Dusk had arrived. The sky was a beautiful greyish pink colours. Birds had stopped singing and were replaced by the hoots of owls. Heartstorm stood by the river, gazing at it calmly. The air was cold but it felt good after a strangely hot day. He breathed slowly, liking the calm and enjoying the stillness. Most of the camp was settling into their nests or whispering amongst themselves about their tiring day. Suddenly, there was a rustle behind Heartstorm. He knew exactly who it was and smiled a little. Bumblepaw stood next to Heartstorm, staring into the gently flowing water. 

           "It's very calming, isn't it?" Bumblepaw said finally, breaking the silence. 

            "It is," nodded Heartstorm. 

             "I come here often before going to sleep," Bumblepaw continued. Heartstorm hadn't known that. 

            "Really, why? Do you have trouble sleeping?" Heartstorm asked worriedly. 

             "No," said Bumblepaw. "Of course not... I like it here. At night it's really nice."

            "how's training treating you?" asked Heartstorm. 

             "Great. I've learnt loads," explained Bumblepaw. 

              "Are you..., liking it?" asked Heartstorm. 

               "Yes of course," nodded Bumblepaw. "I learnt about alder bark and burdock root." Heartstorm didn't find anything interesting in that but he was glad his son enjoyed what he was doing. He nodded, smiling encouragingly to his son. 

             "That's- cool...," Heartstorm nodded. 

              "It's ok.. I get it if you don't understand what I'm saying. I'm just glad that you understand what I want," shrugged Bumblepaw. "I mean, Brightpaw even told me she didn't understand anything I told her but she still listens. I should go to sleep now... I've got a long day ahead." 

             "Yeah of course. Good night," nodded Heartstorm. 

             "Good night," Bumblepaw replied and padded away softly. Heartstorm watched until Bumblepaw was lost from sight. He turned back his attention to the stream. The clearing had gone silent now, every cat was settling down in their nests. Heartstorm listened to the water trickle by, letting it calm him. Without realising, the moon had risen and Heartstorm still stood by the stream. He spotted the reflection of the moon and himself in the water. The stream was still now, not a ripple. Heartstorm stared at the reflection of his face. It looked so smooth. Suddenly, there was a small ripple. Heartstorm's reflection distorted and the moon's reflection seemed to float away. When the water stilled once more, Heartstorm realised he was not alone. There, standing beside him, staring into the water was a tortoiseshell cat. She was beautiful with gentle eyes. Heartstorm turned around, his voice lost. Shimmering, like a ghost, stood Brightheart. 

             "B-Brightheart," stuttered Heartstorm. He hadn't seen her for a long time. And he had definitely never seen her in his world... In RiverClan... 

            "Hello Heartstorm," smiled Brightheart, her smile seemed to illuminate the night. 

             "H-how?" stammered Heartstorm. 

             "I wouldn't be asking how," Brightheart said. "I'd ask why." 

             "Why?" repeated Heartstorm. He flicked his eyes around him, looking around for another cat he might have missed. He half hoped Sagekit was there. But Sagekit was nowhere to be seen. 

              "I need to warn you," Brightheart said. Heartstorm's mind started whirling. What had happened? What would happen? "I don't want you to start getting all worried." Brightheart spoke to Heartstorm gently. It calmed him slightly but he still couldn't help but worry. 

              "What's wrong? what happened?" Heartstorm asked. 

               "I've come to warn you about the war arriving," Brightheart recited. "There is no stopping it. But there is now way you must blame yourself for whatever happens." Heartstorm frowned. 

              "Blame myself?" he said softly. "What war...?" He thought about his kits and Silverdrop. About Deerflame and Eelfrost. About Blacktail and Thornstar. "Are- are we going to lose? Am I not going to be there? Are my kits... my mate... my friends... are they going to die?" Brightheart looked at Heartstorm pitifully.

              "Heartstorm, I cannot tell you that," Brightheart said gently. "Heartstorm. You must not blame yourself. Whatever happens, it is not your fault. Remember my words." 

             "Brightheart, what?" Heartstorm exclaimed, angry and confused. "You came down here... all the way down here to tell me there is a war coming? And that I must not blame myself for it? How can- what- why? I don't know what's going to happen... but I can prevent it. You know a war is coming. I can tell Reedstar. I can tell the Clan. I can prepare them..." 

             "Heartstorm, the war is coming. Nothing will change that," Brightheart replied. 

            "I can warn the Clan. Like you're warning me. If I don't tell them and the war does come, of course I'm going to blame myself!" exclaimed Heartstorm. Brightheart sighed. 

            "Heartstorm... you won't understand my words till- till it happens. So please, stop worrying about. Just prepare yourselves. Prepare my daughter in law. Protect and prepare my grandkits. Ok?" Brightheart said finally. 

           "I er- I don't understand," sputtered Heartstorm. 

            "I don't expect you to. I just want you to remember my words, ok?" Brightheart asked gently. Heartstorm frowned. His stomach felt queasy. 

           "You're not making sense," Heartstorm said angrily. "Why are you telling me this? Why?" 

            "I don't know if I'll be able to come... later," Brightheart answered. 

            "W-what do you mean?" murmured Heartstorm, not knowing what to feel.

            "I love you," whispered Brightheart. Her voice gently touched Heartstorm's ears. He watched as his mother's form became brighter and brighter. He watched as the stream glittered. Brightheart's shape became a bright light. Heartstorm narrowed his eyes, trying to make out Brightheart. The light suddenly burned extremely bright. Heartstorm took a step back. Then, just as suddenly as she had come, Brightheart was gone. The light disappeared in a flash and Heartstorm was left staring an empty space in front of him. He shook his head and blinked twice. He stared into the stream. It was calm once more. The moon was reflected in the stream once again. Heartstorm found himself breathing heavily. He sighed and pushed through some bushes. He made his way towards the warrior's den. An owl screeched. Heartstorm heard some fluttering then a faint squeak. He looked up and saw and owl glide past the moon. It hooted in victory. It's wings were large and majestic. In it's large claws, a small figure wriggled. Heartstorm slipped into the warrior's den and spotted Silverdrop's form in the gloom. He imagined not seeing her there. Sadness prickled through him. His eyes were salty. He pushed away his thoughts and curled into his nest. Although he tried not to think, the thoughts came relentlessly through the whole night.