Rainstorm sat, exhausted in the dawn, watching sadly as Lightstep moved among the cats, treating the wounded and searching for the dead. Russetclaw of ShadowClan was there as well.

Willowstar and Swiftwind had found Dustpaw dead and were preparing to carry him back to their den. Rainstorm scanned the camp and took note of the fact that Brokenfoot was not among the dead, nor was he anywhere to be seen. The coward must have taken off sometime during the battle.

"Hold still!" Russetclaw said firmly as she inspected Stonepelt's wounded leg. "You'd think you were dying with that attitude."

Rainstorm watched as the dead rogues were carried out of the camp by those still fit for the task. He wandered over to Lightstep by the medicine cat's den.

"Lightstep," Rainstorm said, his tone worried. "How is he?" he asked hesitantly.

"He'll live," Lightstep answered, peering into her den. "But his wounds are deep. He'll most likely be crippled for life."

Nodding in solemn acceptance, Rainstorm glanced at the sleeping form of Raggedfur, his wounds swathed in layers of cobweb.

"Where's Misty?" Lightstep asked suddenly.

Rainstorm's head shot up and he felt a sudden panic overwhelm him. He hadn't seen her since the start of the battle when he helped her to fight off that rogue.

He turned and scanned the camp. He saw Dawnfrost and Goldenstar licking their scratches. Owlstar was refusing Russetclaw's attempts to treat her scratched shoulder. Icewhisker and Smalltail were crouched next to a familiar figure with blue-gray fur. Rainstorm's blood went cold.

He padded over to them and looked down upon the dead she-cat between them. But it was not Misty. It was Bluefeather. And sticking out from under her claws were tufts of white fur.

"What happened?" Rainstorm asked.

"Snowpelt did it," Smalltail said and cast Rainstorm a mournful look. He felt so hollow inside that grief pushed all anger away.

"Where's Misty?"

Icewhisker looked up in alarm. Smalltail flicked her tail toward the warriors' den and Rainstorm took off.

Sure enough, he saw her sitting with another cat and Russetclaw, who had finished with Stonepelt.

"Will he be okay?" Misty asked as Rainstorm approached.

"I'm sure of it," Russetclaw said. "Though he'll need to rest awhile to heal."

The cat lying on the ground raised his head weakly. It was Sootfur and the deep gashes in his side looked terrible, covered in sticky cobweb. A puddle of blood melted a hole into the snow.

Rainstorm saw Misty's sympathetic, if slightly stunning, eyes.

"Why did you do that?" Misty asked. "You could have died."

Sootfur looked up, his gaze wavering. "I'd do the same for any clan cat."

"But I'm not a clan cat."

Sootfur's eyes dimmed with exhaustion. "Guess I couldn't tell the difference." He coughed feebly and lay his head back on the ground, closing his eyes. Russetclaw took some more cobweb from Wrenpaw, who had volunteered to help, and piled it onto the wound for it was bleeding again.

"Misty," Rainstorm said as he approached. "I'm glad to see you're well."

"I'm so sorry about Snowpelt," Misty blurted out. "It most be so hard…"

"It'll be okay," Rainstorm assured her and rested his tail lightly on her shoulder for comfort.

"Cats of ThunderClan," a voice rang out. "Gather around the Highrock."

Rainstorm glanced up and saw that it was Lightstep, perched upon the Highrock as the clan gathered.

"We best return to our own clans now," said Owlstar. "We see you need time to recover and we will leave you in peace." Rainstorm nodded in gratitude. Then the cats began to depart, the strong supporting the weak and wounded. Then they were gone and the camp was less crowded.

Rainstorm approached the Highrock.

"We need to rebuild," Lightstep began. "And the first thing we need is a leader."

"And who would lead us?" Smalltail asked as more thunder growled.

"We'll wait and --"

"We can't wait!" Smalltail interrupted. "We need a leader now."

As if on cue, lightning split the sky, slicing open the clouds, and rain began to fall. A fine curtain of spray and spattering drops that cascaded upon the silent clan. But it was not cold, rather warm and comforting. Where it hit the snow, the snow melted into rivulets that drained into the grass beneath. It flowed past Rainstorm's paws, pushing away the clumps of ice and snow. It fell and washed the blood from the cat's fur, ridding the camp of the scent of death.

A single voice broke through the consistent murmur of the rain. "It's a sign from StarClan," Lightstep exclaimed in awe. "A rain storm that washes away the blood and death and brings peace." She looked through the crowd and the other cats followed the path of her gaze. "It's you," she said. "Rainstorm, StarClan has declared you are leader."

Rainstorm paused as the words sunk in with the rain. Leader? But how --?

"What a minute," Leopardtail thrust her way to the front of the crowd. "He can't be our leader. He's never even had an apprentice."

"Yes he has," Tawnystripe spoke up, coming to Rainstorm's side. "This loner right here. He's trained her in our ways."

Leopardtail snorted. "A loner? StarClan knows a filthy scrap like her could never become a warrior."

"And that filthy scrap," Icewhisker growled, emphasizing her anger. "Was born a clan cat. She has warrior blood."

Leopardtail looked taken aback.

"And besides," Snalltail added. "If it weren't for Misty, we may not even have won this battle. I think it only fitting that her mentor, Rainstorm, be our leader."

Most of the cats nodded, Flamepelt included. Only Leopardtail remained silent.

"Well, Rainstorm?" Lightstep prodded gently.

Misty looked up at him and he saw in her eyes a new respect. And something else.

"Alright," Rainstorm said, taking a step forward. "If this is StarClan's will, there's no arguing with it. And our clan will be strong once again."

"Night?" Misty called hesitantly as she entered the barn. She shook the cool droplets from her fur. Outside, it continued to rain.

"Misty?" Night returned, peering at her from the hayloft. She swiftly descended and met Misty by the door. "I've been so worried." She nuzzled her.

"Night, it's over," Misty said as she pulled away, her expression serious. "The trouble in the forest is all over."

"I'm just so glad to see you again. When I came back from hunting to find that you and that clan cat were gone, I--I just didn't know what to think."

"He invited me to stay."

"What?"

"He invited me to stay," Misty repeated. "He's asked me to join ThunderClan. I'm only here because I wanted to say goodbye."

"Oh, Misty," Night breathed, her tone edged in sadness. "You really want this, don't you?"

Misty nodded. "Yes. It's where I belong. My mother's there and my friends. They need all the help they can get now that Shadestar's gone. The camp is in ruins."

"And it's not my place to make you stay here," Night said quietly.

"I'm sorry." This time it was Misty who nuzzled the black loner, a comforting, loving gesture. "I promise I'll visit you every chance I get."

"Thank you," Night replied and a shallow purr rose in her throat. The first purr Misty had heard in a long time. "I may not have been your real mother," she said. "But I'm glad to have been given this time. I'll miss you."

Misty allowed a soft purr that merged with the consistent beat of the rain.

The clouds were just beginning to clear on a bright new day when Rainstar returned, Lightstep at his side. The memory of the nine lives ceremony was still fresh in his mind and he felt renewed with StarClan's strength.

The camp he came back to was just beginning to recover. The apprentices Lionpaw and Patchpaw were repairing the damage done to the thorn barrier, aided by Tawnystripe. The hunting patrol, consisting of Icewhisker, Smalltail, and Flamepelt, returned with a successful catch to place on the growing fresh-kill pile. The sight of the prey and the lack of snow convinced Rainstar that newleaf had truly arrived.

"Rainstar!" a voice called out. Heads went up all around the camp as he emerged into view and they came to him and called him by his new name. He saw Misty at the edge of the crowd and felt warmth seep through his pelt at the sight of her. The journey to Highstones and back had seemed a long one.

Rainstar bunched up his muscles and leaped onto the Highrock. There was no need to call the familiar summons for the cats were already gathered and waiting to hear what he had to say. He had had plenty of time to think on the journey home and was pleased to give his first major announcement to the clan. So with that, he began to speak.

"StarClan has accepted me as leader of ThunderClan," he began. "And our first task will be to repair our camp and make it strong again. Patrols need to be sent out as soon as possible and so ThunderClan needs a new deputy." He gazed around at his clan. At Smalltail and Tawnystripe, Misty, Icewhisker, and then at Raggedfur, who was sitting near the elders' tree--his new den--with his crippled paw held beneath him. He felt confident he had made the right choice.

He lifted his head high. "I say these words before the spirits of StarClan, that they may hear and approve my choice." His eyes gleamed. "Tawneystripe will be the new deputy of ThunderClan."

The response was immediate, an uproar of cheering cats and purrs. Tawnystripe had been a popular choice.

"Thank you, Rainstar," Tawnystripe acknowledged with a dip of her head. "I will do all I can to ensure the strength and safety of our clan."

Rainstar nodded in return. "And there is something else I must say," he addressed the clan again and the cats soon fell silent. "Another cat here deserves to be honored. If it weren't for her, we might not have won this battle. It is StarClan's will that she be here and it is well time for her to become a warrior. Misty, come here please."

She looked up at him, a little startled, and walked forward to stand before the Highrock. Rainstar leaped down to meet her.

"I, Rainstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. Though she has been raised a loner, she has the heart of a true warrior and she has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code. And I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn." He looked at Misty. "Misty, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?" He knew he need not ask, for her actions during the battle had proved all that. He wanted for her to really know the importance of a ceremony such as this.

"I do," Misty said, her eyes shining.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name," he continued. "Misy, from this moment, you will be known as Mistyheart. StarClan honors your courage and your spirit and we welcome your as a full warrior of ThunderClan." He rested his muzzle lightly on her head and Mistyheart, after a whispered word from Smalltail, gave him a respectful lick on the shoulder.

"Mistyheart! Mistyheart!" The clan exploded into the traditional chant, calling the former loner by her new name. Mistyheart began to purr. Rainstar's heart soared with happiness, for her and for the renewed clan. Newleaf had come at last. And not just for the forest.

He watched the gathered clan, united and strong, as they welcomed the new warrior into their ranks. Some of them began to pick prey from the flooding fresh-kill pile to celebrate.

Then Rainstar spotted another cat in their midst, at the edge of the hollow. But no one paid him any attention. It was the faint, gray silhouette of a proud warrior. Stars were tangled in his fur. Stormheart.

The ShadowClan warrior gazed fondly at his daughter, Mistyheart, as she sat with her mother. Then Stormheart shifted his eyes and met Rainstar's. There was pride in that gaze. And respect.

Stormheart nodded and Rainstar returned the gesture. Then the brave StarClan warrior began to fade into a fine, silver mist and vanished, leaving behind the glittering stars of dew that were his eyes.

Rainstar took a deep breath of the fresh air and went to join Mistyheart and they would eat and share tongues as the day past, just like generations of warriors before them.

The end.

A/N: Well, that's it. I hope you enjoyed reading it and be sure to leave a review before you go. This story was inspired by own cat, a kittypet through and through, and yes, her name is Misty.