Nightfang
My heart began to beat rapidly as my leader stepped up to give his decision. The blood was pounding through my head and my body cried for sleep but the adrenaline that flowed through my body kept my mind clear. Onestar stood tall despite his age and as he spoke, his voice held no sign of discomfort.
"When Graywing and Nightfang came to our camp with a proposal of changing our way of life I was tempted to laugh in their faces. However the words I have heard spoken tonight have touched me deeply." He looked around at the Starclan cats as his gaze landed on Tallstar, "You appointed me as leader in your last breath, I didn't understand your choice and was afraid I was not worthy of such a title. When Starclan accepted me as Windclans leader then I felt that maybe I was really cut out to lead. When reality set in I grew unconfident and nervous at any problem. What pulled me through it all was remembering what we stood for, what we fought for and what we died for. The clans may not have intended to be separate at first but they grew to be and it is why we are standing here today"
My heart began to sink. He was going to pick Clearsky's side and we would be at a tie, what would we do then? Would we go around and ask the warriors? Would we just take it as a loss and keep the borders up? Clearsky puffed his chest up in anticipation for the vote, I looked to Onestar again who had grown oddly silent, his ears sunk in sadness as he looked up at Firestar,
"You were one of the greatest warriors this forest has ever known. I remember when you became leader and how you were naturally good at it, like you were born to be the leader of Thunderclan. Where I questioned Starclans choice I saw in you the confidence I desired and because of my jealousy I threw our past friendship aside and fostered hate and distrust in my heart and in those of my clan. I have always regretted not being able to apologize to you Firestar." He dipped his head to his old friend, Firestar smiled in return.
He turned his gaze to Clearsky, "I could not be the cat I am today without the warrior code." He turned his head to Graywing, "I don't know how you intend for this to work but if it means making up for my foolishness then I will dissolve our borders."
Clearsky hissed and Graywing and the other Starclan cats rose in cheer. Bluestar and Oakheart covered Mistystar in rubs, Firestar and Onestar touched noses, Bramblestar and Squirrelflight spoke with Feathertail in excitement and I could barely get my thoughts around what had just happened. I looked to Morningdew who head was hung low to hide her tears, my kits bounced for joy and covered us both in licks, "Can you believe it? We can be a family a real family!" Wishpaw cried above the noise.
I dipped my head to Morningdew and when I looked in her eyes my heart threatened to break further. Her eyes glowed normally but now the happiness in them highlighted every edge of her eyes and for a moment I thought her blue irises your reach out and pull my in. "Oh, Nightfang. Can you believe it?" I shook my head and rubbed it with hers. "I never wanted anything else love." I breathed and for a moment the cheers and cries melted away and it was just me, my mate, and my kits.
"Silence every cat silence!" Graywing called, when the cheers turned into excited whispers he spoke again, "Clearsky, the clans have spoken and they want to remove the borders." He looked to his brother and the other Starclan cats who had been on his side, they all wore gazes of confusion and disbelief. "Do you except this decision? Will you continue to guide the clans despite this?" he spoke more to every cat than just Clearsky.
"This will never work you know and when it fails then we will be here to pick up the pieces." He said, his voice hard and emotionless. Without another word he and the other cats began to dissolve and soon Rowanstar and the Shadowclan cats were left alone on the opposite side of the rest of the clans. "Rowanstar, what will you do?" Bramblestar asked, concern in his voice as he looked to his sister. "If this is what Starclan has decreed than I cant go against it." He said solemnly, looking at Graywing "I will not let the other clans take advantage of this however, if we are constantly being interrupted by the other clan cats then I will not hesitate to fight back." He ended, a hiss rising in his throat.
"That will not happen Rowanstar." Graywing said almost amused. He turned to the crowd, "Now we will go over the new rules and laws that will shape the clans from here on."
Rule one- "Defend your clan, even with your life but not without purpose. Peace among clans must remain constant."
Rule 2- "Hunting in another clans territory is allowed only by the leader and under supervision. Hunting in other territories should only be requested when the consequences are dire."
Rule 3- Elders, Queens, and Kits will stay the same. Every warrior and apprentice must hunt for the clan before eating."
Rule 4- Prey is to be killed only to be eaten and give thanks to Starclan. This will not be changed."
Rule 5- "Will stay the same, kits must be 6 moons old to begin training."
Rule 6- "New warriors will still keep a vigil their first night."
Rule 7- "Cats are still not t be made deputies before they have had apprentices first."
Rule 8- "The deputy will still succeed the leader when they pass."
Rule 9- "A new deputy will still need to be picked before Moonhigh on the night of ones death or retirement."
Rule 10- "Gatherings are still to be held once a moon, the truce will not need to bein affect because fighting amongst ourselves should always be avoided."
Rule 11- "Is disbanded here and now. There will be no boundaries, a look out will be posted by the borders to grant permission to journeying cats and to watch for danger."
Rule 12- "No warrior can neglect any cat in danger, we must protect each other even if we do not live in the same territory."
Rule 13- "The word of your leader is final, this is the word of Starclan."
Rule 14- "An honorable warrior does not need to kill others unless it is in self defense."
Rule 15- "A warrior will still reject the soft life of a kittypet but those who want to join and believe in our laws will be given the fair chance to become a warrior. Blood does not matter."
Rule 16- "Each Clan has the right to be proud and independent, but in times of trouble they must forget their boundaries and fight side by side to protect the four. Each Clan must help the others so that no Clan will fall."
Graywing went over every code, the changes were small on some and big for others. I could sense the unease for some as the changes were pointed out but in the end they were reasonable and could be followed easily. "Let me be clear." Graywing said looking directly at Rowanstar, "Cats are not free to come and go as they please, finding a cat in your territory without the permission of the leader or sentinels will be questioned and every clan has the right to ban certain cats from entering their territory."
Rowanstar's fur relaxed a bit knowing he still had control over the visitors. "There is one more thing I could like to add" Cinderpelt said addressing the crowd, "I think we should let the medicine cats have mates. Without the threat from the clans there shouldn't be any harm in letting them have families." Graywing considered this for a moment, "That rule isn't just about focusing on sick cats Cinderpelt, kitting can be dangerous and if a medicine cat was to have complication than the whole clan can be at risk if there isn't another to take over." Yellowfang pointed out.
"I know but I think we should make it a rule that there must be two medicine cats in camp at all times for this reason. Being a medicine cat can be scary for some because they have to give up so much and I don't think that is fair. They should be taught to fight and to protect as well as heal, it will make them even more valuable to the clan don't you agree?" she added, looking at Yellowfang and then to Leafpool. "It could have prevented so much pain." Cinderpelt added, her voice seemed to hint at something else as she pleaded with the bedraggled old she cat. "I think it's a great idea." Graywing said when she didn't answer. "What do you think?" he asked the leaders.
"I think that is reasonable." Mistystar said with a shrug.
"I think Cinderpelt is right." Bramblestar nodded to the gray she cat.
"I cant hurt I suppose." Rowanstar grumbled
"What if the clan doesn't have any apprentices to train to be a medicine cat?" Onestar inquired.
"Well, what if a medicine cat from another clan steps in until another one is trained and found?" Bluestar suggested getting some murmurs of agreement. "That's works. It is decided. Are there any more questions or concerns?" Graywing asked aloud and when no cat spoke he dismissed the meeting. The Starclan cats said goodbye to their friends and family as the dissolved back into thin air to journey home to their starlit home.
"So what do we do now?" Rowanstar asked moving closer to the other leaders. "Well I suppose we just don't renew the scent marks. They will fade in time and in their place we put a guard at the border to verify who comes and goes." Bramblestar added.
"Yes, the border patrols don't need to be dissolved, we can do shifts like we have done before with the guards and continue business as normal." Mistystar nodded.
"I think there should be some limitations on visiting cats." Onestar began, looking pointedly at me and Morningdew, "While I still don't support out of clan relationships I understand all of this was done because of one. So we can say that friendships and mates can be allowed to come and go but why would any cat need to come into our territory anyway, unless it was an emergency?"
For a moment all was silent as every cat thought about what he meant. "Well since we don't need to train to fight each other, just other dangers than how about we intertwine our training with each other." Morningdew suggested, speaking aloud for the first time since the meeting began. "What do you mean?" Rowanstar asked his gaze suspicious. "I mean that it could be a part of an apprentices training to go to train with other clan apprentices. It would foster friendships, give every cat a wider range of skills, and new ideas and skills can be discussed." She said confidently, sitting up straighter, her poultices stretching at the movement.
"That's brilliant!" Bramblestar praised.
"It sounds promising." Mistystar nodded clearly impressed.
"I guess it could work." Rowanstar shrugged.
"Its not a bad idea." Onestar agreed.
"Ok, the next gathering is in a few nights, lets discuss this more then. I think we have all had enough shock for one night." Rowanstar said signaling his clan to follow him. Despite to upset many cats seemed wide awake and discussed openly the new changes with one another as if the clans had never been divided.
Morningdew
I couldn't believe it, it had really happened, Nightfang and me could openly be together and no cat could say a thing. My inner cynisim insisted that there had to be a catch but my heart was too happy to listen. Looking at Nightfang I could see the same level of happiness there, Bramblestar yowled to gather the clan together and I suddenly grew afraid to leave his side, as if I didn't think this would truly last. "Can we go stay with Nightfang tonight?" Ravenpaw asked, his blue eyes pleading. "I don't think we should push this so soon son, lets let the other clans adjust to the borders being down first before we sleep at each others camps." Nightfang said as he hauled himself to his paws, pain visible on his face. "At least let us help you get home." Silverpaw asked moving to let Nightfang lean on his shoulder.
"I think we can handle getting our son home." A stern voice said from behind us. Breezepelt and Heathertail were standing a few tail lengths away neither looking pleased with the verdict. "I still think we should go with him." Silverpaw responded looking them both in the eye. "Silverpaw I will be fine. Go with your mother, you can come visit me soon." Nightfang said pushing off his son and limping to his parents who both quietly moved to both his sides and helped him follow Onestar.
"I don't like this mama, what if they don't let us see him again?" Wishpaw stared after them her amber eyes full of worry. "Starclan has given their orders and Onestar agreed to dissolve the borders too, of course we will get to see him." Ravenpaw rested his tail on his sisters flank reassuringly. "Lets not worry about it tonight loves, I am sure you are just as tired as I am." I said with a yawn, my eyes feeling like lead. I tried to get up but the burn on my stomach stretched uncomfortably and sent spikes of pain all through my body. "Let us help." Frostfeather said dashing over to us, Fleetwhisker following close behind. The kits moved aside to let them help me to my paws, "Maybe we should carry you dear, you shouldn't be walking with such and injury." Frostfeather asked, looking to Fleetwhisker to pick me up. "No its alright, I can walk." I insisted, if Nightfang could walk with his injuries then so could I.
All of Thunderclan had been at the gathering because of the fire but as we returned home we found our camp just as we left it, not even a hint of smoke lingered in the air. "What a strange fire." Fleetwhisker said aloud, "Poor Rosepetal, having to see her kit in such a rage." Frostfeather answered making me cringe at the memory of Rosepetals shocked face when Scorchflame had returned. Every cat trudged to bed, I could even over here the apprentice grumbling. That's right tonight was supposed to be their naming ceremony, Im sure Bramblestar will do it in the morning. "Morningdew, you should stay in the medicine cats den until your injuries have healed." Jayfeather said slinking up behind us, his blind eyes caught my own as if he dared me to refuse. "Alright, do you want us to stay dear?" Frostfeather said licking my head.
"No, I will be fine." Was all I could manage, I hadn't been this tired since I had given birth and had to walk back to camp. "We will spend the night with the kits then." Fleetwhisker said following them to the apprentices den. I turned to follow Jayfeather but Bramblestar called my name. "Morningdew, I wanted to talk you about Nightfang." Swallowing hard I had trouble meeting his gaze as I changed directions, "Hold on a minute Bramblestar, she is hurt and exhausted. Let her rest and talk to her later." Leafpool scolded nudging back to Jayfeather, Bramblestar looked like he was about to protest but nodded and moved to his den.
Settling me in the nest Leafpool sniffed at my poultices and moved them properly into place. "These burns are not like regular burns, im guessing because the fire was not normal fire. I don't know if these will heal the same way." She admitted, "How long will they take to heal?" I asked, she shrugged, "Normal burns take at least a month to heal fully, but then again these are different. I usually let warriors back on duty after two weeks or so."
Two weeks! I wouldn't be able to leave the den for two weeks! Starclan I was going to go crazy in here. To tired to argue though I lay my head in my paws and replayed the gathering in my head. We had done it, me and Nightfang were going to get to be together forever.
