Once the cats pulled into camp, Frecklesky drew Fallowstep to the side.

"Do you know where I can find any flowers?" She mewed hopefully, her eyes shining with excitement.

She had kept the news a secret from Rachel. She wanted it to be a surprise, and now that the meeting with ThunderClan had gone well, she wanted to tell her, but with something special to top it all off. Flowers were romantic... weren't they?

Fallowstep snorted. "In this weather? I doubt you'll find a single one." Her eyes trailed along the fringes of camp, not once darting to her sister, while her tail noticeably drooped.

"You can't be this upset," Frecklesky mewed. "Can you?"

"Can I?" Fallowstep snapped back. "Frecklesky, this is a terrible idea. I know you love her, but what about your Clan? What about me?"

Frecklesky bristled. "Of course I love you! That's why I'm staying here, in ShadowClan. That's why she's joining us. So I won't have to leave you."

Fallowstep shook her head numbly. "No, Frecklesky, you don't understand. It's just that—" her voice cut off, her eyes growing distant as she stared off behind Frecklesky. The tortoiseshell warrior whirled around. A small group of white flowers bloomed, just within the camp wall. They waved gently in a soft breeze.

"It seems I've found my flowers," the warrior growled, her lip curled slightly. "Thanks, I guess."

Fallowstep snapped out of her trance with a gasp as Frecklesky marched along. "Frecklesky, no, wait!" She hissed, her voice twisted in fear.

Frecklesky whirled around to face her with a snarl. "Just leave me alone already! If you can't let me be happy, then stay out of my life. Got it?" Her tail lashed behind her in a violent rhythm, her chest heaving as she struggled to contain her anger.

Fallowstep stared up at her with wide eyes, her nose trembling slightly. "But Frecklesky..."

"We're done here," the warrior snapped curtly. "I'm going to see Rachel, and there's nothing," she leaned into her sister's face, their whiskers brushing, "you can do about it. Do you understand?"

Fallowstep gaped for a moment, her green eyes round in dismay. She snapped her mouth shut. "Fine," she hissed venomously. "Have it your way." The medicine cat spun around and raced away, disappearing into the medicine den.

Frecklesky's nostrils flared. Regret clawed at her heart, but she pushed it away with a scowl. If that's how she feels, then so be it, she scorned, turning around and trotting towards the flowers.

She gave them a sniff. The soft smell of pollen greeted her nostrils. She leaned down and snipped off the stems of a few, clasping them between her teeth. Pulling the bushel away, she strolled towards the camp entrance. Railclaw cast her a sideways glance, but she ignored the silver she-cat as she slipped into the marsh.

She padded across the territory, her paws squelching against the ground, sodden from melted snow. She tentatively rolled thoughts around in her head. Hey, Rachel, I hope you like flowers. They're pretty, just like you. She shook her head. No, she'd call that 'cheesy...'  The warrior flicked her tail thoughtfully, keeping an eye on her paws. Good evening, my love. I thought you might like some flowers. Frecklesky felt her face burn at the thought. Great StarClan, I'm mooning over her like a kit.

She lifted her head, tightening her grip on the bundle of flowers. She would be arriving at the thunderpath shortly. Her heart squirmed in worry as a daunting thought shadowed her mind. What if Rachel doesn't like flowers?

Her worrying was thrust to a halt as her green eyes settled upon a familiar dark figure, sitting gracefully atop a boulder. She still wore her collar with pride, and her form was beautifully silhouetted by the brilliant sunset. The warrior's pace noticeably slowed as she neared, and it didn't take long for the former kittypet to catch her eye.

Rachel dropped into the grass and hurried over with a purr, golden eyes curiously flitting to Frecklesky's mouthful of flowers. "What's this?" She inquired, encircling the large warrior and allowing her tail to trail along the tortoiseshell's flank.

Frecklesky gently lowered them to the ground. "A gift."

Rachel's eyes widened. "For me?"

"For you."

A purr erupted from the dark she-cat's chest, and she lowered her muzzle to sniff at the flowers. "They're lovely," she purred. She leaned back up to give Frecklesky a gentle lap on the cheek. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome," Frecklesky mewed. "I have another surprise for you, too."

"What is it?" Rachel's ears flicked excitedly.

"Larkstar would like to meet you," the tortoiseshell explained. "Tomorrow."

Rachel froze. "She would?"

"She absolutely would." Frecklesky grinned, her thick tail flicking back and forth in her excitement.

"Oh wow, that's fantastic!" Rachel leaped to her paws, bouncing excitedly from one foot to the other. "Did she say yes?"

"No, she would like to meet you first."

Rachel's face fell slightly, but she gave a brisk shake of her head. "Okay, that's fine." She turned in circles, her ears flat as a serious frown stretched across her face. "Is there anything I can do to impress her, do you think?"

"Just being yourself would impress anyone," Frecklesky replied slyly.

Rachel gaped. "Oh, you!" She spluttered. "No, I'm serious, Frecklesky. What can I do to give a good impression?"

"No, I'm serious," Frecklesky insisted. "Just be yourself, and... if you insist, maybe try to catch something. That would impress her."

Rachel flicked her tail thoughtfully. "Catch something..." she echoed. "You cats have 'territories', don't you? Shouldn't I hunt somewhere specific?"

Frecklesky tilted her head. "Do you reckon you can catch anything in twolegplace?"

Rachel crinkled her nose. "I can try, but there's not much there. Mostly birds."

"And I haven't taught you how to catch them," Frecklesky sighed.

"Whatever the case, I'm sure I'll do fine," Rachel mewed, lifting her head slightly. She stopped her pacing and turned to face Frecklesky, a small smile cresting her face. "Don't you?"

Frecklesky smiled. "I sure hope so."

Rachel pressed forward, burying her nose in Frecklesky's thick fur, and they sat down. As time passed, they curled up in a ball together, Frecklesky's chin resting on the scruff of Rachel's neck. Curled up by her belly, the soft thrums of Rachel purring brought peace to the large warrior.

"I hope we can do this forever," Frecklesky murmured, burying her nose into Rachel's sweet, lavender-scented fur.

The dark she-cat shifted slightly, her purring only growing louder. "We will be able to," she breathed. "We just have to believe in it."

"I'll believe anything if it means we'll always be together." Frecklesky's eyelids fluttered as she spoke those words.

Rachel hummed in agreement, and Frecklesky smiled in response. Sleepy little thunderpath.

She allowed her eyes to slip shut. For the first time in forever, she truly felt at peace. No anger, no bitterness, just happiness, love, and a heart full of hope.