Mistyfoot and Stonefur walked in step through ThunderClan territory though the RiverClan camp. Neither had to speak to know the other was nervous, confused, and a bit scared. They jumped into the river together and swam across; got out and shook the water off their pelts simultaneously. Then they both froze to think.

Mistyfoot licked the water off her forepaw, "Here goes nothing, right?"

"There's no reason not to tell them, Mistyfoot. Bluestar was a great leader, and a loyal warrior. She died to save ThunderClan, her Clan, and we should be proud of her for that. She's proud of us."

"I know, let's get going then."

They met Shadepelt, before they even reached the camp. "There you are, we were just going to send a patrol out for you!" She then ran closer, "Hey, you two smell of ThunderClan." Her voice wasn't accusing, but questioning, and reflected her eyes.

Mistyfoot nodded, "We have a lot to explain to the whole Clan, Shadepelt. Please, will you lead us to where Leopardstar is?" The young warrior nodded and walked back into camp towards her leader's den.

"Leopardstar," called Stonefur, "We need to speak to you. It's very important."

"Finally, I thought a crow might have eaten you for how long you took!" she called, "I didn't feel like explaining how my deputy got lost. Come in."

The two blue-gray cats exchanged a look and padded in cautiously. "Leopardstar," he stared, "Bluestar is dead."

Her emerald eyes shot open in alarm, "I'm sorry to hear that," she stared, and her eyes showed that she wasn't lying, "I suppose that explains why you two smell of ThunderClan."

"There's more Leopardstar," Mistyfoot saw her brother shut his blue eyes; "She-she was our mother." Before Leopardstar had a chance to speak, Stonefur continued, "We've only known for a few moons, and I didn't want to believe it until today. I don't care what you think of us now, but we're still loyal RiverClan warriors. If we have to work twice as hard to prove that we will."

"Are you sure this is true?" she asked, looking from one cat to the other, as if she was trying not to see Bluestar in them.

Mistyfoot nodded, "We're sure, and we're proud of our mother, she was a great leader, and loyal to her Clan. We will be too, Leopardstar, and we're willing to tell the entire Clan the truth, we just thought you should know first."

"Very well," there was some sort of sympathy in her eyes, but it wasn't enough to come through her voice, "You may address the Clan."

Stonefur walked out, again in step, with Mistyfoot and they padded confidently towards the clearing. Leopardstar called the Clan together, then stepped back to allow Stonefur to speak.

"Cats of RiverClan," he began, "We bring news, both good and bad. Bluestar has died, we watched it happen, and then helped bring her back to ThunderClan." Calls of sadness rang through the cats, then one young apprentice asked, 'why help' but was silenced by his mentor.

"I'll tell you why, apart from it being an honor to help a noble cat from another Clan, Bluestar was my mother, she was our mother, and Oakheart was our father."

Confused murmurs ran through the Clan, and many cats claimed that a half-Clan cat couldn't be deputy.

"That is my decision," mewed Leopardstar, "Stonefur and Mistyfoot have both promised me that they will remain loyal to RiverClan, and I trust that. Besides, they have been half-Clan all their lives, but loyalties have never been divided."

Blackclaw turned his head, and Mistyfoot guessed that they wouldn't be speaking for a while. She was aware of the different gaze that Leopardstar now held upon her. Apart from being shocked, Shadepelt seemed fine and Mosspelt gave them a reassuring nod. They allowed the croud to back up and went to get some food. It had been a lot day for both half-Clan cats.

"I thought that went well," mewed Stonefur once they were alone.

"You know Blackclaw won't speak to us now."

"Who needs him then?" asked Stonefur, "Enough cats trust us. Besides we are loyal to RiverClan, it's not like any cat can deny that. I'm still deputy, they have to listen whether they want to or not."

Mistyfoot smiled, "I'm proud of our mother," she mewed finally, "Are you mad at her for being half-Clan?"

"Not anymore. I'm proud of her too."

They sat in silence for a while, and then two familiar cats came up to them: Featherpaw and Stormpaw.

They greeted their apprentices with flicks of their tails and the two small cats came over.

"So," started Stormpaw cautiously, "Are you like us now?"

"That depends," mewed Stonefur, "Are you a loyal RiverClan cat who are proud of your parents despite mistakes they made?"

Mistyfoot took over, "Are you willing to prove your loyalty even though some cats don't trust you because of what your parents did?"

"Of course," answered Stormpaw.

Feathertail nodded, "We'll always be proud of our father and loyal to RiverClan."

Mistyfoot smiled.

"Then yes, we're just like you." And she knew how true it was.

Brightfang: Ok, I admit, I cheated a bit with this chapter. It has nothing to do with Firestar, but instead Bluestar's death. I hope you'll review anyway!