I...I think I know you...

[heartnet]

'Perfect day for hunting, just wish I had someone to share it with...' This thought echoed in Sparrow Song's mind as she padded gracefully out of camp and into the bright, sunny day. She stretched and let the warm sun run over her fur, her lean muscles rippling underneath. Her sharp, friendly blue eyes scanned the area, deciding which way to go. How about the forest today? Smiling, she picked up the pace, sprinting over the open grass towards the shady, cool looking trees. Oh how she loved to run! It was exhilarating! It made her feel so free and her paws hardly touched the ground as she swiftly arrived at the forest. She daintly trotted about some, acting like a complete mousebrain just for the fun of it as no one was watching before collapsing with laughter, smelling the warm forest earth beneath her. Then something caught her attention as her ears twitched and she got up. What was it? A mouse? No, too big to be a mouse...not a badger either, smaller. Fox?! Crouching down, she lowered herself to the forest floor to become hidden, slowly creeping up on the noise. She followed it through the bushes, barely seeing the shape but making it out to be some kind of cat...Who was this strange cat? No matter, no cats usually strayed out here, so it must mean trouble. Bunching her muscles and constricting them, in one swift motion she realized and pounced on the cat, sending the two tumbling back. It ended with her pinning it, their eyes locked on each others as they breathed heavily, confusion registering in her sky blue eyes.

"Do....do I know you?"

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

He could barely contain himself.
This it! I'm home!
When Shining Water had spotted the familiar forest line he had ran as fast as his tired paws could carry him. He had paused at every chance to sniff the markers left on the trees by the patrols. Of course, many of them were only faintly familiar and he could barely put a picture to the scents. But that hardly mattered for he was home. Home. He had spent long nights deciding what to tell them, planned whole speeches, but now that he was so close the words had left them. It doesn't matter. As long as I can see them, that's all I want. Grinning from ear to ear, he pushed his way through the undergrowth, oblivious tot hat he was being stalked. In his excitement he had forgotten that cats might be prowling the forest. He had always imagined the Guild gathered in the camp clearing, simply waiting for him. He had never contemplated that life might have moved on while he was gone.
For the second time in Shining Water's life, a cat came out of nowhere and sent him tumbling. The forest became one big green blur as he was heaved off his feet. He roughly kicked at their stomach with sheathed paws but felt himself pinned down under their weight.
The scent washed of his attacke washed over his nostrils. The Guild. But more importantly, a stronger scent from the Nursery. He hadn't forgotten her.
"Sparrow Song!"
His voice was rough from not speaking, something he had become useful. Shining Water tried again, smiling up at her. "Sparrow Song," he purred, his own blue eyes twinkling. "Of course you know me. It hasn't been that long has it?"

[heartnet]

'No....could it really be him...?!' Sparrow Song thought at he spoke then recognized his familiar blue eyes and her face broke into a wide smile of pure happiness. "Shining Water!" She cried, purring as well as she hadn't spoken that name in moons. She studied him, noticing how much he had changed and now they both looked like full grown warriors. And she could tell he had strength because her stomach was sore from the fight he put up, but all the same, it was just great for him to be here and okay! She backed off him, sitting down with her tail flickering with joy as she gave him a chance to get up. "I can't believe you're back! Where'd you go? Why were you gone so long? Why'd you leave?" Many questions spilled out that she had been dying to ask, her blue eyes dancing with curiousity.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

"You cannot believe how great it is to see you!" Shining Water cried as he rolled back onto his feet. Not bothering to shake the mess of debris from his pelt, he sat before Sparrow Song, mimicking her pose. "And you're so big! I thought I had been hit by a badger or something."
It was true that his sister had changed since he had left. She was no longer the little Learner he had known. Now she was a member and there was strength behind her blows. But, he guessed, he wasn't exactly the same cat either. At her flood of questions he gave a small smile. He had been prepared for this. "Okay, okay. Calm down first. I'll start from the beginning: Night training with Gorse Thorn. I got a tad disoreintated and started panicking when I couldn't find him. I fell in the stream and got swept down. I probably could of made my way back if I had waited for daylight or waited for someone to find if I hadn't been so mousebrained. Long story short: got lost, wandered the forest, found the hills, made some friends and now I'm home. Trust me, I didn't leave because I wanted to."
He sighed and tilted his head, his own blue eyes dancing. "Now, tell me about you. I guess my sister became a member before me, hmm?"

[heartnet]

Sparrow Song scoffed but with humor. "I'm big? Surely you weren't completely alone on your little adventure as to have forgotton your manners to a she-cat. I guess I'll have to retrain you." She joked, flicking his nose with her tail with a short Mrrow! of laughter. "But really, I'm not that big. I can still outrun you and no one can hear me coming!" She bragged, puffing up her fur as if they were still young learners, trying to be the best of the two. She studied him curiously as he told the story, her eyes filled with wonder and excitement at his adventure. All she had ever known was the Guild, and to know of other cats and places...it blew her mind and made her skin tingle with curiousity. What kind of cats? How far did this other land go? What other creatures? So many questions danced in her mind as he spoke, finally breaking away from them as he asked her about herself. "Of course! I was always the smarter one, so it was no surprise really." She teased, smiling widely. "And you'll never believe, father is an Advisor now!" She nuzzled his shoulder affectionately. Oh she had so much she wanted to tell him, it was like a part of her was back! "Come on, I'll tell you more on the way back, you must be starving!"

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Shining Water gave a sly smile and cuffed his sister's ears with a sheathed paw. "I was lucky to have had any company, but, yeah, I do need some retraining," he laughed. He knew that compared to the other Guild members his techniques had little to be admired. He had only learnt a small amount from his mentor and the rest was either aquired through trial and error or from Sharp Claw. As she puffed out her chest, he grinned happily. He had forgotten how they used to do that. "My tracking has improved considerably. No more getting lost in the rain now," he told her, lifting his head in mock pride. It was so wonderful to fall into the old routine again but after being away for so long, Shining Water found the actions that had been so smooth between them were a little rough. Sparrow Song had become unfamiliar to him. Her affectionate gesture was even a tad surprising but he reminded himself that she was no stranger. Rubbing his cheek against hers, he grinned for his father's achievement. "An Advisor? So the last one died? Oh well, I guess Bracken's Thorn was right to choose Howling Wind." He wondered what else had changed since he had left. He even wondered how his old mentor was. Hopefully he hadn't blamed himself for Shining Water's own stupidity.

{I think Gorse Thorn should of died or something. Not sure. Maybe an Elder?}

[heartnet]

Ooc: I think Elder, he already has to deal with the shock of his mother dying while he was gone.

Sparrow Song felt like nothing could go wrong now, her brother was back! They had always been so close and it had crushed her when he had disappeared. But now her brother and best friend was back, they could be together forever! She glanced over her shoulder at his remark. "Bracken Thorn? He died in a Badger Attack, Long Cloud is the Guide now. He keeps a little to himself and is always thinking, but he's a very wise leader." She explained,, remembering that her brother had missed out on many things. They hadn't been able to become Members together, that had been their dream. And soemthing else he had missed...."Shining Water....mother died while you were gone as well." She murmured quietly, meeting his eyes and soaking in the familiar, but different spark to them. He was older, more mature and a handsome cat. It was different between them, but some things would not change. She broke the gaze and looked back ahead just as the Guild came into view.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Shining Water remembered the slim white tom from his time as a Learner. Long Cloud had always been too quiet for his liking. Not to mention, his gaze was unnerving. He didn't seem to look at you as a whole but as something made up of smaller things. Shining Water had always had the sensation of being studied. Bracken's Thorn had been a great Guide. It was hard to imagine Long Cloud in his place. "Bracken's Thorn had been so good," he murmured, his head down in sadness. His sister didn't seem too worried about the new Guide and he had always trusted her judgement. With their father as Advisor, how bad could Long Cloud's leadership be? When Sparrow Song's tone changed he lifted his head up in alarm. The way she had said his name was almost cautious, as if she was warning him.
"Changing Leaves," he whispered, unable to look away from his sister. She looked so much like their mother that for a moment he thought she was standing right there with him. But looking into his sister's eyes he saw the spark that only she had ever had. Yet, there was some unfamiliarities to her gaze, to her face. She had changed. Life had moved on without him. "But she never got to see me. I came back...," Shining Water meowed softly, lowering his head. He had been so foolish.

[heartnet]

Sparrow Song felt a familiar pang of sadness as she thought about her mother's death, the light in her eyes dying. She had kept it all in for Howling Wind, for he had been the one who need her most at that time. She had never grieved really, just kept it all bottled up. But now that Shining Water was back, she had someone who could truly share her pain and someone she trusted enough to talk to about it. She stopped and faced him, waiting for him to come up beside her before pressing her pelt to his, nuzzling her face into his warm, soft fur on his shoulder. She didn't say a word for a long time, just closed her eyes and took in his scent. She would never lose this scent again, he was part of her and he was back. "She always believed you would. When everyone doubted, she believed. And...I never gave up hope you'd come back to me." She murmured, looking up to him and smiling sadly, the gaze seeming to last forever as the two seemed to read the others mind.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

How he had come to survive without his sister, he couldn't understand. Part of him had forgotten that connection they shared, that brotherly-sisterly love that other siblings didn't have. I keep thinking I'll never see you again, Shining Water thought sadly as he rested his head on her shoulder. It was hard to believe she was real, after all he had gone through. He purred softly, an old forgotten rumble, and rubbed his cheek against Sparrow Song's neck. He would miss their mother but he felt like he had already said goodbye. There were moments in his journey back to the Guild where he had simply sat and waited for Death to claim him. Times when he had entirely given up on seeing his family again. But hearing Sparrow Song speak of how Changing Leaves had never given up chased away his dark thoughts. "Thank-you," he whispered in her ear as she pulled away. "I'm glad you two believed in me," he added, returning her sad smile. " I needed all the hope I could get. There were a lot of....bad times." Looking into he eyes now, Shining Water could see the sadness that she had hid at first. He hadn't been the only one to face challenges alone. Softly, he nudged her shoulder with his muzzle. "Come on, let's go make my grand entrance. Surely Howling Wind will want to see me. I missed him. And you. I missed you a lot."

[heartnet]

Sparrow Song slowly brightened, remembering the good memory of him coming back and now they could surprise the Guild! "Of course Howling Wind missed you! For the longest time, all he could say was Sparrow Song! Why can't you be mor like your brother and blah blah blah..." She copied his voice and mimicked it, laughing good naturedly. Their father had missed his only son greatly, and for a while just the littlest things would remind him of him. Sparrow Song turned, dancing on her paws ready to go. "Alright, let's go. Race you back! I bet you still can't beat me!" She said excitedly, dashing off.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Shining Water gave a soft mrrow of laughter. His sister's imitation was dead on but hearing their father's familiar words pained him a little. He was so eager to be reunited with his father that he dased off after Sparrow Song, despite the protests from his aching feet. "Of course you can beat me!" he laughed, "I've been walking since sunrise and can't feel my paws!"

[heartnet]

Sparrow Song glanced back, smiling. "Yeah, yeah, excuses!" She called with a laugh. Her paws barely hit the ground as she did long, graceful strides across the grass, slowing only when the entrance of camp appeared, not even out of breath when she stopped. She turned to look at Shining Water, her smile lighting up her whole face. Home. And it was complete at last, her brother was home.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

While his sister was light and graceful in her strides, Shining Water was more heavy with power hidden in his muscles. His idea of running was getting where you wanted, as fast as possible. He slowed as he approached her, recognising the camp's entrance. "After you," he told her, dipping his head. To be honest, his stomach was turning with anxiety and nervousness. He hadn't seen the Guild in moons and already he had been disappointed. What waited for him in the camp?

[heartnet]

Sparrow Song nodded to him and stepped inside. Familiar scents hit her instantly and they had never seemed more like home. She took a breath before letting out an excited yowl. "Shining Water's back!!" Her voice echoed throughout camp, causing ears to perk and heads to turn. She looked towards her brother, beckoning him in with her tail. "Come on, you're home now!"

[;lost&insecure;]

Crashing Wave poked her head out of the den. Who? Her pain ridden mind searched for an inkling of recognition, but whoever it was evaded her forefront memory. She cautiously stepped out. Then, it occured to her. This was Sparrow Song's brother. So Sparrow Song's brother could come back...after all this time...and yet, Roiling Cloud remained at large? The pain that tore at her was nearly unbearable, and she hunkered down in some shade in the clearing, watching with jealous eyes.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

{Any other Guild cats to join?}

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Long Cloud was lying in the sun, a fresh mouse between his paws. He was nibbling on it lazily, occasionally freezing and staring off into space. This was a common occurence and it took moons for him to snap out of it stupors but Sparrow Song's call roused him. He blinked his blue eyes, rising slowly to his paws. "Am I hearing right?" he asked himself. Afterall, Shining Water was a name he hadn't heard in seasons. The learner had disppeared nearly two seasons ago. The search parties had found nothing but he was, alive and seemingly well.

Shining Water could feel his legs trembling as he padded in the camp clearing to stand beside his sister. The place looked just as it had done all those moons ago, although overgrown in some places. He recognised Long Cloud immediately. The tom had grown like he had and now slim and less ungainly than he had been as a learner. But now Long Cloud was the Guide rather than the learner he had often teased. He scanned the rest of the clearing, noting Crashing Wave crouching in the shadows and River Stone who was watching him with an amazed expression.

[Redcloud]

Rain Cloud blinked lazily, lifting his head lightly. He yawned widely, standing and stretching his legs. A quick hlance to the sky told him had napped for too long and needed to return to his duties. He was running a tad low on Thyme and Marigold. Upon turning though, he found the source of his nap's sudden end; Shining Water. Alive and breathing and most certainly not dead. His constant smile soon returned to him, an almost relieved feeling entering his chest. His Guild-mate had returned. Now they need only wait for Roiling Cloud.

[Tiger]

"'Lo, all," meowed a fluffy ginger she-cat, padding into the clearing from her den. She plucked a small mouse from the top of the fresh-kill pile and laid down, placing it between her paws and nibbling on it. The meat was a bit stringy and not particularly good, but she didn't really care; it was better than starving, right? "How's life treating you?" Her name was Fire Song, which fit her coat more than her personality. Unlike fire, she was usually not dangerous and usually good-natured. She did not possess the grace and musicality of a song either. It simply sounded nice.

[Redcloud]

Rain Storm twitched, turning to look at Fire Song, a sudden fuzziness entering his belly. "Uh...hello Fire Song," he muttered, scooting away and toward the entrance to camp. He needed to find those herbs. Yes. He really needed to find them. He wasn't leaving because Fire Song had gotten closer than she had in a long while. No. That wasn't it at all.

(He's in denial...definately in denial...)

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

A grin slowly spread across Shining Water's face as he recognised each of the cats. Long Cloud seemed just as airy as he had always been, Rain Storm was just as distracted and Fire Song was her usual casual self. "Hello," he meowed softly. Realising how pathetic he sounded he repeated it louder.

Once her senses had returned, River Stone rushed forward, leaping past poor Rain Storm and Fire Song. "I can't believe you're back! First Stilled Water than you!" she cried out. Her usual shy nature was overcome by her excitement at his return. She came to a halt before him, quivering all over. "Where have you been? We looked everywhere and Howling Wind was so upset." She froze and looked over shoulder at the rest of the cats. "Where's Howling Wind?"

"I don't think I've ever seen you so excited, River Stone!" the Guide laughed. Light as his namesake, he padded across the camp and stood before the tom. Blue eyes met blue eyes as they stared each other, studying the changes that occured over time. The two cats hadn't got along while they were learners and so this was a confrontation of sorts. As usual, it was Long Cloud who broke it with a smile. "Welcome back, Shining Water." It seemed all was forgiven.

[Tiger]

"Hey, Rain Storm! Hi, River Stone!" Fire Song yawned and stretched a bit before quickly glancing at both cats she had greeted. "I was just in the den, napping. I guess you didn't look very well or I had somehow hidden myself." She shrugged and licked the inside of her right front leg, pausing to work a mat out of her fur. "Where's Shining Water been?" The cat relaxed and looked at her Guide with inquisitive brown eyes; her nap had left her in the dark about the very recent events in the Guild.

[heartnet]

Sparrow Song was radiating with happiness, proud of her brother and so excited everyone was accepting him. She had dreamed of this day for so long, and now it was finally real! She nudged him gently, smiling brightly. The only thing that could make her happier was....

"Shining Water?"

A deep, wise old voice spoke up, overpowering all the other cat's chatter. Howling Wind had just stepped out of the nursery and stood stone still, eyes on his son. They were wide with disbelief and pure surprise as he looked at his long lost son. "Yes father, it's really him!" Sparrow Song cried happily, bounding over to him and nuzzling him affectionately, walking with him as he approached Shining Water slowly, still too surprised.

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Long Cloud stepped aside, silencing River Stone with a flick of his tail. She bit her lip and went to sit by Fire Song, her own tail still twitching in excitement. "He's finally returned after two seasons," she whispered into the ginger she-cat's ear. "We thought he had drowned."

Shining Water returned his sister's grin, albeit nervous. When he heard his name called by the familiar voice, his ears perked up and his head snapped up to face his father. His blue eyes were like his name, a shining pool of water. His nervousness at the reunion was overwhelmed by the longing to be reunited with Howling Wind. His lips parted as he inhaled his scent. Still the same. Sparrow Song's emotions were infectious and, too eager to wait for the older tom, he closed the distance between them with two short bounds. "Father!" he purred, pressing his nose into Howling Wind's neck. "I missed you."

[Redcloud]

Rain Storm hobbled past, his ever present smile gone, replaced with a thin line. His ears were perked and his whiskers were twitching nervously. If cats could blush, he would certainly be doing it now. His heart was racing as he pushed past the tunnel leading out of camp. When he was succesfully outside, he sighed, slightly relieved Fire Song was still unaware of his feelings. It would save him the embrassment at least.

[Tiger]

"Oh, I think I remember that," Fire Song replied, also in a whisper. "It's just been so long and it's early and I'm not thinking. Well, I don't want to disrupt their reunion." With that, the she-cat excused herself. She had not been exceptionally close to Shining Water; she knew his name and his face but not much else. Daintily, she picked up the mouse bones between her teeth and carried them to a corner of camp, where she disposed of them along with all the other bones and scraps. Licking her lips, she padded back into camp and stretched out in the sunlight. Her body said that she was relaxed, but her eyes and ears gave off obvious signs of alertness.

[heartnet]

Howling Wind broke into a big smile and licked his son's cheek, overcome with relief and happiness. It was like a burden had been lifted from the older cat's shoulders. "My son! Oh, I had hoped you'd find your way home. We've waited for you..." He murmured, smiling with warmth, touching his son's shoulder with his tail. Sparrow Song smiled, glad to see the two of them happy. She looked to Long Cloud hopefully. "He can stay right?"

[á£Îmaý---♫♥]

Shining Water purred softly and licked his father's cheek back. "It took a while but I made it," he meowed softly. The pain of knowing his mother had died was still fresh but just being able to hear his father's voice was just enough to soothe it a little. Although the Guild had changed since he had left, at least Howling Wind and Sparrow Song remained the same. It might take awhile but Shining Water was determined to rebuild his life with them.
But his sister's question almost ripped his heart from his chest. He felt like he was falling. He had never thought that he wouldn't be able to stay.

The Guide's eyes went wide, making his usual dazed expression even stronger. The thought of not letting Shining Water stay had never occured to him. He stared at Sparrow Song in pure surprise. "Why wouldn't I let stay?" Long Cloud meowed, "He's a member of this Guild and that membership is for life." Cats had left the Guild on their own accord but none had even been denied a place in the camp. Exiling cats was not a part of Guild life and Long Cloud was not about to start. "Of course Shining Water can stay," he meowed. "After all, I want to hear his story as much as the next cat."