Heartstorm approached Reedstar.

          "Yeah?" asked Reedstar, flicking his tail. 

          "I need to talk to you about something... peculiar," Heartstorm said carefully. Reedstar frowned but shrugged. 

            "Sure, what is it?" asked Reedstar. 

             "It's um... about Ravenfall," Heartstorm started. Reedstar's brow furrowed deeper. 

             "What about him? They're gone," Reedstar said, narrowing his eyes. He flicked his tail to the spot beside him, gesturing for Heartstorm to sit down. 

              "Yeah well um, he just talked to me," Heartstorm said. "At the border. He asked-"

              "When?" asked Reedstar.

              "Just now," Heartstorm replied. 

             "What did he say?" 

              "He asked if the kits... if the kits..."

              "Yes?"

              "If the kits could join RiverClan..." Heartstorm felt uneasy as the silence crawled by. Nerves nibbled his stomach. He cringed. Reedstar was speechless. 

               "Crowkit and Lilykit? Ravenfall wants them to join RiverClan?" Reedstar repeated. "Heartstorm, what?" 

               "He said the kits are attached to RiverClan. That they want to be RiverClan. he asked if they could join," Heartstorm explained. 

                 "W-what?" Reedstar stammered. "I just- and Ravenfall doesn't mind? Or Cloverwish? They don't mind their kits leaving their Clan to join ours?" 

                "I well - Ravenfall just wants what's best for the kits. And Cloverwish.., isn't really in on this," Heartstorm said. 

                "Do you know how crazy this request is?" asked Reedstar with a sigh. "You know it's a no. It's too complicated. We already have ShadowClan as a nemesis, we don't need WindClan as another one as well." Heartstorm hung his head. ShadowClan hated them because of him. "What will WindClan think? That we're stealing their kits?" 

               "I know. I know, I just thought I owed it to Ravenfall to ask you," Heartstorm sighed.

               "You don't owe him anything. He- and WindClan- owe us," Reedstar replied firmly. "I'm sorry Heartstorm. But I know you knew it would be a no." Heartstorm nodded. He shouldn't have gotten his hopes up. 

              "Thanks anyways Reedstar," Heartstorm said. 

              "It's ok," Reedstar said, getting up then turned back. "Oh and Heartstorm." 

             "Yeah?" asked Heartstorm. 

               "Don't talk to WindClan cats over the border anymore," Reedstar replied and padded off. Heartstorm huffed. Sparkbelly spotted him from across the clearing and trotted over. 

                "What's up?" he asked. Heartstorm shrugged. He didn't know how he was going to tell Ravenfall. 

                "Nothing," mumbled Heartstorm. 

                 "Mmmm, I can see it's something," Sparkbelly said smartly. 

                "No- it's- it's nothing," sighed Heartstorm. 

                 "Is it about Ravenfall and the kits?" asked Sparkbelly. Heartstorm's reaction must have betrayed him as Sparkbelly nodded knowingly. "You miss them don't you?" 

                "Yeah I er- no, " HEartstorm stammered. 

                "It's ok, I understand. They were there the whole time I was healing," Sparkbelly said, his tail twitching. "I miss them as well. I hope WindClan and RiverClan don't quarrel. I'd hate to see them hurt." 

                "Yeah. I know. Me too," Heartstorm said. 

                 "It's kinda weird, being back," Sparkbelly said.

                 "What do you mean?" 

                 "Like, I was stuck in the medicine den for so long I almost forgot what being a warrior was." 

                 "Thank you." 

                  "Huh?" 

                   "Thank you. You saved my life. You risked your life. To save me," Heartstorm said, feeling emotion bubbling. "Thank you, Sparkbelly." Sparkbelly smiled. 

                  "That's what friends are for," he said. Heartstorm smiled and nodded sadly. 

                 "You're a real hero Sparkbelly," Heartstorm said truthfully. 

                  "Thanks Heartstorm," said Sparkbelly. "I just did what was right." Heartstorm watched Sparkbelly pad away. He slid down to his stomach and thought about Bumblekit. Then about ShadowClan. And Brightkit. And finally, Sagekit. He gulped back tears. He's watching from above, thought Heartstorm. He's with Brightheart. He's happy. Heartstorm smiled at the thought of Sagekit trotting about by Brightheart's side. Heartstorm saw Hawkflight talking to Rosebriar. Rosebriar was giggling and Hawkflight looked extremely pleased with himself. Heartstorm chuckled. Then Rosebriar turned to talk to Deerflame, who called her over and Hawkflight found himself alone. He spotted Heartstorm and trotted towards him. Hawkflight slipped next to Heartstorm. 

                "What you thinking about?" asked Hawkflight. 

                "StarClan," shrugged Heartstorm. 

                 "Yeah... I think about Wolfstep all the time," Hawkflight said softly. 

                 "Wolfstep would be so proud," Heartstorm whispered. His thoughts moved to Wolfstep. A strong, loyal grey warrior. Wolfstep had not only been one of the best warriors, he was intelligent and wise. 

                 "I don't know though... is he?" Hawkflight said, his voice shaking. "I mean... it was because of me. He's up there because of me." 

                 "He doesn't blame you," Heartstorm said firmly. 

                 "How do you know?" asked Hawkflight. Heartstorm thought for a while. But he knew. 

                 "I know, because I was your mentor. And if I had to jump into battle to save you, I would have. And if I had died, I wouldn't blame you. Because I did it for you and I would be so glad I didn't do it in vain," Heartstorm told Hawkflight truthfully. Hawkflight fought back tears. 

                   "Thank you Heartstorm. Would you really?" he said, his voice soft. 

                   "Of course," nodded Heartstorm. "I would do it for everybody in this Clan." Hawkflight dipped his head. 

                   "RiverClan is lucky to have you."