A/N: Here the next chapter!
Chapter Nineteen
The Fallen Trees were just as large and intimidating as Sparrowwing remembered, more so now that they were covered in strange cats. The MeadowClan group strode tall and united into the midst of the WoodClan cats, CreekClan having yet to arrive. Sparrowwing stood between Palestripe and Grassrunner, head up and breaths measured as she fought the urge to cough, meeting those curious and mildly-hostile glares coolly as she did. Their group broke away from FoxStar and Windclaw as the two cats made their way to the High Branches, FoxStar leaping up to join DarkStar as Windclaw took his place on the trunk beneath their Leader, nodding cordially to the tall, spotted tom that Sparrowwing now knew was WoodClan Deputy Cheetahfur.
Softail, Rabbitfoot, and Rainstorm immediately left them to themselves, immersing themselves in the gathered cats and mingling. Sparrowwing huffed as she pulled away from Palestripe and Grassrunner after flicking both in the flank with her tail. If MeadowClan was going to pull off a strong, united front, then they needed to mingle with the other Clans, not huddle together like a nervous queen with her first litter. Palestripe huffed after her, clearly amused, before turning away to go talk with a pretty white and black queen with a completely black tail and nose. Grassrunner was already chatting with a young black tom with large ears and white paws.
"Hello again," a calm, deep voice meowed, and Sparrowwing turned, whiskers lifting as she recognized the tom she only knew as Rockpaw.
"Hello," she greeted as the gray tabby tom sat down, his blue eye amused.
"You know, you jump really well, for a MeadowClan cat," he told her easily. "I was surprise to meet you again on that Great Cat's back. Really surprised me for a moment." Sparrowwing's ears twitched in amusement.
"And you were pretty quiet, for a WoodClan cat," she replied mildly; he gave a mrt of amusement, shaking his head as his tail flicked and then curled around his feet.
"I'm Rockclimber, by the way," he told her easily. "Last we met, before the Great Cat, I was Rockpaw, and you were… Sparrowpaw, right?" She nodded easily, sitting as well.
"I'm Sparrowwing, now," she told him easily; he bobbed his head. Before they could say more, a yowl rose up, and the gathered cats all looked up to see the CreekClan cats running down the hill towards them, eight in number, amongst them the lanky form of RippleStar, his Medicine Cat, Amberdawn, large and vaguely familiar form of Redclaw, the white-furred she-cat from the creek, and several other cats that Sparrowwing didn't recognize.
The two young Warriors watched the CreekClan cats join their own Clans on the Fallen Oaks, watched as the cats immediately separated upon reaching the trees, leaving RippleStar and, strangely enough, Redclaw to join the other Leaders. Sparrowwing's ears twitched in confusion.
"Ah, you weren't here last Gathering," Rockclimber murmured, making the pale brown tabby focus on him. "WoodClan and CreekClan got into a skirmish last moon, with the rainy seasons coming, CreekClan was seeking to gain a bit more high-ground. They've been having issues with wolves, you see," he told her quietly, ears flicking as the two of them put their heads closer together, so their conversation wouldn't carry. "Snakestream, the CreekClan Deputy, was badly wounded. He died from infected wounds three days later." Sparrowwing's ears flicked back.
"That would explain Redclaw's promotion, then, she murmured; Rockclimber bobbed his head in agreement, but, before any more could be said, the three Leaders yowled as one, signifying the start of the Gathering.
"We Gather here at the Fallen Oaks," DarkStar intoned solemnly, "beneath the Eyes of StarClan, to share tongues with our neighboring Clans and air grievances without Violence. Before those grievances are brought forth, let us share news from our Clans." Her gold eyes glanced around, gleaming under the full moons light high above. "WoodClan is recovering well from the storm. Several trees have either fallen or dropped large branches, but none of our Clan have been more than lightly injured from them. We have also gained three new Apprentices in the form of rescued Kittypet kits, newly Named Goldenpaw, Boulderpaw, and Deerpaw. Their Mother died a Warriors death defending them from a wolf that came from CreekClan's Border. Its scent returned to that Border after a Patrol managed to scare it off, so, CreekClan, be aware."
"CreekClan hears and thanks WoodClan for the warning," RippleStar replied; DarkStar nodded.
"Prey has been plentiful, as the rains have chased them from their dens," she continued. "Our Medicine Cat, Owlsong, has reported that the herbs needed to fight off the wet-cough have grown strong and plentiful in the rain, which she has Read as a Warning from StarClan that the storms will continue heavily."
"MeadowClan Medicine Cat Rainstorm has also come to that answer," FoxStar agreed.
"As has CreekClan Medicine Cat Amberdawn," RippleStar meowed. DarkStar again nodded solemnly.
"That is all the news from WoodClan. CreekClan, you have our Ears." The tall, lanky tom nodded calmly.
"Thank you, DarkStar," he stated simply, hazel eyes gleaming eerie yellow under the moonlight. "CreekClan is doing as well as expected with the rain. Our waters have risen high and the prey is heavy. We have experienced several losses from the storm, however. One of our Warriors, Jaysong, has joined StarClan after being pinned beneath the water by falling rocks." Soft murmurs of sorrow lifted from the cats listening, and Sparrowwing's ears pinned back briefly in sympathy. "An Apprentice was also killed by the rockslide, earning his Warrior Name by pushing another Warrior from their path. Tumblepaw has joined the StarClan Warriors as Tumblefluff." Immediately, the gathered cats lifted their voices, solemnly carving the name into their hearts as they did so. RippleStar and the other Leaders bowed their heads for several moments, until the last echoing cry quieted down.
"Another of our Warriors has been forced to retire after being crippled by falling branch," the tall tabby-tom continued. "Briarfoot has now taken his place in the Elders Den. An Apprentice has become a Warrior, and we proudly welcome Heronflight into the Warriors Den." Calls and purrs of congrats echoed out, and Sparrowwing purred as well, her tail twitching as she remembered Redclaw's one-Apprentice, the gray-and-white tom from the Medicine Cat Meeting in Leafbare.
"Two kits have also become Apprentices in this time," RippleStar added calmly. "We welcome Warrior Apprentice Mistpaw, and Medicine Cat Apprentice Thistlepaw, and know that they will make CreekClan proud." More welcoming calls echoed out, quieting down much quicker than before. "As of late this moon, we have found more traces of Rogues within and around the CreekClan Borders, including the far-side Border where No-Clan Territory meets the Black Stone River. There have been signs of fresh-kill and feeding, as well as tufts of fur left behind. The body of a dead Rogue was also found, half-eaten, with the scent of wolf on it. We believe that the Rogues death is what lured the Wolf into our Territory, as it has tasted cat blood and wants more. We will be diligent, and StarClan will guide us true, as always."
"As Always," DarkStar and FoxStar intoned agreeably, voices solemn.
"That is all CreekClan has to share," RippleStar finished, nodding his head. "MeadowClan, you have our Ears."
"Thank you, RippleStar," FoxStar meowed. "MeadowClan is recovering from the rains well. Prey is note as plentiful as it was before the storm, but it is still more than enough to keep our bellies full. Two of our Queens are expecting kits, and no doubt the new litters will be strong. We have lost no Clanmates yet, and no illnesses or injuries have been caused or found. MeadowClan is strong this moon," she added calmly, coolly, her green-gold eyes glancing idly over the cats below, until they happened upon Sparrowwing, where they paused briefly, before moving on. "Three Apprentices have been given their Warrior Names this moon," she added calmly. "We welcome our two new Warriors, Tigerpelt and Flowerdust, and our new Medicine Cat, Pebbledream." Immediately, the Names were yowled out of the crowd to be carved into StarClan and their Hearts, Sparrowwing once again lifting her voice to join them with pride.
"We also welcome no less than four Apprentices to our Clan," she added confidently, eyes narrowing with faint smugness as she spoke. "We welcome Quailpaw, Mosspaw, Rainpaw, and Barkpaw, and have no doubt that they will bring further strength to MeadowClan." Once again, the gathered cats raised their voices. FoxStar waited until they quieted down, before continuing. "There has been no scent of either fox or wolf in MeadowClan Territory, but the scent and leavings of Rogues has grown stronger at all of our Borders bar the WoodClan Border."
"CreekClan hears and thanks MeadowClan for the warning," RippleStar meowed.
"WoodClan hears and thanks MeadowClan as well," DarkStar added as well. FoxStar inclined her head calmly.
"That is all MeadowClan has to share." The other two Leaders inclined their heads.
"Let us move on to the grievances each Clan wishes to share," DarkStar declared calmly. "WoodClan has no grievances at this time. We shall join StarClan in being neutral in any grievances between MeadowClan and CreekClan."
"We thank you," FoxStar and RippleStar intoned, before the tom lifted his head high.
"CreekClan has grievance against MeadowClan," he declared coolly. "One of their Warriors, as well as an Apprentice, Trespassed in CreekClan Territory, and injured one of our Patrolling Warriors." There were hisses from the CreekClan cats, and growls from MeadowClan, while the WoodClan cats murmured.
"MeadowClan contests this," FoxStar declared coldly. "And bares grievance against CreekClan. When a MeadowClan Apprentices slipped in the mud and fell into CreekClan waters, in front of their Patrol, that Patrol sat back to watch that Apprentice drown. When her Mentor chose to save her Apprentice's life, after sending the other Apprentice in their group for the nearest MeadowClan Patrol, the CreekClan Patrol attempted to murder our Warrior, and nearly succeeded." Snarls rose up from the MeadowClan cats, growls from CreekClan, and the murmurs of the WoodClan cat turned to whispers of alarm as Sparrowwing listened silently.
It was one thing to kill during a skirmish, if frowned upon. Every cat understood the heat of the moment, the thrill of fear and battle-blindness that could claim a cat in a fight. But, what the CreekClan cats had done hadn't been in the heat of battle. It had been cold blooded and, had the white she-cat succeeded and killed Sparrowwing, this Gathering could have been her Judgement, and she could have been Banished for Murder, something no Clan wanted for various reasons.
"It's the sign of a guilty conscious when a cat tries to place blame in someone else," RippleStar stated lowly, a growl edging his voice.
"Indeed," FoxStar stated pointedly, turning her head to look at him. "And I point out that it was your Clan that did so." RippleStar growled and FoxStar's ears pinned back, the fur on her scruff rising, eyes narrowing and tail twitching agitatedly.
"Enough," DarkStar interrupted. "We will hear from MeadowClan's cat, now, as they have been Accused of Trespass." The other two Leaders held aggressive eye contact, before they both nodded and turned their attention back to the watching cats.
"Sparrowwing, come forward," FoxStar called; the tabby nodded farewell to Rockclimber and padded forward, past murmuring cats and hostile hisses from CreekClan, to it before the Leader Branches in the empty space directly in front. She sat tall, her back to the watching crowd, eyes focused on her Leader.
"Warrior Sparrowwing," DarkStar meowed calmly, gold eyes cool and assessing. "You are called here, accused of Trespassing in CreekClan Territory. Tell us your tale here before StarClan." Sparrowwing bowed her head solemnly, before once again straightening tall. Eyes forward, posture still and controlled, Sparrowwing explained about hunting with her Apprentice and Temporary Apprentice, about doubling as an extra Patrol along the CreekClan Border because of the rising waters. About Gingerpaw being curious about the CreekClan Patrol because she'd never seen any CreekClan cats before, and how she stepped too close to the ledge. About the ground crumbling away, about her plunge into the moving water.
About how the CreekClan Patrol had sat down to watch her Apprentice die without lifting a paw to help.
As she spoke about the Incident, the cats behind her made various noises, of shock, of outrage, of anger. And, as she got to the point of her drowning, her experience with it, they all fell eerily quiet. She had to pause and take a few careful, deep breaths, her throat feeling tight, and in that time, Rainstorm stepped out of the crowd.
"I am Rainstorm, the MeadowClan Medicine Cat," he yowled out clearly as Sparrowwing closed her eyes and breathed. "I would have the Gathering know that, at this time, myself and my Apprentice were alerted of Sparrowwing's drowning by StarClan. If it were not for the interference of her brother, Sunflare, who is a StarClan Warrior, Sparrowwing would have died. As it is, she stepped three paws across the Starpelt, and is still recovering from her spirit mostly leaving her body." Alarmed, stunned murmurs broke out behind her and Sparrowwing's ears pinned as she shuddered.
"Are there permanent consequences, Medicine Cat Rainstorm?" DarkStar asked formerly; Sparrowwing opened her eyes and glanced at Rainstorm, alarmed. She hadn't thought her near dying could have any further consequences than the water in her lungs could have caused…
"She will be more sensitive to StarClan's Words and Messages," Rainstorm informed them calmly. "Had she been forced to retire from being a Warrior due to her drowning, I would have made her a Medicine Cat because of it. As it is, however, she will simply be aware when StarClan Speaks to myself or my fellow Medicine Cat, Pebbledream, or other Medicine Cats. She herself will not receive any that aren't specifically for her, of which only her brother has done so."
"Thank you for sharing her status, Medicine Cat Rainstorm," DarkStar meowed; Rainstorm bowed his head and sat back in the crowd. "Warrior Sparrowwing, are you able to continue?" Sparrowwing took another careful breath and nodded.
"I am, DarkStar," she meowed; the small black queen nodded her head solemnly.
"Please do so." Sparrowwing nodded and obeyed, talking about how she'd swam to the surface, about her finding the CreekClan cat cornering her Apprentice against the ravine wall, about their fight and then the arrival of the actual Border Patrol and their rescue. She finished her tale with the return to the MeadowClan camp, and the medical rest.
"And how long are you nest-bound?" DarkStar asked; Sparrowwing blinked.
"Rainstorm informed me that a week or more was required," she told the small black queen. "So far, besides a lingering tightness in my chest and a small cough because of it, I have not gotten worse, so a few more days until the cough is completely gone is required."
"I see," she said, watching Sparrowwing keenly. "Thank you for sharing your tale. Please return to the crowd." Sparrowwing bowed her head and obeyed, taking a seat beside Rainstorm and blinking as the black tom pressed an ear to her chest and listened keenly to her breathing for a moment. When he sat up, he looked very displeased.
"Straight to the Den when we return," he growled at her irritably. "The stress of this ridiculousness has not helped your chest at all." Sparrowwing nodded obediently as the Med Cat sat back with a huff and narrowed gold eyes.
"Please call CreekClan cat who was injured forward," DarkStar meowed calmly; RippleStar nodded.
"Softshine," he called; the familiar white-furred queen slunk forward, and Sparrowwing was grimly pleased to find that her face and head were covered in the marks of her claws. They would scar, and Sparrowwing was vindictively pleased to know that the other would bear the mark of her crimes for the rest of her life.
"Warrior Softshine," DarkStar meowed coolly, gold eyes assessing. "You have been accused of attempted murder. From what we've heard from Warrior Sparrowwing's tale, you were the instigator of the attack against her and her Apprentice. Would you explain, here before us and StarClan, your reasons behind your attack against Warrior Sparrowwing of MeadowClan?" The white queen lifted her scarred head.
"She was an interloper in CreekClan Territory," she meowed coolly. "Rescue attempt or not, she was Trespassing. All Trespassers are to be dealt with immediately, especially with the increase of Rogues and the knowledge that a Clan cat is teaching them. My Clanmates didn't join me in attacking the interloper only because we were unaware if the so-called Patrol she'd sent the other cat for was an actual Patrol or her Rogue allies." Immediately, FoxStar hissed furiously.
"Are you accusing MeadowClan of being Code-Breakers, Warrior?" She snarled; the white she-cat met her eyes boldly.
"If the paw matches the print," she meowed; Sparrowwing immediately joined her Clanmates in furious snarls, more than one leaping to their paws with yowls of rage. FoxStar herself snarled lowly in her throat.
"Then you are more foolish than I thought, water-rat," she hissed darkly. "After all, it's clear from your own Leader's maw that Rogues have been in and around your Territory more than any other. By your own Leader's word, it is clear that a CreekClan cat is aiding these interlopers in Trespassing in another Clan's Territory. So, the only paw-prints I'm seeing here are that of a CreekClan Code-Breakers!" RippleStar snarled at her, his cats joining him, and, suddenly, the Gathering was filled with aggressive snarls, yowls, and hisses as the furious tensions rose.
"ENOUGH!" DarkStar screeched, piercingly loud, just as a frigid wind swept through the Gathering, a clear sign that StarClan was displeased. Immediately, every cat fell silent, cringing down against the biting chill, so out of place in the heat of Greenleaf that its unnaturalness made more than one set of hackles rise.
"There is a Traitor amongst the Clans," The black Leader growled, her tail lashing behind her as she glared out at the gathered cats. "This is a fact we have known for moons now. Whether it is a cat that lives within each of the Clans, or a Banished cat that has decided to try for Revenge, this is not the reason we are Gathered here today. Softshine," she meowed firmly, turning her gold eyes on the white queen. "While your reasoning is understandable, your actions do you no justice. You and your Patrol stood back to allow an Apprentice barely seven moons old to drown, and when her Clanmate sought to save her, instead of just chasing the two of them out, you chose to try and kill them instead. These are not the actions the Warrior Code holds its Warriors to." Softshine's ears pinned back and she sat up stiffly. DarkStar eyed her silently, consideringly, for several long moments, before huffing.
"The Accusation of Trespassing against MeadowClan is declared Unfounded," she called calmly. "As it was an effect of the actions of CreekClan Patrol, something easily prevented had they assisted the fallen MeadowClan Apprentice, MeadowClan Warrior Sparrowwing was not at fault. The Accusation of Attempted Murder, however, is declared as Well-Founded. Due to the state of tensions in all three Clans due to the Rogue Issues, however," she stated, sending a sharp glare at her fellow Leaders, "the Punishment will not be Banishment. Instead, for the next twelve moons, I decree that CreekClan Warrior Softshine is banned from Patrolling the MeadowClan Border." The CreekClan cats yowled or hissed in complaint, but RippleStar was silent, eyes narrowed in fury and tail lashing.
"Is there any who would oppose this punishment?" DarkStar asked.
"MeadowClan agrees with the punishment," FoxStar meowed calmly. RippleStar remained silent for several long moment, before huffing and looking away, glaring off to the side.
"CreekClan will abide by the punishment," he gritted out lowly; DarkStar nodded coolly.
"So, the issue is now dismissed," the WoodClan Leader declared firmly; Softshine slunk away from the center of the Oaks, disappearing back among her Clanmates, who closed ranks around their stunned Clanmate aggressively, glaring at Sparrowwing and her Clanmates furiously. "Are there any other grievances to be bared?"
"MeadowClan has no other grievances," FoxStar meowed.
"CreekClan has no other grievances," RippleStar meowed coldly; DarkStar nodded calmly.
"Than I declare this Gathering Ended," she meowed firmly. "May StarClan guide and watch over all of our Clans. Until the next Gathering," she dismissed, and lead the Leaders down from the High Branches to join their Deputies.
"Come, kit," Rainstorm ordered as Palestripe and Grassrunner slipped through the cats and rejoined her. "Straight to the Medicine Den," he ordered, and Sparrowwing could only lift her whiskers in amused, relieved, fondness. Her Clanmates surrounded her as they left, and she briefly glanced over her shoulder as they began the trek back to their Territory. The CreekClan cats had surrounded Softshine, who was hunched and peering up at her Leader uncertainly. As Sparrowwing watched, the tall tom laid his tail across her shoulders and touched noses with his Warrior, murmuring to her softly. Sparrowwing looked away, ears flicking back uncomfortably at the surprisingly tender actions of the notoriously cold cats.
There were some things Outsiders shouldn't witness about a Clan in Private.
A/N: Here we go, a nice, long chapter! What do you guys think?
Reminder that I'm on Warrior Cats Amino under WizardsGirl! Come join me! ^-^