Waging War Book 2: Gray Skies {COMPLETE}

Chapter 26

"Goodbye you two!" Berryheart called as Owlpaw and Earthpelt left them at the SunClan border. They had been kind enough to escort them all the way to their border.

"Good luck being a medicine cat, Owlpaw!" Leopardpaw mewed loudly. "You'll do a great job!"

"Thank you!" Owlpaw called after her friend, her heart aching continuously. Once the two MoonClan she-cats were gone, it was just Earthpelt and Owlpaw, back in SunClan territory. It had been such a long time since Owlpaw seen the oak trees, she was genuinely happy to be home but the sadness of leaving friends behind gnawed her.

"Are you alright, Owlpaw?" Earthpelt questioned, her voice taut with concern.

"I will be." Owlpaw admitted. "It's just hard, we spent so long with those cats and now everything is going back to normal."

"It is strange." Earthpelt agreed. "It's going to be a challenge adapting to our old Clan lives, and yours will continue to change once you become a medicine cat apprentice. Aren't you excited?"

Owlpaw lifted her head slightly. "I really am." It was already past dawn by the time Owlpaw and Earthpelt reached the camp. Owlpaw breathed in the familiar scent and looked at all the familiar sights. Owlpaw was so incredibly exhausted, but she was relieved to see her home once again. They stepped into camp and Owlpaw instantly heard her name being called.

"Owlpaw!" The cry came from Blossompaw, her sisters tortoiseshell pelt slammed into hers and Owlpaw fell to the ground as her sister tackled her. Not far behind Blossompaw, Oakpaw and Rushpaw jumped on as well. Owlpaw was so overwhelmed with love by her sisters that she almost didn't notice they were crushing her. Almost.

"I missed you too!" Owlpaw purred loudly. "But I also don't like to be crushed!" Her siblings stumbled clumsily off of her and all faced her.

"Oh I'm so happy you're back! I was so worried about you! I missed you so much!" Blossompaw rambled off. "I'm just so glad you're finally home!"

"We missed you too!" Oakpaw rushed in, Owlpaw was shocked at how big her brother had gotten. He nudged her. "I'm glad you're okay!"

Rushpaw who was usually the most composed of the four kits was even overly excited. "Welcome home, Owlpaw!" Rushpaw nuzzled her so hard that she was almost knocked over.

"Let me see my kit!" Owlpaw heard Briarrose's voice through the crowd and the small she-cat pushed her way through her other kits and stared at Owlpaw in shock until her eyes overflowed with love. She swarmed Owlpaw and began nuzzling her all over. "Oh, Owlpaw! My sweet, Owlpaw!" She wailed with pure happiness. "I'm so sorry I doubted you," Briarrose mewed, stepping back. "The guilt has been eating at me this whole time, I'm so proud of you, Owlpaw."

Owlpaw was shocked to hear such words from her mother. "Thank you." Owlpaw pressed her muzzle to her mother's. "I needed to hear that."

"I'm proud of you too." Owlpaw felt a fluffy tail on her shoulders as Yarrowtail stepped up as well. "You've done something incredible, Owlpaw. And you've gotten bigger!" Have I? Owlpaw had noticed her siblings were bigger, but she still felt about the same size around them as when she left. I guess that means I grew too.

"Welcome home, sister." Mudfall stepped through the crowd to greet Earthpelt. "I'm glad to see you home."

"I'm glad to be home." Earthpelt nuzzled her brother.

"There's some cats I want you to meet." Mudfall purred loudly.

"What are you talking about?"

"While you were gone..." Mudfall mewed slyly. "Dovepool gave birth to my kits."