Warriors: Ice Lake

by Marmotfox

Many moons after the Great Battle, the Clans come face to face with more hardship. A new enemy has arisen, one that cannot be fought with tooth and claw, and threatens the sacred balance that four Clans must exist around the lake. The Clans must work together to survive, but in a new age with no hope, many have rejected the one thing that makes them warriors: StarClan.

3. Chapter 2

2

"Blacktuft!" he heard a voice calling to him. Hollowpelt. The black and white tom was prodding him in the side. "Blacktuft, it's sundown. Time to take the prey."

Blacktuft raised his head, stretching and yawning before standing up. He shook out his fur, glancing up at the darkening sky, relieved to see that the clouds from before were hardly noticeable, now. Hollowpelt flicked his tail and Blacktuft followed him to the camp entrance, where Heatherfoot and Springfeather were waiting with a small pile of prey. Granted, it was the last of the fresh-kill pile, but Gorsenose had promised he'd be hunting with the apprentices and Torntail by now. Blacktuft leaned down and picked up the rabbit Blackpaw had caught before, following the other three warriors out from the camp. He checked over his shoulder, noticing that only left Tallear, Trenchstar, Redbird, and Lostear in the camp. Redbird was picking ticks out of Lostear's fur while Tallear and Trenchstar spoke with their heads together. Blacktuft felt a wave of apprehension, seeing them, but he carried on out of camp, leading the patrol out. He lengthened his stride when they were on the moor, letting the wind hide the sounds of his stomach growling. He hadn't eaten all day, and he hungered for a morsel. WindClan cats ate after all the patrols were done, when the stars were out and it was frigid. He glanced to his side, seeing the lake shimmering with the golden light of the sunset, and his heart brightened. He looked ahead again, his paws skimming the grasses, now, as energy flowed through his muscles, and his Clanmates tailed him all the way to the stream.

When they arrived, Blacktuft paused at the bank before wading in. He shivered at the icy waters, his claws unsheathing to anchor him to the bottom, and he held his chin high to attempt to keep the rabbit from getting soaked. As he reached the other side, he hoisted himself up, water making his tail droop. He shivered, glad to be on solid ground, and glanced to his left and to his right to see the other cats had all successfully pulled their way through. The lapwing was a bit soaked, but Springfeather didn't seem daunted by her failure to keep it dry. The cats pressed on into the trees, weaving their way through the thorns. Blacktuft had taken this trip into ThunderClan territory many, many times. His paws knew the way, and they stepped precisely where they always had. There was a path that had been formed by so many WindClan paws treading it, and they followed it in the direction of the ThunderClan camp. Blacktuft ducked his head when he needed to, stepping over a root where he had once tripped, and held back a branch to let the other cats through. Before long, they were on approach to the hollow.

Blacktuft padded to the camp entrance, sliding through and wincing as it snagged at his fur. When he pushed his way through to the other side, he was greeted by a sorry sight. Most of the cats of ThunderClan were lying in their dens, mewing in weak voices to each other. There was no point in keeping them all in the medicine cat's den, with everyone sick. Eyes peered at Blacktuft by the fallen tree, and Snowstar was lying on Highledge, looking so pathetic that Blacktuft figured he might not be able to get down. However, as the WindClan cats entered, Snowstar stood unsteadily and scrambled down the rocks, easier than Blacktuft had expected, although still a whisker away from slipping and falling. The white tom approached the WindClan deputy, dipping his head to him and rasping, "Thank you for all your help, Blacktuft."

Pain seared through Blacktuft's heart, seeing how weary the leader's eyes were. He had never seen them bright and proud, but he imagined they had once been, just like Trenchstar's. Blacktuft set down the rabbit in his jaws, replying to the ThunderClan leader gently, "No need to thank us, Snowstar. StarClan gave us these catches to give to you."

Snowstar grunted disbelievingly, responding, "StarClan hasn't shown up in moons. This was by the wits and strength of cats, Blacktuft." He leaned down and picked up the rabbit. "Let's forget about our illusions."

"But you're a StarClan-ordained leader, Snowstar," Blacktuft disagreed, though this conversation wasn't anything new.

He could practically hear Snowstar's reply before the tom said it: "We have all been deceived, Blacktuft, by the illusions of our ancestors and of ourselves. It's time to stop listening to the lies. Whatever we experienced, StarClan is gone now."

He turned and padded toward the warriors' den unsteadily, halting by a thin ginger tom who hardly noticed when the leader approached. Tumblesnap's barely clinging, Blacktuft thought to himself. Should they even waste prey on him? He shook his head. Mouse-dung, Blacktuft, of course they should give him prey. He lowered his tail, despising his thought and feeling like he had betrayed the ginger tom by thinking it. He nearly stepped forward to apologize. He looked at Hollowpelt, however, and saw that the warrior's amber gaze reflected his own thoughts.

A cream-colored tom slid past them, carrying herbs in his jaws. Blacktuft called to him and the youngest medicine cat in the Clans turned to face him. "How are things, Birchleaf? Any improvement?" Blacktuft asked the tom, his voice weak from his lack of enthusiasm.

Birchleaf's ears tucked back as he stared back at the older cat, then murmured in a flat voice, "If only." Blacktuft's little smile disappeared as Birchleaf turned away and started toward the other cats, giving them herbs to eat with the fresh-kill the WindClan cats had delivered.

"He's hardly more than a kit," Springfeather voiced Blacktuft's thoughts, her tone quiet and full of sorrow. Blacktuft nodded grimly, watching the ThunderClan cats begin to group together, crowding around the prey to eat.

"Should we go?" Hollowpelt asked Blacktuft, looking at the black tom beside him.

Blacktuft scanned the camp, murmuring softly, "Yeah… I suppose we should." He turned and started walking toward the exit, eager to leave the strong scent of sickness behind, but then he heard pawsteps pattering closer. He paused and turned, seeing Flowerpaw approaching the group of cats.

The pale ginger and white she-cat dipped her head, gazing up at them sadly. "Thank you," she whispered to them, glancing over her shoulder. Blacktuft followed her gaze to Tumblesnap, her father. "Birchleaf doesn't think he'll make it through the night," she added when she saw the deputy look that way.

Blacktuft's heart threatened to burst as he gazed at this helpless young cat, her green eyes shimmering with tears as she stared at the ground. Blacktuft stepped forward and adjusted his position, resting his tail across her shoulders. "I'm sorry, Flowerpaw," he murmured, his heart descending into his stomach, now. He was almost afraid it would shrivel up and die there. "I wish we could've helped more…"

Flowerpaw gave her head a little shake, stepping away from him and walking toward the other ThunderClan cats, leaving Blacktuft's side. The tom watched her as her tail dragged across the ground, and then he turned to the other members of his patrol. Heatherfoot gazed at him, then nodded, mumbling, "Let's get out of here." Blacktuft pushed his way back out of camp, the other cats filing after him. He could feel the heat of ThunderClan's gaze upon his back, setting him on fire.

The warriors started running as soon as they were out from the hollow, bounding down the path toward the stream. Blacktuft was relieved as the sick smell slowly drained away to the smells of the forest. When they came to the stream, they were no longer so damp, but no one complained as they waded back into the water. Blacktuft sensed they were all glad to let the stream wash away both the scent and their thoughts about ThunderClan. Blacktuft twitched his nose as he went, noticing that the ThunderClan border was no longer present. Thinking about that, he figured that ShadowClan hadn't kept their border, either. It was like the two sick Clans had conjoined in their misery. Blacktuft scrambled onto the shore and shook out his fur, as did the other cats, and looked over his shoulder at the forest. He sighed softly, then started running again, wanting to warm up after spending more time in the icy water.

The four cats made it back to camp before long, joining their Clanmates. They settled down together, sharing tongues in silence. Finally, Springfeather spoke up softly, "It's sad." She didn't need to clarify. The other cats knew what she meant.

When it was dark, Gorsenose returned with the hunting patrol, carrying some prey along with them. They set them down where the fresh-kill pile normally was. WindClan cats rose in the dark like shadows, drifting toward the pile with watering mouths. Blacktuft and Trenchstar pushed their way to the front to try to keep some order. Trenchstar grabbed a rabbit, offering it to Blacktuft and meowing through it, "Take it. For your family." Blacktuft nodded to him and grabbed the rabbit, setting it down at his own paws.

The tension was strong among the ranks of WindClan warriors. Blacktuft could feel it, crackling like lightning. Everyone was waiting to see who would get to eat and who wouldn't. If it wasn't for their leader and deputy standing there, they would fight for every last scrap. Blacktuft caught Lostear's green gaze, smiling weakly in an attempt to reassure his father that he would be receiving prey, too. "Heatherfoot," called Trenchstar, grabbing a lapwing and resting it down for her to take. The light brown she-cat snatched it in her jaws. Springfeather and Heatherfoot had always been friends, and Blacktuft always found it off-putting to see the animosity in their gazes when one or the other was given more or less. "Springfeather." A measly mouse for the tabby she-cat and Redbird, her mate. She picked her way through the semi-circle of her Clanmates and grabbed the mouse, her eyes narrowing as she whipped around and headed toward Redbird, who watched her with patient eyes. Blacktuft felt a surge of gratitude toward the medicine cat. He was another calming source for the Clan; he never lost his temper (except if he was awoken for no reason while having a good nap) and helped assuage some of the concerns of his Clanmates.

There was nothing left on the pile. Trenchstar and Torntail were left with nothing to eat. Torntail's pelt was pricking, but he held his tongue, coming to his brother's side to lie down with him. "You can share some of our rabbit," Blacktuft offered softly, gazing at them sympathetically.

"Blacktuft!" Tallear, so normally calm and placid, was suddenly sharp and firm. He turned toward her in surprise, and she glared at him through slits. "Don't share our prey. We have a lot of mouths to feed in our own family. Bring it here. Think of Blackpaw and Grousepaw."

Blacktuft watched the two hungry apprentices, who had gone to sit beside their mother after putting the fresh-kill on the pile. Torntail spoke up softly, "Thank you, Blacktuft, but we're fine."

Blacktuft dipped his head to his friend and his leader, then walked to join his family on the other side of the camp. He rested down the rabbit and sat by Lostear, who gave him a light flick with his tail to show that he honored the gesture. Blacktuft lowered his muzzle again, then watched as Blackpaw and Grousepaw began to eat, crouching over the rabbit. Another pang hit Blacktuft, watching them. Their eyes were so dull with hunger… It was amazing the Clan had stayed together, not to mention that WindClan and RiverClan hadn't broken out in fighting. Blacktuft lied down, resting his chin on his paws. Lostear ate his share next, and there were only a few mouthfuls remaining on the scrawny rabbit for Blacktuft and Tallear to share. Still, they were kind to each other, eating what was there without snapping.

The cats all finished eating, and Trenchstar walked to the camp's exit, standing there and looking back at the other cats. "WindClan!" he called. "It's time for the Gathering."

Blacktuft and his family were busy gnawing and cracking open bones when he said this, trying to get what marrow they could glean for extra food. All of it was gone, now, but they were still trying to find more. Blacktuft shook out his pelt again and stood, beckoning to Blackpaw, Grousepaw, and Tallear with his tail. He murmured to them, "Come on, let's join the others." He padded toward Trenchstar as the tom announced who was coming, and when the cats were together, they started on their way.

I remember when the Clans used to have large groups come for the Gatherings, Blacktuft recalled Lostear saying to him once, voice full of heartbreak. All four Clans, not two. The island would be full of cats of all different colors, and every Gathering there would be a new face to see. Blacktuft strode shoulder-to-shoulder with Trenchstar, and he knew that this wouldn't be the case. He was proud to bring new faces to the island, but it still was not nearly as grandiose as it had once been. He lifted his tail nonetheless, just like Trenchstar, and tried to seem optimistic for the other cats.

When they arrived at the treebridge after some time of walking along the lakeside per tradition, the pungent smell of fish that belonged to RiverClan carried to their noses. Blacktuft stopped at the end of the treebridge, then bunched up his muscles and sprang, unsheathing his claws as he landed on the bark behind Trenchstar. He sank them into the fallen tree, then began weaving his way through the branches as he followed the WindClan leader. The moon was rising higher in the sky, and he sensed that RiverClan would likely comment on how the WindClan cats were late again. He let out a small snort, raising his chin with pride as he crossed the treebridge and jumped onto the shore of the other side. He heard a yelp that made him turn sharply around, fur standing on end, but smoothed it again when he saw that Grousepaw was safe and Gorsenose was taking care of the gray and white cat. The other WindClan warriors landed safely on the shore with them, and Blacktuft relaxed, enjoying the familiarity of this place.

The WindClan cats walked through the bushes and into the clearing, and Blacktuft heard Blackpaw and Grousepaw gasp in amazement behind him. The great tree rose high above, bare branches reaching toward the full moon hanging in the sky. Blacktuft didn't have to squint to pick out the pale gray fur of Cloudstar from among them. The RiverClan leader was crouched on one of the branches with her tail sliding down from it, her gaze piercing as she stared at the WindClan cats. She straightened, lifting her tail and scoffing, "WindClan doesn't even have time for the Gathering, is that it? Or were you scared that snow was going to come and freeze your paws to the ground?"

"I don't think we'd be the ones cold enough to get frozen," Torntail muttered from beside Blacktuft, and the deputy had to stifle laughter.

As the WindClan cats filed in among the RiverClan cats, Trenchstar bounded ahead, leaping to one of the low branches of the tree. He sat up straight, grooming his chest fur before staring back at Cloudstar evenly. He meowed, "It's nice to see you in good health, Cloudstar."

Cloudstar drew her ears back, giving her tail a small lash, and snorted, "You mock me," but she didn't sound particularly offended.

Blacktuft paused to watch the two leaders lightly bicker, but they settled down before long, observing their Clans as they mingled. The black tom ripped his gaze away to look around at the small amount of cats in the grand clearing. Grousepaw and Blackpaw didn't seem to mind; they were gazing around with huge, shining eyes, padding about and tipping their heads from side to side. Murmurs rippled through the RiverClan cats as they noticed the young ones. The other apprentices were nearly warriors and had been around for moons, but Grousepaw and Blackpaw were new. Blacktuft caught sight of the tabby pelts of Ripplepaw and Carppaw making a beeline for his sons. He stiffened slightly, but the apprentices simply seemed delighted to see other young cats. "You worry too much," a mew sounded beside him, and he turned his head to see a silver tabby she-cat gazing back.

Blacktuft smiled back at her and meowed, "Hailwind… It's so nice to see you." His tail curled with delight and the two brushed muzzles in greeting. "You look well." He glanced over the she-cat. She looked half-starved like the rest of the cats, but the RiverClan she-cat's eyes were bright. It was nice to see an excited spirit. "How are things?"

"Well enough," Hailwind responded with a light purr. "RiverClan's surviving! And both of Troutclaw's kits are healthy and strong." She glanced over at Blackpaw. "Are these kits yours? That one looks just like you when you were an apprentice!"

Blacktuft nodded and chuckled, "He has my name, too. He's already becoming a fine young warrior. Grousepaw, too! They're both absolutely wonderful, Hailwind. You would adore them."

"I bet I would," giggled Hailwind, "but I think they're about to get themselves in trouble!" She pointed her tail and Blacktuft followed it to notice Blackpaw and Grousepaw bounding toward the great tree.

Blacktuft stiffened, glancing at Cloudstar as she peered over the clearing, and then he burst into a run, barely hearing Hailwind laugh softly behind him. He called to his sons, who slowed down and turned toward him. Blacktuft skidded to a halt, his tail lashing back and forth. "What do you think you're doing?" he demanded furiously, narrowing his eyes.

Blackpaw and Grousepaw cowered underneath his burning glare, and Blackpaw whimpered, "Ripplepaw and Carppaw told us we could!" Blacktuft drew his ears back and turned quickly, staring at the two RiverClan apprentices.

"Don't go up there," Blacktuft growled to Blackpaw and Grousepaw, "even if the other apprentices say you can. Come on; let's get you back to your mentors." He led them back to Torntail and Gorsenose, who were talking energetically with two cats named Piketooth and Milkeye. The warriors paused when they sensed their deputy's aggravation, and they turned quickly to face him. Blacktuft lifted his tail, standing tall. "Keep a better eye on your apprentices." Then, he whipped around and strode away, padding over to Troutclaw and listening to the sounds of Torntail's and Gorsenose's embarrassed apologies. The deputies sat down together and Blacktuft curled his tail over his paws, settling comfortably by one of the roots of the tree.

Troutclaw glanced aside at Blacktuft, then murmured, "It's nice to see young cats in the Clans. It's too bad we won't have new apprentices in the next six moons."

"I'm betting on Springfeather, though," Blacktuft remarked with a soft chuckle. "Both she and Redbird would make great parents, and I think that they're seriously considering it."

Troutclaw flattened his ears, then responded quietly, "Do you want Springfeather to die?"

Blacktuft opened his jaws to respond, then fell silent, shocked by Troutclaw's statement. He closed his mouth again, struggling to keep his fur flat. He gave his chest fur a few swift licks, then turned his muzzle up to look at Trenchstar and Cloudstar. "It's time to begin the Gathering!" Cloudstar exclaimed above, and Blacktuft felt a flash of relief that he didn't need to continue talking to the RiverClan deputy. All of the cats in the clearing turned toward Trenchstar and Cloudstar, and Blacktuft scanned their ranks, able to easily name and number every cat there. Of course, there were the WindClan cats, and then there was Cloudstar, Troutclaw, Milkeye, Ripplepaw, Carppaw, Piketooth, Fogcloud (RiverClan's medicine cat), and Hailwind. Sixteen cats. Just sixteen. Blacktuft was reminded of Lostear again, talking about how there would be too many pelts to count, before the sickness. Blacktuft took a deep breath and let it back out slowly. How many of these cats didn't even believe in StarClan anymore?

"Before we begin with the terms for the moon," Trenchstar said, shifting on his haunches and lifting his chin with pride for his Clan, "I would like to introduce two new apprentices: Blackpaw and Grousepaw!"

All eyes shifted to the two young cats, who were huddled together beside their mother now, peering out with some anxiety. Blacktuft puffed out his chest in pride, catching Blackpaw's eye, and his son followed his lead. Blackpaw lifted his chin and pulled his tail out from where it was pressed to his side. Grousepaw managed to raise his chin, too, though the gray and white tom was trembling.

Blacktuft took note of Trenchstar's decision to tell about the new apprentices first. His ears twitched, catching the chants of the RiverClan and WindClan cats. The relations between RiverClan and WindClan had been relatively icy for some time, now. This was more than the tradition of mentioning current events within the Clan. Trenchstar was breaking that ice, which could make Cloudstar and the RiverClan cats less openly hostile. Blacktuft turned his muzzle back to watch Trenchstar and Cloudstar again. He supposed Lostear would mention that the two leaders looked lonely, without the other pair at their side.

"Let's get down to business," Cloudstar meowed, adjusting her position on the branch. She strode closer to Trenchstar, her sleek tail swishing as it hung beneath her. She leaned against the trunk of the tree as she peered at the tabby tom, lifting her chin slightly. "No more stalling. The fish have slowed in our streams and in the lake."

"Are you suggesting your cats are starving, Cloudstar?" asked Trenchstar, erecting himself by drawing his paws closer to his stomach.

Cloudstar let out a disdainful snort, answering him, "Aren't we all, Trenchstar? There's no point in denying it. But we need more territory. More places to fish! We can't keep on feeding ShadowClan like this."

"Should we even feed ShadowClan at all?" yowled a cat from the ranks, and Blacktuft felt his fur begin to rise along his spine. He forced it to lay flat, ears drawing back. Relief passed through him when he saw Cloudstar raise her tail for silence from her warriors.

Trenchstar tipped his head, studying Cloudstar carefully, and asked her, "What is it that you're proposing, Cloudstar?" Blacktuft could see his tail-tip twitching with apprehension, and the WindClan deputy clenched his jaw.

"RiverClan should have the territory surrounding the lake," Cloudstar replied to Trenchstar. "The three tail-lengths that we reserved for the travel to Gatherings should be ours. After all, Trenchstar, it's not like you need to use that rule. You're right next to the fallen tree! It hardly affects you."

Trenchstar cast a glance down to Blacktuft, then replied, "Very well, Cloudstar. You may have the three tail-lengths reserved along the lake edge." Cloudstar smiled, looking pleased, and then Trenchstar cut her off, "Unless there's another drought."

Cloudstar's ears perked at this suggestion, a ripple of murmurs passing between the cats below. "You think there will be a drought? Trenchstar, if there is a drought, we'll stop feeding ShadowClan altogether. I suggest you do the same, if you want your Clan to live!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening with horror at the thought. "That territory would be our hunting grounds to keep RiverClan alive, at that point."

"And WindClan would need the water, so if there is a drought, you'll allow us to access the lake water again," Trenchstar pushed belligerently, rising to his paws and narrowing his eyes at her. Darkness fell over the clearing as a cloud covered the moon. Blacktuft felt like every cat was holding his or her breath, staring up at the sky. "This Gathering is over," Trenchstar meowed, crouching to leap down.

Cloudstar stopped him with a mew, "No. It's not over. We still have to discuss rationing." Her pale blue eyes flashed to the sky before turning back to the WindClan leader.

Redbird called from below, ears pressed back, "StarClan won't approve of us continuing a Gathering! They've requested we leave! We can't stay, Cloudstar!"

"StarClan is a figment of your imagination, Redbird," Cloudstar told him, her tone reminding Blacktuft of one he used to use on his kits. The black tom bristled with indignation. She was talking to Redbird like he was a kit who had suggested that there were giant worms devouring all the prey! "The imagination of our ancestors. A few crazy cats thought they saw dead cats." She snorted. "StarClan was just a tool the Clans used to make rules and feel like they had something to put their faith in. The truth is: you can only put your faith in your own warriors." She turned her muzzle toward Trenchstar. "So? Shall we continue?"

"Trenchstar, don't!" Blacktuft heard Redbird call again. The white tom was on his paws, now. Blacktuft could've sworn he could see Redbird's tail trembling.

Trenchstar gazed at his medicine cat, then at his deputy. Blacktuft stared back at him, desperately trying to communicate, Don't, with every part of his face. Then, the leader's eyes shifted to the ranks of cats below.

Trenchstar sighed and turned toward Cloudstar, ears swiveling forward. He studied the pale gray she-cat for a moment of silence, and then spoke up, "Very well. Let us continue." He sat down and Fogcloud slapped her tail over Redbird's mouth before her fellow medicine cat could protest further. "What else do you have to propose, Cloudstar?"

Cloudstar relaxed her shoulders, her expression approving of the tom's decision. "Nothing more, this moon. I just wanted to see if you WindClan cats could think," she stated, then turned. "RiverClan! We're going home." She leaped down from the tree, landing by Troutclaw and Blacktuft.

Blacktuft rose from his seat, looking up at Trenchstar before turning his gaze back to Cloudstar and Troutclaw. The two cats held their heads together now, Troutclaw murmuring in Cloudstar's ear. Cloudstar frowned, catching Blacktuft's yellow gaze before quickly looking away. She turned around, lifting her muzzle to stare at Trenchstar. "You have enough prey to have more kits?" she hissed up at him, giving her tail a lash. "That was conveniently left out in your little report!"

The dark brown tabby bristled, staring down at her and narrowing his amber eyes. "And where did you hear this?" he demanded.

Cloudstar's gaze landed on Blacktuft, whose whole pelt went cold. Blacktuft felt like his heart had stopped, frozen by her icy stare. Then, the pale gray she-cat bunched up her muscles and leaped, climbing the tree and settling on her branch again. "Your deputy," she stated. "Seems like a credible source, doesn't it?"

Blacktuft heard yowls of surprise and displeasure, and he glared at Troutclaw. "That's not what I said!" he exclaimed, projecting his voice to make sure the other cats heard him. He paced around the silver tabby.

"You said that you thought Springfeather and Redbird would have kits," snarled Troutclaw. "You seemed pretty certain that Springfeather would be just fine. WindClan cowards! You're hoarding extra prey, aren't you? Enough to support a queen! No wonder you can still support one of those lazy elders!"

Blacktuft lashed his tail back and forth, stopping in his pacing so he could dig his claws into the grass beneath his paws. "Lostear is a valuable member of our Clan!" he snarled, his pelt standing on end. Troutclaw's tail fluffed up to twice its size, curling. "Besides, WindClan isn't hoarding prey! We're barely managing to survive while supporting ThunderClan, just how RiverClan is to ShadowClan! We're lucky we haven't lost more cats! I was only trying to be hopeful!" He could hear the hisses and snarls of the other warriors in the clearing. He could see claws unsheathing out of the corner of his eye, and he was tempted to lunge at Troutclaw and begin the fight. After all, they'd said that StarClan didn't exist, hadn't they? Well, if they wanted to play that game…

"Enough!" Cloudstar's voice broke through Blacktuft's thoughts. The other cats looked up, too, at the RiverClan leader. "Trenchstar… admit to it. You're keeping extra prey." She studied him through sharp eyes, her pupils slits that Blacktuft could hardly see from his position.

Trenchstar shook his head and mewed, his voice shockingly even, "No, Cloudstar. We don't have extra prey. We're scraping by, just as you are. Blacktuft was participating in harmless chatter. When doesn't that happen at a Gathering?" He settled his tail over his paws, and Blacktuft wondered if he was covering a nervous tic or unsheathed claws.

"Bah! Listen to your excuses," snorted Cloudstar, baring her teeth slightly. "I demand a tribute of prey to ShadowClan from you, Trenchstar. I demand that you increase your tribute by a half, and that shall be given to the ShadowClan cats."

"A quarter," Trenchstar requested, and Blacktuft saw his chest rise slowly and fall just the same. "We will settle for that."

"A half!" called a RiverClan cat from below.

Trenchstar kept his eyes locked on Cloudstar, however, ignoring the caterwaul. Cloudstar stared back. Silence passed for a short time, the two cats leering at one another, and then Cloudstar finally dipped her head. "Fine," she decided. "A quarter." Trenchstar dipped his head as well, signalling the acceptance of the agreement. "RiverClan, it's time to go." The pale she-cat leaped down from her branch yet again, flicking her tail to Troutclaw and beginning to depart.

Troutclaw shouldered into Blacktuft, sneering at him, "Thanks for the help," before he bounded after Cloudstar.

Blacktuft spat after him. His ear twitched when he heard the thud of Trenchstar's paws landing on the ground beside him. He turned quickly, his tail drooping when he saw how narrow his leader's eyes were. "Trenchstar," he pleaded with him, "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I-I was just trying to be friendly-"

"You just cost your Clanmates precious prey," Trenchstar cut into his sentence, giving his tail a few lashes. "This isn't the time to be friendly, Blacktuft. I don't care what stories Lostear tells. We're here to negotiate terms for the food our Clan eats."

Blacktuft flattened his ears, flinching against his leader's snarl. His heart dropped into his stomach like a stone and he ducked his head. "I'm so sorry, Trenchstar," he meowed, his tail drooping. "I swear by StarClan, it won't happen again."

Trenchstar's expression softened and he touched his tail to Blacktuft's flank briefly before striding away, leaving the black tom to his thoughts. Blacktuft sat down like the weight of the world was upon his shoulders, raising his gaze to watch the silvery pelts of the RiverClan cats disappear into the bushes at the other end of the clearing. He curled his tail around his legs and lifted his head, his eyes turning to the tree and its large, strong branches. How would he ever manage to perch upon one of them and debate with the RiverClan cats? He had cost the Clan a quarter of the prey they caught when they were hardly clinging to what they had!

A familiar scent wreathed through his nose and he felt Tallear press against him, stroking her tail along his spine. "Come on, Blacktuft," she whispered, her breath on his ear. "We should go." Blacktuft met her eyes and saw her glance to a side of the clearing, where a tom was standing in the shadows. Blacktuft squinted and recognized Gorsenose's gray tabby pelt and sharp blue eyes. Fear struck icy claws down Blacktuft's spine. He shivered and rose to his paws, allowing Tallear to lead him toward the other WindClan cats. "It wasn't your fault." Blacktuft felt another stab to his stomach at her words, despite the fact that she was attempting to reassure him. "You couldn't have known. You weren't thinking that Troutclaw would use that against us."

"That's exactly what was wrong, Tallear," Blacktuft murmured to his mate, ducking his head again. "I wasn't thinking."

"No one can blame you for trying to be friendly," Tallear told him, resting her tail across his shoulders, now. "Not even Trenchstar. I know he was angry, but it'll pass. I'd rather you be too friendly than be cold toward everyone. You know that, don't you?"

Blacktuft was silent for a few moments, thinking over her words. They pushed through the bushes and arrived on the shore, pausing again to allow their Clanmates to make their way across the fallen tree. "I don't know how I could ever be leader," Blacktuft confessed.

Before he could even begin to continue, Tallear brushed her muzzle against her cheek and said firmly, "You can do it. I know you can, Blacktuft. You're a strong warrior. I know things seem hard now, but it will get better."

"Will it?" Blacktuft was hesitant to believe that. Nothing had ever seemed to go right for WindClan.

"You'll think of some way to fix this. I have faith in you," Tallear murmured, then nudged him toward the fallen tree. "Don't doubt yourself. One mistake doesn't say you would fail as a leader." Blacktuft smiled at her weakly, then leaped onto the tree's thin end, setting one paw after another and carefully weaving through the branches. He leaped onto the shore at the other side and turned his yellow eyes toward the cats walking up toward their camp in the moorland. His ears flattened and he shuddered at the thought of stepping foot into the hollow again. How could he face his Clanmates after tonight?