Silverpaw bounded after her mentor as they were going to the Shadowclan camp. Lurkingstar would be returning from the Moonpool today. Silverpaw still didn't understand why Dovewing showed his ceremony to her, but Silverpaw barley understood Dovewing so she just shrugged it off.
"Come on, Silverpaw. We need to bring back enough food for some of the Shadowclan cats." Hollyflower said. Silverpaw nodded and rushed off to find food.
By Sunhigh, Silverpaw and Hollyflower had caught enough food. As they walked into Shadowclan's camp, they noticed Lurkingstar had called a meeting. Blizzardstar sat next to him at the front of the clan. Silverpaw and Hollyflower dropped off their prey and joined the Thunderclan cats. Lurkingstar cleared his throat and began.
"Clans! I have returned from the Moonpool, with my nine lives." Lurkingstar said. The cats of Shadowclan began cheering. Lurkingstar silenced them with a flick of his tail.
"As you all know, I must choose a new deputy. I have thought about it and I have made my decision. Hawkgaze, will be the new deputy of Shadowclan." Lurkingstar said. A wave of shock swam through the cats as he called his name.
"Hawkgaze, you are a brave and strong warrior. Although, you will never be able to fill the void in my heart of my father's passing, you were always a great father to my brothers. And that's all I ever wanted for them. Will you do me the honor of being my deputy?" Lurkingstar asked.
"Of course I will." Hawkgaze said proudly.
"Thank you. I also want to thank Blizzardstar, Ashcloud, and Willowleaf for all the help you gave us. I think my clan will agree with me that, without you, Shadowclan would be no more. I believe your help is no longer needed for that my warriors are strong enough to hunt." Lurkingstar said. Blizzardstar bowed his head and bid a farewell to him as he led his clan back to our own territory.
"Finally, we can keep to ourselves again." Berrytail muttered. Many warriors agreed with him. Blizzardstar sighed and flicked his tail for no more. Silverpaw sent a silent pray to Starclan that Shadowclan would be okay.
Tonight was the gathering. Silverpaw followed her denmates to where Blizzardstar was calling the cats that were going to the gathering. Blizzardstar waited silently and addressed everyone.
"Tonight is going to be a very interesting gathering. With Emberstar's passing, Shadowclan is going to be trying to prove they are still powerful. Not to mention with Leaf-bare finally over all the clans will be showing how powerful they are. Because of this I'm sending all the apprentices as well as many of the warriors. So Darkpaw, Dustpaw, Hollowpaw, Ravenpaw, and Silverpaw will be going with their mentors. I will also like Brackenflame, Applecloud, Moleclaw, Birdflight, Whisperwind, Gingercloud, Mousepelt, Beetlefur, and Nightstorm. Ashcloud will be going as well and any of the elders that'd like to go." Blizzardstar announced.
Silverpaw could hardly contain her excitement. Her first gathering! Blizzardstar flicked his tail and led everyone out. He bounded and slowly worked into a sprint. By the time they were in Windclan territory they were racing across the territory. Silverpaw never felt so free. She loved the feeling of the wind in her fur and the sense of freedom.
When they made to the Island all the other clans were there. Even Shadowclan. Tensions were high and the clans weren't mingling. Thunderlcan took its place in the crowded clearing. The clan watched as Blizzardstar, Ashcloud, and Willowleaf took their places and the gathering began. Lurkingstar went first.
"Clans! The great leader, Emberstar, passed due to illness. Although her death was a shock, Shadowclan remains strong and healthy. We also have a new medicine cat joining Shadowclan's ranks. Weedstorm will be working alongside Littlewhiskers, from now on." Lurkingstar informed. As the medicine cats began cheering Weedstorm's name, slowly the other clans caught on. When the half-hearted cheering died, Silverpaw realized that Lurkingstar was setting a challenge. Puzzlement overwhelmed her, but she pushed it aside as Hailstar began.
"Riverclan has been well fed and its warriors have been thriving. Leaf-bare is just a fading memory for usnow and we look forward forward to what Green-leaf offers us. Also, Riverclan's newest warrior and I are expecting kits." Hailstar finished. Every cat gaped but quickly turned their faces to Minnowsplash, who had her head lifted high. Lots of cats mumbled congratulations. Silverpaw pressed against Hollowpaw.
Although Hailstar was the second oldest leader, he was still very young. He became Riverclan's leader by Starclan's choice. Both leader and deputy had been killed and Starclan called Hailstar to be the new leader. The thing was, when he became leader, he had only been a warrior for four moons. He hadn't had an apprentice or anything so it was very odd when he became leader. Still Silverpaw found it strange for him taking Minnowsplash on as a mate. Perhaps it was because he had been leader for so long.
Blizzardstar cleared his throat and brought Silverpaw out of her thoughts.
"Thunderclan is getting stronger every day. Our apprentices are training well and we have two kits ready to become apprentices. Snowfrost also is closer to having her kits which means new life for Thunderclan. She moved to the nursery and her apprentice's new mentor is Dusklight." Blizzardstar eyed the crowd and nodded his head.
To Silverpaw's surprise . Breezeheart from Windclan spoke.
"Windclan is also very strong. Swiftstar could not make it tonight due to a dog attack a couple days ago. Her wounds are healing well but Windclan's deputy, Honeybreeze, was killed in the attack. Swiftstar has named me the new deputy of Windclan." Beezeheart paused before going on. "Swiftstar also wanted to bring up something. We have scented both Thunderclan and Riverclan cats in our territory. We understand the need for food can drive many cats into other clans territories so we didn't take action. Although, if it continues we will take an aggressive approach."
Blizzardstar and Hailstar both shared a look of puzzlement with each other before speaking.
"I can assure you, Breezeheart, Thunderclan has not hunted on your territory. I believe the same goes for Hailstar. Perhaps a gust of wind brought our clan scents across the border." Blizzardstar explained calmly.
"Wow, I gotta admire how clam your father is." Hollowpaw whispered to Silverpaw.
"Blizzardstar, I have to stay, you are a very good liar." Breezeheart sneered. Silverpaw caught her father's eyes blazing for a moment. They went back to their usual calm nature almost as quickly. He turned to his clan and called, "Thunderclan, I ask you, have we hunted on Windclan territory?" And the response of no came immediately.
"Blizzardstar, I never knew you brought up a clan of liars!" Breezeheart called to the other clans. The clans began shuddering away from Thunderclan. Many of the Thunderclan cats were bristling with claws unsheathed. Silverpaw's body raced with fear and she pressed tighter against Hollowpaw. He wrapped his tail around her protectively. Silverpaw's heart raced and she knew she had to do something. She could almost hear Dovewing's voice- wait that was Dovewing's voice.
Silverpaw stop them! They are going to cause a war! Her voice screeched in her mind. Silverpaw raced forward from her place next to Hollowpaw. I have to stop them! I have-
Too late.
"I would have to say the same for you Breezekit!" Her father hissed. Silverpaw could barely watch as Breezeheart shrieked and launched himself at Blizzardstar. Blizzardstar landed on his shoulder with a loud crack when he fell out of the tree.
"No!" Silverpaw shrieked at the top of her lungs. She shielded her father from Breezeheart's blow.
Bad Idea.
His claws raked across her ear and eye. Her blood plastered the ground and Blizzardstar. She stood her ground even as blood poured out of her wounds. Stormtail jumped Breezeheart before he could do anymore damage.
That was when Silverpaw heard her father howl in pain.
She spun around splattering her father with more of her blood. Willowleaf raced to him and touched his shoulder gently with her nose. He screeched out in pain and gasped for breath.
"His shoulder is broken…" Willowleaf reported.
"What?!" Whsipereind yelled.
"I need to get him back to camp immediately." Willowleaf said. Blizzardstar moaned as Brackenflame and Stormtail helped him up.
"Silverpaw, you're gonna bleed out. Runningcloud can you get me some cobwebs?" Willowleaf asked. Runningcloud dashed off and returned with a wad of cobwebs.
"Sit still." Willowleaf said. Hollowpaw and Whisperwind came up and nuzzled her. Silverpaw yelped in pain as she applied the cobwebs. Hailstar came over and called out in a big voice.
"This gathering is over!" He flicked his tail to his clan to tell them to leave. He shot a glare at Breezeheart and nodded to Lurkingstar. When he passed Blizzardstar, he bowed in respect and wished him well.
Lurkingstar gathered his clan and quickly left.
"This isn't over Blizzardstar!" Breezeheart screamed and raced out of the clearing with his clan behind him.
Thunderclan left quickly after. They didn't make it home until midnight. Blizzardstar had lost consciousness along the way which made Willowleaf worried. She hadn't left his side the entire way. Silverpaw walked behind her with Hollowpaw pressing his fur against hers to help steer her. She had gotten dizzy from blood loss about halfway.
When they finally made it home Willowleaf followed Blizzardstar, Brackenflame, and Stormtail into Blizzardstar's den. Silverpaw padded to her den until she heard her father's scream ripple around the camp. Cats streamed out of the dens to see what was going on. Silverpaw sighed and collapsed to the ground. When she lost consciousness she heard Dovewing's voice say; you tried, and that's all I ask. But dark days are coming for Thunderclan. I'll be preparing you for war Silverpaw, and not just with Windclan.
Phew! What a chapter! I'm actually pretty proud of this. The original was a little different and I prefer this version better. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review what you think and I'll get the next chapter up ASAP.