Chapter 27
Branchtail looked around the training clearing. Besides the senior warriors who would be teaching them the moves, Mintpelt, Finchflight, and Newtspeck were also there. "Right, this group's here, so I'm off," Amberleaf meowed.
"As you know, the rogues fight dirty," Blizzardwing said grimly, "Now, the first move we are going to demonstrate is a belly swipe. You go onto your back, and give your enemy the allusion that they have you pinned, but ferociously swipe at their belly until they let go. Lizardstripe and I will demonstrate."
Blizzardwing narrowed his eyes in challenged and lunged towards Lizardstripe. The brown queen reared, and Blizzardwing slithered under her and gripped her with her hind paws. The two broke apart. "That's how it's done," Lizardstripe announced, getting to her paws.
"Branchtail and Finchflight, you try it first," Mudclaw said.
Branchtail turned to face Mintpelt. The young gray tom's green eyes were bright at the prospect of learning new moves. "Ready?" Branchtail asked, his breath coming out in a cloud.
"Definitely," Mintpelt replied, his green eyes gleaming.
Without further ado, Branchtail struck. As Mintpelt reared to attack him, he slithered underneath Mintpelt and grabbed him tightly with his paws. "Nice work, Branchtail," Lizardstripe said approvingly, though not with any warmth. The pale brown queen still harbored a disliking for him.
"Switch," Blizzardwing said.
Then it was Mintpelt's turn. Branchtail faced the young tom. With a yowl of challenge, Mintpelt ran at him and slithered under him and gripped him with his paws.
"Very good," Blizzardwing said, "You've picked it up quickly. Now onto the next one. You have to be on top of the opponent and you take your forepaws and bang your paws quickly and hard on the side of their head, on the ears. This will daze them and you will quickly have the upper hand."
This time, Mudclaw and Lizardstripe demonstrated, and Mudclaw clapped his paws gently around Lizardstripe's ears. "You'd do it like this, but much harder," Blizzardwing instructed.
"You can go first," Branchtail said to Mintpelt.
"Okay," Mintpelt said, flexing his claws.
Mintpelt again leaped at him and landed on his back. And banged Branchtail's ears hard. Branchtail let out a yelp and Mintpelt immediately let go. As Branchtail lay dazed on the ground, his ears ringing and his head pounding, he faintly heard Mudclaw scold, "You weren't actually supposed to hit him, Mintpelt!"
"Sorry!" the young tom said, standing over Branchtail, his green eyes aghast. He turned to the other warriors, who were also standing over Branchtail's dazed form.
"Will he be alright?" Mintpelt asked worriedly.
"Of course," Lizardstripe said briskly, "He'll be alright in a few moments. Branchtail, can you get up?"
The ringing in Branchtail's ears began to subside and his head wasn't hurting as much. He got to his paws, and gave his head a little shake. "I'm sorry!" Mintpelt said immediately, looking guilty.
Branchtail laid his tail tip on his kin's shoulder. "Hey it's fine!" he purred, "At least you know the move works!"
Mintpelt brightened. "That's true," he admitted.
"Alright, Branchtail," Blizzardwing said, "Are you able to continue?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Branchtail replied.
Then Blizzardwing moved on to the next move, describing it in detail.
Later on, the sun began to dip below the horizon and the air began to carry a colder chill. Branchtail's muscles felt sorer than they had felt for several moons. He couldn't believe how savage the rogue fighting moved were. Branchtail was also hungry and fervently hoped that the hunting patrol had brought back some prey. He also felt very nervous as some of the fighting moves resembled those he was taught in the Darkforest.
"These are some moves!" Mintpelt exclaimed, falling in stride with Branchtail.
Branchtail glanced at him. "Yeah, you can say that," he said.
Mintpelt noticed his lack of enthusiasm. "Aw, come on! I get that these moves Aspen taught the clan are slightly unorthodox since they're deadly in the wrong paws," he said.
"I just don't like them. Or their savagery," Branchtail said.
Mintpelt's gaze was serious. "I get it what you mean," he said.
"Oh, you have no idea," Branchtail thought.
The sun was almost completely gone by the time the group returned to the Shadowclan camp. "How did it go?" Tangleburr purred, coming to meet him.
Branchtail gave her a nuzzle. "Surprising," he replied, "I'll be right back, I have to speak with Raggedstar."
Then he headed towards Raggedstar's den, leaving a puzzled Tangleburr behind him. "Raggedstar," Branchtail said, stepping forward.
"Oh, hello, Branchtail," Raggedstar said good-naturedly, "How did your training go?"
"Raggedstar, you can't teach anymore of our clanmates those moves," Branchtail said urgently.
"Why is that?" Raggedstar asked.
Branchtail hesitated. "Well, some of those moves I recognize as Darkforest moves."
"You're positive?" Raggedstar asked.
"Quite," Branchtail replied.
"Well, I can't tell the cats that already know the moves to not use them, but I can prevent the senior warriors from teaching them," Raggedstar said, "Which ones are they?"
Branchtail listed a few of the moves that he recalled seeing during his time in the Darkforest. Raggedstar nodded. "Alright," he said, "I'll tell the senior warriors."
Branchtail respectfully dipped his head and left the den. "I'd better tell Tangleburr exactly what I meant earlier," he thought.
After a few moments, he spied her nibbling on a thrush near the warriors' den. Remembering how hungry he was, Branchtail went to the fresh-kill pile and grabbed himself a sparrow and a vole and went over to sit near Tangleburr. "Hi," he said, depositing his prey near her.
"Want any?" Tangleburr asked, flicking her tail at the half-eaten thrush.
"No, thank you," Branchtail said, "You need all you can eat. Leaf-bare's almost here. Plus you're eating for more than one."
Tangleburr rolled her eyes. "I'm not helpless," she retorted, "I can still hunt for our clan, you know."
"I know," Branchtail replied.
"What did you mean earlier by it was interesting?" Tangleburr asked, leaning forward curiously.
"Some of the moves Aspen taught us were from the Darkforest," Branchtail replied quietly.
Tangleburr's green eyes widened. "How could they have learned those?" she exclaimed.
"I don't know," Branchtail admitted, "I know that Thistlestar and Tigerclaw know them, but Aspen wouldn't have said the rogues taught the clan the moves then."
"Interesting," Tangleburr murmured pensively.
As she was speaking, a snowflake fluttered through the air and landed on Tangleburr's nose. She recoiled in surprise at the sudden coldness. "Oh!" Tangleburr said in surprise.
"I think I'll rephrase that," Branchtail said dryly, "Leaf-bare is most definitely here."
That snowflake hadn't come alone, however, and soon the air was thick with falling snowflakes. Branchtail looked regrettably at the prey he had yet to eat. Tangleburr followed his gaze and said, "Well, don't just stand there! Hurry up and eat!"
Branchtail didn't argue and gulped the prey in a few swift bites. "Come on!" Tangleburr said.
Branchtail and Tangleburr followed the stream of warriors hurrying to get to their nests. Weaving around the den, Branchtail and Tangleburr made it to their nest. Soon the den was humming with cat voices, both exited and voicing their complaints about the snow. "You know," Tangleburr grumbled, "I think I'd rather of had the snow come a tad bit later. Then the young cats would shut their mouthed and go to sleep!"
Branchtail looked down at her in amusement. "You realize we fall into the 'young cats' category," he purred.
Tangleburr's grumpy face looked back at him. "You know what I mean, mouse-brain," she said in a huff, "But seriously, the sun went down ages ago and these mouse-brains are still talking. Now, I don't mind if they talk, but right when they're right next to us, I mind."
"Give them a bit longer," Branchtail murmured, "This is their first snow for some of them."
"Oi! Voleclaw!" Tangleburr said irritably, ignoring Branchtail, "Do us all a favor and shut up!"
The young tom jumped from where he was talking to Flowerdapple, glanced at Tangleburr, and quickly shut his mouth.
"That's better," Tangleburr grumbled, "He's got to be the loudest of this lot."
"Goodnight," Branchtail purred, giving her ear a lick.
All he received with a slight grunt and within moments, she was asleep. "What am I going to do with you?" Branchtail purred softly.
The next day, Branchtail remembered it was the night of the Gathering and it was going to be interesting. Thistlestar would have to attempt to justify the reasons for taking a piece of Shadowclan's land. "And causing us to go to the unknown forest," Branchtail thought darkly.
A few days after Molepaw's death, patrols had been sent again, with no apprentices, and were relieved to find that the badger that had killed the apprentice was the only one. They had found decent hunting, but every cat agreed that they needed that land.
Later on that evening, Raggedstar announced who would be attending the Gathering. Branchtail was relived to hear he would be attending, and after consulting with Tangleburr, both agreed that it would be better not to announce the news of their kits to the clans. There was no telling what Thistlestar and Tigerclaw would do with this information.
Branchtail had gone to his father soon after and explained the situation. "I understand," Raggedstar had said, "You just want to protect your kits."
Now, Branchtail was trooping through the snow after his clanmates, almost wishing he was warm in his nest. After passing though the tunnel, Shadowclan had reached the Gathering. Branchtail tasted the air, and the scents that reached him told him that Riverclan and Thunderclan had already arrived.
Thistlestar and Crookedstar were already atop the Great Rock. Thistlestar looked down at the clan cats that were already there with an arrogant smirk on his visage. That arrogant smirk turned to one of hatred and disgust when he realized Shadowclan had arrived.
"Wonder what's got Thistlestar with such a sour look," Ivyshine muttered in Branchtail's ear.
Branchtail chuckled. "Knowing him, probably us," he replied, "Oh, look, here comes Windclan."
Windclan, with Tallstar at the head, poured into the clearing. "How's the prey running?" Branchtail asked Onewhisker, a young tabby Windclan tom.
Onewhisker dipped his head. "It's been fine, but as always with leaf-bare, the rabbits will be a bit more scarce," he replied.
"Let the Gathering begin!" Tallstar yowled.
"I will go first," Thistlestar interjected, cutting off the Windclan leader before he could speak. Behind him, Crookedstar rolled his eyes irritably.
"Thunderclan has three new warriors: Cricketleap, Chestnutfall, and Cherrystorm," Thistlestar said smugly.
"Cricketleap! Chestnutfall! Cherrystorm!" the clans called, but Shadowclan's cheers were subdued. Branchtail was pretty sure Thistlestar had noticed because he narrowed his eyes.
"Rosetail and Thrushpelt are the proud parents to Sweetkit and Owlkit," Thistlestar continued. Then he took a step back as if to let the next clan leader go, but a cat from Shadowclan (Branchtail couldn't tell who) yowled, "Not so fast, fleabag! Aren't you going to tell the clans about those filthy rogues you recruited?"
"Point whoever that was," Ivyshine muttered.
Thistlestar's eyes flashed with rage. Realizing he was in front of the four clans, he said smoothly, "Very well. I have recruited loyal cats from the Twolegplace into our ranks."
"But Thistlestar, letting in outsiders is against the warrior code," Tallstar pointed out.
"They are loyal, I assure you," Thistlestar said, "They are cats just like us. Why shouldn't they get a chance to be warriors."
Tallstar sat back, but still looking unconvinced.
"Don't forget our land you stole!" the mystery cat, who Branchtail could tell was Scorchfang, growled.
"We didn't steal it!" Tigerclaw growled, "You lost it to us fair and square!"
Protests broke out among the crowd. "That's mouse-dung and you both know it!" Branchtail yowled.
"Silence!" Crookedstar hissed, "This is a Gathering!"
Then he turned to Thistlestar. "Why have you done this?" Crookedstar meowed.
Thistlestar dipped his head. "My clan needed the lands to feed ourselves because of the new recruits," he said.
"Don't you dare use the rogues as an excuse," Branchtail growled softly. Ivyshine growled deeply in her throat in agreement.
"That's ridiculous," Raggedstar growled, "Shadowclan has more cats than you do!"
"Hey, can you two take this up outside the Gathering?" Tallstar said uneasily, "We don't need a fight breaking out."
Raggedstar sat back down, but narrowed his eyes dangerously at Thistlestar who silently challenged him with blazing eyes and a ferocious hiss. "I will go next," Crookedstar said, "Riverclan has a new warrior, Waveheart!"
"Waveheart! Waveheart!" the clans cheered. Branchtail noticed that the cheering for the young Riverclan warrior was louder than it had been for the newly made Thunderclan warriors.
"And Riverclan has made several new apprentices: Reedpaw, Pikepaw, Primerosepaw, Perchpaw, Brookpaw, and Rainpaw!"
The clans cheered for the young apprentices and Crookedstar took a step back, gesturing for Tallstar to say his report. "Lightpaw and Daypaw are warriors known as Lightear and Daylight," he announced.
"Lightear! Daylight!" the clans cheered.
"Appledawn has given birth to Whitekit," Tallstar announced, "That's all of Windclan's news."
Raggedstar stepped forward. "Shadowclan has made several new warriors. Please welcome Mintpelt, Marigoldheart, Badgerfang, Voleclaw, Mossfur, and Dawncloud!"
The clans cheered for the new warriors. Branchtail especially cheered loudly to make up for Thunderclan's lack of enthusiasm.
Raggedstar continued as if he hadn't noticed Thunderclan's rudeness. "We've also made several apprentices: Applepaw, Tallpaw, Darkpaw, Whitepaw, and Wetpaw, while Littlepaw is training to be a medicine cat."
Surprised murmurs came from the crowd. "But Raggedstar," Deadfoot, Windclan's deputy, called, "Three medicine cats?"
"Littlepaw expressed interest in the role, so who was I to stop him?" Raggedstar replied.
Thistlestar snorted. "Clan leader, that's who you'd be," he growled.
"No one asked you," Raggedstar said pointedly, "If I wanted your input, I would have asked. I can run my clan the way I see fit. If a young cat wants to walk the path of a medicine cat, then good for him. It's better to have three than no medicine cat at all."
"That's true," Tallstar admitted.
Branchtail tensed. Would Raggedstar remember not to share the fact that Tangleburr was expecting? He let out a sigh of relief as Raggedstar said no more. "This Gathering is over!" Crookedstar called.
(So there's the chapter! You saw that I made Littlecloud a medicine cat from the beginning of his apprenticeship. I did this deliberately, as I think there could be three medicine cats in a clan (as exhibited by Leafpool, Jayfeather, and Alderheart) , but no more than that.)
