As I felt the cold night air slowly breezing across my pelt I could only cringe at everything I'd been told, Tigerclaw had pinned Mousefur's disappearance on me. 'And worse still was that they had believed him.' I thought as my face twisted into a scowl at the thought of the tabbies betrayal burned into my mind.

Slowly I shook the thought away, letting my head droop slightly at the rest of Jon, no.. Flametalon's words.


-Flash Back-

"How could they believe him, it doesn't make any sense." I muttered while Flametalon laid his tail on my shoulder. "As much as we may hate it, they were willing to believe him because they respect him. Well.. Most of them anyway." he said glancing over his shoulder. "Spottedleaf doesn't really like him, and now that she knows about this." He lowered his head slightly and narrowed his eyes.

"She's probably in more danger than before now thanks to that little talk we had when we first met." he growled for a moment before shaking his head slightly and closing his eyes, looking up at me with a darkened gaze. "I'm sorry, its just, I saved her once already. I don't know if I can do it again." He muttered looking out across the river.

Slowly I turned my head till I was watching the opposite bank and lowered my head to my paws sighing. "So, you stopped Clawface from killing her?" I asked without turning. "Yeah, its pretty obvious, don't you think?" He said, grinning lightly at the last words.

"So, what else did I miss while I was hiding?" I asked, glancing over at him.

"Well you missed the battle with Shadowclan, among other things." He said before rising to his paws and stretching. "I should probably get back before someone notices I'm gone." He muttered, turning and padding towards the tree's until my voice stopped him.

"You never told me what that whole 'thing' with Spottedleaf was." I called out only to hear him laugh for a moment before sprinting off into the forest.


I smiled slightly for a moment as the clearing came into view. 'At least he's alive.' I thought as I flared my wings and landed. 'With a sigh I padded toward the tree, casting a glance over my shoulder at the barren cliff-face, sinking into thought for a moment before forcing my jaw open in a large yawn. So much had happened at once, it felt as though it had physically exhausted me just listening to it.

As I crossed the clearing I glanced skyward, watching the stars shine in the sky. It was strangely different from any other time I stared at the sky. Out here everything seemed more bright, clearer. Slowly I sat back on my haunches, simply gazing up into the cold deep blue of night. I sat there for a while, taking in the natural beauty of the night sky, only to be shook from my gaze by a gust of cold wind. With a gasp of surprise I fluffed out my fur against the chill and rose to my paws, padding back to the hollow tree, immediately dropping into my nest and the deep sleep that came with it.


Everything seemed to blend together in my head, I felt like there was something near me, looming over me like a dark shade, something forgotten. My eyes snapped open as I struggled to catch my breath. With a few blinks I felt myself slowly calm, recognizing the familiar shape of the root den in the bright light of the full moon. It'd been a few days since I'd last seen Jon, his words, or rather his lack of them about Spottedleaf.

I have a feeling about it, but it just doesn't seem like something he'd do, He's brash and headstrong at times, borderline arrogant at others. So the thought that enters my mind when I think back to them, it just does't connect. But the way his eyes shine at the mention of her, and the way his tone changes is impossible to excuse.

'He's getting himself neck deep into trouble, and with Tigerclaw..' I shook my head, pushing the thought of him to the back of my mind. 'He can take care of himself.' I thought before glancing out at the moon, watching the bright white circle glide higher into the sky, as something nagged at the back of my mind. Even as I watched it I felt this feeling grow, like something I'd forgotten. 'What could I have forgotten, what does it have to do with the moon?" I thought, staring at it in the gathering darkness.. Wait. 'My eyes opened wide at the remembrance. 'The gathering, tonight's, the night of the gathering.' I thought as I pulled myself out of the nest and padded out of the den.

The air was cool, not warm, but not cold either as I spread my wings and took flight into the moonlit night. I flew on across the river, a plan forming in my mind. It took me a few minutes, but I managed to spot the line of feline figures moving through the forest below. Quietly I glided over them, landing on one of the branches a few fox-lengths ahead of them.

I sat in wait as they moved under me, speaking to each other in hushed tones as they moved completely unaware of my spying. I sat and watched them moving until three shapes caught my eye, the turtle-shell pelt of Spottedleaf, the bright tabby pelt of Jon, and the bulky mass of Tigerclaw, the prior two were close to the back, talking to each other while Tigerclaw was leading at the front.

For a moment I paused. 'Where are Bluestar and Fireheart..' I thought until the two shapes reemerged from farther behind the group. Silently I followed from above, leaping from branch to branch as they padded below. Eventually they reached the sunning-rocks and I was forced into the air, but rather then stay to watch them I flew in the direction of the Fourtree's.

I'd seen them from a distance but had never drawn close enough to them, silently I glided down towards them aiming for a branch on the tree closest to the Riverclan border. with a quick look into the clearing I realized how careless I was, the clearing was packed with cats, warriors from Riverclan were situated directly below me speaking with their Shadowclan counterparts.

After a few minutes the sound of the Thunderclan cats arrival drew both the attention some of the warriors, and myself. They spent a few moments exchanging words before the lithe shape of Bluestar taking her place next to the other leaders halted the hushed tones. They spoke for some time, each praising their clan and what they had achieved. Yellowfang's decision to become a medicine cat alongside Spottedleaf, and the naming of several new warriors, Flametalon included words, then she said something else. "Thunderclan has not been without some suffering.. Mousefur, was killed after chasing a rogue across the boundary with Riverclan, her killer may still be within your territory Crookedstar." She spoke, her voice as steady as always, but her eyes, even at the distance I was at, showed her sadness.

If the Riverclan leader noticed it, he kept it well hidden. "I believe I've already come across this rogue you speak of Bluestar, a brown tom with tabby markings?" He asked, to which Bluestar nodded. "Well, then I have heard two very different stories." He said glancing back to the assembled cats, and then to the very branch I sat on, but his eyes held no anger or sharpness, only a curiosity.

I remained frozen to the spot as he turned his head back to Bluestar, who seemed to be reading him. 'I knew someone had to have seen me.' I scolded myself as they continued below. "What do you mean by two stories Crookedstar, has he spoken to you?" She asked, surprise obvious in her voice. "Yes, I came across him speaking to one of my warriors by the river, he didn't seem like the murdering type and more curiously, carried the scent of a she-cat with him.." He said, casting a glance down at Tigerclaw for a moment before his gaze returned to the shocked face of Bluestar. "He told me that he and this she-cat had been forced to flee, though from what I am unsure." He said before turning to look over the clearing again.

Bluestar for a moment seemed stunned by him, and wasn't able to speak as Tigerclaw's voice cut the silence. "So you allowed a murderer to cross your borders without harm, are your warriors too weak to even stop one crow-food eating rogue?" He growled aloud, just high enough to be heard. Without even thinking of the consequences I narrowed my eyes and spoke. "Tigerclaw, you have no place to talk if this 'rogue' was able to escape you!" I yowled, and half a second later my mind kicked in 'Wait, what did I just say.' I thought as every pair of eyes in the clearing shot to my branch, the Riverclan warriors at the base of the tree below looking up at me with shock and confusion.

On the rock Bluestar stared at me with shock while Tigerclaw turned his whole body to face the tree, obviously unaware of who I was thanks to the shadows of the branches above me. "Who are you, show yourself intruder!" He yowled, claws digging into the grass of the clearing while Crookedstar sat watching me, something between a smirk and a frown on his muzzle. "I'm glad you finally chose to reveal yourself Oak, now." He said before glancing down at Tigerclaw. "Come down here and explain yourself, my warriors will ensure your not harmed until you explain." He finished, staring up at me.

For a moment I stared back as my mind ran. 'He's putting me on the spot, he planned this.' I thought with a start. Slowly I let my gaze fall to the warriors below, watching me with bright eyes. 'I guess I have no choice.' I thought as I picked my way down the trunk of the tree, eventually dropping onto the soft grass of the clearing. I hardly took a step before a tom and a familiar silver she-cat took up spots at my side, guiding me to the center of the clearing under gazes of shock and in some cases, hatred.

We padded to the very center, coming face to face with Tigerclaw and the rest of the deputies, slowly I bowed my head to the leaders, much to the surprise of Bluestar, who watched me with a curious yet stern gaze having composed herself after the shocking interruption. Crookedstar glanced between me and Tigerclaw for a moment before he spoke. "Well Oak, explain yourself." He said, keeping his tone steady while I glared at Tigerclaw, who for his part was more composed, obviously trying to cover up for his outburst. "Yes murderer, explain why you killed in cold blood." He growled in a cold, emotionless tone.

I stared at him for a moment before I took a deep breath. "I fled from you." I muttered aloud, just high enough to be heard. This earned confused muttering from the Thunderclan cats as well as from the Riverclan ones. He however narrowed his eyes. "So you just ran away, that's it?" He growled in sarcastic disbelief. "Do you really think anyone would believe this load of mouse-dung?" He growled, narrowing his eyes.

For a moment I stopped, 'he's right, no-one here has any reason to believe me, I'm an outsider being accused of killing someone and he's almost the sole authority in his clan.' I lowered my head, much to his delight. "I knew it, no-one would ever believe something like that, and such a thing from a rogue no les-" He growled until a yowl cut him off. "I believe him." That yowl drew a few gasps from the Thunderclan cats as two figures padded to my side. "I believe his words are true, and that his actions are just." She said as Tigerclaws gaze burned into her own, leaving everyone to stare at her. Spottedleaf stood and returned the gaze, Flametalon at her side.

"Spottedleaf, he killed Mousefur, he murdered her in cold blood, how can you trust his words over my own." Came Tigerclaws shocked response, the answer however, came from Flametalon. "Because I know he's telling the truth." He growled, fixing Tigerclaw with a rather angry glare. "I've known him almost all my life, he's no murderer Tigerclaw, and I'm willing to protect him with my life to prove it." He said in a steady tone, above us Bluestar watched him before speaking. "Are you really willing to put this cat ahead of your own clan Flametalon, are you really willing to simply help him over us, your clan?" She asks quizzically. To which he nods. "With all my strength." He mutters, glancing over his shoulder at Spottedleaf for a moment.

Bluestar watches him for a moment before shifting her head to Spottedleaf fixing her with a slightly confused expression. "Do you feel the same way Spottedleaf?" She asked, getting the same answer. With a wary sigh she glances down at Tigerclaw before looking back at them. "I'll speak with you when we return to the camp, and Oak.. Is she really alive?" She asks, fixing me with a stare. "Yes, she's alive and well." I reply, watching as her gaze flicks over me, looking for any sign of a lie before giving up. "Then I hope she is content with her life, she is always welcome among us again if she wishes." She murmered, before glancing at Crookedstar. "Now, we should finish our reports before dawn arrives. Crookedstar?" She muttered as Silverstream guided me back into the throng of Riverclan warriors.

'That probably could have gone worse.' I thought. with a faint smile as I sat to listen to the rest of the gathering, surrounded by the bodies of Riverclan warriors and well out of sight of Tigerclaw.