SIDE NOTES AND WARNINGS; This story takes place after the events of the Sight and before the events of Outcast, yet it does not contain the events of Dark River. So perhaps during an alternate time? In any case, the story contains rape, drug abuse and slash. If you can't deal with it, don't read it.

DISCLAIMER; I do not own Warriors. I wish I did, though.

PROLOGUE

Moonlight showered the figures gathered around a bright, glowing pool. There were countless felines there, most of whom were uncomfortable in the presence of so many other cats. Certain cats – the cats closest to the pool – stood apart from the rest, looking dignified, though each face was sketched with worry.

"I am pleased to see so many of you here tonight," announced one of the cats, a blue-grey female. "To be honest, I expected only a few to show up."

"For such an important meeting, Bluestar?" another of the more dignified cats pointed out. "These unusual circumstances have piqued interest in even the most ancient of warriors' hearts."

"I suppose so, Oakheart," Bluestar admitted. "I cannot deny the obscurity of what has happened."

"Obscurity?" hissed another cat, a small she-cat. "An awfully polite term for something so repulsive. It seems that for all their pride in their pure bloodline, WindClan has broken the warrior code just as severely as any other clan. In fact, I'd say what has happened is far worse."

There was much muttering at this, and a large number of the gathered cats raised their hackles in anger.

"It is worth mentioning," a black-and-white tom meowed loudly, raising his voice over the murmurs, "that no part of the warrior code says anything against this—"

"And that makes it right, does it?" snarled the small she-cat. "Just because no cat can remember it happening before, Tallstar, the action isn't excused. It is the vilest attempt I have ever seen to spurn a she-cat."

"Oh, I wouldn't say it was about spurning the she-cat," mewed Bluestar quietly.

There was a moment of silence as each cat considered what Bluestar said. When no one made another sound, Tallstar spoke again.

"I think we should decide on what should happen to the violator. Are we all decided on some kind of punishment?"

The cats yowled their approval and began shouting out suggestions.

"He should be exiled!"

"He should be killed!"

"He should be sent to the Place of No Stars, just as any murderer would!"

"Ah, but Dappletail, he isn't a murderer," Tallstar pointed out gently.

"He may as well be! He murdered the poor she-cat's spirit, that's what he did!" Dappletail spat, the usually calm queen's fur ruffled in indignation.

"What'll happen to the kits?" asked another she-cat thoughtfully.

"…Kits, Silverstream?" a black tom with a twisted paw looked slightly alarmed. "She isn't pregnant, is she?

"She is indeed," Silverstream replied sadly. "She will have to be taken out of training - but will WindClan accept her when they find out?"

"Enough of this," Bluestar announced. "We can speak of this more when the time comes. There are other matters to be discussed."

A young tabby queen now came forth, her eyes blazing. "What is there to discuss? I know what you're talking about, Bluestar, but as I have already told you, there is nothing wrong with my son."

"I never said there was," answered Bluestar calmly. "But Brindleface, it is not nothing, as you know perfectly well. Many cats are still in disagreement concerning this."

"So liking cats of the same gender is now a sin?" Brindleface hissed.

"It's unnatural, is what it is," someone muttered, though his words were perfectly audible.

"Kind of gross, if you think about," another cat put in. "Come on, how are they supposed to mate?"

"There's more to love than mating!" Brindleface snapped. "Ashfur is a perfectly respectable warrior; he has never done anything wrong. But if ThunderClan finds out, they'll shun him!"

"I rather agree with you." Bluestar's clear voice rang out. "I do not believe Ashfur deserves any sort of punishment. Does StarClan agree?"

There was more muttering at this, but most cats appeared to agree with Bluestar. Brindleface visibly relaxed, and returned to her position in the crowd surrounding the pool.

"Last but not least," Tallstar announced, "several of the older medicine cats say they have a particular concern regarding a certain plant very few warriors know about. Mothflight, would you like to speak?"

A pretty white she-cat stepped forward; her normally dreamy eyes uncharacteristically clear with purpose. She looked uncomfortable at being surrounded by so many cats she barely knew, as most of the ancient cats avoided the affairs of current generations.

"Thank you, Tallstar. Many moons ago, during a particularly bad leaf-bare, cats discovered a plant we called darkweed. It looked so similar to catnip that cats would use it, thinking it would help cure greencough. Cats who tasted it reported strange occurrences – hallucinations, as well as feelings of elation. In the long term, these cats became addicted to the substance. Though we never discovered any fatal effects, darkweed also eliminated hunger, and so cats would stop eating altogether. They thought they were doing their clans a favour, since prey was so scarce, but they ended up dying of starvation.

"When two-legs took over part of the forest, darkweed disappeared and we haven't seen it until now. Apparently, darkweed grows in many parts of the new territory."

Silence greeted Mothflight's words as the cats in the clearing stared at her in shock. Mothflight, looking embarrassed, disappeared back in the crowd. Bluestar stepped forth once again, her eyes glowing with a kind of fierce determination.

"These three issues will be discussed again in the future when we decide what to do. For now, medicine cats should warn their clans of darkweed and perhaps look into finding a cure."

Tallstar nodded. "We will meet again soon."

Taking that as their cue, the cats left the pool one-by-one, each trying to cover up the desperate worry in their hearts.