Chapter 3 Unfriendly Clanmates

Mosspaw awoke with a warm breeze fluffing up the fur on her back. She slowly opened her eyes, to see darkness. I must have slept until night time. Mosspaw thought.

She lifted her head, and let a yawn escape from her jaws. She slowly stood up, and realized she was back in reality. In the present MeadowClan. Great. More depression to deal with.

She quietly poked her head out of the ferns that covered the entrance of her nest to see Bluerain sitting in the corner. Her back facing Mosspaw. Mosspaw noticed her head laying down, and her tail sitting on the floor helplessly. It looked like a long piece of dead grass laying on the ground.

Mosspaw creeped up slowly towards the she-cat, cautious not to get too close. "B-Bluerain? Are you okay?" Mosspaw asked quietly.

Bluerain didn't answer. But then Mosspaw heard a faint whimper peep out from Bluerain's mouth. "Never…"

"What was that?" Mosspaw asked, trying to tilt her head over Blurain's shoulder to look at her face.

Bluerain slightly let her head sway over some of her shoulder. "Never has MeadowClan witnessed a leader with his heart missing," Bluerain whispered.

Mosspaw tilted her head in wonder and looked at Bluerain in sympathy. "If Goldenstar didn't have a heart, I'm afraid he'd be in StarClan," Mosspaw joked.

Bluerain turned all the way around until she was face to face with young Mosspaw. "You listen Mosspaw. And you listen closely," Bluerain whispered, almost choking on her words. "MeadowClan will not last long with this leader. We didn't even go to the gathering tonight. I'm afraid this is the end of this Clan unless Goldenstar puts his head on straight and shuts his mouth because all it's been doing lately, is jabbering about how much he hates us. I think he needs to sit in his den for a long, long time and realize what chaos he has caused for all of us. Especially Larksong. She never did anything to him. Nothing, Mosspaw. Except for love and care for him. He broke her heart Mosspaw. Did you realize that? He broke her heart into little tiny bits, and then spit on it." Bluerain paused, and looked outside the medicine den. Her eyes were wide, and looked like nothing but little balls of grey. Not one sparkle, not one little piece of light, no nothing. Not even a bit of emotion that Mosspaw could read. "He never used to be like this… never."

Mosspaw noticed Bluerain was scratching at the ground with her thick, white claws. Mosspaw felt her heart ache for Bluerain. Is she gonna go crazy too? Mosspaw thought, worriedly.

"Don't worry dear Mosspaw," Bluerain quickly flinched away from the sight she was looking at, and stared right into Mosspaw's brown eyes. "I'll take care of you. I'll protect you from the mistake of a leader we have."

Mosspaw felt scared at the words Bluerain was saying. I think she needs to take a little bit of a rest. Mosspaw thought.

Bluerain then walked to her den slowly, looking like she was tripping over her own paws every step she took. She rustled the ferns to her den as she pushed through them, and Mosspaw heard her sit down in her nest. "I'll take care of you…"

Mosspaw gulped, and laid down. She buried her face into her paws, and thought about all the memories she'd had. She thought and thought, of all the times where all her clanmates could count on her leader, and feel loved and cared for around him. Then she thought about the dream she had had the other night. About those three cats and the apprentice. Stealing his fish and tossing it back and forth like a moss ball. Not giving it back and leaving him helpless. Who were those cats? Did that dream mean something after all?

Mosspaw felt herself melt back into consciousness. Did I sleep out in the middle of the medicine den? Mosspaw thought, not wanting to open her eyes up to another stressful day. She let herself stretch out on her side, and spread out her body. It felt good to just relax. Even though she knew the relaxation would not last for another minute.

Mosspaw decided to get up. Might as well make the day a little useful. Mosspaw thought, rearing her body up in distress. She looked around, and saw that the sky was a creamy yellow. Above it was a pink stream flowing on the outside of it. Mosspaw blinked out the tiredness in her eyes, and licked a paw. Bluerain must still be asleep. Mosspaw thought. But she's usually up by now.

Mosspaw crept over to Bluerain's nest. She poked her head in silently, careful not to rustle the ferns around her protected entrance. It was cold, and dark in Bluerain's nest. Surely enough, Bluerain was curled up in her nest with her tail tip covering her nose.

Mosspaw turned around to see Dewpaw pushing herself into the medicine den. "Hey, Mosspaw,"

Mosspaw wondered why Dewpaw was paying a visit to her. "Hello," Mosspaw greeted. "what do you need?"

Dewpaw walked around, and sat where Mosspaw had slept. "Oh," Dewpaw grunted. "I just came in here because I figured you'd be awake."

What does she mean? Doesn't she have someone better to hang out with? Perhaps Icepaw. "Well I'm doing nothing special today. Why aren't you out on a patrol or something? Go hunting at least." Mosspaw urged, padding over to the herb isle to check on the marigold supply.

"Well you were the only one up besides me," Dewpaw meowed. "do you want me to leave? Because it sure doesn't sound as if I'm welcome." Dewpaw sat up, and flicked her tail towards the entrance.

Mosspaw turned around to see Dewpaw once again. She looked in distress. And her musky green eyes had bags under them as if she had gotten no sleep. "Every cat is welcome," Mosspaw declared. "I wasn't kicking you out if that's what you were asking."

"Where's Bluerain?" Dewpaw changed the subject. "Isn't she always awake by now?"

"Not today,"

Dewpaw paced a little. "That's odd,"

"Well I can't blame her for not wanting to come out of her nest. Having to deal with Goldenstar's sharp words."

"Who said I didn't want to come out of my nest?" Both Dewpaw and Mosspaw turned their heads to see Bluerain standing outside her den.

"Well, you're usually up before dawn," Mosspaw mewed, distracted from her check up on the marigold.

"Not always," Bluerain meowed, padding over to the stream to get a drink. "greetings, Dewpaw." Bluerain licked her jaws, and walked over to Mosspaw.

"H-hello," Dewpaw shyly answered. Why is she so shy to Bluerain all of the sudden? Mosspaw thought.

"Here, let me do that," Bluerain softly shoved Mosspaw to the side, and started to re-organize the herbs. Mosspaw bit back a reply and walked away. "Why don't you go play with Dewpaw?" Bluerain urged, not looking at Mosspaw or Dewpaw.

Mosspaw was puzzled. Play? Why would I want to play? Mosspaw ran over the word in her head a couple of times, and then nodded. Does she think I'm a kit again?

"Yes, I guess we should go get some fresh air?" Dewpaw encouraged, looking at Mosspaw.

In case you didn't notice Dewpaw, but I'm a medicine cat apprentice. I should be doing the duties of one. Not playing. Go play with Icepaw. Mosspaw made up her mind and padded out the medicine den with Dewpaw following behind. She spotted four apprentices coming out of the apprentice's den. She saw Strompaw, Icepaw, Thornpaw, and Frostpaw. They were all chatting non-stop. Mosspaw envied the free life of a warrior. But she didn't at the same time. Having to fight in ferocious battles, deal with hostile clans at border patrols, and endlessly hunt for prey.

The four apprentice's padded up to the warrior's den and came back out with their mentors; Hawkfeather, Moonglide, Rocktumble, and Mudsplash. "Oh, I better get to that too," Dewpaw meowed. Padding away and joining the rest of the apprentice's and mentors. Soon enough, Whiteblade came out, and they all left out the tunnel in a flash.

Mosspaw looked at the cats in envy. They always had an adventure ahead of them. And they had friends.

Mosspaw padded back to the medicine den. Bluerain was checking up on her herbs. "Mosspaw, do you think you could go fetch some goldenrod? We're running out." Her mentor mewed as she checked the rest of the herb supply.

Mosspaw heaved a painful sigh. "Well, when I was checking earlier, there was no gol-" Bluerain cut her off.

"Mosspaw! No objecting. Just go check please."

Mosspaw gave a quick nod and rushed out the medicine den. She hated when Bluerain got impatient with her. Mosspaw thought about it, and that was the only time Bluerain had gotten short with her. What is happening to my Clan? Mosspaw thought, scratching the grass covered earth beneath her paws. My leader is crazy, my mentor is not acting right, and I have no friends. Mosspaw hated being in MeadowClan. It used to be a blast in MeadowClan, but now it was just a place full of hatred and depression.

Mosspaw pushed her way out the grass and mud tunnel, and set off to find some goldenrod.

The sky was giving way to lots of light as sun-high creeped up on the sky. Mosspaw hadn't found any goldenrod besides the very few stems she found near a dry dirt place. Mosspaw realized she was too tired, and hungry so she just quit looking and padded back to camp.

As Mosspaw pushed through the grass tunnel, she heard a bunch of talk. Mosspaw froze as she realized she smelt LightningClan, BreezeClan, SunClan, and MoonClan. Mosspaw hesitated to push through the rest of the tunnel. Should I just leave and pretend I'm still looking for goldenrod? Mosspaw thought it over. No. Bluerain would probably worry.

Mosspaw gulped and then pushed through the rest of the tunnel. Immediately she spotted all her Clanmates gathered around four cats. I wonder who. Mosspaw decided to push away the thought and focus on dropping off her pitiful goldenrod collection before getting into whatever her Clanmates were doing.

Mosspaw quickly skidded around the huge jumble of cats, begging to not be seen. She quickly ran into the medicine den and called, "Bluerain? Bluerain! I got some goldenrod,"

Her mentor padded out of the herb store. Clearly still sorting. "That's it?" Bluerain scoffed.

"It's all I could find," Mosspaw gave out a little fib. I could have spent more time looking.

"I don't believe it," Bluerain growled. "first we lose our leader and now a precious herb? Wow! MeadowClan has really turned to a big piece of crow-food."

Mosspaw gasped at her mentors words. "No it hasn't!" Mosspaw dropped her goldenrod. "Goldenrod has never been popular in MeadowClan territory. And Goldenstar is just going through a stage. We'll get through this. It might not be the best MeadowClan has ever gone through, but it's better than being starved and getting green-cough." Mosspaw felt proud about her statement. Hopefully it would make Bluerain feel better. Mosspaw knew she was just flustered about Goldenstar. Everything would be okay at the end of everything.

Bluerain looked at Mosspaw thoughtfully. "I hope you're right Mosspaw,"

She picked up the goldenrod and padded back to their herb store. Mosspaw decided to change the subject. "So, why is the Clan all gathered around?" Mosspaw asked hesitantly.

Bluerain set down the goldenrod with the rest of their small collection, and shook her head. "Well, the other four Clans were worried about us since Goldenstar refused not to go to the gathering. Now he's arguing with all the cats and getting everyone all jumbled up," Bluerain answered, annoyed.

"Well, why don't we go join? See what's going on now," Mosspaw suggested. Her paws were itching to run out and eavesdrop on everything those cats were saying. Hopefully they put more since into Goldenstar's head! Mosspaw thought.

"I don't know Mosspaw," Bluerain didn't follow Mosspaw, and was staring at the ground. "I don't really want to get into an argument with all the Clans at once right now."

"Suit yourself!" Mosspaw hopped out of the den. She was too eagerly distracted to wait for her mentor to agree to coming with her. She wanted to hear what these cats had to say.

"That's no reason to not come to the gathering," Moonstar objected. "all the Clans were worried sick about MeadowClan. We didn't know if something happened, or if you were just running late-" Goldenstar cut her off.

"My Clan does what I wish it to do. And I didn't feel like going to another pointless gathering," all cats gasped at his harsh words. "besides, what's the point if StarClan has given up on my Clan?"

Mudsplash pushed his way through the cats to speak. "Who said StarClan has given up on MeadowClan? StarClan has given up on you Goldenstar!" Some yowls of agreement arose from cats of MeadowClan.

Dolphinstar slapped her tail over Mudsplash's mouth, making him quiet. Mudsplash awkwardly back away, his fur bristling. "StarClan has given up on no cat or Clan," Dolphinstar began. "Goldenstar, you have to realize that maybe StarClan sent out the wrong message. Besides, why would they tell you to hate everyone but your kin? I'm sure StarClan would never say anything like that."

"If it wasn't from StarClan, then why was it one of my warrior ancestors that sent the message?" Goldenstar protested.

"No one said StarClan didn't send you the message," said Berrystar.

"Basically," Goldenstar muttered. Mosspaw was eager to know what happened next. I've never been in a gathering like this before!

"Not basically," Greenstar shouldered his way through some pelts. "you're just mouse-brained Goldenstar."

More yowls of agreement came from MeadowClan. Wow. Even Goldenstar's Clan hates him.

"How dare you!" Goldenstar hissed, his fur bristling.

"How dare I? How dare you Goldenstar. And shame on you for not even caring the slightest for your Clan," Greenstar growled.

"Well they don't even care about me! I may as well just be banished from the Clans!" Goldenstar hissed once more, arching his back now.

"Who said your Clan doesn't care about you?" Mousestar began. "For all they know, you don't care about them for what I've heard."

Whiteblade padded up in the middle of the clearing while nodding her head. "Mousestar's right. Do you really care about us dad?" She asked, tilting her head.

"Whiteblade honey, I love you with all my heart," Goldenstar answered, though no love or affection showed in his golden eyes.

"Prove it then, daddy," Whiteblade challenged.

Larksong came to stand beside her daughter. "It's not worth it," She muttered, giving Goldenstar the most threatening stare. She then wrapped her tail around her back and Mosspaw saw her slightly shove her back.

"No, mom. I want to see how good of a feather he really is," Whiteblade nudged off her mothers tail and didn't let her eyes leave his.

Goldenstar sneered at her. "I'm done with all this worthless chatter," Goldenstar growled. "I want everyone to leave from my camp!"

Dolphinstar shook her head and looked at the ground. She looked sad. But why? "I'm sorry MeadowClan," Dolphinstar whispered. But Goldenstar switched his gaze quickly to her, he had heard what she said.

"Why are you sorry for my Clan?" Goldenstar took a step closer to her. Mousestar was wide eyed and looking back and forth between the two cats. He looked full of anxiety.

Dolphinstar slowly lifted her head, she blinked at Goldenstar, and swept her tail over Mousestar's chest to show everything would be okay. "Because they have a horrible leader," Dolphinstar bleakly replied.

"Who are you to say that I'm a horrible leader? I'm better than you!" Goldenstar snarled, his lips drawn back, showing his yellow and white teeth.

Dolphinstar didn't move. No hesitation or nervousness came from her. She was perfectly calm. "Oh really?" Dolphinstar meowed. "I think it's Hawkfeather's turn to become Hawkstar. He'd be a better leader than you."

Goldenstar looked Dolphinstar up and down. He began to circle around her. The cats around them began to back away, letting them lead their own challenge. But a voice sounded from the back of the crowd.

"Stop!" Hawkfeather shoved his way past the cats. He stood in between the two leaders with his tail held up to show he wanted the quarrel to stop. "This is not what the other Clans came here for. They came to check up on MeadowClan. And you, Goldenstar, should thank them for even caring about us. Goldenstar, I'm sorry, but I think it's time you retired from being leader." Shocked mews came up from all the cats. Even Goldenstar.

"No!" Goldenstar yowled. "Greenstar is older than me and he hasn't retired!" Goldenstar flicked his tail to the bulky black leader.

Greenstar rolled his eyes. "Goldenstar, I'm soon retiring as well. Bigear just hasn't had the chance to travel to the Moonhollow to get his nine lives,"

Goldenstar was taken aback from Greenstar's words. He was obviously surprised that Greenstar was soon retiring. Well maybe if you went to the gathering you'd know that Greenstar is about to retire. Mosspaw thought.

"Fine!" Goldenstar yowled. He leaped over the crowd of cats, almost hitting the tops of their heads. He sprinted out the grass-tunnel, and disappeared.

Mosspaw, and all the other cats, stared at the leader in astonishment. Where does he think he's going? Mosspaw thought. He won't have a Clan to go to that's for sure. Or maybe that's something he doesn't want to find.

"Well I guess that's that," Greenstar announced. "the other leaders and I best be going now."

Mosspaw felt a huge wave of grief for Goldenstar, but also felt a huge tide of relief sweep over her.

Dolphinstar, Mousestar, and Berrystar all nodded, and swept out of the grass-tunnel. Greenstar was leading them all.

A cat sounded from MeadowClan, "Hawkfeather! If Goldenstar doesn't come back, what are we going to do?

Hawkfeather hesitated for a moment and stared at the ground in sorrow. He finally lifted his bold head and opened his mouth to speak, "I'll be your leader for now,"