"Blizzard?" Wildfire whispered, shifting in her nest, looking at the roof, staring at the same night sky that always glittered. Tiny, white stars glimmered and she sighed, breathing in the scent of her sister. The silver she-cat rolled over, forcing her tired eyes to open.

     "Yes...?" she mumbled, rubbing her head. "Need something...?"

     "I was wondering... if things were different and we didn't have to fight, do you think we could've been really good friends with Hurricane's birth family?" Wildfire muttered, keeping her voice low so they wouldn't wake up Firestorm. "I didn't really see them much during the battle, but the one... Cardinal, she seemed really nice. Do you think we could've been friends?"

     "Those cats?" Blizzard muttered, blinking. "Maybe, if things turned out differently. I can't say I was entirely impressed when one of them so kindly decided to hate Tsunami."

     "But they hate us, and we hate them." Wildfire turned in her nest, remembering the one conversation she had with the cream she-cat. Right before another cat came in and ripped the two apart and Cardinal ran away toward a pretty white cat. She squeezed her eyes shut, burying the thoughts of seeing her fleeting friendship die.

     "I don't know what would've happened if we got along. Some of them didn't look the friendliest, but at least you were happy with one, weren't you?" Blizzard said, hoping to cheer her up. Wildfire could tell that her sister wasn't with her and struggled to stay awake, the warmth of her nest tempting her to fall back into a black world.

     I wonder what would've happened if she survived, but I'd gladly take Tsunami over her. That's a selfish desire, isn't it? Wildfire thought, biting her tongue. I want my sister back. I don't care if she's going to be mean to me, I want her back. Please, just let her come back.

     Blizzard pulled her close in a mother's embrace, silencing her thoughts. She looked up, eyes wide and full of worry. Her sister was asleep, but the grip around her was strong, and a single movement was enough to wake her up, she guessed. Wildfire didn't say anything else and tried to fall to sleep as well, imaging days when she was younger and with her family.

     But those illusions didn't last long, and she got bored. Wildfire wiggled out of Blizzard's grip and stood up, stretching in the cold air. The cat gave her a sleepy eye but fell back into her sleep, ignoring her. Silently, the golden cat slipped away and entered the open camp, letting the moonlight bathe her. Her fur gave a bright glow, standing out if another cat was on patrol or decided to take a night walk.

     She knew that she'd have to return to the den soon, but having the chance to walk around and be able to move for a few moments overpowered her fear. Resting for an entire moon had gotten to her head and she was determined to shake those cobwebs out and do something. Hunting would be a good option, but she knew that she was loud and would cause some kind of commotion. A simple walk in the territory would do, she supposed.

     Wildfire padded away when another cat shifted, making her heart freeze. From the roof of a den, a cat dropped down, his white pelt flashing. She held her breath, relieved that it wasn't one of her father's retainers or spies, but she still felt uncomfortable around her brother's remaining supporter. Sheer was definitely a cat she didn't want to face in battle, and without his leader of his team around, the rogue was just another cat that sat around and followed orders blindly.

     Regardless of his actions, Wildfire could never bring herself to figure out why her brother chose a cat like Sheer to be a part of his team. At least Jay and Butterfly were her friends since she was a kit. If she remembered correctly, Lightning had caught the white tom attempting to assassinate Tsunami when she was younger and ever since her brother bested him, the white tom gave in and apologized to an angry calico.

     "Wildfire, what exactly are you doing up at this time? Shouldn't you be asleep?" he asked, tilting his head. "It's a shame if you waste all your energy now."

     "You know that I can't move," she fired back. "This is the only time when I can move around freely and not have Blizzard or Firestorm watch me."

     "It'd be a shame if someone were to shout in alarm..."

     "Don't even think about it," she pleaded. "I just thought a late walk would be good for me. That's all."

     "How do I know you're not lying?" Sheer countered. "Knowing you, you could easily slip out and that would leave both of your siblings in distress. They would've lost four siblings then. It's best if you go back to your nest."

     "How do you know what's good for me?" Wildfire sighed. "I don't get why my brother wanted you at his side, but I know for a fact it definitely wasn't to monitor me when he isn't around. Let me do what I want for this night."

     "This wouldn't happen to be the first time you've snuck out on your own?" The white tom leapt ahead of her, drawing her closer to the exit of the camp. Wildfire felt her heart skip a beat as she followed, forgetting the argument they had earlier. Leaving camp would definitely make her feel better, even if she was out for a few moments. Despite the tom that accompanied her, bringing a cat that used to slaughter kits and younger cats brought chills to her and tightened her heart as she inched further and further out of camp.

     Wildfire questioned how her brother had even found Sheer at the time and bested him in a fight when his own life was on the line. Blizzard and Firestorm didn't take it well when Lightning came back with the white tom, beaten and bruised, but pledging his loyalty to the only cat that ever stood a chance against him. As a reward, she remembered the two leaving with Python's permission to eliminate the old band of rogues that sent the sly tom out on these dangerous quests.

     Running into her own teammates was fun, as Butterfly had been her only friend besides her family. Without her mother's love or attention after Waterlily's death, she was free to wander where she wanted, even if it meant falling into the paws of rogues. Had the she-cat not come in to protect her, Wildfire guessed she wouldn't be here today. She narrowed her eyes at Sheer, watching as he weaved around the thicket, his white pelt gleaming in the pale moonlight. He kept one yellow eye on her, watching and waiting for a moment to strike.

     She wanted to scream and cry, running away from the cat Lightning placed his trust and life on, but that would draw attention, and Wildfire knew that Viper made night patrols if there was a chance Hurricane would appear. Her ears rose, scanning and picking up the smallest of sounds such as the pebbles rolling across the soil with each step or the shuffle of the trees that provided shelter and safety. Sheer padded closer, bringing an explosion of fear in her stomach, but he held her close, paws seeming lighter.

     When she opened her jaws to protest, he slammed a paw against her, silencing her. Wildfire blinked and her eyes darted across the forest, listening for the shaking of a bush or tree. Her eyes trailed to the night sky and squinted through the black blanket, trying to make out shapes or figures or lurking cats. Instinctively, her back pressed against Sheer and they created a circle, scanning the territory. The tom held his breath and lowered his head, getting into a crouch. Afraid and with a pounding heart, she followed, her scent rolling in fear.

     Her mind started making connections, worrying if Viper had found them. A white pelt and a bright orange pelt stuck out like a cardinal in the cold wind, leaving little disguise in the black forest. Wildfire dove under Sheer's underbelly without a second thought, the tom struggling and letting out disgusting sounds as she forced herself under, curling herself into a little ball. It smelled like rotten prey and mud, but she clogged her nose and held her breath, waiting for the cat to appear.

     A loud snap from the left alerted both cats and Sheer's hackles rose threateningly, preparing to jump. Then he attacked, exposing her back to the sky, throwing himself into a bush where a shocked and strangled cry erupted. Wildfire's heart leapt and she darted after the tom, taking a gamble.

     "What the---?! Get off me!" The voice she hoped to hear snapped, clearly angered and just the way she imagined it to be. Wildfire's face split into a wide grin and she jumped into the fray, crashing onto Sheer, who had the cat pinned with a smug look on his face. No matter how much the impatient cat struggled, he couldn't break free as his friend began to taunt and mock.

     "Oh, how we've all missed you so much," Sheer joked through his teeth, sounding like a doting mother. Wildfire scrambled off and whirled around, locking eyes with the imprisoned cat, and his eyes immediately lit up with relief. She was about to force her way between the toms when a small giggle caught her attention. There was another cat with them, standing in the far corner, looking amused and holding back her laughter.

     Then their eyes met and Wildfire let out a muffled cry, running straight toward her, colliding into the golden cat with the force of a mountain, throwing both of them on the ground. She stood over her, eyes shining with excitement and happiness, purring loudly as she embraced her lost friend. Getting up, Hurricane gently pushed her away, only for her to reattach herself when she stood up. The two sisters embraced each other, letting their scents mix and tangle, their purring drowning out Sheer's sarcasm and Lightning's desperate chokes and pleas for help.

     "Hurricane, you're back! You're back! You're back! You're back! You're back!" she repeated without brakes, jumping in circles around the older she-cat. Wildfire let out chirps and bounced on her feet, waiting for a response. "It's been so long since I've seen you! You look really different, too! Did Lightning annoy you too much? What's it like living out of the Tribe of Shining Suns and Roaming Spirits?! Is it fun or hard? Have you seen the others yet? Tell me, tell me!"

     "Slow down," Hurricane laughed with a smile, setting a firm paw on her shoulder. "We do have a lot to talk about, don't we?"

     "Obviously! I didn't wait... how many moons did I end up waiting? Oh well, I bet it was a lot. I don't think I could've gone another night without being able to move! Though I wish I could bring Butterfly with me. I think that would make things even better! No, I know! I'll go wake up Firestorm and Blizzard and then we can escape!" Wildfire whirled around and sped off, had not Lightning threw Sheer off and lashed out, catching his little sister by the tail before it slithered out of his paws. Seeing her brother, she forgot the promise and pounced on him, pressing her warm head against his chest, purring loudly - and also sending him back to the ground.

     Lightning didn't resist like he did with Sheer, but he did try to push her off, flustering with embarrassment. Wildfire shrugged it off and nosed her way in her brother's embrace, taking in every detail of him as if she'd never see him again. She pulled back for breath and returned to Hurricane's side, standing on her toes.

     "I missed both of you," she mentioned. "Now the Storm Siblings could make a comeback!"

     "Comeback?" Lightning repeated, sounding concerned. With Sheer's help, he got back up, worry lingering in his voice. Wildfire's ears sank and she bit her tongue, facing her older brother, knowing what the question would be. "What do you mean comeback? There still are three of them back at home."

     "It doesn't exist anymore," she whispered. "I woke up in that den a few days after that battle only to overhear Father say that there wouldn't be any kind of Storm Siblings. It was a miracle that we were able to keep our den, but his main team was split." Wildfire shook her pelt out and looked in the direction of the mountain, the lost spirit of his sister strolling around the base.

     Something told her that her other sister hung around the place that brought her so much pain and relief, but anytime she thought about her, all she could see was three red attacks, and blood flying out of the scars. She shook her head to clean the image.

     "But what about the other teams? Team Wildfire and Lightning?" Hurricane protested. "Even if he's mad and deranged, he wouldn't be that insane to get rid of his own allies and warriors, right?"

     "You'd be surprised," Lightning growled. "Figures. The moment he finds something useless, he'll be sure to get rid of it."

     "But still..." Wildfire mumbled, shuffling in his paws. "We may be his kits and never get anything from him, but we never did anything bad to him, did we? Is there such a thing as an evil cat coming from the afterworld and taking over a cat?"

     "Oh, please," Sheer interrupted. "If the dead could toy with the living there would be no need for labels such as alive or deceased." Lightning's face crossed as he repeated the words of his friends and then he nodded, seeming to like it. Hurricane curled her tail around her paws and eyed the Tribe of Roaming Spirit's camp, a plan stitching itself together. Wildfire's heart fluttered and she skipped over, standing in front of the older she-cat.

     "Storm Sibling or not, you're still a part of my family. Even if we aren't actual siblings, I'm still going to hold Tsunami's last words over your head. What was it, again? 'Be an actual hurricane and protect them' or something like that?" she repeated, a sense of pride and warmth flooding through her veins quoting her sister. Her face dropped, however, after seeing Hurricane's distraught look. Wildfire shut her mouth and let out a snort.

     "I didn't believe he'd really mean it. Hey, we do manage to make an awesome comeback, I better have a really good role!" She jumped on her paws and kicked the air, laughing. "I'll just come in and then bang! Right in Viper's good-for-nothing face!"

     "Stay quiet!" Lightning ordered, snatching her between his paws. "If you scream too much they're bound to hear us!"

     "We have to leave before anything else comes," Hurricane murmured worriedly. "Is it okay to leave Blizzard and Firestorm?"

     "It's better that way," Lightning noted. "Despite our poor relation to Father, we're one of the strongest assets he's got. If three of them go missing it'll result in suspicion." He looked at Sheer and added, "but you can come with us."

     "I'd love nothing more, Lightning," mocked Sheer, bowing to his leader.

     "Hey! Count me in too! I'm not staying silent for another two moons!" snapped Wildfire, sticking close to her brother. "Maybe we'll find Hurricane's other family and get them to make the Storm Siblings 2.0!"

     "No! The Storm Siblings belongs to us," Lightning hissed, flaring at Hurricane. "I accepted one other cat and that's enough for me. I'm not letting anyone else in."

     "My siblings aren't going to be easy to talk to," Hurricane added. "It was hard to talk to me at first, but they're another force to be reckoned with."

     "Then tell us which one makes the biggest threat!" Wildfire suggested, "and then we'll go after them somehow! I know it's a bad idea, but if we take out a strong unit, then there will be a little panic and that gives us the upper paw."

     She pondered for a moment, eyes lost as she swam through her memories. Wildfire smiled and trotted to Lightning, tackling him in another hug, absorbing his scent. He had grown just a little bit, and his injuries were mostly healed, but he still acted like the same embarrassed and tough brother she'd always known. They locked eyes and a faint smile spread across his face. She purred and the two embraced again.

     Hurricane nodded and said, "It's either going to be Arrow or Blaze."

     "Why those two?" Sheer prompted. "Not saying I can't take them."

     "Blaze might be spending most of his time training, so he might not be as much of a threat like Arrow, but he's the strongest cat I know." Neither Wildfire or Lightning showed their disappointment when Hurricane didn't mention their own older brother, one who had the strength of blazing fire. She hardly noticed and continued rambling.

     I wonder what they're going to be like when they wake up the next morning, Wildfire thought, growing concern. I know Blizzard was set on joining me while Firestorm wanted to work against Father in secret. Now that I'm gone, are they going to assume I've found Lightning and Hurricane?

     "Arrow will be doing his best to stay in the tribe. I have no idea what they're going to do to him. He's stubborn and hard-headed, but if we could beat him and get him to retreat, there's going to be someone else who follows." Hurricane's voice raised, signaling the start to a new plan. Like a happy kit, she looked at the three cats in the clearing. "I think we need to take Arrow down. Serval will follow him, I just know it."

     "How can you be so sure? Sneaking into the Tribe of Shining Suns isn't the best plan. Especially with our forces." Lightning curled his lips back and shut his eyes, and Wildfire burst out laughing. He cuffed her in the ear and she stumbled back, teasing him and his thinking face.

     "Serval's always looked up to her older siblings. More specifically, one that she knew she could pass skill-wise. Maple and Blaze have been in the tribe longer than she has, making them seem impossible to reach from her standing. Anywhere Arrow goes, she's bound to follow," she explained. "If we can take down Arrow, then Serval will be bound to attack or go off of Maple or Blaze. My best guess, it'd be Blaze she'd look up to since Maple wants the path of a mother."

     "So we just need to take down Arrow and grab two of your siblings?" Sheer repeated, stretching his legs out. "That sounds good to me. I haven't had a good run in so long."

     "That's because you're so creepy when you do it," commented Wildfire. "Besides, the last time you tried to kidnap someone you got a kick in the face because Scarlet wasn't going down without a fight."

     "And I still won and she's fiercely loyal to Firestorm," countered Sheer, pushing Wildfire down. "I can handle myself. When do you plan on this happening?"

     "As soon as possible," Hurricane answered. "I know the routes they take for patrols. Maybe Arrow or Serval will happen to be on one tomorrow."

     "All right! I like that!" Wildfire said from the ground. "Awesome! My second day back and I'm already going on an adventure!"

     "I'm coming too," Sheer protested. "I'm not staying behind while everyone else is out doing some kind of life-threatening task." The white tom gave a cautious look behind his shoulder.

     "Is it really okay to leave Blizzard and Firestorm behind?" Hurricane mumbled, shuffling her paws. "I—"

     "Do you want to risk waking Father?" Lightning growled, flattening his ears. "Both of them are a force to be reckoned with and they have Lizard, Scarlet, and Poplar on their side. Five cats against one will be fine."

     "Hey! Don't forget about Butterfly! She'll definitely aid them!" Wildfire added and slipped away from Lightning. She came to the closest tree and unleashed her dull claws. After a few moments, she finished her carving and whirled around, tail hitting the trunk.

     She'll definitely remember our symbol, she thought, looking confidently at them. We haven't done it in forever, but she's bound to think. I'm totally fine, now that I'm back in action.

     "We better get going," Sheer pushed. "It won't be long before someone noticed us."

     Hurricane finally nodded and stepped away the quickest, ready to leave. Sheer stepped after her, giving the two siblings a concerned look. With a single wave of Lightning's tail, the tom disappeared into the briar. Alone, Wildfire looked at her brother and threw herself into him again, softly sobbing. He was a statue and hesitated, but then she felt a gentle tail curl around her shoulders.

     She looked up and with a wide grin, said, "I really missed you, Lightning."

     Though she swore she'd never tell anycat, Lightning reminded her before he spoke. She decided to keep it a secret, even though she knew her brother's intentions through and through.

     "You too, Wildfire."