Fat Bottomed Girl: Thanks for reviewing! And that's a good question, it made me realize I hadn't addressed that problem yet. Like in the books, Firestar wants to wait for Graystripe. Soon enough, he'll appoint Brambleclaw deputy.
Unless someone thinks there would be a more interesting choice?
Anyways! Thank you all for reading, extra love to my reviewers and those that fav/follow! Enjoy!
Chapter 9
Hollypaw felt as if her paws had wings as she raced along behind Firestar. Dustpelt, Squirrelfight, Whitewing, and Brackenfur streamed after the flame-pelted leader, their fur bristling and their claws unsheathed. It wasn't long before they heard the screeches and yowls of battle. Caterwauling a challenge, Firestar exploded from the trees and threw himself onto Russetfur. Hollypaw spat furiously, launching herself into the battle. She saw Spiderleg pinned beneath two warriors, and leapt onto the shoulders of one of them. He reared back onto his hind legs to try to throw her off, and Spiderleg managed to tear himself away from the other warrior and run for camp, bleeding heavily from his wounds.
"Get off of our territory!" Hollypaw refused to let go, only digging her claws in deeper as the gray ShadowClan warrior—she thought his name was Cedarheart—tried to dislodge her. He twisted suddenly, slamming her back into a tree. Dazed, she lost her grip and slid to the ground. Cedarheart lunged without hesitation. Hollypaw scrabbled to the side, dodging the brunt of the blow. His claws skimmed her shoulder, and he turned quickly to face her again, her blood on his paws. Hollypaw swung quickly, drawing her claws across his muzzle. He took the blow as if she hadn't touched him, charging forward and carrying her off her paws. Her haunches hit the tree again. Cedarheart was lashing furiously at her, his claws tearing through her ears and leaving stinging trails of blood. Hollypaw crouched low, letting him think she'd been defeated, then shot like lightning in between his outstretched paws and shoved her shoulders and back into his stomach, hurtling him backwards. He fell into Rainwhisker's ready claws, and the gray ThunderClan warrior gripped the scruff of his neck. Hollypaw darted in to claw at Cedarheart's belly until the ShadowClan warrior squealed. Rainwhisker let him go, and Cedarheart fled as if StarClan themselves had given him the order.
"Enough!" Russetfur tore away from Firestar and Brambleclaw, and the two remaining ShadowClan warriors bolted for their own territory. "This isn't over, Firestar," the ShadowClan deputy snarled menacingly. "This border will move."
"You will never take ThunderClan's territory." Firestar's glare was cold and challenging. "Now go," he spat. "Lick your wounds and thank StarClan you had the sense to run away."
"Crow-food eater!" Hollypaw sneered after the retreating deputy.
"Well done, everyone," Firestar turned to face his battered warriors. "You all fought like LionClan warriors."
"And that was well run," Brambleclaw added, dipping his head to Hollypaw. "You must have run like the wind to get there and back so fast."
Hollypaw ducked her head sheepishly, but the praise filled her with warmth. Firestar blinked approvingly at her before addressing the warriors again. "Let's get back to camp. Sandstorm, Dustpelt, and Whitewing will go back and remark the proper border."
The patrol split up, and Hollypaw rushed to Rainwhisker's side. "That was brilliant!" She bubbled with excitement. "You were in the perfect place at just the right time!"
Rainwhisker purred, looking more alive than he had since Sootfur's death. The light of battle still shone brightly in his blue eyes, and energy seemed to spark off of his pelt and into hers, making her feel as if she could fight the entirety of ShadowClan single-pawed. "You're right," he agreed enthusiastically. "You fought like a warrior—I've never heard Cedarheart squeal like that!"
"He sounded punier than Sorreltail's kits," Hollypaw scoffed. "I doubt we'll see him on a raiding patrol again!"
Rainwhisker's tail curled in amusement. "I bet you're right."
Hollypaw stared up at the gray warrior, breathless with excitement. "We make a great team." She thought she saw his eyes flash, but before he could say anything, Hollypaw caught sight of the thorn tunnel. "Come on!" She urged him brightly. "I want to hear what Firestar tells the rest of the Clan!"
Rainwhisker rolled his eyes, but hurried to keep up with her as they followed Firestar back into the camp.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!"
Hollypaw flashed Rainwhisker an excited glance and weaved through the gathering Clan to sit next to Cloudtail. Pride flared in the white warrior's eyes.
"I've already spoken to Brambleclaw," he whispered. "He said you fought like a warrior." Hollypaw lifted her chin, but didn't get a chance to reply as Firestar began speaking.
"Today, ShadowClan attempted to push their border well into ThunderClan's territory." Furious hisses and yowls of outrage rippled through the Clan. "Thanks to Brambleclaw's patrol catching Russetfur's border raid, and Hollypaw's speed carrying his message to me, we've defended our borders."
Hollypaw bent and licked at her chest fur, her ears burning as the Clan turned their approving gazes on her. Cloudtail looked as if he was about to burst out of his fur, sitting with his chest puffed out and meeting their Clanmates' gazes proudly.
"We must not think this battle is over, though," Firestar continued darkly.
"Will you bring it up at the Gathering?" The question came from Ashfur, who was lashing his tail as if he were facing ShadowClan right then and there.
"Yes," Firestar's reply was full of conviction. "ShadowClan will have to learn that we will not allow their trespasses—whether they learn the easy way or the hard way is up to them." His words were met with cheers and yowls of approval, and Hollypaw added her own voice to the clamor.
We'll show them yet!
"Dustpelt, Brambleclaw, Sandstorm, Cloudtail, Squirrelflight, Rainwhisker, Brackenfur, Spiderleg, Brightheart, and Hollypaw."
Hollypaw jumped to her paws as Firestar included her name in the patrol to go to the Gathering. Her amber eyes blazed with excitement. She had worked even harder through the half-moon following ShadowClan's raid, and though she still sported the markings of the battle with the badgers and with ShadowClan she was thrilled Firestar thought her strong enough to represent the Clan at such an important Gathering. Those who had been more severely wounded, she realized, had been left out of the patrol. Firestar had assured them it was because he didn't trust Blackstar not to make a move while they were at the Gathering, but Hollypaw had a feeling every cat knew the truth. They had to appear as unscathed as possible before the other Clans tonight.
We have to show them that we haven't been weakened.
She finished her starling in two quick gulps before turning to Birchpaw. Her brother had only been back in training for a quarter-moon, and still had large patches of fur that had only just begun growing back. "Sorry," she muttered awkwardly.
Birchpaw shrugged. "Tell me all about it when you get back. Honestly, I'm so tired from getting back into a training schedule that I'd probably fall asleep listening the leaders talk!"
Hollypaw purred with him for a moment before touching her nose to his and bounding away to join the Gathering patrol. They left shortly, racing towards the Gathering in a solemn silence despite the excitement that bristled in their pelts. Every cat was eager to hear Firestar confront Blackstar.
When they reached the tree-bridge, WindClan was just about to cross. Hollypaw rushed forward to greet an apprentice she had met at a previous Gathering, nearly four moons younger.
"Thistlepaw!" She called out to the pale gray tabby. The WindClan apprentice turned, her green eyes glowing as she recognized Hollypaw.
"Hollypaw," she purred. A brief look of horror crossed her face. "Unless you've been given your warrior name?"
"No, not yet," Hollypaw assured her. "I will, soon though."
Thistlepaw touched noses with the darker tabby. "I'm sure you will. It looks like your wounds are healing well. All of WindClan was horrified when we heard about the badgers."
"Thistlepaw! Are you going to cross today and allow ThunderClan to cross or are you going to wait until next full moon?" Thistlepaw's mentor, Crowfeather, was standing on the end of the tree-bridge, his tail-tip flicking impatiently.
"Sorry!" She squeaked, hurrying to her mentor. "I'll see you on the island!" The words were tossed over her shoulder as the pale tabby leapt up after her mentor and followed him across.
I don't know how such a gentle apprentice wound up with that sour-paws for a mentor! Hollypaw snorted disdainfully as she joined her own mentor. Sure, every cat knew that Crowfeather had journeyed with Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight to the sun-drown-place, but she couldn't imagine traveling to a Gathering with the short-tempered warrior, much less going all the way to the sun-drown-place and back.
When her turn came, she crossed quickly, hoping to find Thistlepaw again before the Gathering started. She had just spotted the small WindClan apprentice when the sharp scent of ShadowClan pricked at her nose.
"Well, well, if it isn't Hollypaw."
Hollypaw whipped around, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw Smokepaw strolling towards her. His legs had gotten longer since she had seen him last, and his eyes glittered with amusement, as if he were celebrating his own personal inside joke. With a start, she realized that healing wounds laced his shoulders.
"Hi, Smokepaw," she meowed coolly.
The black tom's whiskers twitched, and he snorted scornfully. "It's Smokefoot now."
"Oh." Hollypaw dug her claws into the ground. "Congratulations."
Smokefoot shrugged. "Thanks. Blackstar understands that it takes warriors to win battles, not apprentices."
That was a deliberate jibe, and Hollypaw longed to wipe the arrogant look from his face, but instead she blinked wide amber eyes at him. "Does it?" She forced wonder into her tone. "Because last I saw of one of your fierce warriors he was squealing like a kit while I tore him to shreds."
Smokefoot narrowed his eyes for a moment, before suddenly letting out a purr of amusement. "You're not bad, for ThunderClan," he flicked his tail-tip across her ear, which was still healing. "It looks like they're going to start soon. Let's see what kind of trouble they cause tonight."
Hollypaw was baffled, but refused to be outdone. She followed the gray-black warrior to a clear space closer to the tree. From there, Hollypaw had a clear view of the deputies of the other Clans. A pang of anger shook her paws. It's no wonder Blackstar thinks he can move the border, he's been taunting Firestar about not having a deputy since Graystripe went missing!
"There you are!" Thistlepaw's soft hiss announced her arrival. She settled on Hollypaw's other side, casting a wary look at Smokefoot.
"He's not all that bad," she muttered to her friend, "as far as ShadowClan goes."
Before either cat could answer, Leopardstar let out a yowl, signaling it was time to begin. They listened silently while Onestar and Leopardstar gave their reports, but Smokefoot pricked his ears as Firestar stepped forward, and Hollypaw sat up straighter.
"Badgers attacked ThunderClan's camp," Firestar began grimly. "And ThunderClan owes thanks to Onestar and WindClan for helping us drive them out." He paused to dip his head gratefully to Onestar before continuing, "It is with great sadness that announce the passing of Cinderpelt and Sootfur."
"StarClan light their paths," Leopardstar murmured, bowing her head. The other leaders echoed the soft words, and sorrow swept through the Gathering. Cinderpelt had been loved and respected by cats in every Clan. Even Smokefoot looked touched by grief.
"Despite the devastation," Firestar continued, his eyes flashing in the moonlight. "ThunderClan is thriving, and will not tolerate trespasses of any sort." He turned his cold green gaze to Blackstar. "A ThunderClan patrol caught your warriors trying to move our border, Blackstar. What do you have to say for youself?"
Blackstar stepped forward, his chin tilted challengingly. "ShadowClan needs more territory." The demand was met with outraged yowls from ThunderClan. Hollypaw felt her own pelt bristling. "Two-legs have started gathering at the half-bridge in our territory. They are scaring all of the prey, and if we do not claim more territory, ShadowClan will surely starve."
Hollypaw shot Smokefoot a glare. "You don't look like you're starving to me," she snarled softly. Smokefoot flashed her and amused glance but said nothing.
"RiverClan suffers the same problem!"
Hollypaw craned her neck to see the broad shoulders and dark pelt of Hawkfrost, Brambleclaw's brother. The bossy fur-ball was always yowling his opinion out at Gatherings. Hollypaw wondered briefly if Leopardstar could even control her own Clan any more, growing old as she was.
To her surprise, yowls of agreement came from the RiverClan warriors. Mistyfoot narrowed her eyes into a white-hot glare, but Hawkfrost seemed not to notice as he stared challenging up at the leaders. "WindClan and ThunderClan should surrender territory to ShadowClan and RiverClan."
"Never!" Onestar spat furiously. His tail lashed as his continued, "The boundaries were decided in leaf-bare, and we all have land that suits our Clans. What would RiverClan even do with a stretch of moorland?"
"We could learn to hunt rabbits, just as we learned to travel together to find our new home," Hawkfrost meowed defiantly.
"I'd like to see them try," Thistelpaw muttered. "Especially Hawkfrost. He's much too bulky to be any good at chasing rabbits."
"ThunderClan will not surrender territory," Firestar growled. "Not now, not ever."
"Then we'll take it by force!" Blacktar hissed. "We will have more land!"
"It won't be hard since we're just fighting a bunch of kittypets!" Russetfur sneered from her spot among the roots.
Cloudtail leapt to his paws, bristling. "Say that to my face!" He spat. Russetfur stalked forward until she was nose to nose with Hollypaw's mentor. All around cats were glaring. Hollypaw could see Crowfeather snarling at a pair of RiverClan warriors, while Dustpelt and Spiderleg faced Rowanclaw and Oakfur.
Without warning, Russetfur threw herself at Cloudtail. In a heartbeat, the entire clearing was filled with furious fighting. Hollypaw felt dread seeping into her paws as she watched. Thistlepaw spun around in a circle, before fluffing her tail out and growling at Smokefoot. Smokefoot stood, but there was no light of battle in his eyes as he faced Thistlepaw, only laughter.
"Knock it off," Hollypaw shouldered her way between them. "I want to claw his fur off as much as any cat but we can't fight at the Gathering!" She saw Rainwhisker trying to pull Cloudtail and Russetfur apart, and Brambleclaw hurtling through the thick of the fighting to reach Dustpelt. Before he reached them, darkness flooded the clearing.
"Enough!" Onestar furious yowl rang in the sudden silence. Fear-scent filled the clearing, nearly suffocating Hollypaw. "It is a sign from StarClan. They are angry about the fighting—they must want the boundaries to stay as they are."
"This Gathering is over, by the will of StarClan," Leopardstar growled. "We're leaving, RiverClan. And the next cat to lift a claw will answer to me."
"The same goes for ThunderClan," meowed Firestar.
"This isn't over!" Hollypaw could just make out Blackstar's shape as he leapt from his branch and landed on the ground with his tail lashing. Hollypaw fest twitching whiskers against her ear.
"See you next time," Smokefoot's voice was a soft exhale against her healing ear, and she barely stopped herself from whirling around and clawing his eyes out before he slipped away.
"We should get to our Clans," Thistlepaw whimpered.
Hollypaw nodded, leading the way towards the mingled scents of ThunderClan and WindClan. RiverClan had already crossed the tree-bridge when they made it, and ThunderClan was crossing before WindClan.
"Bye, Thistlepaw," Hollypaw touched noses with the younger she-cat. "I'll see you later."
"See you," Thistlepaw echoed. "Be careful with ShadowClan."
Hollypaw snorted and called lightly over her shoulder, "You should be warning ShadowClan, not us. We're ready."
