Chapter 16

Jaysong waited outside Leafpool's den, her gray eyes watching her clanmates get ready for the Gathering. Jaysong was supposed to join them, but Leafpool had approached the golden brown warrior and asked if they could talk before Firestar left for the Gathering.

Jaysong's gray eyes found Stripepool, who was excitedly telling Dustpelt and Sandstorm about her recent discovery that she was bearing Spiderleg's kits. Dustpelt meowed his congratulations while Sandstorm gave Stripepool a friendly lick on the ear. Jaysong's eyes searched for Spiderleg and she spotted the black warrior looking proudly at his mate.

A dark ginger shape caught Jaysong's eye and the golden brown warrior saw Rosestripe stalk over to the nursery where Daisy sat at the entrance. Jaysong's pelt prickled as she noticed that both cats were glaring at Stripepool. With a jolt, Jaysong remembered that Spiderleg and Daisy had once been mates and Rosestripe and Toadflower were their offspring.

Jaysong's eyes scanned the group of cats in search of Toadflower, wondering if Spiderleg's son was feeling the same hatred towards his father. Toadflower was talking to Briarcloud and Blossomwhisker, not noticing Spiderleg with a single twitch of his ear. Jaysong wondered if Toadflower liked either Briarcloud or Blossomwhisker, but decided he didn't. Jaysong was sure Toadflower's only love would be Flowerpaw, the ShadowClan apprentice who had died in the fire that swept through her territory.

Thinking of Flowerpaw made Jaysong think of Blackstar. The ShadowClan leader had been Jaysong's mate for only a couple dawns now, but it seemed like many seasons. Jaysong had been able to sneak away from her Clan duties a couple times, but the act was much harder for Blackstar. Jaysong was hoping that they would be able to talk at the Gathering.

"Jaysong, you can come in now," Leafpool's mew sounded from inside her den. Jaysong got to her paws and padded into Leafpool's den. Leafpool was sorting a couple herbs- Jaysong recognized comfrey and nettle leaves- while her apprentice, Applepaw, was taking a slow drink by the water pool. Leafpool got to her paws and padded over to Jaysong, "Do you mind if I examine you?"

Surprised, Jaysong shrugged and Leafpool began sniffing her fur and giving her sharp prods with her paw. When she was done, Leafpool meowed, "Just as I thought. You're expecting kits. You're only a couple days into your pregnancy, but I can tell."

"What?!" Jaysong screeched, scrambling to her paws. Before Leafpool could respond, Firestar's yowl sounded and the light brown tabby padded out of her den. Standing alone with Applepaw, Jaysong followed Leafpool out of her den and stood beside the medicine cat and Firestar. The ThunderClan leader gave Jaysong a knowing glance which made the golden brown warrior wonder if Firestar knew her news.

Firestar then took the lead and Brambleclaw and Leafpool flanked him. Applepaw scrambled behind Leafpool and Jaysong saw Stripepool bound forward and give the brown tabby a small nudge. Falling in step with Dustpelt, Jaysong raced after Stripepool all the way to the tree bridge. Unsheathing her claws, Jaysong leapt onto the tree behind Stripepool and jumped off it onto the island.

"Jaypaw!" Out of habit, Jaysong turned and saw Flamepaw, Willowshine, and Kestrelpaw scramble towards her. Applepaw was already touching noses with Willowshine and Jaysong thought she saw affection in his green eyes. Jaysong ear twitched crossly and she hoped Applepaw would remember that he was a medicine cat. Jaysong then realized she was being a hypocrite. Here she was scolding Applepaw when she was bearing Blackstar's kits.

"Actually, I'm Jaysong now," Jaysong meowed proudly, brushing her muzzle against Flamepaw's shoulder and twining her tail with Kestrelpaw's. "How are your Clans, Flamepaw? Kestrelpaw?" Jaysong's ear was really for Flamepaw's news, curious if he would say anything about Blackstar. Jaysong knew he wouldn't though. Flamepaw was too loyal to betray his Clan secrets.

"Actually we earned our proper names now," Flamepaw mewed, mimicking Jaysong's proud meow, "I'm Flamecloud and Kestrelpaw is Kestrelear. We earned our names at the last half-moon." Jaysong purred and touched her nose to both of their ears. Jaysong knew how special this was for them. They had begun their training before Jaysong and now they were finally earning their names.

Jaysong's gray eyes looked for Blackstar, but instead they found Brambleclaw. The ThunderClan deputy was sitting next to a RiverClan warrior, Blackclaw. Jaysong then saw Mistyfoot- the RiverClan deputy- pause to exchange a few words with Blackclaw before leaping up to stand beside Onestar.

Turning to Willowshine, Jaysong asked, "Where's Leopardstar?" The RiverClan leader was no where to be seen amongst the group of cats.

"Great StarClan, I forgot you didn't know," Willowshine meowed surprised, "Leopardstar died two dawns ago. Mistystar is our leader now and Blackclaw is our deputy. I'm kind of surprised she chose him. Blackclaw had never been a huge supporter of Mistystar, but RiverClan needed a strong cat and he is one of our best warriors."

Blackstar's yowl began the Gathering and Jaysong watched as the ShadowClan leader began to speak, "ShadowClan has two new warriors. Tigerpaw and Dawnpaw have earned their warrior names and are now Tigerfur and Dawnclaw. Littlecloud's apprentice has also earned his proper name. Flamepaw is now Flamecloud. Other than that, ShadowClan has no more news to share." Blackstar flicked his tail for Onestar to begin.

"To share. I wonder if that means there is more. You can never trust Blackstar," Kestrelear whispered to Willowshine and the RiverClan medicine cat nodded her head. Jaysong's fur began to bristle and she noticed that Flamecloud's ginger fur was as well. Maybe there was some more news in ShadowClan that Blackstar wasn't inclined to share.

"Barkface's apprentice has also earned his proper name. Kestrelpaw is now Kestrelear. WindClan's prey is continuing to run well and we are thankful for newleaf." Onestar finished quickly and Mistystar padded forward. The moon made Mistystar's fur glow silver and Jaysong realized how commanding she looked up there.

"Leopardstar went to hunt with StarClan two dawns ago," Mistystar meowed and several cats bowed their heads in grief. "I'm RiverClan's leader now and I promise you, I will protect my Clan with tooth and claw if I have to. Me and my new deputy, Blackclaw, are ready to prove ourselves to you."

Mistystar stepped backwards and Firestar stepped forward, "You are a worthy successor Mistystar. ThunderClan has two new warriors. Jaysong and Stripepool successfully chased away a group of loners. We think they might be the same cats that Briarcloud, Bumblethroat, Blossomwhisker, and Sunface chased out a couple moons ago."

The rest of Firestar's words were drowned out as the Clans yowled, "Jaysong! Stripepool! Jaysong! Stripepool!" Blackstar and Littlecloud were amongst the loudest and to Jaysong's surprise Russetfur and Oakfur joined in. Beside her, Applepaw was nudging Jaysong with his muzzle and Flamecloud brushed his pelt with hers.

"However," Firestar regained control and continued, "Jaysong and Stripepool are both moving into the nursery. ThunderClan will have new kits by greenleaf!" Applepaw yowled excitedly and Jaysong saw Briarcloud and Spiderleg nearby, echoing the brown apprentice's cheers. Jaysong barely heard them for her gray eyes were searching for Blackstar. The ShadowClan was looking down at Jaysong, pride in his gold eyes. For Jaysong, Blackstar's opinion was all that mattered.