Chapter 6

Darkness shrouded the forest. The air was still and hot, with the faint crunch of pawsteps being the only sound. Mistyfoot dreaded how warm Fourtrees would be, and imagined a thunderstorm breaking the peaceful meeting in order to rain down its cooling water from the sky.

She followed her Clanmates along the trail to Fourtrees, tail low. Her Clanmates brushed past but none seemed to acknowledge her. Mistyfoot preferred that – this Gathering was going to be embarrassing enough as it was; she had no idea why Tinystar had invited her along.

He was at the head of the Clan, Sandstorm by his side. ThunderClan had a lot to announce this moon, Mistyfoot reflected, and her stomach churned. How would he announce Shrewpaw's death? Some small, scared part of her wondered if Tinystar had brought her along to point her out in the crowd and tell all the Clans what a failure she was.

Tinystar stopped at clump of ferns at the edge of the hollow. Mistyfoot could hear cats chatting down below, a low hum like a cicada in the forest. It sounded like every other Clan was there, and that ThunderClan might be late. Maybe that means this will be a short Gathering.

Dustpelt pushed his way up the patrol to stand with Tinystar. The brown tabby tom grunted, "So what're you going to say tonight?"

Tinystar looked to the senior warrior. His ice-blue eyes flicked to Mistyfoot and for a moment she felt frozen – but only for a moment. "I will mention the badger," Tinystar meowed, "and what happened to Shrewpaw."

"And the WindClan trespasser?" asked Graystripe.

Tinystar nodded. "That too; but I want Tallstar to be able to defend himself. If it was an honest mistake by an unseasoned apprentice, then it's nothing to start a war over. This forest has known peace for seasons – I won't be the one to break that."

Graystripe nodded in approval, but Dustpelt's eyes flashed confrontationally. Whatever he said was lost to Mistyfoot's ears, which were ringing in panic. He's going to tell them all about how much of a failure I am! She thought.

"Calm down," grunted a voice. Mousefur nudged Mistyfoot's shoulder with her muzzle. "He needs to tell the other Clans about that badger – it's killed cats before, and it's like to do it again. You know that."

Mistyfoot swallowed. She blinked gratefully at the she-cat. "Thank you," she murmured.

Mousefur gave a curt nod.

Tinystar raised his tail, and ThunderClan descended into the hollow. The great oaks of Fourtrees looked dry and thirsty overhead, and the grass was stiff, but the clearing was bustling with life. Mistyfoot kept to the back, not wanting to get swept up in the crowd immediately.

She spotted Ashfur padding off to talk to some WindClan cats, and decided pointedly to avoid that area of the Gathering like rats were swarming – Mistyfoot instead followed Graystripe and Silverstream as they headed for the RiverClan crowd.

"Mosspelt!" purred Silverstream. "There you are!"

Mistyfoot watched the once-RiverClan cat greet her old Clanmate as if no borders separated them. Mistyfoot was still mystified by Silverstream at times, but she was a great boon to the queens in the ThunderClan nursery, and with Graystripe by her side her loyalty was unquestionable.

Not wanting to intrude, Mistyfoot backed away before she was noticed. She found a quieter spot near the edge of the clearing and resolved herself to sit and wait out the Gathering in anonymity. Mousefur's reassurance helped, but she didn't want the other Clans to notice her anxieties.

StarClan had other plans.

"Mistyfoot!" A massive gray tom pushed his way through the crowd, his amber eyes sparkling and his pelt slick and shiny. Following him was a very lovely and long-furred silver tabby. "Long time no see!"

"Stormfur!" Mistyfoot breathed. "Feathertail!" She gave them a smile. Stormfur and Feathertail were Graystripe and Silverstream's kits – when the battle for BloodClan was won, the two had decided to stay in RiverClan, where their hearts belonged, despite their parents' decision to stay in ThunderClan. They both looked healthy and happy.

"What's wrong?" Feathertail wondered, her blue eyes wide. "You're far from friends out here."

Mistyfoot only shrugged. How could she explain? Forcing cheerfulness, she meowed, "Just wanted a moment before everything got hectic – what's going on with you two?"

"Not much," Stormfur admitted. "Want to sit with us?"

Mistyfoot swallowed. She looked between the two fluffy RiverClan warriors, both emanating their father's optimism. She couldn't say no. The two warriors immediately flanked her on either side, and Mistyfoot followed them to a spot nestled between ThunderClan and RiverClan warriors where they could watch the Gathering properly.

They sat just as Tinystar made the final bound onto the Great Rock. Tallstar, WindClan's leader, greeted him with a nod and raised his voice: "Let the Gathering begin!"

Silence flooded the clearing. Every cat turned their attention to Russetstar as she moved forward to make her announcement for ShadowClan: "Not much to report tonight – Twolegs are on our territory, but it hasn't affected our hunting or our patrols. Wolftooth and Cedarheart chased off a badger that made its way onto our territory – we won't be seeing it again thanks to them."

Cheers rose from the ShadowClan crowd: "Wolftooth! Cedarheart!"

Mistyfoot clenched her jaw. Tinystar had sent a warning to ShadowClan the morning after Shrewpaw's death. She knew deep down that the badger in Russetstar's report had to be the same one, even if Russetstar was too proud to mention it.

"Tallpoppy has moved into the nursery," Russetstar went on, "and Finchsong's kits were born without incident. ShadowClan is very glad to welcome our newest members."

Mistyfoot searched the crowd, wondering about the father of Finchsong's kits. Cedarheart had his head raised doubly so, grinning ear to ear, and another ShadowClan warrior gave him a playful nudge.

"That is all," Russetstar meowed curtly.

As always with ShadowClan, you wonder if that's all they had to say, Mistyfoot wondered, watching Russetstar step back. The she-cat was leading ShadowClan well in the wake of its past disasters, but ShadowClan's secretiveness would never change, Mistyfoot guessed.

Tinystar stepped forward next. He nodded to Russetstar. "The badger your warriors chased away was responsible for the death of a warrior last greenleaf, and recently it took the life of one of our apprentices, Shrewpaw."

Russetstar frowned. "Then I'm glad it's gone," she decided.

Tinystar turned his attention to the crowd. "Not only that, but the badger injured Oakheart greatly. He has decided to retire. Sandstorm is now ThunderClan's deputy."

Murmurs of surprise rippled through the gathered Clans, but Mistyfoot saw many nodding heads. Sandstorm was a very popular choice, even among the other Clans. Her prowess was well known.

Stormfur bristled. "Sounds like a nasty creature," he mewed. "Is Oakheart going to be okay?"

Mistyfoot nodded. "He'll heal," she replied quietly. "But it was a reminder of his age." For everyone.

Stormfur blinked at her sympathetically, and Feathertail's tail crossed Mistyfoot's. Mistyfoot accepted the gestures, though were they from any other cat she imagined she would feel uncomfortable about cats from other Clans showing such sympathy.

"Sandstorm! Sandstorm!" cheered the Clans all around. The pale ginger she-cat nodded to them all, settled firmly in her place with the other Clan deputies at the base of the Great Rock. Tawnypelt of RiverClan murmured something into her ear, and Sandstorm's long whiskers twitched in amusement.

Mistyfoot looked up at Tinystar. He didn't mention that I was Shrewpaw's mentor, she thought, unsure how to feel. Was he omitting her involvement for a reason?

"ThunderClan has a new apprentice this moon, Spiderpaw," Tinystar went on. "Shrewpaw, her brother, was killed by the badger – he watches us tonight from StarClan. Sorrelpaw has earned her warrior name – Sorreltail sits with us tonight!"

"Spiderpaw! Shrewpaw!" the Clans yowled. "Sorreltail!"

Mistyfoot raised her voice, too, trying not to let the pain show through. Thankfully, she supposed that Stormfur or Feathertail would guess she was grieving same as any member of her Clan for the lost apprentice.

"Ferncloud and Snowstep's kits were born not long ago, and we welcome all three of them to the Clan," Tinystar meowed. "There's only one more thing from ThunderClan – Tallstar."

The long-tailed leader of WindClan raised his muzzle.

"One of our patrols caught a WindClan apprentice over our border, not far from here," Tinystar remarked. "He had a rabbit in his jaws."

Tallstar frowned. "I think I know of whom you speak," he said gravely. "He will be dealt with tonight."

Tinystar nodded. "Then that is all from ThunderClan."

Mistyfoot looked around the clearing, wondering if the apprentice was here. She didn't see them – but she did see Mudclaw looking rather annoyed at the foot of the Great Rock. Mistyfoot wondered why that was – Mudclaw's one of those cats that's always annoyed by something. Maybe he just doesn't want to deal with punishing apprentices for something they ought to know?

It was Tallstar who spoke next: "Like Russetstar, I must report that there are Twolegs on the moors as well. Their stomping feet and their monsters scare the rabbits, but their stay is temporary, no doubt. WindClan has always been able to survive on scant rabbits. However…"

The black-and-white tom turned his muzzle to RiverClan's leader, Leopardstar - who until now had seemed disinterested in the other Clans' reports. Tallstar's eyes shone with worry. He continued, "Leopardstar, WindClan cannot survive without water. This drought has dried up all the streams on our territory, and our only source for water now is the gorge."

"That is on RiverClan territory," Leopardstar reminded him.

Tallstar nodded. "I know; but I must ask it of you. Will you allow WindClan to drink from the gorge?"

Leopardstar's eyes narrowed on Tallstar, and the Gathering fell into a hush. Mistyfoot glanced at Stormfur and Feathertail, but neither gave much away. Some RiverClan cats muttered to themselves, and an apprentice was hushed when they complained about WindClan stink in the water.

The silence seemed to stretch. Mistyfoot frowned up at Leopardstar, knowing that the proud leader was doubtless enjoying hearing another Clan grovel to her. Mistyfoot's fur pricked with annoyance.

Leopardstar, finally, answered, "WindClan may drink from the gorge," she said in a clipped tone, "but only at sunrise and sundown – and RiverClan warriors will be present to ensure no prey is stolen."

Tallstar's eyes flashed. Clearly he was annoyed at the idea of his Clan having to be watched while drinking, of all things, but he could only dip his head. "Thank you," he meowed. "WindClan will not forget your generosity."

Leopardstar only tilted her head in reply.

Mistyfoot glanced at Stormfur. "Does she really think WindClan would steal prey?" she wondered.

Stormfur frowned. "I don't think so," he admitted. "WindClan doesn't want fish, they want water."

"Yes, but…" Feathertail drew her tail close to herself. "The drought is affecting all of us. No Clan should go thirsty but… what if it affects the river?"

Mistyfoot stiffened. When all the streams in the Clan territories were gone, all that would be left was the river. Leopardstar doubtless had some pride over holding that particular resource, but Feathertail was right - what would happen if the river dried to nothing, too?

"I suppose it is my turn, then," Leopardstar decided, rising to her paws. The moonlight shone on her dappled pelt. "RiverClan has little news – two of our apprentices, Falconpaw and Mothpaw, have become warriors. They are known now as Falcontail and Mothwing."

"Falcontail! Mothwing!" cheered the Clans.

Leopardstar's gaze traveled across the clearing. When the cheers died down, she announced, "Mothwing has decided to pursue training under Mudfur – she is now RiverClan's medicine cat apprentice."

Mistyfoot's ears pricked. "When was the last time a warrior became a medicine cat?" she wondered. The last she could think of was Yellowfang, ThunderClan and ShadowClan's former medicine cat – but Yellowfang had been seasons upon seasons old.

Stormfur shrugged. "It's not common, but Mudfur did it, back in the day. Mothwing says she had a sign from StarClan, too."

"Wow."

"Well," Stormfur went on, "they are Leopardstar's kits, too. They're so spoiled – Mothwing wanted nothing but warriorhood before her ceremony, but just the day after she was begging to be a medicine cat!"

Mistyfoot shook her head and sighed. Inwardly she was grateful that Tinystar didn't seem to spoil his kits so readily.

Beside her, Feathertail stiffened. The silver she-cat looked down at her paws and muttered, "Excuse me," before standing and heading off into the crowd. She settled down beside Graystripe and Silverstream, who greeted her with muted purrs when she sat down.

Confused, Mistyfoot glanced at Stormfur. The big gray tom only shrugged, his amber eyes sparking. "Don't worry about it," he assured. "She's fine."

Mistyfoot blinked, shaking it off. She craned her neck, trying to spot the new RiverClan warriors. She saw a lovely-looking spotted tabby beside Mudfur, but there was no sign of Falcontail. Mistyfoot was taken aback at the beauty of the she-cat, whose round face complimented her thick, dappled coat well.

"Only Mothwing came tonight," Stormfur pointed out. "I'm sure you'll see Falcontail on patrol before long."

Mistyfoot twitched her whiskers in acknowledgement.

The Gathering began to wind down as Leopardstar closed off her speech. Cats began to settle down to share tongues – though the night was warm, the moon was still high and shining strong. There was no reason to leave immediately.

"Thank you for sitting with me," Mistyfoot meowed, looking to Stormfur.

Stormfur's whiskers twitched. "Why wouldn't I?" he purred. He touched his nose to her ear, his breath warm against her fur. "I'm always happy to hang out with you, Mistyfoot. Don't make it a whole moon again, okay?"

Mistyfoot blinked in shock at him as he sauntered over to his family. Her ear tingled where the RiverClan warrior had touched it, and Mistyfoot felt slightly dizzy. She sank her claws into the earth, trying to steady herself.

"That one's always been too free with his feelings," rasped a familiar voice. "Like his father."

Mistyfoot jumped. "Stoneheart!" she purred, turning to find her brother standing beside her. She pushed him affectionately with a forepaw. Her fur felt hot. "Don't do that!"

Stoneheart's whiskers twitched, and his eyes sparkled with amusement. Mistyfoot touched her nose to his, overwhelmed with longing to curl up beside her brother, like when they were apprentices. But Stoneheart had chosen ShadowClan, and ShadowClan was where his heart lay.

"Stormfur was just being friendly," Mistyfoot insisted.

Stoneheart only scoffed, but he didn't pry. "How's Oakheart?" he asked, eyes flashing with concern for their father.

"He'll be okay," Mistyfoot told him. "I just wish it hadn't been a badger that put him in the elder's den." She suddenly wanted more than anything to talk to Stoneheart about Shrewpaw, but the words caught in her throat. Talking with Stormfur had made her feel better than she had in a while – there was no reason to ruin the mood tonight.

"He's so stubborn, like Mosspaw was," Stoneheart sighed. "But I'm glad he's finally an elder."

Mosspaw… Mistyfoot blinked at her brother. "Do you ever… think about Mosspaw?" she asked.

Stoneheart's expression shifted, his jaws clenching. "O-Of course," he muttered. "I… I dreamed of her, a few nights ago."

Stunned, Mistyfoot leaned forward and asked, earnestly, "What was it about?"

Stoneheart looked at her, and in his eyes Mistyfoot could see her own wide-eyed expression. The entire crowd seemed to melt away – it was only Mistyfoot and Stoneheart, and this dream of their dear sister.

"I was dreaming I was in ShadowClan territory, and she appeared. She… she said something about the Clans coming together at midnight," Stoneheart explained, his tone hushed – but it was all Mistyfoot could hear. "She said something was happening to the forest."

Stoneheart's words made the dream rush back into Mistyfoot's head like a blow. "That's what she said to me, too," Mistyfoot whispered. "We…"

"We had the same dream," Stoneheart finished.

"That has to mean something," Mistyfoot insisted.

Stoneheart's ear flicked. "Well… what do you want to do?"

Mistyfoot swallowed, striving to remember every detail of the dream. "She said to meet here at midnight on the new moon," she recalled. "Do you think we should do that?"

Stoneheart frowned. "If we get caught…"

"It's Mosspaw, Stoneheart," Mistyfoot insisted. Her heart was beating in her ears. "She was a medicine cat – she wouldn't just appear in both of our dreams! If this wasn't important our dreams wouldn't have been the same!"

Stoneheart looked uncertain, still. But he conceded, "All right. It can't hurt. Midnight, then. At the new moon."