Graystripe's fur bristles with disbelief and fury as he gazes upon the new leader of Shadowclan standing on the Great Rock. He watches as the cat swings his massive head from side to side. Muscles ripple under his gleaming pelt, and his amber eyes seem to glow with triumph.

"Tigerclaw!" Graystripe spits out. His and Fireheart's old enemy-a cat who tried to kill him-is now one of the most powerful cats in the forest.

The full moon rides high above Fourtrees, shedding its cold light over the cats of the four clans, assembled for the Gathering. They have all been shocked to learn of Nightstar's death, the Shadowclan leader. But no cat in the forest expected, not even him, that Tigerclaw would be the new leader, the former Thunderclan deputy.

Besides Graystripe, Darkstripe is rigid with excitement, his eyes glittering. He wonders what thoughts are going through his dark-pelted clan mate. When Tigerclaw was banished he had been invited to go along, was he rethinking that choice now?

Crookedstar hisses at Tigerclaw, "How dare you become leader of Shadowclan after betraying your own clanmates!"

"I do not know…."

"You know exactly what I'm talking about! You tried to kill Graystripe and if my patrol hadn't arrived in time you would have killed him! Not to mention that you almost killed Bluestar by leading rouges that led to the death of Fireheart to pin the blame on them!"

Outrage and shocked mews ripple through the assembled cats.

"How could you Tigerclaw!"

"Almost killing your leader! How shameful!"

Tigerclaw hisses and bares his teeth, "Silence!"

The cats are stunned into silence.

"I admit I may been a little ambitious…."

Graystripe leaps onto the High rock, fury enveloping him. "A little ambitious? A little ambitious!" he screeches.

"You killed Redtail, tried to kill Ravenpaw, or at least make him look like an outsider because he knew the truth! You have hated Fireheart from the beginning and were even glad for his death! And you would have tried to Lionheart too if you had the chance had it not been for Shadowclan's attack on our camp moons ago! And you threatened to kill my clanmates and I one by one just as you did Runningwind!"

Crookedstar swishes his tail along his flank in comfort as he gasps for breath after yelling that all out. Luckily in his anger he did not reveal Bluestar's fragile state.

Tallstar asks, "Is that true Tigerclaw?"

Tigerclaw growls, but calms himself, "I might have. But I have my own clan to lead now. My grudge on Thunderclan and its weak leader Bluestar has been erased from my mind. Where is Bluestar, anyway?"

"She's recovering from the fire." Graystripe mews firmly, not allowing any room for weakness to show.

"I see. And anyhow I have Starclan's blessing. They named me his successor…."

"Fox-dung! There's no way Shadowclan, let alone Thunderclan cats would allow you to take over their clan!"

"Runningnose received a sign naming me as Nightstar's successor and Starclan led me to Shadowclan because me and my cats were strong and we were able to care for Shadowclan during their sickness. It was only thanks to Littlecloud and the things he learned from Cinderpelt that the remaining Shadowclan cats were able to survive. Shadowclan has Thunderclan's thanks."

Crookedstar lashes his tail, "And why should we believe you? You've done nothing but murder a deputy of a clan, and try to murder your own leader. You even killed a clanmate of yours and were going to kill more had Stonefur's patrol not stepped in."

"The moon isn't being clouded!" a cat from the gathered cats gasps.

"Then what Graystripe and Crookedstar are saying is true! Tigerclaw is a traitor to the warrior code!"

"Starclan has chosen me as Leader, despite my difficult past." Tigerclaw yowls, making the crowded cats silent. "I admit I was ambitious and anxious to lead, but I have changed. Me gaining the favor of Shadowclan and Starclan is proof of that. Graystripe….I pro….promise you that no harm will come to Thunderclan."

Graystripe flattens his ears not believing the Shadowclan leader for a second, but mews, "Fine. If Starclan chose you so be it. But I warn you Tigerclaw if you dare try anything the whole of Thunderclan will have your hide."

"Riverclan as well. Because if you threaten Thunderclan you threaten us all."

"Windclan too. We know what it is like to be driven out and almost going extinct as a result. There are four clans in the forest and there always will be. If you threaten that balance like Brokentail before you, then you will face the wrath of two clans, not just one."

Tigercl….star dips his head, "I understand."

Though Graystripe does not take his promise to heart. He knows what the deputy is like. He'll be up to something no doubt.

Tigerstar isn't granted the welcoming of his new title by any of the other clans. Only the Shadowclan cats yowl approvingly, the ex-Thunderclan's deputy's past having not tainted their view of their new leader.

The dark tabby then mews, "All the other news I have left to share is that Blackfoot will be the new deputy of Shadowclan and that I have invited the rouges back into the clan.."

With a jolt, looking at where the other clans deputy's are, he remembers that Blackfoot was among the cats that had Fireheart surrounded when he was brutally killed in the rogue attack. Shaking himself off the anger he pads forward, glancing at the other leaders to know if it is okay to speak. They both give nods that it is okay.

"As you know, fire started in the Treecut place a few dawns ago and destroyed our camp. Halftail and Patchpelt died and the clan honors them. And we especially honor Yellowfang. She went back into the burning camp to rescue Halftail. "He bows his head, memories of the old Medicine cat threaten to overwhelm him, but he continues, "I found her in her den, and I was with her when she died."

Wails of dismay break out among the listening cats. Not only did Thunderclan have reason to grieve for Yellowfang's death. Runningnose sits erect and gazes upward, his eyes clouded with sorrow.

"Our new Medicine cat is Cinderpelt. Bluestar suffered from breathing in smoke, but she is recovering. None of our kits were harmed. With Crookedstar's help we are rebuilding our camp anew. We offer special thanks to Riverclan who are helping us recover while the forest heals from its wounds. They also gave us harbor during the fire and without them we might have lost more cats."

Crookedstar acknowledges his word with a nod after he gazes at the leader with gratefulness. Pausing to take a deep breath, to calm himself before he turns to Tigerstar he mews, "Thunderclan accepts that the rogues have been accepted into your clan. It is good they have a clan again, because as rogues they threatened all four clans. We trust that they will be bound to the warrior code and will keep to their own territory."

He thinks he sees a gleam of surprise in Tigerstar's eyes, and he continues, "We will not tolerate any invasions onto Thunderclan territory. In spite of the fire we are strong enough to drive out any cats who sets a paw over our borders. We have no fear of Shadowclan."

Tallstar and Crookedstar exchange a glance and Crookedstar pads forward. Graystripe makes room for him as he pads away from the front of the Great Rock.

"Riverclan and Windclan have nothing of significance to say. This gathering has been an exciting one to say the least. And Tigerstar we will also not tolerate any invasions on our territory as well. This Gathering is adjourned."

The Riverclan leader then turns to face him and mews, "You did well despite the tension."

"Thanks, I'm just glad that Tigerstar's treachery is out in the open for all four clans to see. I am worried about him keeping his word though."

"As you should be. I will tell Bluestar of the news. This won't be easy for her."

"I know. I was hoping she would get better, but now…."

"This will take a toll on her, but letting her know that Windclan and I don't back up Tigerstar's claim to the leadership position should ease her mind a bit. Even if the truth had to be unearthed to get Windclan on our side."

"Tallstar would have been uneasy either way. Tigerstar is allowing the rogues that were Brokentail when he was exiled back into Shadowclan. And Tallstar isn't too keen to accept anything that has to do with Brokentail."

Crookedstar chuckles, "I suppose you're right. Now let's not keep our clans waiting. And since Tigerstar is a threat to both our clans, Riverclan will assist you in rebuilding your camp so it will be well defended when you go back after the forest has healed."

"Thank you Crookedstar."

"Your welcome Graystripe."