Ghostface crouched with his clan above the peace hills, waiting to descend. All of the Grassclan cats were there, including the pregnant Stormflower and the elders. Barkstar had wanted everyone to come; he thought that this would be an important meeting.
Mottledsong crouched low, breathing hard, her breath appearing in a faint opaque cloud from the chill of the coming winter. On Ghostface's other side, Shadedpelt gave a couple of muffled coughs, though he tried to look strong. Barkstar gave the signal and the cats ran down, trying to appear a tough force. MarshClan was already there, and so was WoodClan. The cats dispersed among the other cats, though with less vigor as usual. The crowd was hushed to whispers. Ghostface weaved his way among the cats. They all looked sick, some were worse than others. Surprisingly though, a lot of cats nodded at him respectfully.
He blinked back at them, slightly confused before he realized that they believed he was the cat who was to lead them to their healing. Suddenly a small wave of HillsClan cats appeared, Longstar at the front, his tail and head high as he ignored the other cats and padded to the top of one of the four hills. Ghostface looked around for Fawnshadow, but he couldn't see her. Several other cats weren't there also. The pale tom's heart lurched as he nervously looked around. Why wasn't she there?
The other leaders barely had time to reach the top of their spots when Longstar said, "Warriors, elders, apprentices. We have all had our territory trespassed on lately by GrassClan liars! But I speak the truth; they just want us out of our territories so they can steal our prey! Leaf-bare is almost here and his clan is looking thin! They have hired this rogue to lead our cats out to be killed!"
A small gasp rippled through the crowd, but suddenly Leekstar stood up. Her striking green eyes, dulled with weariness, were still strong enough to pierce into the heart. "No, Longstar. You are wrong. Their medicine cat has had a vision; no cat can lie about that."
"You are weak, Leekstar! Can't you see their treachery?"
"Can't you see past your own nose? If anyone's trying to harm anyone else, it's you Longstar!"
Up above the clouds swirled slowly, threatening the peace. Barkstar said, "StarClan sends us a warning to not break the peace that has reigned over these hills since before we were all born!"
The elders nodded and Ghostface noticed Gorsestar, WoodClan's leader watching the others, looking undecided.
"Why should we leave our homes following a cat not even clan born to a place we've never heard of?" Longstar said, his voice rising as he looked over the tired faces.
"Because!" A shrill voice rose up and suddenly a whole troop of HillsClan cats appeared, Fawnshadow at their head. Ghostface looked up, excited. Fawnshadow spoke, "Longstar, we've always trusted you and followed you loyally, but you are wrong! These cats speak the truth and we believe that Ghostface speaks the truth."
Ghostface looked up at her with surprise and joy, she had made it! He looked at Longstar. The leader narrowed his eyes, "I told you to stay back at camp! Now look at you! Traitors! Traitors within my own clan! Ghostface has poisoned their minds!"
Ghostface yowled and said, "Longstar, give up. You are killing cats by holding them back!" He padded over and stood beside Fawnshadow. The crowd of cats was silent. The leaders watched him and Fawnshadow. Longstar looked angry. His claws were unsheathed and he glared at them. Suddenly Gorsestar spoke up.
"Longstar, you are wise with age, and I've always believed you to be a fair and strong leader, but you are wrong. Barkstar, you are young and inexperienced but I believe you, and this cat. I am willing to save my clan by doing whatever it takes, even if it means going to StarClan and back!"
Longstar yowled loudly and soon no one could be heard above the din of hissing and screeching cats as the crowd began to screech at each other. Ghostface feared a battle would break out. Longstar stood on his hill, surrounded by half of his clan, the other half stood beside Fawnshadow. The medicine cats were sitting to the side of the gathering, looking worried and whispering. The younger apprentices looked scared. Claws were unsheathed and threats were thrown though no one leapt out and attacked, but most looked too weak to withstand a battle anyways. Above suddenly the hills dimmed, but then came back into full light as a cloud passed over the moon. The cats ignored the subtle warning and continued to hiss and yowl until finally a large caterwaul arose from the side of the hills. Ghostface looked around nervously, his flank pressed closely against Fawnshadow's, forgetting that they were in front of all of the clans. The four medicine cats let out a second yowl and then Mudwhisker said, "Stop! Look up!"
As the cats looked up to the sky, they saw that among the thick gray clouds revealed a path of open night sky, it's edges lighted by the moon. The twisting path of open sky led to the west and north. "A sign! A signal!" Glowheart, WoodClan's medicine cat said, her eyes fixed on the sky with both amazement and fear.
Hey, please review and tell me what you think of the story as a whole so far, and don't be afraid to criticize(constructively). Feel free to suggest ideas for the plot!