Chapter Twenty-Eight

The moment they entered the camp it burst into joyful chaos. Cats flooded in from dens and nests as Longclaw's name echoed to every corner.

"You're alive." That phrase was repeated over and over with a sort of reverent awe. Someone fetched Longclaw's mother from the Elder's Den and she rubbed against her son desperately, as if she couldn't quite believe that he was real.

Eveningstar finally had to clear the throng of cats away so that Longclaw could tell his story and everyone would be able to hear. Leafpool couldn't help but smile when the Tribe reacted with stunned surprised to the fact that Leafpool and Longclaw had met before. Eveningstar had apparently kept that knowledge to himself after hearing her story, as Leafpool hadn't known what happened to him after he ran into the forest. She certainly hadn't expected him to show up here!

With the Tribe's curiosity at least half-satisfied most of the cats returned to their daily tasks, allowing the trio of cats to head for the freshkill pile. Herbsight approached while they were eating and gave Longclaw a gruff once-over, eventually giving him a relatively clean bill of health. Sonya and Palefur also came over and ignored all of his stumbling apologies for his behavior in favor of licking him with their giant tongues and telling him they were happy he was safe.

Longclaw couldn't stop smiling. Tigerlily was by his side. Leafpool, Sonya, and Palefur were healthy and safe in the care of the Tribe. It was good to be home.

P.O.V.

Everything took longer than Squirrelflight thought it should. It seemed like every cat in the Bleached World was awake, not just the ones who wanted to leave with her, and all of them wanted to say their goodbyes. Whisperstar insisted that she eat before she left, though Squirrelflight argued that there would be plenty of food once they reached the Tribe. In the end she couldn't argue with Whisperstar's piercing green gaze.

Then Squirrelflight and Skitch (who ate a hurried breakfast along with her) headed to the chamber, which looked much larger when there were only a handful of cats milling about nervously in it. Squirrelflight sat calmly on the stone and luckily her calm seemed to spread to the other cats who joined her.

They decided to wait just a little longer, in case any stragglers were still coming. Then, to their surprise, in came a group of five cats all at once. The new clan leaders. They looked well-rested and strong. Squirrelflight felt a surge of pride for what they'd accomplished here.

Whisperstar smiled at her. "We just wanted to see you off and wish all of you well."

Goldenstar nodded. "And to make sure that you know you're still welcome here, not just now, but in the future. You can visit any time. Or even come back to stay."

"This isn't some kind of banishment after all! We would be happy to have you back if things don't work out beyond the caves." Foxstar gestured with his bushy tail towards the world beyond.

Thornstar dug her many claws into the rock. "And if we hear even a whisper about the cats out there mistreating you… We'll make sure they regret it."

Meadowstar gave her a look. "But hopefully it won't come to that. Have a safe journey. And thank you, Squirrelflight, for everything you've done. And you, Skitch."

Apparently Whisperstar told them her real name. It was strange to hear it, but in a good way. Alexandira's lies were nearly erased. Now all that was left to do was leave. So Squirrelflight whispered one last goodbye to Whisperstar and headed out, leading a band of ten white cats who had never, at least to their knowledge, been beyond the Bleached World before.

P.O.V.

When Leafpool returned to Herbsight's den she was surprised to find the she-cat pacing. The mood in the camp was celebratory and you could almost hear Longclaw's purring across the camp! But Herbsight didn't look happy. "Is something wrong? Is Crowfeather okay?"

"Crowfeather is in the same state he was in when you left. Nothing either of us can do will change his fate."

"Then why bother pacing?" Leafpool was more than a little irked. She'd done all she could to save her mate and Herbsight acted like it was nothing.

"Something is happening. I can feel it." Herbsight turned towards the back of the cave.

"Does this have to do with Squirrelflight?"

Herbsight had told her not to worry, that Squirrelflight would return in due time. That there was something in the cave beyond the medicine den that Squirrelflight needed to encounter. As far as Leafpool had been able to sense Squirrelflight was fine: alive and relatively happy.

"It very well could."

Suddenly a sound echoed from the back of the medicine den. A sound like claws on stone. Leafpool bristled. "Is something in there?"

"Fetch Eveningstar. Tell him to bring a few of our best warriors." Herbsight sounded calm, but there was a tension in her voice that made Leafpool leap to her paws.

In only heartbeats Eveningstar and four of his warriors were standing at the back of the cave, attention focused on the growing sound of pawsteps. "Be ready to fight whatever threat emerges," Eveningstar ordered the gathered cats.

Leafpool stood in front of Crowfeather who was still curled up in the nest, sleeping peacefully. If he hadn't been so sick she would have tried moving him, but as it was the only thing she could do was be there to protect him.

The ominous scratching sounds grew even louder and she could see a hint of something like a faint white glow in the back of the cave.

"Don't come any closer!" Eveningstar yowled. A deep silence fell. "Who are you? What are you doing in this cave?"

The heartbeat's pause seemed to last an eternity. Then a soft meow carried up to them. "It's Squirrelflight. I'm returning to the Tribe of Sun meets Stone with a few other cats who wish to seek asylum there."

"Squirrelflight?" Leafpool called. It certainly sounded like her sister.

"Leafpool!? What are you doing here?" Leafpool could hear the mingled hope and confusion in her sister's voice.

Before Leafpool could respond Eveningstar yowled again, "Come towards us. No fast movements. And stop a few tail-lengths away."

Leafpool came over to join the line of warriors. Eveningstar was still wary and she could smell the tension in the room, but her heart told her that there was nothing to fear as Squirrelflight and her mysterious friends rounded the corner towards the cave. Suddenly she could smell her sister, as well as the scents of many unfamiliar cats.

They came into the light like the crest of a wave crashing upon the rock, white fur dazzling even in the dim light of the medicine den. Leafpool could only stare. She'd never seen this many white cats in her life. And not only did they all have gleaming white fur: identical sets of green eyes were narrowing against the light. She felt a shiver run down her spine. This was completely unnatural! Eveningstar and the other Tribe cats were similarly stunned into silence.

She struggled to find her sister and then caught a hint of imperfection amidst the line of snow: a patch of red fur still staining one side. "Squirrelflight?" The cat turned away from staring at Eveningstar and she knew she'd guessed rightly.

Squirrelflight smiled at her, but Leafpool's thoughts were racing. What had happened to

Squirrelflight? Why were all of these cats identical? Well, not exactly identical. They had different builds and fur lengths; she could see that now, up close. But from a distance she'd have guessed that they were all littermates and she knew that wasn't true.

Herbsight was the first to move. She pushed her way past the warriors and walked right up to the row of newcomers until she was nose to nose with Squirrelflight. Herbsight would have fit right into their ranks with her glossy white fur, if not for the clouded blue of her gaze. "You returned. I knew it would be you; I could sense it. I read in your heart the courage and determination to bring back what we lost."

Squirrelflight just stared at the elder. "What you lost? What do you mean?"

Herbsight turned to the cat at Squirrelflight's left. "Sundrop? Is that you?"

The cat just looked confused. "I don't… I don't know that name."

"But there is much you do not know, correct? Or have I misread?"

"No, you're right. All of these cats have suffered memory loss. I nearly suffered it myself." Squirrelflight seemed to be the leader of the group. Leafpool couldn't say that surprised her.

Now Eveningstar came up beside Herbsight. "Sundrop? But she vanished twenty moons ago! That's impossible!"

"She smells the same. And scents do not lie." Herbsight seemed oddly smug as she stood before the crowd of foreign cats. "Our ancestors guided me to bring Squirrelflight where no outsider had ever gone before. Some great evil had invaded the Cavern of Light and she was chosen to defeat it. Something tells me she has succeeded."

"So were all of these cats once part of the Tribe?" Squirrelflight asked, glancing around at her small group.

"I can't be certain yet. But many of them may well be."

Eveningstar shook off his surprise and began taking control of the situation. "If Squirrelflight and Herbsight are both willing to vouch for these cats then I will trust their judgment. Welcome to the Tribe of Sun meets Stone."

The white cats acknowledged Eveningstar's announcement and before the awkward silence could fully descend Squirrelflight barreled into Leafpool. "It's so good to see you!"

Leafpool rubbed against Squirrelflight and though the fur color was different, the feeling was one of being home. "I'm so glad you're okay! But what happened to your fur?"

"It's kind of a long story. But what are you doing here? How long have you been here?"

"That's also kind of a long story. The Tribe agreed to take us in… Crowfeather is right over there. He's…"

Squirrelflight stared at the dark form in the corner, curled up, scarcely looking as if it were alive. "What's wrong? What happened to him?"

Leafpool felt her eyes beginning to water. Suddenly Brambleclaw was running into the medicine den, yowling for Squirrelflight and her sister was distracted. Leafpool composed herself again. Squirrelflight had just emerged from a cave with completely different fur color and a crowd of unknown cats. They'd have plenty of time to swap stories after other things were settled.

Eveningstar was speaking with the white cats, offering them at least a temporary home in the Tribe, and soon everyone was leaving the medicine den so that Eveningstar could make yet another announcement to the Tribe. Leafpool followed along, looking forward to hearing her sister's story. And dreading to tell hers yet again.

P.O.V.

(The next sunrise)

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

Eveningstar's gaze was serious, but Sonya just grinned. "As much as I've learned to love you guys, Palefur and I just don't really fit here. We can barely fit through the camp entrance! We eat so much more than you do and we don't want to be a burden on the Tribe… It's time for us to form our own pack."

"You know you're always welcome here if you change your mind, or if you want to visit. You weren't a burden to us; you've probably cleared out all the badgers in the area just by being here the last few sunrises!"

Sonya laughed. "I hope that's true! Thank you Eveningstar." Then she turned to Leafpool. "Take care of yourself. And take care of Crowfeather too. He'll wake up soon. I'm sure of it."

"He'll be upset that you left. I'm sure he'd want to say goodbye himself."

"We'll be back someday. I can yell at him for not being awake then." Sonya nuzzled Leafpool's cheek. Palefur sat off to the side, looking eager to be on the way.

"Safe travels. And thank you for all your help."

Sonya nodded. "Goodbye!"

Sonya wasn't quite as sure as she looked. She trusted Palefur, but it had been a long time since she was out on her own. A lot could happen in the woods. But then, a lot already had. And here she was, with the love of her life, ready to start a new adventure.

They walked through the trees until they could no longer see the cats behind them. Then Sonya took off at a run. Palefur scrambled to catch up, startled by her sudden speed but more than willing to give chase. The ground felt solid beneath Sonya's feet, the wind whistled in her ears, and finally she just had to throw back her head and howl at the joy of running towards her future. Palefur's deeper voice rose up to join hers and their songs entwined as they left the Tribe behind for the freedom of the forest beyond.

P.O.V.

"Sonya and Palefur left today." Leafpool pulled her tongue through Crowfeather's fur and imagined for a moment that he stirred. No such luck. "She wanted to wait for you to wake up, but Palefur was driving us all a little crazy. They both need more space, more room to run. She said she'll be back. I wouldn't be surprised if we see her next Green Leaf."

She finished grooming his head and moved to his shoulder. Was this what it was like for him when she'd been caught in those metal jaws in the forest? Waiting and hoping and all the time tending more towards despair? But he couldn't have held on for so long then just to fade away on her now. That wasn't his style. That wasn't the cat she knew.

"The cats that came with Squirrelflight are settling in. Eveningstar tested their skills and sorted them out. A few of them were recognized by the cats here and they've been reunited with their families. But we have no idea who the rest of them were before they entered the Bleached World. It must be hard having no memory of your life, but knowing that you had one once. Before it was stolen from you."

Crowfeather sighed, startling her. But he just shifted slightly and continued sleeping. He was painfully thin and his black fur was dull. She'd been dripping moss-water into his mouth every day, but it was impossible to feed him like this. If he didn't wake soon…

"I'd remember you." She whispered to him. "Even if someone stole my memories. The moment I saw you I'd remember. I know it." She remembered seeing him when they left the twoleg's place, just when she'd been thinking she might never see him again. Longclaw had been more than kind, a sweet and intelligent cat. But her heart was set on Crowfeather and nothing could make it forget that fact.

"You have to come back. You have to remember me, Crowfeather. You have to fight for this! I know you can do it! I know you can."

Crowfeather's ear twitched once and for a moment she held her breath. Then as his breathing continued its slow and even pattern, she sighed. She curled up beside him as she had each night since they'd arrived, and fell asleep to the warmth of his fur against her own.

P.O.V.

He felt himself waking. Truly waking. And though he was still tired he was eager to cast off the sickly sleep he'd been lingering in. He slowly sank back into his physical body, the weight of fur and skin and bone; he was no longer just a thought, but a cat once more.

With his newly awakened consciousness he forced open his eyes. He saw... nothing. He knew his eyes were open. He could feel it. But only endless blackness stretched before him.

Where was he? What was going on? He reached out and felt his limbs curled into a tight ball. He felt the steady rasp of his lungs moving in and out. But he was alone in the emptiness.

He remembered waking before. The pain had been overwhelming then. But Leafpool had been there. She had… fed him? And then he had fallen asleep once more. Now only the tiredness remained and most of the pain had faded to dull aches.

He was hungry. He was weak. He didn't know where he was. No familiar scents came to him. No sounds penetrated the black silence. Where was Leafpool? She wouldn't be far; he knew she wouldn't. She'd never leave him. He wished he'd realized that sooner.

He shut his eyes, sent a prayer to Starclan, and opened them again. This time he could almost see something. Shadows that shifted every time he moved his gaze. What were they? If they were alive why couldn't he smell them?

His claws emerged slower than an elders', digging gradually into the moss beneath him. His paw muscles ached even with that small movement. What was wrong with him? He felt lost and hopeless and very small. He could hardly move. He could barely see and he couldn't smell or hear anything at all.

Had the deathberries done this? Would he be like this for the rest of his life? Unable to do more than watch dull shadows shift before his eyes as he wasted away to nothing?

No. He refused to let that happen. He would tear away this darkness somehow. He closed his eyes and this time he called to her and only to her. Feathertail. He didn't know why she kept watching over him when all he did was cause her pain. But he knew that she had in the past. He only prayed that she still did now.

He felt something stirring near him, though at the same time not near him at all. There was nothing physical to her presence, just a mental feeling of sudden reassurance.

I'm here Crowfeather. His eyes were still shut but he could see her, the smooth silver of her fur, the piercing blue of her gaze.

Where am I?

She cocked her head at him. You're in the medicine den, as you were before.

Then what's wrong with me? Why is everything so…?

She frowned and suddenly she was right beside him, examining him from nose to tail. Her frown melted into sadness. The berries' presence still lingers within you. It's clouding your senses.

Is there something you can…?

You brought this on yourself Crowfeather. Starclan cannot interfere in your fate.

The words hit him like an icy rain. He knew he didn't deserve her help, but he had hoped… Please. I promised her Feathertail. If you can't do it for me, then help me for Leafpool. I don't want to leave her.

Feathertail snarled at him. Then why did you do this? You can't give yourself to death and then try to snatch back what you willing offered! You never once thought about how she would feel. About how either of us would feel seeing you suffer like that!

I… He had nothing to say. She was right. In that moment the only thing that he'd been thinking was that he couldn't live without her. His voice was scarcely a whisper. Will I die now then?

Instantly her fur settled back to her body and sadness replaced her rage once more. I don't want you here anymore than Leafpool does.

Her tail twitched as she eyed him once more. When she spoke again her meow was somehow both uncertain and determined. I can't remove the poison from your body. But I can try to do this much.

She came up to him and pressed her nose to his. Her scent became overwhelming and beneath it he could smell Leafpool too, the sweet herbal note of her presence. The two scents grew stronger and stronger, joining together until his nose was burning.

He yowled his pain but she didn't pull away and his nose was on fire and every breath was agony and he could feel nothing except that sharp and aching pain.

Just when he thought he was going to collapse Feathertail vanished. The pain faded away to nothing. He waited but she didn't return.

All he wanted to do was fall asleep once more. But he had a promise to keep. He didn't know what Feathertail had done but he trusted her, even more than he trusted himself. So he took a deep breath, one still laced with the sweet scents of the cats he loved, and opened his eyes.

Epilogue

Crowfeather would never smell anything again. But the lingering aches and pains he'd had vanished and his sight and hearing were perfectly clear. Leafpool called it a miracle. Crowfeather thought the real miracle was that he had two cats in his life who loved him this much.

He didn't argue or interrupt the furious scolding that she gave when he woke her in the darkness of the medicine den. He was stunned when she finished and immediately collapsed into him, crying. Leafpool's pain pierced his heart until he was surprised that it could keep beating. He knew he would never again do anything that could hurt her this way.

It took several sunrises for him to gather enough strength to leave the medicine cat den and truly enter the camp of the Tribe that had saved his life without even knowing who he was. They welcomed him with open arms and he and Leafpool were given a nest together in the labyrinth-like bush where the patrollers slept.

Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight put off leaving for various reasons. Brambleclaw was helping to train Eveningstar's Patrollers with new fighting techniques and Squirrelflight was helping the cats of the Bleached World adjust to life in the Tribe. They both knew that if they wanted to stay permanently they'd be welcome and that thought only made the decision harder.

Then one sunrise a Patrol captured two intruding cats on the eastern border. Squirrelflight, Brambleclaw, Leafpool, and Crowfeather were all stunned to find a spitting Cloudtail and an indignant Thornclaw being marched into the camp.

For a moment they could only stare at each other. Then Cloudtail began firing off questions so quickly that no one could answer them or get a word in edgewise. Finally Thornclaw cuffed him on the ear, causing everyone to burst out in a laughing fit that only ended when Eveningstar emerged from his den to see what all of the ruckus was about.

Everyone told their stories once again and this time Crowfeather was sitting right beside Leafpool, leaning into her every time her voice threatened to break. Cloudtail and Thornclaw, who claimed to have had a fairly uneventful journey, both wanted to leave as soon as possible, ideally with all four cats in tow. But it soon became clear that a) they both needed food and rest and poppyseeds for the numerous shallow cuts they'd collected somehow (Thornclaw just glared murderously at Cloudtail when asked about them) and b) Squirrelflight and Leafpool needed to talk.

So they went for a walk the morning after Cloudtail and Thornclaw's arrival. Somehow their paws lead them both to the rock overlooking the river.

"It's beautiful here." Squirrelflight stared down at the waters moving swiftly but tamely below them.

"It is. And the Tribe is… I could never repay them for being so kind and welcoming."

"I'm sure Herbsight would accept repayment in the form of a replenished herb supply. Have you heard her complaining about her joints?"

"I think she does that just to make sure we all remember how old and wise she is!"

They both chuckled. Then Squirrelflight turned to her sister. "I know you'd happy here. But I'm going to miss you so much. And so is Firestar. And all of Thunderclan. I don't think they'll understand—"

Leafpool just gave her a look. "I don't need them to understand. If I'd wanted to try to explain myself, I would've done it before I left. I love you, Squirrelflight. And I love Thunderclan. But I need to have my own life. And I feel at home here; I'm not torn in two directions anymore. I can love Crowfeather and be a medicine cat. And… I think I'm about to start a family of my own."

"What?" Squirrelflight gasped and then glanced at Leafpool's belly. It was hardly noticeable, but now she could see a tiny bulge where before her sister had no fat at all on her lithe body. "You're going to have kits? Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I only just put the pieces together myself. It's so early I didn't want to say anything and be wrong, but… I thought you should know."

"Congratulations!" Squirrellflight wound around her sister. She ached with the love suddenly flowing through her. The love of her sister. The love of her clan. The love of these kits whom she might never meet if she left… How could she leave her sisters and her future nieces and nephews behind? But how could she choose never return to Thunderclan and her mother and father? She felt as if she was being torn in half. Was this how Leafpool felt when she decided to leave?

"I didn't tell you that because I wanted to trap you here, Squirrelflight." Squirrelflight blushed. Leafpool could pretty much read thoughts. Sometimes she wished her sister wasn't quite so perceptive.

"I know you didn't. But I want to meet your kits. I want to see them grow up. I want to see Skitch and the others become official parts of the Tribe…"

"You don't have to leave forever, you know. You can always come back."

"Nothing's guaranteed Leafpool. If there's anything I learned on this journey, it's that. I just don't want to lose—"

"As long as we're both alive, we'll have each other. I know you can feel it too, our bond. It's stronger than any distance between us. I will always be your sister."

Squirrelflight pressed into Leafpool and for a moment she felt tears brimming. Then she blinked them back. "I love you, Leafpool."

"I love you too."

For a few heartbeats they just sat together and watched the water run, their tails entwined, their thoughts on the new and uncertain future. Then finally Squirrelflight spoke again. "I guess I'd better go tell Cloudtail the good news. I swear he's already driving the Tribe crazy and he's only been here one sunrise!"

Leafpool chuckled. "I don't know how Thornclaw survived the trip!" They stood and headed back to the Tribe, together.

The sun hadn't even risen when Brambleclaw, Squirrelflight, Thornclaw, and Cloudtail gathered at the entrance to the camp. Herbsight gave them each a bundle of travelling herbs which they dutifully ate, though Cloudtail made a face that would have had them all laughing if the moment hadn't been so solemn. Leafpool and Crowfeather said their goodbyes, along with several of the cats from the Bleached World, and Eveningstar gave them his blessing. Then they disappeared one by one out of the camp tunnel.

Squirrelflight was the last to leave and Leafpool caught her eye as she looked back. Leafpool just gave her a single nod and as her sister vanished she felt a wave of excitement emanating from her. Squirrelflight was going back where she belonged.

And Leafpool? She glanced down at her belly. Herbsight was facing her and though Leafpool knew she couldn't have seen the glance, the elder still smiled a sly smile. Crowfeather, oblivious, leaned into her side, a comforting and supporting presence. Eveningstar was talking to the cats of the Bleached World and the sun was just beginning to light the top of the camp. Leafpool felt warm and happy and she silently sent her thanks to Starclan. She finally knew where she belonged.

The End.

I gave this chapter so much sap it could be a pine tree… But then again, I never set out intending to torture my loyal readers (honestly! I swear!). I wanted Leafpool and Crowfeather to have their happy ending; they just had to work for it! And now it's finally arrived. I think I tied up all the loose strings in my plot (of which there were way too many), but let me know if you found any that I left hanging!

I hope you enjoyed this final installment and the entire story. It wouldn't exist if not for you. Your reviews and favorites motivated me even when I despaired of ever finishing. It's been one crazy and mixed up ride but it was a lot of fun to write and I like to think it was fun to read. Much love to everyone who reviewed, followed, and favorited! With any luck I'll see you around in the future! ~Fictionlover14 signing off.