The Heart of a Lion

Chapter 23: A Talk with Onestar

"Heathertail, everything Sol said is true, isn't it?" Onestar asked me. "Have you been involved with Lionblaze. Are your kits being taken care of by ThunderClan?"

I looked down at my paws, not sure what he wanted me to say. I wished I could deny it, but it was too late now. I listened for the voices of the other cats, but they all fell completely silent as if they disappeared altogether.

"Heathertail?"

With Lionblaze pressed against me, I finally looked up. "Yes, it is."

Onestar and Firestar glanced at each other. I wondered what they were thinking. Would they be furious that two of their warriors were involved in such a scandal? Would Onestar banish me for giving away my kits and forcing grief upon the rest of the Clan? What was Firestar thinking about Lionblaze?

Finally Firestar spoke. "This is no business to address at a Gathering. We should all go back to our camps. This is strictly WindClan/ThunderClan business."

"What's the matter? You don't want to discuss the actions of your disloyal warriors where everyone can hear?" Leopardstar crooned.

Barkface stood up. "Enough. Look at thr sky. StarClan doesn't want us fighting. The Gathering must be over!"

I noticed the moonlight was shrouded against a thick cloud, plunging the clearing into total darkness. Wails of panic swept over the clearing, and the cats quickly divided into their four Clans again.

I glanced at Lionblaze's dark form. "We have to go."

"I know. It is will be okay, I promise."

I wished he could say more to make me feel better, but there wasn't enough time. Lionblaze was carried away by his ThunderClan Clanmates. I wanted to follow him, but Onestar sharply called my name, and I quickly hurried over to where WindClan was gathered. They were already exiting the clearing, along with all the other Clans. We hadn't had a Gathering end so suddenly for as long as I could remember.

Even with my Clan around me, I never felt more alone. No one met my gaze, and I could tell Weaselfur and Tornear were talking about me. I lowered my head and followed them off the island.

"You don't need to be nervous. Please, just make yourself comfortable," Onestar meowed.

How can I be comfortable? I was alone with Onestar in his den right after Sol revealed an unbelievable secret about me at The Gathering. I might as well start digging my grave now.

"What did you want to talk to me about?" I asked meekly.

He laughed slightly, making my stomach tighten. "I think we both know what I want to talk to you about." He sat in front of me, tail curled over his paws. "I can't believe you have had this secret relationship going on for so long. I guess I can't blame you. Sometimes it is hard to live divided by invisible boundaries, and Lionblaze is a decent cat. He is a great fighter and shows great potential for a warrior so young. I just don't understand why you let this get so far."

I looked at the walls of Onestar's den, suddenly taking interest in the woven grass walls. "I know. I am really sorry that you had to find out this way."

He cocked his head, inquiring I should continue.

"And that this happened. I know it was a mistake. I just want everything to be back to normal. This can end right now. That is why I told the lie about the kits. I didn't want things to get out of hand. I felt it was best to let them be raised in ThunderClan," I explained.

"Why?" Onestar asked. "Why do you feel your kits can't be safe in their own Clan?"

"I can't tell you." I hesitated, wondering maybe if I should tell him. This was my Clan leader, and I always looked up to him ever since I was small. If there was anyone I could trust in the Clan more than anyone else, it should be him. Maybe he would understand about Breezepelt. I sighed. That didn't seem to be much of a reason anymore. I did it so Breezepelt wouldn't tell the Clan my secret and so that he wouldn't seek more revenge on Lionblaze. Now that Sol ruined everything…what reason was there that my kits were in ThunderClan?

"I thought you might say that." Onestar met my gaze. "So many secrets," he added with a shake of his head. "That is why I have decided to take them back."

"No, you can't do that. It is my wish to let themto be raised by ThunderClan. They are half Lionblaze's kits too," I added. I remembered the pain I felt when my kits were taken away, and I knew I couldn't do the same thing to Lionblaze by having Onestar confiscate them back.

"I forgot. Are you the leader of this Clan? Do you make decisions for everyone in WindClan?"

"But-"

"I know sending them to ThunderClan was your initial wish to make peace, but that is impossible now. Those kits are more WindClan than ThunderClan, and we will fight to have them back. They are the future of WindClan, and with so few kits born lately, I thought you would have a little more loyalty instead of sending of WindClan's future warriors away to be trained as our enemies."

I stood up defiantly. "I am not disloyal. I have made some mistakes, but it is unfair for you to call me disloyal."

Onestar lowered his voice, and his green eyes softened. "You are right. You are still a loyal warrior at heart, and it was wrong of me to accuse you of being disloyal. It is just that I know what is best for the Clan. We will get those kits back, and that is my final decision."

I bowed my head to hide my anger. I couldn't further disrespect my leader. I just wished someone would listen to me for once.