Chapter 81

"What are you going to tell the other Clans about Rosestripe?" Jaystar thought about Mousewhisker's question, not entirely sure of the answer. Jaystar heard Rustpaw, Tigerpaw, Butterflypaw, and Coalpaw scramble behind their Clan deputy, excited for their first Gathering. Jaystar's own apprentice, Bearpaw, and her sister, Badgerpaw, walked more calmly, but Jaystar was not blind to the anticipation in both of their eyes. Jaystar turned to answer Mousewhisker and was surprised when Spiderleg and Hazeltail had joined her deputy's side. Hazeltail merely looked curious about Jaystar's answer while Spiderleg's amber eyes were smoldering with anger as he silently ordered that Stripepool's murderer be shamed infront of all the other Clans. Jaystar wanted nothing more than to obey Spiderleg and ruin Rosestripe's memory, but as she glanced backwards her eyes locked with Toadflower's. Jaystar knew that the other Clans would comment on his loyalty too since his sister had been found murdering her own Clanmates.

"What Rosestripe did was ThunderClan business and I don't see why the other Clans have to know about anything. I will tell them exactly what happened; that both Rosestripe and Stripepool were found dead. If any cat says differently, they will serve on dawn patrol for a moon," Jaystar's eyes glanced at her kin- Butterflypaw and Coalpaw- who were trying to trip each other as they got closer to the island. Was it wise to invite such young cats to a Gathering where an important secret must be kept quiet? Jaystar trusted Rustpaw and Tigerpaw not to tell the truth about their mother's death, but did Butterflypaw and Coalpaw know that they couldn't gossip about Rosestripe and Stripepool? Jaystar wanted to believe they would, but couldn't be entirely sure. Foxfang- Butterflypaw's mentor- cuffed his apprentice over the ear as she attempted to nip her brother as he ran. Jaystar's shoulders relaxed. Jaystar knew that Foxfang as well as the other warriors would keep a close eye on the younger apprentices.

Jaystar sprang on top of the log and padded across into, landing on the island with a quiet thud. Jaystar noticed that ThunderClan and ShadowClan were the only Clans at the Gathering so far- odd since both Clans lived the farthest from the island. Nodding to Oakstar, Jaystar watched as her Clanmates greeted old friends. Mousewhisker was talking to the ShadowClan deputy, Rowanclaw, while Leafpool and Applefrost were talking with Littlecloud and Flamecloud. Spiderleg and Toadflower was talking to Dawnclaw while Hazeltail was watching Bearpaw and Badgerpaw fight with a group of ShadowClan apprentices. Rustpaw and Tigerpaw were wandering around the island, Foxfang flanking them, his amber eyes watchful. Jaystar noticed that Butterflypaw and Coalpaw were talking to two familiar cats; one gray and the other black-and-white. Did Butterflypaw and Coalpaw know that they were talking to their kin? Did they know that Brookclaw and Brokenheart were their kin?

"Hey everyone," Jaystar nodded at Ashstar's greeting. WindClan cats soon joined ThunderClan and ShadowClan and Jaystar noticed that Whitetail jumped to sit inbetween Mousewhisker and Rowanclaw. What had happened to Tornear? The WindClan deputy? Turning her questioning eyes onto the WindClan leader, Ashstar sighed as she realized what Jaystar was wondering about. "Tornear went to hunt with StarClan yesterday. A fox was scented nearby, but we haven't seen it yet. Whitetail is still grieving for him, but I believe once she overcomes her grief she will become a good deputy for WindClan. I notice that WindClan isn't the only Clan with changes though. What happened to Rosestripe?" Jaystar glanced down at her paws. Here was the truth that she was going to try so hard to avoid. Thinking about the quick lie, Jaystar turned to Oakstar and Ashstar.

"Rosestripe died along with one of our nursing queens, Stripepool. Perhaps the same fox that attacked Tornear attacked them?" Jaystar meowed grabbing at Ashstar's story. Jaystar was aware of Mistystar's arrival, but kept on telling the story. "I appointed Mousewhisker as my deputy." Oakstar suddenly gave a yowl, attacting all eyes to him. Jaystar's own eyes narrowed. Starting the Gathering was usually something the Clan leaders decided on together. It wasn't something that one did randomly. What was so important that Oakstar started the Gathering without the other Clan leaders permission? Jaystar shared a glance with Ashstar and Mistystar, but remained silent.

"Has everyone noticed that the new ThunderClan deputy is Mousewhisker?! Another kittypet?! Firestar was an amazinig cat, but we don't want all of our powerful cats kittypets instead of warriors like we used to be! Jaystar seems to be trying to fill all of ThunderClan's high ranks with kittypets! First Rosestripe and now Mousewhisker! And for those of you who don't know, Jaystar herself is kittypet!" Jaystar's glared at Oakstar in complete shock. What had made Oakstar say those things?! Oakstar who Jaystar always got along with ever since he became leader of ShadowClan. There was another question that Jaystar wanted answered. How had Oakstar known that Jaystar was a kittypet?

"Oakstar, you-"

"Say that to my face, foxdung!"

Jaystar watched as Mousewhisker leapt to his paws, snarling at Oakstar who glared down at the younger warrior. Rowanclaw lunged at Mousewhisker and the two deputies rolled around, Whitetail springing backwards in surprse. Hazeltail sprang forward and pulled Rowanclaw off her brother, hissing and spitting at the senior warrior. Spiderleg and Dawnclaw were snarling at each other while Toadflower tried to keep the peace. Bearpaw and Badgerpaw were now fighting with unsheathed claws with the ShadowClan apprentices that they had been play-fighting with moments before. Rustpaw and Tigerpaw were crouched down in fear and Jaystar couldn't blame them. The only cats who didn't seem to be fighting were Leafpool, Applefrost, Butterflypaw, and Coalpaw. They were sitting in the middle of the clearing, eyes wide with shock. Jaystar glanced around in horror. Why wasn't StarClan stopping them?!

"Stop!"

Jaystar glanced at Littlecloud who was sitting in between the snarling apprentices, his eyes glaring at Jaystar and Oakstar. "Look up!" Jaystar glanced upwards and saw that a dark cloud had covered the moon. StarClan had finally arrived. "StarClan are angry with you! This is a Gathering, a time of peace, or have you all forgotten?! Oakstar, you jeer at ThunderClan, but their kittypets obey the laws of StarClan better than you!" Jaystar glanced at Oakstar who looked like he wanted to attack his medicine cat. Normally medicine cats didn't argue with their Clan leaders during a Gathering.

Leafpool padded to Littlecloud's side and meowed, "This Gathering is over!" Jaystar had never been more relieved.