The full moon hung high in the sky as GrassClan made its way through the Forest Patch northward, far past the river, all the way up to the Gathering Clearing. Pale moonlight shined upon their backs, lighting their way and guiding their paws. Swiftcloud could see every leaf and fern on the bushes surrounding them as they padded single file through the woods. The moon seemed to be shining brighter this evening, and Swiftcloud couldn't help but think it was for her sake. Her bright blue eyes traveled to the sky above. Silverpelt's glow too seemed strengthened this night. Was this how things appeared to every cat upon their first Gathering as a warrior?
One by one cats spilled past the shrub barrier as they arrived to the gathering, waiting to be dismissed by Whitestar. Swiftcloud glanced around eagerly, flanked by Shadowfang who nudged her towards a shedding beech tree where some of their friends had gathered. On Whitestar's command the patrol was free to separate. Swiftcloud and Shadowfang hurriedly walked towards their friend group, mewing a greeting as they came to settle beside them. There were three cats here by the tree, each friends from different clans. Two of which were cats Swiftcloud had introduced to one another a few gatherings ago. There was Pinepelt, an old friend of hers from apprentice-hood. She'd gotten larger since their first meeting, her fur growing thicker and longer in preparation for the colder seasons ahead. Then there was Stemflower. Swiftcloud had had the pleasure of meeting her through Quailbelly. She was the oldest of their clique, but still acted as youthful as a freshly named warrior. There was a third cat here Swiftcloud didn't recognize, but figured was at least acquainted with the rest of the group. Shadowfang stepped up to raise his tail to the cat as the stranger spoke.
"It's great to see you again, Shadowfang," meowed the strange tom with long, white, sand dusted fur. His pelt carried the strong scent of seawater, and Swiftcloud had to resist scrunching up her nose. Shadowfang let out a chuckle, blinking at his OceanClan friend warmly.
"Likewise, Hazestorm. Meet my partner, Swiftcloud. She was just made warrior last night." A deep purr rumbled in his throat as he spoke, eyes full of fondness as he rested them on Swiftcloud.
"And you still had energy to make it to the gathering after your vigil? Impressive," Hazestorm commented, twitching his whiskers.
Swiftcloud ducked her head in embarrassment, feeling the nudge of Shadowfang's shoulder against hers once more. She glanced up to see the corners of his muzzle twist upward into a reassuring smile which warmed her heart and gave her back her confidence.
"I couldn't let the Land's Star find out about my new name and not be there to hear them cheer it." She lifted her chin now, a grin of her own forming on her patched face. "After all, I'm a warrior now. I have to push myself like one, even if I am tired."
Hazestorm flicked his fluffy tail, nodding along in agreement.
"Very true." The white warrior's attention was quickly taken off of Swiftcloud as a new cat approached the group. "Moonface." He purred, turning to bump his head against the arriving she-cat. Swiftcloud trilled with joy.
Moonface, her friend from TreeClan, had earned her warrior name two moons ago, after surviving an attack from a supposed rouge. Though there were rumors floating around that it had been a member of her own clan who had viciously attacked. Supposedly, this cat had launched an attack against Sunfall, a cat Moonface had shown interest in from what Swiftcloud had seen at previous gatherings. Moonface had intervened, ultimately saving her friend's life. Swiftcloud wouldn't have known any of this, had it not been for the ever talkative Jaybird. Despite the talk, and despite the nasty claw-moon shaped scar the battle had marked Moonface with, the molly had earned her name reminding all those who'd speak it of her beauty.And beautiful she is at that, Swiftcloud noted. In some ways, the shape of her body, and the gleam of the molly's silver and white coat reminded her a lot of Mistypaw.But Mistypaw is still far more beautiful.
"So, Swiftcloud, is it?" An intrigued purr rose from Moonface as she addressed the new warrior. "What a pretty name, I really like it. It suits you."
Swiftcloud let out another trill. "Thanks, Moonface."
"Was your vigil hard? It had gotten pretty chilly last night."
"It was a bit cold, but I was flanked by Frostfeather and Rabbitstorm. The pair are so fluffy they kept me warm all through the night."
The group of cats burst into a series ofmrrows.
"Its a good thing they were there then," Moonface giggled.
From behind the molly, a fluffy black mass passed by, rounding the group and stepping out of the shadows.
"Well well, look at what we have here," meowed the cat, voice laced with spite. Swiftcloud lowered her head as she watched the tip of Moonface's tail begin to wag. Others in their group frowned at the new arrival, displeased by the interruption. Stemflower's tail flicked while Pinepelt muttered something quietly to Shadowfang, who snickered in response.
"What do you want, Nightshade?" Moonface asked flatly. Nightshade lifted her head and smirked, revealing her inner mischievous urges.
"A little birdie told me there's a new warrior among your ranks," she responded trying to sound cheerful. But Moonface did not seem pleased, and Swiftcloud felt the same. A bad feeling formed in her gut, forcing her to press herself into Shadowfang's side for moral support. She hated this feeling, the sense of dread that came to her every now and then, seemingly for no reason at times. Though right now this was not one of those times. There was obvious ill intent shining in Nightshade's cold blue eyes. No doubt she was up to no good.
"I'm the new warrior," Swiftcloud spoke up, attitude apparent.
"You?" Nightshade snorted. "I can't believe Whitestaractuallymade you a warrior! I'd thought you'd have run home to your Twolegs by now." She took a pace closer to Swiftcloud, lowering her head so they'd meet eye to eye.
"That's where you came from, isn't it? A soft life of pampering and comfort?" Nightshade watched the nubby tailed molly carefully to see if her words offended her. It's what she wanted; she was just itching to pick a fight and it was obvious to everyone who was there to bare witness.
"It's bad enough that an ugly cat like you has to be such a blemish in GrassClan's ranks. It's worse to know that this blemish is a nasty littlekittypet!"
Swiftcloud did not react. Not physically. Her voice, however, betrayed how she was feeling inside.
"I left that life behind moons ago," Swiftcloud growled. "Iama warrior now. And I always will be." She took a step forward so that she and Nightshade were in each other's faces. "My name is Swiftcloud. If you have an issue with my status, I'll gladly demonstrate how capable I am. I'm not as soft as you may think."
Nightshade drew her lips back in a snarl, a look of despise crossing her features. Swiftcloud stared her down, keeping a straight face as she did so. Though inside she was panicking. She didn't want to fight unless it was necessary. Certainly not at a gathering. But she wasn't going to stand by and allow herself to be insulted, in front of her friends no less. She was afraid of what Nightshade could do, but she had to stand her ground no matter what.You must prove yourself fearless, even in the presence of something that scares you.Tigerfang's words echoed in Swiftcloud's mind from her first day in camp. She had never forgotten that first lesson, and used it well even til this day. It served useful. Though Swiftcloud feared the loud thudding of her anxious heart may divulge the fright she tried so hard to mask.
"You have kittypets in your own clan too," Pinepelt commented.
"The kittypet that we have came to TreeClan as a young kit. She doesn't count the way Swiftcloud does. She wasn't raised to be soft like her."
"Your argument is weak, Nightshade. The Land's Star was founded by cats who weren't clan born,includingkittypets. They are just as capable as the rest of us," Moonface chimed in.
Swiftcloud's friends began to move closer together, alienating Nightshade and staring her down. Nightshade glanced at each cat, shoulder fur rising in obvious discomfort. She parted her jaws to say something but promptly clampt her jaws shut. She lowered her head, turning to walk away without another word.
"Don't listen to her, Swift," Shadowfang murmured.
"You're alright," Moonface assured. "She's nothing but a bee-brained enabler."
"How do you stand having her as a clanmate?" Stemflower asked Moonface, smoothing down her shoulder fur. "In MarshClan, a cat like that would be getting mud and beetles stuffed into her nest for being so disrespectful."
Moonface sighed. "She's incredibly difficult to live with, I'll tell you."
Hazestorm gave the molly a nudge, beckoning her away from the group. The duo talked quietly for a heartbeat then mewed a goodbye before running off together into the crowd. Shadowfang stood with a stretch, prompting Swiftcloud to follow him away as well. The partners said farewell, then left the rest of their friend group behind to find a place to sit closer to Split Rock. The gathering would begin shortly no doubt. The pair managed to get a decent seat close to where the medicine cats had gathered. Mistypaw abandoned her peers in favor of laying beside Swiftcloud, pressing her warm fluffy body into hers. Swiftcloud couldn't be happier to have her two best friends with her here tonight. And their warmth in the chilly night air was certainly welcoming, too.
"Let the gathering begin!" Trilled Brightstar from the giant split boulder, grabbing the attention of all those in the clearing. Cats all around Swiftcloud settled down, taking their seats and tilting their heads back to give their undivided attention to the leaders of The Land's Star. The flame point she-cat, Brightstar, stood tall on her place ready to speak once the chatter had died down.
"MarshClan is doing wonderfully this time of year! Firstly, I'd like to introduce the Land's Star to our medicine cat apprentice, Cherrypaw, along with her warrior apprentice sibling, Hummingpaw! Secondly, I'd like to introduce our newest warriors: Spiderbelly and Sedgebelly."
"Cherrypaw! Hummingpaw! Spiderbelly! Sedgebelly!" Cats from the various clans caterwauled together, turning to the named cats to give them congratulations. Brightstar paused to allow cats to cheer before piping up again, instantly silencing the clatter.
"Lastly, I'd just like to say the prey is running well in the marsh, and it looks like this will be a good Leaf-fall. Here's to another good moon!"
Whitestar was the next to address the clan cats as Brightstar took a big step back to hand over the spotlight. A buzz of excitement like static electricity prickled Swiftcloud's fur and she couldn't help but press herself further into Mistypaw.
"GrassClan is also fairing well this moon. To start, I have also named three new warriors just last night, and they are here among us this evening. I proudly present to the Land's Star: Frostfeather, Rabbitstorm, and Swiftcloud."
"Frostfeather Rabbitstorm Swiftcloud!" The crowd roared. Swiftcloud purred loudly, earning her licks on each ear from both Mistypaw and Shadowfang.
"We are expecting three new litters to be born in our ranks at any time now. Prey is running well, and we have faced no troubles in the past moon. That is all I have to report."
And with that, Whitestar stepped back to allow the next leader to come forward. It seemed to be TreeClan's turn to speak now. Blazestar stood tall on his part of Split Rock, turning his judging orange gaze down on the cats below. It was clear whatever news he had to share tonight would not be pleasant.
"A cat attacked our Den Mother last night while she was out hunting. She only has a few wounds, thankfully, but it's obvious that whoever went after her aimed to kill. I am displeased to have to report this, as TreeClan has been left in peace for several moons now. However, I will not stand by and watch while one of our best warriors is harmed so maliciously," he began, turning his broad head to look at said cat.
"Brightsky, describe your attacker."
The queen in question, a white and black patched she-cat, rose to her paws. Those around her backed away to give her some space. The queen's sky blue eyes shone all the anxiety she was still clearly feeling. A tom stood next to her, his long fur a recognizable sight. The cat was none other than Wolfheart. Swiftcloud had learned moons ago that the two were mates, and tonight he seemed to prove that. Wolfheart stood protectively next to Brightsky, his fluffy grey and white tipped tail draped over her shoulders. Near it, a bundle of cobwebs lay plastered against the back of Brightsky's neck and shoulder. It was a big wad too, probably covering a wound that was just as large. Swiftcloud wondered how the Den Mother managed to drag herself to the gathering when she was clearly badly injured.
"Everything happened so fast, I barely had a chance to have good look at them," Brightsky meowed, leaning against Wolfheart. "I only caught their main pelt color: white. And their eyes...their eyes were startling. Piercing blue, even in the shade of night. I noticed something else too; they had the undeniable scent of wild flowers and dew clinging to their fur like a tick. If there's one thing I know for sure, its that the cat who attacked me is a member of GrassClan."
A murmur broke out among the crowd, cats from four of the clans-mainly Treeclan-turned to glare at all GrassClan cats who fit the description.
Swiftcloud looked around, searching for her clanmates who may be under watch. The first cat she spotted was Dewstone, with head held high and muzzle turned away from those who dare even glance in her direction.She's a Code Keeper for StarClan's sake! Do cats really think someone who has devoted their whole life to up keepingthe Warrior Code would attack another for no reason?!Her gaze wandered around further, landing on Sheeptail and Rabbitstorm who stood side by side, staring daggers and snarling at their accusers. Swiftcloud's blue gaze turned to find Snowfrost. When she found her, she noticed that the lynx point molly was the only mostly white GrassClan cat with blue eyes to be ignored.It must be because she's a medicine cat. Swiftcloud suddenly felt herself being watched. She whipped her head around, finding the judgmental eyes of those around her baring into her. She felt small under their harsh gaze. The white and black patched molly crouched down, pinning her ears back against her head. Her eyes were as large as the full moon that shone overhead.I didn't do anything!She argued in her mind.Am I really a suspect..?She felt like screaming and pleading innocent, or running. But she knew she could do neither, cats would judge her more harshly if she cracked under pressure for a crime she didn't commit. Shadowfang pressed into her as he caught Swiftcloud's fearscent while Mistypaw moved to knead her paws gently against the other molly's flank.
In the near distance a growl rung out, drawing the attention of the gathering cats back onto Split Rock. Whitestar's fur was bristled, her tail wagging like Swiftcloud had never seen before. Whitestar was always so calm, but with tensions being so high between GrassClan and TreeClan, it was no wonder that she finally lost patience with this harsh accusation. Swiftcloud was surprised it took so long.
"No GrassClan cat would dare attack a Den Mother; we are not savages!" She spat. "Where is your proof, Blazestar? How do you know it wasn't a rogue who attacked her instead?"
"I'd recognize the stench of GrassClan anywhere!" Brightsky defended herself, shooting a cold glance over at where the medicine cats sat. Snowfrost turned her head away, grooming her shoulder as if she were nervous. Wolfheart shrank back a bit, whispering something into his mate's ear. The injured Den Mother hissed at him, turning her attention back up to the clan leaders.
"Brightsky is a very capable cat, Whitestar. One of our finest trackers. She knows the scent of every clan and every prey in the forest, just as well as she knows the scents of her kin. When warriors came to her aid, they also scented GrassClan on her pelt. I don't doubt Brightsky's identification, even for a heartbeat.There'smy proof. What proof do you have that none of your cats committed this crime?"
Cats from TreeClan yowled in agreement while GrassClan cats spat and cursed at those who even so much as sniff at them wrong. Swiftcloud felt as if she were caught between a rock and a hard place. On one paw, she could agree with the evidence presented; if multiple cats had reported scenting GrassClan then there must have been a GrassClan cat on their territory. On the other she was torn by her loyalty; Swiftcloud couldn't imagine one of her clanmates attempting to kill a cat in cold blood, TreeClan'sDen Motherno less. What was the truth? Only StarClan and the attacker knew for sure.
Whitestar stood speechless on Split Rock, staring daggers at Blazestar as she thought about what to say next. It was clear she was trying to be careful with her words. If she were to say something out of line right now it would surely cause a fight, which would break the full moon truce and thus the Warrior Code. Doing so would prove Blazestar right and make GrassClan seem even guiltier than they already did.
Judgemental eyes settled upon GrassClan's leader. Whispers rose from the cats in the clearing.
"What if she was the one who attacked Brightsky?" meeped a TreeClan apprentice within Swiftcloud's range. Swiftcloud had to resist the urge to turn and box the disrespectful cat's ears. Rage boiled inside her belly. Whitestar was once a Fighting Warrior, but she'd never attack a cat unprovoked. Everyone in GrassClan knew that. Did cats outside the clan really think a leader would stoop so low as to attack a cat on another's territory? Swiftcloud's thoughts were dragged back to the stories of Pebblestar the Malevolent. From what she knew of her, the OceanClan leader would pick needless fights, even with cats across the border. Perhaps The Land's Star hadn't fully recovered from her rule just yet. Cats were still wary that an enemy leader may pull those types of shenanigans again. Swiftcloud could understand, but was still outraged knowing cats thought the leader most likely to do that right now was Whitestar.
"I will have a Spy Warrior investigate..." Whitestar finally mewed after heaving a harsh sigh. "Whoever is responsible will be punished accordingly."
"Don' go easy on em eitha!" yowled OceanClan's new deputy, Silverdrop. "Give 'em ah Warrior-Paw ceremoneh."
"Or better yet, exile them!" cheered the same TreeClan apprentice in a far too enthusiastic tone.Arrogant kit. A warrior hushed the young tom.
"This is not your place to speak out, Sleekpaw," she hissed, swatting the apprentice behind the head with her tail. Sleekpaw let out a whimper, crouching in his place dismissively.
Murmurs of disbelief rippled through the crowd. Whitestar glared at any cat she spotted who spoke out negatively. Blazestar let out a low growl, tail lashing.
"What good is your word?" He snarled. "We had an agreement before. And your clan broke it! How could I trust you to find the cat responsible for attacking Brightsky?"
"Blazestar-"
"Don't youdarespeak my name as if we were allies! I have had it with you, and your pompous group of cats. You accuse my clan of killing your warriors, of trespassing, and now this! I cannot stand by and watch the innocent suffer, Whitestar. Tonight, I will uphold the full moon truce. But starting tomorrow, our clans are atwar."
"War?" Brightstar meeped. "Isn't that a little harsh?"
"A little war could do them some good," Wavestar grunted. Blazestar turned on him.
"If you think this will give you an opening to take more of TreeClan's land, you are surely mistaken!" He spat. Wavestar narrowed his eyes.
"Watch who you're talking to in that tone. There isn't a need to drag me into this feud."
"Says the fox-heart who advances into our territory at every chance he gets!"
"You must have me mistaken for Pebblestar, you-"
"I wouldn't put it past you to turn out like her. You may have been against your sister, Wavestar, but you've certainly gone out of your way to carry on a lot of the traditions she left behind."
"That's enough, tonight is a night of peace, not an opportunity to pick fights!" Whitestar jumped in. Blazestar swung back around and slashed the GrassClan leader's muzzle.
"Stay out of this!"
The crowd below Split Rock broke out into a crescendo of yowls. Cats began to disburse and regroup with those from their own clans.
Swiftcloud had never seen the leaders act like this before. Blazestar had to be madder than a fox in a fit. The rest of The Land's Star was no better, she decided. Though cats had split up, the individual groups still took the time to spit hateful words and shoot angry glares. The gathering was in chaos. As Swiftcloud watched the mayhem, she started to feel a cat bristle and shake beside her. Mistypaw pressed her larger body into Swiftcloud's, making herself small against the floor. Her pale green eyes were as wide as the full moon above, her gaze fixed on the sky. She trembled, mouth parting slowly as she struggled to choke out what she had to say.
"Lo..look!" She yowled as loudly as she could. Collectively the crowd looked to the medicine cat apprentice, then followed her line of sight. Swiftcloud tilted her head back to give her attention to the stars. Or lack thereof. Clouds had mysteriously started to gather, though only heartbeats before the sky was clear. The thick shapes floated across the inky blackness, consuming starlight, and eventually covered the moon. Gasps and outcries of shock rose up from the crowd, panic and fear surging through those of the gathering. Swiftcloud too found herself feeling alarmed.
"StarClan has spoken their disapproval. This gathering is over!" Declared Fogstar. At once the feuding leaders broke away from each other, falling into silence.
"Had it not been for the three of you, StarClan would not have been angered. Go now, settled your scores on your own time. And pray for forgiveness for breaking tonight's truce. May the stones guide your path."
With that, Fogstar jumped down from Split Rock, calling his clan together. Brightstar glanced at each of the other leaders before going to do the same. Wavestar was the next leader to leave, although he took his time doing so. Meanwhile Whitestar and Blazestar were locked in each other's glares, a silent battle waging between them. Blazestar was the one to break away, finding no pleasure in this staring contest. At last, Whitestar came down from her perch, stalking across the open field.
Whitestar made it to the edge of the clearing, observing her clanmates as they warily padded towards her past testy TreeClan cats and the judgmental meows of others. The GrassClan leader had an array of emotions scrawled across her face. Insecurity, fatigue, confusion, sadness. Nothing good, Swiftcloud noted. The white and black patched she-cat looked behind her from where she still sat with Shadowfang and Mistypaw. Hazestorm and Moonface had become noticeable in the thinning crowd, the white warrior giving the molly a few licks goodbye before scurrying off to join his clan. Moonface made her way over to Wolfheart and Brightsky, reciving nuzzles from both of them. Swiftcloud noticed Snowfrost trying to slink over to the family, eyeing them with what Swiftcloud assume to be fascination. Moonface locked eyes with the lynx point medicine cat before nudging her injured mother in the opposite direction. Wolfheart bristled, assisting her in bringing the Den Mother over where TreeClan gathered.What's that all about? Swiftcloud wondered, her attention stolen back by a tail brushing against her ear. Swiftcloud flicked her gaze onto Shadowfang who nodded towards their clanmates. Swiftcloud blinked in understanding, rising to her paws to follow her friends back towards the others. Judgmental eyes still bore into Swiftcloud's pelt as the three regrouped, the uncomfortable heat of embarrassment burning the molly beneath her fur. She forced the fur on her shoulders to lay flat and kept her eyes steady on the path ahead. Giving anyone who judged her attention would lead to no good, no doubt. Keeping to herself was for the best. As the last of GrassClan's warriors huddled around their shaken leader, Whitestar flicked her tail and slipped through the bushes. One by one the rest of the clan followed suit, making the wary journey home to report the news from tonight's full moon meeting to the rest of the awaiting clan.
