Warriors: Frecklesky's Heart

[ Epilogue ]

Frecklesky padded slowly alongside Larkstar, her thick tortoiseshell pelt rippling under the gentle new-leaf breeze. Flowers bloomed all along the marsh, tilting their blossoms towards the sun. Their petals were an array of colors; red, white, yellow, and more.

Her steps were reluctant as the smell of the thunderpath rose on the horizon, sickeningly familiar. The scent curled in her belly like rancid fresh-kill.

She hardly noticed when they crested the hill, staring down at the stretch of black. White flowers blossomed along the edge of the rough asphalt, marking Rachel's resting place. Frecklesky froze, her eyes stinging with tears.

"Let's go," Larkstar murmured softly.

Frecklesky swallowed hoarsely. "Okay."

Larkstar led the way, glancing left and right before she sprang onto the thunderpath. Frecklesky's paws pounded against the asphalt as the two fled, as fast as their legs could take them to the safety of the forest. The safety promised by one's line of sight, and the safety not all could get.

Soft grass touched her paws on the other side, lush and full of life as it brushed along her flanks. They padded along the edge of thunderpath, the roar of monsters a constant, nauseating assault of memories. Of Thunderpath. Of Rachel.

Frecklesky shook away the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. Now's not the time to grieve, she told herself, gritting her teeth and setting her eyes forward.

The two slipped into the woods, following a narrow stream towards the center of all Clan territories. Once they arrived at Fourtrees, Larkstar cast Frecklesky a sideways glance. "Are you ready?" The leader softly murmured.

Frecklesky nodded. She was as ready as she'd ever be.

The two raced down the slope together, pawsteps in sync. Brightstar waited patiently below the Great Rock, his deputy and medicine cat lingering at his side. At Scarface's paws resided two small figures, their pelts patched black and white in an intertwined pattern. Kits.

Larkstar diplomatically dipped her head to the fellow cats. "Greetings. Are these the kits?"

"Yes," Brightstar gentle nudged the mewling things forward. They were nearly newborns, likely a few days old as they blindly clambered over one another. "Two she-kits to complete our trade. I trust you'll treat them well?"

"Of course we will," Larkstar smiled softly at the two kits. "ShadowClan aren't heathens. We'll treat them like our own." Her silver eyes flitted back to the ThunderClan leader. "Have you named them?"

Brightstar shrugged halfheartedly. "I was considering Hopekit and Dreamkit," he mumbled. "To signify the peace of upcoming moons."

Larkstar's eyes softened. "Hopekit and Dreamkit. What do you think, Frecklesky?"

Frecklesky stared at the kits, her throat choked. "Yes," she mewed softly, her mind darting to Rachel. Of the hopes and dreams they'd grown together. "I think the names are perfect."

"Then we'll take them." Larkstar flicked her tail behind her, bowing slightly to the other Clan leader. "To many moons of peace ahead."

"To many moons of peace ahead," Brightstar echoed.

And at that, the deal was sealed.