Chapter 35
Jaysong sat underneath highledge, her paws kneading the ground in annoyance towards her clanmates who were slowly preparing themselves. Tonight was the Gathering and Jaysong wanted to attend so badly that she practically had to beg Firestar and Brambleclawto let her come. Hollyleaf's death had shaken the Clan, but Jaysong didn't understand why they had stopped the patrols that were searching for Rabbitpaw. Although Jaysong doubted it, the golden brown queen wanted to attend the Gathering and talk with the other Clans. Especially ShadowClan. Jaysong had thought that Blackstar might know where Rabbitpaw was, but Firestar had ordered her not to trespass on ShadowClan territory.
Jaysong watched as Cloudtail meowed something towards Rushpaw and the black-and-white apprentice disappeared into the apprentices' den. When she emerged, Rushpaw was flanked by Bramblepaw and Turtlepaw. Jaysong remembered that it was the two apprentices first Gathering. Jaysong tried to summon some happy feelings to them, but was too distraught about Rabbitpaw's disappearance to say anything to the cats. Jaysong wasn't the only one taking Rabbitpaw's absencehard. Cloudtail- Rabbitpaw's mentor- was taking the remaining apprentices out a lot. Sorreltail, Thornclaw, and Brightheart didn't mind though since they knew Cloudtail was grieving for Rabbitpaw even if he would never admit it.
Rushpaw was taking Rabbitpaw's disappearence particulary hard since- as well as being her brother- the apprentice had been her best friend. Bramblepaw saw Rushpaw's grief for Rabbitpaw and often went on patrols with her and asked Thornclaw if she could come out hunting with them. Jaysong at first thought that Bramblepaw's kindness to Rushpaw was only for Rabbitpaw's disappearence until she saw the gleam in his eyes. Bramblepaw was beginning to pad after Rushpaw and there wasn't friendship on his mind anymore; there was a young cat's affection to another. Jaysong wondered if Rushpaw felt anything for Bramblepaw. The two young cats would make great mates.
Brambleclaw padded over to where Jaysong was waiting, flanked by Millie, Bumblethroat, Blossomwhisker, Briarcloud, Applefrost, and Thornclaw. Graystripe was going to attend the Gathering as well, but stomach problems kept him in camp. Not willing to leave a patient, Leafpoolstayed too. Leafpool had reassured Firestar that Graystripe would be fine, but Jaysong couldn't help, but shake the idea that something was very wrong. Applefrost had seemed nervous about leaving Leafpool alone with Graystripe as though he felt his mentor neededhim in case something happened. Jaysong twitched her tail. She was probably making a big deal out of nothing like always.
Once Cloudtail had joined them with Rushpaw, Bramblepaw, and Turtlepaw, Firestar emerged from his den and led his Clan towards the island. Jaysong ran hard beside Bumblethroat and Blossomwhisker, feeling Cloudtail and Thornclaw's breath hot on her paws as they struggled to keep up with the younger warriors. Once they reached the tree bridge, Jaysong leapt up instantly, never even losing her step as she raced across the tree bridge behind Squirrelflight. The first cat Jaysong recognized from the other Clans was Whitetail, a warrior of WindClan. Praying to StarClan, Jaysong bounded over to Whitetail. The white she-cat didn't seem surprise to see Jaysong because she meowed, "You have come to hear the news I suspect."
Jaysong wondered if Whitetail meant Rabbitpaw so the golden brown warrior nodded eagerly. Her ear twitching in sadness, Whitetail explained, "Greencough erupted in WindClan a couple dawns ago and we were unprepared for it. It's not normal for greencough to hit the Clans in leafbare. Barkface and Kestrelear did all they could to help, but many cats died without catmint. Onestar was among them. Ashstar is our leader now. WindClan's new deputy is Tornear. Losing Onestar does not make us weak!" Whitetail added the last part, her white fur bristling as though Jaysong suggested that WindClan was weak.
"So you don't know anything about Rabbitpaw?" Jaysong meowed sadly, her question confirmed when Whitetail looked at her, tilting her head in a confused way. Jaysong was saved from having to explain by Applefrost who yowled, "Jaysong, come sit with us!" Jaysong looked over Whitetail's head and saw Applefrost sitting beside Willowshine and Kestrelear. Flamecloud was a little bit farther away, discussing something with Tigerfur. Jaysong wondered why Flamecloud wasn't sitting with the other medicine cats until she remembered that Tigerfur was Flamecloud's brother. They probably had something important to discuss.
Excusing herself from Whitetail, Jaysong padded over and sat beside Kestrelear. Applefrost and Willowshine were sitting close together, their pelts almost touching. Jaysong's old suspicions- that Applefrost felt affection for Willowshine- returned and the golden brown warrior almost said something when Kestrelear mewed, "So I saw you talking to Whitetail. I suppose she wasted no time in telling you of Onestar and Tornear. Whitetail's been bursting with pride about Tornear being made deputy." Seeing Jaysong's confused look, Kestrelear explained, "Whitetail is Tornear's mate. Their son is here somewhere, oh there he is! Autumnpaw!"
Autumnpaw saw them and padded over, his gold eyes wide with confusion. Autumnpaw looked exactly like Whitetail. They both had the same fluffy fur and small compact body. The only difference was that Autumnpaw had splashes of ginger on his white pelt. Autumnpaw dipped his head to the gathered cats and meowed, "Hello Kestrelear, did you need something?" Autumnpaw's voice was cold as he talked to Kestrelear and Jaysong thought she heard jealously in the young cat's voice. Why would Autumnpaw be jealous of Kestrelear? Did the younger cat want to be a medicine cat apprentice instead of a warrior?
"Let this Gathering begin," Mistystar yowled and all the cats fell silent. Jaysong started to look up at the tree, but a familiar shape caught her eye. Sitting next to the ShadowClan warrior- Dawnclaw- was a smaller cat, his black-and-white pelt glowing in the faint light of the moon and stars. Jaysong took a step forward. Could be? Rabbitpaw? Jaysong padded away, ignoring the annoyed looks cats gave her. Most cats didn't walk around when their leaders were speaking and Jaysong knew that most eyes were on her now even though Mistystar continued talking. In a quiet murmur, Jaysong whispered, "Rabbitpaw?"
The black-and-white jumped and turned around to face Jaysong. With wide gray eyes, Jaysong realized that the ShadowClan cat was indeed Rabbitpaw. "Rabbitpaw, where have you been?! The whole Clan has been looking for you!! Why are you here with these ShadowClan cats?! You must come home to your own Clan!!" Although Jaysong's voice was angry, no other cat heard them. Not even Dawnclaw- who was sitting close to them- could hear what they were saying. Casting a nervous glance around him, Rabbitpaw explained quietly, "Jaysong, I have been in ShadowClan for the past half moon. I went there because I felt that my loyalties don't lie with ThunderClan anymore. Ever since I found out Blackstar was my father, I wanted to get to know him. I couldn't be satisfied waiting until the next Gathering. I decided to go out into ShadowClan territory to talk to him and once I did, I didn't want to leave. The only reason Blackstar didn't tell you was because I lied and said you knew. So if you're going to be angry at anyone be angry at me!"
"But you're a ThunderClan cat!" Jaysong protested, her gray eyes glancing up at Blackstar as the ShadowClan leader began to talk. Rabbitpaw shook his head sadly, "I once was, but now I'm not. Dawnclaw is my mentor now." Rabbitpaw flicked his ear in Dawnclaw's direction. "She trains me harder than I'm used too, but I can deal with it." It was then that Jaysong noticed Rabbitpaw's torn ear and a small cut in his shoulder. Dawnclaw had been fighting him as though he was an enemy warrior! "Don't say anything, Jaysong. I want to fit in and I also like Dawnclaw a lot. She's a good mentor and I know once she can trust me, she'll be a good friend too. I'm sorry Jaysong. Tell that to Firestar. I already talked to Rushpaw and Cloudtail. They understood although Cloudtail wasn't happy."
Jaysong nodded, knowing Cloudtail wouldn't be happy that his apprentice had become a member of ShadowClan."Well goodbye, Rabbitpaw." Rabbitpaw dipped his head to Jaysong and the golden brown warrior padded towards the tree bridge, hearing Firestar conclude the Gathering from the tree. Jaysong barely reached the tree bridge when two pelts pressed against hers. Cloudtail and Rushpaw were blinking at Jaysong with understanding in their eyes. Behind them were the other cats who attended the Gathering and Jaysong realized with a jolt that they had found out about Rabbitpaw. Firestar pushed his way past Jaysong with Brambleclaw at his side. Firestar instantly began running home, probably knowing that Jaysong wanted to leave the island as soon as possible.
However home wasn't as peaceful as they thought it would be. Another cat had joined StarClan. That other cat was Graystripe.
