Reviews:
Kuu :3 - 1)Yep, but in this chapter and the next are going to show a different side to the battle instead. 2) SkyClan actually lives in between RiverClan and ThunderClan at the moment (Or you could say RiverClan and WindClan) Like up the river nearby Sunningrocks there could've been little caves in there SkyClan could live. So really, they live at the bottom that gorge in the forest territory. (And this SkyClan is more adjusted to fish, since they live next to a river as well.)
Notes:
Decided to write this chapter in a different PoV than the usual Firegaze/Blaze/Wasppaw. Told this chapter in a different PoV for plot reasons. (Next chapter will be a Wasppaw PoV, I promise.)
Hazel's tail flicked impatiently as each second passed. Where's Violet and the others? Shouldn't they be back soon? She'd been getting more anxious with all of the gossip going on around camp. Everyone who wasn't chosen for the Gathering was back in the camp, and it was starting to get wild.
Hazel felt something brush against her fur. She looked over her shoulder to see Dove, who had wrapped her tail around Hazel. Dove's eyes were full of sympathy.
"I know you're worried about Spiritmask. He'll be okay." Dove mewed softly. I hope so too.
Hazel sighed. "And what about Blaze? Do you think she's okay too?" Blaze had been adopted into their group, ever since Hazel had found her left all alone in the forest as a kit. Ever since then Hazel and Spiritmask raised her as their own, since Hazel knew she would never be able to have her own kits.
Dove's tail stroked her backside. "Spiritmask would never let anyone harm her." Hazel nodded in agreement, letting out a tiny sigh of relief. It's still not enough to calm me, though…
"I know. I just worry too much." Hazel whispered.
Dove gave her a tiny smile. "It's fine to worry. I'm actually very stressed about the things that might've happened to the others and Stargaze."
"Wait, why my littermate specifically?" Hazel asked quizzically.
"N-No reason at all." Dove stuttered. Dove then looked genuinely confused. "Wait, did I say Stargaze? I don't think I said Stargaze. Wait a minute, what are we talking about again?"
Hazel growled to herself. Dove was a good cat, really, but she's a tad too airheaded. It often got in the way of her work and other's work. Hazel always had to wonder why Violet gave River to Dove.
"Forget it. Don't you have an apprentice to train?" Hazel sighed, irritated already.
Dove quizzically tilted her head. "Who?"
"River, you daft oaf!" Hazel growled. Dove pulled away from Hazel quickly.
Dove let out a tiny whimper. "W-Why are you s-snapping at m-me?"
Hazel forced her fur to flatten. "Sorry. It's just that I think you should remember your own apprentice." There was extra mockery in her mew. I swear to Silverpelt, my best friend will be the death of me.
Dove slumped onto the ground. "I don't even know why Violet gave me her own kit," she sighed. I don't know either. "I'm not smart at all and I always forget things. Now I'm always forgetting other cats. Maybe it'd be best if I left the group and live as a loner…"
"No!" Hazel growled at her friend. "Dove, you are a good member of the group. You're always very empathetic and enthusiastic around others. I think it's safe to say that everyone in the group likes you." I'm not going to mention that you wouldn't last a second out there, though.
"E-Even Stargaze…?" She whispered, looking hopeful. Why is she mentioning him so much?
Hazel sighed. "Yes, Stargaze likes you too." Well, maybe Dove had a good reason to ask that. Stargaze was pretty rude to anyone, and didn't seem the type to enjoy being around other cats.
Dove smiled. "Yay!" It's so hard to stay mad at her. "Thanks, Hazel!" She then padded over to her littermate Ivy, who was eating a carp in the middle of the camp.
Hazel rolled her eyes and walked over to the Healer's den, where Holly was sorting out herbs along with her only kit, Dylan. Holly noticed Hazel stepping in.
"Oh, greetings Hazel. What's up?" Holly meowed in her casual tone. I'm so glad Holly stayed. She doesn't act all formal like the other two. "Anything wrong?"
Hazel shook her head. "Ah, no. Just wanted to talk, if that's alright."
Holly looked pleased. "Thank Silverpelt for that. I thought I might actually have to do some work tonight."
"Well, I actually have a question to ask you…" Hazel mewed, dropping her voice to a whisper. "What do you think about Dove and Stargaze?"
"Stargaze isn't one who'd take a mate. You know that." Holly rolled her eyes. "And besides, Dove would be too much work for one cat to take care of. I also doubt Dove would actually like someone like...him."
Hazel cleared her throat. "You see, I think it's becoming increasingly obvious that Dove likes him to some extent."
Holly shrugged her shoulders and flicked her tail. "None of my concern anyways. Unless that actually happens...and I don't want to think about that…"
"Why not?" Hazel asked, curiosity bubbling in her voice.
"Dove's not good enough for him, and we'll leave it at that." Holly growled, her shoulder fur bristling. She calmed down a little. She turned towards her son. "Dylan, please escort Hazel out of the den."
"Yes, ma'am." Dylan dipped his head and nudged Hazel's shoulder. "...sorry." He whispered. Hazel nodded back and padded out of the Healer's den. What was that all about?
Hazel noticed Dove and Ivy walking up to her steadily, with a serious expression on their faces. Dove was on the verge of tears already, and Ivy was looking down at her paws.
"What's up?" Hazel whispered quietly. "Did Violet and the others return?"
Ivy nodded solemnly. "Yes, but...there was a battle at the Gathering. One of the Clans was fed up with Violet and attacked. Thanks to the other Clans we were able to hold them off for a short while. The fighting stopped when a lightning bolt hit the clearing. Stargaze told me to come tell you."
"A-Are Spiritmask and Blaze okay?" Hazel whimpered. Please don't tell me they fell in battle...I can't lose them now!
"Spiritmask has no major wounds. Just a couple injuries. But, Blaze…" Ivy's voice trailed off in sorrow. "She has absolutely no fighting skills...she's badly wounded. Come with me."
Ivy turned away from them and padded towards the cave's exit. Dove gestured for Hazel to follow her, and then rushed to catch up with Ivy. Hazel's paws felt like boulders. Blaze was...injured badly? Why did she let Violet take her own daughter to her first Gathering? Blaze will never want to leave the Healer's den now! Blaze probably will be scarred for life! How could I have been okay with this?
Hazel quickly ran towards Ivy and Dove, trying to catch up. Her pelt brushed against Dove's as she now walked alongside her. Hazel caught a brief glance at Dove, who was wincing with pain. Is Dove hurt? Or did something happen to Stargaze?
"Dove…?" Hazel murmured. "Are you alright?"
"I hate ShadowClan…" Dove growled underneath her breath. "They attacked the cats I care about…I hope their leader pays for what he's done!"
I don't think Dove heard me. Hazel blinked empathetically. Dove was going through a lot this past moon, wasn't she? She had actually gotten River as an apprentice last half moon, due to some apprentices being unfit to a certain role. River was originally a Healer under Jayson's mentorship and Blaze was originally a mediator under Spiritmask's mentorship. Since they couldn't handle their roles, they had to switch. I still don't know why Violet gave Dove her son...didn't she realize how much stress Dove was under?
"Hazel, help balance your daughter." Ivy evenly mewed, her dark blue eyes sparking with distress. "She can barely walk." She can't even walk?! When I get my paws on the coward who did this to her…
Hazel nodded and bounded forwards to the cluster of cats on the riverbank. Out of the cats she could see, she spotted a matted brownish gray pelt. Blaze! Hazel rushed for her daughter, not caring what anyone else thought. My daughter is alive. That's all I care about right now. Hazel licked Blaze's forehead ferociously. Blaze pressed her muzzle into Hazel's chest fur. Hazel felt tears running through her pelt.
"M-Mommy! It was so scary!" Blaze wailed. Hazel nuzzled Blaze's forehead. No cat will ever hurt you again, my dear. You can count on that.