I was scarcely aware of time passing.

After we had buried Flick just outside Mistclan's border, I hardly ever left it for awhile. Bella brought food to me, encouraging me to eat even though I didn't particularly want to.

That dreadful day was the last day it snowed before Newleaf. The sick cats began to heal and there were no more deaths in Mistclan. Prey grew more plentiful, and the clan was thriving. Everyone seemed to be growing more cheerful from Newleaf finally arriving - besides me.

Nothing seemed to matter anymore. I ate without tasting the prey, I wanted to stay in camp but felt restless. I got less and less sleep from the nightmares that haunted my mind.

Soon enough, I couldn't take it anymore. I didn't want to stay in Mistclan, not with the haunting memories that kept following me.

"Bella, we need to leave Mistclan, I can't stay here anymore. I keep having these dreams, and I feel restless when I want to rest. I just feel like I need to get out of here."

The cream and white she-cat gave me a sympathetic look. Without answering, she began to look me over. I assumed she was just making sure I was healthy before we left, but her following words surprised me.

"Lavenderbreeze, you're expecting kits."

I couldn't believe what I had just heard. "What? Are you sure? How many? How long till they're born? Are they Flick's?"

Bella smiled a little. "Slow down, it's okay. It's too early to tell how many, but I am certain your expecting. I can guess it'll be just less than two moons, but like I said, it's still early. Also, who else's would they be?"

I sat down and looked at my stomach. Kits. Flick's kits. At first, this made me want to cry again - I thought this fact would throw me deeper into despair - but it didn't. Instead, it's what began to pull me out of it. I was expecting Flick's kits, I would still have a part of him with me.

After that, I began actually doing my warrior duties again. I helped hunt for the clan, I could taste the mouthwatering prey again, and the nightmares didn't seem so scary anymore. I wasn't fully healed, but I was trying again. I had regained hope. Only one thing didn't change.

I still felt the need to leave Mistclan.

Amberblaze had become Amberstar with the death of Fogbreeze, even if she didn't have nine lives. I learned from the warriors they had lost connection with Starclan, which meant Amberstar only had one life. That didn't stop her from leading her clan, though. She wasted no time appointing her deputy, Moleflight. The brown tom had adjusted well to his new role.

I approached the idea of me leaving to Amberstar and Moleflight. The deputy mentioned seeing some cats feeling down, restless, and even scared or nervous just to stay here as well. He said he wasn't going to pinpoint anyone, but Fogbreeze's reign had left them on edge. Amberstar protested that she was their new leader and was nothing like Fogbreeze, but she wasn't going to force any cat to stay when they didn't want to.

That's when I had an idea.

I remembered the story Blizzardrain had told me, about how he came over from Leafclan when they were destroyed. Two clans were always better than one, so that's what I told Amberstar.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here for a clan meeting!"

Amberstar's words rang throughout camp, and cats began to emerge from their dens. The fiery leader had waited until sunhigh when all patrols were back in camp. This was something everyone had to hear.

Amberstar turned to me and nodded. I was in one of the branches of the leader's tree. When it was my turn to speak, I looked out at all the cats to see them staring back.

I took a deep breath before speaking. "I know you all must remember Leafclan. Their territory was the other forest nearby, which the river cuts through."

The cats nodded and exchanged glances, remembering what happened or just the stories.

"Ever since that last snowy night, I have felt restless here. I feel like I don't belong here anymore, but I do belong in a clan - I learned that from my time here. There were always meant to be more than one clan in this area. More than one can mean rivalry, but it also means more cats to defeat a united enemy when one clan is in trouble. That's why I want to leave to recreate Leafclan." I said to the gathered cats.

The cats murmured to each other and exchanged glances. Bella stepped forward to the crowd and met my gaze.

"Leafclan will need a medicine cat. Now that Poppystep is a full medicine cat, I can leave knowing Mistclan has a medicine cat of their own to look after them."  The cream she-cat meowed.

The cats didn't know what to think of this. A smoky tom with black patches stepped forward. "What exactly are you saying? You want to take cats from Mistclan just to make another clan? This is questioning our loyalty to Mistclan. Why would we leave our home, our family and friends, just to form a new clan when we're perfectly happy here?"

A long-haired gray tabby she-cat rested her tail on the smoky tom. "Sootwhisker, it's okay. I actually think it's a good idea."

Sootwhisker's eyes widened. "Echofeather, what are you talking about?"

Echofeather sighed. "I figured out awhile ago about everything Fogstar had done, he wasn't a good cat. I approached him about it and he threatened my kits. I wanted to leave because I didn't want Pigeonkit, Briarkit, Riverkit, and Willowkit to be put in danger, or grow up around him." The queen looked up at Amberstar. "I know you're not Fogstar, but I just want my kits to have a new start. One where they won't have to grow up in the forest where he killed and threatened cats." She then turned her gaze to me. "I would be happy to join Leafclan along with my kits.

Sootwhisker shook his head. "I'm sorry, but you know I can't go with you. Mistclan is my home, and I could never leave it." He nuzzled her. "I'll miss you, my sister."

Stormcatcher stepped forward. "Fogstar had no respect for Blizzardrain, Mistclan's only elder and his kin. There's nothing left for me here." He looked up at me. "I would like to join Leafclan.

Hollyflame nodded. "Me too. Killing Fogbreeze was like leaving behind my past in Mistclan. I'm sorry Amberstar, but I'm going as well.

A small ginger and white tabby she-cat walked up to stand beside Hollyflame. "If my mentor is leaving, then so am I." She looked up at the black she-cat. "I don't want a new mentor, and you're like a sister to me. You're not leaving without me."

A light brown tom stood up. "Fogstar and I were apprentices together, rivals even. He grew dark though, and almost killed me. That's when I severed ties with him. I would like to join Leafclan to show a future without him or Frostwhisker, a better future where two clans thrive and help each other, even if we might be rivals. I have no family, so there's nothing keeping here."

Amberstar dipped her head. "Echofeather, Stormcatcher, Hollyflame, Gingerpaw, Sandgazer, are you sure this is what you choose? After leaving, there is no going back." She asked.

They all nodded. "We're sure."

The ginger and white leader sighed. "Very well. Would anyone else like to join Leafclan?"

"We would."

Everyone turned at the sound of two new voices near the camp entrance. A sandy tabby tom with a black mask and light green eyes stood beside a tan and ginger tabby she-cat with deep green eyes.

"Acornmask? Emberflight?" Amberstar asked.

Acornmask nodded. "We return to word of a new clan forming. Joining Leafclan is better than living forever in exile."

"You would be welcome back into Mistclan. Fogstar isn't here anymore, you wouldn't have to worry about him." Amberstar reassured the two cats.

Emberflight tilted her head. "Fogstar?" She shared a look with Acornmask. "You allowed him to become leader?"

Amberstar shook her head. "He fooled us all. We all thought you two were dead."

Acornmask smiled. "Yeah, that would do it. He always liked to think killing cats was the best solution. I wonder why he decided to spare us?"

Emberflight shrugged. "Whatever the reason, we still want to join Leafclan.

"Yeah, what's a clan with only four warriors?" Acornmask asked with a laugh.

"Not very much of a clan, that's for sure." Emberflight answered.

Amberstar smiled. "I see you two are just as you've always been, completely in sync. Very well, I'm sure you'll be fine Leafclan warriors."

The two cats joined the rest of Mistclan's cats and greeted old friends. I smiled sadly as I watched the reunion. It reminded me of my journey if I had found Shadeclan. If I had been reunited with my littermates and Pinepaw. Even if I didn't love him in the same way anymore, he was still a good friend.

Cats looked to me as they quieted down and I turned my gaze to Amberstar. "Should we leave now?"

The long-haired ginger leader shook her head. "The sun is going down. Why don't you wait until morning when you can get a fresh start?"

I nodded. "Good idea."

"Meeting dismissed." Amberstar announced and the cats began to disperse.

I descended from the tree and was about to look for Bella when Amberstar stopped me.

"Lavenderbreeze, wait."

I turned to the fiery she-cat who didn't like me so much. "Yes?"

"Why are you really doing this?" She asked. "And don't just say it's because you feel like it or mousedung like that."

I sighed. "I'm doing this for Blizzardrain, and Flick. Blizzardrain was born a Leafclan cat before Fogbreeze took that from him. Flick just wanted a home with me, but I want our kits to grow up in a place of our own. So Leafclan will be remade in memory of those two, and the other Leafclan cats whose life was changed for the worse because of Fogbreeze."

Amberstar gave me a look. "You sure are something, Lavenderbreeze, and I respect that. You're still a mouse-brain for getting tricked into being so close to Fogbreeze, though."

"Hey! Weren't you the one who say we were all tricked by him?"

The ginger and white she-cat smiled. "Yeah, but none of us almost fell for him."

"I did not!" I meowed, annoyed.

Amberstar rolled her eyes. Yeah, right. Why don't you go rest now? You have a big day tomorrow."

I sighed and nodded before padding away. We weren't friends, but we weren't enemies anymore. With a smile, I padded over to Bella.

"I see you've finally cheered up. Is it because of this new clan you're putting together?" The cream and white she-cat asked.

"Something like that." I said with a smile.

-

It was the next day, the sun going down. The new Leafclan cats traveled to their new camp and began rebuilding it. While we were there, we ran into a loner, Azure. She had been living in the old Leafclan leader's den, which was really the only den that didn't need to be rebuilt. We convinced her to stay and become a Leafclan cat. She and Gingerpaw hunted to make a fresh kill pile and kept Echofeather's kits occupied while the rest of us worked on rebuilding dens and forming nests.

Now the sun was going down and we were all tired from the long day. We had talked earlier and decided on who should lead Leafclan: Sandgazer. He had no ties to Mistclan, and wanted what was best for Leafclan. He was also a senior warrior and seemed like the best choice. We all celebrated in chanting his new name, Sandstar.

The light brown tom now sat on one of the lower branches of the Great Oak. His den was  a hollow under the tree where the roots opened up. All of Leafclan was gathered beneath the tree, focused on our leader.

"We have made great progress today. Everyone has their own nest, the warriors den is almost finished, we've cleared the rocks blocking the medicine den and the prey pile is starting to look like it'll feed an actual clan. This may only be the start, but we will be living a normal routine soon enough."

"Now, I have a few things to call to order this evening. First, I must appoint a deputy. Hollyflame?"

The black she-cat looked surprised but emerged from the cluster of cats. Sandstar descended the Great Oak and nodded to her.

"Hollyflame, you showed great courage and strength when you took on and defeated Fogbreeze. I could think of no one better to help me lead this new clan. Will you accept?"

Hollyflame nodded and we cheered the new Leafclan deputy's name. This deputy ceremony seemed strange, but I guess it would be since we didn't have any connection with Starclan I looked up at the sky wondering if Starclan were actually watching the living cats. If they were, I was sure they would be glad that Leafclan was back.

"Next, we have a new warrior to welcome into our ranks. Azure, will you step forward?" Sandstar continued.

The light gray tabby looked nervous as she padded to the front of the crowd.

"Azure, do you promise to defend and protect your clan and uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?"

"Yes?" Azure answered, sounding unsure.

"Then from this day forth, you shall be known as Azureflake, warrior of Leafclan."

"Azureflake!"

"Azureflake!"

When the cats quieted down, I stood up before the light brown tom could call the meeting to an end.

"Sandstar?"

The Leafclan leader tilted his head. "Yes, Lavenderbreeze?"

I sighed. "I was wondering . . . if you could change my warrior name? Fogbreeze named me after himself so we would always be connected, but I don't want that. I want nothing to do with him anymore."

Sandstar smiled and nodded. "Okay then, come to the front."

I relaxed in relief and padded up to stand in front of my new leader.

"Lavenderbreeze, you have journeyed far, and never lost courage or hope. You have found a new place to call home, and it is because of you Leafclan exists again. For this, you will now be known as Lavendershine, for shining so brightly in other cats lives. We welcome you as a warrior of Leafclan." Sandstar announced.

"Lavendershine!"

"Lavendershine!"

"Lavendershine!"

Sandstar silenced everyone by raising his tail. "Now, everyone head to your nests. You'll need plenty of rest for tomorrow."

Bella approached me, smiling. "I'm so proud and happy for you! Cutting ties from Fogbreeze like that?" She nuzzled me. "You have definitely come a long way. I'm glad I could be an important part of your journey."

I nodded. "Thanks Bella, for everything. Without you, I might still be lost in that twolegplace, or in Starclan from the dog or fox attack."

The cream she-cat purred. "You're very welcome." She pulled away. "Now, why don't you go get some rest? You'll need your strength for tomorrow."

I agreed, and headed for my nest. I had finally found where I belonged in this world. I finally found my true family, and had more on the way. Curling up in my nest, I drifted off into sleep.

-

I awoke in a strange meadow. Where was I? I had never been here before. I looked around to see if there was something I recognized. Then I gasped when a figure shimmered into view. It was the orange tabby, though he looked completely different.

He had no scars on his body. The tom looked to be in good health, and his fur shimmered. He couldn't be a Starclan cat, could he?

The orange tabby nodded. "Surprised to see me? Well, I had to let you see what you helped me to accomplish."

"What did I help you accomplish?" I wondered.

"You helped me earn my way back to Starclan. I made a mistake, and they banished me to the Dark Forest. I have been spending so much time trying to make up for the mistake I made, and they finally agreed to allow me into Starclan if I really helped you on your journey - in their way, that is." The tabby said.

"Wow. So that's why you helped me? Not just because you wanted to?" I asked.

"Actually, after you escaped Aster and her group, I realized I actually did want to help you on your journey. That's why I'm glad you actually took me seriously when it mattered most."

I looked down. "Yeah, but it didn't really count for much. Flick is still gone."

"He's not gone, he's in Starclan. I can assure you, he's watching over you and he's proud." The orange tabby tom said.

"Wait." I looked back up at him. "Why can I communicate with you when the Starclan and living cats connection is severed?"

"I just became a Starclan cat today, but I haven't actually joined them in their hunting grounds. I wanted to talk to you first."

The sky flashed and he sighed. "That's my sign to hurry it up. Just one last thing before I go okay? Never lose hope. Oh, and my name... it's Sunstrike."

The vision began to fade and I opened my eyes to a dark warriors den. I smiled to myself and closed my eyes again. I was finally where I belonged, the clan secrets were uncovered, and all my questions were answered. I knew after everything I had been through, everyone always reminded me of one important thing.

Never lose hope.

//Word count: 3003//