Stars speckled the sky above. Leopardstar led RiverClan to the edge of the slope to Fourtrees, and lifted her tail briefly to halt them. Fireheart was near the back of the group, standing beside Beechflower and Silverstream. He tasted the air. The scents of the other three Clans were fresh—RiverClan was last to arrive.
"RiverClan, go on," Leopardstar meowed, lowering her tail. The warriors began to descend down the hill and into the small valley. Fireheart walked down with his companions, his heart beginning to pick up in pace.
StarClan, just let me not see her, he thought. That's the only way I can make it through the night.
Cats were gathered below in small clusters. It had been some time since Fireheart had last attended a Gathering, and it was a welcome sight to see so many mingling peacefully. The air was cold, but not as bitterly as it had been for the last moon. Leopardstar and Blackclaw headed straight for the Great Rock, while RiverClanners split apart and melded with the other cats.
Beechflower and Silverstream were looking around the clearing. Silverstream spotted someone across the clearing. "There he is," she purred. Fireheart followed her gaze.
Graystripe, he realized. The gray tabby was sitting with another ThunderClan warrior. Fireheart held back as Beechflower and Silverstream started off towards him. "Go on without me," he meowed. "I've got some friends in WindClan to catch up with." And I need to stay away from all things ThunderClan!
"Alright," Beechflower purred. "See you later."
Fireheart watched them go before he began to look around for any familiar faces. A dark tabby pelt caught his eye. "Mudclaw!" he called, and turned to head towards the tunneller.
Mudclaw was talking with a gray ShadowClan tom. He paused in his conversation and glanced up. "Fireheart!" he meowed. He gestured with his tail for Fireheart to join them. "Long time, no see. How's the prey running?"
Fireheart smiled at him as he sat. Mudclaw had been stoic and reserved for most of his time in WindClan, but by the end of Fireheart's service there, the two had come to respect one another. "It's okay," Fireheart replied. "We're doing as well as we can with the ground prey, but I'd prefer fish."
"Fireheart, is it?" the ShadowClanner meowed. "I'm Rainfoot."
Mudclaw nodded. "Rainfoot and I were just talking about ThunderClan. Did you hear Thistlestar died?"
"I just want to know how," Rainfoot added, his eyes narrowing curiously. "Thistlestar tried to push our border a few times, then all of a sudden, nothing." He leaned in close and whispered, "And I could've sworn I just saw Blackfoot with the ThunderClan party when they got here."
"You're out of your mind," Mudclaw retorted. "Blackfoot probably died with those other exiles of yours."
Fireheart blinked. Sandstorm had been very quiet about the circumstances of Thistlestar's death. He couldn't remember even properly discussing it with her. Maybe something happened those few nights we missed each other… or around whenever Silverthorn found us. The last moon felt like a blur. So much has changed.
"Crookedstar passed away as well," Fireheart meowed. He lowered his gaze to his paws. "He drowned in a flood."
Mudclaw frowned sympathetically. "I heard. We crossed paths with a border patrol not long after that told us about it."
"He seemed like a good leader," Rainfoot meowed.
Fireheart tried to push away the growing feeling of sadness as he thought of his old leader. "How is Ferretstar?" he asked.
"He's well," Mudclaw replied. "He'd be glad to see you, you know." He chuckled quietly. "He asks the patrols sometimes if they've seen you."
Fireheart felt his ears grow warm. He glanced towards the Great Rock. "Maybe I'll see if i can talk to him before the meeting starts," he meowed. He was about to rise when Russetstar let out a yowl from the top of the rock.
Or not. He let out a sigh. "Or I'll wait until after."
The leaders quickly assembled at the top of the Great Rock. Ferretstar leaped up to join Russetstar, and was quickly followed by Leopardstar. Fireheart could see her eyes gleaming with pride even from where he sat.
She's been waiting to lead for a long time, he thought.
Tigerstar was the last to appear at the top of the boulder. The massive tom dwarfed the others as he sat to one edge beside Leopardstar. The two leaders shared a friendly nod.
Fireheart narrowed his eyes. How will they announce the new border agreement? He wondered. His gaze slid towards Mudclaw. I wonder what the other Clans will think.
"Cats of all four Clans," Ferretstar meowed. "Welcome to the Gathering." He glanced towards Leopardstar and Tigerstar. "We have two new leaders among us, I see. My condolences for your losses. You may speak first, if you wish."
Leopardstar dipped her head gratefully, but Tigerstar straightened up and replied, "No condolences are necessary, Ferretstar. If I may?"
Russetstar nodded, and Tigerstar raised his voice to address all. "Cats of the Clans," he declared. "I am ThunderClan's new leader. I know many are wondering what happened to Thistlestar." He paused for a heartbeat. "ThunderClan has done away with him."
Russetstar narrowed her eyes. "What exactly do you mean?"
"I mean what I say," Tigerstar meowed. "We rose up and put him down."
Mudclaw's eyes widened. Rainfoot hissed in surprise. All around, cats were gasping. Fireheart was stunned into silence. Put him down? He gripped the earth with his claws. Sandstorm definitely never mentioned that.
Tigerstar's thick tail lashed once. "You should not be surprised!" he boomed. "I will be the first to admit that Thistlestar was a terror to all other Clans. StarClan's sake, he was a terror to ours." He stood up and turned to face the other leaders. "We would have no more of it. That is why I come to you tonight to ask that ThunderClan's crimes against your Clans be forgiven. We followed Thistlestar out of obligation until we could bear it no longer."
"Tigerstar and I have already agreed on an age of peace between our Clans," Leopardstar announced. "Our history of war is behind us." She looked towards Russetstar and Ferretstar. "I believe Tigerstar intends to put ThunderClan back on the right path, and I look forward to working with him peacefully."
Ferretstar stared evenly at Tigerstar. "I had little quarrel with ThunderClan," he meowed. "But I often heard of Thistlestar's attacks on RiverClan and ShadowClan. If you say you condemn him, so be it."
Russetstar's eyes were narrowed. "I am not so eager to play nice with your Clan," she hissed. "An apprentice was killed in your last raid on our territory!"
Rainfoot let out a deep growl. "Antpaw," he hissed.
Tigerstar bowed his head to the molly. "I am sorry," he meowed. "Truly. We lost a good warrior in that foolish battle. But if there is anything I can do to make amends between our Clans, please, tell me."
Russetstar stared back at him unblinkingly. "I will think on this."
Tigerstar dipped his head. "Very well." He turned back to face the Clans and sat. "ThunderClan is recovering from Thistlestar's harsh rule. Our new deputy, Bluefur, is organizing the Clan into good shape, and we have a new apprentice, Snowpaw."
ThunderClan cats were quick to take up a cheer. "Snowpaw! Snowpaw!"
Fireheart looked around for a sign of a new apprentice. He saw a fluffy white tom being nudged by a few other apprentices. That must be him. The young cat was grinning from ear-to-ear.
Tigerstar allowed the cheering to go on for a few moments before he continued. "We are grateful to WindClan for allowing Crowfur to help us relearn pawspeak." He nodded respectfully towards Ferretstar, who blinked in return. "And I have one last thing to speak of."
He looked to Leopardstar. "Leopardstar and I have been working over this past moon to repair the relationship between ThunderClan and RiverClan. We have recently reached an agreement that will be in both our favor."
Sunningrocks, Fireheart realized, frowning deeply.
"Sunningrocks has long been disputed territory, and the site of much bloodshed between us,
Tigerstar meowed. "That is why we have agreed to forgo fighting over it. From now on, Sunningrocks will be neutral territory between us."
"Neutral?" Mudclaw muttered. "Like Fourtrees?" He glanced curiously at Fireheart.
Fireheart shook his head. "I have no idea," he replied. "I barely understand it myself."
Rainfoot raised a brow curiously. "Wasn't it under RiverClan control last? I'm surprised Leopardstar was willing to give it up. I thought she hated ThunderClan."
Does he want me to admit something? Fireheart shifted his paws uncomfortably and said nothing.
"I must admit I am surprised to hear this," Ferretstar meowed. His whiskers twitched. "There has never been any love between your Clans."
Tigerstar met his gaze. "I intend to change ThunderClan for the better," he declared. "I believe that all Clans can work together in peace." He paused for a moment. "I hope to meet with both of you as I have with Leopardstar. I believe we may be able to reach similar agreements to foster peace between us."
Ferretstar frowned, appearing unconvinced. "Perhaps."
Russetstar's eyes were still narrowed. "I have no interest in allowing ThunderClanners onto ShadowClan land," she growled. "If your bargain of peace truly holds between ThunderClan and RiverClan for the next moon, then maybe I will be willing to reconsider."
Tigerstar nodded. "That sounds fair to me." His eyes gleamed in the moonlight. "I have no doubts that we will continue to grow stronger together."
Fireheart felt his belly stir uncomfortably. What's that supposed to mean? He couldn't tell if there was a hidden threat, or if the tom was being genuine.
"Squirrel-chasers," Rainfoot snorted. "They think they can do whatever they want." He eyed Fireheart. "What exactly is going on between your Clans?"
Fireheart sighed. "I literally have no idea."
Leopardstar lifted her chin to speak. "RiverClan is recovering after a flood," she loudly meowed. "We lost many good cats, including our leader, Crookedstar."
Fireheart's chest clenched with sadness. Crookedstar… Duckpaw… the kits…
Leopardstar curled her tail around her paws. "But we are growing stronger again. Blackclaw has taken on deputyship, and Silverstream is expecting kits. We have rebuilt our dens and are glad to be repairing our relationship with ThunderClan."
Murmurs of congratulations went around for Silverstream. Leopardstar glanced towards Russetstar and meowed, "That is all I have to say."
Russetstar's gaze slid over the Clans. "Before the start of winter, ThunderClan ambushed a border patrol in an unprovoked attack," she hissed. "Our apprentice, Antpaw, was struck by a monster and killed during the fight." She cast a glare towards Tigerstar. "It has been three moons, and we have still not received reparations for his death!"
Tigerstar nodded quickly. "There is no warrior who killed him," he meowed. "But if it would satisfy you, I will hunt personally for his kin."
Russetstar blinked, clearly surprised by the offer. "I… Very well." She nodded quickly. "I accept your offer."
"Of course," Tigerstar replied.
Russetstar seemed caught off guard by how easy it had been to receive such an offer. She was quiet for a heartbeat, like she was trying to collect her thoughts.
She probably thought she'd have to fight for it, Fireheart thought. Just like every other time Thistlestar caused problems… I wonder if she'd argued with him about it at the last few Gatherings.
Russetstar cleared her throat. "Well. My only other piece of news is that Littlepaw has decided to forgo his warrior training to take on the path of a medicine cat." She nodded down at an apprentice who was seated with the other medicine cats. "StarClan welcomed him at the Mothermouth this past half-moon, and our best wishes go with him."
"Littlepaw!" cats began to cheer. "Littlepaw!"
Russetstar sat down. "That is all."
Ferretstar stood to speak. "WindClan is doing well," he meowed. "Rabbitfoot has moved into the nursery, and Oatspeckle gave birth to her kits, Willowkit, Robinkit, and Rushkit." He smiled warmly. "The winter has not been so harsh for us, thank StarClan." He was about to sit when he looked like he recalled something. "Ah! Russetstar—" he glanced at the molly. "A border patrol chased off a fox this morning near the road. It was near the edge of both our territories, so it may not have wandered deep in yours… but I'd keep an eye out for it."
Russetstar nodded gratefully. "Thank you for the warning, Ferretstar."
Fireheart was glad to see that the two leaders seemed to be getting along. Ferretstar didn't seem eager to trust ShadowClan after everything that happened with Brokenstar, he remembered. But they must have not had any problems lately. It seemed like all the Clans were beginning to feel more at peace with one another.
Ferretstar looked to the other leaders. "If there is no more news to be shared, then we should end our announcements." The others did not argue, so he turned back to the gathered cats. "This Gathering is over!"
That was quick, Fireheart thought. I guess we must have gotten here a bit late. Already cats were beginning to peel away from each other and return to their respective Clans.
Mudclaw stood and stretched. "See you around."
"I think I'll come with you for a moment, if that's alright," Fireheart quickly meowed. "I'd like to say hello to Ferretstar."
"Suit yourself," Mudclaw replied. The brown tabby led the way across the clearing, to where WindClan's group was gathering. He meowed a quick 'goodbye' to Rainfoot as they padded away.
Fireheart spotted Ferretstar as the leader approached his Clan from the Great Rock. He lifted his tail in greeting and called out, "Ferretstar!"
Ferretstar blinked and turned at the sound of his name. He beamed as soon as he saw Fireheart. "Fireheart!" he loudly purred, and hurried over to greet him. The tall tom quickly pressed his muzzle to Fireheart's forehead. "How are you, youngster? I feel like I haven't seen you in moons."
Fireheart let out a warm purr in response. "I've been okay," he replied. "The last moon has been hard for all of us."
Ferretstar pulled away, his expression sympathetic. "Yes, Crookedstar… it's a shame. He was a great leader."
Part of Fireheart wished he could tell Ferretstar all about Sandstorm—but he held his tongue. He nodded, his smile falling. "None of us expected it," he murmured.
Ferretstar's voice lowered somewhat. "How is Leopardstar settling into her role?"
Fireheart stiffened, his pelt pricking uncomfortably. What am I supposed to say? He would be lying if he said he had any love for his leader… but Ferretstar was from an enemy Clan, regardless of their friendship. He shifted his paws awkwardly. "She's working really hard," he meowed. "But… she's just different from Crookedstar."
Ferretstar snorted softly. "She's a little more fiery, isn't she?" His tone wasn't antagonistic, though, so Fireheart supposed he meant it in a complimentary way. "Well, I do hope whatever agreement stands between you and ThunderClan works out." He frowned. "War is never a good thing between Clans. StarClan knows your Clans have seen their fair share."
Fireheart was about to reply when he heard Leopardstar yowl from across the clearing. He glanced over his shoulder. "I should get going." He looked up at Ferretstar and smiled. "But it was great to see you."
Ferretstar purred and leaned forward to touch his nose to Fireheart's. "It's always a pleasure. Never forget that all of WindClan are your friends, Fireheart."
Fireheart lingered for a moment longer before he pulled away, his heart warm with fondness for the WindClan leader. "Thank you." He turned and hurried across the clearing to rejoin his Clan. As he walked towards them, he furrowed his brow in confusion. Why is ThunderClan with them?
Tigerstar and Leopardstar were speaking together to the side of the large group, but ThunderClan and RiverClan warriors were still mingling together. Fireheart padded up to Beechflower and Silverstream, who were still sitting with Graystripe. He sat beside Beechflower and whispered, "What's going on?"
Beechflower shrugged. "Leopardstar said we'll make the journey together until the bridge. It's the truce night, after all."
Silverstream gave Graystripe a fond glance. "I'm not complaining."
Graystripe's ears seemed to redden and he chuckled quietly. "I'd never complain about good company."
StarClan's sake, they're barely hiding it, Fireheart thought. I can't believe I'm the only cat that ever caught them.
Leopardstar raised her voice over the conversations. "RiverClan, let's go home!"
Tigerstar lifted his head and let out a yowl. "ThunderClan, to me!"
Together, the two Clans rose and began to head out of Fourtrees, walking up the slope and to the west. ThunderClan and RiverClan cats walked together as one. Fireheart looked around curiously. He saw Weaselfoot and Blackclaw talking to Darkstripe and Addertail. Shellpaw and Maplepaw were exchanging mock blows with a pair of tabby ThunderClan apprentices, ducking behind and around warriors as they played. Brambleflower padded along with a plump ThunderClan queen. And to his side, Beechflower and Silverstream were walking with Graystripe between them. Every so often, one would casually brush their tail with another, and they seemed to take no notice of any other cats around them.
Though it seemed such a sight should have put Fireheart at ease, he couldn't help but feel nervous. For one matter, he was still worried he would bump into Sandstorm—though it seemed now that she may not have come at all. But for another… it was simply strange to see the two Clans together as they were.
Fireheart frowned to himself. We've been enemies since before I showed up, he thought. We lost a lot of cats to ThunderClan, and they've always wanted Sunningrocks from us… now we're just friends? It felt wrong to be skeptical of something he once had thought would be a grand thing for the Clans—but he couldn't feel at ease.
When did Tigerstar even start caring about peace? He swallowed. I mean, I barely know him, but when he was a deputy he always seemed… aggressive and arrogant. He was leading a lot of those battles against us, for StarClan's sake! He shook his head. I don't know… I guess I shouldn't be worrying about this. He looked up ahead towards the front of the group, where Tigerstar and Leopardstar led the way. Leopardstar's always hated ThunderClan. She wouldn't be working with Tigerstar if she didn't think it was good for us… right?
