Chapter 14
The full moon hung high in the sky as Blackmoon trekked to the clan meeting with her apprentice and mate flanking each side. They made it to the tree crossing at last. She coaxed Snowpaw over with her tail, but she was hesitant. She and Tigerpaw made it over at last without delay.
"Wow it's huge! Can we explore?" Tigerpaw asked in excitement. Blackmoon nodded at the two squirming apprentices and they streaked into the undergrowth.
"I'm going to go find Rosepetal." Foxleap mewed bluntly. Blackmoon felt a pang of sadness sweep her pelt. She and Foxleap were growing apart after the fight they had a few sunrises ago. Snowpaw had asked her and Foxleap if it mattered where a cat came from to be a true warrior. Before Blackmoon could answer Foxleap had said that the most loyal warriors were only clan-born.
"Mouse-brain." She thought out loud, remembering she was born to a kitty pet mother. When her eyes had opened she was given away to the Twolegs who raised her; who had left her all alone. She was the reincarnation of the past warrior Hollyleaf; didn't that make her a warrior? She shook her head trying to forget about Foxleap and their fight and padded away to find Mousewhisker.
She saw him talking to Oakfur and Smokefoot of Shadowclan. As she padded over to the three Oakfur and Smokefoot gave her an approving nod.
"Hey Blackmoon. You know Oakfur and Smokefoot, right?" Blackmoon nodded and dipped her head in respect.
"How's Blackstar?" Blackmoon asked hesitantly. She still wasn't quite sure how to treat Shadowclan warriors.
"He's good actually. If you aren't aware though, normally leaders lose their leader name after retiring. Blackstar is back to Blackfoot." Smokefoot announced.
"That's right. Blackfoot was a good leader, and I hope he lives even longer after his leadership." Mousewhisker mewed. Before Blackmoon could say anything she heard Rowanstar's wail to start the Gathering. She and Mousewhisker padded to Thunderclan's side of the island and she spotted Foxleap among the crowd. She was jealous of how close he and Rosepetal were sitting. Her pelt began to bristle but stopped when she noticed Mousewhisker's gaze fixed on her. There was understanding in his look like he knew why she felt the way she did.
"I'm here for you." he whispered to her. Her pelt burned in embarrassment but she turned to look up at the leaders addressing the clans.
"Ever since Blackstar was found by the Thunderclan warrior Blackmoon, he has now retired and uses his original name; Blackfoot." Yowls of approval swept through the clan and some heads turned around to look at Blackmoon. She shuffled her paws nervously but held her head up high with pride.
"I have taken his place as leader, and wish to serve my clan for many more moons. I also wish to welcome a new member of our clan. As you know, a cat named Croak had taken over Shadowclan when Blackfoot could not be found. I have taken it upon myself to correct his wrong doings and let him join Shadowclan. His name is now Shadowwhisker." Blackmoon heard hisses and snarl's coming from Windclan.
"I don't see why they would take a prisoner into their own clan…" Mousewhisker whispered to Blackmoon; she shrugged as Rowanstar continued.
"Besides that, Shadowclan is prospering. That is all." He said. She saw Bramblestar pad up to address the clans but Onestar interrupted him.
"How dare you take that mangy-filth ridden rogue into your clan! My clan's blood was spilt because of this rogue, and for you to take him in as if he's welcome in the clans is unbelievable." Onestar hissed and unsheathed his claws. Rowanstar's pelt began to bristle.
"Do not question my authority, Onestar. I'll claw your ears off if you think-" Rowanstar's mew was cut off by Kestrelflight's wail ringing loudly above the clans.
"Starclan has covered the moon with clouds. This Gathering is over!" Soon enough the cats began dispersing into their own clans and followed their leaders to the fallen tree. Blackmoon followed Mousewhisker back to the Thunderclan camp; their clan trekking silently in small groups.
"I think I agree with Onestar." Mousewhisker whispered.
"I do too. Rowanstar needs to think this through before starting more rivalries." Blackmoon said.
The sun was beginning to rise as Blackmoon began stirring in her nest with Mousewhisker by her side. Once they came back from the gathering last night she and Mousewhisker decided to turn in before hearing Bramblestar tell the cats who didn't go to the gathering what happened between Onestar and Rowanstar. She padded into the hollow where she saw Leafpool and Squirrelflight chattering quietly. Squirrelflight noticed Blackmoon and coaxed her over.
"Bramblestar told me to set up the sun-high patrol to patrol the Shadowclan border, and to assign it to the first three cats that wake up. Sorry." She mewed, amusement flashed in her eyes.
"It's okay. I haven't been on a patrol in a while." Blackmoon replied.
"In that case, you're in luck. Foxleap and Rosepetal will join you." Squirrelflight said and Blackmoon whipped her head around to see Foxleap and Rosepetal coming out of the warriors den and stifled a sigh.
Before heading out on the patrol, Blackmoon needed to relieve herself. She padded towards the dirtplace and soon bumped into Tigerpaw. He looked very startled to see her and padded away quickly before she could ask him any questions. Curious, she sniffed the air and froze when she recognized the faint smell of blood. Her pelt fluffed up in alarm but she quickly dismissed it when she realized he could have easily gone out to hunt. She couldn't possibly get an apprentice in trouble for sneaking out alone to hunt for his clan. Still, it would stay in the back of her mind just in case.
The sun hung high in the sky as her, Foxleap, and Rosepetal made their way to the Shadowclan border. Blackmoon stayed quiet as Foxleap and Rosepetal padded a few tail lengths ahead of her. She so desperately wanted to make up with Foxleap, but he made it impossible for her as he was always with Rosepetal. Resentment bubbled in her stomach as she watched them pad side by side. Soon enough, they reached the Shadowclan border and Blackmoon scented the air. She went ridged when she recognized the stale scent of blood. She followed the scent, leaving Foxleap and Rosepetal behind to mark the border. The trail was leading to the abandoned Twoleg place and she began seeing a trail of blood on the trampled grass. Blackmoon froze when she reached the back of the Twoleg place. Lying in the grass was the body of a cat. Shadowwhisker!