°|° Woodland °|° ✓

| Chapter 9 |

(Cat above is Breezekit)

It was Nightkit who spotted the first trees in the distance.

"Look!" They squeaked excitedly, running from Daisytail's side to Berrypaw. "Trees!"

Berrypaw shared a glance with Cherrypaw. They were getting home. Cherrypaw's eyes glowed happily, though her sister felt the opposite. Coming back to ThunderClan meant leaving Thrushfeather.

Could she bear it?

Berrypaw shook out her fur. That was enough. There was still plenty of time until they reached camp.

"Very good," she told Nightkit and padded over to Stonestar and Antfur. She quickly explained.

"You're right." Stonestar pricked his ears. "Are those oak? Wow. We only have spruce and birch." There was a tint of sadness in his meow. After all, Stonestar had left his home.

"Oh? Yes, these are oak trees." Berrypaw laughed slightly. "Our camp is quite far in, and it's sheltered by a wall of hedges. There's a small waterfall that trickles down the hedge into a little pool, then that stream runs through all dens. Handy?"

"Quite," Antfur smiled and waved her tail. "StarClan has blessed your camp."

Berrypaw laughed again, then stepped back. Thrushfeather was speaking with Cherrypaw in a low urgent voice.

"I'll miss-" was all Berrypaw heard.

"Thrushfeather!" chuckled Cherrypaw nervously, spotting her sister.

Thrushfeather looked up, muttered "Oh," and then rushed off to catch Breezekit, who was trying to eat a fly.

Berrypaw giggled. She remembered her times as a kit with Mapleflight. She'd wanted to be the best warrior ThunderClan had ever seen.

"I wanna be a big strong warrior like Swiftstar!" Squealed Berrykit, bouncing around Mapleflight.

"Swiftstar is our leader," Cherrykit reminded her. "You want to be a leader?"

Berrykit stopped bouncing for a moment. "I guess," she shrugged and went off again.

Mapleflight smiled and wrapped her tail around Berrykit, lifting her to her side. "Both of you will be great warriors. I'm sure of that."

Berrypaw's smile turned to a slight frown. She'd known her mother all along, but then who was her father? Deep thoughts, thought Berrypaw with a shrug. Her "deep thoughts" flew away as Thrushfeather herded Breezekit back to Daisytail.

"Heyo," said Thrushfeather warmly.

"Heyo," said Berrypaw warmly.

They both laughed.

"Bored?" Thrushfeather padded alongside her.

"Kinda." a sudden idea flashed across Berrypaw's mind. It was crazy, it was mad, it might be too much to ask for. Still, I have to try, thought Berrypaw. Or I'll never know, will I?

"One moment," Berrypaw muttered and flew to Stonestar like a small lightning bolt. He was surprised at this small ball of red, furry energy, but quickly composed himself.

"Hello, Berrypaw," he meowed calmly. Antfur trotted beside him, her dark blue eyes wide with interest. Berrypaw realized how well she knew WoodClan. She knew Breezekit's love for Moss-Ball, the way Antfur's eyes always widened when she was interested, and how Thrushfeather hated to hunt thrushes.

"So I got this idea," chattered Berrypaw excitedly. "Could I join WoodClan?"

"Join us?" Stonestar was stunned. "Us? Like, actually?"

"If I could," asked Berrypaw, her eyes begging. Oh, please, say yes! She yelled inside of her mind.

Stonestar glanced at Antfur for a moment, then looked back. "I suppose if you'd like," he meowed.

"Actually?! I'd love to!" Berrypaw squealed. Cherrypaw came over, and her sister quickly explained.

"Well, that's settled," Stonestar smiled. "Now, we have our old camp to claim!"