[BEAR.]

Home.

The concept felt unreal to Fernpaw, even as the forest faded into meadows, into the fields that marked the start of WindClan territory. As long grass shrank to flattened paths, as the woven camp barrier came into sight.

And they were in. And Fernpaw's heart pounded in his chest, and he didn't know how to feel. If he wanted to laugh, or cry, or be numb, because after all this time..

The patrol, the skies, Fish Dad, Eldersky. A journey to nowhere but a pretty face and dead ends. After all that; they were home. He made it back, and with him came the sinking guilt that weighed his spirits down. All that... for what? His patrol wasn't with him.

Hickorykit was secured in his grasp as he crossed the familiar clearing. Twilightstar wasn't immediately in sight, so he opted to head for her den; something Wolffang had recommended. He only faltered in his steps when he neared the outside, that tell-tale lump returning in his throat as he tried to prepare himself to face her.

No amount of trying to compose himself would work, because as soon as he stepped into the den and glimpsed what he thought was lilac fur, tears welled in his eyes and a sob caught in his throat, muffled only by Hickorykit's tiny body. "Twilightstar?"

Wolffang said to keep moving forward, but it was hard. so hard. he didnt feel ready for any of this. He hadn't even been able to talk to Eldersky about what happened to him, what would she think?

[ @Moonraven, @TheNyanCatMinecart, @implimm ]