Author's Note: Sorry people for the long update time! (again ^^;) The combination of laziness, volunteering, video games and Youtube hits hard... (okay, scratch the volunteering, that was only for 1 and a half weeks :P). I also have to say this isn't my best chapter; I lost the urge to write for a bit...
Anyways, Read and Review people! Also, constructive critism is always welcome! (you can flame if you want to too... nom nom reviews)
Intruders Chapter 4: Dog
Lionstar widened his eyes. "How did a DOG of all creatures get onto our territory? Are you positive that it was a dog?"
Poppywhisker just replied with a stare and stated in a medical fashion, "For one, the claw marks and teeth marks on the specimen all point to a dog of big stature. One can tell by the size of the claw inprints and the way the teeth are spaced."
"Okay, then. Let's head back to camp... I'm pretty sure all of us are going to be sick if we stay here a moment longer." meowed the Lionstar as he started out the clearing, flicking his tail to signal for the two lone apprentices who just finished emptying their respective dinners onto the ground before a bush to follow.
(Time skip to next gathering)
Breezepaw was placidly following his mentor towards the fallen tree that led to the gathering island. As he crossed carefully crossed the open expanse of raging river, he heedfully unsheathed his claws as to get a better grip on the glistening but dangerously slippery wood. With delicate steps and grace bestowed on the feline family, he padded to the safety of the other side.
Once on the other shore and thankfully away from the threat of the river, he scented the air and was greeted by the mingling scents of the other three clans combined with his own. This brought forth the memory of the last prophecy in which the forlorn prophecy was said. With this thought in his head he headed towards the group of cats from the other three clans that he more or less called his friends. Sitting down beside them without a sound, the other cats didn't even notice his arrival while he perked his ears forward to hear the conversation better.
" ...apparently she found the body of Blueeyes and the scent of dog surrounding him..." Creekpaw trailed off with a sad look in her usually jubilant eyes. "Poor Blueeyes. He was a really nice cat. I'm sure Heatherwing will miss him..."
Breezepaw turned to his right, suddenly aware of the displacement of air from he sudden movement of Lightningpaw's head as the aforementioned apprentice perked up. Quickly noticing her error at giving away information that the clan might have wanted to be kept secret, Creekpaw hastily tried to cover up her mistake. "WAIT! I mean that didn't happen! No one died! Wait... What am I saying again? Okay, no one listen to me. I'm just making up random stories! Eh he he... he he... he he..." Creekpaw trailed off once more with a sheepish laugh.
An awkward moment ensued in the foursome of apprentices as a lone cricket could be heard chirping somehow distinctly through the noise of the rowdy gathering.
Breezepaw wondered how in Starclan that was possible.
All of a sudden, a crisp commanding and slightly gristly voice of Sharpstar rang throughout the clearing from the direction of the tree in which the clan leaders gave reports of what is happening in their clan. "Let the Gathering begin!"
Finding a way to break the silence/embarrassment, Creekpaw quickly turned around and meowed a quick "The gathering's starting" and said no more.
"Whitestar, would you like to start?" meowed the Shadowclan leader.
The white leader gave a nod and stood up. "Our elder Whisperear has made her journey to Starclan half a moon ago due to an unsuspected dog attack from twoleg hunters when she went out of camp. Windclan will miss her dearly and remember her for her time in servitude to the clan. Besides this, Windclan is strong! The rabbits are still running through the moors and every cat goes to bed with a well fed stomach. That is all."
The cats of Windclan bowed their heads in sorrow as they remembered their lost clanmate.
"I guess it is my turn," meowed Sharpstar. "Shadowclan has also lost an elder, Whitefur, also mauled by a dog."
"And so has mine." interrupted Oakstar.
"but, instead of an elder, Riverclan has experienced the loss of three loyal warriors."
Whispers sprang up throughout the clearing as the cats of the clans' minds processed the dreadful information while eyes grew wide in horror as horrible fantasies of death and being picked off one by one by their sworn enemy, who was apparently powerful enough to take down a warrior, swam through their frightened minds.
Oakstar stepped up. "I propose that all of the clans work together in this time of hardship! Like during the Great Journey, when the clans came together and unite against a common opponent, we will endure and come out on top!"
Sharpstar looked absolutely outraged. "Just because your clan suffered the most so far and the fact that APPARENTLY Riverclan is too weak to fend for themselves, doens't mean that the rest of the clans have to go pick up after you fish eaters and drag around your dead weight as we bear through this. ALSO, there is a REASON that there are four clans and not one big clan."
This was met with outrage and the bristling of fur and baring of teeth from many a cat from Riverclan.
Lionstar sighed. "Sharpstar was always so quick to anger and accuse, even when he was deputy! What was Toadstar thinking when he appointed him deputy? Ah right, the war..." thought the slightly elderly tabby leader. "I have to give this to him, Sharpstar IS a great tactition... but so focused on fighting, I have a feeling that this will bite him in the tail one day."
With that thought in mind, the Thunderclan leader declared, "Thunderclan will accept Riverclan's offer of an alliance! I also advise the rest of you do the same as the dogs have managed to take a bite out of each of our numbers and by bonding together and helping each other until the danger passes, the clans will greatly benefit."
Quickly met with outraged opposition from Windclan and Shadowclan, the Thunderclan leader swiftly backed down, not wanting to break the sacred peace on the night of the full moon.
"Have you gone senile with old age Lionstar?!" mocked the yellow eyed Windclan leader. "I will accept the fact that the dogs pose a threat but I have to agree with Sharpstar, there IS reason that there are 4 clans and not one. Windclan, follow me, we're going home."
"Shadowclan, we're going too."
When the other clans made their way across the tree bridge, the clans of River and Thunder were left alone in the clearing.
Slowly, the clouds diligently covered the shining light of the full moon.
No cat bothered to look up to see the message of Starclan's disapproval.