Amberclaw returned to the Cave of Peace the next night. During the day, she had restrained her anger and had released it once she was alone. She had confided in Echoflight about everything, and she padded into the cave to see Dawnmist.

"What're you doing here?" she hissed, her claws unsheathing as she worried that maybe Dawnmist knew about her. About her being spoiled and her selfishness. About her anger issues. Panic flooded her as Dawnmist didn't respond.

"I don't know anything," Dawnmist replied calmly.

I wish I could do that. My self-control is horrible.

"Sorry," Amberclaw forced the words out of her mouth.

ThunderClan cats were lying thieves. Echoflight was fine; she was the White Dove. She was like a medicine cat. They stayed outside Clan rivalries. But Dawnmist...How could she trust her?

"It's fine," Dawnmist waved it off, unfazed.

Amberclaw shifted uncomfortably as they stared at each other. Finally, Dawnmist moved out of the way. "I was just...you know, doing my stuff, with Echoflight. Being Touched. Since we're Clanmates, we've decided on you having the moonhigh to sunrise session, and I'll be having the sunset to moonhigh session. After all, I'm pretty much healed. I've been Touched for a few moons now. Its time for someone new."

Amberclaw's words were stuck in her throat. No one had ever said anything as heartfelt or as nice as that. But she didn't know how to respond.

"Thanks," she muttered before sharing another glance with her before hurrying into the cave. After a moment, she sensed Dawnmist leaving, heading back to her nest.

"We'll practice the breathing exercise again," Echoflight's voice mewed, appearing out of the darkness.

"Alright," Amberclaw agreed eagerly.

She closed her eyes and darkness surrounded her. She took a breath in, feeling Echoflight's scent drift into her nose. Dawnmist's fading scent was there too and she sniffed deeply. Then, she held her breath and counted from one to seven.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven.

Opening her eyes, light from the nearly full moon blinded her and she directed her eyes at the glowing river. I wonder how that works.

"It works," Amberclaw mewed, feeling Echoflight's eyes on her.

"You should probably test it when you're actually angry," Echoflight's calm voice hid her nervousness; Amberclaw could see her shaking, but she didn't mention it.

"Don't be scared, I trust you. This is new for both of us, and we can learn together." Amberclaw mewed comfortingly.

Echoflight seemed to collapse and Amberclaw dropped to the ground, her instincts kicking in, and Echoflight landed on Amberclaw's back with a thump.

"Thanks," Echoflight mewed, her voice sleepy.

"This must be hard for you, waking up every night to help other cats. How are you so kind and selfless?" Amberclaw questioned.

"I want to help my Clan. And you're part of my Clan." Echoflight's tail nudged Amberclaw's leg.

"Right. Since...Luckystar." Amberclaw sighed. She hated it.

"I'm sorry. I argued with Luckystar about it. I didn't want you and your littermates to be taken away. It wasn't fair." Echoflight confessed.

"And me listening to the rumors about you and judging you for it wasn't fair either." Amberclaw dipped her head, pulling away.

Amberclaw left the cave, intending to do some exercise. She had woken up late that morning and now, she wasn't tired at all. She crouched low, stretching her legs one by one. Amberclaw counted down in her head and sprang off, leaping across logs and dodging trees. It was so much fun; the thrill of the run pounding in her head.

She had probably run all the way to RiverClan territory, at least, that's what it felt like, when she decided to turn back and head back to the cave. She started to walk back when she stopped, a purr rumbling through her body. Why walk when she could run?

Amberclaw set a fast pace, urging her body to go faster and faster. Soon, she was a blur, faster than a WindClan cat, faster than a StarClan cat. By the time she arrived at the cave, her fur was a mess and she was breathless. Echoflight was inside, asleep.

Affection rushed through Amberclaw for her mentor and she stepped into the cave, pushing the moss on the floor around Echoflight to make it more comfortable.

She must be so tired.

Echoflight shifted in her sleep and Amberclaw hastily left the cave, sitting as she watched the sun come up. It was a good night, she reflected. It'll only get better.

The next day, she left her nest practically bouncing. She darted over to Minnowsky, who was RiverClan's Star Warrior before Amberclaw had come along. The gray she-cat had always hated her; her amber eyes boring into Amberclaw. Amberclaw strode up to her and sat down.

Minnowsky fixed her with a suspicious glance. Amberclaw ignored her and started grooming herself. After a few heartbeats, Minnowsky's irritation erupted and she growled furiously. "What in StarClan's name are you doing here, you drypawed thief!"

Stung, Amberclaw closed her eyes, holding her breath.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven.

Amberclaw opened her eyes, letting the breath out and blinked at Minnowsky. "Oh, I just wondered if we could be friends."

Minnowsky's expression had been priceless, Amberclaw thought, as she slipped out of the camp to run around for a bit before sleeping. It was worth everything; seeing her nose wrinkle up and her eyes grow to almost two times their normal size.

Amberclaw raced around the camp a couple times, stopping when exhaustion began to creep in on the adrenaline. The sun set, casting a warm glow over the land. Amberclaw felt a trickle of recklessness as she eyed the river.

Amberclaw had always hated getting wet; she supposed it was because of her ThunderClan heritage. Swimming to the gathering island was okay, but she hated doing it when she didn't have to. That was why Minnowsky had sneered and jeered at her, as well as the fact that the gray she-cat used to be Star Warrior. Determined and emboldened by her earlier success, Amberclaw plunged into the water, scaring a couple schools of fish.

She swam around carefully, ignoring the feeling of terror that she was going to drown. Paddling downstream, Amberclaw felt herself relax as darkness engulfed the sky. Stars began to appear and she gazed up at the Silverpelt, wondering which StarClan cats she was seeing right now.

"StarClan, if you can hear me," Amberclaw called. "I want to thank you for sending Echoflight to me. She's amazing, really. And I can see why Dawnmist started the rumors. I want to do the same. No, I will do the same."

Amberclaw clambered out of the river, shaking out her fur. Shivering, she swiftly headed back to the camp. Most of the cats were already in their dens, save for Minnowsky, Hailstar and Maplenose. Hailstar and Maplenose were chatting about some political thing and Minnowsky was finishing off a fish.

"Hey, Minnowsky," Amberclaw smirked.

"Go away, drypaw," Minnowsky snarled. "I've had enough of you for today."

"Alright, just wanted to let you know that I'm Touched." Ignoring her flabbergasted expression, Amberclaw sauntered away. After a long day of exercising, all she wanted was her soft nest.

As promised, a longer chapter!!!