Any enthusiasm he had at being selected to go to tonight's Gathering quickly died when it sunk in that neither Dustpaw or Sandpaw would be going as well.
Instead, he'd have Firepaw and Graypaw for company while the two cats he actually wanted to travel with stayed back to help guard the camp.
Some 'treat' for doing well on his hunting assessment this afternoon.
A warm weight against his side jolted him from his grim musings.
"Look any glummer and Bluestar might make you stay here too."
"I could live with that."
Dustpaw snorted and gave him a light shove. "Mouse-brain. Could you be any more dramatic?"
Ravenpaw tilted his head slightly. "With you around? Anything I said or did would pale in comparison."
Dustpaw shoved him again; harder.
He couldn't help it. A snort escaped him. "Was that supposed to prove you aren't dramatic?"
Dustpaw's ears flattened. "I come over to help and all you do is insult me." He grumbled.
A small twinge of guilt struck at that. "Sorry." Ravenpaw mumbled back before shifting uncomfortably. "It's just. I'd rather be going to the Gathering with you and Sandpaw and not...them."
Dustpaw pressed against him again. "I get it. But it's not like this will be the only Gathering you'll ever go to. Or that you have to only go with those two for the rest of your life. I bet, next moon, we'll get to go together!"
"You think so?"
"Positive." Dustpaw pulled away to better make eye contact. "Besides, this way, you don't have to rely on Graypaw and Firepaw to tell you all that happens tonight."
Ravenpaw gave a small smile. "Right. Knowing them, they'd probably forget half of what happened."
A warning yowl near the front of the camp drew their attention. Slowly, the cats chosen to go were gathering around Bluestar.
"Guess that's my cue."
Dustpaw gave him a quick headbump. "Relax, you'll be fine. Gatherings aren't too bad, you'll see."
Ravenpaw took a deep breath and got to his paws. "If you say so."
Dustpaw scoffed. "Who's the expert on Gatherings between us? Oh right, me. I'll still be up when you get back just so I can tell you I told you so."
Ravenpaw snorted and waved his tail to let Dustpaw know he heard him.
Barely a heartbeat passed before a new panic hit him at the realization he didn't know who he was supposed to travel with.
He could just barely see Firepaw and Graypaw standing next to their mentors so was he supposed to travel with Tigerclaw? But his mentor had been in such a sour mood since the end of the hunting assessment that the idea of being near him for longer than a border patrol seemed like a good way to get an ear clawed off just for walking the wrong way.
Just as he was rethinking asking Bluestar about staying back instead, Ravenpaw caught a glimpse of familiar pale red fur. Thanking every star in Starclan for Bluestar to choose her to come to tonight's Gathering as well, Ravenpaw darted forward to reach Rosetail's side before anybody else could.
"Mind if I walk with you?"
His mother's eyes gleamed in amusement. "I'd be delighted."
Ravenpaw grinned and quickly matched his pace with hers. Maybe the Gathering wouldn't be too bad. There would be at least one cat he could sit next to all night if the other clans seemed too intense to interact with.
"Excited?"
Ravenpaw blinked and looked up at his mother in confusion, realizing too late he must have zoned out for a moment.
Thankfully, Rosetail didn't seem upset. If anything, she seemed even more amused than earlier.
"Are you excited about your attending your first Gathering?" she kindly repeated.
Ravenpaw swallowed and looked away. "Terrified." He mumbled.
A reassuring touch from his mother's tail drew his attention away from the ground. "There's nothing to be scared about. A Gathering is sort of like a clan meeting but just a little bit bigger."
Ravenpaw blinked. "It is?"
"Mmhm. The only real difference is we can talk to other cats and share news or catch up with friends."
"Friends. F-From other clans? You can do that?"
Rosetail's gaze grew a little distant. "You can. Friendships in other clans isn't a bad thing. Not really. Sometimes it can prevent a border dispute if both sides are friendly enough to talk things out peacefully."
Ravenpaw frowned. That didn't match up at all with what Tigerclaw said. And if it was possible to have friendships in other clans than surely Riverclan wouldn't have ambushed Redtail's patrol and Windclan wouldn't have just vanished.
Maybe Rosetail had been an elder for so long she'd forgotten how brutal the other clans could be.
Or maybe only elders could have friends outside of their birth clan.
"What do you even talk about?"
"Small things mostly. A new name. A good catch you made recently or a funny story. Nothing that can hurt your clan or be used against you outside of a Gathering."
Anxiety he didn't know he had drained away at her words.
Share nothing big.
He could do that. In fact, he could do one better, he could keep his mouth shut and not bother with anyone not in Thunderclan.
"Speaking of recent catches, how was your hunting assessment?"
"Oh. Uh. Good I guess? I um, caught an adder."
Rosetail's eyes widened as she quickly looked over him in alarm. "Did it bite you?"
Ravenpaw quickly shook his head. "It didn't get a chance." Pride leaked into his voice as he thought back to the fight. "I was too quick for it. I don't think it was even fully awake when I stumbled onto it."
"That's good." Rosetail's smile had returned, if a bit strained. "What did Tigerclaw say about your catch?"
Ravenpaw couldn't help slumping a bit at the mention of his mentor. "He wasn't impressed. Asked what in Starclan I thought the clan could do with a dead snake and told me to get rid of it."
His mother's gaze softened. "I'm sorry to hear that. I would have loved to have seen it."
"Really?"
"Really. It's not often a cat can see an adder up close and not worry about being bit."
Ravenpaw felt some of his confidence from earlier return. "I can probably catch another one for you."
Rosetail's step faltered. "You don't have to do that."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure. It was a miracle you didn't get bit the first time. No need to press your luck where you don't have to."
Ravenpaw's tail twitched.
He was pretty sure he could kill another adder easy enough but the apprehension in his mother's voice was enough of a deterrent for now. Maybe when he got his full name she'd feel more comfortable with the catch. After all, he wouldn't be some lucky kit but a skilled and experienced warrior.
Distantly, he realized the group had come to a stop.
Confused, Ravenpaw looked up and Rosetail.
"Why did everyone stop? I-Is there a dog or something?"
Rosetail shook her head. "We're waiting for Bluestar to give the signal before we head into Fourtrees."
Ravenpaw blinked and looked forwards to find his leader.
There were so many cats, all standing and staring ahead, but eventually. He found her.
At the very top of the group, near the edge of the hill, staring forward with maybe the scariest look in her eyes as she looked down. Everything felt frozen as if time itself stood still, waiting for Bluestar to make a move.
Ravenpaw wasn't sure what he thought the signal would be. Maybe a word, or a look back at the chosen cats, something sort of big. But all the signal turned out to be was a quick flick of Bluestar's tail and the flash of her fur as she bolted down the slope.
Stunned, it took Rosetail gently nudging him forward for Ravenpaw to follow after as well.
He wasn't sure why the signal had been something so small and simple for something as important as a Gathering until he was running down the slope as well.
Fourtrees...was breathtaking.
Everything, the grass, the leaves on the four trees growing in the center of the dip, even the cats waiting beneath their branches glowed silver in the moon's light.
No wonder the four Clans were able to gather in peace every moon. Or that the signal to arrive had been so humble and solemn.
With the moon's touch, it was if, for this night only, Starclan itself was a part of the forest as well.
Awed, Ravenpaw pressed closer to Rosetail's side as the rest of Thunderclan settled within the small group of trees and tried not to get overwhelmed by the rush of new smells from the cats already there.
Rosetail wrapped her tail around his.
"Doing okay?"
"Yeah."
Rosetail gave a small hum. "If you want, we can stay together for the Gathering. The first one is always pretty overwhelming."
It was tempting, he wouldn't lie. The thought of staying by his mother's side, watching the other clans interact and talk to each other while ignoring him was a good one.
But.
He could just see Tigerclaw's disgust if he found out his apprentice had hidden behind his mother all night instead of doing something useful like picking up the other clans' battle styles or weaknesses. Or even Dustpaw's disappointment that his brother hadn't heard any good gossip.
Dustpaw had probably been just fine at his first Gathering. He'd probably talked to loads of cats.
Ravenpaw took a deep breath and looked up at Rosetail.
"I'm fine. I think I'm going to explore a little."
Rosetail smiled. "Alright. I'll be here if you change your mind."
Ravenpaw gave her a small nod and padded deeper into the small space between the four oak trees. To his relief, he noticed that most cats seemed content to talk to each other in groups of two or four. Maybe...maybe this wouldn't be too hard after all.
He'd just steer clear of groups full of older cats like warriors or elders and focus on finding some cats his own age.
Which, there had to be right? Thunderclan wasn't the only clan to bring apprentices to a Gathering, right?
Just as he was beginning to think he'd never find at least one cat to talk to and that maybe he should have stayed near Rosetail after all, he spotted them.
Three cats, one of whom looked younger than him but all as nervous as he felt bunched together a little ways away from a large, jagged rock rising from the center of the clearing.
Pushing down his own apprehension, Ravenpaw padded closer to them.
"Hi. Mind if I join you guys?"
Two baleful stares greeted him while the third cat gave him a wide smile. "Sure!"
Ravenpaw glanced at the two cats who very clearly didn't want him to join their group. "Your friends won't mind?"
The weirdly friendly tom snorted. "Course not. Don't mind Brownpaw and Whitepaw. They'd turn their noses at a Starclan warrior if one walked up to them and asked to share prey."
One of them, Brownpaw presumably, broke his glare to scowl at the tom. "We would not. I just don't think Brokenstar would approve of us interacting with y'know. Thunderclan."
The tom rolled his eyes. "Well Brokenstar can go swallow a frog. This is a Gathering. What's he expect us to do? Glare at every cat not in Shadowclan? If that was the case, we'd be better off staying back at camp."
Ravenpaw stared at the tom in disbelief. Judging by his size, the tom was younger than the other two apprentices and yet still talked back to one of them and insulted his leader in one breath. Were all Shadowclan cats like this?
"I'm Oakpaw by the way. What's your name?"
"R-Ravenpaw."
Oakpaw grinned. "Cool name. Bet you'll get an awesome warrior name like Ravenstrike or Ravenwing."
Ravenpaw blinked. "Maybe."
Oakpaw jumped up onto his paws. "How long have you been an apprentice? Bet it's been moons. You're huge!"
"I. Uh. Just three. I don't think I'm that big. I mean, you've got bigger apprentices in Shadowclan right?"
Brownpaw snorted and looked away with a scowl. "Only if they're lucky." he muttered.
Before Ravenpaw could even ask what he meant by that, Oakpaw was uncomfortably close to his face.
"Three whole moons? Wow that's a long time! I just got made an apprentice a couple days ago. Have you been in any battles yet? I haven't but Whitepaw got to be in the one that Badgerfang died in. He won't talk about it so I don't know what they're like. Are they scary? Were you scared? Did you win?"
Ravenpaw stumbled back at the onslaught of words pouring from Oakpaw's mouth.
"Just. Uh. O-One battle. It was. Um. Intense."
Oakpaw's eyes widened like he'd just sprouted wings or something. Even Whitepaw and Brownpaw seemed less hostile at the mention of a past battle.
"Well. What was it like then?" Oakpaw pressed.
Ravenpaw shifted uncomfortably. Rosetail had said not to share anything important to other cats, but an old battle couldn't count could it? Besides, it had been a loss. He couldn't imagine how retelling it could possibly harm Thunderclan in the future. Heck, it might even help if it made other clans think Thunderclan was weak; lure them into a false sense of security.
Or.
He could make his patrol sound better. Stronger. Tougher.
Taking a deep breath, Ravenpaw focused a hard look at the three Shadowclan apprentices. Whatever he said next, it'd have to be good. The future of Thunderclan could depend on it!
"It was just supposed to be a simple remarking." He began lowly, pleased at how quickly hooked the other three cats had become with just a few words. "Riverclan had been lulled into a false sense of victory the night before. But Thunderclan would never give up territory that Starclan themselves had gifted us. So at dawn, Bluestar selected her deputy, her strongest warrior, and bravest apprentice to reset the border so that Riverclan would know we were not scared of them or so easily beaten."
Ravenpaw's lip curled back slightly. "But they were waiting. Redtail had barely set paw on stone when five Riverclan cats burst from hiding and surrounded us. Riverclan's deputy, Oakheart, slunk forward towards Redtail and told us to leave. That Sunningrocks was theirs now and to leave if we wanted to keep the fur on our limbs. Redtail refused and before he even had a chance to issue his own warning to the Riverclan cats, Oakheart, the fishbelly, motioned for one of his cats to attack.
"If it hadn't been for Tigerclaw's quick reflexes and sharp eye, the fish-breath would have landed on Redtail and immobilized him! Furious his ploy had been thwarted so fast, Oakheart gave the signal for the rest of his patrol to attack.
"Fur flew and blood splattered stone and bramble bush alike. But we fought like Lionclan themselves against the invaders. Riverclan may have thought they held the upper paw with more cats on their side, but they underestimated the strength just one Thunderclan warrior possesses. Tigerclaw easily beat two of their warriors at once and I had chased a huge one back to the water when a wail rose up among the remaining attacking party.
"Knowing they were no match for Thunderclan's strength, Riverclan fled. But Oakheart, furious that his ambush had failed so badly, struck Redtail with a fatal blow. Tigerclaw, seeing this, chased after him and struck a blow just as fatal before returning to giving his old friend the knowledge he'd been avenged before joining Starclan.
"After that battle, Riverclan hasn't dared to show their smarmy faces on Thunderclan territory since."
Ravenpaw took a small step back after finishing his story and realized with a start he'd drawn a crowd. It wasn't just the three apprentices from Shadowclan from when he started but full grown warriors as well. And not just from Shadowclan either. Thunderclan cats had come over to listen.
He'd have thought, with how tragic Redtail's death had been, that no one in camp would have wanted to hear it. But instead, they seemed to have enjoyed his story.
Except; Firepaw for some reason.
Instead of looking awed or intrigued like Graypaw beside him, the kittypet was frowning. Like something in his story didn't make sense.
Unsettled by the kittypet's thoughtful gaze, Ravenpaw turned back to his original audience. Oakpaw's eyes were huge and even Brownpaw and Whitepaw seemed impressed.
"You took down a full grown warrior all by yourself?" he marveled.
Ravenpaw couldn't help puffing out his chest at the younger tom's admiration. "Well, I am the bravest apprentice in the clan and Tigerclaw is my mentor."
Whitepaw's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "I'll have to remember to stay out of your way then." A small grin flashed across his muzzle. "At least, until I can beat you with my eyes closed."
Ravenpaw had just barely opened his mouth for a retort of his own when a loud wail came from above them.
Looking up, Ravenpaw saw three cats standing on top the rock in the middle of the clearing. He didn't recognize the other two, but judging by Bluestar's stiff posture, they had to be leaders as well.
He frowned. "Why isn't there four leaders up there? Whose missing?"
Around him, other cats were asking the same question. Except, oddly, the Shadowclan cats. They were strangely silent.
Even Oakpaw; whose eyes had dropped to the ground beneath his paws.
"We can't start yet!" A voice called from the crowd. "Windclan hasn't arrived and we can't have a Gathering without all four clans present!"
Bluestar stepped forward on the rock. "While it is true that Windclan isn't here yet, Brokenstar wishes to speak now anyway."
Taking a quick step back, Bluestar dipped her head towards a huge dark brown tabby that made Ravenpaw's skin crawl just looking at him.
"Thank you, Bluestar."
Raking a burning orange gaze across the gathered cats, Brokenstar began.
"Friends. I come to speak to you about the needs of Shadowclan-"
Yowls quickly interrupted him.
"Where's Tallstar?"
"Why isn't Windclan here?"
"If this is so important then can't we wait for Windclan?"
The sound of claws sliding against rock and a fierce glare from Brokenstar quickly silenced the crowd.
"As the leader of Shadowclan, it is my right to be heard without interruption." He growled in a tone as dark as his fur.
"We all know the hardships of leaf-bare." He began again, voice as smooth as honey. "And this year's late newleaf has left prey scarce in all of our territories. Windclan, Riverclan, and Thunderclan all lost kits in leaf-bare's intense freeze this past season. Except, Shadowclan.
"While your clans have grown small and weak, Shadowclan has grown strong with more kits to feed and not enough prey to give them to keep them strong. My clan's needs are simple. In order to survive, Shadowclan must be allowed to hunt in your territories."
A stunned silence hit the crowd at Brokenstar's words.
An enraged yowl from Tigerclaw broke it. "Share our hunting grounds?!"
"It is unprecedented!" A tortoiseshell from Riverclan hissed. "The clans have never shared hunting rights!"
Brokenstar slammed a heavy paw on the rock as his tail swung behind him. "Should Shadowclan be punished because our kits thrive where yours did not?" he hissed. "You want us to watch our young starve?! You must share what you have with us!"
"Must?" Came Smallear's disdainful and furious voice from somewhere in the crowd.
"Must." Brokenstar repeated in a dark tone. "Windclan failed to understand this, leaving us no choice but to drive them out of their territory."
The clearing was quiet for half a heartbeat before erupting in furious yowls at Brokenstar's words but it did nothing to dampen his next statement.
"If we have to, we'll drive all of you from your hunting grounds to feed our kits!"
Silence greeted him again, only this time, no cat dared challenge his threats.
On top the rock, Brokenstar grinned and leaned forward as if he was sharing a secret. "Every year, Twolegs spoil more and more of our territory. At least one clan must remain strong if the Clans are to survive. Why not Shadowclan? Who thrive while the rest struggle? And can offer protection in the future?"
"You doubt our strength?" Came Tigerclaw's furious hiss from below the rock.
Brokenstar gave a slow blink but continued as if he hadn't heard him. "I do not ask for your answer now. You may go away and consider my words. But the question remains, would you rather share your prey and live in comfort or, be driven from your homes, starving and lost?"
Ravenpaw dug his claws deep into the ground as he glared up at the rock where the leaders perched.
Why were Bluestar and Crookedstar letting Brokenstar say all this? Wouldn't it be easier to knock him off the rock or strip him of his lives as he clearly threatened their clans as if he was only suggesting a new hunting technique?
Slowly, Crookedstar stepped forward to stand beside Brokenstar and for a moment, Ravenpaw was positive the old cat would push Shadowclan's leader off. Instead, it was to agree to Brokenstar's demands.
"And what of Thunderclan?" Smallear croaked as the attention of the gathered cats turned to Bluestar. "Have you agreed to this outrageous claim as well?"
Ravenpaw stared up at her. Tigerclaw sometimes complained that she was too soft-hearted in Clan Politics but surely. Surely not even she would bow down to the bundle of fifth that was Brokenstar.
Bluestar stood tall on the rock as she gazed down at her cats. "I have made no agreement with Brokenstar beyond discussing this proposal with the rest of my clan after the Gathering."
Ravenpaw released the breath he'd been holding. It wasn't much, but it gave them time to figure out something better.
Brokenstar stepped forward again and a dark rage filled Ravenpaw at the sight of him. What more could this cat possibly have to say? He already wanted their hunting territory, did he want their warriors too?!
"I also wish to share news that is important to the safety of your kits. A Shadowclan cat has turned rouge, spurning the warrior code and forcing us to chase her out. We don't know where she went after leaving Shadowclan territory. She is a mangy old thing but bites like Tigerclan. She is dangerous and until she is caught and killed, I advise you all to keep an eye on your kits."
Ravenpaw frowned. That sort of sounded like Yellowfang but he wasn't sure what Brokenstar was going on about with her and kits. If anything, she'd seemed scared of them judging by the way she preferred staying as far as physically possible whenever the nursing queens let them out to play.
Seemingly satisfied with the amount of confusion and unrest he'd sowed, Brokenstar leapt down where his warriors immediately began surrounding him.
"See you around?"
Ravenpaw turned slightly to meet Oakpaw's sickeningly hopeful expression and scowled.
"If I do, it'll be to claw your face off." he spat.
Oakpaw flinched like he'd been struck and it took everything in Ravenpaw not to roll his eyes.
His leader had just promised to chase out every clan in the forest if they didn't agree to his ridiculous demands and he was surprised Ravenpaw didn't want to be his friend. And even if Brokenstar hadn't just threatened every cat, it's not like they even could be friends. They were from different clans!
If his size hadn't given him away as being a brand new apprentice, his naivety sure did.
"Let's go." Whitepaw mumbled to the smaller cat while Brownpaw gave him a dark look which Ravenpaw returned in equal measure.
It wasn't his fault Oakpaw was an idiot. Trusting someone after just one Gathering; better he get any ideas of 'friendship' crushed now than later in some battle and getting himself killed.
Because with the way things were going, Ravenpaw wouldn't be surprised if Thunderclan and Shadowclan came to blows before the next Gathering.
Rising to his paws, Ravenpaw turned and darted towards where he'd last seen Rosetail and tried not to pay attention to the worried mutterings of passing older cats.
Besides. Brokenstar oughta be satisfied for now. Riverclan had rolled over and given up their hunting spots and Windclan was gone. How much more prey could Shadowclan possibly need?
"Ravenpaw!"
Ravenpaw blinked as the warm, comforting presence of his mother nearly crushed him as Rosetail frantically licked his head.
"Where were you?! I checked the area that group and you were in and you were gone! You couldn't have waited for me there or stayed near a clanmate?"
Annoyed, Ravenpaw pulled away from her and glared. "I was heading to you. I'm not some dumb kit!"
"I know." Rosetail gave him another lick and pulled him closer, ignoring his protests. "But I don't like the turn in mood tonight's taken. The sooner we get back to camp, the better."
Ravenpaw blinked, suddenly remembering some of the mutterings he'd overheard were about Yellowfang.
"Do you think the nursery could be in danger back home?"
Rosetail stared down at him in confusion before blinking and shaking her head. "No. Even if the cat Brokenstar was talking about was our….guest, she is just one cat. If she was dangerous, I don't think she'd be stupid enough to attack the clan that's been caring for her."
"Oh. So, if the camp's not in danger, then why do we need to hurry back?"
Rosetail ran her tail down his side and sighed. "Cats do stupid things when they're scared. And the sooner we get back, the sooner we can think things through rationally and not let fear and gossip cloud our judgement."
To Ravenpaw's surprise, Rosetail shot an annoyed look at where the other elders Bluestar had chosen to come were huddled in a small group, whispering amongst themselves.
"Come on." she gently nudged him forward. "Let's see if we can find Bluestar. Hopefully by then, everyone will remember some basic common sense."
...
Dustpaw woke outside the apprentice den with a start as the sound of furious yowls filled the camp.
Scrambling to his paws, he blinked wearily, scanning desperately for whatever the source of the noise could be.
The camp didn't seem to be under attack...as far as he could tell, the fury was coming from the returning cats from the Gathering.
He blinked.
What in Starclan happened?
Right away he could see Frostfur dart into the nursery as Tigerclaw and Darkstripe practically flew towards where Yellowfang had been sleeping.
Frowning, Dustpaw turned and headed back in the den to wake Sandpaw. If she woke up tomorrow and found she'd missed something big, she'd kill him.
Stepping out, he found himself nose to nose with Ravenpaw who looked like he'd ran across all four territories he was breathing so hard.
"Thank Starclan you're up." he panted.
Dustpaw's frown deepened. "I told you I would be. What happened?"
Ravenpaw scowled. "Brokenstar. Is Sandpaw up?"
"I am now. And if you two fluffballs moved out of my way, maybe I could see the camp too."
Grimacing, Dustpaw stepped aside as his brother nearly tripped over his own paws as he scrambled back.
"Thanks. What's happening?"
"Brokenstar's demanded hunting rights for Shadowclan in our territory!" Longtail's outraged yowl echoed through the camp causing all three of them to wince.
"That." Ravenpaw muttered sourly.
Dustpaw stared at his brother dumbfounded. "Is he insane?"
Ravenpaw shrugged. "Wouldn't surprise me."
A hard shove hit him from behind. "Will you two shut up?" Sandpaw hissed, green eyes narrowed as she watched a crowd grown near the center of camp. "We're going to miss all the good stuff."
Dustpaw exchanged a confused look with his brother before looking back at her. Sandpaw just rolled her eyes at pointed with her tail to where Willowpelt was wailing something about Yellowfang.
"Silence!"
Bluestar's yell for order atop the Highrock quieted the crowd long enough for her to give an icy glare to the gathered clan.
Before she could say anything more though, a screech came from Yellowfang's nesting area as Tigerclaw and Darkstripe dragged the old she-cat into the center of the crowd.
Dustpaw's heart dropped at the look of glee on his mentor's face. Was he seriously about to attack an old cat just because her old clan was trying to steal territory? What in Starclan did he think would happen? Brokenstar would just apologize and leave them alone because Thunderclan had ripped the fur off what was basically a rouge?
At least Tigerclaw had the decency not to be grinning like greenleaf had come early; even if his willingness to attack a defenseless rouge was just as unsettling as Darkstripe's.
"What is going on?" Hissed Bluestar as she jumped down from her perch and glared at the two warriors. "I gave no order to attack our prisoner."
At her words, Tigerclaw and Darkstripe released Yellowfang and stepped aside. While Tigerclaw looked ashamed of his actions, Darkstripe looked as if he'd been denied a juicy bit of prey. Dustpaw felt disgusted and not for the first time, looked forward to the day he got his warrior name so he wouldn't have to interact with his mentor more than he had too.
Frostfur burst out of the nursery and ran towards Bluestar.
"The kits are fine. We got back just in time."
"Of course they are." Bluestar snapped, leaving the nursing queen to step back in confusion. "But...You are going to throw her out, aren't you?"
"Throw her out?" Darkstripe growled. "We should kill her!"
Dustpaw felt his jaw drop at Darkstripe's words.
"What happened at the Gathering?"
Ravenpaw crouched into a small ball, eyes never leaving the center of the crowd. "Brokenstar implied that Yellowfang attacks and eats kits or something."
Sandpaw's eyes widened. "And everyone believed that?" she whispered, horrified. "Yellowfang's ancient. She doesn't even move; Firepaw does everything for her."
Ravenpaw shrugged.
Dustpaw turned his attention back towards the crowd where Bluestar's glare was colder than ice. "Brokenstar only said there was a rouge somewhere in the woods. He did not mention Yellowfang by name. As long as she is in my Clan, Yellowfang will not be harmed."
Relief filled him at Bluestar's words.
Whatever Brokenstar had said, he wouldn't have to watch his clan rip apart an innocent cat.
At the center of the crowd, Yellowfang struggled to her paws. "I can leave now, if you wish it."
Bluestar shook her head and looked at the old cat with more kindness than she'd shown her own clanmates all night. "There is no need." she began gently "You have done nothing wrong and as thus, will be safe here."
Bluestar looked up at the surrounding cats, a familiar hardness crossing her features. "We should be focusing on the real threat to our clan. Brokenstar. We have already been preparing for attack from Shadowclan; I see no reason to stop those preparations now. From now on, we will patrol our borders more frequently.
"Windclan is gone. Riverclan has bowed down to Brokenstar's demands. Thunderclan alone stands in opposition to him."
"Then we're not going to agree to Brokenstar's terms as well?" Tigerclaw asked.
Bluestar gave him an icy stare and raised her head. "Never before have the Clans shared hunting rights; for seasons they have managed to survive just well on their territories. I see no reason for this to change now."
Tigerclaw nodded as around him, other warriors did the same.
"But can we even defend ourselves against Shadowclan?" asked Smallear tremulously. "Windclan couldn't! And Riverclan won't even try."
Bluestar met his worried gaze with a sure one. "We must. Thunderclan will not give up our territory without a fight."
At Bluestar's words, the gathered cats nodded, determination clear on their faces.
"I will travel to the Moonstone tomorrow. Starclan will give me the strength we need to make it through this dark time. Until then, rest. We will have much to do when daylight comes."
Bluestar turned slightly towards her deputy. "Lionheart."
The golden warrior dipped his head and got to his paws, following her into her den.
Slowly, the crowd dispersed as cats headed for their nests and some last minute gossip with their clanmates.
Up by the apprentice den, Dustpaw let out a deep breath and turned to Ravenpaw.
"Anything else happen at the Gathering?"
He blinked and shook his head. "Not really. I mean, Bluestar already went through it all. Brokenstar wants our hunting grounds, confirmed that he really did chase out Windclan and Riverclan gave him the river without fighting for it."
Sandpaw snorted beside them. "They'll fight to the death for some rocks but when it comes to actual prey, they couldn't care less." she muttered bitterly.
With a start, Dustpaw remembered that while Redtail had been his mentor, he'd been her father as well.
He suppressed a shudder. He couldn't imagine what life would be like if some cat just killed Rosetail. Guiltily, he couldn't help thanking Starclan that his mother was an elder and unlikely to ever have to take part in a battle that could take her life.
"It uh. Couldn't have been all bad at the Gathering. There must have been something good to come from the night."
Ravenpaw's ear flicked as he looked down at his paws. "Well….the bit before Brokenstar opened his stupid mouth was sorta nice…"
Dustpaw leaned forward and grinned. "Oh? Do tell."
"Well. Um. There was this apprentice. Well, kit really, he'd just been made a paw a couple days ago. A bit overeager and friendly for a cat in another clan but he was...nice enough." Ravenpaw's expression softened a little. "The way he acted, you'd think I was Starclan's gift to the clans."
"Was he cute?" Sandpaw teased, any previous bitterness gone now.
Ravenpaw's eyes widened as he stared at her slack jawed. "I-He-We come from different clans!"
Sandpaw's grin widened as she rolled to her side. "I didn't ask what clan he came from or if you two were going to be mates, dummy. I just asked if you thought he was cute."
Ravenpaw stared at her for a moment before shaking his head. "It doesn't matter if I did or not. He was just some stupid kit. I'm going to bed."
Sandpaw stifled a laugh as she watched him get up and storm off into the apprentice den.
Dustpaw frowned at her. "You didn't have to do that."
"Sure I did." she shot back lightly. "I don't know if you noticed, but your brother was getting too deep in his own head again. He needed some lightening up."
He sighed. "I don't think he realized you were teasing him though."
Sandpaw rolled her eyes. "Of course he did, He's not stupid you know."
Dustpaw sighed again and looked away. Choosing instead to watch the few cats still lingering around the camp only to blink in surprise as Firepaw and Graypaw bolted towards the apprentice den with leaf wraps in their mouths.
Coming to a stop, Firepaw carefully set the two bundles he carried down and met his confused gaze. "Is Ravenpaw around? Lionheart just told us Bluestar wants us to go to the Moonstone with her."
Sandpaw scrambled to her paws and stared at the kittypet in disbelief. "All of us?"
Firepaw winced. "No. Erm. Just me, Graypaw, and Ravenpaw. Sorry."
Dustpaw blinked. "Why you three? Or really, you two? Shouldn't it be the oldest apprentices?"
Strangely enough, Firepaw actually looked faintly uncomfortable at the question. It'd be a miracle, the first time the kittypet showed an actual emotion if it wasn't at the cost of him getting to do something that Dustpaw and Sandpaw should be doing first.
"Dunno." Graypaw interjected, having dropped or eaten his bundle sometime ago. "Could be Bluestar just wants to take the apprentices who went to tonight's Gathering." he shrugged. "I'm sure if you two had gone instead of us, you'd be making the trip with her at dawn."
"Probably." Sandpaw agreed amiably. "Ravenpaw actually just went to bed. We can give him his bundle and let him know he's been selected to go to Moonstone."
Sandpaw leaned forward and sniffed one of the bundles. "This one his?"
Firepaw blinked, possibly as thrown by the ginger she-cat's good mood as he was. "Yeah."
"Cool. I'll give it to him then. Good luck on your trip tomorrow." without another word, Sandpaw gently picked up the leaf wrap and disappeared into the apprentice den leaving the three toms in various stages of confusion.
Stiffly, Dustpaw got to his paws first and gave the younger two a neutral look.
"Well, night." He muttered before turning towards his nest as well, trying all the while not to wonder if Ravenpaw going to the Moonstone without him was a sign that Bluestar would make his brother a warrior first while keeping him a 'paw longer.
Shaking his head, Dustpaw curled up in his bedding as Graypaw and Firepaw found their nests as well.
He was being stupid.
Littermates always shared ceremonies. A couple of milestones missed or misplaced here and there meant nothing.
Bluestar wouldn't be so cruel as to make them warriors at different times….would she?