Chapter Five: Gathering Descions.
Disclaimer: I dont own warriors! Get off my case!
Ravenwing twisted his head to lick some of the half healed wounds on his side. He could not believe that riverClan had tried to take over their terriotory.
Just like the forest. They must miss Sunningrocks. Ravenwing mused. Stretching, and wincing at the pain, he got up and exited the warriors den.
Graystripe was out giving order. Ravenwing went over to join him. Nearer was Rainwhisker and Birchpaw.
"Ravenwing, you can join their hunting patrol." Graystripe said, flicking his tail at Rainwhisker and Birchpaw. Rainwhisker nodded in grim silence. Ravenwing realized that he must be thinking about his brother, Sootfur.
The cats went out and Ravenwing immediatley scented rabbit. Not having hunted it in moons, he was in the mood for a chase. Waiting until the prey had its back turned, Ravenwing crouched low. Then, he sprang and started the chase. It was an old, slow rabbit and Ravenwing soon caught it.
"Nice catch. You'd think all those years in a Twoleg barn would slow down a cat like you." Rainwhisker said. Ravenwing wasnt sure to take it as an insult or a compliment, so he just said nothing and began tucking into his rabbit.
"What are you doing?" asked Birchpaw, looking between Ravenwing and the rabbit curiously.
Ravenwing was about to reply 'eating' when he suddently remembered something Graystripe's mentor had told him when he was an apprentice. 'The Clan must be fed first.' Cursing himself, Ravenwing thought of an excuse for Birchpaw.
"I was just seeing if this rabbit had any meat on it." he explained. "You know, its almost newleaf."
"Oh! Okay!" said Birchpaw. He turned away and began scented around for prey. Ravenwing prayed silent thanks to StarClan. Rainwhisker shot him a suspicious glance, but then he too vanished in serach of prey.
Ravenwing sighed and kicked some moss and dust over his catch, to come back for later. He continued the hunt, returning to camp with not only the rabbit, but with two squirrels and a finch.
"Nice catch Ravenwing." Firestar said approvingly. "Bring something with you and come eat with me."
"Sure." Ravenwing said, dipping his head to his leader. He took the rabbit for himself and carried up to the Highledge.
"I need to talk to you about something Ravenwing." sighed the ThunderClan leader.
"What?" gupled Ravenwing.
"Its about Dawningsun. I know shes trying her hardest, but she just doesnt understand the warrior code." Firesaid said.
Ravenwing felt every fur on his pelt bristle. "Shes only been here a quarter moon." he said. "Give her some time."
"Calm down Ravenwing." said Firestar, glancing sympathecitclayy at his friend. "I'm not critisizing her. I just dondt know Iif I can invite her to a Gathering, if she doesnt know our customs." he explained.
"You were going to invite her to a Gathering?" gasped Ravenwing.
"I think she deserved it. StarClan destined her to come and help Graystripe, the same with you." His whiskers twitched. "Plus, when I brag to Blackstar that Graystripe came back, I want the cat who brought him home to be there."
"You want me at the Gathering? Me and Dawningsun?" Ravenwing repeated, unable to believe what Firestar was saying.
"Yes Ravenwing! Now go eat before we leave without you." Firestar laughed.
"Yes!" Ravenwing said, dipping his head to his leader. He couldnt believe it; They were going to a Gathering!
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Graystripe bounded after Firestar. Doubtingly, the deputy leapt onto the fallend tree-bridge and started to the island. After leaping to safety, Graystripe let out a long sigh.
"Its good to be back." he said quietly to Firestar.
Firestar gave his friend a quick lick across the ear. "You have no idea how good it is to have you back. We all really missed you."
Graystripe looked at his leader, at his best friend, and found himslef lost for words. Choking with emotion, Graystripe followed his leader towards a large Oak.
"The leader speak from in the tree. The deputies usual go near-" Firestar words were drowned by an angry hissing.
"Where is he?" growled a female voice. Graystripe couldnt see her through the throng of cats. "Where is he, I'm going to kill him!" the voice continued. "Kill him!" it repeated. Graystripe now saw who it was.
"Graystripe!" Mistyfoot ran over and pressed her nose agaisnt her muzzle. "What took you so long? We've all missed you so much!"
"Oh, I thought I;d take some time off. You know, relax with the Twolegs." Graystripe scoffed sarcastically. He touched noses with Mistyfoot. "I've missed you too."
Now, everyone was waiting for the meeting to start. Graystripe settled himslef beside Mistyfoot and the other deputies on one of the thick roots.
"Greetings. Firestar wishes to speak first." said Leopardstar happily.
Firestar cleared his throat. "ThunderClan very happily reports that GRAYSTRIPE IS BACK!" the leader could not hold in his pleasure any longer. Graystripe felt dozens of eyes upon him. Many cats cheered in happines, moslty from ThunderClan and RiverClan. Onestar, along with a few other WindClan cats were also loud. The ShadowClan cats said nothing. In fact, Graystripe even thought they looked glum.
"A cat from our Clan long ago, Ravenpaw, was sent by StarClan to rescue Graystripe. Along the way, they met another StarClan denstined cat, and both of them are here as warriors and are known as Ravenwing and Dawningsun. " Firestar continued. A bit of cheering met these words. Several WindClan cats knew Ravenwing, seeing as he lived on the edge of their territory.
Firestar cleared his throat again. "A quarter moon ago, a patrol of RiverClan warriors, lead by Hawkfrost, tried to capture part of our territory. We managed to drive them off." Gasps of outrage and confusion met his words. Hawkfrsoywas looking around in mild shock, as if he was denying the whole thing. Several RiverClan cats looked at Firestar as if he was lying. "I want an explanation, Leopardstar."
Leopardstar dipped her head to the ThunderClan leader. "I have know idea what you are talking about." More gasps of outrage.
"Whats going on?" hissed Mistyfoot. "She ordered the attack herself."
"I dont know." whispered Graystripe, equally puzzled.
"Your warriors made thier demands clear." Firestar said, his tone getting louder. "How could you not know about this!"
"I will speak to my warriors about this later." Leopardstar growled. "Now are you done speaking Firestar?"
"No." Firestar said boldly. "One more thing." He signaled with his tail for Ravenwing to come forth. The black cat nodded and sprang next to Firestar.
"Cats of all Clans," Ravenwing started. "Along the journey, Graystripe, Dawningsun and I were confronted numerous times by BloodClan."
Ravenwing's words were drowned by a wave of outbursts.
"BloodClan. I thought we got rid of them?"
"Did he say BloodClan?"
"Whats he talknig about?"
"Hush let him continue!" Onestar yowled. The island grew silent again.
"They have a new leader, named after their former deputy, Bone. He tried to capture us, but one of our friends we made along the journey rescued us." he paused. "I tell you this because, through the moutains, we visited the Tibe of Rushing water."
"Did he see Stormfur?" asked Mistyfoot. Graystripe nodded, wondering how she would take the news that Stormfur's new Tribe were now in war.
"Before leaving the Tribe, BloodClan came and attacked. Stoneteller came to warn us and tell us to leave. He said that his warrior ancestors had spoken to him, and that Bone planned to take down our Clans. But first, he wants to take down the Tribe." he gulped deeply. The clearing was stunned silent. "The last I saw of the Tribe, was Stoneteller being struck down. I think we should do something to help Stormfur and the Tribe. We cant abandon them."
The clearing grew noisey again.
"Why should we help them?" asked Russetfur.
"If we dont, Stormfur could die!" cried Mistyfoot. She had always had a bond with Stormfur.
"Silence!" roared Blackstar. He turned to Ravenwing and Firestar. "What this cat says is true." he said, flicking his tail towards Ravenwing. "But why should we listen to him? What good have loners ever done for us?" he spat the last part.
Ravenwing leapt to his paws. Graystripe's muscles tensed. Not good. "Say that again! I dare you!" Ravenwing snarled challengingly. Graystripe had rarely seen his friend this angry. The fur on his shoulders bristled and his head was rasied defiantley, his tail lashing back and forth in anger.
"You think you know what it means to be a warrior?" jeered Blackstar. "You'll never know! You walked away from that seasons ago, and now, you'll never be a real warrior!"
Graystripe sprung to his paws. "I was captured by Twolegs, but I've come back. Does that make me any less of a warrior then you?" he said forcefully, his eyes focussed on the bold ShadowClan leader.
"I, Graystripe, am a Clan leader. You will always be less then me." Blackstar hissed.
Dawningsun then jumped to her paws. "How dare you insult them? They have done nothing but be loyal to their Clan till the end. That makes them better warriors in one life then you could even hope to accomlish in nine."
Graystripe gaped at her. He hadnt noticed how brave and defiant Dawningsun could be. He also felt touched by how she honored him.
"You, who have only joined the Clan for a quarter moon, claim to know what the heart of warrior is all about?" he growled. "Kittypets never have a true warriors heart, and neither do loners."
Not only did Ravenwing rise angerly again, but Cloudtail did too. But it was Firestar who spoke first.
"then that would include you too Blackstar." the ThunderClan leader said boldly. "After all, you yourself were once a rogue."
He smirked.
Blackstar looked at him with an expression worthy of Tigerstar. Firestar took this as triumph. "Cats of all Clans, ThunderClan wishes to sent a patrol to the mountains to help Stormfur." he said loudly. "I awaite you descions at the next Gathering." he paused and gave themm all a hard stare. "regardless, in a moons time, a patrol will be sent to the mountains."
And then, the Gathering was over.
How did you like it? i'm getting HUGE plans for book three, whixh is probably going to be titled either 'By the Paws of Destiny' or 'The Four Virtues' or 'The Moonlight Wanderer'
Review x3