Chapter 18

"Traitor!"

"Chase him out!"

ThunderClan was in chaos after the cats returned to the camp. Dragonflywing had run ahead of everyone to tell the cats that were left behind, and now the majority of the clan glared and bristled at Goldenstar as he thrust through the bramble entrance. Buzzardpaw padded behind his father, his ears flattened to his head.

Goldenstar stopped once he reached the center of the camp, the cats swarming around him in a tight circle. The ThunderClan leader dropped his head in defeat as his clan hissed and spat at him. Buzzardpaw noticed that a few cats hung back, their eyes filled with uncertainty. He looked down at his paws, feeling his father's shame.

Palecloud thrust his way through the cats, his eyes wide. "Goldenstar... Is it really true?"

The massive tabby tom lifted his head to stare into his deputy's eyes, his gaze weak and sorrowful. Gasps rung throughout the camp, as the leader's silence answered the dreaded question. The camp grew eerily silent. Buzzardpaw glanced at the nursery, Softkit's eyes wide as she poked her head out of the den entrance. Finally breaking the silence, a quiet voice mewed:

"How did this happen?"

Goldenstar lowered his head again, his shoulders sagging. He opened his mouth to speak, but his normal loud, booming voice was weak and hoarse. "It happened… The night of the fire. I was shocked by Mousestar's kindness and…" His voice faltered and he cleared his voice to speak again. "And I felt something. It wasn't love, but it was something. Mistakes were made that night, and I tried my hardest to distance myself from her, I knew what we did- what I did was wrong. But one night, she requested to meet and revealed that she was pregnant. I felt the world shatter in that instant. But I knew that I had to be there for my kits, and we agreed to meet in secret until the kits were born. One day, while we were meeting, she began kitting early. There was no medicine cat, and we were too afraid of what would happen if we got one. It was a long, gruesome birth and she… she lost a life during the kitting. She gave birth to four beautiful kits, all stillborn but one. He was the weakest, but we could tell that he had the heart of a warrior, the strength of an Eagle." He paused, lifting his head to the crowd. The cats gazed back at him, their eyes wide. "What I did was inexcusable, and I realize that my foolish actions have hurt each and every one of you dearly. I apologize for my recklessness, and I apologize for disrespecting you all, but most importantly," He turned his head to Fawnleap, who was facing him with narrowed eyes, "I apologize to you, Fawnleap. Though you knew of my actions, you still remained by my side, and I realize now that you did not deserve the way I've treated you and I do not deserve you, nor how good you are to me." He turned his head back to the clan. "I will not ask for your forgiveness, as I know that I am undeserving of it. All I ask, is that you understand that I deeply regret my actions, and I will never do anything to hurt you all ever again."

The camp was silent, so quiet that the crickets chirping above the camp sounded as loud as monsters. The cats in the crowd looked at each other, some of them looking thoughtful, others looking unsure. The silence was broken by Dragonflywing's scoff.

"What, are you fools actually thinking about forgiving this traitor?" The black and white tom hissed, thrusting his way through the crowd. "Look at him. He isn't sorry about what happened, he's sorry that he got caught."

Goldenstar looked at the tom, his gaze calm. "That is untrue. I've been plagued by my actions since that fateful night, and I deeply regret my foolishness. I knew the secret would get out eventually, I just didn't think it would be like this."

Dragonflying hissed in his face. "Oh, isn't that convenient? Now that his disloyalty is out in the open, he claims that he would 'tell us eventually'. How stupid do you think we are, Goldenheart?" He pushed through the cats and leapt onto the High Ledge, earning yowls and hisses in protest. He ignored this, lifting his head to the sky to shout, "I say we exile this traitor! He's disgraced us all, and allowing him to stay only excuses his actions!"

"Get down from there!"

"You don't belong up there, fox heart!"

"You are not our leader!"

Dragonflywing glared at the cats below him. "I'm not your leader, but he is? You're all idiots! All the clans know about this! Imagine how weak ThunderClan will look when they realize that we let him off the hook!"

Goldenstar continued to stare at Dragonflywing, dipping his head. "I understand if you all decide to exile me. I am undeserving of your forgiveness and mercy." He gazed at the cats around him. "If I leave ThunderClan with my life, I will be forever grateful."

Gasps of shock rang throughout the clearing.

"We would never kill you, Goldenstar!"

"You're our leader!"

"But… he betrayed us!"

The camp grew silent again after that last, reluctant comment. Buzzardpaw felt his heart race in his chest. He looked at the cats around him, who looked as uncertain as he felt. Finally, a quiet voice called out:

"I say we let him stay."

The cats turned to the voice, their eyes widening as they saw who it was. Buzzardpaw's eyes widened in shock as he looked at Thistlepounce, who was looking certain and confident. Everycat in the clan was aware of the rivalry Goldenstar and Thistlepounce had, which had ended on an extremely sour note. It was a huge shock to hear the tom speak up for his former rival, and a few thoughtful murmurs rippled throughout the group of cats.

Dragonflywing growled, still perched on the High Ledge. "He's just one cat! I still say that we get rid of the traitor."

Palecloud stood, glaring at the warrior. "I think that you're forgetting, Dragonflywing, that you're just one cat as well. You don't speak for all of us."

The black and white tom opened his mouth to hiss a stinging retort but was cut off by a commotion near the nursery. Springkit had burst through the bramble entrance with Newtwhisper trying to usher her back in. The bubbly kit was too quick however, and squeezed her way under the group of cats to stand in the small circle. Her green eyes flashed proudly as the cats looked down at her.

"I say we cast a vote! Like a game!"

"Springkit," Newtwhisper called from the nursery, her voice stern, "Get back to the nursery this instant! This is a grown cat busin-"

"I say we hear her out, Newtwhisper." Palecoud hummed, nodding thoughtfully. "Obviously, we all have conflicting opinions on what to do, so the best thing to do is to settle it civilly."

Springkit looked as if she would burst with pride as the cats dispersed, grabbing twigs and stones from around the camp. Newtwhisper dashed to her side and grabbed her by the scruff, dragging her back to the nursery. After all the cats had grabbed their voting tool, Palecloud nodded and drew two lines in the sand.

"All cats that wish for Goldenstar to remain in the clan and keep his position, you'll place your stone here," He pointed to the space on the far right with his tail. "All those that believe he should remain in the clan, but give up his leader position, you'll vote here," He pointed to the space in between the two lines, " And those that believe that he should not stay in the clan and leave, you'll vote here." He pointed to the space on the far left. "We'll do this one cat at a time, to reduce the chaos."

"I'll go first then." Dragonflywing hissed, grabbing his stone and placing it in the left space. Exile. Buzzardpaw felt his heartbeat quicken.

Foxgrowl went next, placing his next to Dragonflywing's. Dingomuzzle went after, surprisingly placing his stone in the middle space. Give up his position. Jackdawtalon, Voletail, Violetstream and Sprucestep went next, all placing theirs next to his. Palecloud, Speckledlight, Thistlepounce and Russetprowl placed their stones in the space to the right. Remain leader. Buzzardpaw watched as the remaining cats placed their stones in their spaces, with eleven cats agreeing that Goldenstar should keep his position, and ten cats believing that he should give it up. Buzzardpaw's eyes widened in shock as he watched Fawnleap place her stone in the middle, making the numbers even. Why would she want him to give up his position? He's still a good leader, right? Buzzardpaw slowly realized that he was the last cat to vote, his eyes widening.

He stepped to the voting space, his stone grasped tightly between his jaws. He felt his father's gaze on him and shuddered, a chill going up his spine. It's up to me to break the tie. Should dad remain leader, or should he give it up? Or should he just… leave?

Buzzardpaw thought long and hard, his eyebrows furrowing. He broke the warrior code pretty badly. It would seem weird if we still allowed him to be leader. But… he seemed so genuine. I've never seen dad look so defeated. He glanced back at his father, who was gazing at him softly. Goldenstar dipped his head to his son, as if saying that he would understand his decision. Blinking a few times, Buzzardpaw turned back to the voting space, nodding his head. He closed his eyes, placing his stone down and stepping backwards.

Palecloud peered over his shoulder, humming quietly. "It has been decided then. With twelve votes, it seems that a majority of the clan agrees that Goldenstar should remain, and keep his position as leader."

The clan broke into cheers, a few cats nodding to the leader and others still looking uncertain. Goldenstar stood to his paws, dipping his head. "I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to stay here, let alone allow me to keep my position. I promise with all nine of my lives that I will never forget this, and I will use every fiber of my being to bring ThunderClan to victory. I have great plans for our future, and I will do everything that I can to make you all proud. You won't forget this."

"Goldenstar, Goldentar!" The cats cheered, their yowls filling the night.

Buzzardpaw glanced at Dragonflywing, who was scowling behind the group. With an angry yowl of fury, he roughly pushed through the cheering cats, coming face to face with Goldenstar.

"No matter what these cats say, you will never be my leader."

The group's happy cheers quickly turned to yowls of outrage towards the warrior, their pelts bristling.

"Don't speak to him that way!"

"Disrespectful furrball!"

Russetprowl stalked towards the warrior, his tail lashing. "If anything, yer the traitor here, Dragonflywing. You done outed our business to all da clans! You tried to ruin ThunderClan! Yer the one that should be exiled!" A few cats yowled in agreement at his statement.

Dragonflywing stared at the tom in shock, his discolored eyes wide. "Uncle Russet, you can't believe that!"

Russetprowl narrowed his eyes. "I do believe it, an' I hope Goldn'star agrees as well. An' by tha way, I aint yer uncle. No kin of mine would do somethin' this vile."

Dragonflywing's eyes narrowed to slits. Before he could spit something back, Goldenstar padded between them, lifting his tail calmly.

"Though I do appreciate you for defending me, Russetprowl," Goldenstar mewed, "I do understand Dragonflywing's point of view. What I did is unforgivable, and I am truly grateful for your loyalty." He turned to Dragonflywing, his eyes calm. "No cat will be exiled today."

The black and white warrior glared at Goldenstar, his tail lashing. "I refuse to serve under a traitor like you. You will get no respect from me, you'll-"

Foxgrowl had padded up to him, lightly placing his tail on Dragonflywing's flank. He whispered something in his ear, and slowly Dragonflywing relaxed, then stalked out of camp. Buzzardpaw released a deep breath he didn't realize he was holding. He watched the tom leave, his eyes narrowing.

Goldenstar nodded to the clan, a small smile on his face. "Tonight was an eventful night, and I truly apologize once more. Now, let us all get a good night's rest so we can be prepared for the challenges of tomorrow." The cats began to disperse, and Buzzardpaw headed for the apprentice's den, but was stopped by his father's voice. "Buzzardpaw, come with me."

Buzzardpaw followed his father out of camp, eventually emerging into a small, open clearing. Fawnleap sat in the middle of it, her face worried and sorrowful. Buzzardpaw sat down in front of his parents, his eyes dark. The three cats stared at each other in silence, the sounds of nightlife filling the space around them.

Buzzardpaw looked down at his paws. His mind was racing with questions. After what seemed like an eternity, he was finally able to choke out a quiet, "Why?" His parents remained silent, their heads to the ground. Buzzardpaw's tail lashed. "Why didn't you tell me? Did you think that I wasn't old enough? That I wouldnt understand?"

After a period of silence, Goldenstar finally spoke, lifting his head. "That's not it at all. We- I just didn't think it was important at the ti-"

"Not important?" Buzzardpaw stood to his feet, his eyes narrowing. His fear from before had melted away to a ball of rage, and he glared at the two cats before him. "Not important?! You hid my kin from me!"

Goldenstar's eyebrows furrowed. "You didn't let me finish. I didn't think that it was important at the time. You would have learned about Eaglepaw soon enough."

"How soon is 'soon enough'? From what I can tell, you would have hid it from me for my whole life! Just like…" He faltered, not wanting to say what came to his head. "Just like the traitor you are!"

Goldenstar's expression was hurt, making Buzzardpaw regret what he said. But the anger inside him grew, and he did not let his parents see his hesitance. Fawnleap lifted her head now, her eyes stern. "Now Buzzardpaw, your father has sacrificed a lot to-"

"Sacrificed? He hasn't sacrificed anything!" Buzzardpaw wanted to stop, but the words continued to spill out like an unstoppable torrent of anger. "He's selfish! He's a traitor! And you!" He shifted his glare to his mother, who looked shocked and hurt. "You're not innocent either. You knew this whole time, you could have told me!"

Goldenstar's face turned angry, his eyes narrowing at his son. "Buzzardpaw, you will not blame your mother for any of this! I have acknowledged my wrongs and I know that they are my wrongs alone. Fawnleap is innocent, and you will not blame her for anything!"

Buzzardpaw glared at his father, his ears flattening to his head. "I'll blame who I want! She's not the victim here, and you definitely aren't either. You're both disgraces, and traitors, and liars, and cheaters and… and horrible foxhearts!"

Goldenstar stood to his paws, towering over his son. His face was livid, and his eyes blazed in anger. "I will not tolerate anymore disrespect. Not am I your father Buzzardpaw, but I am also your leader. I will hear no more of this back talk!"

Buzzardpaw unsheathed his claws, his pupils tiny slits. "I wish I voted for your exile!"

Goldenstar's angry expression immediately turned into shock, and his jaw dropped. "You don't mean that…"

"I do! I hate you Goldenstar, I hate you I hate you I hate you!" Buzzardpaw was screaming now, his body trembling violently with every word. Tears threatened to burst from his eyes, but he pushed them back, his eyes shut tightly.

"Buzzardpaw, that is enough!" Fawnleap growled, her pelt bristling. "Apologize to your father!"

Buzzardpaw opened his eyes, shifting his attention to his mother. "You don't tell me what to do, you feeble minded mouse! You cant even realize that youre being used, like the dumb she-cat that you are! You can't-" He hissed in pain as Fawnleap smacked the side of his face, small drops of blood falling from the scratch that she made. Buzzardpaw prepared to pounce on her but was blocked by Goldenstar, making him screech in frustration and dash deeper into the forest.

"Buzzardpaw! Buzzardpaw!"

He ignored his parent's calls, racing blindly forward. His teary eyes blurred his vision but he continued on, his dark pelt blending in with the shadows.

I can't stay here anymore. I can't...


Author's Note:

Chapter 18! Do you think Goldenstar deserves to keep his position as leader, or did the clan let him off too easily? Let me know in the reviews! Chpater 19 will be posted Friday.

Thanks for reading!

~MeltingPopsicles