The sky is growing pale with the first light of dawn when Graystripe and his warriors alongside the Riverclan warriors return to Riverclan camp. Although he knows what he will find, he is still worried that Tigerstar made an attack on the unsheltered camp, because despite the rain in the last few days, the once swollen banks surrounding the camp are still really barren.
Once inside the camp Whitstorm springs to his paws along with the other Thunderclan warriors in the shaded clearing following suit behind him. They relax when they realize it is them and not Tigerstar.
"It's you," Whitestorm meows in relief, "We've been expecting Tigerclaw all night."
Crookedstar pads forward, "Well you won't have to worry about him for now, Tigerstar is now the leader of Shadowclan."
Whitestorm stares at the Riverclan leader in astonishment and Graystripe doesn't blame him. "Great Starclan! I don't believe it!"
Longtail mutters, "It's true. That mangy traitor has taken over Shadowclan."
Cloudpaw mews, "But he can't be a leader! He's a traitor!"
"Shadowclan didn't know that, and even though they know now they still welcomed him as their leader with open paws." answers Crookedstar, lashing his tail.
Leopardfur mews, "I don't blame them. Due to their sickness Tigerstar must have seemed like a gift from Starclan."
When she receives angry glares from all of Thunderclan and some from her own cats she adds, "That doesn't excuse what Tigerstar has done though."
By this time other Riverclan cats are appearing out of their dens and start asking questions.
"Listen," Crookedstar yowls, " Something important has happened at this gathering. I need to speak to Bluestar about it. Meanwhile Leopardfur will tell you what happened. Then I want a dawn patrol. Thunderclan you may rest for the day, the news we've brought has been devastating I know. But Riverclan and Windclan will be on your side if Shadowclan under Tigerstar's rule does anything. Leopardfur I also want you to assign some cats, later from both clans, to scout for anything in Thunderclan's healing territory we can use to rebuild and strengthen their camp. I do not doubt that Shadowclan will be up to something."
With that Crookedstar leaves the assembled cats to find Bluestar.
Whitestorm pads up to him, "I managed to get her to sleep. But with this news I am worried for her."
"So am I. But there isn't much we can do. At least Riverclan and Windclan are on our side in this whole mess."
Sandstorm presses her nose in his fur, and surprised by the touch, he is grateful to have her support.
"Yes. That is one good thing. So I take it every cat knows what Tigerstar did?"
The ginger she-cat speaks for him instead, "Yes. But Graystripe did a wonderful job of keeping Bluestar's brokenness about it to Thunderclan, despite his anger. Which is justified. Because that fox-heart should have never been given a clan to lead."
"Given?" Whitestorm echoes.
"Tigerstar claims Starclan expected him….." Graystripe begins, only to be cut off by Sandstorm.
"Which is a load of fox-dung. Dead Shadowclan and Thunderclan cats would not allow that fox-heart to take over. He must have tampered with the sign. And lied about receiving his nine lives."
"But they did accept Brokentail. But Shadowclan was a respected clan at the time he was deputy, perhaps they thought he would be a noble leader only to end up being disappointed. Whereas they know Tigerstar's true nature." Whitestorm murmurs thoughtfully.
"If Brokentail was just as bloodthirsty as Tigerstar then he wouldn't have waited to assume the leadership position."
"Perhaps they thought Raggedstar was teaching him to follow in his ways. However we will not truly know until our ancestors tell us."
Graystripe nods, but can't help but think that Starclan is truly just guides, giving them prophecies here and there to ensure their survival and only holding power over the clouds for when the clans argue or do something they disagree with. Fireheart has been acting as a guide in his dreams ever since he died but hasn't really affected the waking world. Starclan isn't as powerful as they think. They are real, no doubt, but it seems like they can only nudge the living and breathing cats in the right direction.
Pushing down those thoughts he presses his pelt to Sandstorm and puts his head in her fur. She returns the favor and the two of them find a spot to rest. He is grateful he has Sandstorm for support after everything that's happened in the past few moons. Graystripe begins to groom her pelt, to let her know that her support is appreciated. She purrs. Eventually after they share tongues together, they fall asleep in the clearing resting from the crazy events that have transpired at the Gathering.
Author's Note: Because a lot of stuff happened in the next moon that requires Thunderclan to be on their territory I will be doing a time skip of a moon. It means the dogs are still there in Thunderclan territory but such things like Snowkit's death by hawk to not happen nor does Runningnose reveal any clan secrets. It also means, because Windclan outright opposed Tigerstar's leadership that nonsense with Bluestar about Windclan stealing prey when it was the dogs also never happens. It also means the Riverclan battle over Sunningrocks never happens either but the thing about the apprentices not being made warriors still happens too because Bluestar only trusts Graystripe and his apprentice. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.