The need to return

Frostbite approached Crimsonflame, noting his hostility. She looked at him, scanning for any reason or explanation. She knew vaguely that ShadowClan was not on good terms with him, but not the full nitty gritty details.

Fuzzybelly, on the other hand, stirred from a nap, smelling a familiar scent. The jolly tom perked up to see the deputy, smelling faintly of ThunderClan, but all ShadowClan. He relaxed, a smile on his muzzle. “Oh, thank StarClan, you’re alive… what of the others? How many are with you?”

He pursed his lips when Echomist mentioned Froststar. It was true, things were troublesome, and it seemed at times that the white tom’s paws were ready to join Silverpelt. Although their leader had many lives left, it worried Fuzzybelly greatly. “You and I can talk about that, if you’d like.”

"It saddens me that I cannot speak with Froststar. But it is good you are stepping up to the task, Echomist. Fuzzybelly, Echomist, we will reconvene at the gathering, until then I want patrols sent out to scout out Shadowclans territory in two sunsets from now. My hopes and plans are that if Shadowclan territory is suitable, we will return home after the gathering and begin rebuilding." Nightstalker meowed, speaking to both levelly and confident, despite the prophecy that danced behind his eyes. He couldn't tell them.

Shaking his head to clear it, he began again, "Leaf-bare will be upon us in an instant, we need to solidify our defenses and rebuild as soon as we can. Focus on saving your energy, and staying safe and healthy. Do not fight Skyclans battles, do not protect their borders, but make sure you can reciprocate their kindness in other ways best you can. Froststar and I would hate to have a debt to Skyclan, and Thunderclan." Nightstalker meowed.