Five days later, Silverfire looked up from where she was sharing tongues with Wolffang as Ashfoot led five unfamiliar cats into Leafclan's camp. The tomcat standing beside her had a mottled gray pelt. A small white she-cat stood just behind Ashfoot with a dark gray tom walking alongside her. Behind them a brown tom with one black ear brushed pelts with a tortoiseshell she-cat who had a white mark on her forehead.
"We came to offer you an escort to the Island for the Gathering tonight." Ashfoot stated, staring directly at Darkstar.
"Um, thanks."
"Onestar sent me to ask that you come to Windclan's camp so that you can follow our group there."
"Very well." Darkstar lifted his tail and Silverfire picked up one of Tornadoclaw's kittens and joined the rest of her clan as they followed Ashfoot and her patrol through the Windclan territory to a hollow that was thoroughly hidden by gorse and heather. Before they entered, the mottled gray tomcat ran ahead through a small tunnel, the rest of the crowd following more slowly.
The camp was surprisingly open after the tightness of the tunnel that led to it. Onestar and the mottled tom were standing in the center of camp and four full-grown cats were seated in a cluster to the right. Whiskerpaw was watching from the other side of camp, right next to what seemed to be an old badger set. At least one pair of eyes looked out through the shadows inside. There was also a large boulder on the opposite side of camp but it seemed unoccupied.
"Welcome to Windclan's camp." Onestar greeted Leafclan in a friendly voice. Then he must have seen Cloudpaw and Pebblepaw because he yowled in alarm. Silverfire pressed her flank against Pebblepaw's and was aware of her clanmates also moving closer.
"They are my clanmates." Darkstar snarled, his fur bristling.
"You keep company with foxes?"
"Yes." Onestar swallowed and visibly collected himself.
"Can you promise that my cats will be safe from them? Our kittens?"
"Easily. These foxes have never tasted cat, they eat the same prey as all of us."
"Okay." Onestar said with a nod. "Then I'll do my best to accept them as clan warriors."
"Good."
"Until sun-down, Leafclan can share our camp. The hunting patrols should be back soon with prey."
"With your permission, we could catch our own."
"I'm sure my hunting patrols will be able to catch enough." Silverfire was a little annoyed that Onestar was denying them the chance to prove their skill to the cats they just met but Darkstar just accepted it.
"Alright, thank you."
"Our nursery is over there if your queens want a place to rest." Onestar gestured to his left and Silverfire looked at a section of the gorse barrier that was indistinguishable from the rest of it. Onestar continued to explain. "There's a good-sized den inside that gorse bush, padded with moss."
Darkstar looked over his shoulder in Silverfire's direction and Tornadoclaw set Cliffkit down to answer Darkstar's unspoken question.
"I'd like that. Thank you." Tornadoclaw retrieved Cliffkit and led Embershade, Moonleap, and Silverfire toward the den, each of them holding a kit. Tornadoclaw sniffed out an unclaimed nest and settled down in it, setting Cliffkit next to her belly. Moonleap stepped forward next to place Ravenkit next to her brother.
"I'd like to stay in here with you. We don't know anything about these cats." Moonleap explained as he lay down behind her.
"I won't argue." Tornadoclaw stated, licking his cheek. "You should also rest in here with us, Silverfire. You're getting big."
"Yeah, all right." Silverfire agreed, setting Meadowkit in Tornadoclaw's nest. "I am rather tired."
"I'm going to go back outside." Embershade commented, joining Lavenderkit with her siblings. Tornadoclaw nodded and Embershade turned and left.
At sunset, Tornadoclaw nudged Silverfire awake and they gathered with the rest of Leafclan around Darkstar as Onestar and several Windclan cats led them out of camp and to the lake. From there they followed the beach until they came to a fallen tree. Windclan crossed to the Island first, closely followed by Leafclan. The clearing in the center of the island was already fairly crowded and three cats stood in the branches of an oak tree.
"You're late, Onestar." A large white tom with black paws growled.
"I'm here now, Blackstar." Onestar responded in kind as he climbed to a branch just below a blue-gray she-cat with bright blue eyes.
"Who are your guests, Onestar?" A ginger tabby tomcat with green eyes asked, looking down at Leafclan. Onestar flicked his ears at Darkstar to suggest he answer.
"I am Darkstar of Leafclan. I've come to ask for a home for me and my clanmates."
"We need to discuss this among ourselves and our medicine cats." The she-cat decided. The other leaders nodded in agreement and leapt from the tree to speak with a group of four cats sitting near the base of the tree. Another group of four that was sitting on the far side of the tree joined the leaders and medicine cats. After talking for a while, the leaders returned to the tree and Blackstar stepped forward to speak.
"We've decided that each clan will accept some of your clanmates. We will allow each of you to choose which clan you want to join."
Darkstar stepped forward to better address all the gathered cats.
"Would any of you willingly leave your family and friends to live among strangers? Why would you expect us to do so? We look for a single home for all of us, not to be separated among your camps. Is there room for another clan's territory here or should we continue to journey?"
There was utter silence for a moment as every cat stared at Darkstar. Then the blue-gray cat stood.
"There is extra land between my territory and Windclan's, but not enough to feed a clan the size of yours."
"We also have unclaimed land between Shadowclan's and Thunderclan." The ginger added. "But there is the same problem that it would not hold all of Leafclan."
Snaketail walked forward and whispered something to Darkstar but Silverfire was too far away to hear what she was saying.
"I need to speak to my clan." Darkstar finally announced. Immediately afterward, he turned his back on the other leaders. Silverfire and the rest of Leafclan crowded forward as close as they could so Darkstar could speak to them directly. Silverfire found herself at the front of the group with Brighttalon, Shiningheart, Sandpelt, and Snaketail around her. Wildear, Nightpaw, Spruceheart, Hazelwood, and Shadowlion were standing just behind them.
"Right, what do you all think? Would we be able to manage as two clans instead of one?"
"I don't like it." Frostpelt spoke up from her seat behind Spruceheart and Hazelwood. "But I don't see what other choice there is."
"I could lead the other clan." Shiningheart commented.
"So could I." Silverfire responded, wanting it to be clear that there was the possibility of choice for the other clan. Shiningheart glanced skeptically at Silverfire's bulging belly but Snaketail spoke before she could say anything.
"And Nightsh- paw and I could be a medicine cat for each clan." Snaketail added.
"Alright, I guess we're doing this. We can figure out specifics later." Darkstar turned again towards the leaders. "Leafclan will split into two clans. Both small enough to be supported by the territories available, but still strong enough to defend ourselves. This way no families need be separated and everyone on this island can feel comfortable that they're sharing their dens with cats that they know they can trust."
"And what about the foxes that I see rubbing pelts with your cats." Blackstar growled. "Shadowclan doesn't share borders with foxes."
"They are in my clan and as such will be treated with as much respect as any of their clanmates." Darkstar responded coldly.
"As long as they stay within their borders I see no problem with them." The ginger tom commented.
"Yeah, well, you wouldn't, would you, Firestar?" Blackstar hissed.
"Enough you two." The blue-gray she-cat yowled impatiently. "I'm sure that Darkstar's warriors will obey the warrior code."
"Can foxes be considered warriors?" Blackstar questioned.
"As soon as they finish their training they will be." Darkstar insisted
"Now that that's settled, can we commence with the Gathering?" Onestar asked impatiently. "Windclan has been doing well this past moon. Prey has been running this leaf-fall but not too quickly for my warriors."
"Thunderclan too is well-fed this leaf-fall. And our warriors are strong after a kind Greenleaf."
"Shadowclan is well."
"Riverclan is content. Duskfur has moved into the nursery." There were noises of congratulation from all the original clans. Then they started to spread out, cats from different clans seeking each other out to converse.
"Hey Snaketail, Nightpaw!" Silverfire heard Kestrelflight call. "Come meet the others."
"You should come meet some of the elders from the other clans." Silverfire turned to see the tabby elder of Windclan talking to Hazelwood, Spruceheart, and Frostpelt. Silverfire looked around to see that cats from all the clans talking to her clanmates and inviting them into conversations.
"Hello." A female voice said close behind her. Silverfire turned around to look at the black she-cat standing behind her. "What's your name?"
"I'm Silverfire." Silverfire introduced herself. "What's yours?"
"I'm Nightcloud, of Windclan."
"It's nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too. When are you due?" Nightcloud nodded at Silverfire's distended stomach.
"Soon." Silverfire bent her head to lick her chest fur. "I'm not sure when they'll arrive but I know it will be soon."
"Well, kits always take their time." Nightcloud said, her eyes clouding in memories. "I remember when my son was just a young kitten. He was always eager to prove himself to anyone who would pay him attention."
"Is he here tonight?"
"No, he asked to stay in camp tonight. I'm glad though. He's been looking really tired lately."
Before Silverfire could respond, she saw Wolffang approaching them.
"We need to figure things out with our clan." He told Silverfire.
"All right." Silverfire acknowledged Wolffang before returning her attention to Nightcloud. "You should come to the next Gathering. Maybe we can talk more then."
"I'll see if Onestar will let me. Hopefully I'll talk to you then." Nightcloud stood and Silverfire walked with Wolffang back to where Leafclan was converging. Darkstar, Snaketail, and Nightpaw arrived a heartbeat later.
"So Brighttalon and I already decided to stay in the same clan. Who will go into the new clan?" Darkstar stated.
"I will." Shiningheart stated.
"We will also." Hazelwood added, referring to Spruceheart, Eaglewing, and herself.
"I'll go with them." Snowlion surprised Darkstar by saying.
"I'm also going to." Snaketail decided, torn but wanting to stay with Snowlion more.
"I think I will too." Silverfire said, deciding that she wanted to help her friend settle this new clan.
"I'm with her." Wolffang commented, brushing Silverfire's paw with his own.
"We are too." Tornadoclaw stated, wrapping her tail around her kits. Moonleap pressed close to her side.
"I think I'm going to follow Shiningheart." Pebblepaw stated uncertainly, glancing at her mentor.
"If you wanted to stay with us, we could find you another mentor." Darkstar offered.
"Thank you, but the other clan will be stronger if they also have a fox with them." Pebblepaw argued. Darkstar nodded, unable to respond.
"By my count, we've almost got as many warriors as you do now, Darkstar." Shiningheart commented. "You have two more than us."
"I'll also go into the new clan." Frostpelt decided. "That way it's even."
"Alright. Well, I guess this is goodbye. We'll meet again next full moon." Darkstar said, looking at his mother and sister.
"Go well. And take care." Frostpelt said, rubbing her head against her son's.
"Fair winds." Wildear rubbed her side against Frostpelt's. Soon everyone that was originally from Leafclan were bidding farewell to their friends and family in the other clan.
After the salutations were done, Darkstar led what remained of his clan over to Firestar to ask about the extra territory on their border and Silverfire led the rest to Mistystar for the same reason. On their leader's orders, Brambleclaw of Thunderclan and Reedwhisker of Riverclan brought the newest clans to their land.
"Thank you for your help." Shiningheart said as Reedwhisker turned to leave. "Please tell Mistystar that we're very grateful."
"I will." Reedwhisker promised. "Good luck." He added as he left.
"We need a leader." Silverfire commented as soon as he was out of earshot.
"We need a camp more urgently." Snaketail refuted as Shiningheart opened her mouth to speak.
"Agreed." Shiningheart stated. "Wolffang, why don't you take Eaglewing and search over there. Snowlion and Silverfire can look-"
"We'll look in this direction." Silverfire interrupted, gesturing towards the lake.
"Okay. And Pebblepaw and I will search this way. Moonleap can watch over the rest of the clan while we're gone."
Despite Silverfire's irritation at Shiningheart taking charge, all three patrols left without fuss. Shiningheart and Pebblepaw returned first, followed by Silverfire and Snowlion. Eaglewing and Wolffang were last.
"Pebblepaw and I found a place that could work as a camp." Shiningheart said once they were all seated.
"But it's a little too close to a twoleg nest for my liking." Pebblepaw added.
"We found nowhere suitable." Snowlion complained. Silverfire twitched her tail in irritation.
"There was a place that we found that could work." Eaglewing commented.
"Okay, let's see yours." Shiningheart offered, standing up. The rest of the clan followed suit and Wolffang and Eaglewing led them towards the Windclan border. After walking for a while, they turned away from the lake and continued in that direction until they found a medium-sized clearing in the undergrowth. There was a pile of good-sized stones to the clan's left, a tree with a hollow place underneath standing across the clearing, a patch of large sword ferns a tail-length to the left of the tree, a fallen tree just behind and to the right of the pile of stones, and a large pine tree at the far side of the clearing with thick, low-hanging branches.
"We thought this could make a good leader's den." Wolffang announced, sniffing at a gap in the pile of rocks that opened out deeper in. "And the warriors could sleep underneath that pine tree."
"There's room enough under these ferns for the three of us." Frostpelt commented, examining the sword ferns.
"There's more room under this tree than the warriors alone could take up. The apprentices could sleep on one side and the warriors on the other." Silverfire suggested, looking under the pine tree.
"My kits and I would be safe in here." Tornadoclaw stated, herding her kittens to the fallen log.
"And there's room enough in here for me to store my herbs." Snaketail decided, standing near the hollow tree. "And probably enough extra space for any sick or wounded to nest in there until they heal."
"What about a leader?" Shiningheart insisted.
"I-" Silverfire began.
"I think Snaketail should choose." Pebblepaw interrupted. "As opposed to arguing over it some more."
Snaketail looked up, startled and somewhat alarmed as her clan turned to look at her.
"I don't know!" She squeaked. Then she swallowed and continued in her usual voice. "I'll have to think about it, maybe ask Starclan for their choice. Until I can do that, Moonleap, Silverfire, and Shiningheart can all be responsible for the general running of the clan."
"That's another thing," Hazelwood noted. "We need a clan name."
"It should be Ravenclan!" Ravenkit yowled, excited.
"That's hare-brained." Lavenderkit argued. "Who'd want to be in a clan named after you?"
"I think Ravenclan is a perfectly good name." Tornadoclaw admonished.
"Why can't we keep Leafclan?" Meadowkit asked.
"Darkstar thought of Leafclan first so he'll probably keep it." Cliffkit answered her.
"I like the name Skyclan. From what I understand, we're closer to the sky than any of the other clans for our running across tree branches." Moonleap explained.
"We can't be Skyclan. Skyclan is a clan that already exists. They moved away from the other four clans generations ago." Shiningheart refuted. "However, I like Forestclan."
"Forestclan is a good name." Hazelwood agreed.
"I was thinking Winterclan." Snaketail commented.
"I like Winterclan." Silverfire agreed.
"It's not bad." Wolffang decided.
"Winterclan could be good. I like Snowclan better." Snowlion added.
"I think I like Snowclan better than Forestclan or Winterclan." Eaglewing stated. Snowlion purred at him and Snaketail narrowed her eyes at Snowlion.
"Winterclan has three votes and Snowclan, Forestclan, and Ravenclan have two votes each." Spruceheart figured.
"Then I guess we're Winterclan." Shiningheart stated, slightly upset that her suggestion didn't get the most votes.