Not long after the Final Battle.

Echoflight was relieved to see Dawnmist back among the pelts of her Clanmates. In the moons that had passed since the Final Battle, the ginger she-cat had seemed lost and unfocused. Echoflight was glad to see Dawnmist looking more like her old self.

But there still seemed to be something bothering her...

Echoflight, true to her word, had given everything to her Clanmates. During the hot days of Greenleaf, she had given her share of water to her mother. Even though Goldenperch didn't trust her, Echoflight wanted her to stay healthy.

Some cat must care about her, as Demonclaw and Tigerstar never bothered.

"Hey! Dung-face!" a voice crowed.

Echoflight bristled and headed for the exit of the camp, trying to ignore her tormentor.

"Echo-tiger-flight!" the tom jeered, following her.

Echoflight supressed a sigh before turning to face Frogfern. "What do you want?" she snapped.

The tom glared at her. "Your brother made my sister extremely sad. Too bad he's not around anymore," he sneered.

"By StarClan! Don't you know when to stop?" Echoflight growled before promptly running into Dawnmist.

"I'm sorry," Echoflight dipped her head. "I'll just...be on my way."

"Stop." Dawnmist's voice, which used to be so timid, was bold. "I heard Frogfern earlier."

Echoflight let her head hang to the ground. Dawnmist didn't need to know. "I'm fine," she forced the words out.

"You're not, so shut up, swallow your pride and ask for help," Dawnmist retorted.

Despite everything, Echoflight purred.

A moon later, Echoflight was still summoning up the courage to ask Dawnmist if she needed help.

I feel a sense of duty to her. It's partly my fault after all. Demonclaw is my brother.

"Hey, Echoflight!" Dawnmist's cheery voice greeted her from her nest.

Echoflight purred, opening her eyes to see the familiar ginger fur. Of all her Clanmates, Dawnmist was the most supportive. Hunts that used to be alone and friendless were now funny and filled with joy, although Echoflight didn't bring back nearly as much prey.

Not that anyone noticed.

I have to tell her.

But what if she hates me for eavesdropping?

"Dawnmist, can we talk?" Echoflight muttered.

"About what?" Dawnmist tilted her head.

"Outside," Echoflight hissed, jerking her head.

The two she-cats padded out of the den and Echoflight confessed that all those moons ago, she had listened to her and Spark's conversation. Immediately, she regretted bringing it up, as hurt was visible on Dawnmist's face.

"Spark..." Dawnmist breathed. "I remember that conversation."

"And," Echoflight shifted uncomfortably. I regret this. "I was wondering, if you wanted me to help you with your problems."

Dawnmist stared at her and Echoflight started to back away.

"It's-just-that-Demonclaw-is-my-brother-so-it's-my-fault-that-what-happened-to-you-happened-at-all-so-I-wanted-to-help," Echoflight said in one breath. 

Dawnmist looked at her with soft, sympathetic eyes. "Please don't worry on my behalf," she mewed, small traces of guilt in her voice.

"Right," Echoflight mumbled. "I'll just leave now..."

"Wait!" Dawnmist called.

Echoflight turned back, perking up.

"If you can, I do need some help," Dawnmist scuffed the ground with a paw nervously. "And I'm sure you'd be the best for the job."

Yes!

Echoflight purred with joy, dipping her head. "I would love to."

Dawnmist's eyes immediately looked brighter and Echoflight felt happiness wash over her. I'm helping someone! Maybe this way, they'll accept me at last.

At sunrise the next day, Echoflight and Dawnmist left the camp using 'hunting' as an excuse. Echoflight led Dawnmist to a small clearing and they sat down.

"How has my brother affected you?" Echoflight leaned forward, excited.

Dawnmist gazed down at the ground. "I was in love with him ever since he cared for me when I was sick. But when he and Poppyfrost had a fight, he was so reckless, I was almost a-afraid of him."

"What did you think of it?" Echoflight asked softly.

"I thought it was my fault," Dawnmist admitted. "Me being around him made him happier and I think he was trying to show off for me. He became rude around other cats and I don't think he had many friends."

"Hmm," Echoflight mused. "That sounds like the Demonclaw I grew up with. He never really liked me," she added with a twitch of her whiskers.

"He wouldn't listen to me at all," Dawnmist continued. "He ignored my advice, refused to talk to me, and got himself injured and exiled."

"I'm sorry, Dawnmist," Echoflight dipped her head. "It's okay if you need help. I noticed that after you left the Clans for a while, you came back happier. Did you meet new cats out there?"

Dawnmist brightened up at this. "Yes! You won't believe it, but there's another society of cats living out there," she waved towards the mountains with her tail. "They're called the Dynasty of Truth. I had a best friend, Eclipse. I had to leave her, though."

"What caused you to leave? Was there anything specific?" Echoflight questioned in a gentle tone, urging Dawnmist to tell her more.

"The memories of him and Foxclaw were too much," Dawnmist sighed, tucking her tail around herself.

"Who was Foxclaw?"

"My brief mate, although I don't feel for him anymore. I don't believe in love anymore. It just makes you hurt," Dawnmist replied coldly. "Demonclaw killed him and my unborn kit."

Echoflight drew a sharp breath. "I didn't know that," she breathed.

"Not many cats do," Dawnmist fell to the ground.

"I'll be here for you, all the time," Echoflight promised.

Dawnmist flashed her a grateful smile before continuing. They chatted about Demonclaw, Foxclaw, Dawnmist's littermates and mother, the Dynasty and finally, at sunset, they ran off into the forest, catching some prey together. They hurried into the camp just before it became dark, Echoflight carrying a rabbit and a mouse, and Dawnmist carrying a squirrel and a mouse.

Luckystar shot them a suspicious glance but didn't say anything, instead, continuing her conversation with Goldenperch.

Echoflight snuggled into her nest that night, thinking about that day. The slow process of her gaining the trust of her Clanmates had truly began. Echoflight sure as StarClan knew that Dawnmist trusted her. It was only a matter of time before the rest of the Clan did as well.

A thought occurred to her and she wondered if this could become her role. Could I really help cats? Cats that don't need herbs and don't need battles, but need words?