Vineleaf padded beside Jayfeather toward the Gathering. Hawkfur was right behind her. Since it was his first Gathering as a ThunderClan warrior Vineleaf told him to stay close to her and try to stay away from Breezepelt. He had agreed to do just that. Vineleaf glanced over her shoulder at the tom. He had his head down and looked nervous. Vineleaf fell back beside him.
"Don't worry. You'll be fine," Vineleaf soothed.
"But won't Bramblestar tell them that I've joined ThunderClan?" Hawkfur asked.
"Yes," Vineleaf answered.
"How will the other Clans react? Breezepelt will definately not be happy," Hawkfur pointed out.
"I know," Vineleaf meowed, calmly. "The Clans might be a little shocked but they'll eventually get used to it. Until then just don't let them bother you. All that matters is you can be with Sunheart now."
Hawkfur smiled at the mention of his mate. "Everytime I hear her name I think of her beautiful golden pelt and sparkling blue eyes. Her caring attitude, her sweet smiled, and the beautiful kits she has."
"You're lucky to be their father," Vineleaf meowed. They didn't have time to say anymore before they reached the island. Hawkfur followed Vineleaf over to where the medicine cats sit. Kestrelflight noticed him.
"Hawkfur? What are you doing here?" the WindClan medicine cat asked.
"He's a ThunderClan warrior now," Jayfeahter answered sitting down beside Mothwing.
"I'm glad you found a new home. I hated the way Breezepelt chased you out and how Onestar just let him, but I could do nothing to stop it. I'm sorry Hawkfur," Kestrelflight meowed bowing his head.
"It's alright, Kestrelflight. It's not your fault my father is a mange-pelt," Hawkfur replied smiling at his former Clanmate. Kestrelflight smiled back.
"What happened?" Willowshine asked.
"Why were you chased out?" Nightpaw asked, her eyes full of curiousity.
"I fell in love with a ThunderClan warrior," Hawkfur answered.
"Really? Is that really a reason to chase a cat out of their Clan?" Mothwing asked.
"To Breezepelt it is, and Onestar wasn't about to stop him. The only cats that wanted me to stay besides Kestrelflight were Crowfeather, Raventail and Heathertail," Hawkfur explained.
Littlecloud opened his mouth to say something but Onestar suddenly called the meeting to order. "We have recently chased a traitor out of our territory. Hawkfur," he began. The Clans gasped and began to ask why but Onestar ignored them. "If anyone sees him on their own territory you are more then welcome to shred him." Onestar stepped back and Mistystar stepped forward.
"Onestar, you are a reasonable leader, so I must demand you tell us why you chased one of your own warriors out," the RiverClan leader meowed, calmly.
"He betrayed us!" Breezepelt shouted from where he sat. Mistystar ignored his shout and kept her gaze focused on Onestar. Onestar stayed quiet, so Mistystar continued to give her report. Once she was done, Blackstar stepped forward.
"Onestar, you must not leave us without a reason," he pointed out. "You cannot expect us to attack Hawkfur if we do not know what he did wrong."
Onestar stared at the older leader for a moment. Being the oldest of the four leaders Blackstar held a little more respect than the others. Finally, Onestar spoke. "He betrayed his Clan, Blackstar. That is all it is to it."
Blackstar didn't look satisfied, but went on to give his report anyway. When he was done, Bramblestar stepped forward. Vineleaf saw Hawkfur tense beside her. Surprisingly nobody had noticed him besides the medicine cats, but now they would all know. Vineleaf rested her tail on Hawkfur's shoulder as Bramblestar began to speak.
"Onestar, ThunderClan knows exactly why you chased the innocent warrior out of your territory and we will not stand by and leave this poor cat without a home," Bramblestar began. The cats from RiverClan and ShadowClan began to murmur to each other.
Onestar flattened his ears. "Do you mean you are going to attempt to find him? He's probably a good ways away from the territory now. I wouldn't be surprised if he was half-way to the old forest now."
"He's closer than you think," Bramblestar stated. Onestar narrowed his eyes and Bramblestar continued. "Reveal yourself to your former Clanmates, Hawkfur!"
Hawkfur stood up and every cat turned to look at him. Breezepelt's fur bristled at the sight of his son. "What are you doing here, traitor?"
"Hawkfur is now a warrior of ThunderClan," Bramblestar explained.
"Why was he chased out in the first place?" Tawnypelt asked from a crowd of ShadowClan cats. Bramblestar rested his gaze on his sister as he answered.
"He fell in love with a ThunderClan cat," he answered. The Clans gasped and Hawkfur looked like he wished he could just disappear.
"Who?" Hollowflight of RiverClan asked.
"That was actually another peice of news I had to share with you. We have gained a new queen recently who gave birth to two young toms named Firekit and Swiftkit. That queen is Hawkfur's mate. That queen is Sunheart," Bramblestar meowed strongly.
"Sunheart?"
"The daughter of Lionblaze?"
"But he saved the forest and his Clan! Why would his daughter take a WindClan warrior for a mate?"
Vineleaf saw Lionblaze sitting with Cinderheart. He looked like he was ready to shred any cat who dared say anything bad about his daughter. Vineleaf turned her attention back to the Great Oak. Onestar looked furious but Blackstar and Mistystar nodded with acceptance and understanding.
"A wise choice, Bramblestar," Blackstar meowed.
"We hope he fits in well," Mistystar added.
Bramblestar nodded his thanks. The leaders then leaped down from the tree and the Gathering was over. Vineleaf saw Bramblestar nuzzled Tawnypelt goodbye before leading his Clan off the island. Vineleaf followed with Jayfeather and Hawkfur. Just as Bramblestar leaped up onto the tree bridge a shriek split the cool night air. The whole of ThunderClan looked to see Breezepelt had leaped at Hawkfur had sunk his teeth into Hawkfur's shoulder. Raventail and Crowfeather stared in horror.
"Breezepelt! Leave him alone! This is a Gathering!" Crowfeather ordered but Breezepelt didn't listen.
Raventail had tears welling up in her eyes. "Stop it, dad! Stop it!" she pleaded, but once again, Breezepelt ignored his kin.
Vineleaf was about to leap to help Hawkfur when a tabby pelt flashed at the corner of her eye. Bramblestar dashed pasted his Clan and knocked Breezepelt away from Hawkfur with a hard blow from his paws. Breezepelt tumbled to the ground but no injury could be seen on his dark pelt. When he attacked, Bramblestar's claws had been sheathed. The ThunderClan leader helped Hawkfur to his paws.
"I will not allow you to hurt one of my warriors at a Gathering! You should be ashamed Breezepelt!" Bramblestar growled. Onestar then emerged out og the undergrowth. "Keep your warrior under control," the ThunderClan leader growled before leading the Clan away, Hawkfur right beside him.
Sorry for not updating sooner!
I had a basketball game to go to that the pep band signed up for and then I had to study because exams start on Wednesday and I have 7 total and three of them that day! I'm too afraid to fail!
Thanks for waiting and I'll try to update soon! :)
