Chapter 21: Gathering Under the Falls
Two sun rises soon passed with nothing but training, late nights, early mornings and a Warriors ceremony. Oddpaw, Sweetpaw and Cricketpaw were now in the Apprentices den alone. Dawnpaw and Ripplepaw had become Dawnblaze and Ripplepool. Although Oddpaw can't really complain because she hardly ever saw Dawnblaze in the Apprentices den but she will miss the friendly chats with Ripplepool. And the gathering was tonight.
In fact, it was not too far away. The sun was setting and the cats of MoonClan were starting to gather in the clearing. Oddpaw, Sweetpaw, Cricketpaw, Fernfire, Laurelstep, Robinflight, Larkwing, Rockfall, Flutter, Sandkit, Daisykit and Twistkit were staying behind. Well not if Sweetpaw had anything to do with it.
"I want to go!" Sandkit wined, he and his siblings were sitting at the entrance to the nursery with Flutter who was watching them for the night. "I agree with Meanykit for once," Daisykit agreed, "if we do leave after tonight then we'll never go to a gathering."
Oddpaw overheard the kits conversation, she didn't know whether Mistcloud was still planning to leave the Clan after the gathering. She hoped the she-cat would change her mind. It could be dangerous for Twistkit out there with his twisted and useless front paw. Plus, she's gotten rather attached to the kits.
This was Mistcloud's first time leaving them alone. And if she went through with leaving it would probably be the last. Speaking of the ex-Representative, Oddpaw saw her near the Ancient Tower talking to Ravenstar. The dark leader was smiling sadly and Mistcloud spoke to her. The two nuzzled each other before joining the other cats. Oddpaw guessed Mistcloud hadn't changed her mind after all.
Ravenstar turned her golden eyes to the darkening sky. "Is everyone here?" Revenstar called into the crowed, when she was sure that everyone was present she headed to the exit of the camp, "then we'll head out, follow me." The cats all followed Ravenstar, some scoffing as the reluctantly followed. They hardly ever left the camp so they couldn't exactly make their own way to MoonFalls.
Oddpaw watched them go as the camp fell into silence and the remaining. "It's not fair!" Sandkit moaned, Flutter smiled down at the kit and laughed at his anger. Cricketpaw approached the kit, "you think it's unfair?" He asked with annoyance, "I should be going but as a punishment thanks to a couple of mouse brains I can't go."
Cricketpaw scowled at Sweetpaw and Oddpaw. "Oh shut up loud mouth!" Sweetpaw answered, "we didn't force you to go, you forced us to take you with us." Cricketpaw scoffed and turned away in a scorn. Sweetpaw giggled to herself and Oddpaw couldn't help but think that the sibling's arguments weren't exactly arguments anymore. More like harmless teasing. It made her feel better that their relationship was getting better.
The group of cats soon slip apart to do their own thing. Sweetpaw smirked at Oddpaw with mischief and Oddpaw knew that Sweetpaw hadn't given up on her plans either. "Hey Flutter," Sweetpaw addressed the she-cat sitting next to her. Oddpaw honestly didn't know what the ginger and white she-cat was up to. "Yes Sweetpaw?" Flutter asked, looking at the Apprentice.
"While the rest of the Clans out do you mind me and Oddpaw go hunting?" She asked.
"Well..." Flutter answered suspiciously, "I... Suppose, but it's not like you to want to do extra work Sweetpaw."
"Hey!" Sweetpaw hissed playfully, "I'm very hard working."
"Sleep doesn't count," Flutter smirked.
"Very funny you old bat," Sweetpaw grunted, "so we can go?"
"I suppose," Flutter answered, "just please stay out of trouble. And don't be seen."
"Why are you looking at me when you stay that?" Sweetpaw asked.
"You know why Sweetpaw," Flutter narrowed her eyes and Sweetpaw gigged innocently. Flutter turned her now softening eyes to Oddpaw. "Don't listen to what this barbarian tells you Oddpaw, she's a bad influence." Oddpaw giggled and Sweetpaw gasped in fake offence.
They said their fair wells to Flutter before leaving quietly so they wouldn't be seen. Oddpaw felt bad about lying to Flutter. Not only was she getting into trouble but she was listening to that 'barbarian' Sweetpaw.
They snuck around the back of the Nursery. Sweetpaw carried on through the bushes and Oddpaw was about to follow her yet she suddenly felt like a light was shining in her back. A bit like moonlight through the gaps of the trees. She turned around to see none other than Radiantkit staring at her curiously with a tilted head.
Oddpaw tried to not look suspicious yet her wide eyes gave her away. Radiantkit could easily tell someone right now. It was clear that they were sneaking out. She was about to shout for Sweetpaw to come back when Radiantkit smiled at her and the hushed sound of soft giggling sounded from the beautiful kit.
Oddpaw watched her amused sister in confusion. This was the first time she'd seen Radiantkit look anything other than shy, curious or confused. She looked quite mischievous and excited. When she finished giggling Oddpaw wondered if she was going to tell now. Yet Radiantkit just smiled and nodded at her like she knew what Oddpaw and Sweetpaw were planning. She then ran off into the clearing without saying a thing to anyone. Oddpaw felt a little taken back and confused. Yet she carried on after Sweetpaw.
Oddpaw found Sweetpaw in the forest scenting the air. "They went this way," Sweetpaw said, gesturing to the direction, "what took you so long?" Sweetpaw asked turning to Oddpaw. For some reason Oddpaw felt like keeping confrontation with her sister to herself. She didn't know why. "Just making sure nobody followed us," she answered.
"Cool," Sweetpaw smirked, "let's catch up to them." The ginger and white Apprentice took off into the forest. The tress where tinged dark blue and orange from the sun that had just disappeared over the horizon. They were headed towards White Mountain. Where CloudClan lived. Oddpaw followed her friend as they sped through the forest.
With all the trees in MoonClan and the roots on the ground covered in undergrowth. It was hard to run around MoonClan territory. The tress were close together and the roots stuck up and the undergrowth made it hard to see roots and tree trunks. Oddpaw still found it hard to run at full speed around the territory.
Yet the scent of the Clan was getting closer. They would have to slow down unless they wanted to completely catch up and blow their cover. Suddenly while scenting for the Clan another scent caught Oddpaw's nose. "Wait Sweetpaw," she called, they both skidded to a stop. Sweetpaw scented to air instantly and her eyes widened. She turned to Oddpaw in a panic, "I thought no one was following us?"
"But then what's that smell?" Oddpaw asked. They both smelt a scent of another MoonClan cat approaching quickly from behind them. Maybe it was Flutter? Maybe she knew what her and Sweetpaw has been planning from the start?! Maybe Radiantkit had told someone? But whoever it was they were going to find them soon if they either didn't move or hide.
"Hide!" Sweetpaw panicked as she jumped into the undergrowth. Oddpaw jumped into the bracken on the other side. They both waited in silence for the cat to pass them by. Oddpaw soon heard rustling getting closer and closer. Suddenly, out of the undergrowth a white and grey form barged out of the leaves.
Cricketpaw?! What was he doing out here?
Cricketpaw looked all around, his breath rapid and his yellow eyes wide. "Where are they?!" He panted in a strangely panicked voice. He began to run away yet Sweetpaw jumped out from her hiding place and she didn't look happy. "Hey!" She called to her brother, "what are you doing here mouse-brain?! Are you following us?!"
Cricketpaw seemed taken back for a second. Yet his face soon turned to a scowl, "what am I doing here?!" He snapped, "what are you doing here?!" Sweetpaw hissed back at him clearly not happy with his sudden appearance. "That's none of your business! Why are you following us?!"
"I'm not following you!" Cricketpaw answered.
"Don't give me that fox dung!" Sweetpaw growled, "you we're looking for us I heard what you said!"
"For your information I was talking about the Clan!" Cricketpaw replied, "I know it might be hard for you to hear but not everything revolves around you and the yellow Imperfect. I don't care about either of you. I'm actually looking for the Clan."
"Fox dung!" Sweetpaw hissed, "you know where the Clan. Their at the gathering. The one none of us are allowed to go to!"
Cricketpaw scoffed, "we'll I don't know what you're doing at here," he answered, "but I was planning to follow the Clan to the gathering. Seen as you and the Imperfect are the reason I can't go. Speaking of the Imperfect, you can come out now! I know your here!" Oddpaw snuck out from her hiding place just behind Cricketpaw.
Cricketpaw looked at her for a second before addressing both she-cats. "I don't know what you two are doing here but I was following the Clan," he repeated. Sweetpaw huffed in disbelief and stared at her brother with narrowed and suspicious amber eyes. "Yeah sure you are," she giggled slightly, "we we're following the Clan. You were following us."
"Don't get the wrong idea!" Cricketpaw snapped, "I don't care about either of you! I didn't even know you were here!"
"Sure, sure," Sweetpaw answered sarcastically, "I totally believe you."
"I hate you," Cricketpaw scoffed.
"Sure you do," Sweetpaw giggled.
"Did Radiantkit tell you were we were going?" Oddpaw asked, hoping that her sister didn't really tell anyone. Cricketpaw looked at her in confusion, "who said anything about Radiantkit?" He asked, "I haven't talked to her since this morning. And didn't Shimmerheart forbid you from talking to her?" Oddpaw just stared awkwardly at the ground. Yet she was happy Radiantkit didn't tell on them.
"What are we going to do?" Asked Oddpaw, not knowing where this left their plan and wanting to change the subject. Sweetpaw just passed her brother and looked in the direction the scent of the Clan was coming from. "We're going to the gathering," she answered, "with or without Cricketpaw." The tom sneered at his sister yet he didn't say anything.
Cricketpaw huffed, "well I want to go," he sneered, "so deal with it." Sweetpaw smirked at Cricketpaw with her amber eyes filled with mischief and amendment. "Well you better keep up then," she giggles as she ran off in the direction of the Clan. Cricketpaw hissed under his breath yet followed her anyway. Oddpaw stared after them for a moment. She wondered why Cricketpaw was so adamant of not letting them know he was following them out of worry.
The trio followed the scent of the Clan. Through the trees and grass. White Mountain soon became more visible, it's white snow shinning like melted silver. Sweetpaw's and Cricketpaw's pelts began to glow as the full moon shone down on them. They came to a lush valley at the foot of White Mountain. In the short distance Oddpaw could see a light radiating from the other side of the valley. The shinning pelts of MoonClan. They followed the trail and the trio soon had to keep themselves out of sight. And with Sweetpaw's and Cricketpaw's bright pelts it wasn't easy.
They could hear the chattering of cats and the scents of the four Clans were very strong. At the foot of the mountain there was a large opening in the rocks, a stream waved out of the opening. The same stream that marked the boarder of MoonClan and SunClan. Oddpaw and Sweetpaw snuck in, Cricketpaw just behind. They kept close to the walls and dived behind some rocks.
Only when Oddpaw was sure they had not been spotted did she dare to look out from behind the rocks. And what she saw simply took her breath away. In the middle of the cavern, there was a beautiful waterfall. It's waters fell from a hole in the ceiling that looked like it went on forever. The pure mountain water fell with a swaying grace into the large pool below. The strange sound of water softly falling into the pool echoed in the cave. MoonClan and SunClan were dancing around the foot of the clear watered pool.
Four large groups of cats were gathered around the waterfall. In the dark cavern the pelts of the MoonClan cats didn't shine as the moon's light couldn't make its way through the rocks. So it took a few faces of cats she knew to make Oddpaw recognise the Clan. MoonClan and SunClan were dancing in bliss, it was MoonClans and SunClans job to provide entertainment with their dances. Some were dancing with fast and sharp movements and some were dancing with graceful and fluid actions. Oddpaw saw Dawnblaze and Ripplepool leading groups of other cats in their dances. As they were new Warriors it was a tradition for them to lead a dance at their first gathering as Warriors. Sitting further away from the two protected Clan's was CloudClan and CaveClan. They mostly kept to themselves watching the two other Clans dancing as the two Clans were never on the best of terms and they didn't dare enter MoonClan or SunClan's domain.
A small island of rocks was just in front of the waterfall in the pool. With stepping stones to the tiny island. The four leaders sat on that island. Ravenstar and Hawkstar sat on the very top rock and the other two leaders were sitting below them and all the deputies were scattered around on different rocks.
Oddpaw saw the two protector leaders for the first time. Redstar the leader of CaveClan and Oakstar the leader of CloudClan. Oakstar wasn't the usual colour for a CloudClan cat, he was reddish brown but turning grey with age. He also had the large paws and muscular legs of a CloudClan cat. He didn't look at all well, he was thin and old looking with tired eyes that held a depressing look. Redstar also had the same aged look, he had dark brown fur with patches of orange and red with a red tail tip, his fur was in clumps and was very ragged and messy. The fur around his face was going grey yet instead of a dead and tired look like Oakstar he looked fierce. Yet not like a strong fierceness. He held an aura of a cornered animal, scary, snappy with crazed eyes. One of his eyes were shut with a scar over it. The wound was gaping, like it had once been very badly infected.
Hawkstar and Ravenstar were the opposite to the other leaders. Hawkstar looked as Royal as the last time Oddpaw saw him. His eyes scanning over the Clans like he owned them all. And Ravenstar was standing tall with an emotionless look in her eyes. "So," a voice pulled Oddpaw out of her observing thoughts, "this is the MoonFalls, it's kinda nice."
Sweetpaw smiled with glee as she scanned over the cave. "Shut up mouse brain," Cricketpaw hissed, "someone might find us." Sweetpaw huffed and Oddpaw spaced out before she could hear any more of the argument, hoping they would keep their voices down she stared of into the crowed again. She saw that on the island, Blazewing stud below Ravenstar observing the Clans with his narrowed and serious eyes. The scary looking Hookclaw was not to far away from him, the large crooked clawed and jawed tom was glaring with a terrifying look at a very light cream coloured tom. Oddpaw guessed that was Palepelt the Deputy of CaveClan. The smaller yet more agile looking tom was holding a steady and serious gaze with the huge terrifying Deputy of CloudClan. Oddpaw didn't know how he was doing it, she saw getting scared just by watching him. Poolcreek, the SunClan Deputy was sitting below her own leader, her face steady and unreadable.
Seeing the SunClan she-cat made Oddpaw think of Bluebellpaw, Copperpaw and Sessilepaw. And how they were doing. She scanned the SunClan crowed but couldn't find the three Apprentices amongst the SunClan cats. But she didn't expect them to be. SunClan was trying to hide them after all. Oddpaw continued to scan the crowed.
A rustling sounded from not too far away. Oddpaw ignored it and continued to look through the crowed. Her eyes settling again on Redstar, the crazed leader who didn't like MoonClan or SunClan. The mad look on his scared face made her all the more determined not to get caught. The rustling appeared again yet it must just be Cricketpaw or Sweetpaw moving next to her. Oddpaw's mismatched eyes settled on Ravenstar and Hawkstar wondering how they feel being so close to a cat who wants their way of life gone. Or if Hawkstar even knew about Redstar's intentions.
The rustling started again yet Oddpaw turned away from it and looked at Blazewing. She wondered how he felt right now, he stud so proudly. But how must he feel standing before the Clans as an ex Rouge and now a Clan Deputy. Oddpaw could see Sweetpaw and Cricketpaw out the corner of her eye looking beyond Oddpaw with wide eyes.
... Wait...
If Sweetpaw and Cricketpaw were both on one side of her, then who was making that rustling sound on the other side?
Oddpaw turned her head around rather slowly to see five cats staring back at her...
... Oh fox dung...
Oddpaw's face turned to panic, as did everyone else's. Both groups of cats gave small squeaks of alarm. Both of them being caught. After a few awkward seconds of staring in shock and panic Sweetpaw and one of the other cat in the other party squealed silently, "who are you?!" They both asked in panic and aggression.
"That's none of your business," The cat from the other party hissed as he took up a fighting stance. "Well why we're here is none of your business either," Sweetpaw growled, "go away!" The other cat sneered at Sweetpaw holding his ground, by his actions Oddpaw could tell he was a Protector. "No way," he spat, "we were here first, you go away!"
Sweetpaw hissed and took up her own fighting stance. Another cat from the other group stepped forward, "listen," she said, "we don't want any trouble. But we might all want to keep our voices down unless we all want to get caught." Cricketpaw huffed in his usual unimpressed and unintimidated way. "What makes you think you know what we're here to do?" He asked.
"Well your sneaking around," she answered, she scanned Oddpaw, Sweetpaw and Cricketpaw over, "hey don't I know you?" She asked Sweetpaw. Before they could reply the she-cats eyes widened. "You're the MoonClan Apprentice I met not too long ago at the boarder!" Oddpaw recognised the she-cat then, it was that cat she saw Sweetpaw meet on their first time out of camp. The CloudClan Apprentice, Fallenpaw was it? Hookclaw's Apprentice.
The other cats in the group paled, "MoonClan?!" The tom challenging Sweetpaw just before asked, sounding quiet taken back and worried. Once the she-cat nodded he turned back to Sweetpaw. "I'm very sorry My Moon," he bowed his head and the others followed him, "I was stupid please forgive me."
Sweetpaw seemed rather taken back, "n-no it's fine," she reassured, "just call me Sweetpaw, this is Oddpaw and Cricketpaw. Did you sneak to the gathering as well?" Cricketpaw muttered something under his breath about wanting to be called 'My Moon' and something about 'disrespectful Imperfects.'
Knowing that these cats wouldn't tell on them now they knew they were MoonClan cats. And knowing they wouldn't ask her why she didn't look like a MoonClan cat even though it was clear that they were looking at her with confusion in their eyes. Oddpaw looked the group of five cats over.
There were four she-cats and one tom. The tom had a white a dark greyish blue dappled pelt with dark blue eyes. The she-cat the Sweetpaw had met before, Fallenpaw looked the same as she did the last time Oddpaw saw her. The same light grey with darker grey underbelly and freckles of fur with leaf green eyes. Exactly the same only she had grown taller since the last time.
There was a she-cat with a white and light brown tortoiseshell pelt with hazel eyes. A white and light grey parched she-cat with darker grey stripes on her face and light blue eyes. And a light and dark brown tabby she-cat with the same light blue eyes as the light grey patched she-cat.
The white and light grey patched she-cat bounced forward with excited eyes. "Hey," she greeted happily, "I'm Whitepaw and this is my sister Mintpaw." She gestured to the tabby she-cat behind her. Oddpaw noted that the two siblings didn't really look alike yet their eyes were completely identical in colour.
"I'm Spottedpaw," the tortoiseshell she-cat added, "and this is my sister Fallenpaw, but it sounds like you already know her. And this is our friend Swiftpaw. And no we didn't sneak here but we're sneaking around like this because we're not supposed to be all together like this right now see? Fallenpaw, Swiftpaw and myself are from CloudClan and Whitepaw and Mintpaw are CaveClan. Big shocker but our Clans really don't like each other at the moment. So we've basically been forbidden from talking to CaveClan cats, which is, you know? Completely insane. We all met on our first Gathering and aren't going to be split apart just because the old buzzards in our Clans don't like each other. So yeah, we formed a resistance!" The talkative tortoiseshell, Sopttedpaw giggled at the end of her explanation.
"Well it's not really a resistance," the she-cat named Mintpaw said in a deep voice, "we are hardly doing this for the greater good." Fallenpaw made her way to her sister, Spottedpaw's side shaking her head like she was fed up. "Sopttedpaw your being too friendly again," she stated.
"You can join our club to!" Whitepaw cheered only to get hushed by the other members of her group. Oddpaw, Sweetpaw and Cricketpaw all looked at each other in wonder. While Sweetpaw and Cricketpaw chatted with the other Apprentices something caught Oddpaw's eye. A cat making her way around the edge of gathering cats.
It was Brightpelt. Bluebellpaw, Copperpaw and Sessilepaw's mother, regardless of what she said to Sweetpaw, Blazewing and Thistlefang, Oddpaw knew what she heard when she helped the three Apprentices back to their home in SunClan. Brightpelt was wondering around the side lines of the gathering not just sticking to SunClan and MoonClan. Her blue eyes didn't look panicked like the last time Oddpaw saw her. They looked distressed and unattached from everything that was going on around her. Her legs and body wobbled as she walked, she looked almost like she was in a deep trance. It frightened Oddpaw somewhat yet the she-cat was probably just unwell.
Yet she needed to know why SunClan was so desperate to hide the three deformed Apprentices. She knew that they didn't take pride in the three because their looks yet they should know by now that to many cats knew about them to hide anymore.
Oddpaw for once decided to use her MoonClan influence to her advantage. "Em... Excuse me," Oddpaw whispered loudly enough so only the two closest Apprentices could hear her, "can one of you possibly ask a member of SunClan if they know three Apprentices named Bluebellpaw, Copperpaw and Sessilepaw please? Maybe that one there." The two closest Apprentices, Mintpaw and Whitepaw turned their attention to the direction Oddpaw was gesturing, to Brightpelt.
Whitepaw instantly turned her eyes back to Oddpaw. "Oh you mean Brightpelt?" She asked, "I know her, I've met her kits." Oddpaw's ears instantly pricked up at the mention of Brightpelt's kits. Maybe Whitepaw had met Bluebellpaw, Copperpaw and Sessilepaw?
"What are her kits names?" Oddpaw asked.
"She has two sons our age," Whitepaw answered, "Bramblepaw and Brackenpaw."
Oddpaw felt instantly disheartened. "So you haven't heard of Bluebellpaw, Copperpaw or Sessilepaw?" She asked.
"I don't think so," Whitepaw replied, "but I can ask her if you want."
"Yes please," Oddpaw answered.
Whitepaw smiled and was about to bolt out of the hiding place right towards the distressed SunClan she-cat. Yet Mintpaw stopped her sister. "Wait a minute Whitepaw," Mintpaw ordered, pulling the other she-cat back by the tail, "look at her, Brightpelt seems really strange right now. Why don't you just ask someone else?" Whitepaw looked back at her sister with a confused look.
"But I can't disobey a command from a MoonClan cat," Whitepaw answered sounding upset. Yet before anyone could console her face lit up. "Oh I know," she cheered, almost too loudly, "I'll ask Bramblepaw and Brackenpaw they should know anyone their mother knows."
With that, Whitepaw shook Mintpaw off her tail and ran into the clearing, close to the waterfall. And towards SunClan. Mintpaw sighed as she watched her sister run off to the SunClan cats. Oddpaw watched as the White and light grey she-cat approached a dark brown tabby tom and a bracken coloured tabby tom. Those must be Bramblepaw and Brackenpaw, Brightpelt's kits and the apparent brothers of Bluebellpaw, Copperpaw and Sessilepaw.
They were sitting on their own, away from the rest of the Clan. They look somewhat awkward and out of place. Their faces looked like they had just stolen a piece of fresh kill. Whitepaw approached them bouncing along looking blissfully unaware of their awkwardness. The toms eyed the CaveClan Apprentice as she skipped over.
Oddpaw saw the three talk for a few seconds before Bramblepaw and Brackenpaw's faces paled and their eyes grew wide. They shared a panicked and scared look before they began to back away from Whitepaw who looked a little confused at the brothers strange behaviour. Oddpaw found herself reacting the same as the brothers yet she didn't know why.
Suddenly a call from the island in the middle of the pool of water made all the cats stop their chatting. All the cats returned to their rightful Clans, Oddpaw, Sweetpaw and Cricketpaw were left alone in their hiding place. Hawkstar, Ravenstar, Oakstar and Redstar stood on the island.
"Let the gathering begin," Hawkstar called over the crowed, "I shall start. SunClan has been thriving as always. We have plenty of food and medicine to keep us warm and healthy during the upcoming leaf-bare. We have two new SunClan Warriors, Briarberry and Poppypetal who are both in the early stages of expecting kits. And Shineheart has kitted a beautiful she-kit named Mistletoekit. So with more mouths to feed we request that more prey be given to us starting from sunrise tomorrow by the Protectors. That is all, Ravenstar you may take over."
Ravenstar looked over the crowed and for a second Oddpaw was scared that she might see her but thankfully her leaders piercing eyes didn't rest on her. "MoonClan is as well as it's ever been," Ravenstar announced, "we have two new Apprentices, Sweetpaw and Cricketpaw and our permanent Queen Flutter is expecting another litter of kits. Like SunClan, we also have two new Warriors, Dawnblaze and Ripplepool. Our lives in MoonClan are peaceful and no more is needed for us. Redstar?"
The ragged and crazed looking leader of CaveClan snapped his head towards Ravenstar. His one open eye in a squint either he was angry or he couldn't see very well. After staring at the dark MoonClan leader for a few silent seconds he slowly turned his head towards the crowed. His neck shaking as if part of him wanted to keep staring at Ravenstar. His dark brownish red eyes looked over the Clans. Oddpaw found herself shying back, he looked honestly scary.
Redstar opened his mouth to speak, showing a row of decaying, missing and yellow teeth. "CaveClan is faring well," his raspy voice announced, Oddpaw was surprised at his announcement, she thought he was going to spit all sorts of insults and terrible news. "Yes we have been fairing very well indeed," he confined, "some might even say excellent, we have only suffered the deaths of Pinepelt's two moon old kits due to malnourishment and we've lost one of our Caver's Frogleap to a cave-in while he was searching for more food. So yes we are fine and dandy, just great, absolutely wonderful, completely perfect in every way."
Oddpaw could practically see the sarcasm in his words. She also saw how all of CaveClan shuffled uncomfortably and lowered their heads in sadness at their leaders sarcastic words clearly aimed at the two Protected leaders standing higher on the island with him. "Oakstar?" Redstar turned to the other leader before anyone could pick him up on his sarcasm, "would you like to say something or should we all assume your Clan is fairing as well as the rest of us?"
Oakstar narrowed his tired looking dark blue eyes. Yet there was no real hostility behind his stare, only sadness. "CloudClan is in mourning," Oakstar spoke, his voice barley hearable for the cats sitting at the back. "We have lost one of our Warriors, a young yet very talented young tom a fresh new Warrior. We lost Hawkstorm this moon yet we have also lost the eldest cat in the Clan. Burrcloud, an Elder who has been serving CloudClan and the Protector Clans for sixteen seasons has passed away. We have also lost another Warrior and beloved mother of two of our Apprentices. Steplight has died of illness we mourn for our lost loved ones yet we know they are happy with StarClan now."
Oddpaw watched with large eyes, that was counted as the oldest?
There was cats in MoonClan older than that. All those deaths and Ravenstar and Hawkstar don't even seem surprised was this the norm? Oddpaw watched as Oakstar looked up to Hawkstar with a pleading look in his tired eyes. "We beg of you My Sun," Oakstar pleaded, "we are not yet strong enough to bring more prey. We have kits and young Apprentices. Flowermist is also expecting kits and with storm season approaching our Mountain is in great danger this time of year. We simply..."
The reddish brown leader bows his head as if he'd lost the strength to carry on with his plea. The Deputy Hookclaw looked over his leader with narrowed yet concerned eyes. It was clear that Oakstar couldn't continue so Hookclaw took over. "We simply cannot hunt more in this season. Snow storms are soon going to sweep over the mountain. And we will barley be able to keep ourselves alive let alone two other Clans. So we must refuse your proposal Hawkstar, we can't get you more food."
The air instantly turned awkward. "If your ancestors could do it then so can you," Hawkstar answered, "I am not the one who made it that way, we require more prey and as Protectors you will obey my command. Or do you want to disobey StarClan's law?" Hookclaw sneered at the ground, his huge deformed claws flexing and his body stiffening as if he was trying to control his temper. "Then," Hookclaw hissed with gritted teeth, "we'll die."
"Don't be dramatic," Hawkstar hissed, "honestly Oakstar do you have no control over your Deputy?"
"My leader can't speak for himself right now," Hookclaw replied, "so you'll speak to me."
"Remember who your talking to you Protector!" Hawkstar growled, losing his temper slightly, "remember, that I can turn your own Clan against you in an instant and in one command. I'll have you dishonoured and banished so quickly it's not even funny."
Hookclaw was practically shaking with rage, his head bowed and his eyes wide with the stress of trying to control his temper. How Hawkstar didn't look a bit scared was beyond Oddpaw, all the cats around the edge of the pool all backed away, even the other Deputies seemed uneasy. Yet Hawkstar didn't look a bit fazed, Ravenstar watched the confrontation with a neutral expression and Oakstar still looked down at his paws. It was Redstar that broke the silence.
"You disobeying the Protectors Oakstar?" Redstar asked with a sly grin, "that's very out of character isn't it? What would your ancestors think? Oh what would all those fallen Warriors of yours think? Surly you don't think that CaveClan will hunt all the prey for the Protected Clans? You're a fool! If you can't deal with a few dead Warriors then what use are you and your Clan? Your all growing soft, I remember a time when CloudClan could fight through a bit of snow. Weaklings... Your all weaklings!"
"Shut up!" Came a high pitched and shaky voice from the crowed. Oddpaw gasped lightly as Fallenpaw hopped on to the island. Everyone's faces turned to shock as the Apprentice stated up at Redstar with fierce green eyes. "You know nothing!" She screeched, "nothing of suffering! How dare you talk about Steplight and the other dead CloudClan cats like that! Steplight was my mother! You-you insensitive mange-pelt!" Redstar seemed as shocked as everyone else at first.
That was until his eyes shifted to that of pure madness, a crazed grin spread over his face as he jumped down from his rock and right in front of Fallenpaw. And as fast as lighting, so fast that Oddpaw couldn't see it, Redstar's paw struck her across the face. Fallenpaw didn't even have time to squeak in pain or surprise before she flew into the air and fell into the water. The cats at the edge of the pool worked to get her out, while Redstar roared and ran towards the place where Fallenpaw disappeared. No doubt trying to hurt her more. A dark white tom, the Deputy of CaveClan, Palepelt ran forward to hold back his leader. "Redstar calm down," he ordered holding the crazy leader back.
Not taking his Apprentice being attacked so well, Hookclaw finally snapped and ran at Redstar, hissing and spitting on aggression. Blazewing quickly ran into Hookclaw's path and the two collided. Despite Blazewing's large body Hookclaw was even larger. Yet Blazewing was holding his ground, pushing the larger tom back.
Fallenpaw was pulled out of the deep pool, her body still and blood trickling down her head from Redstar's strike. She looked so tiny compared to the scuffling Deputies and Leaders with all her fur sticking to her body with the water. For a second Oddpaw feared she might be dead, yet she started to cough up water and gasp for air.
"Stop this meaningless fighting!" Ravenstar hissed from her place on the rock. She looked terribly angered yet Hawkstar sat tall and looked down on the fighting that he started as if it was a trivial matter. "This doesn't look good," Oddpaw heard Sweetpaw gasp. And it really didn't. Wasn't the full moon supposed to mean a truce?
Yet it seemed like they didn't care. These cats were ruthless, CloudClan and CaveClan truly hated each other.
"Stop this now!" Commanded another voice as the pale sandy coloured pelt of Poolcreek the SunClan Deputy as she stood on the highest rock on the island. All attention was suddenly turned to her. Poolcreek looked terrible, her pale golden eyes looked defeated and dead. She was panting heavily and her coat was un kept. "Poolcreek what are you doing up there?" Hawkstar asked yet she ignored him.
After taking a deep breath Poolcreek spoke. "He lies..." She breathed heavily with grief in her voice, "Hawkstar's lying, things couldn't be worse. SunClan hides a great secret... The truth is... We have done something terrible... Not something terrible that's happened to us... No... We have done this... And I pry... I hope that StarClan will one day be able to forgive us for what we have done... I've tried to hide this... To pretend it never happened... But... I can't-I-I can't hide... I can't hide from the truth any longer... We have done something so terrible... So... So awful... Please StarClan... Please forgive us... Forgive me. I cannot hide what we've done... I must speak the truth now... Even if I'm never forgiven for what I've done."
Hawkstar's eyes suddenly turned wide and panicked, "Poolcreek stop this now!" He shouted trying to reach the highest rock. But the higher the rocks were the snippier it was with the water from the falls. He didn't have the strength to climb up there by himself. "No Hawkstar!" Poolcreek shouted back at her leader, "you think you know everything about this but...! But you don't. You must hear this, you all must hear this!"
"As most of you know, twelve moons ago me and Hawkstar became mates. But what you don't know is that eleven moons ago my brother the Medicine Cat, received a prophecy that 'the hawk's talons would destroy the three innocent lives of its own'. Ten moons ago I became pregnant with Hawkstar's kits. Ten moons ago my brother and I, in order to make sure the prophecy doesn't come true decided to hide my pregnancy and give away the kits so the prophecy would not come true. Ten moons ago we believed that the 'hawk's talons' were Hawkstar and the 'three innocent lives of its own' it would destroy were the kits I carried. So in order to protect them we concealed them believing that if he believes they were not his own the prophecy would change. Eight moons ago I gave birth to three kits. Eight moons ago I found out that the three kits I carried were deformed, the eldest with her two front legs bent and thin, the middle kit with his back bent and the youngest with half a face. Eight moons ago, I gave my kits away to another Queen to raise. Yet in the Clans shame it was decided that their existence was to be kept a secret at all costs as three deformed kits would bring dishonour to the Clan. They were shunned and teased, yet they had each other."
"Through thick and through thin they always had one another. The two eldest protecting the youngest who couldn't speak... Yet despite their deformities... They managed to touch the hearts of all who took the time to know them. They had a sense of loyalty and hope that no one had ever seen before. They may not be beautiful to the Clan... But to me... And others... They were the most beautiful of all... They shone brighter than any meadow... Than any sun or than any moon... They remained kind and loving despite all the hate aimed at them... And I am so proud... Yes... Proud...! To be able to say that I am the mother of such beautiful kits."
Poolcreek's face was looking up at the gap in the roof were the water feel through and the full moon in the night sky beyond. Her face smiling into the distance. Yet after a moment of shocked silence from the Clans Poolcreek's face turned desperately sad.
She instantly looked back down to the ground. Small hiccups of sorrow could he heard from her. "But I..." She continued with a wavering voice, "I didn't do anything... I didn't stop this from happening... It-it seemed that not even the pure hearts of those kits could melt the hearts of the ones who did what they did... We in SunClan couldn't hide the kits forever... Cats in other Clan's became aware of their existence. This scared many in SunClan, if the secret was revealed that SunClan had been given three deformed kits then it would bring dishonour to everything SunClan stands for. It would be seen as weakness... A sign from StarClan. That our power was weakening. We didn't know what we were going to do... Until ... Cats from MoonClan found out about them... Hawkstar decided that it was time to do what he knew he should of done from the start. The only other cat in the other Clans who knew about them... Hookclaw and some other cats from SunClan gathered together... And they decided... I was present at that meeting... I knew of the decision... I tried... I tried to change their minds... But the decision was made... They told the kits adopted or what they believed to be their real parents if that decision. As much as the parents and the other kits in the litter had grew to love them. The decision was final. There was nothing anyone could do... Only a few days ago... The kits were imprisoned and only a few days ago those three kits... We're taken to the BloodStone... And like many had before them... They were executed... Their names were Bluebellpaw, Copperpaw and Sessilepaw, the kits of Hawkstar and myself... No... The use to be kits of Hawkstar and myself... But now... They are dead."
Oddpaw felt her heart in her mouth. She felt a gaping hole where it was supposed to be. She didn't know she had been walking back until she hit the wall. She couldn't tell what were her own thoughts and what were the sounds of the mortified and shocked sounds of the Clans. She didn't know if it was the dark ground she was staring at or her eyes were closed. It turns out her eyes were open. As soon as she looked up, she could see the frozen form of Hawkstar, his eyes wide and gazing off in front of him not staring at anything just staring. He looked mortified, traumatised just in plane shock. Oddpaw wondered wether she looked the same. Her whole body felt numb.
Imprisoned?
BloodStone?
Executed?
Dead?
Bluebellpaw?
Copperpaw?
Sessilepaw?
Those words kept spinning in her head.
No...
Not those Apprentices.
Not those small, cute, energetic little Apprentices. Those lives they had, the lives they lived, the lives they could have had. It was just so... So... Why...? Why did they have to die? To die like that? But then it hit her like a pile of rocks.
She was the reason.
She was one of the MoonClan cats who found out about them. On that night she helped them home. She told everyone in MoonClan about them. She spread the word. She killed them.
She saw everything in slow motion for a while. The Clans arguing, Cricketpaw fainting on the ground and not move. Sweetpaw turning to her with hollow eyes. It was their fault.
Suddenly everything snapped back to normal. The sound from the crowed was too loud. The light from the full moon was too harsh. The reality was too painful to bare... Oddpaw rushed out of her hiding place, not caring if anyone saw her. She raced out of MoonFalls and on to the field. She ran towards the forest, towards MoonClan. She ran like the reality of it all was chasing her, the guilt and pain. The BloodStone was chasing her.
She heard something close behind her she recognised the scent as Sweetpaw. The other she-cat appeared next to her panting heavily. But not from fatigue, from sorrow and pain. Without a word they both ran towards the forest. Not caring about the distance. They both just wanted to get away. To just run. Run away.
Yet a large reddish form darkened by the night suddenly blocked Oddpaw's way. She bumped right into the form and was sent flying backwards. Not even feeling any pain from the fall Oddpaw snapped her head up in fear to see Blazewing's fiery eyes staring down at her. As scary as Blazewing could be Oddpaw instantly knew she was safe. She rushed to him and nuzzles into his chest fur with such force she nearly pushed him over.
Surprisingly he didn't push her off. He started ahead with a serious look on his face. Sweetpaw came to a halt and bowed her head with gritted teeth as Ravenstar appeared in front of her. A moment of silence hung in the air. Until Ravenstar spoke, "don't think we'll let him get away with this," she spoke with an intimidating spoke to her voice, "Hawkstar will not be forgiven for what he has done. But neither of you will ever step a paw near that DarkClan forsaken rock. No one in my Clan will be taken to that dreaded, awful place. Kit, Apprentice, Warrior I don't care who. I won't allow it, mark my words on StarClan's name I swear it, no one will ever be executed in that dark damned place ever again. I swear on my ancestors spirits I will not allow it."
Ravenstar's voice held spite, hatred and sounded almost demonic. She even sounded worried. Before she took a few deep breaths and fattened her pitch black fur. "I understand how this is going to be hard on you both. But you must not let this get in the way of your training. Remember what you're fighting for. Your fighting so this will never happen again. We... All four of us are fighters... And as long as there is breath in our bodies we mustn't let things like this happen. I know I have often said that my hopes for you two is to replace the Protectors but that was never my true intentions for the both of you and others we may train. You will understand my true motives soon enough but I can tell you this much. You both are so much more than replacements. I hope that you both may one day create us a new world."
Oddpaw looked at Ravenstar from where her face was planted into Blazewing's soft fur. Her face spoke no lies. "Now," Ravenstar spoke, "I must go back and lead my Clan home, and help Thistlefang Iv left him to deal with Cricketpaw who fainted. Blazewing would you accompany these two home?" Blazewing nodded as Ravenstar took one last look at the three before running back across the field towards MoonFalls were the ruckus could still be heard. "And by the way," Ravenstar called back, "work on your stealth, we knew you three were watching the gathering for some time."
The three where in silence for a short while, Oddpaw still nuzzled into Blazewing's fur and Sweetpaw still looking angrily and sadly down at her paws. "Let's go," Blazewing said, pulling away from Oddpaw and walking towards the forest. Sweetpaw followed and walked past the Deputy waking on her own in front. Oddpaw followed at the back just behind Blazewing. She felt cold and lost without the warmth of Blazewing's fur so she walked close to him. Trying to seek comfort in some way.
"Do you understand now?" Blazewing's voice asked Oddpaw as they walked through the forest. Oddpaw looked up at him with saddened and hopeless eyes. Blazewing was staring ahead, his own eyes narrowed with a hurt look. "Do you see now?" He asked rhetorically, "why the Clans can't be changed. Fighting and defeating the Divergence won't bring those Apprentices back. Neither will it change generations of tradition and a ruling of tyranny. Somethings can never be changed. I hope you finally understand that now... Oddpaw... Leave... You should leave... Leave before this life breaks you... Neither Ravenstar nor I can guarantee your safety. We can't say for certain that you won't be hurt or killed in a worse way than those Apprentices did. And not just in battle. If you don't leave, they will crush you. Take my advice and leave... Before you get hurt."
Try writing this chapter while listening to sad music (Bright Eyes) :'
Sorry for any mistakes and thanks for the revues.