This takes place a few days after the last chapter.
Allegiances
Windclan
Leader
Onestar - Brown tabby tom
Deputy
Owlwhisker - light brown tabby tom
Medicine Cat
Kestrelflight - mottled gray tom
Warriors
Crowfeather - dark gray tom
Nightcloud - black she-cat
Apprentice, Volepaw
Gorsetail - very pale gray-and-white tom with blue eyes
Weaselfur - ginger tom with white paws
Harespring - brown-and-white tom
Leaftail - dark tabby tom with amber eyes
Sparrowflight - light brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Emberfoot - gray tom with two dark paws
Heathertail - light brown tabby she-cat with blue eyes
Breezepelt - black tom
Sedgewhisker - light brown tabby she-cat
Dewspots - Dark gray she-cat
Stoneclaw - Brown tabby tom with amber eyes
Ferntail - Golden brown she-cat with amber eyes
Cedarfang - grey tom with amber eyes and white underbelly
Apprentice, Petalpaw
Furzetail - gray-and-white she-cat
Bouldernose - Large pale gray tom
Apprentices
Petalpaw - White she-cat with amber eyes
Volepaw - Grey tom with green eyes
Queens
Whitetail - small white she-cat
Elders
Tornear - tabby tom
Thunderclan
Leader
Firestar
Deputy
Brackenfur
Shadowclan
Leader
Blackstar
Deputy
Rowanclaw
Riverclan
Leader
Reedstar
Deputy
Minnowtail
Dark Forest Clan Cats
Windclan
Cedarfang/Deadheart
Breezepelt
Furzetail
Thunderclan
Ivypool
Blossompelt
Cherrypaw
Shadowclan
Ratscar
Tigerheart
Olivenose
Pinefur
Riverclan
Pebblefoot
Petalfur
Trouttail
Hollowpelt
Chapter 4
Stoneclaw shook his head trying to wake himself up. He was with his clanmates on their way to the Gathering tonight. However, he felt uncharacteristically tired for some reason tonight and wished he could just sleep in his nest. Instead, he was trudging his way the long distance through the half-melted snow and then would be forced to sit still until the gathering had ended.
Even worse, besides Thunderclan, they were the farthest away from the island, meaning the trip back would be just as annoying. But as they approached the island, he decided to try and not dwell on it too much. His clan began to cross the tree-bridge and just as he was about to jump on it, he began to hear mutterings about them being the last clan to arrive.
Stoneclaw jumped onto the bridge and was strolling his way across when he suddenly lost his footing. His hind legs fell off the dead tree, hanging just above the dark water of lake. Thankfully, he had had a good grip with his front paws and was able to pull himself back onto the bridge with a grunt. He took a few quick breaths before getting on his way again.
Soon, he was in the clearing with the rest of his clanmates. Over the last couple of moons, the clans had been intermingling less and less. Tonight, no cat was talking outside of their own clan; even the leaders were ignoring each other. Stoneclaw saw quite a few cats exchanging glares and before returning back to the conversations they had been having with their clanmates.
A deafening yowl sounded from where the leaders were sitting. Every cat turned their head to see Reedstar sitting in the front, “I will go first,” she spoke calmly. “Although it has been a hard leaf-bare, we have managed to feed ourselves enough.” It was true, Riverclan was easily the best looking of the clans, even though leaf-bare was usually the hardest for them. “Mosspelt has retired to elder’s den after many seasons of service to her clan. Hollowpelt and Trouttail passed their warrior assessments and have become full Riverclan warriors.”
Stoneclaw looked to see two proud looking Riverclan cats puffing their chests out. Snorts could be heard from the crowd as well as a few insults about still being just as mouse-brained apprentices, except from Riverclan.
However, Reedstar continued on as if nothing was said. “Also, Duskfur has given birth to two kits, Fallowkit and Otterkit. Starclan has truly shown its wisdom and generosity.”
Reedstar walked away as the other clans’ hackles began to rise and hisses could be heard throughout the clans once again except for Riverclan, who appeared to be content.
Firestar was the next to climb up to speak. The grey on his chin was growing and starting to become noticeable. “Leaf-bare has been tough for Thunderclan, especially since we have started finding bones near the border with Windclan.”
Stoneclaw took special notice of this.
How dare he suggest that we would take prey from them when they are ones stealing prey? His tail lashed angrily with his clanmates and he dug his claws in the ground.
“We will be increasing patrols in that area,” Firestar paused before continuing. “Also, Brackenfur is retiring to the elder’s den after many moons of service to his clan.”
The orange tom jumped off before Onestar took his place for his clan’s announcement, “Windclan has found bones with a foreign scent near Thunderclan border, and as such will be patrolling the area more regularly. We also have two new apprentices, Volepaw and Petalpaw, who have been given to Nightcloud and Cedarfang.”
Thunderclan seemed to ignore Onestar’s last statement. They were bristling at what Onestar had been suggesting.
Blackstar stepped up next, “This leaf-bare has been especially hard for Shadowclan. We have dealt with the loss of one of our queens, Ivytail. She died giving birth to her two kits, Runningkit and Flintkit, which also died soon after their birth.” Blackstar sounded exhausted and looked to be a little less well-kept even more than most cats did in leaf-bare. “Also, with unjustly being forced to hunt smaller territory, we’re having more trouble than past leaf-bares feeding our clan.”
“We both know that territory didn’t offer any prey, Blackstar,” Interrupted Firestar, annoyed.
Onestar was the next to speak, “If it wasn’t valuable, then you wouldn’t have stolen it from them.” Firestar turned surprised to hear anger in the tabby tom’s voice. “It’s obvious Thunderclan is becoming greedy, otherwise your cats wouldn’t be stealing prey from my territory!”
“My cats are not stealing from you!” Firestar hissed, his anger and frustration clearly boiling over. “If anyone is stealing prey, it is Windclan!”
Below the leaders, the clans were beginning to face each other, hackles raised, claws extended when a she-cats yowl broke through the thick night air. “The moon in being covered by clouds! This is not what Starclan wants!”
There was silence for a moment as the cats slowly backed down while still lashing their tails as they observed what the she-cat had pointed out.
“This Gathering is over,” mewed Blackstar, clearly agitated, “And we won’t be coming back until the other clans will agree to live by the warrior code.” The massive white tom jumped down from where he had been speaking and his clan was quick behind him as they headed to the exit of the clearing.
“Windclan will also be leaving now as well as staying in their territory during full moons until Thunderclan can keep control of their warriors.” Onestar signaled for his clan to follow him, which they did obediently.
As Stoneclaw padded away with his clanmates, he could smell both fear and hatred in the air. Once again, he was towards the back of his clan. He overheard Firestar meowing, “Thunderclan will continue to follow the tradition of gathering at this location on full moons and hope…” The leader’s voice faded away before Stoneclaw had heard everything.
Of course, Firestar is as usual trying to seem like the great, noble one in all of this when he can’t even keep his own cats from stealing! Stoneclaw had completely forgotten about the snow making him wet and cold. The near-battle between the clans on the island had brought him new energy and had also caused him to be angrier than he ever had been before.
When they got back to camp, the entire clan stared at the returning cats, expectant of news. Onestar immediately jumped onto the Big Stump and yowled, “All cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the Big Stump.” Only a few cats needed to be told, as most of them were outside when he had called. “Tonight, the moon was covered by Starclan,” he started, “As you know, Thunderclan has recently taken to stealing our prey and other clan’s territory. Because of this Windclan, as well as Shadowclan, and possibly even Riverclan have decided to stop attending gatherings until Thunderclan becomes honorable again.”
For a few moments, their leader’s words simply hung in the air. “I heard Firestar say that Thunderclan would still be going to the island on full moons!” called Stoneclaw.
“Typical Thunderclan!” called Weaselfur. Several cats joined him in annoyance of their neighbor clan and the voices began to grow, but another one of Onestar’s yowls split through the clearing.
“Quiet!” Onestar’s clan returned their gaze to him. “If Thunderclan does not stop stealing our prey in three days, we will attack them until they agree to stop.” Cheers erupted from the cats below him. “That is all.” He jumped off of the dead tree and went into his den with Owlwhisker close behind.
Stoneclaw turned to the cat nearest him, Bouldernose. “I can’t wait to get my claws into some soft, kitty-pet pelt!” He meowed excitedly.
Bouldernose nodded in agreement, “Definitely. Those kitty-pets just need to be reminded of who the real warriors are.”
(The Next Day)
“Hey, it’s time for us to go on patrol, Stoneclaw,” a dulcet voice whispered in his ear. He opened his eyes to see Ferntail looking at him. “Come on, you know how impatient Crowfeather is.” She nosed him to hurry up,
Stoneclaw stood up. “All right, I’m up,” he yawned as he stepped out of the den. A quick stretch of his hind legs and he was out of the den. “You want to share something really quick?” he motioned towards the little pile of wet fresh-kill.
“Sure!” she mewed happily. The two padded over and grabbed a scrawny rabbit and began to eat.
More of the snow had melted overnight and the ground had become more visible and most of the remaining snow had turned brown from the ground below them. The sun was out for the first time in a few days, and although there were a few small clouds in front of it, it was a comforting reminder that new-leaf was on its way.
The two finished soon after they had started and meted with Crowfeather and Dewspots. “Finally we can go.” muttered Crowfeather. He went in the direction of Riverclan territory with the others just behind him. After a while, they were close to the Twolegplace. “Let’s split into two groups. Dewspots, come with me, we’ll hunt from here to the lake. Stoneclaw and Ferntail, you take from here until the end of the territory, okay?” They all nodded. “Good. We’ll meet back here when the sun starts to go down.” The black tom mewed curtly before padding away with Dewspots.
I’m hunting alone with Ferntail… Stoneclaw wasn’t sure why but for some reason he was really nervous at the thought.
“I guess we should get to hunting.” Ferntail mewed after a long silence.
“Er, yeah!” Stoneclaw snapped himself out of his thoughts at Ferntail’s voice. “Where do you think would be a good place to start?” He asked, turning to look at her.
Ferntail searched around for a bit finally settling on an area. “That way,” she indicated with her tail. “It’s really wide-open and there was less snow there yesterday.” She took off suddenly. “Try and catch me!” she yowled back at him.
“I’m going to go get you!” Stoneclaw called back as he took off at full speed to reach her. Soon, he was almost at her side. “I told you I’d get you!”
The bracken-colored she-cat turned around in mock horror when she saw how close he was. “Oh, no! Please don’t hurt me!”
“It’s too late now!” growled Stoneclaw playfully before jumping on her.
They tumbled around for a little bit from their momentum before slowing down to rolling around in the wet grass playfully growling and lightly batting each other with sheathed claws. Soon, they came to stop. Stoneclaw was standing above her, staring into her shining amber eyes while she returned the gaze.
They stayed their motionless for what seemed like moons before Stoneclaw jumped off, “So this is a good place for hunting?” he asked hurriedly in-between licks of his pelt.
“Um, yeah, really good.” Ferntail mewed just as quickly as Stoneclaw. “In fact, I think I smell a rabbit right now.”
Stoneclaw sniffed the air and could scent it as well. They followed the scent trail for a while in awkward silence before coming upon it: a fat hare, one of very few during leaf-bare. They immediately entered hunter’s crouches to avoid alerting it. After they had gotten closer, they could see that it was a fox-length away from a burrow, which meant they would have no room for error if they wanted to catch it.
Ferntail signaled with her tail for Stoneclaw to go around to the opposite of the rabbit so they might be able to block off its burrow. He slowly made his way around, being extra careful not to make any noise. Barely a moment after he was in position, he heard his partner take off. He sprinted towards the rabbit as well, getting in front of it just as it was about to dash into its sanctuary. It nearly ran into him and tried to veer away, but because it had to slow down to turn, Ferntail was able to jump on it and administer the killing bite.
The two mewed their thanks to Starclan before moving on. By the time they had gotten back to the meeting spot, they had not found anything besides the rabbit. Crowfeather and Dewspots hadn’t had much luck either, only catching a couple of sick-looking squirrels.
Dewspots sighed. “I guess it could be worse,” she meowed through a mouth full of fur. The four made their way back to camp in silence.
A/N: Dewspots and the rest of the clans will know just how much worse it could be soon...
Very sorry this took so long. Unfortunately, the next chapter(s) will also come out slowly (probably March 10th - 12th at the latest) because I have several big projects to do. I will actually be posting chapters 5 and 6 simultaneously because they go together.
The next chapter's allegiances will feature all four clans and should hopefully last for several chapters.
Previews:
Chapter 5: Deadheart goes back to the Dark Forest. This time, he has a guest.
Chapter 6: Stoneclaw is having the weirdest dream of his life until a cat from Starclan visits him.