Chapter Five- On the Brink of Battle

As Jayfeather's paws touched the island's sandy ground, he breathed in the breezy nighttime air.

He could tell that the trees swayed gently and that the stars overheard twinkled, even though he was blind.

Suddenly a honey sweet voice sounded in his left ear, hailing the presence of Honeytail.

"Hi, Jayfeather." She said shyly, scuffling her paws. "Want to sit next to me and Cindercoat?"

His heart was screaming, YES! But his mind told him that he might do something stupid if he sat next to her.

He quickly made up an excuse. "I'm sorry, I told Kestrelflight that I would sit with him and swap medicine cat remedies."

"Oh." Honeytail said, slightly crestfallen. "Alright, maybe next time."
Before Jayfeather turned towards the other medicine cats, his heart thudded happily in his chest. Is it possible that Honeytail loves me back?

Jayfeather made his way through the crowd of cats to meet Mothwing, Willowheart, Barkface, Kestrelflight, Littlecloud, and his apprentice Beaverpaw.

With a pang, Jayfeather realized that every clan except Thunderclan had two medicine cats. That was a sure sign of weakness.

His agony lessened when he remembered how one of Brookstorm's kits, Streamkit, was always willing to help him sort herbs and was highly intelligent. I'll have to talk with Firestar about me training her.

Snapping back to reality, he realized that they were looking at him expectantly.

He waved his tail. "Hi Kestrelflight." He purred. The two medicine cats had become close friends over time.

"Hey Jayfeather!" Kestrelflight replied joyfully. "It's good to see you. How's Hollywhisker?" He was referring to his sister's burning fever, which had only cooled down a few days ago.

"She alright now. I made sure to give her plenty of water, and gave her some feverfew and rest." Jayfeather said.

"Any other hard cases?" Littlecloud asked, settling down on the sandy earth, tucking his paws under him.

"No." Jayfeather said, and then pricking his ears upward he added happily, "But Whitewing gave birth to two kits yesterday. Blizzardkit and Coalkit."

"That's wonderful!" Willowheart said, a purr rumbling in her throat.

"What about you?" Jayfeather asked Kestrelflight.

"Nothing has happened," he said. "But Breezepelt ate some bad fresh-kill and had a bad stomach ache. That mouse-brain." He threw his head back and motioned towards the warrior who was sitting a few feet away. "Also," Kestrelflight said, sadness glimmering in his eyes. "Barkface joined the elders yesterday. He said that he had fulfilled his duties as a medicine cat. I hope he lives many more moons."

"Me too." Jayfeather nodded. "He is a great, wise cat." He suddenly realized that Barkface was only sitting next to the medicine cats because the elders had gathered right next to them.

Suddenly a loud yowl broke out over the mews of cats.

"It is time to start the Gathering." Leopardstar said, her eyes cold. "RiverClan will go first."

"What's wrong with her?" Jayfeather whispered to Willowheart, but she just shook her head in confusion.

"Many, many moons ago," Leopardstar said commandingly. "Riverclan let Thunderclan take shelter in our camp during the fire." She paused, sweeping her gaze around the cats. "Thunderclan has yet to repay this favor."

Suddenly yowls broke out from all the cats of Thunderclan. The Riverclan cats looked shocked, but the Windclan and Shadowclan cats looked amused at the two-clan quarrel.

Jayfeather heard Graystripe shout from the back, "Has Riverclan forgotten that Firestar and I helped Riverclan survive during the famine?"

Brambleclaw, Squirrelflight, Sandstorm, and Dustpelt all yowled in their agreement.

Leopardstar waved her tail for silence. "As if that isn't enough. A certain warrior fell in love with one of our most cherished cats, who died giving birth to his kits!"
The crowd became silent, and they all stared at Graystripe, who looked as though he had just been whipped on the face.

"Then, when the ties between these two clans couldn't have gotten more knotted, Hawkfrost, a strong and noble warrior, was killed on Thunderclan territory!"
Shocked yowls erupted from the crowd of cats. Most of Shadowclan and Windclan didn't know how the cat had died.

"If you'd like to know what happened," Firestar said loudly to the Riverclan leader, even in his brittle weak voice, he found the strength to take charge, "then listen well. Hawkfrost set a trap for me, in my own territory, nearly taking away all my lives. But Brambleclaw came to save me, and in the end had to kill his half-brother, in order to stop him for killing me off for good."

Jayfeather could almost see the dead look in his father's eyes as his leader described what had happened.

"Lies!" Leopardstar shrieked. "Who would ever fall for a trap in their own territory? You see, Riverclan? Do you see all the faults that Thunderclan has brought upon us? Taking two of our warriors, not repaying old favors. I have resorted to the lowest, since you haven't admitted the truth."

Jayfeather held his breath before she went on. He could tell that the two clans were on the brink of war.

"In the old days, before Starclan came, the clans had a very simple process. An eye for an eye. A claw for a claw. A warrior for a warrior. If one warrior was killed by another clan, then a warrior from the enemy clan would be killed in return."

Yowls of outrage poured out. Jayfeather sat in shock. Surely Leopardstar wouldn't go as far? But she was.

"Before Starclan, there was death. Unnecessary and troubled deaths. From all five clans." Firestar said soberly.

Jayfeather sat puzzled. There were always four clans in the forest. Not five.

"Those days have passed." Firestar continued without hesitation. "We are stronger without those injustice laws."

"Fine!" Leopardstar spat. "Then die! Riverclan is officially at war with Thunderclan!"