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It was dark, and cold. Nightdapple didn't like it. It reminded her of the time when she'd gotten lost as a kit, and had spent the night out in the forest. Of course, her mother had been frantic and when they were reunited, her mother hadn't let her out of sight for a whole moon before she started easy up.

But, why was it so dark? Was she dreaming, or still in the battle? Maybe... this was StarClan? But, she'd heard that StarClan was full of light and it was permanently greenleaf there. And, if it was StarClan, where were all the ancestors? Nothing was making sense, and Nightdapple was starting to panic as she wandered around in the darkness.

She didn't want to go to StarClan just yet! She had yet to tell Jayfeather her feelings! And, she wasn't that old! She was still in the prime of her life. She should be settling down with a mate, and having a family!

The more she wandered around, the more her eyes adjusted and she realised that the ground under her paws felt more like grass than it previously had, and she could see leaves and bushes. Was it getting lighter, or was she simply getting used to it? She wasn't sure.

How long had she been here? It felt like moons, but there was definitely brightness ahead. Eager, Nightdapple picked up her pace and started running towards the brightness ahead, eager to get out of the dark.

"Nightdapple!" A yowl caught her attention, and she halted.

"Jayfeather!" She cried gleefully, turning and heading towards him.

He halted and waited for her to come to him, and as she got closer, she realised that he was watching her! "You can see me!" she gasped in amazement as she stopped a few mouse-lengths in front of him.

His whiskers twitched in amusement, and he nodded. "Yes. You're much smaller than I thought, and prettier," he told her, his blue gaze running over her figure and causing her to heat up in embarrassment at the praise.

"How are you here?" Nightdapple asked, glancing around, before asking, "Where is here?"

Nervous as she noticed that Jayfeather was in the darker part of wherever this was, she padded over to his side and pressed against him, the heat of his larger body comforting.

"We are in the in between of StarClan and life. The light you were heading to," Jayfeather told her, nodding towards the light, "Is StarClan."

Shocked, Nightdapple let out a mew of distress, but was comforted as Jayfeather twisted his head around and licked her ear with his rough tongue.

"I don't want to go to StarClan," she whimpered, "Not just yet!"

"Don't worry," Jayfeather soothed her before she could get worked up again, "I'm going to take you home, alright? Back to ThunderClan. Just follow me."

Nightdapple nodded her head and stayed pressed against his side as he turned them slowly and walked away from the light. She followed him, hesitantly twining their tails together, and purring as he let her.

"We're going to jump, okay? Everything will be fine. You'll wake up a bit disorientated, but I'll be right there beside you, I promise. Ready?" Jayfeather told her softly and waited until she'd nodded her assent before counting, "One... Two... Three!"

Together, they jumped.

*.*.*.

Nightdapple woke up gasping, jerking upright before hissing as her body ached and protested the sudden movement.

"Shh, lie back down," Jayfeather's gentle voice soothed her and urged her to comply.

Slowly, she let her legs slide out from under her until she was lying back down, gazing up at Jayfeather, her heart beating rapidly. She watched as he leant over her, sniffing at her neck and sides, before leaning back with a satisfied nod.

"I promised you I'd be here, and I am," Jayfeather murmured quietly, for her ears only, and licked her ear.

"That... that was real, then?" Nightdapple asked, a slight tremor of fear in her voice. Give her a battle any day, but just not ... black nothingness.

"Unfortunately so. You were lucky I got to you in time, otherwise..." he broke off, his body trembling slightly, and she stretched her neck up and licked his chest to try and comfort him.

He gave a soft rumble of a purr in appreciation, and took in deep breaths.

Nightdapple glanced around and realised that it was dark, and Briarlight was in her nest, fast asleep. "Will you stay with me?" Nightdapple asked hesitantly, "For the night?"

She saw shock pass over his features, before he gave a warm purr of assent and lowered himself into her nest and curling around her. "I'll guard you," he promised her softly, and started to tenderly wash her, his rough tongue comforting as she closed her eyes once more. "I'll always protect you," his soft voice saying was the last thing she heard before she slipped into a peaceful sleep.

*.*.*.

Nightdapple woke to sunlight in her eyes and the soft sounds of Lionblaze and Jayfeather conversing in low, heated tones.

"You know this can't keep up, Jayfeather! Firestar will notice for sure!" that was Lionblaze, hissing the words out, so softly she had to strain to hear it whilst pretending to be asleep.

"I can't just leave her be! You know how much I care for her!" Jayfeather's voice sounded strained and upset.

"But it's against the Code! You could be kicked out for it! And," Lionblaze's tone lowered so that it was almost inaudible, "we need you so we can fulfill our destiny."

"Destiny be damned!" Jayfeather's voice was definitely upset. "I need her! If I leave, StarClan will simply pick another cat!" Jayfeather's voice softened, "I know it's going to be rough, but I refuse to be a parent like Leafpool! Any kits I father will know I'm their father and I will care and love for them!"

"Even if that means leaving ThunderClan and me?" Lionblaze's voice was sad, but resigned.

"Yes," Jayfeather's answer was resolute and firm. Then, his voice raised, "I know you're awake, Nightdapple, come on over."

Fur heating that she'd been caught eavesdropping, Nightdapple opened her eyes and turned her head to find Jayfeather gazing at her in clear amusement, his whiskers twitching. Stretching out, she yawned and winced as her wounds ached. She padded over to the brothers and sat down beside Jayfeather, feeling Lionblaze's gaze like a log on her back.

"Who were you talking about?" She asked, unable to help herself.

Jayfeather snorted in amusement, and flicked her with his tail. "Who else would I be talking about, mousebrain? You," he told her, and leant close to press his nose to her cheek.

She caught Lionblaze gazing at Jayfeather with open surprise, and she looked away in pleased embarrassment at Jayfeather's open affections.

"And... And, what prophecy?" she asked after a moment.

Jayfeather sighed and pulled back, and Lionblaze tensed as he gazed at her. This was obviously a touchy subject. "A prophecy was made to Firestar, moons ago. 'There will be three, kin of you kin, who hold the power of the stars in their paws.' " Jayfeather told her, eyes half-closing.

Nightdapple was shocked. She'd always known that Jayfeather was special, but to be part of a prophecy like that? And he was willing to give it all up just to be with her? She didn't know how to react. What should she do? She loved Jayfeather dearly, but wasn't he needed her? The prophecy had to have some relevance to ThunderClan. Surely, he was important to ThunderClan.

And, Lionblaze's words from earlier drifted into her ears, "We need you to fulfill our destiny."

Oh, her heart was being torn in two! She loved Jayfeather and wanted nothing more than to be with him freely, but ... But he was needed, and what would they do without a clan? It was all so confusing.

Realising that she'd been silent for quite a while, Nightdapple jumped up onto her feet. "I need to think!" she blurted, then dashed off out of the medicine den - ignoring Jayfeather's cry for her to wait - and out of the camp and into the fresh, forest air.

She just needed some time alone to think everything out properly.

*.*.*.

Back in the medicine den, Jayfeather spat angrily, pacing and his fur bushed out as he whipped his tail from side to side.

"No she-cat is ever going to react well to being told that their potential mate is an important part of a prophecy," Lionblaze tried to soothe him. "Remember Cinderheart? It took her absolutely ages until she came around and decided that we could work through it. But, it's different with you. You're a medicine cat. This is going against everything we've ever been taught."

"Not helping," Jayfeather hissed.

He couldn't bear the thought that Nightdapple would turn from him to keep him here in ThunderClan. What he'd said earlier was true - he needed her and he would give up anything for her. Absolutely anything. But, did she feel the same? Sure, she'd dreamed of having kits with him, but was she willing to leave everything behind to start a new life with him?

Taking a deep breath to clear his head, he smoothed out his fur. "I'm going to check on my patients. Go see if you're needed elsewhere," he growled out to Lionblaze, and stalked off to check on his other patients to distract himself from Nightdapple.