Chapter 28
It wasn't long before Oakpelt returned. The Clan held vigil while he was gone. Raincloud bowed her head as she watched Redstar's body one last time. Being her mentor meant the world to her. Redstar had molded her into the warrior she was today. And now he was gone.
"Oakstar, I assume the ceremony went well?" Poppyfoot greeted him by rubbing her muzzle against him. She was his mate after all. Raincloud had almost forgotten that. Maybe that was why Nettlepelt had been so angry. He expected to be named deputy despite the attitude problems he gave everyone.
"It did," Oakstar purred. "I met with Flowerstar on my way to the Moonrock. She has agreed to join me with Sandstar at the Ancient Oak," he added warily. "We need to discuss which part of the valley you will occupy." He glanced at Floodstar as the SunClan leader approached him.
Floodstar remained oddly silent. Raincloud wondered if he was considering which part of the valley SunClan would take. The forest on the MoonClan's side seemed like the proper territory for them. She thought back to what Risingstorm had told her days before arriving at the Clans.
"The thanks of my Clan goes with you," Floodstar finally murmured. He dipped his head respectfully before joining his Clanmates once more.
The cave was buzzing with activity as Oakstar began addressing the Clan. A meeting would be held later tonight with the other Clans. Raincloud listened without giving the meeting much thought. She focused her attention on what lay ahead.
Now that she was back, she had to focus on how Redstar had died. It couldn't have been a natural death. He may be old, but he wasn't that old. The more she thought about it the more she wondered if Nettlepelt had something to do with Redstar's death. Would he really let his anger cloud his actions?
"We're leaving now," Oakstar announced. Raincloud nearly leaped out of her fur when he made the announcement. "I want Rowanfire and Shadepelt to guard the cave while we're gone," he added. The aggressive she-cat glared at Oakstar, but she didn't dare argue with him.
She held back a sigh of frustration as she followed the others gathered at the cave's entrance. It was dark out, with hardly any moonlight guiding them along the way. Unease crawled through Raincloud as Oakstar led the way. At least during Gatherings there was a full moon to light their way. Now they had nothing but darkness.
"This is so exciting!" Risingstorm purred. He was padding alongside Raincloud, their pelts almost touching.
Stay with your Clanmates, she was about to spit out loud. Something held her back. She couldn't help but glance at him uneasily.
"We should look out for any opponents," Stonepelt growled. "These Clans might be more aggressive than the cats in Twolegplace."
"It depends on who you speak with," Willowflame told him. "Not every cat is dangerous, but there are those it's not a good idea to anger." A shudder ran down Raincloud's spine as she thought of Spidergaze. She was one cat she'd rather avoid, even if they were on good terms.
The two Clans remained oddly silent as Oakstar led the way. Soon the Ancient Oak loomed ahead. Raincloud's nose began to wrinkle as scents flooded her lungs. FireClan must have arrived early. She quickly spotted Flowerstar sitting at the top of the Ancient Oak. The FireClan leader that once helped her escape looked stronger than ever as she watched her Clan. Raincloud wondered how Flowerstar was doing since she started leading the Clan.
Oakstar quickly made his way towards the Ancient Oak. Floodstar followed him, tail dragging across the snow-covered clearing. Kestrelsong and Poppyfoot were quick to follow. As they padded through the clearing, Raincloud didn't miss the hostile looks FireClan cats gave the SunClan warriors.
It looked as though getting along with the other Clans was going to be more difficult than Raincloud had first thought. She hoped that sooner or later the other Clans would accept SunClan. Clearly they followed the warrior code and believed in StarClan like the other Clans.
"Who are they?" Raincloud turned to glare at the cat that spat the words. It was Stormheart, one of Nightfeather's kits. He sat between Tawnywing and Spidergaze as they glared at the SunClan cats. To Raincloud's surprise, Spidergaze only looked away as he started throwing accusations. "The last thing we need are more rogues in our territory!" he hissed.
"We are not rogues!" Nightstorm spat. His fur bristled as he squared up against Stormheart. The two toms glared at one another until Spidergaze swatted Stormheart in the back of his head. Raincloud tilted her head to one side as he glared at Spidergaze.
"You're as mousebrained as your brother," she muttered under her breath.
Stormheart's glare was priceless. Raincloud never expected Spidergaze to say such things. But as she watched the older she-cat, she noticed that Spidergaze was smirking at Littleflower. The smaller cat simply dipped her head in thanks before joining her Clanmates.
"At least some cats are approving our arrival," Robinflight meowed.
Moments seemed to pass before StreamClan arrived. Sandstar didn't look nearly as wary as Flowerstar. He jumped onto the closest branch and sat beside her. Oakstar was standing beside Floodstar as the Clans gathered beneath them.
"Cats of all Clans, I'd like you to meet SunClan," Oakstar began. He glanced at Sandstar and Flowerstar, as if seeking their approval. Being the youngest leader meant that he had no right to speak for all the Clans. But it looked as though they didn't seem to mind. "Floodstar, SunClan's leader, would like to speak in behalf of his Clan," he added with a dip of his head.
Floodstar stood tall and proud as he watched the Clans. "I know that this news is shocking for you," he meowed. "But I can assure you that we will not be taking anyone's territory. We would like to take the side of the valley that is covered in forest."
Almost at once cats began to mutter among themselves. Raincloud heard a few cats whispering that these warriors would take over the forest. She felt her fur bristle slightly at the thought. These cats were clearly not out for blood. They would have attacked by now if that were the case.
"Why should we believe you?" one cat demanded.
"How do we know you aren't going to take over?" another called out.
"We only wish to join the other Clans in peace," Floodstar replied. He waited for silence to fill the clearing. Raincloud didn't miss the look he exchanged with Kestrelsong. "If worse comes to worse, we will live outside the valley."
Isn't that dangerous? Raincloud wondered. She couldn't picture them living outside the valley. The forest seemed like the perfect place for SunClan cats to live.
"You do not need to do that," Sandstar grunted. "From what I have heard, you are more than welcome in the valley." He was looking at Leafclaw, who was sitting between Blossomleaf and Dewspeck. Raincloud was surprised that he had spoken to Sandstar prior to this Gathering.
"I too have heard good things about your Clan," Flowerstar meowed. "I hope that you have moons of peace after settling in." She dipped her head respectfully to Floodstar, who looked just as surprised as Raincloud felt.
Spidergaze must have spoken to her as well. It looked as though both Spidergaze and Leafclaw stood up for SunClan. Raincloud didn't see that coming.
"So it's decided?" Oakstar glanced down at Flowerstar and Sandstar. Both leaders nodded in agreement, while Floodstar looked at them in confusion. "You may have the side of the valley where the forest grows," he announced after looking back at Floodstar.
"I don't know what to say," Floodstar admitted. "The thanks of my Clan goes with you." Again he dipped his head respectfully. The truth in his words sent shivers down Raincloud's spine.
A decision had been made. SunClan had returned to the other Clans. Three had become four. And the Clans would never be the same.
AN: So there's the ending! I know it isn't much of an ending, but it's better than nothing :) Big thanks to The World Is Alive for reviewing every chapter, and Cookies and Cream for reviewing! You guys are amazing! :D
