Chapter 7

I tried to keep my eyes open as I headed toward Tall Tree. It had been a couple days since my first visit from Lightstar and it had been my only. Of course, I probably would have seen her if I had actually gone to sleep, but I had been avoiding it. At least tonight have me a reason to keep awake.

I knew it would be good for my health to sleep, especially with whitecough going around. Skyfang and Cranepool had both fallen ill. The amount of warriors going was smaller than usual as to leave the camp guarded. Some cats were starting to get worried. I had other things to worry about.

This is actually my first Gathering in a while. I hadn't been allowed to go because of my lack of self control. Yowling at a leader is not something you do, even if they do deserve it, because there's a chance they'll kidnap, torture, and blind your half-sister, try to kill you, end up killing your father, and visit you in your dreams trying to convince you to do evil things. If someone had told me that before I did it maybe I wouldn't have done it, but no one tells you these kind of things.

We arrived to find both SnowClan and SunClan had shown up before us. I looked around for any familiar faces when one found me. One I didn't want to see.

"They finally let the kit go to Gatherings again?" Grasstail sneered. "It's been a while, Deathpaw."

"For your information, it's Deathfire. And leave me alone," I told him. I'm too sleep deprived to put up with that fox-heart.

"Why should I? We are encouraged to socialize at these things. And it's not like anyone else would try to talk to you," he said.

"See if I care," I said. I went to walk away when I was stopped by something on my tail. His paw, in fact. "Remove your paw please."

"It's rude to walk away from a conversation," he said.

"Just let me leave," I said.

"Why?" he said in a hushed voice. "Us evil cats have to stick together."

That's when I froze. He couldn't know about my Dark Forest encounter, right? That would be impossible! Unless one of them heard it from Lightstar herself. Or they were in on the whole thing. Was this part of one of Flurrytail's schemes? Lightstar wasn't part of Flurrytail's following. Unless she was an ally...

"What do you know?" I whispered.

"More than you," he replied quietly. "Meet me here later tonight and maybe I'll explain a few things."

"Grasstail, what in StarClan do you think you're doing?" Snakeheart asked, marching up.

"None of your business," Grasstail responded.

"I think it is my business as deputy when one of my warriors decide to harass cats from other Clans, and at a Gathering no less," Snakeheart told him. "We don't need you blowing SunClan's recovering reputation. Brownstar will be hearing about this. Now remove your paw from her tail and apologize."

He did as told and removed his paw. "I'm sorry," he said, all sincerity lacking from his voice.

"Now, scram," Snakeheart told him. He slunk off. "Sorry about him, Deathpaw."

"Thanks. But it's actually Deathfire now," I said.

"Really? Congrats," she said. "I'm going to go do some stuff. Nice seeing you!"

"Bye!" I said. She left and I was left alone.

"Hey, Deathpaw," someone said. "But if I've heard correctly, that's not your name anymore."

I turned to see Moonpaw. I doubt that's her name anymore though. "Hey! I'm guessing you have a new name now too," I said.

"Yeah, I'm Moonblossom," she said.

"Nice," I told her.

"Hope you don't mind that I got Snakeheart when I saw that SunClan fox-heart bothering you," she said.

"Oh, not at all," I said. "His name's Grasstail and he can't ever seem to leave me alone. I'm not particularly good at getting myself out of those situations either."

"He's been a warrior before we were born. You'd think he'd have the sense to leave you alone," she said.

"I guess I technically started it when I got mad at him at the border one day," I admitted. "He was insulting my sister though. I at least had a reason. He's obviously one for holding a grudge."

She nodded. "Obviously," she agreed.

"How's everything going for you in these past moons?" I asked.

"Not the best," she admitted. "My sister Whitetalon died recently. We weren't close, but still. We know it was a cat, but there was no scent. So we really don't know if it was a lone rouge, a group a rouges, or even another Clan cat."

"That would definitely make it harder," I said. "I know I'm still not over Limppaw's death."

"I just hope we figure out who did it, especially since the Clan might not be safe," she said. She toned her voice down. "But there was something strange about it."

"What?" I asked.

"It was a pretty clean kill. Almost as if she was with someone she trusted," she whispered. "I think it was Lilyshade or one of the other cats they hang around at Gatherings. I think they're evil."

"I think you might be right," I agreed. "I've heard about Moleshine's death and that there was no scent on him. Keep a sharp lookout."

She nodded. "You think the whole group is evil?" she asked.

"I wouldn't doubt it," I said.

The Gathering was then called to begin by one of the leaders. News was shared from SunClan and RainClan. Then it was NightClan's turn.

"Everything is going fine with NightClan," Wingstar lied. I understood why she wouldn't want the other Clans knowing though. "We have a new warrior: Deathfire."

Through the quieter-than-usual chanting I heard a few comments. "They actually made her a warrior after everything?" "That says something about NightClan that they'll make mouse-brains like her a warrior." "Is NightClan desperate or something?" "And they let her come back to Gatherings too after yowling at a leader." "This is just asking for trouble." I tried to ignore, but couldn't when they were so right.

SnowClan shared their news and the Gathering ended. I talked to Moonblossom for a bit more, who told me not to worry about the nasty comments I heard, before NightClan was called to leave. We said our quick goodbyes and I left.

That left me wondering what to do. Should I take up Grasstail's offer to see what he can tell me? On one paw, he's a cat who really wants me dead and would do anything to do it. On the other paw, I need help. I can't just avoid sleep until I collapse from exhaustion. But I'd have to be a complete mouse-brain to take Grasstail up on that offer.

Author Note: Will Deathfire take him up on his offer? Is Grasstail just bluffing? Is Deathfire a complete mouse-brain? Why the crap does almost everyone hate my poor child Deathfire? Stay tuned to find out... Well, we already know Deathfire is a mouse-brain. That's not up for debate. And everyone hates Deathfire cause she's the troublemaker type, those darn Clans and their strictness. To be honest, the first two questions are the only ones up for debate. I guess we'll find out next week when we get another Deathfire POV... Please leave a review! I'll see you back here next week!

-Everly W.