Chapter 9
NOTE: I'm very sorry for the lateness of this chapter its been finished for about two months but I've been in the process of moving into my first apartment and I've even had to put a hold on my personal writing for my novels. However! chapter 9, 10, and 11 are done! you will continue to get one chapter a month if I can remember to post during this insane time! thank you for you patience as always I would like to hear your review! Thank you 3 enjoy!
The night was heavy with ambition amongst the clan mates of SkyClan who would attend the gathering. Sneakfoot had permanent memory loss, along with issues walking and the tom was completely blind, her father was completely useless. It was pitiful to watch this tom he didn't even remember Hollywhisker had passed...he didn't know he even had kits. Sparklebelly's heart was filled with sadness. Turtletuft and her had spent the past few days explaining the toms current life, what had happened who was his leader and what had happened to him.
Crowstar was once again coming prepared for war with ShadowClan. Taking a kits life and disabling one of his best warriors mate was enough. He had sworn to take all the toms nine lives at the gathering tonight regardless of the truce. ShadowClan was now just seeking blood, he was leading his cats down a dark and dangerous path and if anyone refused his wishes or spoke out against him who knows what he would do? His own litter mates were attacked and exiled from his clan.
Turtletuft wanted just as badly to kill the ShadowClan leader and deputy. Little did her Littermate know the deputy was on their side. Sparklebelly had felt like an elder from the moons of constant battle, stress, blood shed and betrayal, they were catching up with her.
It seemed if the lake was never at peace anymore not since Flystar had passed from green cough. ShadowClan had not been the same. the clans spoke of it often. Flystar was their former leader and mate to Darkraven when Darkstar had only just been deputy. However the tom had lost his mate and his kits due to green cough. Based upon the stories Sparklebelly had been told she gathered that this may be the reason for his insanity, and since Deepfrost and Cloudjump had joined SkyClan she had learned more about the tom.
However he was still just as cruel and didn't deserve nine lives. Deepfrost recalled that he had always been ambitious, however never evil. He was a strong and passionate warrior but never evil. Sparklebelly wondered what made the toms mind snap so easily.
'Was Flystar at his nine lives ceremony? Did she see this coming?'Sparklebelly questioned the ancient cat silently. That a side, Darkstar was who he was now. Murderous and had no remorse for any living being and he had to be dealt with by whatever means necessary.
Sparklebelly fallowed close behind Sharpeye and Crowstar with Turtletuft at her side, Cedarhallow by hers, Daisypaw behind him, Neonclaw close at her rear and Dovefeather fallowing next to him. Deepfrost, And Brightstone clung close to the back.
Cloudjump and Nightwhisper had stayed behind because Dappleflower had finally began kitting and Sparklenelly's claws itched to meet Ashwhisker and Dappleflower's kits. She couldn't wait to see them after the gathering. What would they look like she wondered? She had sworn to be just as involved in those kits lives as if they were her own. Dappleflower promised to let her name one of the kits even if there had only been one, and that one would some day become her apprentice.
"Before we go Any further, this is something all of the clans agree can no longer go on Deepfrost is the rightful deputy, whatever happens here tonight happens and do not regret it too many members of our clan have been targeted and slaughtered. Ashwhisker, Then Hollyleaf and now Lightwing and Jaggedkit. Sneakfoot has been left unable to see or remember half of his life clearly let alone be able to walk. Dark star has struck at the heart of our clan and I'm sure RiverClan's as well, tonight we come prepared yet again to fight SKYCLAN LETS MOVE!" Crowstar yowled all of his Clan mates cheered after him.
Crossing the bridge was easy even with the slippery wet ground and damp wood due to New Leaf. Determination kept the cats steady on their paws. Not half way across the bridge Sparklebelly's nose wrinkled at the smell of ShadowClan cats and what even smelled of crow food. Where the ShadowClan cats that bad off?
When Sparklebelly reached the clearing Darkstar and Shellstar were nowhere to be found in their places for RiverClan Shimmerwish and ShadowClan of course Grimheart. Sparklebelly rolled her eyes. The two leaders were obviously severely wounded. Crowstar took his place in between Jumpstar and Shimmerwish.
Grimheart looked down at Sparklebelly a soft look in his amber gaze. Sparklebelly returned his stare with blank unfeeling eyes.
"The gathering may begin! Who would like to speak first?" Jumpstar spoke loudly amongst the shuffling cats.
Sparklebelly looked toward ShadowClan cats and realized there was cats she had never seen before. Maybe they were apprentices? No these cats were way too big and old to be apprentices. Has ShadowClan invited rogues to the gathering now?! Sparklebelly hissed under her breath.
"I will Jumpstar." Grimheart spoke up. His face determined and bold. It should be Deepfrost up there! Sparklebelly thought spitefully before realizing Grimheart was on their side.
"Darkstar has lost two of his lives unfortunately, and is recovering well despite this, however All is well in ShadowClan we are welcoming many new warriors amongst our ranks." The tom paused shuffling his paws and looking down. "Welcome Vulturesong, Sweetspirit, Flowerblossom, Stagfoot and Whiptail. They come from different places but these cats have proven they're ShadowClan at heart Welcome them amongst our ranks and our noble code." Grimheart meowed.
The only cats that cheered the new warriors names was ShadowClan cats. And from the crowd came an unexpected protest.
"All is well in ShadowClan? How about the recent attacks and lives lost due to Darkstar! How dare you say all is well you have killed our leader! Where is your cowardly leader Grimheart!so he lost some lives? He took our leaders last! Is he hiding behind his weak clan!" A cat from RiverClan stood up and brushed through the cats it was Woodtail.
"not to mention our deputy! Did you think you could destroy RiverClan by its roots? Well we are alive and well Fishheart and Shellstar's kits are still very much alive! Shellstar's kits will go on to be apprentices and destroy you!" Woodtail yowled
Woodtail must have been Fishhearts mate⦠the mother to now Otterfloat, and Cinderflame. Thornkit and Shadekit were mothered by Smokecloud who appeared not to be at this gathering. Sparklebelly assumed due to the grief of losing her mate. So does this make Shimmerwish Shimmerstar?is she the leader now! Sparklebelly desperately wondered what happened to the injured clan.
"Do you deny these accusations Grimheart?" Shimmerwish challenged the deputy.
"Explain why you killed a newly made warrior and a kit Grimheart and tell us why your cowardly leader is hiding behind bushes in his clan. You said yourself he's recovering well!" Crowstar demanded claws unsheathed. Shimmerwish and Crowstar looked like they would attack the oak colored tabby. No! He's on our side!
"I do not deny them however I am not leader Darkstar is, and I am taking his place tonight, this does not mean I agree with his choices however the word of the clan leader is the warrior code I am not directly at claw for the loss of your warriors and young ones." Grimheart spoke boldly with his chest out and his head held high in case he needed to defend himself.
"I do not intend to fight tonight Crowstar and Shimmerwish I am not directly responsible for your losses I would hate for there to be blood shed tonight." Grimheart meowed pointing his tail to his warriors consisting of Honeybee, Leafshade, Blackstorm, Stormfire,, Vulturesong, Flowerblossom, Stagfoot, Sweetspirit,Whiptail and two apprentices. . The cats looked ready to fight their enemy clans
"There will be no blood shed tonight our grievances are with Darkstar not his simple minded warriors." Jumpstar meowed stepping in between the cats. "Not tonight Crowstar, act like a leader. Shimmerwish why are you standing in place of a leader instead of your Medicine cat?" Jumpstar demanded.
Shimmerwish beckoned for her Medicine cat the fluffy pelted green eyed Tom came from the crowd to sit just beneath Shimmerwish.
"I had an omen a few sun rises after Fishheart and Shellstar passed. I saw a Shimmering speckle in a fish near our river I assumed this meant Shimmerwish was meant to succeed Fishheart, however I still was unsure. I had a dream a few days later. Fishheart was there and she confirmed my belief, Shimmerwish will go to the moon pool for her nine lives tomorrow night." Redspots meowed dipping his head.
"Well then Welcome Shimmerwish, I hope you lead your clan for many moons." Silverstar purred bowing her head, Jumpstar, Crowstar and even Grimheart followed.
"I think we should depart until the next gathering when Darkstar is able to speak for himself again." Shimmerwish meowed flicking her tail to round up her warriors
Grimheart hopped down from his place and found his way to the back of the island where Sparklebelly stood in solitude. He brushed his pelt to hers "Deepfrost and I are meeting in two sunrises at moon high with some Allies that wish to follow Deepfrost. You're welcome to come in SkyClan's place." He whispered and nuzzled her ear.
Sparklebelly didn't know how to feel she felt her heart tighten like she was running out of air.
Soon behind the large oak colored toms and the RiverClan leader came Silverstar's cats. The she-cat dipped her head politely to Sparklebelly. Sparklebelly returned the leaders respectful bow of the head. Her cats followed behind Owlscreech stopped while the rest of his clan mates padded on.
"Be careful Sparklebelly." He meowed. She didn't know much about the tom but from her few encounters he was a fine tom and very friendly when you could get past his scratchy claws over territory.
"Thanks Owlscreech, is nice to know I have cats thinking of me in other clans as well."she purred the toms bold forest green eyes sparkled and his dark brown pelt disappeared in the night.
Sparklebelly padded up to join the rest of her clan mates. She was annoyed she was going to yet again get dragged into ShadowClan's business with her nosy medicine cats. She padded close to Deepfrost hissing. The tom sighed but knew the she-cat would do the right thing for her friend.
When the cats arrived back at camp Crowstar pacing outside his den Flintheart trying to comfort him. Her fluffy dark gray pelt groomed and beautiful. She was starting to look just like a warrior again. Sparklebelly knew there would be a clan meeting soon. She cringed.
The tortoiseshell she-cat padded to the elders den surrounded by large bushes to see her father.
"How are you doing Sneakfoot?" She purred as the tom looked up from his place expecting to see his kit.
"Sparklebelly, how was the gathering? Not that I would know anything that's going on recently." He purred jokingly pain twisted at his face as he spoke. He was recovering well, however Sparklebelly couldn't imagine the pain he was in from his skull to his eyes and his limp. However she was attacked and almost mauled to death by Grimheart so pain she most definelty understood.
"It was intense Shellstar has died Remember Shimmerpaw? Her name is Shimmerwish now and she's taken his place. Darkstar killed Shellstar, may StarClan light the wise toms paths." Sparklebelly meowed sadly dipping her head.
"Though I miss Hollywhisker dearly, and unfortunately I do not have the gift of remembering you and your sister as kits and apprentices, however you're both everything I could of possibly dreamed. Noble, strong, loyal and fierce just as your mother. However I have you two now to keep me company. Plus elders get fed first! So it seems you'll be waiting on me now" Sneakfoot purred to his daughter. Sparklebelly decided she wanted to lay beside her father tonight, just as he had started to when Hollywhisker joined StarClan. Just when her father was becoming even prouder of both of his kits this time he has his whole life snatched from him like and eagle swiping up a tiny kit.
Sparklebelly explained the rest of the gathering to the black and white tom. The whole time even with a blind stare, she could see the interest in the toms face. They talked for a while and the tom got tired after Brightwhisker coming to check on the tom, change his bandage and treat his wounds. He gave the tom a poppy seed and soon he was curled around his daughter soundly and comfortably asleep. She looked to the stars, wondering if Hollywhisker and Ashwhisker could see them now.
Sparklebelly had to wait till morning to see Dappleflower, Nightwhisper had told her that she had three she-kits and a tom. To Sparklebelly they were already perfect. Soon she let herself slip away into a slumber.
Dawn arrived and Sparklebelly was one of the first cats to be up and full of life, she rushed over to the nursery to greet the new kits, excitement filled her belly that she could hardly contain.
When she arrived at the nursery Dappleflower was sleeping with her four beautiful kits. Time froze for a minute in front of Sparklebelly. The kits were the most beautiful things she had ever seen. In this moment she realized Ashwhisker was not gone he was right her inside his kits.
Sparklebelly was drawn to a specific she-kit, she looked identical to her father. Sparklebelly took her place next to the sleeping kit and her mothers belly. A rush of fury like a tiger to protect these kits flooded through Sparklebelly. She felt as if she would attack as ferocious as a tiger if any cat came near the kits with even a little intention to hurt them.
Dappleflower had promised to wait to name the kits until Sparklebelly was with her and she already knew one name for the kits 'Ashkit' for the little gray spotted she-cat who was the spitting image of her former mentor.
"Sparklebelly?" Dappleflower meowed looking up from her slumber. "What are-"
"They're beautiful Dappleflower." Sparklebelly interrupted the queen and wouldn't take her eye off the kits. "You were going to think they were beautiful if they all had six legs instead of four" she purred. Sparklebelly blushed. "So I figured you could name two of the she-kits and I could name the tom and the final she-kit, sound fair?" Dappleflower purred. Sparklebelly nodded. She tried to speak but was quickly interrupted by the queen. "Let me guess? Ashkit?" she purred pointing her tail to the she-kit who looked like her father. "You read my mind." Sparklebelly purred.
Dappleflower touched her nose to the tom, he was a thick furred black tom with spiky fur, a gray tail ad paws. "He will be Sunkit" Dappleflower purred licking toms head. She looked up for Sparklebelly to choose between the remaining she-kits, a light blueish gray she-kit with darker thick tabby stripes or the light gray she-kit with black and darker patches of fur and thin tabby stripes.
"The light gray she-cat with patchy fur and stripes will be Robinkit" She purred. "Wonderful, And the light gray blue she-kit will be Icekit." She meowed smiling "So Ashkit, Robinkit, Icekit, and Sunpaw. Wonderful names for wonderful kits." Dappleflower purred. Curling her kits close. "I can't wait till they open their eyes." Sparklebelly meowed almost bouncing up. "I'm sure you cant. Sparklebelly I'm glad these kits are going to have you in their life. Everything Ashwhisker taught you can still be passed on. I cannot express my gratitude for your interest in these kits. Thank you." The queen purred dipping her head. Sparklebelly and the she-cat sat talking about the kits for what seemed like hours. Now everything vanished away, the recent attacks to SkyClan, and everything that seemed to do with ShadowClan. All that mattered now was Robinkit, Ashkit, Icekit, and Sunkit, and nothing more.
