Chapter 9

Jayfeather could hardly believe it. These bears could speak cat! That was impossible. But then again, listening far away and reading thoughts were basically impossible too. Great Starclan, it gave him a headache just thinking about it.

He trotted back to camp, thinking hard about the plan. He was so absorbed he accidentally bumped into Bumblestripe. "Sorry." He muttered, pushing on. He padded into his den. Dewpaw looked up. "Hey, Jayfeather. Where were you?"

Jayfeather ignored him and snuggled into his moss, starting to go over the plan. Bramblestar would announce the bear's arrival at the Gathering, which was today. He would try to persuade the clans to become allies, like the way they had during the Dark Forest battle. If they don't agree… He pushed the thought aside. If they didn't, the clans would be destroyed by Shoteka's greed. They would be killed and eaten, completely wiped out. Extinct.

Then they would go to Riverclan's territory, where they supposed the bears would go next, and drive them out… hopefully.

Images from the bears' memories still haunted his thoughts. Kallik's were the worst. A barren landscape, all ice and snow. A black shadow below the ice. A gaping mouth, a desparate paw, the water staining pink. Orcas…

Dewpaw prodded him. "Jayfeather? Are you alright?"

Jayfeather sighed. "I'm fine, Dewpaw. Let's go collect some juniper berries; we're running low. Tell me what we use them for."

Dewpaw thought for a moment. "For giving strength?"

Jayfeather nodded. "And helps soothe breathing and bellyaches. Come, we'd better hurry. You'll meet the other medicine cats at the Gathering tonight."

Dewpaw gave a little jump of excitement. "I can't wait!"

Bramblestar signaled the clan to follow him as they ran toward the island. On the way, they met Mistystar and her clan. Bramblestar dipped his head. "Greetings, Mistystar."

Mistystar nodded back, but Jayfeather could feel her strain and tension. They're worried about the bears. Jayfeather realized they didn't even know they were called bears. Suddenly, a familiar scent flooded his senses. Mothwing slid into step beside him. "Hey, Jayfeather. Is this your new apprentice?"

Jayfeather nodded proudly. "This is Dewpaw."

Dewpaw mewed a greeting nervously. Mothwing purred. "I look forward to seeing you at half-moon."

Jayfeather wondered how much she knew. "Dewpaw? Why doon't you find the other apprentices? I have to talk to Mothwing."

As his apprentice scrambled away into the mob, Jayfeather let his thoughts slide to Mothwing. From what he knew, Mothwing had begun to believe in Starclan. But did Starclan tell her anything yet? He turned to face her. "Have you or Willowshine gotten any signs from Starclan?"

Mothwing shook her head sadly. "They haven't spoken to us. Have they abandoned us and given up again, like last time?"

Jayfeather growled at the thought. "No, because they have spoken to me. Listen to Bramblestar tonight, and try to convince Mistystar. It may be our only hope."

Mothwing tipped her head. "What?"

A sudden charge of Windclan cats forced them apart, and Jayfeather walked into the island alone.

"Cats of the clans, we are facing a threat that we have never faced before!" Bramblestar yowled. "Another kind of animal, called "bears", are invading our homes. Already, Shadowclan has been driven out. Cats are being killed. But Starclan has given our medicine cat a sign." He beckoned to Jayfeather.

Jayfeather gulped, then stood into the light. "Yesterday, Starclan told me four of them would come meet us on our territory. And four came. They will aid us when we fight. With them, we stand a chance of driving the bears out."

From somewhere in the crowd, a cat called, "But why would a bear turn on bear?"

Jayfeather stared sightlessly at the direction of the cat. "Why would cat turn on cat? Tigerstar turn on Firestar? A bear in our allies has a bad history with those bears. They will fight with us."

Bramblestar nodded. "But even with their help, a single clan cannot defeat them. We must join and survive, or die divided!"

Mistystar was warily pacing on the tree, thinking hard. Onestar glanced at his clan. Blackstar whipped around and growled. "Again and again. Firestar, I could understand. But Thunderclan must understand that it does not rule the forest."

Bramblestar turned to look at the Shadowclan leader. "Blackstar, you have already been driven from your home. Is that not proof enough that we must stand together? I am not Firestar, but Starclan has spoken. This is our only hope, or face being driven out again—this time to extinction. These bears will hunt us down and eat us. They are not Twolegs. They are worse, but we can defeat them—if we stand together."

There was silence in the clearing. Onestar turned to Bramblestar. "I will discuss this with my clan and send a patrol to state my answer."

Mistystar nodded. "So will I. And Shadowclan's." She added, looking at Blackstar. "Even though you have been driven to this island, you are surrounded by Riverclan's hunting grounds. Give us your answer by sun-high."

Blackstar growled menacingly, but did not reply.

Bramblestar stepped forward. "Then this Gathering is over."

Jayfeather ran, panting hard, back to the camp. There's still hope! From what he could tell from their thoughts, Windclan was eager to join. Riverclan was balanced on the decisions. Shadowclan cats were losing faith that they would get their home back. Maybe that would persuade their proud leader to accept alliances.

Suddenly, Jayfeather remembered Dewpaw. He stopped abruptly and whirled around. How could he have forgotten his own apprentice? He dashed back the way he came, avoiding trees and bushes, when a furry shape crashed into him and they rolled over in a tussle. Jayfeather breathed in the scent of Dewpaw.

"Hey, Jayfeather! Um… sorry." His apprentice shook his tousled fur. "I was wondering where you went."

Jayfeather sighed exasperatedly. "Let's go back to camp. I expect Bramblestar will want to announce what he said at the Gathering."

Side by side, they walked back toward the camp, only to find that the cats had returned already and were passing on the news. Excitement and worry hung over the cats like a cloud. Bramblestar leaped onto the rock and flicked his tail for silence.

"Cats of Thunderclan, we have invited the other clans to form alliances against the bears. They have agreed to send patrols to give us the answer by sun-high tomorrow. If all goes well, we will gather the clans at Riverclan. The bears like to eat fish, so we think they will go that way."

"You think?" Cloudtail called. "What if they change their mind and attack us instead?"

Bramblestar looked back at the senior warrior. "We will not leave the clan undefended. I will leave a bear and a few cats here in charge. If they attack here, evacuate the camp."

Cloudtail nodded reluctantly. "And the apprentices?"

"They will not go into battle." Bramblestar replied. "They will stay at camp and help with the evacuation."

"Okay." Cloudtail's voice was light, but Jayfeather could feel his relief. Cloudtail's three kits were the only apprentices.

"Does anyone have questions?" Bramblestar scanned the crowd. "No? Then this meeting is over."

As Jayfeather returned to his den, he saw the two white bears having a heated argument.

"I need to go, Kallik! I can't stand staying here and knowin—"

"Yakone, it's the best way. You're big and strong. You need to keep these cats safe. We're all counting on you."

Jayfeather heard a scraping of claws. Yakone was pawing the ground in distress. "But—"

"Yakone," Kallik heaved a sigh. "Just stay here, alright? I promise I'll make it back to you."

The big bear grunted. "Fine. But don't get killed."

Kallik nudged Yakone affectionately. "You know I won't."

Jayfeather suddenly shivered. Yellowfang's rusty mew hissed in his ear.

Three will save the clans. Not four. Three.