Swiftflight's POV

I was certain that the conversation I was having right now would be one of the most annoying and uncomfortable ones that I would ever have in my life.

And for me, you know, that's saying a lot.

I was mindlessly nodding, my paws shifting back and forth nervously as the black she-cat in front of me – Pinenose of ShadowClan – stared back at me with narrowed, gleaming eyes, her tail lashing back and forth. "I mean, I know we're from different Clans, and that you're so loyal and dedicated and protective towards your own Clan, but..." the she-cat meowed to me, her voice uncomfortably warm. "But maybe you and I could chat again at the next Gathering?"

I then flinched, slightly stepping away as Pinenose brushed her tail along my shoulder. "I've heard what you've done for your Clan – getting out of the Dark Forest and then teaching your Clanmates their ways to make sure they were ready for the big, dangerous battle," she then went on, bringing me to look over my shoulder in search of any way out of this. "You're so heroic."

I then widened my eyes and flicked my ears as the black she-cat then stepped back towards me. "And very handsome too," she then said softly. "I'd love to get to know you more, Swiftflight."

Yeesh.

I shook my head back and forth for a moment, having no idea what to say to the black she-cat. I had to appreciate her boldness – she had approached me almost immediately after the Gathering had ended. The Gathering itself had just been full of the typical Clan reports, but also grieving for the cats that we all had lost in the Great Battle.

So, of course, I was a bit caught off guard when this she-cat I had never spoken to before padded up to me just as the leaders were jumping down from the big oak tree, staring at me like I was a juicy piece of prey. "Well, thank you," I stammered, wanting to practically burst into flames out of the passionate I had for wanting to run away. But I don't want to be rude.

But I then gave a quick shake of my head. Get it together, Swiftflight. Want to know what the beautiful thing is? You can do both.

I forced myself to give Pinenose a polite nod. "But I'm going to have to pass," I tried to meow as evenly as possible. "You said it – we're from different Clans, but also-"

I then cut myself off as I glanced over my shoulder again – my heart suddenly pounding a bit faster with relief, affection, and excitement as my gaze then immediately fell on a very familiar ginger tabby pelt just a few tail-lengths away.

All of my annoyance and discomfort seemed to disappear for a moment, even more so when she almost seemed to sense my gaze and look back at me from where she was speaking with her brother, Molewhisker. Her brown eyes seemed to glow as they rested on mine, and I felt my stomach then seem to flip upside down.

But it only took her a moment to look past me, her brown eyes then wiping over with concern as she noticed Pinenose in front of me paired with my own very stiff demeanor.

Now more than determined to fix this situation, I looked back at Pinenose. "But also..." I then brought myself to continue. "I'm sure you're great, but I'm already with the sweetest, bravest, most intelligent, and beautiful she-cat in the entire world." Then giving the wide-eyed she-cat a nod in farewell, I then began to pad away across the island. "I hope you have a good night, Pinenose."

And as soon as I turned away from the black she-cat, I rolled my eyes and let out the loudest, most obnoxious huff of relief. Thank StarClan that's over, I then thought to myself. Why some cats choose to hit on members of other Clans is beyond me. And anyway...

I then fully lifted my head, looking back at heading towards that same sweet, brave, intelligent, and beautiful she-cat that had motivated my words earlier. I would never, ever think of leaving you, Cherryfall.

When I padded up to meet her, her gaze was still full of concern, but now had a glint of humor. "I don't know what that she-cat was saying to you, but goodness gracious, did the look she was giving you say enough," my mate purred as she then gave me a comforting lick on the head. "Are you okay, Swiftflight?"

"Sure. But great StarClan..." I then sighed as I wrapped my tail around Cherryfall and pulled her closer to me. "Getting hit on at the Gathering by a ShadowClan cat was not something I would have predicted for tonight."

I then was surprised to hear Cherryfall let out another purr as she nuzzled her muzzle into my shoulder. "Oh, Swiftflight, I am certain that I was only the beginning of she-cats showing interest in you."

"But that's all I need!" I then insisted to the ginger tabby she-cat. I wouldn't care if every other she-cat thought I was disgusting as long as you still loved me, for StarClan's sake.

"I know," Cherryfall then meowed sweetly, bringing me to let out a low purr as she then gave me a lick on the neck. "But I'm just saying, you're probably going to have to get used to it."

"Fantastic," I then muttered before proceeding to let out another sigh. "I guess I don't care if it happens again – I'll just brag about you some more."

I then flicked my ears in alarm, realizing that I wasn't necessarily the only "victim" in this situation. "But what about you? Are you okay? I hope I didn't scare you."

Cherryfall then raised her eyebrows back at me. "Do I have a reason to be scared?"

"No!" I immediately replied to Cherryfall, my gray-blue eyes probably now looking like they were about to fall out of my head.

But to my surprise, and to my relief, Cherryfall then let out one of her precious giggles that always made my heart flip upside down. "I'm kidding. I trust you, Swiftflight. You handled that very well from what I could see, and..."

I then felt another purr rising in my throat as the ginger tabby she-cat then seemed to look down shyly as she began to shift her paws back and forth. "It's nice to hear that you think those things about me. You were really sweet."

The purr then completely rose in my throat, and was overwhelmed with affection at seeing Cherryfall's adorable, shy demeanor. The fact that she would think that I see her as any less... I can't believe she doesn't have any idea of how amazing she is. How indescribably thankful I am to be with her.

I then blinked a couple of times to myself. Wow... and I can't believe how sappy I sound... I couldn't help but think for a moment.

I then gave a shake of my head, getting rid of all of those pre-existing, vulnerability-hating thoughts that tried to creep up – like they used to. Who cares? I can think and say all of the sappy things that I want to – and... no one is going to keep me from feeling how I feel.

I then let out a sigh. Not when it could have kept all of this... Cherryfall... from happening. "It was the truth, Cherryfall," I then meowed softly to my mate as lifted up her chin with my tail and gave her a lick on the nose. "I love you, and I want to be with you and only you."

As Cherryfall then let out a purr and dug her head into my shoulder, I half-nervously glanced towards a certain tortoiseshell pelt that was just about to step onto the log that led off of the island. The she-cat's blue eyes were narrowed and full of caution, but simultaneously filled with ease and certainty.

I gave her a nod in greeting as Cherryfall and I then both stood up and began to make our own way towards the departing log. "You could tell that to your mother too – you know, if it ever comes up."

Cherryfall then let out a mrrow of laughter. "Oh, come on, Swiftflight, you don't need to prove anything to Poppyfrost anymore."

"Cherryfall, I will be proving things to her for the rest of my life," I said to my mate with wide eyes. "You know what? Don't bother – I'll tell her if it comes up. I'm not scared of her."

I then glanced back at Poppyfrost for a moment, who was now simply looking ahead as she followed the rest of ThunderClan off of the island. "For the most part."

Cherryfall and I then managed to share a purr of amusement as we then trotted up to catch up with the rest of our Clan. I paused for a moment and took a step back as we got to the log, helping Cherryfall get onto it first, before jumping onto it myself.

And as the two of us walked across the log together with the rest of ThunderClan, I couldn't help but simply stare off at Cherryfall for a few moments, just the sight of her still making my heart pound in my own ears. Sure, if all that time ago it had been easy for me to figure out and then share my feelings for her, and to get past all of the trouble that Poppyfrost gave us...

I then rolled my eyes to myself. Trouble that was justified, I suppose...but if all of that had been easy, I would appreciate Cherryfall and still love her with everything I have, but... after all we've been through, and because it was hard – through all of my stupidity, and Ashfur and the Dark Forest, and all of the stupidity that was brought onto me by Ashfur and the Dark Forest - I don't think that I could be more appreciative of her if I tried.

At that thought, I brought myself to quicken my pace and fully catch up to Cherryfall. I then let out another purr and pressed my muzzle against hers for a moment. "I love you," I then whispered to her.

Cherryfall immediately looked back at me, her big, beautiful brown eyes glowing in the moonlight. "I love you too, Swiftflight," she then purred to me as she brushed her tail against my cheek. "I-"

"Swiftflight!"

I flicked my ears in surprise, and we both turned our heads to look in the direction of the voice. And I looked over my shoulder to immediately recognize the white pelt of my best friend – my best friend that I had gone through thick and thin with; that I had thought once would never trust me again; and the one I had nearly lost, but I couldn't be more grateful that I hadn't - Snowstorm, heading our way. "There you are!"

The she-cat then paused for a moment, giving a shy look to both me and Cherryfall. "Sorry to interrupt."

Cherryfall looked back at Snowstorm, her eyes glowing with kindness as she gave her a nod. "Not a problem! I was getting tired of Swiftflight anyway."

I then furrowed my eyes back at the ginger she-cat as she gave me a lick on the cheek. "Kidding," she then purred to me. "I'll see you at our nest later tonight."

"Sounds like a plan," I meowed warmly to Cherryfall, watching her for a moment and following her pelt as she padded farther down the log, stopping to talk with Emberheart.

I then forced myself to break my gaze from her, giving a nod in greeting to Snowstorm. But almost immediately after that, I let out a grunt and narrowed my eyes when I saw the smug look that Snowstorm was giving me. "Stop," I muttered to her.

Snowstorm let out a sniff. "Stop what? I'm not doing anything!"

"Your eyebrows going up and down says otherwise," I murmured to her, giving her a nudge with my tail as she let out a purr of amusement.

"You love her," Snowstorm then teased me, nuzzling my head with her tail. "You love her a lot."

I let out a small, annoyed hiss and pushed my best friend's tail away with one of my paws. "Sure I do, and?" I then barked back at Snowstorm. "Can I do that without you staring at me like that?"

"Probably not," Snowstorm purred. "Anyway, that's not the only reason I came over here."

"Thank StarClan," I had to mutter. "What's up?"

I then watched as Snowstorm glanced over her shoulder. "Goldenshine actually sent me to get you – I think she's a little bit behind us."

"She did?" At Snowstorm's words, my eyes narrowed, and my heart began to beat a bit faster. "Is everything alright?"

"I think so, but... if I'm being honest, she did look a bit nervous," Snowstorm admitted to me, her pale blue eyes now full of worry.

"Foxdung," I muttered to myself before giving Snowstorm a nod in farewell and flicking her ear with my tail. "Thanks, Snowstorm. I'll go find her."

"Sounds good," Snowstorm then meowed as she flicked my ear right back. "Catch me up on it later?"

"Absolutely," I replied to Snowstorm, then turning around to walk in the opposite direction. "See you later."

"Seeya!"

I then tried my best to navigate through the crowd, having to throw out a couple of apologies here or there at the fact that was literally coming straight at other cats.

In a way, it was almost like walking through a fog as thoughts of what Goldenshine could want began to fill my head. Considering it was likely something that had come up during the Gathering, and something that couldn't wait until we got back to camp... shoot. What could this be?

I then shook my head, telling myself that I would find out very shortly as I continued to look for the golden brown tabby pelt of my mother. Luckily, it only took a few moments, and I found her near the back walking just beside Mousewhisker. She was speaking with him, but something in her dark gray eyes looked distant, as if something was on her mind.

I then couldn't help but let out a snort. Unfortunately, this was a look I used to see a lot, I thought to myself. And it was my fault. So I know it very well.

I then gave another quick shake of my head, padding up to meet my mother. Her eyes immediately seemed to fill up with relief when she noticed me. "It's about time!" she breathed, giving a nod to Mousewhisker and then padding up to me.

"What do you mean?" I replied to her as I let out a snort. "Blame Snowstorm for making you wait."

"Whatever," Goldenshine purred as she touched her nose to my cheek. "I guess I'm glad you made it either way."

"Me too," I replied to my mother. But as she pulled away, I stared back at her with concern. "So, what's going on? You look worried."

Goldenshine then let out a snort, to my surprise. "You exist. Of course I look worried." After I rolled my eyes, she let out a small purr and gave me an affectionate nudge. "But I guess sometimes I'm worried for other reasons. Like tonight."

"Oh, yeah?" I pressed my mother as my eyebrows raised. "What's going on?"

She let out a long sigh, her golden brown tabby pelt catching the moonlight as we walked through the forest. "Where to even start?" she muttered, closing her eyes briefly. "Ugh, I hate that this is even a problem that we're having."

I raised an eyebrow, feeling the fur on my shoulders bristle slightly. "A problem? That we're having?"

"Well, okay, I hope not," she corrected quickly, shaking her head. "I hope that it won't be any sort of problem at all, but I still wanted to give you a heads-up as soon as possible."

I sighed, letting my head fall back as I closed my eyes. "Oh, foxdung," I groaned. "What could this be?"

"Again, hopefully, nothing," she replied, though her gaze drifted over her shoulder toward the island where the other Clans were beginning to depart. "Maybe."

I followed her gaze for a moment, confused and growing impatient. Finally, I turned back to her. "Okay, please tell me what is going on before I paw you on the ear for being so cryptic."

Goldenshine let out another sigh, shaking her head. "Okay, sorry. Anyway." She took a deep breath, her eyes closing as if to collect her thoughts. When she looked at me again, her dark gray eyes were filled with concern. "Did you happen to notice Breezepelt lingering around tonight?"

I blinked, my ears twitching. "Breezepelt?" That's a name I haven't heard in a while.

I thought about it for a moment before replying. "Well, yeah, I saw him...?"

Her gaze didn't waver, her concern palpable. "Did he try to talk to you at all?"

"Why in the name of StarClan would he try to talk to me?" I asked sharply, though my mind drifted to the one time I had tried to talk to Breezepelt during the Dark Forest battle – the first time he'd heard me speak since I'd first become an apprentice. I'd begged him to consider changing his path, to abandon the Dark Forest's ways, because there was still time to do that. Not to brag on myself, but I had done that.

He hadn't given me a single word in reply. I doubted he even listened. But... my chest tightened as a thought struck me. My eyes widened, and I turned back to Goldenshine. "What, did he try to talk to you tonight?"

She rolled her eyes. "No, he didn't. Thank StarClan. But gosh, was he looking at me a lot." She gave me a pointed nod. "And you too. It even looked like he wanted to come up and talk to you at one point."

I blinked, hardly able to process what she was saying. The idea was so strange it made my fur prickle. I broke away from her gaze, staring down at the grassy ground as we padded along in the ThunderClan forest. "That's... so weird," I muttered finally. "Did it really seem like that's what he was doing? And... why? Why now?"

Goldenshine snorted softly. "Don't count on me to explain your father's thought process."

"Fair enough," I said with a sniff and a shrug. I thought for another moment, my mind still spiraling. "Well then... how was he looking at us? Was that at least somewhat clear?"

"Weirdly, it was," she admitted, letting out a humorless purr of amusement. "Or, maybe I was just imagining it—but..." Her voice trailed off as she took a deep breath. Her expression shifted, a flicker of something softer crossing her face. "I maybe saw some remorse there?"

Her words hit me like a falling tree. My eyes widened, and my stomach twisted in shock. Remorse? Breezepelt? No way. I had thought I'd seen that same thing after I'd talked to him during the battle, but just like my mother, I thought there was no way that could be true, but...

What if... what if my words to him during the Dark Forest battle actually did matter to him?

I shook my head quickly, pulling myself out of my swirling thoughts. "Strange," I murmured, my voice guarded. "What do you think we should do about it?"

Goldenshine's reply was immediate, firm. "Oh, absolutely nothing, Swiftflight. I don't care if there was remorse in his eyes. After everything that he's done—to me, to you, to Dustystorm... to all of his Clanmates..." Her voice hardened, her fur bristling. "I mean, he fought with the Dark Forest, for StarClan's sake!"

I let out a shaky sigh, my chest tightening as I muttered, "He sure did."

"A little remorse is not nearly enough for me, if that's even what that was," she continued, her tone unyielding. "And I don't think it should be for you, either." She paused as we reached the ThunderClan camp entrance, her steps slowing. "After you," she offered, stepping aside.

I nodded to her, padding through the entrance. "Thanks," I said before returning to the conversation. "And... don't worry. I don't." I hesitated, my mind still churning. "It's just... interesting."

Goldenshine followed me into the stone hollow, her golden brown pelt glowing faintly in the moonlight. "I agree," she said softly. "Very interesting. And I wanted to tell you about it as soon as possible because... I don't trust him, Swiftflight."

I let out a snort, shrugging lightly. "Oh, I don't trust him any more than you do."

She nodded, her eyes softening. "Good. Because..." She closed her eyes for a moment, a sigh escaping her. "Listen, you are a full-grown cat. You can make your own choices and choose to talk to whoever you like, but... I am tempted to steer you away from this one. I know it's hard—he is your father, after all."

I nodded slowly, looking off as I tried to digest her words. "Yeah... but, I get it. I agree." I shook my head quickly, forcing myself to straighten out. I was shocked that I found I had to push down a bit of disappointment. "That would bring nothing but trouble. And hey, I've... I mean, I've gone my whole life without him anyway."

Her gray eyes flickered with concern for just a moment, but relief soon replaced it. She touched her muzzle to my ear. "That is true. Anyway," Running her tail gently along my back, she added, "It's late, and you're probably tired. Let's get some rest."

I nodded sharply. "Let's get some rest."

As we began to walk toward the warriors' den, I glanced back at her with a playful glint in my eye. "I'll dream about shrews."

Goldenshine gasped dramatically, her eyes wide with mock indignation. "I'll dream about thrushes, and it's going to be great."

I let out a purr, flicking my tail as I let her pad into the den first. "Whatever. Good luck with that."

I then snorted, flashing my mother one last affectionate look before letting her head over to her nest with Dustystorm, and letting myself head over to mine and Cherryfall's nest. I actually found I was having to step over several cats and be as quiet as possible. So many ThunderClan cats were already out for the day, and we had just gotten back from the Gathering. I guess the first Gathering after a big battle will take a lot out of cats.

Of course, cats like Lilypetal, however, were still nowhere to be found. I really hope she gets some rest tonight. She clearly needs it...

I then tried to push away those uneasy thoughts as I finally arrived at my nest. I couldn't help but let out a small purr when I saw that she was already curled up in our nest. She was clearly already fast asleep – the buttercups I'd put in our nest right in front of her nose, and her tail right over her eyes to shield them from any moonlight.

I simply stared at her for a moment, having to suppress a louder purr, before touching my muzzle to her head, taking in her sweet scent, and curling up in our nest and cuddling up beside her. I love you, beautiful. Sleep well.

And as I curled into my nest next to my mate, the familiar scents of the ThunderClan warriors' den surrounding me, my mind refused to settle. Thoughts of Breezepelt kept resurfacing, and my talk with Goldenshine earlier haunting me like a shadow.

Remorse. Goldenshine had said it, and she wasn't one to throw around baseless ideas. Most of the time. She saw something there—or at least thought she did.

But it seemed impossible. He had stood on the Dark Forest's side, unyielding and silent, even when I'd begged him to reconsider. Not a single word. No explanation. No acknowledgment. Just cold indifference.

And now, a single fleeting glance was enough to stir all this? I kneaded my nest with my claws, frustration prickling under my pelt. It didn't make sense. One look shouldn't matter—not after everything he's done.

But... what if? What if my words during the battle had reached him? What if some part of him had been listening, even when he gave no sign of it? What if, somehow, he'd changed... or wanted to?

The thought made my stomach twist, and not in a way I liked. Part of me wanted to dismiss it entirely, to scoff at the idea and move on. After all, cats didn't just change overnight. Well... most of the time. I then thought to myself. Go, me – who literally made a change overnight...

I shook my head, huffing out a soft breath that stirred the moss at my paws. I wasn't going to figure this out tonight, and it wasn't worth losing sleep over. Breezepelt wasn't here, and even if he had been, I doubted he'd find the courage to explain himself—not after all this time.

No. There were no answers in this tonight, and worrying about it would only exhaust me. I closed my eyes, forcing my thoughts to quiet.

Goldenshine was right. I didn't need Breezepelt. I never had. This wouldn't change anything.

I then felt myself slowly drifting off into sleep – the stress of my talk with Goldenshine and all of this weird speculation beginning to disappear and leave me in peace.

Well, only for a moment.

As the world around me began to dissolve, I found my heart immediately sinking.

I recognized the cold that seeped into my fur, the way the shadows clung to my paws as if they had weight. My ears flattened as dread coiled tight in my stomach. Not again.

The forest stretched out before me, dark and silent, and I instinctively knew where I was: the Dark Forest. It was like ThunderClan territory, except darker, more ominous, and Silverpelt above was nowhere to be found.

I'd been here before, too many times to count. I hated to admit that in some ways, it was still more familiar than some parts of the real ThunderClan territory.

Unfortunately, it had been in my dreams, in my memories, in the parts of my mind I couldn't escape. My claws scraped against the ground as I tried to steady myself, but it didn't help. The weight of this place pressed down on me, suffocating and relentless.

The shadows shifted, moving like living things, pooling and slithering across the forest floor. Whispers started up, faint at first but growing louder with each heartbeat. I couldn't make out the words, but the tone was enough—malicious, taunting, full of something sharp and cold.

I forced myself to move, paws dragging as though I were wading through mud. Every step sent a shiver through me, but I couldn't stop. If I stopped, they'd catch me.

The trees thinned into a clearing, and the whispers grew louder, wrapping around me like thorn tendrils. Shapes began to emerge from the shadows, flickering at the edges of my vision. They were cats—or at least they had been, once. Now, they were nothing but hollow, looming forms with eyes that glowed like little flames.

I froze, my breath catching in my throat as I realized they were staring at me. Silent, unmoving, but watching.

And then I saw them.

The blue eyes.

My chest clenched as the shadows split, and those eyes burned through the darkness, locking onto mine. Ice shot through my veins, my paws rooted to the spot. They seemed so familiar—too cold, too cruel, too wrong.

Ashfur.

I couldn't see his face, but those eyes were enough. They pierced through me like claws, dragging me back into the moons of torment he'd inflicted. My legs trembled, and I tried to look away, but I couldn't. His gaze pinned me like prey, and the whispers grew into what felt like a deafening roar.

"Swiftflight."

The voice wasn't loud, but it didn't need to be. It slithered into my ears, twisting my stomach into knots. It was soft, mocking, as though he found my fear amusing.

I stumbled back, but the shadows closed in, swallowing the clearing. The blue eyes didn't move—they didn't need to. They were everywhere, practically surrounding me.

"Join us."

I jolted awake with a sharp gasp, my heart pounding in my ears. The familiar warriors den greeted me, the soft snores of my Clanmates grounding me into the present. I dragged in a shaky breath, my fur damp with sweat and sticking to my sides.

It took a moment to realize my claws were unsheathed, digging into the moss beneath me. I forced them back, my paws trembling as I sat up. Thankfully, Cherryfall was still fast asleep beside me, her flank rising and falling slowly.

I found myself putting one of my paws on hers, I guess to seek comfort. The image of those blue eyes in my dream was already burning behind my eyelids, and I knew better than to try closing them again.

This wasn't the first time I'd woken like this. I hated how familiar the feeling was—the racing heart, the cold sweat, the lingering dread. No matter how much time passed, these dreams always came back, clawing at the edges of my mind when I least expected it.

I swallowed hard, forcing air into my lungs. My claws were still unsheathed, tangled in the moss. It took a concentrated effort to retract them, my paws trembling as I rubbed them against the bedding.

I then forced myself to lie back down, and I pressed my muzzle into the moss, trying to slow my breathing.

My tail flicked sharply, brushing against the edges of my nest. I doubted I'd be able to sleep again tonight. Not after that. My limbs felt heavy, and my mind buzzed with restless energy. Hm... what shall I think about in my lack of sleep? This horrible nightmare? Maybe we can analyze Breezepelt's "remorse" a bit more?

The shadows of the den offered no answers, no comfort. I let out a slow sigh, resigned to the fact that sleep wasn't coming back tonight. I guess I had no choice but to stay here, lying in the dark with my thoughts, until the dawn finally broke and put them to rest—for a little while, at least.

Now I was wishing that I had dreamed about thrushes instead.