Chapter 4 - The Last Gathering

ThunderClan Leader: Downystar- a handsome black-and-white tom Deputy: Crimsongale-a deep orange tom with piercing aqua eyes; only has one ear and one eye due to battle; senior warriorMedicine Cat: Dapplenight- A small tortoiseshell she-cat with hot amber eyesHailfur- A pale gray tom with blue eyesWarriors: Owlfeather-An ivory tom with glassy blue eyesSmokeypelt- A large, smokey black tom with fierce storm-gray eyesAbyssaldream- A gray she-cat with yellow eyesWolfheart-A large blue and gray tom with a large patch of calico on his right forepaw; half of his left ear is torn off and his right eye is permanently squinted because of the loss of an eyeTornadowind- A blue and gray tom with storm gray eyesDreamwave- A small, gray tortoiseshell she-cat, an odd colour, mixture of gray and white splotches with storm gray eyes

Ebonfur- A small black tom with golden eyes
Manglepelt-a gray and blue mottled furred she-cat; her body is permanently cracked to one side; senior warriorQueens:
Lunarmoon- A dark, hazy brown she-cat with a large disc of pale yellow on her face, amber eyes; expecting kitsTruesoul-A medium length blue and gray she-cat with yellow eyes; nursing two kits-Owlfeathers mate
Truesouls Kits

Galekit-A white she-cat with medium length fur; blue flecks in her pelt. Golden eyes
Turtlekit-A gray and white tortoiseshell tom with blue eyes
Elders-

Gorsepelt-A black, sturdy and thickset tom with golden eyes; retired early due to crippling woundsTenorvoice- A large and sturdy white tom with equally white eyesCrippledjaw-a white, strained she-cat whose back has a cripple, only Crippledjaw also suffers from a permanently dislocated jaw





ShadowClan Leader: Boldstar- An elderly she-cat; completely black pelt with one white, splotchy stripe going down her back Deputy: Dangletail- a large gray pelted tom with blue eyesMedicine Cat: Stormsky- A dark, almost black tom with hazel brown eyesWarriors- Frisklegs- a black tom with white ears and white on the tail; senior warrior Pouncepelt- a sleek, brown tom with large hind legs; senior warriorEmbercloud- a tom with a black pelt, and his right foreleg engulfed in a fiery-looking auburn sock, he has golden eyes Lilypad- A gorgeous yellow tabby she-cat with white socks, golden eyesRussetfur-A tawny coloured she-cat with yellow eyesQueens:

Shellheart- A pale gray she-cat with blue eyes; going to birthEverwind- A dark brown she-cat with a tan hue on her face. Amber eyes; nursing one kit-Frisklegs
Everwinds Kits-

Sightkit-A small chestnut coloured tom with white ears and golden eyes; he is muteElders: 




WindClan- Leader: Blinkstar-a shy and generous white she-cat with two black pawsCliffpaw-A small golden tom with green eyes
Deputy: Claytoe-a sturdy black tom with one white paw
Medicine Cat: Fuzzpelt- a golden she-catBristlepaw-A medium sized she-cat with beige fur, emerald eyesWarriors: Spiraltail- A small, tabby she-cat; the last out of three other brothers and sisters, she has golden eyesRipclaw- a large tortoiseshell tom; senior warriorDeerpaw-A small copper tom with deep, blue eyesQueens: Elders: 



RiverClan- Leader: Foreststar-A wise orange tom with white eyesDeputy: Shatteredjaw- a roan tom; senior warrior; formerly named Redspeck

Medicine Cat: Rabbitleaf- a quick-witted, old golden furred cat, forest green eyesWarriors: Glasseyes-A small and adventurous she-cat; black and brownCattail- wise and young she-cat tortoiseshell with a dark brown colour on the end of her tail Caimanclaw-a young but determined black warrior; senior warriorQueens: Elders:



Chapter 4:The Last Gathering

As the moon slowly rose to its zenith in the hazy blue night sky, an impatient hiss was sounded through the Clan camp. A small assembly of ThunderClan cats sat in the center of the clearing, watching worriedly as their leader paced back and forth between them in frustration. All they had to do was go and take Demonwings body to RiverClan then come back. Have RiverClan broken the oath of Medicine Cats and attacked? Or are they just taking their jolly old time?

The crimson tom blinked nervously as he watched his leader pace, then leapt up and pressed his pelt against his leaders, stopping the walking. I am sure theyre on their way now, Downystar.

From the entrance to the camp came a calm, serene voice laden with wisdom beyond the age of the cat that made it, Well spoken, my deputy. With a sigh, Downystar discarded his former mood and returned to his normal air of command, Right, so we have Crimsongale, Dapplenight, Hailfur, Ebonfur, Smokeypelt, Owlfeather, Wolfheart and Tenorvoice from the elders. Let us go, then.

With that they took off single file through the gorse tunnel entrance, and became a lined up formation of cats as they climbed up the rocky ravine. As soon as they came up to the ledge of the hollow to Fourtrees, Downystar slowed down, and so the rest of his Clan followed suit. Once they all crouched low at the rim of the Gathering place, Downystar murmured to Crimsongale, who stood beside him, Looks safe. ShadowClan and WindClan are there. Ill hate to see what RiverClan will have to say.

With a spike of anger, Crimsongale replied confidently, They attacked us, Downystar. They should be nervous to see what well have to say to them.

Apparently not heeding his words, the tom signaled with a flick of his tail and the ThunderClan cats raced down the slopes, crashing through the snow that surrounded the clearing and meeting instantly with the rumble of cat voices. Crimsongale watched his leader immediately walk over to where the elders and some senior warriors of ShadowClan and WindClan sat, and decided not to follow him. Crimsongale walked up to a small ring of three cats. The tom talking was a large gray pelted cat with blue eyes. The two listening were a tortoiseshell and a tabby. The tabby, a she-cat, blinked in amazement to the ShadowClan toms tale.

As he neared, the ShadowClan cat meowed a welcome and Crimsongale came in closer, watching as he dipped his head to him as though he were a lesser cat. This must be Dangletail, the deputy of ShadowClan you fool! He badgered himself, before dipping his head meaningfully that indicated a greeting between equals. Surprised, the gray tom apologized hastily, I am sorry. I did not know you had been named deputy.

With a nod of acceptance, Crimsongale sat down to his left, beside the tortoiseshell and responded, Nor I you.

The tortoiseshell he recognized as Ripclaw, a very old warrior from WindClan, and the she-cat tabby smelt of WindClan, so he assumed her to be the apprentice Spiralpaw. Greetings Spiralpaw. He began, ready to make conversation. With a glint of amusement in her eye, she cut him off with, Its Spiraltail now, Crimsongale.

With a defeated shake of his head, he growled in worry, Its so hard coping with my new duties, it seems I am getting everyone mixed up or wrong. With a short chuckle, Dangletail replied, After a little bit of time things seem to work themselves out. Dont worry; youre not nearly as bad as me. Once I dipped my head to a leader as though he were a warrior! A good amount of berating that gained me.

As the words carried on, Crimsongale smiled and joined in with words of surprise and began telling tales of his own battles; how he lost his eye, how his ear was torn, how he fought Eaglestar, and then the previous battle with RiverClan. As most cats will do, he exaggerated the tale a touch, making it sound a little bit more to his liking, but no one seemed to care. They all were fascinated with the story. He left out the part about Wolfheart taking Demonwings life as well as Gorsepelt having to be retired early due to heavy damage, lest any cat get offended, but he made sure they all heard how Wolfheart sent Foreststar yowling out of sight.

Suddenly, from the opposite side of the clearing came a rustle of snow falling and out burst a few RiverClan cats. He recognized some from the battle, others from sheer memory. Foreststar, Redspeck and Rabbitleaf were all that appeared, and they all headed towards Great Rock. He must have left Caimanclaw and Cattail to defend the camp alone.

The orange tom leapt up onto Great Rock and yowled for the cats to gather. This sparked a pang of annoyance through Crimsongale as many cats were still introducing themselves. He spotted Downystar picking his way through the crowd to the rock, as well as the black and white she-cat leaders. He jumped when he saw Dangletail heading the same direction. He bounced to his feet and caught up with the tom, matching him step for step. They reached Great Rock and sat right in front of it. Dipping his head to Claytoe, the black tom with one white paw, who was WindClan deputy, he noted a look of sudden frailness in him. He was skinny. The bones showed through his fur. He looked around, astonished, and noted that all the WindClan cats looked as such. Before he could ask Dangletail what their problem was, he nearly cried out in disgust when he saw Redspeck sitting on the other side of the ShadowClan deputy. The tom suddenly caught his eye and kept him staring, glaring fiercely. I loathe you ThunderClan cats. All you have ever caused us was suffering. Eaglestar took nearly every cat we had and slew them; then he brought Wildstar down. Not to mention you killed our deputies and past warriors. Then you take two of our kits-and last but not least, you kill our deputy and break my jaw.

Shocked, Crimsongale replied in feeble worry, Redspeck, I- with a growl, Redspeck leapt up and hissed in his face, I am not Redspeck anymore! I am Shatteredjaw! the few cats close by began murmuring in curiosity, before everything was hushed down. The tom turned away and deliberately sat on the opposite side of Claytoe, further away.

Downystar walked slowly up to the front and began, ThunderClan have- before he could say more, Foreststar shoved his way up and shouldered the black and white tom aside with an arrogant snort. Then he shouted with a great amount of distaste, ThunderClan murdered my deputy Demonwing and broke one of my senior warriors jaws, they also broke my Clan. There are so few of us now that a mouse could take us down! Never have I- Before he could say more, Boldstar walked up and brushed her tail across his mouth. Calmly but not in a friendly tone, she asked Downystar with a glint in her eye, Downystar, is this true?

The tortoiseshell replied with assertive baritones, Unfortunately, it is, but it is not as it seems. Last moonhigh, during our sleeping hour, we heard battle cries. So we ran to Sunningrocks where they were issued from and RiverClan attacked. It was a battle over territory. Demonwing was killed in battle, not murdered, and Redspecks-sorry, Shatteredjaws jaw was broken in combat as well. Plus, you should not blame ThunderClan when it was RiverClan who called the battle.

With nods of agreement through the crowd, they meows of acceptance overpowered the single yowl of anger that came from the red tom beneath Great Rock, Shatteredjaw. Rabbitleaf stayed out of it, for she was a Medicine Cat.

Also, Downystar continued when he had every cats attention, My deputy Gorsepelt was taken down by Foreststar and retired to the Elders early due to the heavy damage you gave. And so, my new deputy is Crimsongale. Shivering when al eyes turned to him, the crimson tom lowered his gaze solemnly. Many other Clan cats meowed in shock and distaste, for some had liked him. He heard voices of contempt throughout the Clans as well, though they were not directed in any obvious way.

Foreststar snarled and carried on, apparently wanting to leave the subject behind, Shatteredjaw is my new deputy. Other than the battle, we have nothing else to report. Smugly, he backed off, a shadow flicking in his eyes as he turned away. Downystar seemed not to notice, but Crimsongale did. He also noted that Dangletail had a very suspicious thought about the leader, because his eyes were glaring straight at the orange pelt. ThunderClan have two new healthy kits born to Owlfeather and Truesoul. The queen could not come for she must nurse them, but Owlfeather has come along with us. The ivory tom near the middle of the crowd dipped his head to the respectful silence. Downystar continued on, As I said before, Crimsongale has succeeded Gorsepelt as deputy. Other than that casualty there have been no other serious injuries. I am also proud to say that we have a new warrior with us-formerly named Ebonpaw. He is now Ebonfur. He nodded at the black tom gazing gladly up to the leader. He returned the gesture without the normal, arrogant air on him. ShadowClans leader stepped up, surpassing Downystar as he backed off. ShadowClan too have been lucky to receive a kitting. However, the kit is mute. That will not stop him from becoming a great warrior though, she flashed a meaningful glance to all the cats, including her fellow leaders before adding, The mother is Everwind. Father is the most senior warrior of my Clan, Frisklegs.

Blinkstar, the white leader with two black paws, strutted past Boldstar who backed up to the base of the rock. She stood at the edge, gazing around in her steady, warm gaze and said the most surprising thing in the forest, WindClan are leaving.

Downystar chuckled and walked up to stand beside her, as did the other two leaders. There was concern on his face but his voice was joking when he meowed, Surely you dont mean the forest, right? I mean-

No, Downystar. Even you should know that I never make jokes. Youve been leader long enough. He flinched to the insult of his leadership, but made no comment. Boldstar then spoke up in her very elderly, cracked voice, Why would you want to leave? And if you do, where would you go? A hoarse chuckle of frustration and fury racked the skinny leaders back before she replied coldly, While ThunderClan stuff themselves with forest prey and RiverClan gorges themselves on fish in the river, we sit and eat what few berries we can uncover in this never-ending Leafbare. That is why we need to leave. Were starving. And it is not if we go, but when. As for where well go& she looked around, craning her neck as though trying to look over the trees before replying with suddenly a very exhausted voice, Well have to go wherever StarClan take us, like our ancestors did so many years ago when they came here.

There was a dead silence that evaded the camp. No cat dared break the cold essence of quiet, as this was not a speaking matter. The three leaders hat stood beside her just looked blankly at one another. Coughing rigidly, Foreststar confessed, slightly ashamed, Err& RiverClan have been hunting whatever little voles come upon our island, and eat carrion fish. There is no food through the frozen river. Even ThunderClan should have seen by now that the forest is frozen through-hard enough to sleep on.

The white and black tortoiseshell tom nodded in agreement, grunting, Yes, we have. And the prey weve hunted have all migrated somewhere else. We eat stray squirrels or the mice that burrow beneath the ground.

Boldstar was obviously reluctant to reveal her own Clans rather disturbing secrets, but eventually allowed some to spill, ShadowClans marshes are no longer swampy and are hard like a Thunderpath beneath our feet. The crows and mice we hunted are gone, and other fresh-kill have died in the everlasting Leafbare.

But as every cat looked around, most of them were fairly lean and broad-shouldered, hiding their skeletal frames. Some were as large and plump as before the winter came down upon them. However, the ones who suffered most were the WindClan cats. WindClan have made our decision, Downystar, Boldstar, Foreststar. Well give you all but two moonhighs to see whether or not youll accompany us. Eight moons of thick white Leafbare is much too dangerous for WindClan to cope with when we live in very little sheltered areas and no food.

Before anyone could speak, she leapt off of the Great Rock, sending fluffy white snow flying as she landed hard on the ground. Raising her tail, she signaled for her cats to follow. Crimsongale watched curiously as the tortoiseshell tom and tabby she-cat he had spoken to earlier trotted after their leader with a copper apprentice following suit. Behind them ran the graceful Fuzzpelt and her apprentice, a beige she-cat. Claytoe ran alongside his leader, talking to her quietly until the Clan disappeared into the whiteness. Crimsongale looked up; the moon was nearly setting. A cold gust of wind blew past him, making his spine prickle uncomfortably as snowflakes blasted past him. Boldstar consulted Downystar about the events before both separated and leapt off the Great Rock, leaving Foreststar. He was gazing to the sky, and Crimsongale heard him whisper with great sorrow, Oh, Flashstar, my mother, what would you do now? he watched intently for any sign of the she-cat in StarClan showing, but nothing came. Clearly nothing happened for Foreststar either, for he sighed dejectedly and turned to jump off the rock. Though when he glimpsed Crimsongale seated there watching him, he halted. Your Clan has departed already, young ThunderClanner. His voice was calm and derisive. Snorting in unconcealed contempt, he replied in outrage, Watch who you call youth, Foreststar. You have to be at least six moons younger than me. You may be my better from another Clan, but I am your elder.

Cracking a smirk, he nodded and leapt off Great Rock, blinking towards Rabbitleaf and Shatteredjaw that they could start returning to camp. Shatteredjaw hesitated, clearly reluctant to leave his leaders side with a ThunderClan cat all alone in the hollow, but he finished, Go, now.

Finally the two were alone. Crimsongale, do you know what your leader is planning to do? his voice was silky smooth, slightly luring. Crimsongale caught onto the trap immediately. I am no traitor to my Clan! I would never give you any information. Acting offended, the leader hissed, I wasnt asking that! No, I want to know because your leader is more experienced than me. If ThunderClan leave, I have to know ahead of time to make my decision.

With a knowing flick of his tail, Crimsongale cut him off with a hateful snort, Liar! You only want to know if ThunderClan are leaving so you can take over our Clan territory when we leave!

Not waiting to pass insults nor bribes with him anymore, the deputy spun around and raced over the trampled snow, heading to his Clan territory. Behind him, through the gale, he heard a harsh cry, Youll come back to me, youll see! He did not stop running until he made it to the ravine that led to the Clan camp. Panting heavily, he thought with a great nagging of doubt on his neck Will I?

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