Featherpaw leaped easily over a wide crevice. Turning she watched her friends follow suit, closely followed by the tribe. They were almost home! Finally! I wonder what Wolfpaw is doing. She thought. And Ashpaw. She felt a guilty twinge at the thought of Ashpaw. She knew that she would never love him in the way she loved Ravenpaw. She attempted to dig her claws into the stone, out of habit, as a strong gust of wind slammed against them. Her claws scraped pointlessly over the stone. Irritation filled her. I can't wait until we are back on the soft ground again. "Featherpaw? Can we rest here for the night?" Moon called, bounding over. "Most of our tribe aren't used to traveling long distance."
"Sure." Featherpaw mewed, flicking her tail at her friends to indicate that they would stop here. "Lets stop here." She called. As she spoke the tribe began settling themselves amongst the rocks, sheltering under ledges and such. "I can take first watch." Featherpaw began but Moon cut her off.
"Oh no. We'll take the watches. You five get some sleep." She mewed, nodding at them and Wing. Featherpaw felt relieved. Curling down next to Ravenpaw and Dewpaw she felt oddly complete. They had all the cats for the prophecy now. All they needed was to complete it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day dawned early and bright. The sky was clear. Featherpaw felt great as she left the den. Hopefully they would arrive home tomorrow if they made good time. The weather seemed to be cooperating. Happiness surged through her. We're almost home! The moon had been full three times since they left. Wolfpaw and the other apprentices were probably warriors now come to think of it. Ravenpaw leaped over, standing beside her as she looked over towards the territories. "We're almost home." He mewed. "What will we do then?"
Featherpaw who had been worrying about this for the last moon sighed. "I don't know. But one thing at a time. Lets keep going."
Crossing over the dry, sleek stones Featherpaw realized how much easier it was now than when they first started. She knew where to put her paws and how much to leap. She could climb up boulders without to much trouble and leap over gaps. As night approached, so did their territory. "I can see MapleClan!" Dewpaw called excitedly as they stopped for the night. "Look there!" Her eyes sparkled. "We're home."
Featherpaw and the others help the tribe get settled as the sun set, sending orange blazes across the dark blue sky. Then they sat, looking at their territory. They were so close, so almost home.
"What do we do now?" Dewpaw asked, turning to look at them. "Our journey is almost over."
"We still need to solve this prophecy." Sparkpaw pointed out. "This mission was only to get the final part."
"You mean me?" Wing sidled up to join them.
"Yeah." Sparkpaw mewed, cleaning an orange paw.
"Is that where you live?" He asked, flicking a bushy tail at the territory's below them.
"Yep." Featherpaw mewed, nodding. "OakClan territory is over there." She informed him, gesturing.
"RockClan's is in the pine woods." Ravenpaw added.
"And SunClan is the open fields." Sparkpaw chipped in.
"And MapleClan is just down there, by the river." Dewpaw purred fondly.
"You miss it?" Wing asked.
"You have no idea." Featherpaw sighed bitterly.
"I just left my home. Forever. I think I have some idea." Wing gave her a sharp look.
"Sorry." Featherpaw flushed, feeling heat creeping under her pelt.
"Should we get some rest?" Ravenpaw suggest tentatively. Featherpaw nodded, going over and pushing her nose into his fur. He smelled so good, so comforting. Together they curled, Featherpaw sat listening to the sound of bis breathing for ages before falling alseep herself.
Her dreams were filled with muttering and mist and she woke feeling distinctly unrested. The sun blazed overhead as the tribe got ready for the day. They were finally here. They were going home. The cats started down the mountain and arrived at the edge of MapleClan territory after sunhigh. "How are we gonna do this?" Dewpaw asked, voicing Featherpaw's thoughts.
"I think we should all go to our homes and explain what has happened and bring the leaders to the Three Stones tomorrow." She mewed confidently.
"Sounds good." Dewpaw agreed nodding. "Maybe at sunset we can meet?"
"Sure."
"What about the tribe?" Dewpaw asked.
"Umm, they could come with me I guess." Featherpaw hadn't really thought that bit through. What are we going to do with the tribe? There isn't any space for them. "I think OakClan will be most accommodating." She continued, trying to sound confident and sure of herself.
Dewpaw shrugged. "Ok."
"So it's decided. We meet at the Three Stones tomorrow with or without leader to decide what we are going to do now?" Sparkpaw meowed as he slunk over.
"Yep." Featherpaw nodded.