many, too mingled. Nevertheless, the tom followed the mingled scents in silence, certain they would lead him to his destination.

It didn't take him long to find the source, and he inhaled sharply as he realized he'd found the camp. He stared down into the massive hole at all the cats sitting around, some eating, some cleaning themselves or each other. It was more cats than he'd ever seen in his life, not just together, but in total.

"Whoa…" he whispered. There was no way they'd stand a chance if Holly decided she wanted revenge, there were simply too many cats. Among the mingling clan, he spotted the she-cat he'd been after. His heart feeling like it had dropped into his stomach, and a pang touched him; she was even more beautiful than he remembered. The pang grew sharper as he noticed a red-furred cat approach her, and he blinked a few times before looking down at his paw, then back to the strange, red cat. Their fur was exactly like his.

The realization hit him hard, harder than anything he could have possibly prepared for or compared to.

"Oh, Cloverfoot, why didn't you tell me…?"

Hello, everyone, I know this was a shorter chapter than normal, but I've been having some difficulties with motivation and time, so I wanted to just get it done and out there so I could move on to the next chapters and get started on a backlog. Unless the motivation hits, it'll probably be even longer until my next chapter comes out, but when it does, rest assured that will mean I've got enough work ready for at least the next couple months. And we finally got to the (not so secret) reveal of just who Wasppaw's father is. I hope you all enjoyed, please please please leave your comments and reviews down below, and I hope you have a wonderful day