Where Even Is Home?[C]

As WindClan began to settle down in their old camp, another thought began to plague his mind. His mother, Brackenwing, was still at the Barn with Whisperear. They had left WindClan after the disastrous rule of Shrikestar, and had stayed there ever since. When was the last time he saw her? Did they know that the Clans had left, or that they were back? There were so many things that he wished to share with her, and he knew that his brother felt the same. Tigerstar too had been adopted by Brackenwing, and they both felt the loss of their foster mother hard when she left. Sootstorm froze when he realized that his mother would have not way of knowing that he was now deputy, or that Tigerstar was the leader, or even that he had a whole litter of kits now. He'd have to bring his kits to meet her sometime, though he wondered how he could have the time to bring five apprentices and the clan deputy away for a day. Unless... unless Brackenwing came instead. No, her leg was injured, and it wouldn't be fair to have her trek all the way here each time she wanted to visit. If she wanted to visit.

After much contemplation, it was decided for him and Tigerstar to visit the two former WindClanners in the barn, and that they'd be expected to be gone for the day. The Clan was left in the paws of Coyotegrin and Sleepyhollow in hopes that the two senior warriors would be able to take care of the Clan for a day. The plan was for the deputy and leader to catch up with Brackenwing and Whisperear, and attempt to convince them to come back to WindClan.

And now they were outside the Barn's entrance. Sootstorm glanced over at Tigerstar, as if to ask if the tom was ready. There was a mass of worms in his stomach as he peered through the entrance. The place was much bigger than he had expected, and the piles of hay looked far more comfortable than he had thought. There was a rich scent of mice that clung to it's walls, and he could hear small paws scrabble across the wooden ground. "Brackenwing? Whisperear?" He called out uncertainly.

Oh Stars, he hadn't heard that voice in ages. Sootstorm burst past Tigerstar, forgetting all need for caution as he skidded to a stop just before his mother and buried his muzzle in her fur. Brackenwing was here, alive and well, with no signs of sickness or worsening wounds or anything. The barn air was refreshingly clean as well; for the first time in moons, no scent of sickness or blood clung to the air, and he could finally breathe. "Sorry," He murmured as he took a step away from Brackenwing to give her some space, not feeling very sorry at all. Whisperear was here as well, and though he had missed them as well, he wasn't sure that they'd appreciate his touch or words. He hesitated for a heartbeat, then settled with giving them an awkward half-bow.

Their questions were simple, and yet the answers were the most complex that they had ever been. Sootstorm didn't know where to even start, and for a couple of heartbeats nothing could come of out his mouth. Okay, alright, let's start from the beginning. "The Clans left the forest to search for a place to stay while the forest healed itself and the prey came back. We travelled all the way past the Highstones to a lake, where we settled for a couple of moons, but uhh, we got chased out by wolves, and just arrived back at the forest a couple of sunrises ago," Well, that was as simple as he could explain it without sending the two loners into shock. There was still the disappearance of Jayfrost, Finchspeckle and Smallstar, the death of Berrypaw and Goldengale, and the new litters, like Cloudypetal, Galestorm, his litter-- Great StarClan, Brackenwing didn't know that he had kits. Or that Tigerdance was now Tigerstar! Or even that he was deputy! Sootstorm stumbled over his words for a few heartbeats, then managed to blurt out, "Also, it's Tigerstar now, and I'm the deputy-- Smallstar went missing on the journey-- and there's loads of new kits and warriors." He paused to take a breath, then added, "and also I had a litter of kits with Fennelbreeze." Stars, was that all? Well, there was also some deaths, but he didn't know if Whisperear and Brackenwing even knew who they were.

Sootstorm suddenly recalled their original mission, but one look at the duo's stunned faces made him think that he should hold off that part for now. He looked over at his brother, leaving a pause for him to say his fill. Once Tigerstar was finished, he added cheerfully to Brackenwing, "You have to meet my kits some time-- and, Quickfrost and Tallshadow are warriors now! You'll love all of them, trust me."

Sootstorm could see that the news was overwhelming to both loners, and allowed them to take several heartbeats to process it. Several things came to his mind in the time that Brackenwing gave her well wishes: Whisperear had better be told about Jayfrost going missing, since he was her family as well... as well as Sparrowthorn going missing. Had Whisperear been gone from WindClan that long? Sootstorm's tail flicked uncomfortably, before his attention was caught by a change of tone in his mother's voice. Be... careful? His brows furrowed in confusion, but Whisperear quickly explained it. So they were worried that he and Tigerstar would turn into Shrikestorm or Nightstar. He bit the inside of his mouth, swallowing the quick assurance that sprang to his tongue. That was exactly what neither Brackenwing nor Whisperear wanted to hear, that he was sure nothing could go wrong. And perhaps they were right. The knowledge of his recent performance in front of Leopardstar made his pelt flush; he had lost his temper, and though it was that arrogant she-cat's fault for insulting Tigerstar in front of their entire Clan, he was admittedly at fault for losing his cool like that. He had loads to learn, and each time he recalled that incident, it seemed like another reminder that he was far from ready to take charge of the Clan in any sort of situation. Thank the Stars Tigerstar was here by his side, or he didn't know what he'd do. And he supposed that if it weren't for Brakenwing's guidance when he was younger, things may have been a lot uglier too.

Sootstorm took a deep breath, preparing himself to reveal the real reason why he and Tigerstar were here. It was obvious from both former WindClanners that they had not considered even once leaving the new home that they had built, and though he wanted them both to be back in their birthclan, he could also see how much this home meant to them, and it pained his heart to have to bring them away. Perhaps, this was the peace that they never knew, not even in elderhood. Still, he'd offer them a chance to come back, if they truly wanted to. If they didn't, he'd just have to work around it and somehow bring his kits to visit his mother. With that thought in mind, he calmed down his nerves and began.

"Actually, there is another a reason why we're here," He spoke, glancing over at his brother for support, "We were wondering, with the two of us now in charge of WindClan, would the two of you ever consider coming back to WindClan?" He took a deep breath, letting the words settle into a silence before continueing. "Of course, we won't force you to come back-- I can tell that you love this home that the two of you have made for yourselves, and it's a lovely home! I think what I really want to say is, if you ever want to come back, or if you ever need help, WindClan will always be there to support you unconditionally. I know you've made our choice, but if you two could just consider coming with us home... that's all I'm really asking for." He forced himself to smile, adding in a much more light-hearted manner, "And if you won't come back, I'll just have to bring WindClan to see the two of you!"

Listen to them... Sootstorm wondered if Whisperear and Brackenwing had the impression that he wouldn't. He missed his mother; her words of wisdom, which had guided him through his apprenticehood and further into his warriorhood, were what prompted this offer. Yes, he missed the comfort of knowing the wellbeing of his mother as well, but he trusted that the two loners could take care of themselves. He had learnt to live without them, but not a day went past that he wondered if he was doing the right thing. Tigerstar and him were both far more inexperienced than he liked; Tigerstar becoming leader only a season or two after becoming deputy, and he himself just a few moons into his own deputiship. The situation with Leopardstar proved that he wasn't ready yet.

"I understand your reluctance to travel such a long distance, and rest assured that if you do decide to come back to WindClan, we will accompany you every step of the journey," Sootstorm began, tail twitching nervously as he spoke. "As for listening to you... I can't speak for Tigerstar, but I know that I need the advice of cats older than me. I'm trying my best, but I still make mistakes. If you two would help guide me when I am unsure... that would mean the world to me. I promise, I will always listen."