Author's note: This is the first fanfic I've ever written, so enjoy!
Prologue
Fear gripped at Duststar's stomach, even as he led his patrol alongside the lake shore through RiverClan territory. The full moon was high and bright that night; the sky undisturbed by clouds despite the recent storm. There was no avoiding the news he would deliver in wake of the new prophecy.
A cool breeze blew over the lake, making the pale tom's fur prickle. He tried to distract himself from the sickening feeling growing in his gut. Amber eyes turned to the stars, glowing dimly in the light of the moon. He started to count them silently, slowly, sending a prayer to StarClan with each one he spied.
Movement out of the corner of his eyes made the tom glance to the right. "Sandnose," He stated simply, anxiety making his voice rougher than normal. Duststar winced at his own harshness, but the medicine cat's gaze did not falter as he matched his leader's pace.
"Everything will be fine." The younger tom whispered, and though his face was serious, Duststar could see that familiar warm light in Sandnose's eyes. "The skies are clear tonight, that is a favorable sign. Besides, you don't want to worry the rest of the patrol…" He trailed off, falling back in line behind the leader. Though Sandnose's words only echoed his own thoughts, it was nice to hear another cat vocalize them, and Duststar walked with his tail held higher than before.
In no time at all the cats were crossing the slick log bridge and had set foot on the rocky island. They gathered in silence, the second Clan to arrive. RiverClan sat on the opposite side of the clearing, sticking close together like a school of fish, refusing to mingle. It was then that Duststar knew that the Gathering wasn't going to go as well as Sandnose had hoped, and he grit his teeth.
With a powerful leap he took his place in the lower branches of the oak just as ThunderClan and ShadowClan arrived, and a low murmur rose from the crowd as the non-RiverClan cats began to share news amongst themselves. When the leaders situated themselves in their respective positions, the second Gathering of newleaf began.
"ThunderClan has lost an apprentice in the wake of the storm," Kestrelstar began to his right, the tom's low rumbling voice silencing the others. "Smokepaw drowned in the river, swollen from the recent rainfall. He will be missed." The fluffy tom waited for the few whispers to die down once more before continuing. "The prey is returning after fleeing from the storm. ThunderClan continues to flourish."
After the bluntness of the ThunderClan leader, Mothstar's news was welcome, as it gave more time for Duststar to think. "The extra water in the marsh is draining back into the earth. The apprentice's den was destroyed, but has been rebuilt. Our prey is still running and we have fully recovered from the storm. Two apprentices were made warriors as well. Acornpaw has been made Acornfoot, and his sister Gingerpaw will now be known as Gingerheart." A few cheers rose from below, most of them from ShadowClan. It was clear after a brief moment of silence that Mothstar had finished and only two Clans were left to present.
Duststar glanced at the small silver she-cat seated on the branch just above him, but Minnowstar's bright amber eyes stared back. It could be that he was only imagining that gleam of a challenge in her eyes, but with her reputation as a long-time troublemaker, he doubted it. The Gathering must go on, he thought to himself reluctantly. Perhaps it would be best to get it over with sooner rather than later.
He turned back to face the four Clans. "WindClan has fully recovered from the storm," the tom began, careful to introduce the more general news first before riling up everyone. "There was little damage to our camp or Clan. We also have a new apprentice to introduce: Sandnose, our medicine cat, will be training Finchpaw." Murmured greetings rippled through the crowd; Finchpaw hid behind her new mentor as best she could.
This was it. Duststar resisted the temptation to dig his claws into the hard wood beneath him. "The Twolegplace and Horseplace that was abandoned three leaf-bares ago was destroyed early on by the storm. Twolegs came and dragged the remains away with large yellow monsters, and no trace of either remains." The eyes of every cat were on him now. Duststar could feel Minnowstar leaning towards him slightly; his fur prickled under her feigned interest. "And so WindClan will begin hunting-"
"Stop." Minnowstar lightly leapt down from her branch and onto Duststar's, her tail flicking behind her. The WindClan leader felt his pelt bristling. "RiverClan's territory has flooded and the river nearly washed away the camp. The area cleared away by the twolegs is much drier and we were planning on moving our-"
"The land is muddy, and several large stones from WindClan's territory have slid down the moor onto this new formed territory." Duststar cut the female leader off before her words could infect the other cats with their faked tenderness. Minnowstar's eyes narrowed to slits, but he continued hurriedly. "WindClan has taken that as a sign from StarClan that the territory belongs to us."
She spun to face him, lips pulled back in a snarl. "How dare-"
"Enough." Sandnose leapt to his feet, approaching the base of the tree. Finchpaw, unsure of what to do, followed her mentor closely with her eyes focused on her paws. "StarClan has sent a prophecy."
Every pair of ears pricked, straining to hear the WindClan medicine cat. Even Finchpaw managed to tear her gaze away from the ground to look up at her mentor. Sandnose's eyes never left the four leaders gathered above. "If the stones wash away with the rain, blood will rise again." Several gasps were heard; the RiverClan cats yowled their protests. The tom continued. "Please. Don't let blood be spilled when there has been peace between the Clans."
Minnowstar leapt once more, off of Duststar's branch to land lightly on the ground. Her patrol parted as she padded between them, stopping just short of the edge of the clearing. She turned, her hardened stare falling on Duststar. "If WindClan wants blood, then there will be blood. For we have heard nothing of such prophecy." The leader spat the last word, and with that, the RiverClan cats left the clearing.
