And Finally, We Return [O]

The journey home felt like a long one. Brackenwing's paws were sore after so long staying mostly idle, and their intermittent periods of rest, she had to admit, were not just for Whisperear's benefit. They sheltered in twoleg tunnels, crosses rough terrain, but finally, finally the pair had crossed the border onto Windclan territory. "Thank the stars... I couldn't handle another moment at highstones." Brackenwing muttered as the fresh scent of Windclan surrounded the two once more. As they reached camp, her pawsteps quickened, excited to be home.

Batsong, Owlshade, Silverwing... Lynxpaw, Flutterpetal... Brackenwing's green eyes scanned the clearing, dark-tipped tail twitching back and forth as she came to a stop next to Whisperear. Hopefully Batsong wouldn't be too upset with her... Her leg was fully healed now, after all.

Since the recent return to WindClan camp, Flutterpetal had spent most of his time becoming reacquainted with the moors. The great shaking of the earth had transformed some of his favorite hills, and he found himself needing to re-memorize which spots of ground were too rough to run across at high speeds. Thankfully, the field of flowers seemed untouched, if bare due to the heavy frosts. Everything should be good. They were back home. So everything should be good... right? Yet even as he breathed in the familiar air he'd missed so much, he felt as if there was a part of him that was missing. His friends were missing. His friends were dead. One way or another, gone. Whisperear. Daisybreeze. Honeylight, whose face he had not seen for quite a while even before leaving for home. And Hazel, whose face haunted him every time he tried to close his eyes and dream under the stars again. So much had happened to who he used to be. Could he ever really be the same again, no matter how hard he tried? Should he even try? What was the use? They would have wanted him to be happy. But was he strong enough to smile?

Questions like these were heavy. Sitting under the weight of them, Flutterpetal lingered in camp, looking around at the hastily re-crafted nests that they had abandoned moons ago. It felt odd. This was his home, the place he loved; and yet, it felt like it had changed, more than just the cosmetic differences from the earth-shaking and overgrown grass. It was probably just because his heart had changed. Maybe if he went out again, saw the few winter-growing herbs that were out in the moors, he'd feel a little bit better. So he stood up on tired paws and shook out his fur, preparing to leave.

He froze. Two cats had entered into camp, smelling like faraway places and unfamiliar plants. It took a few moments for him to recognize them. Because he did recognize them. That was Brackenwing, limping slightly but safe and alive, thank the stars, and next to her was.... "Whisperear?..." His own voice was barely audible as he stumbled forward with hesitant pawsteps. Sure enough, the tall gray-white cat was his mentor. Those large ears and the quiet rasp and the yellow eyes-- "Whisper!" His slow pawsteps became fast, running, until he barreled into his friend's side and buried his face in their chest. They smelled a bit different, but under all the strange musks that he couldn't quite place was their smell. Whisperear was back. Whisperear was safe. Pressing his form tightly to his friend's, Flutterpetal could hardly breathe through the wave of intense joy that made his shoulders tremble. Whisperear. Whisperear. "Whisper.... Whisper. And Bracken. You're back."

Shrikestar was returning from a patrol when he saw two familiar cats padding into camp. To his surprise, it was Whisperear and Brackenwing. He hurried his paws to get him over there before padding over to the increasing gaggle of cats that were coming over to check things out. "Whisperear, Brackenwing, I am glad to see you both are alright. We feared the worst." Being taken by twolegs, who knew what would've happened to them. Thankfully they looked no worse for wear, besides being exhausted. That was to be expected, though. "I have some things I need to tell you both, but we can wait until you're properly rested if you wish. Otherwise, we should go to my den."

Batsong glanced out of her den a bit confused at what all the crowd was about as everyone started rushing over to a particular spot. Her stomach got all filled with worry... Who had gotten hurt this time? ... or worse? She forced herself to focus snatching up what herbs she could carry and running over heart pounding in her ears... which clanmate of hers who she cared about so much would be sprawled out before her with a blood stained pelt?

When she got over and finally saw what all the fuss was over she stood shocked herbs dropping from an open jaw as she gazed at two cats she had grieved over when they were taken from her.

They were alive and here? Rushing over to them she nuzzled into Whisperears pelt breifly then right after the same for Bracken's.

"s-stars" was all the stuttering med cat could manage to say right now, she had never been one for being good with words.

But the message was clear throguh her actions... she had missed them so much and them both being home now was an incredible relief as much as it was an absolute shock.

It took her awhile... a long while admittedly to notice that Bracken was walking just fine compared to when they had been snatched up by the twolegs.

She stared in disbelief looking at the leg that she had for so long been trying to heal. What she couldnt do in a moons time of work and toiling away at different tequniques of healing the break had now been healed and looked very strong.

Hmm a message from the stars maybe... you are a terrible med cat batsong. You couldnt fix her leg for how long?? She gets kidnapped and now its good as new. her self doubt was eating her alive.

Luckily, the self doubt was drowned out by how happy she was to have them both back. Having her adopted kit of sorts in Whisperear and her adopted sister both back was head spinning.

After she sorta got over the initial shock of it all, she checked them over for any new wounds but to her relief found nothing. They must be exhausted though, Whsieper espicailly she knew.

"l-lets get you so-some rest and then ill get you some burnet later she managed to say to whisper.

There was alot to catch them up on but that all could wait she figured

Adderdawn and Flutterpetal were the first to greet the returning warriors, and Brackenwing offered them a weary smile and purr in greeting. They were both quick to turn toward Whisperear - they were more their friends than hers, truthfully - and she didn't mind. And Batsong's appearance was quick to pull her attention. Bracken pressed against the medicine cat's pelt with a purr. "I missed you too. We're okay." She added dryly as of course, Batsong was looking them over for injuries. Thankfully the dogs they had fought while trying to escape the farm hadn't done any damage that would last. Brackenwing noticed the look that Batsong had given her healed leg... That would require explaing, she was sure, but she was glad the medicine cat didn't press the issue for the moment.

An ear twitched at Shrikestar's words, and Brackenwing glanced at the Windclan leader. "The twolegs couldn't hold us forever. I'm glad to be on Windclan territory again, I feared you would still be stuck at highstones." With Shadowclan breathing down our necks, went unsaid, but surely most of Windclan had to feel that way by now. It didn't need to be repeated. "If I go to my nest now I'm not getting back up. You may as well tell us now and get it out of the way." She added briskly. It was probably just news about the twolegs sticking around, anyways. A worry, for sure, but not something Brackenwing would lose sleep over when they'd been a constant threat for moons now.

Shrikestar's paws felt heavy as he led the two returning warriors to his den. There was so much he needed to say, and none of it was good news besides they had returned to their own territory. There was a lot to parse through, and he expected some sort of reaction, despite the exhaustion the two were certainly feeling.

"Thank you for joining me, you two. I'm glad you were able to make it back safe and sound. Unfortunately, I do have some news to report, and none of it is good." Well, it was time to break the news to them. Let's see how that goes. "We have lost a few clan members since you both were away. Daisybreeze and Lynxpaw both passed away, while Blazefang has joined ThunderClan to be with Dayquill. Smallbean has been kidnapped by twolegs as you were, so Runningwater is the current acting deputy. Then Silverwing-" He paused, sighing. "Silverwing committed multiple infractions that warranted her exile from WindClan." The looks on their faces were probably not good. It wasn't going to get any better. "The alliance we had with ShadowClan has been rescinded due to actions on both sides." He decided it was better to leave behind that it was mostly WindClan's trespassing that caused the events that had happened.

"That is all. If you have any questions or concerns, I'm here to listen."

Nodding, Brackenwing walked beside Whisperear, following Shrikestar to his den. Whatever the news was, she was sure it would be quick, anyways. Of course, if the leader wanted to tell them personally... No. Shrikestar was just doing what a leader should do when faced with two cats who had been gone for weeks. Right. Brackenwing stood next to Whisperear, waiting for Shrikestar to speak.

Daisybreeze was dead. And - "Lynxpaw... How?" Throat tight, words a harsh, choked out rasp as her eyes stung. Her daughter. Her only daughter. Dead. Moons in the medicine den, and she'd almost looked to be doing better. Brackenwing had wanted to do better. Her claws dug furrows into the earth as Brackenwing stared down at them. Swiftspirit, Sagepaw, Boarpaw, Fallowpaw, Shimmergale... They were all gone. Brackenwing sat down heavily. And Daisybreeze... She hadn't liked her, not since she'd yelled at Batsong, and certainly not after she'd attacked Whisperear. Daisybreeze had been a stain upon Windclan... But Coyotegrin would be grieving, she knew. Just as Brackenwing grieved for her own kit. "And Daisybreeze... I'm sorry."

But Shrikestar continued. Smallbean, captured. Runningwater taking his place. Only temporarily, Brackenwing told herself. Her mentor would find a way out of the twoleg's paws, just as she and Whisperear had. He would be back soon, he had to be, she told herself. Smallbean wasn't gone forever.

"Blazefang left? For Thunderclan?" Brackenwing's disgust was clear. She and Blazefang had trained together, had even had the same mentor. They'd both grown under the dark forest's filthy paw. She would never have thought the ginger warrior would have turned her back on her own clan. Evidently Brackenwing hadn't known her former denmate well enough. They hadn't been the closest, sure, but a full on traitor?

Brackenwing's ears flattened against her head, fur lifting as Shrikestar continued. And continued. Great Starclan... "Silverwing... Foxdung, what did she do? Why exile?" The silver she-cat had always been difficult, to say the least. "What could one warrior have done to warrant exile, Shrikestar? She was... frustrating, I grant you, but she was a Windclanner, through and through. She was loyal." Loyal, unlike Blazefang, apparently. Or apparently not loyal, if she'd been exiled. Shrikestar would surely have a valid reason for doing so, but she couldn't believe that her friend would have done something to demand such a steep punishment. Frustrating was an understatement, but Silverwing had been a loyal warrior friend, as well. Brackenwing refused to think that she would do something so brazen and betray her own clan. Blazefang, now, that was someone who would've deserved exile, had she not run off to Thunderclan. But Silverwing? Her mind reeled at the onslaught of news Shrikestar had just dropped on the returning warriors. Maybe she should have taken the offer of rest before hearing their leader out.

Shadowclan... A snort escaped her at the news. "Anyone with eyes could have seen that alliance was never going to last and should have never been made in the first place. It's well past time Windclan put Windclan first again." Good riddance, the marbled warrior had clearly decided. "That's the only good news you've given us... You're not going to destroy that by telling me we're at war with them... Right?" Unbidden, a hint of her mother's sarcastic streak in the face of her mixed emotions of grief and confusion showed through.

Coyotegrin had been out of camp when the warriors returned. Covered in dirt, she looked around in confusion before the whispers of who returned made it to her. A warrior pointed her in the direction of her mate's den and she nodded, bee-lining to the hidden cats. Slipping in quietly, she sat next to Shrikestar. Brackenwing had just finished talking so clearly, the mood was tense. "Not yet." She said softly, her usual spark gone. The usual twinkle in her eyes was missing, and she looked worn down. Her ear had healed closed but was still torn, and her tail had healed almost straight. With that demeaner, her eyes looked over to Whisperear and she gave a smile. Truly, it was nice to have both of them back.

Shrikestar looked over at his mate, feeling a touch of calm wash over his otherwise tense fur. At least Coyotegrin was there. The rest wasn't going to be easy to tell. "Silverwing's exile was due to her repeated violations of our rules. She not only crossed into ShadowClan's territory without permission, but she attacked one of their warriors in the middle of our shared camp." He shook his head, feeling regret for the way things had ended up with Silverwing. It didn't matter how she acted: she was WindClan, and he was tired of what was happening under his purview. "She has caused the demise of our alliance with ShadowClan and may very well bring about war onto our clan. I only pray that will not happen." He could pray all he wanted, but that didn't account for Nightstar.

"...What in starclan happened to you?" Brackenwing took in Coyotegrin's appearance, the healing ear and tail. There had been a fight of some sort, but her clanmate had walked away from it alive, at least. Still, her appearance was a surprise to say the least. Brackenwing liked the older warrior, and she was still concerned, though. The news that they weren't at war yet was hardly reassuring, and seeing Coyotegrin's injuries, Brackenwing's mind of course went to Shadowclan and the potential of it. "That had better not have been Shadowclan."

Green eyes narrowed as Shrikestar spoke again, disbelief and suspicion making her tail lash once. "There's no way that Silverwing would have attacked a Shadowclanner without provocation. They did something. I'm not saying violence was the answer, but clearly there's something more to it than that." She simply didn't believe it. Speak without thinking? Absolutely. Rile Nightstar up? Absolutely. But attacking someone in their shared camp? She's not Daisybreeze, Brackenwing almost said. "And multiple times? When were these multiple infractions brought up, hmm? We were gone for what, not even three-quarters of a moon and the only thing I recall her doing was saying stupid things. Not trespassing, not picking fights with cats in camp. Certainly not anything that would warrant a loyal warrior being exiled." Something was clearly missing from what Shrikestar had said, something important. "If you are going to press blame and tell us a clanmate was exiled you could at least give the full story, Shrikestar. Not bits and pieces that suit you when one of the warriors standing before you was her friend." She added, tone sharpening.