Chapter 7

Memories of her dream were still fresh in her mind. It felt like seasons ago when she had woken up from that nightmare. In reality, only three days had passed.

Now, Raincloud sat perched on a rocky boulder as she watched her kits practice their fighting moves. Sootpaw had become a skilled fighter, while Smokepaw and Shadowpaw were quickly catching up. Raincloud found it hard to believe they were growing up so fast. She missed the days when she would stay in the nursery and watch as they grew into apprentices. They were always so eager to learn about the caves and the territory surrounding MoonClan.

Raincloud thought back to how she used to be so curious about everything. She hadn't realized until then just how much the kits reminded her of herself. She couldn't help but purr at the thought. Now she knew how her mother felt when she and Bluelightning went off exploring.

"No, you have to keep your claws extended, otherwise it won't work," Blazelight sighed as he scolded Shadowpaw for making yet another mistake. Shadowpaw wasn't deterred by his rebuking as she tried again and again, until finally getting the move right. "That's much better, and doesn't it feel more natural to use your claws like that?"

"Yeah, it does," Shadowpaw beamed with pride. "Mamma, did you see what I could do?" she asked as she looked at her mother expectantly.

"I did," Raincloud purred in response. "You're almost as strong as Sootpaw, now."

Shadowpaw looked even happier at that praise. Once the apprentices were finished training, they returned to camp to clean out the elder's den. Raincloud found that Smokepaw was already helping out out with that task. She couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as her son worked his tail off to keep the elders happy.

He really has his father's spirit, she thought happily.

"Have you thought of who is going to the Gathering?" Raincloud's head tilted to one side when she caught Goldenleaf talking to Oakstar. The MoonClan leader had been busy working out how they would find extra prey in the area. He still had no idea that Raincloud was secretly hunting for FireClan as well, and she preferred to keep it that way.

"I've put a lot of thought in it, and the announcement will be made tonight," Oakstar replied before giving Raincloud a quick look. "How are the apprentices progressing?" he asked once Goldenleaf left. Raincloud didn't miss the look Goldenleaf gave her. She rolled her eyes at the sight before dipping her head respectfully to Oakfire.

"They're training is going wonderfully," she told him, forcing back a purr as she pictured Shadowpaw perfecting the move that Blazelight taught her. "Shadowpaw especially is proving to get better every day."

"That's good to hear," Oakstar sighed in relief. "I've been so caught up in making sure the Clan is well fed, that's impossible to keep track of the apprentices."

Raincloud nodded in understanding. She was fully aware of the fact that the whole Clan was working overtime to keep themselves well fed. Greenleaf seemed to bring the worst of everyone as prey became more scarce. Once again, she was reminded of the horrifying nightmare that her father had sent her. Should she tell him about it? Part of her thought it was important to keep such a dream secret, yet another part of her thought it would be best for Oakstar to know the Clans' fate.

I need to put my Clan above all else, she reminded herself as she joined Shadepelt and Flaretail by the warrior's den. She felt guilty for going behind her Clan's back and hunting for FireClan. Yet she also felt guilty for whatever was happening to FireClan.

Flowerstar was a close friend of hers. She couldn't let one Clan fall just because they were starving. Once again, she was reminded of a time when Silverstar ruled over the valley. She had tried taking over MoonClan when they refused. When that happened, she kidnapped Raincloud and tried using her as an ultimatum. Silverstar had tried using the same trick on StreamClan, only this time she had kidnapped Sandstar's kits. He was forced to submit to her rule, or she would have killed his kits without hesitation.

"Let all cats old enough gather around the Rockmound for a Clan meeting!" Raincloud's ears perked forward at the sound of Oakstar's call.

Almost at once, everyone seemed to know exactly what this meeting was about. A sense of excitement and anxiety seemed to surge through everyone as they headed for the main cave where meetings were held. Oakstar himself stood at the top of a mound that was made of rocks and a slight hill. Raincloud could still remember climbing over the mound when she was a kit, and watching her own kits do the same thing.

"I can't wait to see if we're chosen to go," she heard Smokepaw whisper as he joined his littermates in the den. She held back a purr of amusement. This would be their first Gathering, and she was hoping they would go herself.

Attending a Gathering was something that every cat should experience. Raincloud remembered her first Gathering. It had been overwhelming, especially as she recalled all the different scents and sounds. She pictured all of the cats she had made, some who were still good friends of her, others who had become rivals.

"I have decided on who will be attending the Gathering tonight: Willowflame, Mousefang, Petalfur, Owlflight, Cloudfeather and Blazelight will attend," Oakstar announced as everyone watched him expectantly. "It has also come to my attention that there is rising tension between all four Clans, with the heat of greenleaf in place. I do not want anyone to start a fight, and if you do, you will answer directly to me."

A spark of unease suddenly pricked at Raincloud's shoulders. Oakstar's eyes had fallen upon her when he said that. She didn't want to think of what might happen if he thought she was the cause between these border skirmishes. If he thought she was, than maybe he had bees in his brain.

"Yes, we were all chosen to go!" Shadowpaw exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she joined Smokepaw and Sootpaw near the cave's entrance. Raincloud couldn't help but purr in amusement as she watched her kits.

I'm glad they can go together, she thought happily. There were hidden reasons behind her wishing they could attend. Raincloud's mind wandered back to the first time she had met their father. This would be the first time he could see them. She just hoped that he was as proud of them as she was.

"Raincloud, can you say hi to Iceshadow for me?" Shadepelt asked as he joined her. "It's been moons since I last saw her... I just want to make sure that she's safe."

"Of course, but do you think she'll be there tonight?" Raincloud tilted her head to one side as she thought of Iceshadow. The white and silver she-cat had always been a bit more distant towards MoonClan than her siblings. She had felt like an outcast when she discovered that her mother died giving birth to her.

"I'm sure she will," Shadepelt replied confidently. "Iceshadow is a strong warrior, like her mother. I have no doubt that by now, she has earned all of their trust and respect."

Raincloud shook her head doubtfully, but she would be more than willing to oblige nonetheless. She knew how important his kits were to him. Shadepelt thought he'd lost everything when Frostwing died. That all changed as he watched his kits grow into fine warriors of MoonClan and StreamClan.

With that said and done, everyone waited impatiently for Oakstar to leave. Raincloud wasn't surprised to find Bluelightning already sitting at the cave's entrance along with Featherstorm and Wrenpaw, his apprentice. She couldn't help but duck her head under her mother's piercing gaze.

Featherstorm had only retired to the elder's den a moon ago. She was still energetic enough to be considered a warrior, though. Raincloud was proud to call Featherstorm her mother, especially given how much they had all been through as a family.

Soon, the sun was beginning to set over the valley. Oakstar had already taken his place at the front of the group, while Raincloud lagged behind to ensure that everyone made it to the Gathering place safely. She suspected things were not going to go as planned.

With that thought in mind, Oakstar had started leading the group towards the Gathering area. The Ancient Oak was where Gatherings were held, under the starry sky surrounded by tall bushes and ferns. Raincloud could still remember her first Gathering as an apprentice.

Those days seemed so long ago. Yet it felt like they had just happened. A purr rose in her throat as she remembered how Shadepelt had told her about Flamerose and their first encounter. That had ended miserably when Silverstar was still in power. Flamerose had a meow worse than her bite, similar to Rowanfire.

"I can't wait to see what the Gathering is like," Sootpaw whispered to Shadowpaw and Smokepaw. "I wonder what FireClan warriors are like?"

"I heard they're nasty pieces of work," Smokepaw mewed under his breath, unaware that his mother was listening.

"Don't be mousebrained!" Hollypaw snapped as she joined in. "FireClan cats are just as nice as everyone else, if you know how to talk to them. Most of my friends are apprentices in the Clan... or were."

Raincloud restrained a purr at the looks Smokepaw and Sootpaw gave the older apprentice. Some things would never change. FireClan's reputation had spread throughout the other Clans like wildfire. It didn't surprise her that so many cats were afraid to meet them.

Soon, they passed the Silver Birch and arrived at the clearing where the Gatherings were held. Raincloud noticed with a start that SunClan was already there. Her heart swelled with hope as she wondered if Risingstorm would be there. It felt like moons since they last saw one another, since he had not been able to attend the last few Gatherings.

"Hi, Raincloud, it's good to see you again!" Heathercloud was the first to greet her as Oakstar led the way into the clearing. Raincloud nodded in agreement, a purr rising in her throat as she saw how sleek and healthy Heathercloud looked.

"And you," she replied. "How is the Clan doing?" Almost at once, Heathercloud's look of happiness was replaced with a look of worry. She glanced over her shoulder and finally let out a sigh of frustration, her whiskers and tail drooping.

"Not as well as we would like," she replied, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Kestrelstar is upset with the lack of prey we've been finding in our territory. She swears that StarClan is against us."

Unease crawled through Raincloud when she realized just how much faith Kestrelstar had lost over the moons. She remembered how Sootstar had blamed StarClan for letting SunClan suffer all those moons ago. It felt as if history was repeating itself.

"I saw FireClan wasn't in much better shape," she murmured thoughtfully. "I wonder if the other Clans are doing just as poorly."

"I don't know, but something needs to be done soon," Heathercloud meowed.

She left it at that and joined the rest of her Clanmates. That was when Raincloud saw one face in particular that made her heart flutter like a bird. His pelt was sleek and well groomed, and seemed to glow in the moonlight that surrounded the clearing.

"Raincloud," the black and white tom whispered as he emerged from the crowd of SunClan cats. "It feels like it's been moons."

"That's because it has been," she purred as they sat only tail-lengths from each other. The last thing she wanted was to make it obvious who she had feelings towards. Rowanfire was already suspicious enough; she didn't want the others to feel the same way. "How did you manage to attend this time?"

"I had to suck up to Kestrelstar," Risingstorm replied with a roll of his eyes. "Plus, my sister moved into the nursery a day ago. She's the one who usually goes in my place."

Raincloud's eyes widened in amazement at the realization that Echoflower was going to be a mother. She had often seen Echoflower spending time with a pitch black tom known as Umberclaw. It wouldn't surprise her if he was the father.

"It's good to see you again," she purred.

"And you," Risingstorm whispered, brushing his muzzle against hers just once. "... Are those our kits I see?" His eyes suddenly fell upon Sootpaw, Smokepaw and Shadowpaw. They were talking eagerly with a couple of SunClan apprentices known as Mintpaw and Wetpaw.

"Yes... they've grown up so fast, it's hard to believe that they're apprentices already," she replied. "Shadowpaw has your spirit."

"Sootpaw has your pelt color," Risingstorm purred in amusement at the sight. "I wish I could have been there when they were born."

"You know that isn't possible," she reminded him, feeling that familiar pang in her chest. She suddenly wished they were from the same Clan, and understood how Shadepelt felt after all those moons ago. "We need to move on with our lives... I'm the Clan deputy, and I need to put my Clan first."

Risingstorm was clearly not happy with that idea. He scowled and looked down at his paws.

"I wish there was a way past that stupid code... it doesn't make sense," he grumbled crossly.

She brushed her tail gently across his ear, wishing desperately that there was a way past this herself. "I'm sorry," she sighed after standing up. "But this is how we must live our lives."

She could feel Risingstorm's gaze boring into her as she joined the rest of her Clanmates. Raincloud refused to make eye contact with him, knowing that would only make her feel worse. A heavy lump formed in the back of her throat as she realized how risky this was.

We can't keep doing this, she thought bitterly. Forbidden love always ends in tragedy.