Russetleaf had just gotten back from a border patrol with Pebblefoot and Mudheart, carrying a minnow in his jaws as he returned back to camp. It wasn’t much, very true, but it was signs that life was returning to the river. Leafbare had hit RiverClan the hardest, taking so many warriors to the ranks of StarClan while their last moments were filled with cold and fear. He still remembered Cherry-‘s wail as they walked in on Mistyheart’s still body.

But he needn’t think of those times now. Patrols had been going well as New Leaf finally showed itself to the clans. The fresh kill pile was still quite small, but it was better than it was before, and that was all that mattered to him. Giving Mudheart a goodbye nod, he placed his catch onto the pile and went to lie in the warming rays of the sun.

He believed he earned it.