A full moon hung brightly in the sky, turning the gently churning water of the lake to silver. The stars shimmered in the night sky so vibrantly, it seemed that they could come down anytime and speak with the cats below.
Dovewing let out a sigh, taking in the gorgeous scene. It was also a sigh of mixed emotions. She was happy that this would be her first Gathering as a warrior, but disappointed that Ivypool wasn't there to share the joy of hearing the other Clans chant their names, like they had done with new warriors for ages.
I'll tell her everything when we get back.
"Dovewing," a cat had muttered her name.
Dovewing snapped out of her thoughts, and her ears began to feel hot with embarrassment when she realized that Berrynose was behind her, lightly pushing her forward.
The cream-colored warrior's amber eyes were narrowed, "Are you going to move, or not? There are other cats here, you know," he muttered.
"Y-Yes, of course," Dovewing stuttered, "I was just...uh...taking in the beauty of-"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Berrynose interrupted her, "Would you just go?"
Ignoring the tom's ill temper, Dovewing leaped onto the log that created a bridge from the shoreline to the island where the Gatherings were held. The pale-gray she-cat shuddered as she padded on the fallen tree. She remembered stories that Whitewing had told her back in her days as a kit. Her white-furred mother had told her of the time when Onestar, the WindClan leader, was chosen to be the next leader while the former leader, Tallstar, had been lying on his deathbed.
Mudclaw, Tallstar's deputy, was furious when he had heard of the dying wishes of the elderly black-and-white tom, and refused to accept that Onestar, then Onewhisker, had been chosen deputy after the mottled brown tom had been doing a fine job of preparing himself for leadership.
It was then during a battle that Mudclaw had started, StarClan had sent a bolt of lightning to strike the tree that he had been standing under, crushing the ambitious warrior and sending him to his death.
The fur along Dovewing's spine prickled. Had there really been a twisted, broken body of a warrior provoked by jealousy lying lifeless under this tree?
Pushing the thought of her head, Dovewing bounded across the log, and onto the shoreline of the island.
The ThunderClan warrior's pale-green gaze scanned the crowd on the island. RiverClan and WindClan had already arrived. She could see Brambleclaw nodding a greeting to Reedwhisker, the RiverClan deputy with a pelt as black as night, before joining his sister Tawnypelt and her mate Rowanclaw, who was also the ShadowClan deputy.
Firestar had gone to join Onestar and Mistystar, the newest leader of RiverClan, who had a pelt identical to her mother, Bluestar, the noble ThunderClan leader who had invited Firestar into her Clan, many moons ago.
"ShadowClan has yet to come."
Dovewing let out a little squeak of surprise as she realized Jayfeather had padded up beside her. "Did you have to creep up on me like that?" she hissed.
Jayfeather shrugged.
Dovewing gazed back at the log.
I wonder if Tigerheart will be coming tonight?
"Looking for friends?"
Once again, Jayfeather's voice had spooked Dovewing. She whipped her head around and faced the blind medicine cat with narrowed eyes. "Of course," she snapped, "Medicine cats aren't the only cats to have friends in other Clans!"
"Keep your voice down!" Jayfeather hissed, "There's no need to get excited."
"I'm not getting excited!" Dovewing protested.
"Oh yeah, sure," Jayfeather muttered, "You're the calmest cat in the world. If there's something you're hiding, Dovewing-"
Dovewing didn't bother to listen. She didn't want anyone know about her relationship with Tigerheart except herself and Ivypool. She wanted to sink her claws into Jayfeather so badly. He was always creeping her out. With his blind yet strong stare that seemed to burn into her pelt, and his tendency to sneak up on her.
He's the blind one! He should be the one to be surprised when someone sneaks up on him!
More cats stormed onto the island as ShadowClan and their leader, Blackstar arrived. The old leader padded up to his fellow Clan leaders and meowed something to them in his deep, menacing voice. The Clan leaders nodded, and the next thing Dovewing knew, a yowl from Firestar echoed throughout the island.
"All four Clans have arrived! Let the Gathering begin!" He then dipped his head to Mistystar, giving the blue-gray she-cat permission to step forward.
"RiverClan is all and well," she began, the moonlight reflecting off her ice-blue eyes, "However, we come with sad news. Our beloved medicine cat, Mothwing, has passed away." Wails of grief and sympathy sounded through the island before Mistystar continued. "Duskfur's litter was playing too close to the water's edge. One of the kits fell in, but Mothwing jumped in and saved him. But she hit her head on an underwater rock, was knocked unconscious, and was being carried away by the current. A patrol of Reedwhisker, Petalfur, Grasspelt, and Hollowpaw... found her body and escorted her camp. I spoke with Duskfur, and she told me that she would rename the kit that Mothwing rescued Mothkit in her memory. But on a lighter note, Willowshine will be taking her place as RiverClan medicine cat."
Dovewing watched the gray tabby she-cat address the Clans. "Everyone, Mothwing was...a wonderful medicine cat, and the greatest mentor and friend I could've asked for, and StarClan will mourn her loss."
She hesitated, and suspicion prickled at Dovewing's pelt.
Is that uncertainty in her eyes?
"But," Willowshine continued, "That doesn't mean RiverClan isn't in good paws. I promise to serve my Clan as their medicine cat the best I can. I will take care of my Clan in the way that I believe is right...the way Mothwing would've wanted. So help me, StarClan."
"Mothwing! Willowshine! Mothwing! Willowshine!"
The Clans chanted the names of the two medicine cats. Mothwing's name, to honor her memory and what she did at the end of her life, and Willowshine's, accepting her as a full medicine cat.
Mistystar continued, with a lighter tone in her voice, "We also bring good news. Mossypaw, one of our apprentices, has earned her warrior name: Mossyfern!"
"Mossyfern! Mossyfern!"
Dovewing saw the newest RiverClan warrior gaze self-consciously around her, her brown-and-white pelt prickling with flatter. Beside her sat a dark-gray she-cat, her chin raised with pride. Dovewing figured that must be Mossyfern's former mentor, Minnowtail.
Dovewing's gaze returned to the leaders. Mistystar nodded to Onestar to make the announcements for his Clan. "Newleaf has been good to WindClan. It's the mating season for rabbits, so they come out of their dens more, so they can look for mates, making them easy picking for our warriors. We also attend this Gathering with new warriors: Furzeheart and Boulderfall."
"Furzeheart! Boulderfall! Furzeheart! Boulderfall!"
Dovewing narrowed her eyes. Sitting not far from the new warriors, were their former mentors, Breezepelt and Heathertail.
Breezepelt is training in the Dark Forest. Boulderfall was his apprentice. I don't know about Heathertail or Furzeheart, but Boulderfall and Breezepelt –especially Breezepelt- can't be trusted.
"Not only that," the tabby leader continued, "But Swallowtail has given birth to the late Antpelt's kits. Their names are Thistlekit, Rockkit, and Redkit."
"Swallowtail! Antpelt! Swallowtail! Antpelt!"
Onestar flicked his tail to Blackstar after the crowd quieted down.
The black-and-white tom gazed down at the warriors, his chin held high. "ShadowClan has three new warriors: Ferrettail, Pinemist, and Starlingflight."
"Ferrettail! Pinemist! Starlingflight!"
Dovewing tried to force herself to not spit the latter's name in disgust as she called out the names of the new warriors.
"The prey is also running well. Newleaf has given us a decent amount of prey, and we are all well-fed."
He stepped back, leaving Firestar left to make his announcements.
The flame-colored tom's gaze met Dovewing's as he made his announcement. "ThunderClan, too, is thriving. We come tonight with two new warriors: Dovewing and Ivypool."
"Dovewing! Ivypool! Dovewing! Ivypool!"
"However, Ivypool was injured and couldn't attend the Gathering," his green gaze flicked to Blackstar, "We thank Tigerheart of ShadowClan for helping Dovewing bring Ivypool back," his gaze returned to the crowd, "But there is no need for concern for her. Jayfeather is taking good care of her, and she will be returning to her duties soon."
Murmurs of relief and sympathy sounded from around the island.
Suddenly, Dovewing felt something poke her shoulder. She turned her head, and became nose-to-nose with a familiar dark tabby face.
"Tigerheart!" she gasped.
"Shh!" the ShadowClan tom hissed, "I need to talk to you. Follow me, and keep your voice down!"
Reluctantly, Dovewing looked around, hoping no one was watching. She glanced at the leaders, who were quietly talking amongst themselves.
Thank StarClan they're not watching us. I bet Blackstar's suspicious of Tigerheart enough.
Quickly, Dovewing followed Tigerheart through the crowd to a holly thicket. She sighed with relief once they got inside.
She purred when Tigerheart touched his nose to hers. "It's good to see you. How is Ivypool? I mean, how is she recovering"
Dovewing stared at him. "Fine, like Firestar said, but shouldn't you know?"
Tigerheart tilted his head. "Huh? You sound like I should see her all the time."
"Don't you? Every night?"
"What? No! Of course not!"
Dovewing took a deep breath. She had to tell him.
"You mean you haven't seen her in the Dark Forest?"
Tigerheart jumped back, his tabby-striped fur on end. "N-No. No, I-I haven't. T-Tigerstar must be letting her recover from her accident. But...But how did you know...?"
"Ivypool told me," Dovewing answered.
Tigerheart sank his claws into the ground. "Ivypool!" he snarled, "I knew she was trouble after she tried to take the spirit of Flametail!"
"W-What?"
Tigerheart sighed. "One night, back when Ivypool was an apprentice, Brokenstar ordered her to kill Flametail, to test her loyalty. Apparently StarClan cats don't live forever, so they can be killed. Anyway, Tigerstar came after I stopped her, and said that she would fight on the Dark Forest's side in the Great Battle."
"What was Ivypool's reaction?"
"She was shocked and defiant at first, but then followed orders. I stopped her before she could scratch Flametail, thank goodness. I'll admit it; I'm not as close to her as I act like I am."
Dovewing narrowed her eyes. She knew Ivypool. She wouldn't kill someone, no matter if the strongest leader ordered her to.
"When exactly did this happen?"
"Last leaf-bare," Tigerheart answered, "Not long before Ivypool became a warrior. But what does that have to-"
"She didn't want to!"
"What?"
"She didn't want to kill Flametail! She doesn't want anything to do with Tigerstar anymore, and neither should you! Neither should any poor fool who was gullible enough to fall for Tigerstar's lies! She doesn't want to go back, but she doesn't have a choice. She just appears there, with no say in going. So Lionblaze and Jayfeather told her to spy for StarClan's side."
"That traitor!" Tigerheart hissed.
"Traitor?" Dovewing echoed, "You're calling Ivypool a traitor? She is not a traitor! Anyone who willingly goes to the Dark Forest is a traitor!"
"So, you're calling me a traitor?" Tigerheart asked, pain in his amber gaze.
Dovewing realized what she had said. She looked down at her paws. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I got carried away. Please don't be upset, Tigerheart."
"I...I forgive you," Tigerheart replied, "But there's one more thing that puzzles me. You know I'm training in the Dark Forest, but you told me of Ivypool's disloyalty. You know that I might report it to Tigerstar. Why did you tell me, then?"
Dovewing lifted her gaze and let it sink into her friend's own gaze. "Because I love you."
Tigerheart looked away, sorrow in his eyes. She could tell he was thinking about meeting her in battle. But then his eyes became serious. "I still can't understand why Ivypool would betray Tigerstar, after all he's done for her."
"That crow-food-eater has done nothing for her!" Dovewing insisted.
I have to tell him. I have to get him on our side.
"He's done nothing but use and deceive her, and you, and all the rest of the cats who train in their dreams. Face it, Tigerheart. He's a liar."
"He promised he would make me the best warrior in ShadowClan, and be honored to share part of his name," Tigerheart mumbled flatly.
"That was just to get you on his side. He and the other Dark Forest cats make empty promises to gather followers."
"I...I knew it."
Dovewing blinked. "You what?"
Tigerheart looked at her. "I knew it. The way Tigerstar acts, what he says, how he treats everyone...at times I would be unsure. Whenever he said that we would crush StarClan and the warrior code, I was speechless. I thought I was just going to learn special battle techniques, not be part of a full-blown fleet."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I was afraid," Tigerheart admitted, "Afraid of Tigerstar. I didn't want to be punished or even killed. If I was killed, I could be stuck down there with him forever," his voice turned to a mournful whisper as he continued, "Dawnpelt has already lost one brother...I don't want her to lose another one."
Dovewing pressed against Tigerheart. "Do you want to go there anymore?"
"No," Tigerheart sighed, he then tensed, and his eyes brightened, "Dovewing...I have an idea. You know how Ivypool is spying for StarClan's side? I could help her!"
Dovewing blinked. "A-Are you sure?"
"Positive."
Her pelt started to prickle with excitement. "Then meet me at the greenleaf Twolegplace tomorrow at sunhigh. I'll bring Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Ivypool with me. If it's okay with them, you'll be part of our little group."
"Great!" then his eyes flashed, "But why are you, Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Ivypool doing all this? I mean, spying and everything. Why you four? What's so special about you four?"
"It's a long story," Dovewing replied quickly.
She rose to her paws. "I have to go," she meowed, "Ivypool will want to hear this. See you, Tigerheart!"
Brambles brushed Dovewing's pelt as she neared the medicine cat's den. Faint voices sounded from the place where Jayfeather and his patients slept.
She peeked into the den from an opening in the bramble entrance. She recognized the dark-colored pelts of Briarlight and Blossomfall, who was resting a wounded shoulder. The Clan was surprised to see the young tortoiseshell's shoulder have a freely-bleeding gash after she woke up.
Dovewing narrowed her eyes. There was only one possible explanation for Blossomfall's shoulder wound.
She has to be training in the Dark Forest! Why hasn't Ivypool said anything?
Sitting next to Briarlight was Bumblestripe. The black-striped warrior was meowing a conversation to his sisters, but seemed more intent on Ivypool. He was flashing concerned looks at the silver-and-white warrior, whose flank was gently rising and falling as she slept.
If what Tigerheart said was true, her sleep wouldn't be disturbed by the rejects of the Dark Forest.
"Hey, Bumblestripe, relax," Briarlight mewed to her brother, "Ivypool's fine. See how comfortable she looks? You don't have to check her every other heartbeat."
"Yeah, you're acting like you can't keep your eyes off of her. Like your life will be meaningless if she doesn't pull through, when she most likely will."
"H-Hey, it doesn't kill to care about your friends," Bumblestripe defended himself, "Besides, i-it's not that I have a crush on her, or anything. Be-Because I don't."
Blossomfall narrowed her green eyes. "But, Bumblestripe, Brairlight and I didn't say anything about you having a crush on Ivypool."
Dovewing's whiskers twitched when the tabby tom's pelt started to prickle.
Briarlight's amber gaze sparked with humor. "Actually, Blossomfall, you should cut him some slack. After all, you have a crush of your own. You still gaze all dreamy-eyed at Toadstep."
Blossomfall flicked her tail in anger and embarrassment. "How many times do I have to tell you, Briarlight?" she hissed, "I do not gaze all dreamy-eyed at Toadstep!"
"Whatever you say," Briarlight purred.
"You're one to talk, Briarlight," Blossomfall flashed a look at her dark-brown sister, "I've seen the looks you give Jayfeather from behind his back. You like him, don't you?"
Briarlight stiffened. "N-No, I don't!"
"Oh, come on, it's as obvious as a black cat in a snowdrift! You can't like him, Briarlight, he's a medicine cat."
"I don't like him!"
"Yes, you do."
"No, I don't!"
"That's enough! Both of you!" Bumblestripe snapped, "You're going to wake Ivypool."
"Oh, of course you would care, Bumblestripe," Blossomfall hissed, "All you care about is her! You're just like Millie! Always picking a favorite! Well, it's going to get you nowhere in life! Nowhere!"
Briarlight gaped at her sister, her eyes wide. Bumblestripe's fur stood on end, and he flashed some shocked looks at Briarlight.
"B-Blossomfall," Briarlight began, "Relax. It-It's not a big deal. And since when did this involve Millie?"
The tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat let out a sigh, her dappled fur lying flat. "It's nothing. I...I got to get some fresh air."
At that moment, Blossomfall rose to her paws, and trudged out of the medicine den, not even noticing Dovewing.
What's her problem?
Dovewing shook her head. It wasn't important.
She entered the medicine den, nodding in greeting to Bumblestripe and Briarlight. "Sorry, if I'm intruding."
"Oh, n-not at all, Dovewing," Bumblestripe mewed, obviously still shocked by Blossomfall's outburst.
"I...I saw what was going on in here. With Blossomfall, I mean," Dovewing meowed, "Don't mind her. She's been kind of crabby lately."
"Yeah..." Briarlight murmured, her head hanging low, "And I feel like it's my fault."
"Don't be silly," Bumblestripe murmured, draping his tail over his sister's shoulders, "Of course it's not your fault. Don't blame yourself."
Dovewing flashed a glance at Ivypool, who was still, surprisingly, asleep. She flicked her ears. "Uh, can you two go outside? I want to talk with Ivypool in private."
"Oh, sure," Bumblestripe meowed, before glancing at Ivypool.
At that instant, moonlight shone through the brambles, catching on the sleeping tabby's fur, making it glow like a pale flame.
Curious, Dovewing peeked at Bumblestripe. The black-striped stared at Ivypool, his eyes glowing with awe.
Briarlight nudged him with her head. "Hey, lazy oaf," she purred, "You're not going to stare at her until you join StarClan, are you?"
Bumblestripe blinked, broken from his trance. Flicking his tail, he got to his paws, and padded out of the medicine cat's den.
Briarlight halted once he had made a full exit. The dark-brown she-cat leaned forward and whispered into Dovewing's ear, "Blossomfall's right. I think Bumblestripe really likes your sister."
Before Dovewing could reply, Briarlight pushed out of the medicine den, leaving the pale-gray warrior alone with her sleeping sister.
Dovewing padded over to Ivypool, nudging her sister's flank with her soft paw. "Hey, sleepyhead, wake up."
Ivypool opened her drowsy blue eyes. "Hunh?" she looked up, "Oh, Dovewing...you're back. How was the Gathering?"
"Oh, fine," Dovewing answered.
"Any news?"
"Oh, the usual. New kits and warriors. Except Mothwing died. Willowshine is the RiverClan medicine cat now."
Ivypool's eyes widened. "What happened to Mothwing?"
"A kit had fallen into the lake, and Mothwing jumped in and saved him. But she had hit her head on a rock in the shallows, was knocked unconscious, and was carried away by the current. Mistystar sent a patrol to go search for her, and they found her body. The mother of the kit that Mothwing saved said that she was going to rename him Mothkit in Mothwing's memory."
"Oh, my..." Ivypool whispered, "StarClan will honor her."
Dovewing opened her mouth, about to tell her sister about the uncertainty she saw in Mistystar's and Willowshine's eyes, but she decided to change the subject.
"But that's not all," she mewed, "Something else happened. To me."
Ivypool pricked her white ears. "What?"
"You're not going to believe it, but..."
