"Ghostface! You are to come again to HillsClan." Barkstar called to him from the center of camp. Ghostface got up, surprised. He had been sharing tongues with Coldpelt and Thunderhawk and it took him a moment to remember their promise to return to HillsClan to see Longstar's decision. He now felt guilty that he had forgotten about all of the sickness. He knew that he had tried to ignore the fact that two more cats had fallen violently ill in camp, all of the cats were becoming weak and having coughs and that Shrubfoot was unable to save Lichenfur, the retired queen. The pale cream, brown and gray warrior's ears twitched slightly and his tail drooped. Prairieheart padded up next to him.
Lowering her voice, she said, "What has Fawnshadow said about HillsClan?"
Ghostface shook his head, "Longstar isn't easily persuaded."
"Oh, well. We'll see." She padded forward, "Come on, Ghostface!" The golden warrior said, trying to sound cheery despite her obviously showing ribs and dulling pelt. She wasn't alone though, most of the clan looked like that now and Shrubfoot could only treat the worst cases because she was stretched so thin.
"Can I come Prairieheart?" Milkpaw asked, dashing up to them hopefully, but the young apprentice's mentor shook her head.
"This is to dangerous for such a young cat. You're going to practice fighting with Mossclaw later." The creamy white apprentice looked dejected at first, but then brightened up at being able to practice with Mossclaw and Pinepaw.
Ghostface followed Prairieheart and Barkstar as they headed back to the HillsClan camp to speak with Longstar of the prophecy. It had been three quarters of a moon since their last visit; Barkstar had lent HillsClan a lot of time to consider. Marshclan had sent their approval with a messenger shortly after, and Woodclan stubbornly stated that they would wait for the gathering, which was now only a few short days away.
Ghostface couldn't get the thought of the prophecy out of his head now as they padded towards the enemy territory, despite how busy he was in camp. There were constant patrols and all of camp was on high alert since the sickness.
They hurried, jogging swiftly. Ghostface's stomach tightened when they reached the camp entrance. Barkstar let out a non-threatening yowl and Longstar appeared at the entrance. The longhaired tom narrowed his eyes.
"We have returned as promised."
"I have discussed this with the whole of my clan." Longstar said, but he remained standing there.
Suddenly two more cats appeared at the entrance beside him. "You can't deceive us with your lies, Barkstar. You may have convinced MarshClan, but that just shows they are weak and they are fools." The longhaired tabby leader said. More cats lined up beside him and Ghostface hissed under his breath, fearing the worst.
Barkstar glared up at him. "You are a fool Longstar if you are going to let your clan die off. Cats are getting sick, and pretending that everything will be fine will not save them."
"You just want us out of your territory. You hired this… this rogue to lead our cats out after you have poisoned us all!"
Ghostface's fur bristled but Prairieheart's warning hiss stopped him from leaping at him.
Barkstar clearly felt the same way and he said, "Deny the will of the ancestors all you want, it will just end your clan! This cat is no rogue, he's loyal and he cares for his clan, unlike you!"
Longstar lashed his tail and yowled, "Chase them out!" At his call, the HillsClan warriors and apprentices charged out, all of them looking gaunt and sick, yet fierce as they yowled and thundered towards the GrassClan cats. Ghostface spotted Fawnshadow among them and she looked regretful as she met Ghostface's gaze. Ghostface remained frozen to the spot until Prairiehearts call snapped him out of it.
"Ghostface, come on!" She turned and ran back towards their border. Ghostface turned and charged away, shocked at Longstar's anger and his violent reaction.
"I'm so sorry Ghostface, I should have convinced him, he wouldn't listen. He's stubborn, and he wouldn't listen." Fawnshadow said, licking his head comfortingly. They were in the hard, gray cement tunnel beneath the two-leg dirt road on HillsClan territory. The sun above was sinking, and Ghostface had just barely managed to sneak away after they were chased out.
"It's not your fault. Why is Longstar so blind to these dying cats?" Ghostface closed his eyes and breathed in her warm scent.
"I don't know. He isn't young, perhaps he doesn't want this to go wrong and be remembered as the leader who led his clan to it's death?" The she-cat said.
"Or perhaps he doesn't want to leave his clan in the hands of a cat that isn't clan born." Ghostface said, a trace of bitterness in his voice.
Fawnshadow just licked his head comfortingly. "There's nothing we can do now…"
Ghostface jumped up suddenly. "Wait, there is something we can do!"
Fawnshadow's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"
Ghostface leaned towards her ear and whispered his plan.