Willowpaw was alright. She was more than alright. She finally knew what it was like. To have a brother. A sibling there, by her side. It was better than she could have imagined. It was more than anything she could have imagined. It was like a best friend and family all wrapped neatly into one big package of joy and trust. She felt like she could trust him and he would always be there for her. Yes, they had only just met but she knew that it didn't matter. They both knew they were true siblings. The moons they had spent apart didn't matter anymore. Because they were together once more. It was as if he had never left her. Willowpaw snuggled closer to Rook leaving a gap between herself and Acornpaw. Her eyes fluttered open to see Acornpaw snoring gently. He seemed calm, he was sleeping well. A small smile flickered on her lips. She still loved him. She was happy for a new day. She was not dreading the rising of the sun. Because she would have Acornpaw by her side. And Rook of course. Rook. Her brother. Stormkit. For now, everything was alright. Everything was going to be ok, because she was curled up in the apprentice den, far from harm, with Rook and Acornpaw. Her two very best friends. She never knew she could feel such things. Such bonds with anybody. For a moment, Willowpaw wished Rook could stay forever. That he would join the Clan. But she remembered Splashclaw. She knew Rook had to go. He had to find his Twoleg family. It would pain her when he left but she knew it wouldn't be the last time she would see him. And she would still have Acornpaw. He would be enough. He was enough. 

Willowpaw yawned as streams of light entered the den. Snailpaw was already out of the den. Rook was still sleeping peacefully beside Willowpaw and so was Acornpaw. Willowpaw didn't move as not to wake them. Horizon was curled up tightly in a ball, his face hidden in his tail. After a while, Acornpaw started to drift awake. He smiled when he saw Willowpaw staring at him. She smiled back and gave him an affectionate lick on the nose. His smile widened. 
             "Good morning," yawned Acornpaw softly, returning the lick. 
            "Morning," beamed Willowpaw. 
             "You seem happy! More happy than ever! What happened? Good dream? Or was I just the best company ever?"
             "Haha. Funny," snorted Willowpaw, rolling her eyes. "You were good company but... I also had a dream. From StarClan." 
            "Really?" Acornpaw's eyebrows shot up. 
            "Yeah. Rook really is my brother. And- And for once..., I really really think everything is going to be ok. Because he's here and everything is going to be alright and he's just the best brother ever. I knew he was but now I really know, for sure." Acornpaw smiled, encouraged by Willowpaw's happiness. He almost frowned at the thought of Rook making Willowpaw happier than he could ever but then he brushed the thought away. He'd be ecstatic if he found out he had another brother or sister he had never met. Especially if that sibling was much less arrogant as Snailpaw. 
             "I'm glad you're happy. You're making me happy too!" grinned Acornpaw. 
              "Thanks," smiled Willowpaw. "Do you want to go for a walk? We can bring Rook. Show him around. He'll love it! Oh and Horizon too, I guess." Acornpaw shrugged. 
             "Sure," he said nonchalantly although he had hoped they would go on a romantic walk alone. Willowpaw had finally chosen him. He would not let her down. 
             "Rook," Willowpaw nudged Rook in the rib. Rook groaned and covered his ears. "Wake up!" Horizon sprung to his feet instead, letting out a small cough. Acornpaw jumped back, slightly surprised. 
             "Oh, good morning," said Willowpaw. 
              "Yeah," nodded Acornpaw. Horizon shook himself. 
             "ahhh," he shuddered, shaking himself. "Bad dream." 
             "Right," Acornpaw said. 
              "Do you want to come on a walk with us? We'll show you around WindClan," suggested Willowpaw. 
             "Ok," said Horizon, glancing down at Rook. "Is Rook coming?"
              "Yeah, once I wake him," nodded Acornpaw, nudging Rook once more. 
              "What?" Rook snapped, opening his eyes. "Oh. Sorry. I was having such a good dream." Rook stretched and got up, shaking himself too. Pieces of moss fell to the ground. Horizon joined his side, he still seemed skittish. 
              "Willowpaw was suggesting we bring you around our territory," Acornpaw explained. Willowpaw nodded. Rook beamed. 
              "That would be great! Thanks sis!" he exclaimed. Willowpaw's eyes lit up and she trotted out of the den by Rook's side. Acornpaw trudged behind them, followed by Horizon. 
              "Why are you so skittish?" Acornpaw asked Horizon, watching Rook and Willowpaw trotting merrily toward the entrance. Horizon took careful steps instead. 
              "I don't- maybe because ShadowClan wanted to kill us!" Horizon cried. 
              "we're not going to kill you. Unless you do something really bad," Acornpaw reassured Horizon. Horizon made a face. 
              "Willowpaw, have you told your mentor?" called Acornpaw. Willowpaw turned around. 
               "About what?" she called back.
              "That we're going out. I know Sootwhisker will let me. I already asked him yesterday for a day off," explained Acornpaw, padding towards Willowpaw and Rook. 
                "oh," sighed Willowpaw. "I haven't told Brownclaw." Brownclaw appeared, yawning into the clearing. 
               "Well. Now you have. And I'm going to let you, but only this once. There's no skipping class next time," Brownclaw warned then added, "And keep an eye on them. Horizon and Rook, I mean. They're supposed to be under supervision at all times." Willowpaw opened her mouth to defend Rook but Acornpaw quickly stepped in. 
                 "Sure thing! Thanks Brownclaw," he said quickly then herded Willowpaw, Rook and Horizon to the camp entrance. They slipped out. The air was cold and the ground frozen and hard. 
                "I'm sorry about Rook. They're not sure you're really Stormkit yet. But I'll tell them," Willowpaw apologised. 
               "It's ok," Rook shrugged. A violent, cold wind blue, ruffling Acornpaw's fur. He fluffed it up and stepped forward, about to press Willowpaw so they could share their warmth. He could see that she was shivering too. But Rook was first to it. He pressed himself against Willowpaw and she gladly chatted with him, sharing his warmth. Acornpaw felt his bones freeze and not because of the cold. Maybe he would be happy when Rook left. Horizon glanced at Acornpaw and trotted after Willowpaw and Rook, puffing out his coat in protection. Acornpaw followed, slightly less enthusiastic. Willowpaw didn't notice. Her concentration and all of her joy, was all targeted to Rook. Yes, she did like, or even love Acornpaw. But this new appearance of Rook was like a bright burning light of warmth after a trembling, dark night in the cold caves of a mountain. In the back of her mind, as Willowpaw strolled beside Rook, she knew Acornpaw was there. That she should not ignore him. But she still continued with Rook, because he was the cat she had dreamt of her whole life. The brother she had ached for. She finally had him. As long as he was here, she was not going to let go.