Chapter 9
"Hazy Judgement."
2/16/18 - 2/20/18 - 2/22/18 - 2/27/18 - 3/1/18 - 3/2/18 - 3/3/18 - 3/5/18 - 3/6/18 - 3/8/18 - 3/10/18 - 3/12/18
~ Hollyflame ~
ThunderClan's security is shaken up by the discovery of Cloudypatch searching for Lionfur, and it wasn't the first time he looked for Lionfur, either. The ginger and white tom is given glares and scorn from each side. Finchblaze refuses to look at Cloudypatch while Maplecloud is more empathetic to Cloudypatch being punished for sneaking out.
Cloudypatch is held back from the Gathering in three days time, and is forced to perform apprentice chores for the rest of the moon. Finchblaze even pushes for Cloudypatch to be guarded by Flashpad and Stormwhisker, who was more critical of Cloudypatch than most.
Amazingly, Flashpad was the one who told others about it even though Littlestar and Finchblaze wanted to keep the Lionfur part under wraps. Lightningstrike and Honeyfur defended Cloudypatch to anyone who criticized him, even if it fell on deaf ears.
She feels bad for Cloudypatch, he never started trouble and always keeps to himself, but she has her own set of problems.
Like for starters… my paws were on fire.
Hollyflame looks at her paws, expecting them to catch fire at any moment, but so far she hasn't encountered the problem since the rogues. Hollyflame was told stories about her mother, Goldflame, possessing the gift of fire with her cousins, Graystream and Rosefoot, and adoptive brother, Windstorm.
Goldflame was known for her fierce, fiery temper as well as loyalty to match, and her fire would sometimes spark through her fur and claws whenever she gets too worked up or angry. Hollyflame didn't truly believe that a cat would have such a gift until she saw it with her own eyes, and felt it within her toes.
And it feels like a curse, rather than a gift.
What if I start a forest fire just from getting in an argument? Or, what if I get in a fight and burn someone, like my Clanmates?
Or start a fire in camp… Poppyflower and Aspenstone might die because of me.
Jus then, small blue embers spark to life on her toes. Hollyflame pats her paws and extinguishes the embers instantly, but it's enough to scare her.
I wish Goldflame were here. Hollyflame thought, trembling.
"Hollyflame."
The black furred, blue-eyed she-cat stands on her paws and faces Windstorm. The light grey tom notices the fixed expression on Hollyflame's face.
"Are you feeling alright?"
"I will be once I leave with Twigpaw."
Windstorm nods, slowly. "Then you won't mind if I want to test out Rainpaw's hunting skills with Twigpaw? She could use some competition with an experienced apprentice."
"Sure, she's probably still sleeping."
Hollyflame brushes past Windstorm and heads to the apprentice den. Windstorm notices small, burnt patches on the ground where Hollyflame was sitting.
~ Cloudypatch ~
His claws break down the old pieces of moss from the bottom of the nest, and he replaces it with fresh pigeon feathers. Cloudypatch is aware of Stormwhisker's green glare boring into his back.
Flashpad is more nonchalant, he lies down on his side and washes his pelt. Cloudypatch raises his head, sighing.
Stormwhisker snorts. "Now you'll check the elders for ticks. Finchblaze's orders."
Cloudypatch huffs, making Flashpad snicker, mockingly.
"I think Cloudykit is overdue for a nap."
The long haired, white and ginger tom glares at Flashpad.
"I'm feeling just fine!"
"Don't get an attitude!" Stormwhisker spits. "You hardly have a right after betraying us!"
"I didn't tell Lionfur-."
"Don't say his name!" Stormwhisker hisses. Cloudypatch scowls angrily at the dark blue tom.
"I never told Lionfur anything about our strengths and weaknesses. What I did was a favor to…"
"Nothing justifies sharing tongues with a murderer like him, and you're a mouse-brain to believe so!"
"I made my mistakes! I don't need you shouting obscenities at me when you weren't even there!"
Stormwhisker sneers. "You betrayed us for the cat who killed my mother… I'll do whatever I want."
Flashpad stands up, fixing Cloudypatch an arrogant grin.
"I'm surprised with your lack of empathy. It's no wonder Finchblaze wants nothing to do with you anymore."
Stormwhisker stalks away with Flashpad behind him. Cloudypatch suppresses the urge to attack that light grey tom. He's been a thorn in his pelt since that night, and a sneaky little instigator.
But was he right? Did Finchblaze disown me?
His father is short tempered and narrow minded, but he couldn't… He wouldn't turn his back on him, would he? Cloudypatch couldn't stop reminding himself of that night. Finchblaze's furious scowl, his emerald green eyes were burning with outrage and disbelief.
"Um, Cloudypatch?"
Blossomheart slowly pads to Cloudypatch with Leopardstripe beside her. The calico she-cat dips her head to him.
"Littlestar sent us to look after you, he said you can hunt with us."
Cloudypatch visibly deflates. Littlestar sent them… Does Finchblaze not even bother with me anymore?
Leopardstripe bumps his shoulder on Cloudypatch's, offering him a sad smile.
"It'll help to clear your mind."
The white and ginger tom nods half heartedly and follows him and Blossomheart out of the warriors den, towards the thorn barrier.
~ Crowpaw ~
The jet black tom is finding it hard to ignore the constant chatter of Newtpaw.
"Why are you walking so weird to hunt a tiny bird?"
"Why can't we take some fish from RiverClan? They won't be able to tell the difference!"
"Why should I listen to Crowpaw?! Isn't he that half-Clan cat everyone talks about?"
Crowpaw almost clocked the dark grey tabby tom across the face if Vinewhisker hadn't beaten him to the cuff. Now, he sticks close to Foxfur on her leading patrol until she motions him to move back.
… Right where Vinewhisker and Newtpaw were.
"Newtpaw is very robust right now, and I'm sure he will calm down if he has a cat a little bit older than him to guide him."
Crowpaw hardly represses his sneer. "Wouldn't it defeat the purpose of having mentors? If not, why not pair him with Dawnpaw?"
I'm sure she'd love to put him in his place.
"Crowpaw…"
The said tom hears the warning tone and sighs in resignation. He slackens his pace and meets the surprised gaze of his youngest denmate.
"Why are you here?" Newtpaw sniffs. "Come to talk to the commoners, have you?"
Crowpaw looks at Foxfur in hopes of being called back, but his mentor is nodding approvingly as she looks away.
You did not just dump me off with this irritating beetle!
And of course, Newtpaw keeps talking, and his questions strike his nerve.
"What's it like in ThunderClan? You can't lie, because everyone knows about you and Featherwing. Are they fat? Do they fly around trees?"
Crowpaw gives Newtpaw the stink eye. What kind of herbs are they feeding you? Catmint?!
Of all the stupidest rumors, that one wears on his nerves.
"How should I know?"
Newtpaw blinks as if he's surprised. "You were kitted there, duh!"
"I was a kit, I don't know - it's been too long!"
Newtpaw flattens his ears. "You don't have to be obnoxious about it."
Ha! That's the tree calling the grass green!
Foxfur's patrol leads them near the formerly abandoned Twoleg den. To her amazement, the den has smoke coming out from the narrow trunk on the top, and sun is shining out from the clear squares.
"Is that den on fire?" Flowerpetal whispers, sending looks of fear through the patrol until Foxfur shakes her head.
"No… There's probably a Twoleg inside the den."
Mallowfrost stammers. "But, why? The Twolegs never return to the lake on Leaf-Fall."
"Or Leaf-Bare, for that matter." Flowerpetal adds. A loud squealing made Foxfur move the patrol further behind the bushes. The den's front opens as two, small Twolegs run out wearing thick pelts.
"Oh, StarClan, they brought kits!" Vinewhisker hisses.
Crowpaw looks over Vinewhisker and sees a male Twoleg come out with a strange device, with three skinny legs and a cylinder on the head.
"What should we do?" Mallowfrost asks Foxfur. "They might find our camp!"
"I doubt that, but we need to tell Heatherstar about this."
"If you don't believe there's a problem, why would you still report it?" Flowerpetal asks.
Foxfur narrows her eyes on Flowerpetal.
"Because it's better to be safe than sorry."
"Crowpaw!"
Tigerpaw drops down next to the jet black tom by the apprentices den.
"Is it true that the Twolegs are nearby?"
"Nobody was supposed to know that. How did you hear it?"
"Well, Newtpaw was…"
Crowpaw sighs exasperatedly. "I swear to StarClan, that cat needs to have his muzzle wrapped!"
Tigerpaw recoils a little from Crowpaw's tone.
"Me and Oatpaw were told about it, if it makes you feel better."
"I'm sorry." Crowpaw whispers. "Newtpaw's been a pest all morning and I'm at my limit."
Tigerpaw murmurs comfortingly, and Crowpaw sees Newtpaw being called over to Vinewhisker. Newtpaw is cowering in front of Vinewhisker, and Crowpaw assumes that he's being scolded.
~ Oatpaw ~
The cream colored she-cat is near the elder's den with Dawnpaw and Shimmerpaw when Vinewhisker is done scolding Newtpaw. Shimmerpaw shakes her head.
"I hope Smokeclaw doesn't get the same idea because of him." Shimmerpaw said.
"I'm sure he wouldn't punish just because Newtpaw is a fluff-brain." Dawnpaw reassures the mottled, yellow tabby she-cat.
Speaking of the fox, Newtpaw pads towards them while lashing his tail.
"Held back from the Gathering, I assume?" Shimmerpaw sniffs.
"ShadowClan has the right to know." Newtpaw insists, stubbornly. Newtpaw looks at Oatpaw.
"Wouldn't it be better to be alert and not get caught off guard?"
Oatpaw fluffs her fur coat in alarm. Why is he looking at me like that?
"It's… up to Heatherstar to tell us."
"Exactly." Shimmerpaw agrees. "You're only causing a panic when you spread it around."
Newtpaw's amber eyes narrow slightly. "So it's my fault for keeping everyone on their paws?"
"You said it, not us." Dawnpaw snorts.
Newtpaw glances at Oatpaw again. The cream colored she-cat ducks her head, and Newtpaw scoffs.
"Unbelievable!"
The dark grey tabby tom turns around and storms away.
~ Softdawn ~
Late dusk, and WindClan's medicine leaves for a drink of water. Large paws slowly sneak up behind Softdawn's crouching form. The pale grey and white she-cat looks at the rippling reflection and sees two, dark amber eyes gleaming with arrogance.
"We meet again."
Softdawn moves around and unsheathes her claws in preparation to fight. Her forelegs were frozen in dismay, it's the silvery white tom who tried to attack Wolfclaw. He looks amused by Softdawn's defensive stance.
"Put your claws away, fuzzball. I'm trustworthy of your presence."
"Don't make me scream." Softdawn stalks around the rogue, not taking her eyes off of him. The silvery white tom isn't keen on leaving while he can, instead, he pads close to her - even though Softdawn continues to keep the distance between them.
"I'm known as Rascal." He purrs, extending his front paw. Softdawn snarls with her fur bristling.
It does little to faze Rascal. He turns around and shows his right shoulder, healing lines were visible and his ear is nicked.
"I didn't forget the last time we met." Rascal told her. "I'll have you know, I like she-cats with fire in their bellies. Unfortunately, the ones on the streets are only in it for the protection."
Softdawn's ears pick up voices in the distance, as did Rascal. He shakes his head, swishing his tail as he approaches her again.
"Now, now… There's no need to have others in our conversation. We can talk this out like grown cats."
Softdawn yowls into the air - Rascal turns tail and runs off to the Horseplace right as Runningfoot, Lizardtail and Jayflight run down the slope. Lizardtail catches sight of Rascal's shape in the shadows.
"Softdawn! What's wrong?" Runningfoot asks.
"Who was that rogue?" Lizardtail growls.
"The one who tried to hurt Wolfclaw moons ago." She replies.
Jayflight blinks, and looks down at the Horseplace.
"That one? Wolfclaw said he was huge!"
"Did he threaten you? What did he want?" Lizardtail demands.
Softdawn shakes her head. "He just pushed his luck, trying to get my attention like some rabbit-brained idiot."
Lizardtail squints at Softdawn suspiciously. "Did he…?"
"I think we should go back, you should, too, Softdawn." Runningfoot suggests.
The WindClan medicine cat sighs before nodding. She didn't miss what Lizardtail was about to say,though.
He's completely senile if he thinks I'm seeing that rogue. Absolutely nuts.
Softdawn wouldn't dare think of that monster in that way, never, especially when he wanted to harm her son.
~ Breezefall ~
Three days later and nighttime, half of ThunderClan were preparing to leave. Nightsong is granted permission to go to the Gathering, leaving her kits with Petalbreeze and Maplecloud, who wanted to stay with Cloudypatch and keep him company along with Lightningstrike, who was adamant about his decision.
Lionfang and Stormwhisker were helping Foxflame out of the elder's den, and Breezefall is lounging around the entrance when he sees Eaglewing with Honeyfur.
"Where's your shadow?" He asks his sister. Eaglewing glares at Breezefall knowing he's referring to Aspenstone. Honeyfur rolls her eyes.
"Aspenstone is staying behind with Hollyflame. He's not doing so good."
Breezefall tilts his head. "I know he's upset about Gingershine, but… I mean, she's not his real mother and…"
Eaglewing growls. "So what if she's not? How would you like it if this happened to Thrushwing?"
The mention of their mother made Breezefall shiver.
"Right, right. I mean, he's not much older than us and he's behaving like a kit right now. You know how these old cats are…"
"Then it's their problem." Honeyfur scoffs. "Even if he's being like this, he lost the closest thing to a mother. I'd be devastated if Maplecloud went missing like Gingershine did."
"Speaking of which… Did they ever find her?" Breezefall asks.
"No fur or scent." Eaglewing replies.
A soft hiss takes the three, young warriors' attention to Finchblaze.
"Remember, don't give up too much information on the situation with Gingershine. Littlestar has to bring it up first. Understand?"
"Yes, Dad, we're not apprentices anymore." Honeyfur snaps. Finchblaze pays no mind to the golden she-cat's attitude and pads away.
"I wish I could speak to him without the repercussions." Breezefall told Honeyfur.
Honeyfur's shoulders sag a little. "He's been treating us like stupid kits just because Cloudypatch did what he did. You'd think getting older would mellow you out."
"That's a myth. Just look at Foxflame, he still believes he has four working legs." Breezefall said.
The chosen ThunderClan cats begin to move out the thorn barrier, and Breezefall is eager to move with them.
"Don't get lost."
Breezefall squeaks out a curse hearing Aspenstone - and seeing Aspenstone already near them. His gold eyes were pinned on Eaglewing.
"Aspenstone, we know the way to the island and back here." Honeyfur said.
Aspenstone flattens his ears and remains focused on Eaglewing.
"Eaglewing, don't get lost, please?"
Breezefall looks at Honeyfur, who is equally confused by Aspenstone's strange question.
Eaglewing rests her tail tip on Aspenstone's shoulder, the golden-brown tom didn't pull away from the small contact.
"I won't let my guard down. It'll take a very dumb rogue to try and face me without a scar or two."
"... Okay."
Aspenstone turns around hesitantly before padding back to Hollyflame. Honeyfur grins at Eaglewing. "I see."
"No you don't." Eaglewing retorts.
"I certainly didn't." Breezefall puts in. "What happened?"
"Oh, nothing. Just a she-cat intuition." Honeyfur said as Eaglewing shoulders her along.
Breezefall frowns with flattened ears, and shakes his head.
She-cats are weird.
~ Icestripe ~
The white and silver-striped she-cat struggles to keep up with Bramblefrost, who is keeping a good distance from her.
"Bramblefrost, slow down!"
The black and dark grey she-cat abruptly stops and glares at her. Icestripe recoils at the intensity of her sister's gaze.
"Did you break up with Bouncestep?" She demands.
"I was never with Bouncestep…"
"So it's true!" Bramblefrost hisses. "Goosetalon had to wear him down to get it out of him, and then he told me! He said he doesn't want to be with me if it hurts Bouncestep to see us!"
"Did Bouncestep say anything else?" Icestripe's initial fear grips her nerves as Bramblefrost snorts.
"I don't know! Goosetalon won't even go on walks with me anymore, and Bouncestep wouldn't give me a straight answer!"
Icestripe sighs, avoiding Bramblefrost's gaze. "I'm sorry, but I never liked Bouncestep in that way."
"Then who is it? Who's so important that you'd back out of the plan like a scared little kit?!"
"You don't get to talk to me like that!" Icestripe snaps suddenly. "You don't get to use me like a barging prey, you have no idea how difficult it is for me right now!"
Bramblefrost recoils in surprise, but it melts to betrayal.
"So it's like that, huh? I don't have to right to know what it is?"
Icestripe's paws were weak. Bramblefrost takes her silence for an answer and scoffs.
"Fine. Be that way, but whoever it is better be worth it, because I won't be there to congratulate you two."
Bramblefrost runs off in the direction of the tree-bridge, where the rest of RiverClan were heading. After heartbeats of self ridicule, Icestripe lowers her head and pads to the tree-bridge and onto the island.
Surprisingly, Darkwater is waiting by the end of it.
"Bramblefrost wouldn't spare me a glance, so thank you for sparing time for your old father."
"... Bramblefrost is mad at me, because Goosetalon refused to be her mate. Bramblefrost had this idea for me to become Bouncestep's mate so Goosetalon would be with her, but it didn't go well…"
Darkwater brushes his tail over Icestripe's ears.
"I'll be honest with you… I'm not surprised. Goosetalon was never good enough for her, always arguing with her, arrogant, but Silversnow warned me to not get involved in case it pushes Bramblefrost more towards him."
Icestripe halfheartedly agrees. If Goosetalon truly cared for her sister, he wouldn't string her along for so long. He wouldn't have gone on walks with her, alone, and keep having her running around in circles.
"Icestripe?"
Darkwater can see the thoughts on his daughter's face.
"He didn't hurt you, did he? Bouncestep, I mean."
Icestripe shakes her head.
"Would you like to tell me why you went along with it?"
"I'm not even sure why!" Icestripe exclaims. "I was just… I don't know, scared? I wanted Bramblefrost to be happy."
"At the cost of your choice, and happiness?" Darkwater whispers. "You must have someone in mind."
Just then, Icestripe is thrown back to the horrible nightmare. The looks of disgust and anger, all on the faces of her mother, father, her two older brothers and Bramblefrost.
"You're a disgrace to the family!"
"How can you be so disgusting?!"
"No." Icestripe whispers. "I'm just not interested at the moment."
Darkwater remains quiet for a little while, until he merely nods.
"If that's what you want. You're both still young, you'll attract the right mate eventually."
"After all, you have parents like me and your mother." Darkwater grins at her.
Icestripe smiles weakly. "I'll remember that."
"By the way, Lakemist was asking for you. You could use a good friend to talk to until Bramblefrost calms herself down."
Icestripe's mood brightens as she parts away from Darkwater and searches for the dark grey and white fur. She feels a paw touch her flank and sees the gleaming green eyes of the she-cat she was looking for.
"Looking for me?" Lakemist smiles cheekily.
"Quite an ego you've got there." Icestripe says in mocking offense. "Who says that I was looking for you specifically?"
Lakemist bumps her shoulder with Icestripe's, sending a spark through her tail and whiskers. "Quite a mouth you've got there. You're not exactly the lying type, you know."
For the first time since arguing with her sister, Icestripe is allows herself to bask in Lakemist's teasing gaze, and absentmindedly presses her side against Lakemist and entwines her tail with hers.
~ Oakpaw ~
"Ouch!"
Oakpaw jerks his front paw away from Perchpaw as he whirls around to face him.
"Watch where you're going, you almost crushed my toes!"
"I can barely see, so bare with me if I do break some bones." Perchpaw retorts.
"Whatever… Have you seen Elmpaw?"
Perchpaw snorts. "Only if you've seen Storkpaw, or Shadepaw for that matter!"
Oakpaw rolls his eyes. Perchpaw had a crush on Shadepaw, and all the apprentices know it except for said she-cat. But if he believes that bragging and bothering Shadepaw will be enough, he's got bees in his brain.
"Perchpaw!"
Wavepaw runs up to her brother with wide eyes. "You gotta come quick - Robinpaw is starting a fight!"
Wait, what? Oakpaw blinks and follows his two excited denmates. Sure enough, Robinpaw is scowling at a small, white she-cat. Her fur coat is fluffy, like a cloud, but her icy blue eyes were hard with aggression.
Oakpaw notices how none of the apprentices - RiverClan and ThunderClan - are stepping in to stop it.
"You heard what I said." Robinpaw sneers. "Why are you getting worked up over the truth?"
"Shut your blasted face!" The she-cat snarls. "Come over here and repeat that, I'll make you wish you stayed home!"
A pale gray tabby tom steps in front of her. "Frostpaw, don't do this, not your first Gathering."
"That fish eating, piece of fox-dung just insulted my parents!" Frostpaw spat.
"Language." Robinpaw chides. "We're at a Gathering, show some restraint, will you?"
Frostpaw curls her lip. "That's a load of nonsense coming from the son of a murderer!"
Oh, fish-guts. Oakpaw holds his breath. Wavepaw and Perchpaw drop their grins and look at each other in dismay, while Robinpaw raises his hackles.
"Someone should put you in your place." He growls.
"I should get my grandfather to put you in your place - like he did with Daisypelt!"
Robinpaw prepares to charge, Oakpaw tenses up and prepares for the first blow to break the truce when he sees a warrior pad to the group.
"No, Robinpaw!" He yelps.
The pale grey tabby tom looks at the approaching warrior and pushes Frostpaw behind him. The apprentices stand in silence as a well built she-cat with dark red fur stops beside Wavepaw. Her bright green eyes were scanning over the group until she sees him and gives off a small gasp.
"You…" She whimpers.
~ Cherrystem ~
After all this time, for what feels like decades ago, her questions were answered tonight.
Oakpaw is staring at her, confused with her reaction and twitching his tail nervously.
Snap out of it, before you draw attention to yourself!
"You… cats better not be starting something!" She hisses at the small group.
Bumblepaw shakes his head. "N-No, Cherrystem! We were just leaving."
Bumblepaw shoulders Frostpaw towards Cherrystem, and for once, the white she-cat complies. Cherrystem looks at the RiverClan apprentices.
"If I catch you starting anything, you better believe I'll let your mentors know."
The solid blue-grey she-cat is noticeably afraid. "I'll go!"
"Me too!" The mottled, bright ginger tabby tom follows his fleeing denmate. Robinpaw stalks after them, leaving Oakpaw with her.
"Do you want me to tell your mentor, too?"
"... This is the first Gathering I've been to."
Cherrystem inwardly smirks. Smart-tail.
"Oakpaw, Oakpaw - there you are!"
Cherrystem sees the light brown tom - StarClan help her now - skidding to a halt beside Oakpaw.
"I heard there was a fight!"
"There's no fight." Oakpaw said. Elmpaw stands to catch his breath when he notices Cherrystem.
"Hello!" He chirps, chipping her heart with his warm greeting. "My name is Elmpaw, and this is my brother, Oakpaw."
~ Oakpaw ~
"Right… My name is Cherrystem."
The dark red she-cat stares at the two toms with deep sorrow, Oakpaw glances at Elmpaw.
She's freaking me out. Oakpaw's eyes said.
Elmpaw sniffs. Don't be rude.
Oakpaw's glare said: I'm pretty sure STARING counts as rude, too!
"Forgive me." Cherrystem said. "I drift off sometimes and I stare… You just remind me of… the good days."
"Did you lose someone?" Elmpaw asks her.
Cherrystem closes her eyes, and nods. "Two, actually. I still think about them, but it doesn't change the fact that they're gone."
Oakpaw grunts. "I'm sorry to hear that."
Cherrystem is still triggering the alarms in Oakpaw's ears, as her scent doesn't sicken him, but… comforts him.
"I caught a big carp on my second day as an apprentice!" Elmpaw said.
Cherrystem crouches down to be on Elmpaw and Oakpaw's level.
"Really? I'd like to hear how that went."
Elmpaw eagerly chatters to Cherrystem of what Oakpaw heard a bunch of times, the small, dark ginger tabby tom settles next to his brother while keeping his eye on Cherrystem.
The ThunderClan she-cat is keeping up with Elmpaw's story, her green eyes were filled with longing. Oakpaw figures it wouldn't hurt to stick around her for a while.
Heavyclaw probably wouldn't mind.
~ Emberheart ~
ShadowClan finally arrived with only WindClan left. The short furred, ginger she-cat looks through the crowd and finds the light grey tabby pelt.
"Featherwing!"
Emberheart's former mentor turns her way and smiles. Featherwing briefly brushes muzzles with Emberheart.
"It's been so long." Featherwing purrs. "I heard you have an apprentice of your own. You have the grey flecks to show for it."
Emberheart scoffs. "You're only saying that because any age that show up on your fur, I won't be able to find it."
Featherwing flicks her tail on Emberheart's shoulder.
"I have an apprentice, too. His name is Tigerpaw."
"Heatherstar's grandson?" Emberheart's whiskers quiver. "You're definitely moving up in ShadowClan, aren't you? Unfortunately, I lost track of Alderpaw to a blue, RiverClan she-cat his age just a while ago."
Emberheart huffs. "Can you believe that? He's ten moons old and padding after she-cats! I'd hang him up on the branches of the Ancient Oak before I let him pursue some fish-hearted cat from another Clan."
"... Emberheart." Featherwing whispers.
The short furred, ginger she-cat frowns and says, "I wasn't referring to you… Even though it was hard to accept it."
"I'm sorry I hurt you, Emberheart."
"It's fine." Emberheart replies. "I should probably get Alderpaw now, maybe scold him in front of that she-cat for good measure. You should swing by ThunderClan, Snowpelt is here."
~ Spiderdusk ~
"Wait, where is Hollyclaw?"
Spiderdusk flicks his ears at the curious question of the ShadowClan warriors once WindClan arrives on the island.
Finchblaze, Foxfur and Silversnow were looking at Hawkflight in surprise. Finchblaze and Hawkflight stare at each other, almost daring to slip up, then Hawkflight ignores the ThunderClan deputy in favor of Foxfur greeting him.
Spiderdusk knew the other Clans will talk. Unlike the last four cats to go missing, the deputy is one cat who will draw attention to themselves besides their leader.
"It won't be long until they start bombarding us with questions." Scorchblaze whispers to his father. Spiderdusk grunts.
"Just ignore them and leave it to Brackenstar. Why don't you sit with Plumfeather and talk to her? It's been a while since you two spent time together."
Scorchblaze fixes a sour look at Spiderdusk. "I don't know what you're talking about, but I suppose I should keep the delicate little she-cat company."
Spiderdusk didn't miss the skip in Scorchblaze's step as he pads to Woollyclaw's tortoiseshell daughter. Try as he might, Scorchblaze didn't fool him.
And Plumfeather wasn't as delicate as cats thought she was, having lived her life as a rogue with her father before joining WindClan.
Spiderdusk parts from the WindClan group and bumps into a skinny light brown shape.
"Spiderdusk?"
The said tom looks at Owlflight. ShadowClan's medicine cat is beaming a smile.
"I'm glad to see you're still living. Some young cats have said that Cheetahspots held you hostage in the medicine cat den."
"Never." Spiderdusk snorts, but on the inside he wills for the façade to work.
He must never know.
"Greetings."
Beechclaw pads to Owlflight and Spiderdusk with bright eyes.
"It's good to see you two again."
Spiderdusk scoffs, playfully.
"Look at this fool, he's talking to us like he's the newest leader."
Owlflight twitches his whiskers. "Beechclaw is RiverClan's shining star, after all."
"Oh, come off it." Beechclaw snickers. "You sound like Carpstream when you say it like that."
Spiderdusk catches the glimpse of white fur coat in the knot of cats. Snowpelt smiles upon seeing the three toms, and Nightsong is trailing behind her cousin.
"Spiderdusk, Owlflight!" Nightsong bumps her head with Spiderdusk. "And Beechclaw, too? The group's all here."
"I thought you were with your kits." Owlflight points out.
Nightsong curls her tail tip. "Their with Petalbreeze at the moment, but you know that their old enough to eat prey now, I can go back to my duties if I wanted to."
Snowpelt dips her head to Beechclaw. "It's good to see you."
"Same." Beechclaw replies to his friend. "In fact, this is the first Gathering with my kits."
Nightsong turns her attention to the RiverClan warrior.
"For real?"
"My daughters are here, too." Snowpelt said.
Spiderdusk smirks at Owlflight. "Once Nightsong's kits are apprenticed, you'll be the only one without kits, buddy."
The ShadowClan medicine cat laughs, dryly.
"I have a nephew who can help me with that."
~ Shadepaw ~
The five cats meeting didn't go unnoticed by the younger generation. Wavepaw is the first to point out her father with them.
"Isn't that ShadowClan's medicine cat?" Shadepaw asks her denmate.
"Mom told me about the others. StarClan chose Daddy." Wavepaw said, fluffing her pelt with pride. "It's so cool how he got to go to the mountains!"
"My aunt was chosen, too." Alderpaw put in. Shadepaw couldn't suppress her annoyance with the ThunderClan tom.
It doesn't take two minutes when Alderpaw ran into her and Wavepaw, he took one look at Wavepaw and decided to stick close to her. Wavepaw didn't seem to mind that the dark brown tabby tom is following her around, but Shadepaw is tired of it.
"Making friends, are we?"
Shadepaw gasps when Olivestar pads from behind the apprentices. Olivestar leers down on Alderpaw before looking at Wavepaw and Shadepaw.
"You might want to return to RiverClan. The Gathering is about to begin soon."
"Oh, okay." Wavepaw sighs, looking at Alderpaw regretfully. Olivestar flicks her tail across Alderpaw's face.
The ThunderClan apprentice blinks in disbelief, but he turns around and stalks away.
"Shadepaw."
The very dark brown tabby she-cat braces herself to meet Olivestar's scrutinizing gaze. "Why didn't you stop Wavepaw mooning over that ThunderClan apprentice? You're her superior and you didn't do anything."
"There's no way Wavepaw would listen to me."
Olivestar shakes her head. "If you ever want to become a warrior you need to step up and grow a spine. The fact that you're lax about the situation is proof that you're not fit for it."
Shadepaw's indignation flares up before she can stop herself.
"But that's not fair! I'm an apprentice - I'm not supposed to be looking after another cat like it's my job, I have my own things to do!"
Instead of the RiverClan leader lashing out like she expected, Olivestar looks at Shadepaw thoughtfully.
"Actually… It should be. Maybe you can learn to be more mature if you keep an ear open for any mischief your denmates are tempted to do."
"But Olivestar, I-!"
Olivestar's paw reaches under Shadepaw's chin, the tips of her claws prick Shadepaw's healing injuries and made her freeze.
"You need to understand that this is for your own good. I won't allow you to forget where your loyalties lie and slip through the cracks… You don't want others to think badly about you like your mother, do you?"
Olivestar brushes past Shadepaw without waiting for an answer. The darker brown tabby she-cat feels her stomach turning.
"Shadepaw, what was that about?"
Just her luck, Ferretleap pads to her with concern in his amber eyes. Shadepaw licks her shoulder when her father stops next to her.
"I'm fine. It's just a little fight."
"It looked more than a little bit." Ferretleap said. Shadepaw avoids Ferretleap's piercing stare, looking at her until he sees a badly inflicted scar on her muzzle.
"Where did you get that?" He touches her muzzle, making Shadepaw pull away.
"I slipped and hit my head on a stick!"
Ferretleap narrows his eyes. "A stick caused that?"
The dark brown tom has seen enough battles and sustained injuries like Shadepaw's to know that she's lying. Shadepaw is visibly shaking.
"Yes…"
"... Shadepaw, is Olivestar being fair with you?"
"Yes! She's a wonderful mentor!"
Ferretleap stares at Shadepaw, hoping to find anymore scars like this one. Shadepaw couldn't take the pressure.
"I have to go before Olivestar misses me."
Shadepaw retreats to hide behind the remaining RiverClan apprentices. Ferretleap isn't convinced that there's something wrong with Olivestar and Shadepaw's relationship as mentor and apprentice. A logical thing to do would be to talk to Olivestar, but she never liked being contradicted by anyone who isn't Silversnow.
I need to talk to Daisypelt about this. I just hope that she doesn't do anything rash.
~ Slatepaw ~
"No way!" Tigerpaw gasps, Crowpaw is blinking in astonishment. "Your mentor faced off with Lionfur?!"
Slatepaw puffs his chest. "I saw it with my own eyes. Lionfur didn't have the claws to fight Harepounce. I totally would've helped if he let me."
"I don't know. Lionfur is, like, super old - older than Brackenstar! It seems insane to fight a cat who can beat you without blinking."
Crowpaw remembers Foxfur mentioning Tigerclaw, who is still out there and far away from the lake. And hopefully it will stay that way.
"He didn't look like it." Slatepaw said. "I mean, I heard he wasn't strong enough to take down Hollyclaw when she jumped him."
"Speaking of which, where is she?" Tigerpaw asks.
Slatepaw frowns at the question, and he looks over Crowpaw's head.
"Hey there! I'm Slatepaw and this is-!"
"Crowpaw, we've met."
The jet black tom looks over his shoulder in alarm. Alderpaw is glaring at him with anger and sadness in his eyes. Crowpaw reluctantly turns around.
"Alderpaw."
The dark brown tabby tom looks around. "Where's your mom? Are you allowed to go without holding her paw this time?"
Slatepaw and Tigerpaw look at each other, too baffled by the hostility of the ThunderClan apprentice. Crowpaw tried to hold Alderpaw's gaze, knowing that he's goading him on.
"She knows I can look after myself."
Alderpaw snorts. "I doubt it. She wouldn't want her precious little tom getting a chip in his claw."
Crowpaw rolls his eyes and turns his back on his former nursery denmate. Alderpaw growls and pushes Crowpaw.
"Don't walk away from me, half-Clan!"
Tigerpaw gasps and backs away a little, Slatepaw narrows his blue-yellow eyes at the insult. Crowpaw's anger spikes with the jibe, but flicks his tail.
"If you're not going to talk with any decency then leave."
"Make me." Alderpaw shoves his chest against Crowpaw's shoulder, his breath smells of mice - something he never thought he would be disgusted by.
"Go on, ShadowClan. You wanna be Swiftstrike so bad, go ahead! You'll end up dead like him anyway."
"Greetings."
Crowpaw's claws were unsheathed when Heatherstar appears next to them, and Littlestar stands next to her, eyeing Alderpaw.
"Is there a problem?" Littlestar asks.
Alderpaw is giving Crowpaw a sneer, shaking his head.
"No, not at all."
Crowpaw snorts. "We're fine."
Both ShadowClan and ThunderClan leaders step in and lead the two apprentices away. Tigerpaw apologizes to Slatepaw before following Heatherstar. Alderpaw stares directly at Crowpaw, mouthing the words, "Half-Clan."
With his last nerve snapping, Crowpaw narrows his eyes and hisses irritably.
"Says the half-kittypet."
Alderpaw's eyes widen with outrage, and he breaks away from Littlestar's tail and lunges on Crowpaw's back. The ShadowClan apprentice snarls, falling on his back and crushing the bigger apprentice before he digs his claws on Alderpaw's face, and having Heatherstar pull him off.
"Crowpaw - that was uncalled for!" She hisses.
Several cats who were talking amongst each other had stopped to look at the unruly apprentices.
"And you expect me to let him talk down to me some more?" Crowpaw snaps, forgetting his manners.
"I didn't say anything!" Alderpaw says, looking at Littlestar with feign ignorance. "He's just overreacting."
"Crowpaw." Heatherstar growls. "I'll give you to the count of three to sit with the other apprentices or I'll send you back to camp."
Alderpaw smirks as Crowpaw's fur bristles furiously. "You're taking his word over mine?!"
"One, two…"
Crowpaw snarls and stalks through the crowd. Tigerpaw looks back at a smug looking Alderpaw, glaring at him.
"Some friend you turned out to be." He spat before following Crowpaw's trail.
Littlestar smacks his tail over Alderpaw's head. "Don't think you're in the clear, either."
"All Clans approach the leader's tree, the Gathering is about to begin!"
Some of the young warriors reluctantly depart from new friends and sit with their respective Clans while most sit together. Brackenstar hesitantly steps out on the branch. The brown and white tabby opens his mouth only for someone to yowl from below.
"Where's Hollyclaw?!"
"Is she dead?!"
The last comment is earned with a glare towards Newtpaw. The dark grey tabby tom shrinks under the glare of the senior warriors, even Needlesong rolls her eyes, muttering. "Toad-brain."
The WindClan stops his lip from revealing his teeth.
"Our deputy, Hollyclaw, has gone missing ages ago. If anyone knows where she is, please let us know."
"How do we know she didn't just run away?" Goosetalon asks Bouldertooth.
"Shh!" Silversnow's hiss made Goosetalon flinch like a scolded apprentice. Brackenstar's eye twitches and continues his speech.
"Other then that, WindClan is thriving this Leaf-Fall and nothing more."
Brackenstar shoulders Olivestar without a single glance. Olivestar glares at the WindClan leader before standing on the branch herself.
"RiverClan is proud to announce that one of our warriors, Curlyfur, is in the nursery expecting Stonefoot's kits."
"Curlyfur! Curlyfur!"
In the mix of RiverClan warriors, Stonefoot is puffing his chest out, beaming with pride.
"And with us tonight are three new warriors. Swanheart, Heronflight and Shellclaw!"
"Swanheart! Heronflight! Shellclaw!"
"Beechclaw and Carpstream's kits are apprenticed, known for now as Storkpaw, Wavepaw and Perchpaw. And Heavyclaw's two sons, Elmpaw and Oakpaw, are apprentices now."
During the chant, Heavyclaw notices, from the far left side of ThunderClan, Cherrystem is cheering the loudest for Oakpaw and Elmpaw. Heavyclaw bristles his fur defensively.
"Frecklespots has disappeared during the night of the black moon. We don't know where she is, but her kin misses her greatly and we hope for you to find her and bring her back safely. That is all I have to say."
Otterheart's blue eyes glisten with tears threatening to fall when she hears the report. Tigerpaw glances at his mentor curiously.
Littlestar steps in after Olivestar returns to the tree.
"I'm unhappy to announce that one of our warriors is also missing after the night of the black moon. Gingershine left camp to stretch her legs when she failed to come home…"
"What is going on?" Tanglepelt whispers to Mottleclaw, a WindClan warrior. "Three warriors and a deputy from different Clans all go missing one night?"
"I don't even know." Mottleclaw replies. "Hollyclaw wouldn't abandon us so abruptly."
"Nor Frecklespots." Tanglepelt agrees, turning a glare on Cinderfall.
"Which brings me to my question for Olivestar."
The brown tabby she cat raises her head and remains stoic when Littlestar looks at her.
"On the night Gingershine disappeared, one of my warriors was taking over their guarding post when they caught two intruders escaping our camp, and the intruders had a very distinct scent of RiverClan."
Olivestar's eyes were glowing darkly. "Really? Who is making these accusations?"
Littlestar refuses to give away Rosefoot's name, but the pinkish she-cat yowls boldly from behind a group of RiverClan warriors.
"I did!" Rosefoot's glassy, pale green eyes were nailing down on the RiverClan cats who were foolish enough to hiss at her. Except for one who is fixed in place.
Swanheart's fur is prickling with unease under Rosefoot's glare.
Olivestar chuckles in faux amusement. "I commend you for treating the… special cases in your Clan with equality, but you cannot trust the word of a cat who can't even see her own nose."
Troutface growls as he stalks up to Rosefoot, only for the ThunderClan she-cat to turn in his direction and stare him down.
"I wouldn't even try it. Unless RiverClan is raising fluffbrains."
Troutface swallows and quickly backpedals into Bouncestep. Swanheart uses the brief confusion to run over to the deputy's side of the tree.
Littlestar looks away from the scene as more RiverClan cats move away from Rosefoot, and glares at Olivestar.
"I trust Rosefoot in ways you can imagine, especially her sense of smell. Did any of your warriors invade our camp that night?"
"It's so long ago, I can't remember that far."
The small, black and white tom narrows his eyes and scuffs his tail on the branch, forcing himself to swallow his pride. "ThunderClan is thriving, and that's all I have to report."
Heatherstar is quiet and cautious about the tension among the leaders. She carefully steps on the branch and starts her announcement.
"Unfortunately, we also have a warrior missing in ShadowClan. Weedclaw was guarding the entrance one night when we noticed, the next morning, he was gone. His scent was leaving our territory but we never truly followed where it has gone. What I do know now is that there is someone… or something, who is holding these cats hostage."
"I've thought about it as well." Littlestar agrees. "I don't think that Gingershine would leave ThunderClan on her own, she has a mate and kits, as well as a sister."
"Hollyclaw wouldn't leave… WindClan, either." Brackenstar says.
Olivestar sniffs. "Same goes for Frecklespots, but Heatherstar, you're forgetting that Weedclaw was a rogue. Maybe he missed the freedom?"
Heatherstar rolls her eyes.
"I'll have you know that Patchflower recently gave birth to his kits. As of now his kits are waiting for him to return, which he will considering his dedication to be there for them."
"Besides, it's no secret that Frecklespots hates Cinderfall!" Finchblaze adds in. "Maybe she finally got sick of him and left."
"She wouldn't do that to me!" Swanheart hisses.
"We're getting off topic!" Hawkflight growls. "What's the point of Heatherstar bringing this up?"
The ShadowClan leader falters a bit, but she comes out with a suggestion.
"I want to propose that we should keep our cats in the camp before sunset. If we come across something leading to the disappearance of our warriors, our medicine cats should relay the message to us."
"Why them? How can we trust them?" Newtpaw exclaims without thinking. Needlesong sighs in exasperation.
"Because medicine cats are already neutral in these disputes. Besides, who would stupid enough to attack a medicine cat?"
"From what I've heard, Olivestar, apparently." Shimmerpaw whispers.
Brackenstar nods slowly. "I'm willing to abide with the terms if it keeps us from being victims."
"Me, too." Littlestar chimes in. Olivestar waves her tail.
"I agree."
Satisfied, Heatherstar nods. "Then it's settled. If there's nothing more to discuss, this Gathering is over."
~ Jasper ~
The white glow of the full moon provides light in the vacant lot. Jasper tosses around inside the dog carrier, her stomach is turning with the stress. She tries not to disturb Fennel, who is pressed close to her flank, but she couldn't get past Cloudypatch's question.
"But what if you have no choice? If it ever comes to the point where you have to fight Rascal, what, then?"
The dark orange-red she-cat feels bile rise up her throat, and she bursts out of the carrier and through the fence. Jasper stumbles out into the grass before casting up her food and trembling.
When she feels the emptiness in her belly, Jasper slowly turns around and feels the presence of Fennel.
"Maybe we should lay off the rats." Jasper said, her throat is still sore.
"Maybe we should leave the lot before Liam returns."
"No." Jasper growls, shaking her head. "This is our home, my home. I was here before he showed up, why should I give up my turf?"
Fennel makes Jasper lean on his shoulder as they pad to the fence.
"It sounds like you're preparing for a fight."
"If I do, then I'll do it myself."
"I know you're not blind, Jasper." Fennel scolds her. "When Rascal started attacking us, it didn't become your problem anymore. It became ours."
"You don't know him like I do. The way he grew up… his mother's teachings… I'm not willing to risk it."
"Cloudypatch had a point. If Rascal should decide to fight us, we wouldn't have much of a choice."
Jasper physically relaxes at the smell of Fennel's scent, but she notices something moving in the dark. A bright silver fur coat is standing out in the dark, and a dark brown tom steps in the light.
Fennel follows her gaze and gasp. "Jasper…"
"I know." She said.
The two push through the fence, Jasper hisses to waken her gang. Scrappy whines as he drags himself off the couch to approach Fennel.
"We need to evacuate." Fennel hisses urgently. "Rascal is coming and he has Liam with him."
"What?!" Midnight exclaims.
"Gretchen, Scrappy you two will leave in the back alley. Midnight, you will go with Fennel."
Fennel looks at Jasper as she squeezes out the fence, knowing exactly what she's about to do.
Jasper steps out and is five fox lengths away from Rascal and Liam, and Rascal was eerily delighted to see her. She sees the mix of Rascal and Liam's gangs behind them, and makes a run for it - running down the opposite side of the sidewalk.
Rascal looks to Liam. "Drive them off, we'll deal with her."
Liam nods and takes his cats to the lot, and Rascal charges after the vanishing tail of Jasper.
"Get back here and fight!"
Rascal's yowl sends terror through Jasper's veins. She didn't know where her paws were carrying her, but she can see the shapes of Winnie and Rocco. Jasper takes a risk and jumps on the hood of the car and climbing on the smooth front window, and to her anger, they climb on the hood after her.
One dark gold tom stands out as he leaps, skipping the window, and scoring his claws on her shoulder. Jasper's eyes narrow into slits.
"Lion! How dare you?!"
Lionfur responds by shoving her off the car. Jasper lands on her back and quickly scrambles on her paws and runs, just as she feels sharp claws cut her back leg - and she knows that attack is from Rascal himself.
She runs down the narrow alley of two stone walls guarding the Twoleg nests, and the yowls were bouncing off the walls.
How can these Twolegs sleep through all of this?!
Jasper isn't surprised that she comes to a dead end, but she'd be damned if she gave up and died here.
The dark orange-red she-cat turns her attention to the wooden fence gate, and squeezes herself through the narrow passage. Jasper digs her claws in the grass, feeling her weight keeping her trapped, she hisses and spits.
"Look at her! Stuck there like a fat kittypet!"
"She runs like a scared kittypet, too!"
Jasper's legs were assaulted with claws, and she feels adrenaline spiking and pushes through the gate. Jasper's back legs were bleeding, and she skips along the garden and looks back. Rascal pushes through like a snake, and Winnie and Rocco were following after.
Jasper looks at the darkened Twoleg nest and yowls in a high pitched voice.
Be awake! I swear to God you better be awake!
A bright beam of light answers Jasper's pleas, light casts on Rascal as the door opens to reveal a male Twoleg with a broom.
The silvery white tom growls and turns tail. His two cats follow him out with the Twoleg chases after them. Jasper drops on her side, and she notices a tall shadow in the window, looking out and staring directly at her.
The Twoleg approaches Jasper and kneels down, the dark orange-red she-cat growls a warning and uses her tail to cover her legs. The male Twoleg carefully places his paw under her back, and lifts her into his embrace.
Jasper blinks the brightness away as she enters the nest and looks at the cat in the windowsill. Her heart stops.
A she-cat with a long, beautiful dark red fur and a paler muzzle, is staring at her intensely. The she-cat's copper brown eyes follow her and the Twoleg into the backroom.
Jasper is placed on a blanket, on top of the counter. When the Twoleg exits the room, the she-cat jumps on the counter. She places her dainty paw on the leg wound, making Jasper wince.
"Don't touch it!"
"... Nice to see you, too, Jasper."
Jasper looks at the yellow circle dangling off the she-cat's green collar, and on it spells out a name: Ruby.
Ruby sniffs at the leg, shaking her head.
"Why must you do this to yourself?"
"I'm fine."
Ruby scoffs. "Oh please! You're obviously not fine! These housecats may not care about their kits once they leave the nest, but I'm not them!"
Ruby eyes Jasper's stomach, sighing with disapproval.
"And for God's sake, you're even-! You're in no condition to be picking fights with those beasts as long as you're like this."
Jasper flicks her tail. "I have to look for my group."
"Wherever they are, who cares? They obviously didn't care about you if they left you to die."
"It was my idea to split up the group!" Jasper snaps at her mother. "Rascal was about to attack us."
Ruby's eyes widen at the mention of the tom.
"He's still around? Oh, you poor kitten."
Jasper narrows her eyes. "It's too late for sympathy. It happened, and now I have to find Fennel."
Ruby's ears twitch to the sound of footsteps.
"My Housefolk won't let you leave while you're hurt. Especially once he finds out your… condition. I should know, I've had two litters before I met your father."
"Don't!" Jasper yelps. Ruby blinks at her sympathetically.
"You shouldn't let him haunt you, Jasper. He's dead, he can't harm you. You need to recover and trust that group of yours to look out for themselves."
The dark orange-red she-cat didn't even realize that the Twoleg returned until he wraps her leg in bandages. Jasper looks back at Ruby, who is still pleading with her through copper eyes.
Jasper gives up, and lays her head down, hoping that Fennel and the others are somewhere safe.
A/N: Super sorry for the absence! I've been feeling down lately but I managed to sit myself down and finish this chapter. Just a quick fact, Jasper has a kittypet mother. Ruby is a purebred Somali cat who's Twoleg is a Somali cat breeder. Well... Jasper is only a Somali mix. And with a brief hint of her father, she doesn't have good memories of him.
Thank you for your patience and I hope you have a good evening. ~ Kyubi