Chapter 60

"Rushleaf, you are blessed to have two fine kits," Jaystar meowed, flicking her tail gently over Butterflykit and Coalkit's tiny frames. Butterflykit had Brambleheart's light brown tabby coat while Coalkit had dark gray fur that looked almost black in the dim light of the nursery. Rushleaf gave a loud purr while Brambleheart dipped his head in thanks, giving his mate's head a gentle lick in the process. The older kits were crouched by their mothers, their eyes round with excitement at the thought of new kits. Jaystar realized that Bearkit and Badgerkit, Thornclaw and Daisy's daughters, were almost ready to become apprentices, give or take a couple more days. I must remember to hold their ceremony soon and Stripepool's other kits', Jaystar reminded herself of Brownpaw, Heavypaw, and Moonpaw who were ready to become warriors. I should hold it after the Gathering. The Gathering was that evening and Jaystar had dropped in to visit Rushleaf's kits before leading her Clan to the island.

"Jaystar," The golden brown leader looked towards the entrance of the nursery and saw Lionblaze poking his head through. Jaystar knew what Lionblaze wanted to see her about. As well as being a Gathering night, Lionblaze, Turtleclaw, and Featherfoot had decided to journey up to the mountains tonight. It pained Jaystar to say goodbye to her friends, but she knew that if they didn't leave tonight, they would leave early the next morning. Jaystar followed Lionblaze out of the nursery and padded over to Turtleclaw and Featherfoot. Lionblaze settled down next to Turtleclaw and mewed, "We are going to leave now. Leafpool has already given us our traveling herbs and if we leave early enough, we may be able to escape running into WindClan. Our hope is to leave the Clan territory by dawn and we will camp out by the border of RiverClan lands. I promise you they won't know we are even there."

"May StarClan guide you there safely and then home again. I expect you by the half-moon I suspect," Jaystar nodded to her three warriors and watched them pad out of the camp. Jaystar then hopped onto Highledge and watched the cats she had chosen for the Gathering gather underneath her. Rosestripe, Cinderheart, Poppyfrost, Toadflower, Ivypelt, and Dovewing were calmly waiting together while the apprentices, Avalanchepaw, Airpaw, and Bluepaw, were jumping around their mentors. Jaystar glanced around at her clanmates and meowed, "Let's set off. Rosestripe, will you take the rear to make sure no cat falls behind." Jaystar was really giving this order because of the dogs. Jaystar was nervous that some were still around and wanted to keep her clanmates together. They were one of the only things Jaystar had left to live for.

*

"Jaystar, is everything alright with Firestar?" Mistystar called from a branch above Jaystar, Oakstar, and Ashstar, her blue eyes round with curiousity. Jaystar had led her Clan to the island and quickly they had all seperated, in search of friends from other Clans. Jaystar, herself, had immediatly padded towards the giant tree and sat down in between Oakstar and Ashstar. Oakstar looked surprised to see Jaystar, but Ashstar merely gave the new leader a friendly nod. Ashstar knew about Firestar's death. As Mistystar spoke, it was then that Jaystar realized something about the RiverClan leader. Even though Jaystar was leader of ThunderClan and Mistystar was leader of RiverClan, they had some shared blood. Jaystar's greatgrandmother had been Snowfur who had been Bluestar, the former ThunderClan leader. Bluestar had then given birth to Mistystar and her brothers- who now resided in StarClan- Mosskit and Stonefur. When Jaystar was a very young apprentice- cleaning out the elders' den- Mousefur had told her the story. "He's not dead is he?" Jaystar nodded her head, grief settling over her once more. Mistystar gasped, "He was a great leader, but you will be a noble successor. Tragedy struck RiverClan as well. Our deputy Blackclaw has gone to join StarClan. I have appointed Voletooth as the new deputy." Jaystar nodded her head and respected Mistystar's choice. Jaystar had spent a couple days with Voletooth in the tunnels underneath ThunderClan territory.

"I'm sorry for you loss," Oakstar called from next to Jaystar after the female leaders had given their sympathetic murmurs. "Shall we start the Gathering?" All three leaders nodded. "We gather here underneath StarClan's watchful eyes to start another Gathering. I shall begin the Gathering. ShadowClan has four new warriors, Owlclaw, Olivefoot, Shrewtail, and Scorchfrost. One of our apprentices Redpaw was hit by a monster, but he is fine now. Soon he will join his denmates as a warrior." Oakstar flicked his tail to Mistystar, indicating that the RiverClan should speak next. Mistystar padded forward and meowed, "Our deputy Blackclaw has gone to join StarClan. RiverClan grieves for him, but we have a new deputy. Voletooth!" There were a couple cheers for Voletooth and then it was Jaystar's turn to speak.

"Firestar has gone to hunt with StarClan. I went to receive my nine lives and have returned as Jaystar. Losing Firestar does not make ThunderClan any weaker. We are as strong as we had been when Firestar walked the earth. Sorreltail has also gone to join StarClan and she will be missed greatly. She was a good warrior and friend to many. We have three new warriors, Featherfoot, Ivypelt, and Dovewing. Featherfoot is going to visit Stormfur and Brook in the mountains so she is not here tonight, but Ivypelt and Dovewing are. Stripepool has given birth to her third litter of kits while Rushleaf has mothered her first. ThunderClan is growing strong again!" Jaystar finished her speech and flicked her tail to Ashstar, indicating that it was the WindClan leader's turn to speak.

"A dozen dogs attacked WindClan a couple dawns ago. We have lost Autumntail and Owlwhisker," Jaystar felt her head beat rapidly. Autumntail had died in the dog attack?! The brown-and-white tabby was so young! He had his whole life instore for him. "We would have lost more warriors if not for ThunderClan. WindClan thanks you Jaystar and we too grieve for the lost lives of Firestar and Sorreltail." Jaystar nodded her thanks at Ashstar, her heart squeezing with pain. "There is nothing more to be said at this Gathering. Let us all go home and may StarClan grant us another safe Gathering in the upcoming moon." So it had ended. Jaystar's first Gathering as leader.