Chapter 12: Futures that hang in the balance...

Ivypool stared defiantly at her leader, waiting for Bramblestar to react. The clan was a mixture of hisses and gasps. Ivypool had clearly ridiculed her leader's choices. Her skinny, grey and white tail brushed the leaf covered floor. Ivypool felt the comfort of the gentle leaf fall sun on her tense fur. Bramblestar shot Ivypool a look of pure shock and outrage. The clan's shouts bombarded her ears, making them hurt. Maybe I shouldn't have said that... Ivypool thought regretfully. She looked at Birchfall, who shook his head slightly. Ivypool looked at Dovewing, her sister's brilliant blue eyes were wide in horror, Ivypool could just tell she was thinking what have you done?

A yowl from Bramblestar silenced the clan. "Ivypool" he sighed "you can stay in thunderclan." Ivypool could tell by his tone that he wasn't impressed. Ivypool nodded and backed away into the crowd of cats who wanted her to stay. Bramblestar then turned to Birchfall. "Birchfall, you have provided thunderclan loyal service for many moons, however, we know you went into the dark forest. You are not stupid, you must have realised who was training you. So, tell me now, why shouldn't I kick you out?" the last words were a growl.

Birchfall, shook his head then gulped, he looked up at his leader with huge amber eyes. "I trained in the dark forest to protect my clan, I fought for thunderclan in the battle, and I used the skills they gave me against them. I am a Thunderclan cat, my heart and home is here." Birchfall puffed out his chest when he spoke, clearly unfazed by the narrowed eyes of the other cats. Bramblestar smiled, which surprised Ivypool. "Birchfall, I have seen you grow up in Thunderclan, and I know you are a loyal cat. You may stay in Thunderclan, but be warned; I will be keeping an eye on you." The last words were said clearly and deeply. Bramblestar was clearly still unsure.

Then Bramblestar called Thornclaw forward. The large golden brown tabby looked nervous. His yellow eyes were narrowed against the sunlight. Bramblestar looked down on Thornclaw with harsh narrowed eyes. Ivypool recalled a large amount of tension between Bramblestar and Thornclaw recently. The large golden tabby had been much more confident and argumentative since he had started training in the dark forest.

"Thornclaw, you fought for the clans in the battle. Or so you claim. You were chosen to go with the shadowclan patrol however I never saw you fight." Bramblestar finished with a growl. The clan gasped, they couldn't believe what they were hearing. Brackenfur stepped up towards his brother and stared at him with worried eyes. Was Thornclaw loyal? Then again it might just be Bramblestar disliking him, but still.. I can't remember seeing Thornclaw fight in the battle.

Thornclaw lifted his head and growled at Bramblestar "You can't use your opinion of me as a weapon, Bramblestar."

Bramblestar growled. The clan was silent. "So, then Thornclaw, what do I do with you?"

"The more likely question is Bramblestar, what do I do with myself?"

"So, Thornclaw, would you like to make yourself an outcast, loner, rouge?"

Thornclaw hissed. "let's just say I don't think I am a warrior of Thunderclan anymore."

Thornclaw could no longer speak, the clan was in the middle of an uproar. Shouting accusations and insults at the golden warrior. Thornclaw kept his head high despite the angry yowls. Brambleclaw unsheathed his claws. "I never thought you would go this low Thornclaw. You don't exactly remind me of a traitor."

Thornclaw narrowed his eyes in anger, and he continuously unsheathed and sheathed his claws. "I am NOT a traitor. I am choosing my own path, nothing more."

Bramblestar held his head high and his fur rose to make him look huge. Making Thornclaw look like a small mouse against a lion. "You trained with Tigerstar, you knew full well who he was. You are defiantly a traitor Thornclaw."

"Tigerstar gave me skills that made me as strong as thunder, and if we ever meet in battle Bramblestar, you will know how much it benefited me. By my claws." Thornclaw unsheathed his claws, they looked long and deadly.

"Thornclaw, you from this day forward and until you die, are exiled from thunderclan. You betrayed your clan by training with a group of murderers; you also had the audacity to threaten your clan leader. Be gone." The leader dismissed the tom with a sweep of his tail. Thornclaw nodded. Then padded back to Blossomfall and Mousewhisker. Bramblestar eyed him carefully. "Thornclaw?"

"I'm waiting Bramblestar, I don't think I am leaving by myself." ...

That was a big chapter! Wow! Ok, this isn't the end to the meeting we still have to see what will happen to Blossomfall and Mousewhisker.

By the way, if Thornclaw sounds evil he isn't, he's just looking for a fresh start, away from Thunderclan. He's pretty lonely there so he has decided to move on...

I don't own warriors or Erin hunter's plots or characters but I do own the plot in this story and the characters that I will be making up. So please don't steal ;)

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