please ignore that i never update this anymore i swear i have a plot written out
anyways take my almost 6k chapter! i am sorry that i haven't updated this since november but i actually wrote a whole new chapter after this so that will get posted soON (ish) idk i'm a liar when it comes to my update schedule
anyways uhhh yeah! enjoy
tw: panic attacks, brief torture (just for a small flashback scene), blood
The Gathering was tonight, and Amberpaw couldn't have been more terrified.
His general dislike for Gatherings had turned into outright fear at the idea of seeing Windclan there. Just the idea of spotting one of those cats made him want to hide under a rock and never come out.
But Sunpaw might be there. Ah, there it was again. Amberpaw let out a loud sigh and flopped over, burying his face in the soft moss that made up his nest. He wanted to sleep his worries off, just ignore the Gathering all-together.
"It seems that you're having some trouble over there." Fleetflame called from where he was mixing up a poultice for Pikeclaw. The small silver warrior shifted uncomfortably, glancing over at Amberpaw curiously.
His Clanmates had been staring, and Amberpaw knew it. He knew that they were wondering if he was going to be "normal" again, if he was going to get over his sister's death and his illusion of being a medicine cat and become a star warrior like his mother had hoped.
The thing was, Amberpaw didn't plan on doing either. He was just fine sitting in his grief, and he wanted to be a medicine cat. It was one of the only things that made him feel useful.
"I'm fine." He mumbled back, flipping to face his mentor. The ginger-spotted cat only glanced at him in disbelief, before shooing Pikeclaw out of the den with one herb-stained paw.
"Yeah, and I'm a oak tree." Fleetflame replied back snidely, dunking his dirty paws in the small pool of water that sat near the back of the den. Amberpaw only frowned at him, before heaving himself out of his nest, shaking scraps of moss off of his pelt. It was time to be productive.
"I… I'm nervous about the Gathering." Amberpaw admitted, heading towards his mentor. "I don't want to go."
Fleetflame paused from where he was drying off his paws, glancing at Amberpaw for a moment. He stayed silent, before heaving out a sigh that sounded like he had been expecting this conversation.
"I tried to talk Skystar out of making you go." The pale ginger cat explained, shaking his sopping paw in an attempt to get water off. Droplets flew everywhere, and Amberpaw winced as water splattered his face. "Sorry." Fleetflame added. "But she was just so set on it. I don't even get why."
Amberpaw opened his mouth to speak, maybe to ask a question or to agree with his mentor, but Fleetflame cut over him, obviously not done quite yet.
"Like… you should've seen her." Glancing at Amberpaw, who had wrinkled his nose in confusion, he continued. "When you got captured, I mean. She was in a total tizzy, for good reason, of course, but that's why I don't understand it. Why would she want you to go to the Gathering after all of that?"
Amberpaw gave a small shrug, unsure of what else to do. "I guess… I don't know." He sighed at last, glancing at his mentor pleadingly. "But… Please don't make me go." He hated the desperate edge to his voice. "I… I can't be there if Windclan is there."
Fleetflame frowned thoughtfully, sympathy shimmering in his amber gaze as he looked at Amberpaw.
"I don't think I can talk her out of it." His mentor said softly, taking a small step towards him. "But you can just stay by me, okay? We'll avoid Windclan for now, probably stick with Riverclan, because we're allied with them…" He tilted his head, obviously considering something else.
"And if things get messy," He added after a moment, curling his tail. "Which isn't likely, but… Either I or Eaglespark will keep you safe. You're going to be fine, Amberpaw."
Amberpaw nodded shakily, trying to focus on his mentor's words, but Fleetflame's voice was faint and tears were beginning to blur his vision. He hiccuped, trying to keep a sob from slipping out.
"W-What if Windclan-" He couldn't get the rest out, bursting into a fresh wave of tears. He couldn't go. Windclan was planning an attack and he was going to die and-
Blood trickled down his face in rivulets, staining the coarse dirt below him red. Amberpaw blinked through the haze of blood in his eyes, glancing around wildly. He felt pain pulsing through wounds on his back and sides, and felt blood slide against his pelt as it dripped weakly to the ground.
He tried to heave himself to his paws, to say something, but the cat in front of him cuffed him roughly across the face, sending Amberpaw toppling to the ground. His forelegs buckled, and his muzzle was slammed against the dirt, which tasted bitter on his tongue.
He gasped out a breath, trying to inhale when his face was pressed into the dirt. He screwed his eyes shut, trying to pretend that this was all some sick dream, that he would wake up in his nest again.
He was grabbed roughly by his scruff, lifted off the ground as his small claws scrabbled for purchase on the sandy dirt. They met empty air, however, and he sucked in a pained breath before the ground came rushing towards his face yet again.
His nose smashed against the ground, and he heard a sickening crunch as some bone broke. He vaguely registered the wet feel of tears against his face, and tried to let out some sound, maybe a whimper, or a plea, but his jaw was shoved against the dirt, keeping his mouth pressed shut. His mind was a whirling combination of confusion, fear, and pain, and he felt blood trickle down his temple.
"Please-" He managed to get out before crimson dripped into his mouth, metallic-tasting and spilling over his tongue in a tide of sticky red liquid. He gagged, and fell back against the ground, on his accord this time. His assailant remained silent, but Amberpaw knew they were watching, maybe even waiting.
Waiting for Amberpaw to stumble to his paws again, just so they could hit him down again. Spill this blood over a war he hadn't even been alive for.
He was going to die, however. He was going to die. He was going to die. He was going to-
"Amberpaw." There was a voice above him- or below him? He couldn't tell, but all he knew was that someone was saying something to him, his name, they were trying-
"Amberpaw." What was happening? Was this some kind of sick joke? They were trying to get him to come back to consciousness, so that they could kill him, and then present his body to Skystar like some kind of trophy-
He didn't know what was happening. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't breathe. He tried to inhale, but it was like his lungs were stuck, his body stubborn and refusing to go on.
"Amberpaw, you're alive. You're in Thunderclan territory, in the medicine den."
Something, some kind of realization clicked in him, and his eyes snapped open, his breath coming in short, sharp gasps. He hadn't even realized that they were closed.
"Hey, hey." There was a calming voice, a voice that he recognized- who was that? He let out a shuddering gasp, racking his brain, trying to remember. What if it was a trick? What if he was supposed to remember this and then he didn't and-
"I need you to breathe with me, Amberpaw. This is Fleetflame, your mentor. I'm the Thunderclan medicine cat. You're in Thunderclan territory, in Thunderclan camp, in the Thunderclan camp. You're not injured. No one has inflicted physical harm on you."
Fleetflame. Amberpaw sagged with relief, the rest of the sentence becoming static. He was safe. He was… alive.
He was… safe, maybe. He wasn't sure if he should trust that yet. Fleetflame's voice was still in his ears, still calm, and level, and so distinctly Fleetflame that Amberpaw began to feel his breathing slow.
"-to breathe with me." His mentor's voice flooded back into his ear, and Amberpaw inhaled a shuddering breath, realizing that his cheeks were wet with tears. When had he been crying? He couldn't remember.
Fleetflame was crouched beside him, amber eyes shining with worry, though his voice was level and even as he continued to speak. It was at that moment that Amberpaw realized that his mentor had been born for this; his calmness and level-headedness that were coming in handy even now.
But were you born for this, Amberpaw? Amberpaw let out a short gasp of a breath, finding it hard to keep breathing at all. Was he born for anything at all? Was that all he was going to be, doomed to never help his Clan? A burden?
"I'm going to need you to match your breathing with mine, okay?" Fleetflame inhaled dramatically, and Amberpaw tried his best to follow along, taking deep breaths until he felt his pulse began to slow down, decreasing from its racing pace.
He tried to get to his paws, but a wave of dizziness swept through him, causing him to stumble and fall back hard onto his butt. He winced, but only blinked, trying to clear the spots that were dancing in his vision.
"What happened?" He rasped, flinching at the scratchy tone of his voice. Fleetflame only let out a small sigh, amber eyes uncertain.
"I think you had a panic attack." The ginger cat admitted, shifting his front paws nervously. He paused. "Actually, I know that you had a panic attack. It just makes sense after all of this mess. I just-"
He glanced at Amberpaw, and he was surprised to see the fury that was contorted on his mentor's face. "I can't believe she's making you go." Fleetflame forced out, tail flicking angrily, and Amberpaw watched warily, realizing that he hadn't seen Fleetflame lose his even temper before.
"I'm going to talk to her again." The spotted cat amended. "I… this is stupid. Skystar keeps on making stupid choices about everything."
Fleetflame snapped his mouth shut, glancing at Amberpaw nervously as if he just understood what he had said. "I… didn't mean that." He murmured quietly. "I just… let me grab you some thyme."
Amberpaw watched as he padded to the back of the den, mouth twisted in a frown of confusion. What was going on? And… What had happened to him?
If Amberpaw knew one thing, he had never felt like that before, and he certainly didn't want to feel it again.
Despite Fleetflame marching to Skystar's den to argue about the Gathering, the dark cream leader didn't budge, and even threatened to leave Fleetflame behind if he kept talking. Amberpaw's mentor had come back to the medicine den in a guise of stony silence, which he kept up for the rest of the day.
Amberpaw tried to believe that it wasn't directed at him. However, he wouldn't be surprised if it was.
Skystar was currently chewing out the ginger medicine cat, who was sitting in the corner of his den, looking very much like a scolded kit.
"-In front of the entire Clan!" Amberpaw's mother snapped, lashing her tail, and Amberpaw flinched back into his shadowy corner, wishing that he could just disappear. He had recovered from the events of the morning, but this was somehow worse.
"This is ridiculous." Fleetflame retorted softly, and Amberpaw wondered yet again how he managed to keep his voice so even. "What point are you trying to prove? This-"
"You are no judge to this, Fleetflame!" Skystar shouted, stepping towards the ginger cat, who frowned back evenly, eyes narrowed with displeasure. "Actually, I'd rather prefer if you kept your opinions to yourself when you talk about Amberpaw. I-"
"He's my apprentice." Fleetflame interrupted, and Amberpaw felt a sense of relief at the protectiveness that laced his voice. "I'm always going to say something."
"And he's my son." Skystar growled quietly, and Amberpaw opened his mouth, to say something, to argue against it, but he looked down quietly, knowing that this argument had no place for him in it. Skystar would just speak over him anyways.
"You have no place in this argument, mentor or not." His mother continued angrily, obviously trying to keep her voice down. "If I was asking for an opinion about diplomatic matters, I would consult your sister."
"Why don't you ask her, then?" Fleetflame snapped back sharply, losing his cool for just a second. "She'll take my side, I'm sure of it."
Skystar took a dramatic inhale, as if she was struggling not to yell at Fleetflame again. "Listen." She hissed through her teeth, blue eyes icy. "I understand that you're senior medicine cat, and that you think that it gives you an opinion, but-"
"It does." Fleetflame muttered under his breath, and Skystar seemed to expend whatever anger she had left.
"SHUT UP!" Skystar roared, and Fleetflame winced as spit flecked his muzzle. "Just shut up! Your opinion is needed for three things, okay? Prophecies, injuries, and greencough outbreaks. If any of those happen, I'll be turning to you, right? But this is neither of the three, so it would do you good to keep that mouth of yours shut."
Fleetflame was silent for a long moment, his amber eyes fiery, and Amberpaw didn't want to know what his mentor was thinking. Amberpaw opened his mouth to speak, because maybe Skystar would listen to him, but his mother continued, still lost in a cloud of rage.
"I also understand that you think you're something because you're senior medicine cat, but let me remind you, Fleetflame, that you're not." She shoved her face closer to Amberpaw's mentors, and he shifted farther out of the shadows, trying to summon the courage to say something. However, his mouth stayed firmly closed, his legs stiff with fear.
"Your mentor died two days after you got your name. You're barely a medicine cat at all. Don't think that I don't remember the days that you were Fleetpaw." Amberpaw bit back a gasp, shocked. He hadn't known the medicine cat before Fleetflame, but he had heard that they were rather sickly, and unable to cure their own cold. Honestly, he hadn't known that Fleetflame was that young- he hadn't thought that he was overly old, of course, but it was still a surprise.
Fleetflame's mouth was pressed into a disapproving line, but he stayed silent, evidently both out of anger and some kind of begrudging respect.
Skystar obviously picked up on his irritation, because she only forced out a deep sigh, obviously losing some of her previous anger. "Do I make myself clear?" She breathed softly. "I can't deal with this from you as well, Fleetflame. I have other matters to attend to."
We all have things to deal with! You're not special. Amberpaw thought angrily, but held his tongue all the same. The last thing he wanted was for his mother's visit to the medicine den to be prolonged.
"Perfectly clear." Fleetflame responded politely, but from the stubborn set of his mentor's jaw and the cold edge to his voice, Amberpaw knew that he hadn't taken Skystar's words kindly. He didn't blame him. His mother had been downright rude for no reason at all.
"Great." Skystar looked from Fleetflame to Amberpaw, obviously wishing that he would say something; and now Amberpaw kept his mouth shut mostly out of spite, ignoring the flash of hurt that passed over his mother's face. He knew that their relationship had been pretty much destroyed, but he couldn't find himself to be sad about it.
His mother stayed silent, and turned, leaving the den abruptly. Fleetflame seemed to have been holding his breath, because he let out a long exhale, amber eyes almost blank.
"Fleetflame?" Amberpaw burst out, creeping from his small corner. "I don't know why she was like that, I'm really sorry-"
His mentor didn't seem to hear him for a long moment, before he gave an almost unnoticeable shrug. When he spoke, his voice was quiet, nearly a whisper.
"I got in her way, and she's not in a good place of mind. It was bound to happen."
"That doesn't mean she should've treated you like that." Amberpaw protested weakly, trying to add some fire to his voice. It didn't work. "I just… I felt like it was my fault."
Fleetflame shrugged again, and Amberpaw sensed that he wasn't helping the conversation. "Whatever the cause, it happened. Now," He said briskly, springing to his paws as if nothing had happened. "We have a Gathering to attend."
Amberpaw only gave a small nod, stomach churning with unease. This was not going to be enjoyable.
A brisk wind swept through the forest, causing Amberpaw to shiver, thankful for his thick fur. Leaf-fall was well on its way now, and plants had been starting to wilt, signifying the eventual return of leaf-bare.
Fleetflame was up ahead, listening to Eaglespark bitch on about her newest `nemesis", which was really just a cat who she had a minor disagreement with. Amberpaw sensed that the auburn deputy had a flair for the dramatic.
However, as they entered Windclan territory to get across to the island, Amberpaw stuck to his mentor's side, refusing to look down at the pebbles beneath his paws. He was afraid that if he saw, he'd freak out all over again, this time in front of the entire Clan.
"I swear, she's just the worst!" Eaglespark complained loudly, and Amberpaw realized that she had intentionally made herself louder in order to draw focus away from Windclan. He let out a small, almost relieved sigh, and craned his neck around Fleetflame to glance at her.
"If you're surprised that there are idiots here, then you've obviously never met our Clan before." Fleetflame teased, increasing his pace when he noticed the end of Windclan territory a few fox-lengths ahead. Amberpaw noticed it too, and practically sprinted towards it, nearly knocking over his mentor.
"Stars, I hate it there." Eaglespark shuddered as they headed towards the tree-bridge, which looked even more precarious than usual this particular night. "It's always so… spooky, I guess."
"For more than one reason." Amberpaw mumbled under his breath, and tried to ignore the guilt that flashed over the deputy's face.
His paws were slippery on the tree-bridge, and he held his breath as he crossed, heart pounding. He sank onto the grass on the other side, paws shaky with relief, and immediately felt a jolt of shame as he watched Dawnpaw flounce easily over the wood.
Her life is so easy. He thought bitterly, before wincing at himself.
What are you thinking? She's gone through just as much as you… for fuck's sake, her brother is dead because of you getting captured.
Fleetflame crossed soon after, and Amberpaw followed him gratefully, wondering what this Gathering was going to have in store for him.
The large oak glowed in the moonlight, the branches and leaves dappled silver. Amberpaw contained his gasp of amazement, he had only seen it once before, with his sister.
His excitement vanished as he realized that Larkpaw would've loved to see the tree again. She probably would have loved to go to another Gathering too, or live her life.
Sometimes, Amberpaw wished that he would've been the one to die instead, because living seemed so much harder.
"Amberpaw?" Fleetflame's dry tone brought him back to reality. "You planning to stand there the entire night?"
"Oh, uh, no." He stammered, catching up to his mentor. "I just got lost in thought."
"Save that for the Gathering itself." Fleetflame advised, flicking his spotted tail. "It'll be dull until Skystar starts talking. Tansystar is always an old badger." He sighed. "Maybe tonight will be the night he finally keels over and dies."
Amberpaw suppressed a snort, and only followed Fleetflame to an area a little ways away from the main tree, where the two other medicine cats were already sitting. He was thankful that Stormberry, Windclan's medicine cat, wasn't there quite yet.
"Fleetflame, there you are! I was wondering if you got lost." A dark gray she-cat rose to her paws, grinning over at them. Amberpaw flinched slightly, but Fleetflame didn't seem unnerved.
"You're acting as if I'm new here." Fleetflame replied easily, slipping away from Amberpaw to head up to this new cat. After a moment, he realized that it was Shadestrike, Shadowclan's medicine cat, and only frowned thoughtfully. He hadn't known Fleetflame was friends with the other medicine cats.
"Well, from what you told me at the last half-moon meeting, I was wondering if you deserted." Shadestrike teased, then glanced at Amberpaw with cautious blue eyes. They were wide, as if she was constantly curious, and he felt slightly unnerved by the piercing gaze.
However, the dark medicine cat only gave him a quick smile and a few words. "Y'know, Fogpaw isn't here yet, but you can talk to him when he arrives. I think he'll be grateful for the company."
For some reason, Amberpaw felt a wave of relief at her voice, almost glad that he wouldn't have to stand here awkwardly. He didn't know Fogpaw well, but he seemed nice enough from Amberpaw's brief encounter with him in Riverclan.
"Okay." He replied quietly, forcing himself to meet Shadestrike's eyes with his own. The eye contact made him uncomfortable, and his eyes watered slightly. "Thank you." He murmured politely, and then ducked away, breathing heavily at the effort.
He let out a long sigh, trying to even his breathing. He didn't know why this was freaking him out so much, but everything felt so loud, so overwhelming. He looked around, wondering if there was a quiet corner that he could hide and possibly cry in.
Suddenly, someone let out a small cough to his left, and Amberpaw whipped around, realizing that it was just Fogpaw. The small gray cat looked at him curiously, the white marks around his sea-green eyes making them glow in the dim light. Amberpaw's breath caught in his throat; he might not like Flashpaw, but he had to admit that the Riverclan apprentice had good taste. Fogpaw had pretty eyes, and fluffy fur. For a moment, Amberpaw wanted to reach out and touch it, to see if it was as soft as it looked.
If only those eyes were amber. Amberpaw snapped back to reality, and glanced at Fogpaw again, who was now staring at him with a mixture of confusion and concern.
"Hi." He breathed, fighting back a wince when an embarrassed flush rose on his cheeks. However, if Fogpaw saw it, he ignored it, only aiming a soft smile and an even softer greeting back at him.
They sat in silence for a few moments before Fogpaw spoke up, his gentle voice piqued with curiosity. "I didn't know that you were Fleetflame's apprentice."
"It's a new development." Amberpaw replied shyly, turning away bashfully. "I… I just couldn't be a warrior anymore."
He expected Fogpaw to flinch, or remark upon the incident, but the young apprentice only nodded solemnly. "I get that. As much as I love Flashpaw, I couldn't do what he does everyday." He winced. "Not without getting sick to my stomach, at least."
Amberpaw froze. "Oh yeah." He whispered, amber eyes wide. "I uh, forgot that you and Flashpaw were a thing."
"Yep!" Fogpaw replied cheerily, his green gaze turning soft with an emotion that filled Amberpaw with jealousy. As much as part of him liked being a medicine cat, he wanted that too. The idea that someone loved you, and you could love them back, no strings attached.
"We've only been together for three moons or so." The gray-splotched cat admitted, shuffling his paws. "But it's-"
Flamestar took that exact moment to yowl out the start of the Gathering, sending a jolt of terror through Amberpaw at her cold voice. Shuffling closer to Fleetflame, he shivered, watching Fogpaw return to Hollysong's side as well. The old medicine cat exchanged a few words with her apprentice before turning to the large tree.
There seemed to be an obvious divide between Windclan and Thunderclan, of course, but also Riverclan and Shadowclan. Fleetflame had said that the medicine cats had practically shunned Stormberry, and the Windclan medicine cat had had no objection to it.
Amberpaw glanced at the deputies, where Eaglespark was eyeing Daywhisker with narrowed eyes. The wiry deputy flinched under her gaze and shifted closer to Pebbleblaze, who was purposefully not looking at Hollowsplash. Amberpaw frowned, wondering what was going on with those two. Riverclan wasn't one to get involved in a skirmish with Shadowclan.
Hopefully they're not fighting a war, because you're allied with them.
"Well, let's get started!" Flamestar chirped, flicking her ginger tail. "Beauty before age, of course." She added snidely as Skystar opened her mouth to start. Amberpaw's mother shut her mouth, but fury simmered behind her blue gaze.
"Windclan has been prospering as usual, despite Thunderclan being annoying." The Windclan leader wrinkled her nose as if the threat of two possible invading Clans was as easy as driving out a fox. However, Amberpaw saw the wariness in her eyes, the shake of her legs. Flamestar, for once, was nervous.
Skystar cleared her throat quietly, and Flamestar whipped around, obviously irritated at being interrupted.
"I meant no disrespect, Flamestar," The Thunderclan leader murmured, but Amberpaw could see the smug triumph plastered all over her face. "But don't you want to talk about the night after the Gathering? After all, I heard that it was very eventful."
Fury seemed to radiate off of Flamestar in waves, but the ginger leader forced a smile before continuing. "Of course, Skystar, if that's what you want." Her voice was dripping with venom. "Thunderclan invaded Windclan after the Gathering, angering Starclan, of course." She sighed. "Thunderclan suffered heavy casualties, as expected, while Windclan had minor ones. However, one of our apprentices was attacked after the conclusion of the battle, and has unfortunately gone mute due to severe damage to their vocal cords."
All the Clans seemed to suck in a breath at that, short gasps and horrified exclamations bouncing through the crowd, but it was like Amberpaw couldn't breathe again. He stumbled against Fleetflame, feeling a rush of panic as blackness crowded in on his vision again.
"Breathe." His mentor advised quietly, meeting Amberpaw's wide gaze with his own. He wasn't sure how Fleetflame kept his eyes so steady, but stared at them, clinging on to that one word like a lifeline. Breathe. He heaved in mouthfuls of forest air, and his panic receded slightly.
"But Sunpaw-" He forced out once he had enough air, angling his eyes back towards Skystar. His mother was sitting there still, blue eyes cool, but her mouth was pressed into a thin line. Obviously she had thought that Sunpaw was dead.
"Sunpaw is lucky to be alive, from what I heard." Fleetflame replied through gritted teeth, following his eyes. "It's a miracle he didn't die. As much as I hate Stormberry, she is good at her job."
"I know." Amberpaw replied numbly. "She had to patch me up a few times."
Fleetflame didn't reply, but Amberpaw could feel the guilt radiating off of him. He pressed himself against his mentor's side, both in a silent apology and for stability. His legs were still shaky from the news, and he feared he might shatter if Flamestar spoke again.
Unfortunately, the ginger tabby leader cleared her throat, obviously ready to leap into another speech of bravado and heartbreak, but Specklestar interrupted, her gentle voice more taut than usual.
"As much as I mourn your loss, Flamestar, do you mind continuing this Gathering? I think that all leaders have news to share."
Her tone was polite, neutral, but Amberpaw felt the clipped edge that lay behind it. He could only guess that it was directed at Shadowclan, for what reason he didn't know.
"Of course, Specklestar. I'd hate to waste any more of your precious time." Flamestar's tone was laced with sarcasm. "But that's all the news we have anyways."
"I'm sorry that it was so somber." Specklestar cuts in, interrupting Skystar yet again. The brown leader drew in a huff, earning an apologetic glance from the gray-and-brown Riverclan cat before she continued.
"Riverclan has been doing well, though, despite the accusations stacked against our Clan."
Questions rang out throughout the Gathering, but Specklestar only paused, waiting with expectant eyes for the noise to settle down before continuing.
"Tansystar was apparently murdered by one of our cats. We are doing an investigation as I speak, but Shadowclan apparently did not want to wait." The unspoken jab at Tansystar caused the brown leader to retort, his voice creaky with age as he spoke.
"You're acting as if the cat who got murdered isn't standing right here." Specklestar flushed with embarrassment, the only dent in her cool expression so far. However, she only granted Tansystar a stiff nod before continuing.
"True." She murmured. "But that doesn't mean that Riverclan is incompentent. Maybe if you'd be helpful and provide a description of your attacker, then we could figure out this whole mess."
Tansystar only gave a snort in reply, obviously electing to ignore Specklestar's words.
"Fine." The spotted leader sighed. "Though, if I may ask, I notice that most of your Clan seems to be absent today. Shadowclan isn't suffering, I hope?"
"Quite the opposite, actually." Tansystar retorted coldly, a strangely energetic glint in his green gaze. "Perhaps your numbers are off? I'm shocked that you know the size of our Clan."
Specklestar tried to speak, but the Shadowclan leader cut over her angrily.
"Perhaps you know it for a reason. After all, it's probably good to know how many cats you can pick off before we notice."
"For the last fucking time, we didn't kill anyone!" Specklestar snarled, losing her cool for just a moment. A long silence seemed to stretch after her words as the Riverclan leader struggled to regain her temper, taking a deep breath in.
Amberpaw glanced over at Fleetflame, who was watching the whole ordeal with a puzzled expression. His eyebrows were furrowed, and as he met Amberpaw's gaze, he only shrugged. His mentor seemed just as confused as him.
Specklestar spoke again, but Amberpaw didn't hear it, mind still left reeling from Flamestar's previous announcement. Sunpaw was alive, but…
He craned his neck, trying to spot golden-spotted fur in the crowd of apprentices, but came up empty. It would make sense that Sunpaw wasn't here, however, even if it made his heart ache.
Why would he even want to see you? A voice in Amberpaw's head whispered, causing salty tears to spring to his eyes. You ruined his life forever. You're the reason that his Clan was attacked, the reason that he was almost killed.
If he even liked you at all, he definitely doesn't give a shit about you now.
Finally, Specklestar and Tansystar seemed to wrap up their discussion, both returning to their spots on the tree. Skystar bounded forward, expression piqued with irritation. Amberpaw forced himself to listen to his mother, though his stomach was churning nervously.
"I'm not even going to start with 'our Clan has been great' bullshit." The creamy brown leader snapped, and Amberpaw heard Fleetflame mumble a curse at Skystar under his breath. He shifted closer to his mentor, blinking tears from his eyes. It was almost over. This wretched Gathering was almost done.
"Are you implying that your Clan isn't doing well?" Flamestar asked snidely, tilting her head with fake curiosity.
"Oh, shut it, Flamestar." Thunderclan's leader snapped, causing a minor uproar in the Gatheringplace. Windclan seemed offended on behalf of their leader, and the other two Clans just seemed shocked. As Amberpaw watched, Shadestrike turned to Fleetflame, raising a questioning eyebrow. The pale cat only closed his eyes briefly, seeming pained by this entire ordeal.
Hollowsplash and Eaglespark exchanged a look, and Amberpaw realized that Skystar's rant was by her own doing. No one else in Thunderclan knew what was going on, and their leader was making a fool of their Clan.
"Excuse me?" Windclan's leader retorted, widening her eyes with surprise. Still, a smirk played on her lips, and Amberpaw got the sense that she was enjoying this. Of course she is. This looks great for her.
"You heard me." Skystar hissed back, earning another round of gasps. "You've had your turn. Just let me speak."
Flamestar widened her eyes, and only stepped back, gesturing for Skystar to take the stage with a flick of her tail. "If you insist."
Amberpaw gaped at his mother, embarrassment and shock brimming under his pelt. What was she doing? She was giving Flamestar exactly the reaction she wanted, and making Thunderclan look like a bunch of idiots while she was at it.
We're not all insane! Amberpaw wanted to scream. Just her!
"Our Clan is sick of Windclan's bullshit." Skystar continued boldly, and Fleetflame swore again, his mouth pulled into a taut line of fury. "Flamestar, this is a declaration of war. You've attacked and killed members of my Clan, and this is the last fucking straw. You wanted a fight, so now you have it." The brown leader was practically panting for breath when she finished, and the Gathering was thrown into uproar.
"What is she doing?" Fleetflame hissed, before storming up towards the trunk of the tree, beckoning for Amberpaw to follow with an impatient sweep of his tail. He hurried after his mentor, glancing around at the chaos that had erupted.
Skystar hadn't tried to speak again, instead glaring daggers at Flamestar, who's expression signified that she both had and hadn't expected this response. Specklestar exchanged a glance with Tansystar, and the two leaders seemed to make a silent pact to stay out of this.
"She's lost her mind." Eaglespark burst out as she bounded up to her brother, green eyes wide with disbelief. "She's actually fucking saying this shit, Fleet. What are we supposed to do?"
"I don't know!" Fleetflame retorted, looking rather frazzled. "Did we like… ever make a plan for this?"
"Probably not!" The deputy practically wailed, shoulders sagging dramatically. "I didn't think she'd go batshit crazy at the Gathering! I thought she was saving that for in-camp spectacles!"
His mentor only frowned, eyes narrow with thought. "Is this why she wanted to bring you?" It took Amberpaw a moment to realize that the question was directed at him, but he only gave a confused shrug. He had no idea what was going on.
"Who gives a shit about that?" Eaglespark exclaimed angrily, before shooting an apologetic glance at Amberpaw. "No offense. But this is war, Fleet! Actual fucking war! What are we supposed to do?"
"I don't know, Eagle." Fleetflame murmured back, pressing himself against Eaglespark, who's furious expression was quickly turning desolate. "I really don't know."
Amberpaw took in the pair of them, Fleetflame shivering, the tears gathering in Eaglespark's eyes, and realized that Skystar had just condemned her Clan to death. No one was prepared for this war, especially not the two cats that the Clan needed most. Neither of them were over 25 moons, and had never seen the horrors of war before.
They were so screwed.
The moon sat high in the sky, painting the perfect picture of serenity. It was accompanied by glittering stars that were splattered across the sky, radiating a delicate light onto the dark path.
The reed-woven dens were silent with sleep when a dark shadow fell upon them. Bathed in moonlight, the Riverclan camp had never looked so peaceful.
What a shame it was about to be covered in red.
:)))) prepare for me to disappear again
have a good day, be gay and leave reviews telling me to update more or otherwise i'll forget :')
-minty