¢нαρтєя σηє: ∂αωη
'You were never meant to have that life. It was never supposed to be yours.'

Warm.

The sun rose over the dark expanse of the mountain, lighting up a cold world with the gift of another day. Golden colour stretched long fingers into the darkest parts of the forests in its way, breathing life back into a dying place. Each morning felt like a whole new experience. Taking the sun for granted had been a terrible thing. Like the stars and like the moon the world thought of the sun as immortal, a never-dying orb tasked to rise each morning and fall each night.

It was not immortal. Not in the face of a darker power sucking its energy away.

A carefree breeze fiddled gingerly with the leaves, mumbled through them to carry on its gentle, cool, way. She raised her head to breathe in the smell of life. The air was fresh, carried with it the scents of forest life. She'd missed it.

"Are you thinking again?" Arrow sat down in the grass.

"Of good things," Tornheart promised with a grin. "It's warm again this morning."

He nodded, "it has been every morning since we left the city."

"No need to sound so enthusiastic."

"Sorry," Arrow laughed, "I do need to appreciate it a little more, don't I?"

Tornheart hummed, tilting her head to look up at her mate. "Never know when it might disappear again."

"In my defence it didn't disappear in a flash, and it was only gone for half a day. Your Chosen did what they needed to do just in time."

"Of course they did. They didn't really have a choice in the matter," she sniffed.

He glanced down at the ground. "Did...did you know some of them would die?"

"I didn't know any of them would die. The prophecy claimed that five would be needed to defeat Crimson but in the end only two were needed," Tornheart shifted uncomfortably. "I think Icepetal still blames me a little for Littleflame's death. If I could have saved her I would have!"

"You did all you could, no one can ask anymore of you. The world is okay, Crimson is dead, the Clans are safe, you did fine," he soothed.

Tornheart pressed into his side, letting go of a long sigh. "Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if we hadn't gotten caught by RogueClan."

"It's in the past, you can't change it now." Arrow bounced to his paws, waving his tail like an excited kit, "come on cheer up! It's a lovely morning, there's plenty of prey around, and the sun is shining brightly once again. Let's go find something to hunt."

"Your forest hunting is abysmal," Tornheart pointed out slyly, sinking low into a long stretch that tugged at the weariness in her muscles.

Arrow's grin fell into a wounded pout. "We can't all be good at crawling through bushes after tiny mice."

"It's not even that hard." A bird flitted overhead, boisterous call echoing through the trees. It swooped low and perched on a branch jutting out over the two cats, fixing them with a beady eye. Thick feathers of the darkest black cloaked it.

"Do you think it's seen us?" Arrow whispered.

Tornheart snorted in disbelief, "it's looking right at us."

"Could think we're just part of the ground? I'm going to catch it."

She opened her mouth to tell him how much of a bad idea it was, but then shut it. When he tumbled from the tree and wounded his pride he'd figure out it was a bad idea. For now she just watched with an arched brow, stifling laughter when he slid back down the tree's trunk. His climbing was nearly as appalling as his hunting, all jerky movements and awkward positions. Free entertainment, she grinned.

The bird hadn't even moved. It was just watching Arrow with its beady eyes, little head cocked to one side, intrigued by the bumbling idiot trying to sneak up the tree.

A strange sense of dread washed over Tornheart. The bird stopped being a bird. It became everyone, melting into countless tiny feline shapes, just watching, watching, as danger crept ever closer. She wanted to scream at them to move, to get out of the way of the hulking shape with twisted claws and glinting fangs, but her mouth wouldn't move, and the words remained stuck in her throat.

The branch creaked under Arrow's weight, and the bird, finally realising just how much danger it was in, took to the sky with an angry screech, diving just low enough to the ground to catch its reflection in Tornheart's terrified eyes.

From a patch of bracken exploded a reddish shape, claws outstretched and reaching for the distracted bird. Inky feathers fluttered limply to the forest floor. Drops of red scattered like rain. Caged in sharp jaws the bird feebly struggled for an escape it would never get.

Tornheart sucked in a deep breath, thoroughly rattled by what she'd seen play out before her very eyes. Looking up she peered through the leaves, searching for the blue sky. A warning? Or something else?

"What a catch!" Arrow proclaimed loudly from where he was crouched in the tree.

"You scared it straight into me," Eaglestrike spat out a few feathers, "easiest catch I've had for a long time."

"Don't be so humble, that was the biggest leap I've ever seen you do," he grumbled.

A little shape rolled out from the bracken by Eaglestrike's paws, "you're just jealous cause you can't hunt at all."

"You know you're the second cat to remind me of that today, Sunrise," Arrow frowned. "There has to be some useless hunters to balance everything out!"

"That's what we say to make him feel better," Eaglestrike whispered to Sunrise.

Arrow lurched shakily to his paws, branch swaying under his weight, "I heard that!"

"Stop ganging up on him, he tried really hard this time," Tornheart swallowed her fears. They could wait till the night's safe embrace. "At least he managed to get up the tree this time."

Grumbling under his breath, Arrow slithered ungracefully down the tree, showering a few flowers in little bits of bark. He glared at the three cats watching him with amused expressions. "I'm going to go find Icepetal, she's never this mean to me."

"That's because she's too busy being gross with Willowclaw," Sunrise stuck her tongue out. "And she's never been around to see you mess up."

"Why you little," Arrow pounced on the kit, sweeping her up in his jaws. She giggled, flailing her paws around, squeaking.

"You okay?" Eaglestrike placed the bird on the ground, looking at Tornheart in concern. "You look a little shaken up."

She shook her head, "I'm fine, guess I'm just a little nervous about what we're going to find over those mountains."

"Home." There was a soft look in Eaglestrike's eyes as he watched Arrow and Sunrise mess around, the kit fluffing up her fur till she looked like a ball of fuzz. "That's what we're going to find."

"But we've been gone so long."

"Home doesn't have a time period. Home is home," he said.

He was right. Home was home no matter how long you were away, but what it looked like and who was there, that always changed. Yet, he wouldn't be returning home as a traitor, she would. That was what separated them. That was their difference.

"I'm not going to let them think you did nothing. I'm going to make sure every Clan cat knows who saved them. When you die you'll die a hero," he promised earnestly.

You saved them, I just pushed you along. But the sentiment was nice so she didn't argue the finer points. "How do you think the Clans are going to react to her?" Tornheart gestured to Sunrise.

Whilst the kit didn't act anything like her parents she did look like them. Her fur was as dark and long as Crimson's, thick and beautiful; one eye was a pure, sharp blue akin to that of a mid-leaf bare sky, the other a circle of deep red, like a drop of blood had stained it. It was hard to look at her playing with leaves, chasing tails, and see the monster that was her mother.

"They won't accept her straight away, but Sunrise is nothing like Crimson. They'll see that eventually. We just have to keep her safe and happy until then."

"You've changed," she mused, though her quiet words were lost in the overdramatic shout of pain Eaglestrike released when Sunrise thudded into his flank. He toppled over, one paw clutched over his heart, making wounded noises.

Laughing, Sunrise scrambled up his belly, perching herself a little ways up his neck to jab at his face. "You're such a wimp! I didn't even nudge you that hard."

"I'm fragile," Eaglestrike whined, "and you're so strong."

She rolled her eyes, and he pitched sideways suddenly, tossing her of his shoulder and onto the ground with a squawk. Hindlegs dangling over her head, Sunrise put all her energy into a heated glare that did little but make Eaglestrike laugh. Still glaring she flopped onto her side and lurched to her feet, stomping over to the laughing warrior.

He pressed a paw against her face when she neared, effectively stopping her in her tracks. No matter how hard she pushed or how quickly she tried to duck under his paw, Eaglestrike kept it on her face. Defeated, Sunrise slouched against his paw with a quiet mewl. "No fair, you always win."

"That's because you're too slow," he teased. "We should get back to Icepetal and Willowclaw, don't want them thinking we've gotten lost."

"It's a fair thing to assume, you did get lost yesterday," Tornheart reminded.

Poking Sunrise with his nose, Eaglestrike rose clumsily to his paws. "The trees all look the same here. Do you want to take that crow back to Icepetal?" he asked Sunrise, "you might just be able to convince her that you caught it."

Her eyes lit up, "yes! You watch me, I'll convince her I caught it!"

"Come on then, before it gets a second wind and flies off."

"You'll have to teach me how to leap like that," Sunrise demanded around a mouthful of bird.

He smiled at her, "maybe when you're legs are a little stronger."

"They're plenty strong enough now," she huffed.

Arrow laughed, "mine aren't even strong enough now. Give it a little while, we can learn together."

In the peace that came with listening to her talking companions, Tornheart reached deep within herself, searching for that bubble she knew all too well. It wasn't a strange anomaly anymore, wasn't something that scared her at the same time that it intrigued her. No longer did it threaten to snap out when her focus was elsewhere. It was, however, much bigger, her bubble of magic. The feeling of it swelling within her soul, marching through her veins, it was surreal, and had become a source of comfort.

When the world was dark, the sun resting till dawn, and the memories of days past came flooding back in twisted dreams, her bubble of power kept her grounded. Her power was irreplaceable, the thought of losing it haunted her darkest nights. Where would she be without it? Dead, killed by Crimson, because of her uselessness. The she-cat had admitted one night that had she not felt the slight twinge of power Tornheart had given off on that island that night, she would have killed her.

She swallowed down the panic rising up her throat. There was no point lingering on what if's and maybe's. Crimson was dead. The world was right. She had her power. She could protect her family.

Curious, Tornheart reached out her power, gingerly touching it against the hard bark of a tree, not quite sure what would happen. Sure, she could use her power to protect herself without a problem, attacking with it came naturally. Yet she hadn't had the time to explore what she was truly capable of. Half expecting the tree to burst into flames or just disappear in a cloud of ash, she was more than surprised when countless tiny buds bloomed into being; pale pink, soft as clouds, enveloping the entire tree.

There were murmurs of appreciation and awe from the others, but Tornheart was far too taken with how beautiful it was to notice. She did that. The pretty flowers coating the trunk had come from her. She smiled. Life, she could create life. All the terrible things she'd done under Crimson's watch could be balanced out.

Closing her eyes she poked gently at that bubble, feeling it almost breathe in response, and moved it, spreading it over the world around her. Tiny pink flowers sprung up everywhere, over the ground beneath their paws, up the trees and round branches creeping over their heads. A whole world of pink surrounded them, given an otherworldly glow by the sun peering through the leaves.

Sunrise pulled Eaglestrike into a game of tag among the flowers, crow discarded and forgotten in favour of rolling among the soft petals. It filled Tornheart with a strong warmth to see others happy in her creation. She could create life and those around her could enjoy it.

"It's beautiful," Arrow grinned. "You're beautiful."

For the first time in what felt like forever she truly believed him.

Icepetal and Willowclaw hadn't moved very far in the time the others had been gone. Lounging in the sun, enjoying the peace, resting comfortably in each others presence. They'd found that they didn't need to be constantly talking. Silence for them was just as comforting. Though that silence was well and truly shattered with the arrival of Sunrise, crow firmly grasped in her mouth.

"Look what I caught!" she proudly proclaimed, dumping the bundle of feathers on to Icepetal's face. She jerked it up from where it had been resting on Willowclaw's flank with an offended squawk, pinning Sunrise under a glare that freeze blood.

The kit was unaffected, far too excited with the idea of tricking Icepetal into believing that she'd caught the crow. "Look at it! I caught that!"

"Shove a feather in her mouth and tell her to come back later," Willowclaw groaned, pawing limply at Icepetal.

One brow arched, "why do I have to shove it in her mouth? I'll pin her down and you can do it."

"Excuse me," Sunrise huffed, "my catch is more important than you're arguing."

"Excuse me," Willowclaw mimicked, "but my sleep was more important than your catch."

Quiet growl rumbling in her throat, Sunrise pounced on Willowclaw, battering his head with her small paws. He winced and looked pleadingly at Icepetal for help. The she-cat looked to be thinking extremely hard about whether she wanted to assist him or not. His pathetic attempt at sad, innocent face was what won her over.

"Okay, okay, show me this catch of yours," Icepetal snaked a paw around Sunrise and yanked the kit back onto the ground.

Smiling bright enough to rival the sun, Sunrise sunk her claws into the breast of the bird, tugging it closer. "See! Look at it!"

"It's as big as you," Icepetal pointed out skeptically. "You sure you caught it?"

"Yes! I was stalking it when Arrow scared it off, but I jumped up at the last moment and ripped it right out of the air!" The kit's tail was waving excitedly, her eyes shining.

Icepetal's expression turned from curious to fond, "sounds like it would have been an amazing catch to see...you reckon you could do it again?" There was a mischievous grin lazily making its way across Willowclaw's muzzle. He knew exactly what Icepetal was up to. She whacked him with her tail.

"Yes," Sunrise answered confidently, failing to see the hole she'd just dug herself into.

"Go on then."

"What?"

Arrow failed to stifle his giggle.

"Don't laugh at me!" Sunrise frowned, "you want me to catch another bird?"

"Not right now, but you could show me the leap?" Icepetal purred, settling back down against Willowclaw.

Finally realising the mistake she made, Sunrise snapped her mouth shut with a clack. Her eyes darted from Icepetal to Eaglestrike and back, silently begging the PhoenixClan warrior to get her out of the situation she'd found herself in. Unfortunately she was on her own in this, Eaglestrike only offering an encouraging smile.

She sighed, rolled her shoulders, and flashed Icepetal a confident grin. "You want to see that leap? Fine. Just watch." Dropping into a shaky crouch she began to creep along the ground, tail brushing against the foliage around her. She reached a point where she stopped moving, bunched up the muscles in her haunches, and rocketed upwards in what looked to be a strong leap. It ended rather badly though, Sunrise upside down, tail tickling her nose.

Raucous laughter rose up from the watching Chosen. Sunrise's eartips burned with embarrassment, but she couldn't help but smile a little. Tricking Icepetal was probably harder than catching that darn crow. The SnowClan she-cat was waiting for her to join them and promptly folded the kit into her chest.

"It was a good leap," Icepetal whispered, "a little shaky, but pretty good. We'll work on it."

"Promise?" Sunrise mumbled, worming further into Icepetal's fur.

"I promise."

"Did you manage to catch anything else other than this bird?" Willowclaw growled.

Eaglestrike shook his head. "We can hunt some more on the way."

"We're leaving already?" Sunrise perked up. She peeked out from the safety of Icepetal's warm embrace, blinking her red eye curiously.

"The sooner we get moving the sooner we'll be home," Tornheart answered.

"No more sleep?" Willowclaw groaned.

"You've had plenty of sleep, you great lump," Icepetal teased.

The closer they came to the mountains that kept their homes shielded from the world, the happier and more at ease the Clanners became. Arrow and Sunrise couldn't share the feeling. One had always been at home in the claustrophobic streets of the city, whilst the other had never seen the world beyond the gray walls of Crimson's mountain. They did understand the excitement of their friends, the chance to finally be able to lay their eyes on their homes after being away from them for so long was just over the mountains.

Excitement fizzled between the Clan cats, infectious excitement that left Sunrise bouncing all over the place and Arrow chattering constantly in everyone's ears. The sound of the waterfall - the one five had plunged over moons ago - thundering just outside the line of trees sent dark memories skidding by the eyes of the Chosen; memories of a possession, a death, a resurrection, and a scream echoing into the evening air.

"It's different this time," Icepetal reminded them all, one paw placed on the grave of her mother, grown over in a thick layer of vibrant green grass. She tried to give them an encouraging smile, but it was worn, tired, exhausted. They'd been travelling, fighting, for far too long and their bodies were beginning to show the strain.

She was right, however. It was different this time. They weren't tumbling down the waterfall but walking up to it, dipping their paws in the chilled water, breathing in the air that was tinged, just slightly, with the scent of home.

"Does it feel strange to be here again?" Eaglestrike mused out loud.

"A little," Willowclaw admitted, "our families are on the other side of that." He jerked his head to the wall of stone rooted firmly into the land before them.

Sunrise tilted her head, "I bet they'll be pleased to see you all."

"What makes you say that?" Icepetal's tone was cold.

"I'd miss you if you vanished." Sometimes a kits' words were the most important ones in the world.

"Come on, before we all get gray fur," Arrow laughed, splashing water at Tornheart.

Home. It was a short climb away, up a curving path that cut deep into the mountain, rising up to touch the sky and greet the sun. For Icepetal it was a hard path to walk. Over the crest was a world she wasn't supposed to be a part of anymore. Exiled from her Clan, she was a loner, a rogue, unwanted. Yet here she was, walking back towards them.

Eaglestrike thought of Littleflame. He would be the one to make the journey to CedarClan. He would be the one to tell them that Littleflame was dead. He would not, however, be the one to tell them that she'd succumbed to Crimson's power, that she'd been lost to the darkness. Her Clan would know her as a hero. The Chosen would know otherwise.

Willowclaw's mind was on his secrets, the ones Eaglestrike now knew. There was a tension between the two. He expected his secrets to be revealed to the others every day. If he caught the stormy eye of Eaglestrike he would always find a sliver of hatred. He didn't try to pretend that he hadn't known what he'd been doing or what would happen because of them. He did them knowing the consequences. But he wanted to be the one to tell Icepetal, to apologise to her for being the cause behind her mother's death. Eaglestrike couldn't be the one to tell her.

Tornheart just hoped someone would be willing to forgive her.

A pale plume of gray peered over the crest. More joined it.

They travellers stepped into sight of their homes expecting to see life, sweeping territories of trees and plains and sand, perhaps even the miniscule dots of Clanners patrolling, hunting, going about their lives free from Crimson. Life and warmth and home, that was not what greeted them.

Ruins were.