Chapter Nine

It was the night of the full moon, and the night that cats from all Clans put aside their differences, and gather at the island. Nettlepaw was trembling with excitement, as he had been one of the ones chosen to go to the gathering. It would be his very first time. He was also planning on telling Petalpaw about his feelings for her before it began. A full moon would make the whole scene perfectly romantic. Lightningstar was standing at the edge of the camp, waiting for whoever wanted to come. Hollyleaf, the oldest she-cat in the Clan, had decided that she wanted to make a trip to the island, as she hadn't been there in seasons. They'd all cautioned her against it, but the stubborn she-cat wouldn't back down.

"I'm just as able as the rest of you young cats," she had spat. "I'll come to the gathering if I want to come to the gathering. I'm Hollyleaf, for StarClan's sake!"

And Lightningstar decided to let her go. It was widely rumored that Hollyleaf had the power of convincing and manipulation, so it was no surprise that with just a simple argument the elder could get the leader to agree to her coming along. Hollyleaf walked stiffly towards the edge of the camp where everyone was getting ready to go. She was joined by Redpaw, Sloeberry, and Thrushfeather, each of them looking rather worried. Nettlepaw figured it was because WindClan would be there, and there was always the looming threat of a fight breaking out. If that happened, though, StarClan would cover the moon, and the gathering would be over.

Nettlepaw looked around for Petalpaw. Was she even going to come to the gathering? He let out a sigh of relief as he saw her padding with Echoheart towards the rest of the group. Lightningstar turned to look at them, a hint of worry in her own eyes.

"Alright, let's get going now," the leader meowed, flicking her white tail. "Apprentices, remember not to speak with the WindClan apprentices lest you give secrets away."

"They're not mouse-brains, you know," snorted Hollyleaf.

Lightningstar shot an angry glance at the elder. Nettlepaw was surprised by Lightningstar's lack of respect, but didn't say anything. Hollyleaf just stiffly walked along, joints seeming to creak with every step she took. Nettlepaw followed behind, walking in the old cat's pawprints. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Petalpaw padding next to Redpaw. Nettlepaw's tail lashed angrily and he turned away, not really wanting to witness any more of the scene. His pelt was burning with anger, and he began to walk a little faster. The sooner he could tell Petalpaw about his feelings at the gathering, the better.

They soon arrived at the lake island, and crossed the log to reach the other side. All of the other Clans were already there, waiting impatiently for the ThunderClan cats to take their places. They started to call for the gathering to begin. There was no time to tell Petalpaw before it started, so Nettlepaw would simply have to wait until afterwards, no matter how painful the waiting may be. The leaders yowled for attention and the RiverClan leader, Reedstar, began to speak of her Clan.

"RiverClan is doing well, I suppose," the dark gray cat meowed, sounding rather unsure of herself. "As always, we've been having a bit of trouble with Twolegs, but it'll clear soon."

Hollowstar, the leader of ShadowClan, stepped forward as soon as Reedstar was done speaking. Her muscles rippled under her dark ginger coat and she lifted her head. Nettlepaw thought she looked rather intimidating, but she was actually one of the more peaceful forest leaders at the moment.

"ShadowClan is doing well," she announced. "We have plenty of prey and no trouble with other Clans or Twolegs. We also have a new warrior, Jaggedstreak. We have two new apprentices as well, Tawnypaw and Hawkpaw."

She seemed extremely proud of her Clan's accomplishments, and stepped back to let Lightningstar go next. The Clans began to murmur as they saw the black and white she-cat instead of Kestrelstar.

"I regret to inform everyone that our leader, Kestrelstar, was killed in battle. His death was noble, and he will be remembered for seasons to come. Our medicine cat, Rainheart, was also killed, as many of you may already know. Our medicine cat apprentice is being trained by Lizardtail of ShadowClan and Robinflight of WindClan. We also regret to inform that our noble warrior, Torntail, was killed by a fox. Oh, and our new deputy is Oakpelt. Lastly, we have a new warrior by the name of Echoheart, and three new apprentices."

Nettlepaw heard many cats congratulate Echoheart on her achievement. Lightningstar stepped back, and the attention was turned to – Flamewing? Where was Harestar, the WindClan leader?

Flamewing began, "I also regret to state that our leader, Harestar, passed away no more than a few days ago. He was a fine leader and one who served WindClan for many, many seasons. You may now call me Flamestar, leader of WindClan. I will bring change, hopefully not just for my Clan, but for all Clans."

There was an icy tone in the WindClan cat's voice that sent shivers down Nettlepaw's spine. Flamestar said nothing more, but turned to his warriors and flicked his tail. Before anyone had time to even blink, WindClan cats were upon ThunderClan cats, hissing and scratching with the fury of LionClan. Nettlepaw glanced up at the sky. StarClan had covered the moon. The truce was broken. Nettlepaw felt teeth sink into his flesh and he pulled away frantically. He wasn't ready to fight in a battle, he was just a young apprentice. What was Flamestar thinking? Breaking the truce like that – unforgivable!

He backed away into the bushes. If he tried to fight, he might be killed. Cats from all Clans were swarming around and fighting one another. Blood splattered onto the ground, and yowls of pain echoed across the territories. He heard the sound of Lightningstar's retreat call, and rushed off to follow the ThunderClan cats. It was so chaotic that he could hardly think. His fur was bristling and his green eyes were as wide as two moons. He dashed off towards the ThunderClan camp as fast as he could go. Despite his best efforts, however, he was still trailing far behind the rest of them.

"Hurry up, Nettlepaw!" Echoheart urged.

"I'm doing my best!" he exclaimed in reply. "Stupid WindClan!"

The cats spilled into the Clan, fur bristled and eyes wide. How could Flamestar have been so mousebrained as to start a battle at the gathering. Lightningstar seemed the most upset over the whole thing. She looked around, making sure she had her cats. Nettlepaw noticed a worried look in her eyes.

"Where's Hollyleaf?" she questioned. "And where's Petalpaw?

Petalpaw!

Nettlepaw's heartbeat quickened. He hadn't seen the white she-cat since the battle. He hoped to the stars that she hadn't been hurt. He heard a rustle come from the camp entrance and whipped around, hoping it was Petalpaw. Instead it was Hollyleaf, with blood on her muzzle and throat. She didn't get three pawsteps into the camp before collapsing dead on the ground. Wails came from several warriors. If this is what had happened to Hollyleaf, one of the three, there was no hope for Petalpaw.

"Lightningstar!" choked out Nettlepaw. "Can I look for Petalpaw?"

The leader lashed her white tail. "Yes, but take at least two others with you and stay in a tight group!"

Nettlepaw rushed over to Echoheart, who was panting and looked around nervously. She had blood splattered on her muzzle and face, but she didn't seem hurt at all. "Echoheart, will you help me go and look for Petalpaw! Oh, and we need someone else as well..."

At the mention of Petalpaw's name, Echoheart's eyes flashed.

"Why should I help to find that tom-stealing furball?" she spat.

Nettlepaw was taken aback by Echoheart's harsh remark. "Well, because..."

"No, fine. I'll help you. Let me find Redpaw."

She began padding off to find the red tabby. Nettlepaw shook his head and let out a faint cry of 'no, don't', but his plea fell upon deaf ears. Echoheart came back moments later with Redpaw trailing behind her. Nettlepaw let out a sigh of dismay. The last cat he had wanted to take along with Redpaw. At least he had a lot of experience and was a good tracker. The three set out into the woods to retrace their steps back to the island. Petalpaw had to be out there somewhere – dead or alive.

--

"You know, I'll be a WindClan cat got her," Redpaw meowed. "Probably ripped her throat out."

Nettlepaw felt a pang of sorrow in his chest. He didn't want to find Petalpaw with her throat ripped out. He wanted to find her alive so that he could tell her that – that he loved her. Redpaw was just too negative about things. There was no point in listening to him, anyway. Echoheart was padding very close to the red tabby, her fur brushing up against his. He didn't seem to be paying attention to her, but it was obvious she was trying to gain his affection.

"Hold it," Redpaw ordered suddenly. He sniffed the air and looked around. "I smell her."

"Which direction?" Nettlepaw asked excitedly.

Redpaw flicked his tail towards the lakeside. "There, I see her."

A moon beam seemed to be pointed directly at the white she-cat. She was laying on her side, unmoving. Her upper body was partially submerged in water. Nettlepaw swallowed and walked towards her, dread creeping up on him like a dark shadow. He was standing by her side now, looking over her. He turned back to see Echoheart and Redpaw standing on the hill together. He nudged Petalpaw with his nose and noticed that she was still faintly warm. He grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and pulled her out of the water. Her head and side were covered in mud and water, staining her beautiful white pelt.

"Why?" squeaked Nettlepaw. "Why?"

Blood was still dripping out of a wound on her throat though the water had washed much of it away. Her small body was so limp. He dragged her further, and noticed that her neck seemed to have been broken. Nettlepaw's body was trembling. She was just a young cat. She had only just become an apprentice. She didn't deserve a terrible death like this. He sniffed the wound and blinked. It didn't smell like WindClan at all. In fact, it smelled more like ThunderClan. Had someone from his own Clan killed his beloved Petalpaw?

Redpaw. It must have been him. May the Place of No Stars receive his soul when he dies.

"Petalpaw," he wailed bitterly. "Petalpaw! Why must he take everything away from me? She was nice to me! She was kind to me!"

He turned to see if Echoheart and Redpaw were still there, but they weren't. He narrowed his eyes. Where had they gone off to? He turned back to Petalpaw and licked her tenderly on the muzzle. He'd have to bring her back to camp by himself. He wasn't very strong, but then again, she wasn't very large. He carefully bit onto the scruff of her neck and began dragging her back to camp. He did his best to keep leaves and dirt off of her beautiful white fur as he went along. He walked into camp and without a word he left Petalpaw's body in the center of the camp and went to the apprentices' den.

"I'll never be happy again," he murmured to himself. "She was everything that I had wanted in a friend – or a mate. When I get my claws on Redpaw I'll – I'll... I'll kill him..."

His eyes narrowed as he finished his sentence. Little did he know that Sunpaw was in the corner of the den, listening to his every word with wide eyes. As soon as he fell asleep she slipped out of the den quietly and headed towards the center of the camp where cats were mourning for Hollyleaf and Petalpaw. She saw Lightningstar standing there, hardly moving, eyes locked on the two bodies. Her entire body was shaking with rage.

"ThunderClan," the leader was hissing. "Petalpaw has ThunderClan scent on her wounds."

Sunpaw's heart skipped a beat. Had Nettlepaw killed Petalpaw? Had he actually killed her sister? Innocent, sweet little Petalpaw! She swallowed the rising bile in her throat and meowed to get the attention of her leader.

"Lightningstar!" Sunpaw meowed.

Slowly the leader turned to face the tabby apprentice. "Yes, Sunpaw?"

"I think I know who killed Petalpaw," she squeaked. What if she was wrong? There was no room for doubting. She had heard Nettlepaw's threat towards Redpaw. If he was violent enough to think of murdering his own clanmate – maybe he actually had.

"Is that so?" murmured Lightningstar. "Do tell, Sunpaw, do tell."

Sunpaw hesitated momentarily. "Nettlepaw."

Lightningstar narrowed her eyes and exhaled. "Nettlepaw? And why do you say this, Sunpaw?" she asked.

"Because – um – because I heard him – he said something about killing Redpaw and – and then I saw Petalpaw and – I heard you mention something about there being ThunderClan scent on my – on my – sister..." She let out a choking noise. "And I think Nettlepaw did it. I really do. He scared me, Lightningstar! His voice – you should have heard his voice – it was so – so – disturbing."

"I've had my suspicions about him," Lightningstar hissed. "But he's innocent until we prove him to be guilty. Do not mention anything about this to anyone. Keep an eye on him – get close to him – and report back to me about his behavior and such."

Sunpaw nodded slowly. Spying. She was going to spy! Granted, it would be on a cat in her own Clan, but she'd never had a responsibility like this. Nettlepaw was going to pay for murdering Petalpaw. He was going to pay for killing her only sister. She walked into the apprentice den and watched him as he slept. Her claws involuntarily unsheathed themselves. A bitter light flashed in her amber eyes. No, she couldn't let her grief control her actions. She was told to gather proof. After all, innocent until proven guilty. Innocent until proven guilty. She'd just have to keep telling herself that.

--

Duskpool fell over into the dust, letting out a meow of laughter. Nettlepaw had barreled into him, knocking him into the dust. Nettlepaw was standing over him, panting and sighing. He was training himself, preparing for the day that Redpaw would attempt to murder him. He'd be ready. He'd be the victor in the final battle.

"You're getting much better!" the tabby purred. "Keep up the good work."

Ever since Petalpaw's death, Nettlepaw had been driving himself to learn. He'd become a warrior before Redpaw did if it killed him. He'd be stronger and better. The vile red tabby wouldn't stand a chance against him. He turned to Sunpaw, who was standing next to him, purring her praise. She'd been following him around since Petalpaw's death. They'd come to be very good friends. Echoheart was also nearby. She had no apprentice, but she liked to watch the training sessions in her spare time anyway.

"Great job, Nettlepaw!" Sunpaw praised.

Echoheart nodded. "You're getting much better!"

Nettlepaw lifted his head proudly. He took a step forward, trying to pose as he did. He ended up face down in the dirt. Alright, maybe he hadn't completely gotten rid of his clumsiness, but he was sure trying. Sunpaw went to his side and helped him up. He stood and licked the dirt out of his fur. For a moment he thought he saw an angry shine in Sunpaw's eyes, but it was gone in a flash.

"Say, Nettlepaw, I need to tell you something," Echoheart mewed. "Do you mind coming with me?"

Nettlepaw looked surprised. "I don't mind at all."

They stalked into the bushes together. Sunpaw followed discreetly, watching to make sure that nothing bad happened to Echoheart. If Nettlepaw tried anything – well, she'd finally get her revenge.

"What is it, Echoheart?" Nettlepaw asked as soon as they were away from the clearing.

Echoheart looked back and forth.

"You're a good friend, so I'm going to let you in on a little secret."

Her eyes were alight with a glow of happiness. Nettlepaw tilted his head. What kind of a secret would this be? Echoheart leaned forward and whispered excitedly into Nettlepaw's ear.

"I'm pregnant!"