Prologue
A large black and gray tom sat perched up on the tallest, sturdiest branch on the main tree that covered the camp. He looked up to the sky, a worried look in his eyes. “Please, just give us a sign,” he pleaded with the stars, yet they did nothing, only twinkled.
He lowered his head, mumbling under his breath. It was hopeless.
“Timberstar.”
The tom turned around to see a pretty brown and ginger she-cat reach the branch, padding over to him. “I thought I’d find you up here, are you still looking for signs from StarClan? I thought that was my job,” she purred with an amused twinkle in her eyes.
Timberstar gave a slight smile, looking away from the medicine cat and back up to the starry night sky. “What do you think, Dawnpetal? Why hasn’t StarClan given us a sign? Cats are dying,” he said, voice distressed as he shot her another look.
Dawnpetal sighed, looking up at the sky with him. “…I admit that I worry StarClan has abandoned us. All the clans are suffering, we’ve lost more cats to the Hunters than we ever have the alligators. Surely if they hadn’t abandoned us, they would have given us a sign?” She questioned, sounding just as defeated as Timberstar felt.
He was about to reply when another cat called for them, his voice frantic as he leapt up the tree. “Timberstar! Dawnpetal! Come quick, it’s Ratscar and Bugclaw,” the young brown tabby said, his eyes wide.
Timberstar started over, staring down at Nettlesplash. “What is it?” He asked, already knowing he was not going to like what the new warrior had to say.
Nettlesplash looked up at him with a distraught expression. “It’s Bugclaw, he’s dead.”
The three cats were down from the tree as soon as they heard. Timberstar was the first to spot the body of Bugclaw, as he lay by the camp entrance, blood oozing from wounds. Blood blending in with his black and gray fur.
He bowed his head in mourning, walking over and reaching his nose down to gently nudge Bugclaw. Timberstar closed his eyes. “Not another,” he whispered, looking back up. “What happened?” He questioned, looking to Ratscar, the only other cat to have gone on patrol with Bugclaw.
Ratscar shook his head, eyes closed as he tried to forget it. “We were on our way back, Bugclaw thought he smelled a vole and went after it. I let him, but then…then I heard his screams,” He began to explain, voice faltering even as he spoke. “I thought it was a gator, one that went a little too far from their territory. But when I got there, I saw a cat, it was a cat that killed Bugclaw. It got away though, before I got a good look at it,” he explained.
There were gasps heard from the clan, at least the ones that were still out. Soon murmuring began to fill the camp.
Timberstar looked from Ratscar to Dawnpetal, who was looking down at Bugclaw with a mournful expression on her face. “You might be right, Dawnpetal,” Timberstar said, looking back to Bugclaw. “Maybe StarClan has abandoned us…”
His voice was broken, barely above a whisper so only Dawnpetal and Ratscar could hear.
Finally, after a few moments of silence, Timberstar walked over to the low hanging branch of the tree, jumping up on it. “Cat’s of SwampClan, gather under the trees for an announcement,” he called, summoning the other cats from their dens.
As the cats began to spill out, a young, fluffy white queen walked out of the nursery, one small black kit poking his head out behind her. “Bugclaw!” She gasped, running over, leaving the kit to be ushered back inside by another queen.
“No,” the queen whispered.
Timberstar sent Fluffytuft a pitiful look. It was never easy to loose a clanmate, much less a littermate. Then, he looked to the rest of the cats. “As you all can see, Bugclaw is dead. He was killed by a strange cat in our territory, near the Alligator border. I want extra patrols over there, starting first thing tomorrow. We will find this cat, so long as it is still in our territory and make sure it doesn’t kill any of our other cats,” he spoke, with the clan nodding along in approval.
“However, for now, we will mourn for Bugclaw, and in the morning, the elders will bury him under the grove, as it is tradition,” he said and leapt off the tree branch, walking over to Fluffytuft, who had been joined by her mate: Beetleprint, and her brother: Frogfur.
“I’m sorry,” he told them, voice soft as he looked down at the body once again. “Bugclaw was a great warrior, and an even better deputy,” he said, eyes trailing to the ground. He would have to pick a new deputy before moonfall of the next day, though he doubted anyone could replace Bugclaw.
Fluffytuft responded, looking up at him with watery eyes. “Yes, he was,” she agreed and lied down to be beside her brother, mourning for him. “One of the best…”
Frogfur didn’t look near as upset as his sister, instead he looked mad. “Timberstar, Bugclaw’s the third cat to die in the last three moons. That’s a cat for each moon. How many more will have to die before we stop this?” He asked, voice sharp.
Timberstar looked away, looking up at the tree covered sky. He couldn’t see the stars from down here, but he knew they were up there. Wether they still were with them though, was another story. “I don’t know.”
Chapter One:
“Bugpaw…” The voice was soft yet commanding, one the apprentice didn’t recognize.
Bugpaw stood alone on the beach, the sand glistened in the misty night. He felt his paws push the sand forward, getting in-between his claws. Suddenly he heard yowling and turned around to see that he wasn’t alone, there were so many other cats, more than he had ever seen before.
They were fighting, staining the beach with their blood. Bugpaw tilted his head, not being able to do anything but watch.
“Bugpaw…” The voice said again, this time sounding closer, and a bit more urgent.
He swerved his head around, certain there was someone calling his name, but there was no one, and when he looked back to the battle field, it was empty. He was once again alone.
“Bugpaw!” Now that voice, he recognized. “Bugpaw! Get up, don’t make me go down there and drag you out!” Ratscar snapped, voice sounding just as cranky as the warrior always looked.
Bugpaw jolted awake to find himself in his nest in the apprentices den, the small, grassy clearing was just a pathway down from the main part of the camp. He yawned and stretched, taking his time, fully aware of the grumpy warrior waiting for him, just beyond the bushes.
Finally, he trotted on out of his mossy nest, meeting the gray warrior outside. “I’m here,” he said, a far too innocent tone in his voice for it to be convincing. “No need to shout,” he added, sending Ratscar an unamused look.
Ratscar humphed, turning his tail towards him as he started to pad off. “There is, when I’m stuck with such a lazy apprentice. Bugclaw would have gotten out as soon as I called for him,” he grumbled, shooting Bugpaw a glare.
Bugpaw felt his ears flatted against his head at the mention of Bugclaw, the deputy that had died four moons ago. Bugpaw’s kin, and who he was named after. “Well, too bad you’re stuck with me,” he retorted dryly, following his mentor.
He quickly took note of how empty the camp seemed. Come to think of it, there weren’t any other apprentices in their den either. “Where is everyone?” Bugpaw questioned as he followed Ratscar out of the camp and into the swamp. Ratscar had this nasty little habit of neglecting to tell Bugpaw things, especially where they were going for training that day.
Ratscar didn’t look back as he answered, entering the swamp. Bugpaw could feel his paws sink into the shallow, muddied water. “Unlike you, the rest of the clan has actually been doing things. Skinktail died only a few days ago. We need to be even more alert now. Remember?” He asked, voice dripping with annoyance. “Timberstar has everyone that isn’t a queen, kit, or elder, out doing things. Quickstep took a border patrol out to ReefClan’s border, Ivytail took another out to Gator territory. The rest of the mentors and apprentices already left for training,” he retorted dryly.
Bugpaw supposed he should just be happy to get something out of him. “Are we joining them?” He asked curiously. After all, it would make sense for them to join the others…However they were headed in the opposite direction of the training pad.
“No,” Ratscar said simply, falling quiet after that as he continued through the swamp.
Bugpaw frowned. He had been hoping for at least a bit more than that from him. But he knew better to further question the grumpy tom. He wouldn’t get anymore answers out of him today. So instead he just followed him, taking note of the change in scenery.
The water in the swamp was getting deeper, soon he might even have to start swimming. There was much more moss and even more trees, with low hanging branches, roots that stuck out too far, and logs that floated around. He hadn’t ever been here before…
That’s when it clicked and his eyes went wide. “We’re going into Alligator territory, aren’t we?” He questioned, unable to stop the question from spilling out as he looked up at Ratscar, who grunted in response.
“No, we’re going to our border. No cat is allowed in Gator territory, you know that. Just be lucky it’s too shallow for them to want to wander out here,” Ratscar said, voice cold and dark. However it was what he said that sent shivers down Bugpaw’s spine.
They didn’t want to wander out here.
That wasn’t to say that they couldn’t. Alligators cared nothing for SwampClan’s borders. They cared nothing for the code either. They were lucky that Alligators rarely ever left Alligator territory. No claws or teeth could penetrate that hide of theirs, and their jaws were full of sharp teeth, more than anyone could imagine.
Or at least, that’s what Bugpaw had been told. He had never seen an alligator before. If he was lucky, he never would. No new apprentices were even allowed by the border, just in case. This would be Bugpaw’s first time going there.
Once they got there, Ratscar flicked his tail to get Bugpaw to stop. “Climb up on that branch,” he ordered, pointing his tail to a large, low hanging branch from the tree.
Bugpaw didn’t argue, instead he did as he was told, waiting for Ratscar to follow.
Once they were both on it. Ratscar sat down, pointing a paw forward. “This tree is the end of our border. Gator territory is over there,” he explained, whiskers twitching nervously. “We left a bit of the shallow area between our territory and their’s, however beyond that big rock, the swamp gets deeper. That’s where the gators start popping up,” he explained.
Bugpaw strained to see the rock, only barely spotting it. “Are the stories true? Do alligators really look like logs, with jaws that can open wide enough to swallow a cat whole, with a hide so hard, our teeth and claws are useless against it?” He questioned, eyes trained on the swamp beyond.
Now, Bugpaw did not consider himself an easily scared cat. But alligators were to be feared, any sane cat knew that.
Ratscar didn’t speak, just nodded his head, eyes trained on something that Bugpaw couldn’t see.
He was silent for a moment before he gestured over, just barely past the rock, to something that was moving in the water. “Do you see that?” He asked, voice just barely above a whisper as he leaned down to Bugpaw, showing him what he was looking at with his paw.
Bugpaw followed the paw until he saw it. A spiky, dark green, log, was moving around the rock. “Gator,” he whispered, unable to take his eyes off it, his stomach twisting in uncomfortable knots.
Ratscar nodded, keeping his eyes trained on it as it swam beyond the rock and back to the deep part of the swamp, disappearing from sight. “They usually don't stray further than that. We should still tell Timberstar that we spotted one near the border,” he said, turning around as he quietly padded down the log and back into the swamp water.
Bugpaw followed him, casting a glance back at the rock, where the alligator had been.
“Do they ever come into the shallow end?” He asked, trying to hide how terrified he was of that, with a steady voice. He waited for Ratscar to assure him that that didn’t happen. But he didn’t.
“…Occasionally. But only by the border. If you ever see a gator in our territory, climb a tree, travel using the branches, get back to camp immediately and tell Timberstar, no matter what he’s doing,” Ratscar ordered, voice still as cold as before.
Bugpaw gulped, unable to find the words to speak, so he only nodded. Normally, Bugpaw wasn’t near as quiet and agreeable as this. But while they were still at the border, he didn’t feel safe enough to talk freely.
Luckily they left the border soon enough, and Bugpaw, once again, felt at ease. The two did some hunting, with Ratscar catching a bird and a vole, and Bugpaw having caught a few frogs. which admittedly, were one of the few things he was actually good at catching.
After that, they went back to camp.
“Go put the fresh kill in the prey hole. I have to talk to Timberstar,” Ratscar explained after dropping his prey and nudging them towards Bugpaw, who was about to argue. After all, it was a lot of prey for one apprentice to bring back, but before he could, Ratscar had already left.
Bugpaw let out an annoyed sigh. “Yeah, alright, whatever,” he grumbled as he picked up his frogs and padded over to the hole in the middle of camp, dropping his frogs in and then going back for Ratscar’s bird and vole.
Once he had dropped those into the hole as well, he padded over to the clearing in front of the apprentices den. Settling down, he began to clean off his paws when another apprentice bounded over.
She was extremely small, with a fluffy black and gray pelt. “Bugpaw! We missed you at training today,” she said rather happily as she settled down beside him.
Bugpaw grunted in response, scooting just a little away from her. Tinypaw was nice, sure. But her cheery optimism bugged Bugpaw. Nothing phased her, it got annoying real quick. “Yeah well, Ratscar took me to see Alligator territory today instead. We even saw an alligator,” he said, sticking his nose up.
Tinypaw let out a purr. “Wow, really? Every time I’ve been there, we haven't seen any alligators. Must have been scary,” she said, looking over at him expectedly.
It had been scary, but Bugpaw couldn’t let her know that. “Eh, I wasn’t scared. Ratscar looked like he had seen a ghost though,” he added slyly as he looked down to lick his paw.
Tinypaw didn’t seem convinced, but she didn’t question it. “Well, I would have been scared,” she decided, lying down as she rested her head on her paws. “How’d it go, with Ratscar? You almost always come back, complaining about him,” she pointed out, sending Bugpaw a look.
Bugpaw shrugged in response. “It was alright. He was still grumpy, like always, and I swear he gives me the weirdest looks, and always compares me to the oh so great ‘Bugclaw’ the greatest deputy SwampClan ever had!” He said, instantly spiraling into a rant. “But when we got there, he wasn’t all that bad, a lot more serious and quiet than usual. Probably one of our better days,” he decided.
Tinypaw sat back up, looking over at him. “You know, you shouldn’t talk that way about Bugclaw. He was a great warrior, and he and Ratscar were very close. You wouldn’t remember him, but I do. It’s good that Ratscar’s comparing you to him, you should be honored,” she lectured him.
Bugpaw rolled his eyes. He knew that Tinypaw was almost a warrior, but did she have to act like one? “Look, I know, he was great. But I’m sick of people expecting me to be just like him, just because I was named after him, and when Ratscar does compare us, it isn't anything good. He just tells me how Bugclaw would have done better, would have been better, do you know how annoying that gets?” He snapped, getting up from his spot.
“Of all people, you should know what it’s like not to live up to someone's expectations, so stop expecting me to live up to mine," he said before walking off towards the prey hole. He didn’t dare look back at Tinypaw, knowing as soon as he said it, that what he said had been too harsh.
Tinypaw was from the same litter as Antstep, who had become a warrior a few moons ago. Tinypaw had been held back, having not been as good as her brother, while everyone expected she would be. It was still a bit of a sensitive topic for her, and Bugpaw could understand why.
However, what was done was done. He couldn’t take back the words he said. So he just picked one of the frogs he had caught, and settled down to eat it, just as Ratscar padded out of the tree hallow where Timberstar slept.
He spotted Bugpaw easily and walked over to him. “Get some rest. Timberstar wants you at the gathering tonight,” he said, voice gruff as he then walked away, not wasting any time for needless chit-chat.
Not that Bugpaw could care less. He was going to a gathering, his second one ever since becoming an apprentice, and that was exciting.
Chapter Two:
Splashpaw swished her tail gently as she watched the older cat walk along the sand. Finally, after a moment or two, she lunged forward, and the older cat dodged out of the way. Splashpaw got really to leap back into battle, however the older cat simply purred.
“That was a good tactic, Splashpaw. I almost didn’t know you were there,” the she-cat purred out. “Though next time, you might think about not running your tail in the sand,” she suggested, nothing but amusement in her eyes.
Splashpaw nodded, sitting down across from her mother. “Sorry Shellstar, next time, I’ll do better,” she promised and Shellstar nodded in approval. The two cats almost looked identical, so much that those who had not known them to be separate cats, might have wondered if Shellstar had shrunk when seeing Splashpaw.
Both had the same dappled, furry pelt, with almost the same markings, and the same light green eyes. Splashpaw had always felt proud to look so much like her mother. It made her even more confident in her abilities.
“Now, how about you and I go to the water’s edge to see if we can see the coral?” Shellstar suggested, nudging the apprentice slightly before she began to head off in the direction of the ocean. Splashpaw following close behind.
“Shellstar?” She started, walking next to her. “Won’t the clan wonder where you are? You are the leader after all. They can’t expect you to spend all day with an apprentice,” she said, happy to spend time with her, but worried. Splashpaw had always believed that it was important to give everything to your clan, no matter what. This? Well this could easily be considered goofing off.
However, the leader only let out a small laugh of amusement. “Oh, I think Vineclaw can manage on his own for a little bit. Besides, it’s been so long since just you and I were able to spend time together. You’re the only kin I have left in the clan. I’m sure the clan won’t mind us taking one day to enjoy ourselves,” Shellstar explained with ease.
Splashpaw tilted her head. “Even with the threat of the Hunters?” It hadn’t meant to come off as judgmental, but part of it had, all the same.
Shellstar stopped in her tracks, tensing up slightly. “ReefClan hasn’t suffered any losses in a long time. We’re a peaceful clan, within our borders, we don’t have any threats. Let’s not worry about what the clan wants, or the Hunters right now, okay?” She asked, sending a smile back at Splashpaw before she continued towards the ocean, sand beginning to feel soft and wet under their feet.
Splashpaw still wasn't convinced that the Hunters shouldn’t be one of their main concerns, but if Shellstar thought they weren’t as big of a threat as everyone made them out to be. Who was Splashpaw to judge? Shellstar was the leader, and her mother. She had to know best.
Soon, they got to the edge of the ocean, with blue water gently lapping at their feet. Splashpaw had always enjoyed the water. It was so calming and peaceful, so long as you didn’t stray too far out.
“Come on, Splashpaw,” Shellstar called back to her as she begun to enter the water.
Splashpaw followed, her pelt instantly getting wet as the water began to surround her. She was only able to walk a little further in before the water got too deep and she began to swim, watching as Shellstar reached the coral, diving into the water.
A few moments later, Shellstar reemerged, a shell in her jaws as she swam back over to Splashpaw. “What do you think?” She asked, voice muffled due to the shell in her mouth. Luckily though, Splashpaw understood and purred out a response.
“It’s very pretty, you’re always so great at finding them,” she complimented as Shellstar went to drop the shell she had found on the sand.
Splashpaw continued on, reaching the coral and holding her breath as she dived under to get a better look at it. The coral was beautiful, the fish that swam around it looked peaceful and content, even if they didn’t stray far out, in fear of getting caught.
Once she was beginning to feel out of breath, Splashpaw poked her head back out. “Shellstar-“ she began to call out, only stopping once she realized her mother was talking to someone. It was Mintpaw, the medicine cat’s apprentice.
Deciding not to intervene, Splashpaw quietly swam over and walked back up onto the sand, waiting patiently for them to finish up. However she did catch the last bit of their conversation.
“I’m going back to camp, but I don’t want Splashpaw to see that. Stay here with her,” Shellstar ordered to a slightly annoyed looking Mintpaw, however she didn’t argue. Then, Shellstar turned back to Splashpaw. “I’m sorry, I have to go back to camp, something came up. Mintpaw’s going to keep you company until it’s safe to come back,” she said and gave Splashpaw an affectionate lick on the lead before leaving.
Splashpaw looked over at Mintpaw, who was grumbling as she pawed at the ground, digging up sand. “…What happened?” She asked tentatively.
Mintpaw looked over at her. “Sandheart is injured. He was attacked by the some rogues. If Mistyfur’s patrol hadn’t come when they had, he would be dead. Luckily though, Mistyfur’s patrol chased them off,” she explained and Splashpaw cringed, it sounded awful.
“Do you think they were part of the Hunters?” Splashpaw asked, an eerie feeling creeping through her, going up her spine and giving her chills.
“Might be,” she agreed, and after a moment of silence, Mintpaw snorted sharply. “I probably shouldn’t even be telling you this. Shellstar would box my ears if she knew I was telling you what actually goes on,” she said quietly, though it was still loud enough for Splashpaw to hear.
She looking over at the older apprentice with confusion. “What do you mean?” She questioned, not at all liking what Mintpaw had to say.
“What I mean, is that Shellstar protects you from ever having to face the truth around here. She smothered you as a kit, and she’s still smothering you now. Treemist thinks it’s because you’re the only kit that survived. Personally I think it’s stupid. You’re old enough to protect yourself now, and pretending nothing horrible exists isn’t going to help anyone, including you,” Mintpaw said, finally looking right at Splashpaw.
Splashpaw shook her head. “No, she knows I can handle myself-“ she started to argue, however Mintpaw cut her off.
“No she doesn’t. If she did, she’d let Vineclaw put you on SwampClan or thunder path border patrols. She’d let Stormprint go hard on you during training, she’s actually take care of her duties instead of still acting like a queen with one moon old kits,” Mintpaw spat out, however by the way she was talking, it sounded a lot more like she was repeating what had been told to her.
“Take that back!” Splashpaw ordered, standing up. “Shellstar is a great leader, she would never neglect her duties as leader, and she does not treat me like a kit,” Splashpaw hissed out, her tail lashing angrily behind her.
Mintpaw gave her a rather unamused look. “That so? Well, then why wouldn’t she let you go back to camp with her? She didn’t want you to see Sandheart. Doesn’t think you can handle it,” she explained.
Splashpaw frowned, though she couldn’t quite find it in her to argue with that. It was…well it was hard to argue against. However she straightened herself up, standing tall. “Well, she’s wrong. I can handle it. Let’s go back to camp, right now,” she suggested boldly.
Mintpaw looked at her for a moment before she snorted again. “Well, look at little kitty rebel here. Thought I’d never see the day. Alright, let’s go back,” she agreed as she got up, beginning to head towards their camp.
Splashpaw followed after her, trying to forget what she had said. She didn’t want to believe it, but Mintpaw might be right about her mother.
It didn’t take long for them to get to camp and sneak in…considering they weren’t actually supposed to be there.
However, Splashpaw had not been prepared to see Sandheart, dead by the time they got there, lying by the medicine cat's tunnel, dry blood crusted to his sandy colored fur.
Her legs weakened and she looked away, trying to keep the fish she had eaten down.
Mintpaw glanced back to her, rolling her eyes. “Yeah, I knew you couldn’t take it,” she muttered before going to join Treemist by Sandheart.
It was then that Shellstar noticed Splashpaw, and made her way over, clearly worried as she tried to block Sandyheart from her view.
“Splashpaw…you were supposed to stay by the ocean, why’d you come back so soon?” She questioned, eyeing her warily.
Splashpaw looked away. “…We thought it would be alright to come back by now,” she explained, glancing past her mother to see Sandheart again. “Is he…He’s dead, isn't he?” She questioned, already knowing the answer.
Shellstar looked back to Sandheart for a moment before she looked back to Splashpaw. “…Yes, but don't worry about it. We’ll honor him like the great warrior he was,” she said, and quickly noticing how upset Splashpaw seemed to be, she continued. “You should get some rest, don’t forget that we have the gathering later. We…we still have to go,” she reminded.
Splashpaw just nodded, which was enough for Shellstar to usher her towards the apprentice's tunnel. However Splashpaw wasn’t sure she would be able to sleep, or appreciate the gathering, not with the imagine of a dead Sandheart still fresh in her mind.
Maybe…Maybe Shellstar and Mintpaw were right. Maybe she really couldn’t handle it.
Chapter Three:
“Hang in there, Yellowbee, you’re doing just fine,” Ryepaw said, looking to the queen with a sympathetic smile. The queen glared at him, and as another burst of pain rippled through her, she chomped down fiercely on the stick in her mouth.
Ryepaw winced slightly. He would not want to be that stick right now. However his attention was quickly taken by the kitten that had just slid out, he reached for it, licking the sack before he placed the small ginger kitten by it’s mother. “Good, you’re doing fine. That’s three down, and one to go,” he told her.
Yellowbee grunted in response and Ryepaw was once again wishing that his mentor was here. Hilldrop was so much better at this than he was. He wasn’t even that old, hadn’t even gotten his medicine cat name. Yet here he was, internally freaking out and not being able to show it.
It wasn’t long before the last kitten was born and Ryepaw let out a sigh of relief as he took a step back, looking at the queen. “Well, you have four healthy kits, you should be proud,” he purred out, swerving to another nest, where three, much older kits, were watching with wide eyes. “You three, want to be useful?” He asked and the three kits’ already wide eyes widened even more as they realized that they had been caught. However they gave wary nods all the same.
Ryepaw purred. “You three are almost apprentices, you should act like it. Now, how about you go fetch Applemask, I’m sure he wants to come see his kits,” he said and quickly all three kits scrambled out. First went the fluffy, blackish brown tabby blur of Orchidkit, followed by the equally fluffy sandy Antkit, and then finally, shooting far past the other two, went the solid brown blur of Wildkit, whose name did him justice.
He let out a low chuckle, their mother had already moved back to the warriors den, and the three kits could be apprenticed any day. It would be nice to get them out of the nursery, with it expanding in cats as much as it was and all.
As a frantic, yet all too happy looking Applemask hurried in, sort of out of breath, Ryepaw took a step back to let the happy couple have a moment. Though he stayed in the nursery a little longer to make sure all the kits were healthy. This was her first litter, he wanted everything to go smoothly.
After a few minutes, he said his farewells and left the nursery, however as soon as he had stepped outside, his ears swerved towards the frantic yell of someone calling his name, and as soon as he had zeroed in on the crying cat, Rabbitpaw was already in front of him, sniffling as the young apprentice shoved his paw in Ryepaw’s face.
He crinkled his nose and took a step back, blinking. “Rabbitpaw, what in StarClan’s name are you doing?” He questioned.
Rabbitpaw sniffed and showed his paw again. “I stepped on something and it’s digging into my paw! It hurts, Ryepaw, it hurts so bad, I think I’m dying!” He cried out dramatically, shaking his head as he showed Ryepaw his hurt paw again.
Ryepaw tried his best not to roll his eyes. “Sit down, let me get a look of your paw,” he instructed and Rabbitpaw did as he was told, sniffling pathetically. “You aren’t going to die, it’ll be alright,” Ryepaw told him in an attempt to comfort the dramatic tom as he examined the paw.
It was nothing but a sharp thorn that had stabbed his pad. Ryepaw leaned down, fastened his teeth around the thorn, and pulled it out.
As soon as it was out, Rabbitpaw yelled and stumbled back. “Oh StarClan! I’m dying, aren’t I? It hurts so bad, oh I'm in pain!” He wailed out until the throbbing pain died down and he blinked, gingerly giving his paw a lick. “Huh, wow. It feels so much better, thanks Ryepaw! You’re a miracle worker!” He purred out happily before trotting off without a care in the world.
Ryepaw, who still had the thorn in his mouth, rolled his eyes at that. So dramatic. Rabbitpaw always had a flare for the dramatics, but still, that was a bit much, even for him.
So, with the thorn in his mouth, he went to enter the Medicine Cat’s tunnel, figuring he could put this thorn with the others. It seemed silly, but Ryepaw liked to collect the small things like this. He had quite the collection. For him, it let him remind himself of everything he had done, all the cats he had already helped and it filled him with confidence.
He padded into the tunnel with ease, and after spitting out the thorn onto the top of his pile he began to head back out. However just as he turned around, he heard a raspy voice call out his name and instantly quickened his step to reach his mentor. “Ryepaw, is that you?”
Hilldrop was in his nest, breathing slowly. He was old, the oldest cat in the clan, but as Ryepaw’s training was far from over, he hadn’t been able to retire to the elders den yet. However he wasn’t well. Anyone could tell that just by looking at him. Whatever he had wasn't contagious, but it made the poor elderly cat far weaker than his younger siblings, Flameleap and Tallhawk, who had been born to a younger litter of the same parents of Hilldrop, and had both already retired, albeit only recently.
“I’m here, Hilldrop, what is it?” Ryepaw asked as he reached his mentor, nuzzling him affectionately.
The old, ginger tom, lifted his head up to look at Ryepaw, having to focus as his vision was failing him. “How did the kitting go? How many kits did Squirrelstorm have?” He questioned and Ryepaw let out a small sigh, resting down beside him.
“No, Hilldrop, Squirrelstorm had her kits almost six moons ago, don’t you remember? You were there,” Ryepaw corrected him gently.
Hilldrop was silent for a moment, as if considering this carefully. “Oh…Well then, who was it that had their kits today?” He questioned, a look of confusion fogging over his eyes.
“Yellowbee had Applemask’s kits. Four healthy kits, three she-kits and one tom, they haven’t named them yet but the kitting went smoothly,” he explained, happy to talk to Hilldrop. He couldn’t do much but sleep lately, it was nice to get him talking.
Ryepaw remembered quite well, back when he was just starting out. Still old and a little forgetful, but he had taken Ryepaw under his wing and taught him so much. The first few moons especially, Ryepaw had hardly gotten a moment’s rest back then, as Hilldrop tried to teach him everything that he could. It had only been these last few moons when he had gotten really bad.
Hilldrop nodded his head, closing his eyes again. “Good. That’s good. I’m proud of you, Ryepaw,” he added, letting out a quiet purr. “You are already so talented. You deserve your full medicine cat name, we’ll have to do it soon, before…” Hilldrop trailed off, bowing his head, as he let silence fill the tunnel.
Ryepaw pressed his nose into his fur. “You’re not going anywhere anytime soon, Hilldrop,” he argued lightly, closing his eyes for a moment, letting out a comforting purr, which did seem to ease his mentor a little. “Now,” Ryepaw started as he stood back up. “I’m going to get you something to eat, and then, we’ll find some herbs to help you sleep comfortably,” he reassured him, mumbling out a soft goodbye to him before he padded out.
Blinking from the sudden sunlight, Ryepaw looked around the camp. Orchidkit, Antkit, and Wildkit were playing excitedly just outside the tunnel to the nursery, laughing and tumbling around. It would be good for them to be apprenticed, then they could put that energy to something worthwhile.
Meanwhile, Dandelionpaw and Pigpaw were quietly conversing just outside the apprentices tunnel, a scrawny looking rabbit placed in between their paws. They must have just gotten back from patrol.
Speaking of which, it seemed like another patrol was about to leave. With the deputy, Waspsting at the helm. However as Ryepaw’s eyes landed on Honeystep, the young warrior, and Jumpingpaw, the adventurous littermate of Rabbitpaw and Pigpaw, he began to pad over.
“Waspsting, a moment before you leave,” he said once he was close enough, causing the deputy to stop and turn to him.
“Of course Ryepaw, besides, we’re still waiting for Nightclaw to finish his visit to the nursery. What can we do for you?” He asked politely, though there was a bit of an edge to his voice. Waspsting, although very polite and respectful to all the clan, had always seemed wary of Ryepaw, as if expecting him to mess up at any given moment.
Needless to say, it drove Ryepaw crazy.
However, he hid that slight tingle of annoyance well. “We’re running low on poppy seeds and with everything going on in camp, I can’t leave to get them myself. I was hoping your patrol could pick some up on the way back, for me?” He inquired hopefully.
Waspsting sent a glance back to his patrol to see what they thought. Honeystep gave a respectful nod, as if stating that she wouldn't mind, while Jumpingpaw’s eyes gleamed with excitement at the thought, jumping up and down happily at the notion of a possible adventure.
Quickly realizing that he couldn’t refuse now, he gave a relented sigh of agreement. “Of course, Ryepaw. Anything for our medicine cat,” he told him, still a hint of an edge in his voice. Ryepaw was about to correct him, that Hilldrop was their medicine cat, he was just the apprentice, when Nightclaw padded over, humming happily to himself. “Nightclaw! About time you got here, you’re late,” Waspsting told him tartly before hurrying his patrol out of camp.
Ryepaw watched them go, with Waspsting lecturing the lovesick fool on lateness. He shook his head, as much as Ryepaw tried to hold a grudge against any of the clan, he couldn't. (Waspsting excluded.) They were like his family, and certainly the closest thing he had to one now.
His reminiscing was quickly cut short though, as Wildkit tripped over his sister, Orchidkit, smashing right into Antkit, and both tumbled back, smashing into the edge of the tunnel entrance that lead to the warriors sleeping quarters.
Ryepaw sighed, instantly heading over. He couldn’t stay mad at them, but that certainly didn’t stop him from being heavily annoyed at them. He would check on them, lecture them on playing safely, then find something to bring back to Hilldrop, hopefully no one else would need his help for a few good hours.
He still had to organize their herb collection, not to mention prepare for the gathering. Hilldrop was determined to come this time, and that meant Ryepaw would be busy at work tonight, that was for sure. He just hoped everything went smoothly at the gathering. He wasn’t entirely sure why, but he had the feeling that this would be a gathering to remember.
Chapter Four:
Bugpaw padded along with the others as they made their way to the stream at the border. There was no possible way for SwampClan to get to the Star Stones without crossing ReefClan territory, and so, the two clans agreed to meet at the stream that traveled through both their territories and walk to the gathering together.
Timberstar had only taken a reasonable amount of cats to the gathering. With the hunters still a threat, he couldn’t afford to leave the camp unguarded. Though still…Bugpaw glanced towards the warriors that were walking in front of them, his eyes narrowing at the sight of an all too familiar scarred gray pelt.
Certain cats should have been left behind. Like Ratscar, for instance. Having him there was sure to make the gathering a little less fun than it should have been.
Then, on top of all that, Tinypaw hadn’t spoken a word to him ever since his comment earlier. He could understand why…but still, considering she and Tumblepaw were the only apprentices in the clan who talked to him, it kind of hurt.
Finally, Timberstar signaled with his tail for the clan to stop once they had reached the border, where ReefClan was already waiting for them.
It looked as if Shellstar hadn’t brought as many cats as usual either. Perhaps they were having problems with the hunters as well?
The ReefClan leader bowed her head respectfully to Timberstar. “Greetings, Timberstar. It’s good to see you again,” she said, looking past him to get a look at the cats he was bringing. “Though, you didn’t seem to bring as many cats as usual, I hope everything’s alright?”
Timberstar cast a look of his own to Shellstar’s group.”I could say the same to you, Shellstar,” he told her evenly. “Now, come on, we don’t want to keep GrassClan waiting. I don’t know about you, Shellstar, but I would rather not have Jaggedstar brag about being first again,” he explained, an amused glint in his eyes.
Shellstar purred in agreement, and soon, the two clans continued towards the gathering spot, walking side by side as they traveled across the sand.
It was one of the few times that Bugpaw wished he hadn’t been walking on the edge, because that gave a perky looking ReefClan apprentice to move in beside him. “Hello. I’m Splashpaw,” she introduced politely.
Bugpaw sent her a narrowed glance. She looked almost identical to Shellstar, only younger…fluffier. “Bugpaw,” he introduced tartly before he looked away again. He didn’t really have the patience to deal with perky, naive, ReefClan apprentices.
However, his clear dismissal wasn’t enough to shake her off. “Bugpaw? What a rotten name! I wouldn’t want to be named after a bug..eww,” Splashpaw said with a shake of her head. She was clearly trying to be sympathetic, but Bugpaw could find nothing but annoyance for her.
“Hmm, yes. See, in SwampClan, we try our best to give our kits the worst possible names that we can. It’s a tradition. We even have an elder named Roteyes, his name is cherished above all else,” Bugpaw drawled out sarcastically, however by how wide Splashpaw’s eyes went, he assumed that sarcasm was not part of her language. Wonderful.
Sadly, it seemed their little conversation had not gone unnoticed by other clan mates, and before Bugpaw knew what was happening, he had been whacked on the back of his head by a small, gray and black paw.
“Owe,” he muttered, glancing back to see Tinypaw looking angrily at him. Which was…unusual, she was normally a good tempered cat.
“Bugpaw, don’t tell her that! You’ll make her think we’re a clan full of…of…I don’t know, but nothing good,” Tinypaw lectured him as she then turned her attention to Splashpaw. “Don’t listen to him, Bugpaw always like that. I’m Tinypaw, and I can promise you that we don’t try to find the worst possible names for cats and there isn’t anyone named Roteyes in our clan,” she said, sending Bugpaw another look of disapproval.
He had already decided that he didn’t like it when Tinypaw was mad at him. She was often one of the few cats that could tolerate him, and as much as it pained him to even admit it to himself, he kind of, sort of, just might miss her company.
Not to mention, for such a tiny cat, she sure hit hard.
Splashpaw glanced from Tinypaw to Bugpaw, as if deciding who she should believe, however it didn’t seem long before she had decided to trust Tinypaw, and smiled down at the smaller cat. “Oh, alright. I’m Splashpaw, by the way, it’s nice to meet you,” she introduced herself and the two fell into a conversation that Bugpaw didn’t care to listen to.
The rest of the way there, Bugpaw was left to stew by himself until they finally left ReefClan territory and the star stones came into view. Bugpaw’s eyes widened slightly as he looked at the sight. The sky was clear, with no clouds in the sky, and the tides tame. The sand glistened in the moonlight, the sparkly pebbles that littered the sand twinkled like stars, and just a little ways into the water, stood three, tall, gray rocks where the leaders stood.
Now, Bugpaw didn’t consider himself someone who was easily impressed, but he couldn’t deny the beauty of the Star Stones. This place was truly, magical.
Suddenly, a flash of his dream clouded his vision, and the once dazzling Star Stones were covered in the blood of dead cats. Bugpaw blinked and tumbled back, and instantly, as fast as it came, the vision was gone.
He frowned and and gave an annoyed flick of his tail. He should not still be hung up by that stupid dream.
Soon, the two clans began to flood into the sandy clearing. GrassClan was already there, and they had by far, brought the most cats. Jaggedstar, the leader of GrassClan, was waiting just outside the crowd of cats, a smirk on his face.
“Timberstar, Shellstar, it’s nice to see that you two finally made it,” Jaggedstar said in jest as the clans began to separate and mingle with the others. The leaders disappearing into the crowd.
Bugpaw looked around at all the mingling cats. They had a little bit before the gathering officially started. The leaders liked to talk, and allow everyone else to do the same before they got to announcements.
However, as all the other cats broke off into groups to talk, Bugpaw found himself just standing there as he watched the others. Warriors mingled among themselves, the medicine cats and their apprentices had already found a spot to talk, apprentices were listening to elders or warriors share stories, deputies were quietly talking by their leaders, and then there was Bugpaw.
It was silly, he knew it was, but Bugpaw hardly felt comfortable mingling with his own clan. (Granted it was sort of his fault since he rarely bothered to be nice.) But if he couldn’t even feel comfortable with his own clan, how was he supposed to talk to cats from the other two clans?
Suddenly that previous excited over going to a gathering had been whisked away and Bugpaw was wishing he had stayed at camp.
Apparently though, him sitting alone, feet away from the nearest cat, hadn’t gone unnoticed, and before he could feel too sorry for himself, a gray pelt brushed past him, nudging him in the shoulder. “You know, part of the gathering is to talk to other cats,” Ratscar told him, sending him a look.
Bugpaw froze in his spot. Of all the cats it could have been to come over, it had to be Ratscar. Of course. StarClan loved messing with him, didn’t they? “I uh…” He started dumbly, unable to actually figure out what to say. It wasn’t like he could confess to his insecurities in front of his mentor, the same mentor who already thought so little of him.
Ratscar gave him a look, staring right into his eyes. Which actually made Bugpaw feel quite uncomfortable, but he couldn’t look away without appearing weak somehow. Finally, Ratscar shook his head and broke the eye contact. “Come on, you can stick with me for now, at least until you feel comfortable enough to go off on your own,” he explained and had already started off into the swarm of cats before Bugpaw could get so much as a word in.
He blinked before padding after Ratscar.
Though it wasn’t long before he wished he hadn’t, as Ratscar had gone to sit down and talk to some older warriors. There was his father, Beetleprint, as well as two GrassClan cats that he recognized as Acornflower and Thistleberry. There was also one warriors from ReefClan, it took Bugpaw a minute before he realized it was Vineclaw, ReefClan’s deputy.
Ratscar signaled for Bugpaw to sit down beside him, so he did…albeit a little awkwardly. He hadn't ever spoken a word to any of these cats, other than his father and Ratscar. Thistleberry looked the nicest, even acknowledged him with a nod of her head, which the others certainly didn’t do.
They began talking about the weather and if the prey was running well in the different clans. Personally, Bugpaw found it all very boring. Which probably explained why his attention was so quickly snatched up by two warriors that looked nearly identical, as they told a group of apprentices a story.
Bugpaw watched with interest, trying to lean in a little and catch some of what they were saying, though he couldn’t catch much of it.
Ratscar seemed to notice the fidgeting apprentice and let out a sigh. “Why don’t you go join them?” He suggested, and Bugpaw looked up in surprise. He kind of assumed that Ratscar would keep him by him after that little display earlier. “Go on, I’ll be here if-“ Ratscar paused, as if suddenly remembering that he wasn’t nice to Bugpaw and shook his head. “If you need me,” he finished.
Bugpaw resisted retorting back that he still had yet to think of a time where he had needed Ratscar. Instead, he just gave a small nod and quietly went to go sit at the edge of the group of apprentices, catching the last bit of the story.
“Well, anyways, that’s how we got out warrior names. Not a bad tale, right?” The darker shaded tom asked, clearly enjoying all the attention he was getting from the apprentices. Including Bugpaw, there were four. Dandelionpaw from GrassClan, Splashpaw from ReefClan, and then himself and Tinypaw from SwampClan.
“Say, Archwhisker. While we’ve still got these paws attention, how ‘bout we tell them about the time we took Moonkit out hunting?” Suggested the lighter one and Archwhisker seemed to consider it for a moment.
He gave a thoughtful frown. “Hmm, that is a rather magnificent tale. Alright, I’ll tell it,” he decided with a nod, however before he could even start, Splashpaw piped in, tilting her head to the side.
“Who is Moonkit? I didn’t think there were any cats in GrassClan with that name,” she explained and Bugpaw scoffed. Yeah, like she knew all the cats in GrassClan.
Archwhisker and his brother looked down at the young apprentice with looks of pure disdain. “You don’t know about Moonkit? Where ‘ave you been living? Under a rock?” The lighter of the two asked and Archwhisker sent him a look.
“Oi, Copperspots, don’t be so unpleasant to the rock dwelling paw,” Archwhisker ordered with a smirk on his face as he nudged Copperspots lightly. “Besides, you never pass up a chance to talk about Moonkit,” he reminded.
Copperspots seemed to consider this for a moment, before he nodded in agreement. “I suppose that’s true…Alright paws, listen up, I’m going to tell you the story of Moonkit, and you are all gonna like it,” he explained as he wrapped his tail around his paws, getting ready to dive into the story when another cat approached.
He was a semi large, dark brown tabby cat, with lighter paws. “Archwhisker, Copperspots, mind if I join you?” He asked politely and both cats let out meows of agreement.
“Ryepaw! I didn’t think you’d be joining us. Hilldrop let you off the hook then?” Copperspots asked as he sent a look back towards the other medicine cats.
Ryepaw nodded, getting comfortable. “Yes. He said that I should try to have some fun tonight, and that he had something to talk about with Treemist Dawnpetal, and Nightspirit. They sent Mintpaw away too,” he explained rather politely. “But please, don’t let me interrupt, you were going to tell a story, right?” He asked.
Copperspots nodded. “Mhmm, the tale of Moonkit,” he explained, clearing his throat as he began to explain. “Now, this was well before any of you paws were born. Back when Archwhisker and I were still paws like you lot. There was a battle between all three clans over that land by the thunder path. It’s owned by ReefClan right now, and usually is,” he began to explain.
“Wait, why were they all fighting over that stupid strip of land? It’s right by the thunder path, but there's no prey there because of the noises from that stupid path. It’s entirely useless except for the fact that it’s the closest land that connects our territories,” Bugpaw interrupted, looking from Archwhisker to Copperspots as he waited for an answer.
Archwhisker was the one who answered. “Right you are, my young, snarky friend. However, there is something special about it. See, there’s a tunnel that leads underneath the thunder path right there. Only tunnel anywhere, and the safest place to cross. At the time, tensions were real high in the clans they were, and the ability to have that tunnel was crucial,” Archwhisker explained, which was good enough for Bugpaw.
He nodded in understanding and Copperspots took that as a go ahead to continue. “Anyways, so, there was this big ol’ battle taken place. Cats from all the clans were there, it was brutal. However, while this was going on, two cats, Bugclaw from SwampClan, and Palmflower from GrassClan, heard a kit mewling. They stopped fighting, figuring some kit had wandered off from camp. However, it wasn’t any sort of kit from any of the clans. It was a small, black and gray kitten found in the tunnel,” Copperspots explained, lifting his paw up just slightly as if to show how small it was.
“The fight stopped after that. We all looked for the kit’s mother, but no one could find her. After so long, we had to assume she had either abandoned him or died,” Copperspots explained and turned to Archwhisker as if to let him continue.
Which he did, clearing his throat as he looked at the apprentices. “Now, at the same time that we were all searching for this kit’s mother, the medicine cats, all of them, had received a message from StarClan. This is where the prophecy came from-“ He began, only to get cut off by Splashpaw, who tilted her head in confusion.
“Prophecy?” She asked innocently. “What prophecy?”
Archwhisker and Copperspots shared a look. “You don’t know about the prophecy? Well, I’d bet my left back foot that you really do live under a rock! Every cat knows about the prophecy,” Archwhisker stated.
Copperspots nodded along in agreement with the other tom. “As they rightly should. Here, I’ll recite it for you, since its pretty clear that your loons of mentors have not been doing their job properly,” he chided in disappointment. Then, after clearing his throat, he spoke up.
“Beware the trees of old, with roots burnt and gone, for then the hunters will become the hunted and only when three are united by one, will the clans survive,” Copperspots said and the apprentices eyes went wide. “I know, bone chilling, right?” Copperspots asked, clearly not as shaken up by it as the others were.
Archwhisker took it from there. “At the time, we all thought that the prophecy was about Moonkit-who got his name from the full moon during the fight,” he stated in a matter-of-fact way. “After all, three united by one, it sure seemed like the clans were the three and Moonkit was the obvious choice for the one to unite us,” he said, nodding solemnly.
Bugpaw glanced around at the other apprentices. Dandelionpaw had a look of remorse on her face, as if knowing where this story was going. Tinypaw was avoiding eye contact, Ryepaw had his head bowed respectfully, and only he and Splashpaw seemed to not know how this was going to end.
Figuring he would give her a bit of a break from having to be the one to ask all the questions, he spoke next. “What happened to him?” He asked, looking up at the two warriors, who suddenly had looks of grief on their faces.
Neither answered at first, however as the moments of silence dragged on, Copperspots seemed to realize that Archwhisker didn’t want to answer, and took it upon himself to do it. “Well, since the matter of Moonkit involved all the clans, we had decided to share him until he was old enough to pick a clan for himself. He was supposed to spend a moon in each clan until he was apprenticed, and then, he could pick where he wanted to belong,” he started, looking down.
Archwhisker took it from there. “But, when he was traveling from GrassClan to ReefClan, he wandered off from his escorts, got a little too close to the rising tide of the beach, and well…he drowned. His body washed up on shore later. All the clans mourned for him. We had all thought he was the cat in the prophecy, but, we were wrong, and now, we’ve all lost a promising warrior,” he finished.
A respectful silence followed the end of the story. No apprentice willing to break it. However, lucky for them, they didn’t have to. As the leaders had begun to make their way from thr crowd and to the big rocks on the shore.
One by one, they all jumped up onto their designated rock.
Archwhisker looked towards them. “Well, looks like announcements are about to start. We bettter get going if we want a good seat,” he said, instantly getting up and nudging Copperspots.
The two walked off together to find somewhere better to listen in on what the leaders had to say, and soon, the other apprentices followed. As one by one, they all disappeared into the crowd and Bugpaw was left alone.
He sighed and stayed where he was, kicking the sand with his paw. He could listen in from here just fine. Now was no time to mope anyways, he did want to listen to the leaders.
And so, once everyone else was comfortably seated on the sand, Timberstar cleared his throat and began the announcements for SwampClan.
Chapter Five:
Splashpaw padded closer to the rocks, sitting down on the soft, loose sand to hear her mother and the other leaders speak up. However, even as the other cats began to gather, waiting for Timberstar to speak up, Splashpaw couldn’t help but think back to that story, the one those two GrassClan litter mates had spoken of.
Poor Moonkit…Poor clans, and oh that prophecy, it was a lot to handle, and Splashpaw hardly was able to grasp it all.
Then, the cat was pulled out of her thoughts as the great leader of SwampClan spoke up. “Welcome cats from all the clans, we join together tonight, under the full moon and clear sky of our warriors ancestors, may they approve of this meeting and be with us,” he spoke the long and old words, officially starting the gathering.
“SwampClan has been well. We have a new kit as Sweetbird, mate of Smallheart, had her second litter some time ago, sadly only one of them made it, and due to his constant mewling, Sweetbird and Smallheart have decided to name him Cricketkit,” Timberstar paused, letting the cats purr in amusement.
Splashpaw looked around, her whiskers twitching curiously. The customs they shared here were strange, and seemed sort of useless and long to her. But it was a way to connect them, remind them that they were all cats, no matter where they came from…At least, that’s what Shellstar had told her.
After a pause, Timberstar continued. “The prey runs well in our clan, and we have had no problems with the alligators this moon. However, one of our warriors, Skinktail, died a few nights ago, we believe it was caused by the hunters,” the furry tom paused again, watching as the cats fidgeted around on the sand. “Once again, I strongly urge all of you to remain alert, it is clear that these hunters, whoever they are, pose a great threat to all the clans, and we would do well to remember that,” he spoke clearly, voice crisp and to the point, as if trying to make them understand the severity of the situation more fully.
However, it was at that point that Shellstar interrupted, standing up on her rock to signify it was her turn to talk. “Timberstar, this is a time of peace and happiness, let’s not bring the hunters into this,” she suggested and Splashpaw let out a small hum of agreement. Her mother was right, now was not the time for it.
“Now, unless you have any other news to share from SwampClan, I would like to speak for ReefClan,” Shellstar added, waiting for a moment as Timberstar bowed his head respectfully and sat down.
Then, Shellstar turned her focus to the other cats. “ReefClan is thriving, the prey is plentiful and our cats are healthy. We have an amazing set of warriors and apprentices, and though we have no new warriors, apprentices, or kits yet, one of our most skillful warriors has recently retired to the elders den. Driftpool has decided it is time for her to retire, and her clan honors her commitment and bravery to her clan, as we wish her nothing but peace into her elderly years,” Shellstar explained, looking down to Driftpool.
The new elder bowed her head respectfully as the clans called out her name. Splashpaw had never quite got that custom either, but apparently it was a way to honor them.
Once the cheering had calmed down, Shellstar continued. “However, we too, have lost a cat recently. Sandheart, one of our oldest warriors, has died recently, the cause is unknown,” as she spoke, Splashpaw’s eyes widened.
“Unknown?” She murmured under her breath. “That’s not right…we know the reason, it was a cat-“ she spoke quietly, getting interrupted by Pelicanstorm, who shushed her softly.
“Hush kitten, Shellstar has her reasons for what she says, it is best not to question anything while at a gathering,” he reminded, leaning down to her as he gestured towards the other clans.
Splashpaw obediently fell quiet, though she did frown as her eyes fell to the floor. They had no problem questioning Shellstar in their own territory, what made here any different?
After a short pause, Shellstar continued. “Besides that, I have no news. Jaggedstar-“ she turned to look at the young leader of GrassClan. “I believe it’s your turn?” She questioned as she sat back down on her rock, beckoning him with her tail.
Jaggedstar blinked, instantly standing upright, and even to someone like Splashpaw, it was fairly clear that he hadn’t been paying all that much attention. “Oh, right. Yes, it’s my turn,” he agreed, almost talking to himself before he straightened up, cleared his throat, and faced the others.
“GrassClan has been doing great. Just earlier this day, our newest queen: Yellowbee, mate to Applemask, had her first litter of kits. None of them are named yet, but they are very cute, and our medicine cat apprentice, Ryepaw, did a great job helping her,” he explained with a loud purr. He wasn’t nearly as professional and…leader like as Shellstar or Timberstar. Splashpaw assumed it came from being the youngest leader since…Well, for a very long time.
Made deputy only moons after becoming a warrior to his elderly mother, who had died soon after, Jaggedstar wasn’t even technically a senior warrior before he became leader.
“Um let’s see, what else…” Jaggedstar trailed off. “Well, the prey’s been good, and we haven't really had any problems with anything but a few stupid strays lately, that’s it though,” he said, getting ready to sit down when Timberstar cleared his throat, whispering something to the younger leader.
Jaggedstar stopped mid way to a sitting position. “Oh, right,” he spoke quickly as he stood back up, clearing his throat again. “With the blessings of our ancestors, I call an end to this gathering, may StarClan light each clan’s path until we meet again,” he recited, jumping down as soon as he was done.
Pelicanstorm scoffed slightly from his spot as he watched the leaders jump down, beginning to herd their cats together to leave. “And I thought Shellstar wasn’t a good leader…” He muttered under his breath, pausing for a second as if just realizing who he said that by.
Splashpaw crinkled her nose in disgust, standing up. “Shellstar is an amazing leader, and you’re lucky no one else heard that!” She snapped, huffing as she turned her tail towards him and stalked off, unable to believe what she had just heard.
How dare Pelicanstorm speak that way of her mother? Shellstar was the best leader of any clan.
In her anger, Splashpaw didn’t seem to realize that she was fast approaching another cat, and then crashed right into her, sending them both tumbling into the water.
“Agh! Splashpaw, you fish out of water, get off me,” Mintpaw hissed out as she got pushed Splashpaw out of the way, stalking out of the water with drops sliding down her sides.
Splashpaw scrambled after her. “Oh, Mintpaw, I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there. I was just so angry and I guess I forgot to watch where I was going-“ she began to explain, but was promptly cut off when Mintpaw raised her tail up and covered Splashpaw’s muzzle with it.
“I don’t care, just be quiet so we can walk back to camp in peace,” she said, stalking off to join the others, with Splashpaw following after her, happy to oblige for now, since she was the reason Mintpaw was all wet and Mintpaw was grumpy enough after any normal gathering in itself, this just added more for her to complain about.
However, it was about the time they were half way back to camp when Mintpaw froze, making Splashpaw stop as well. “Oh, bird droppings. You made me drop those herbs Nightspirit brought for us when we tripped into the water, now I’ll have to go back and get them,” she grumbled and turned around to head back.
They were already at the back of the patrol back, and the other cats were quickly disappearing into the darkness, however as Splashpaw looked at Mintpaw walk off, all alone and wet, she couldn’t help but feel like it was her fault. “Mintpaw, wait!” She called out to the other apprentice, making her stop. “I ran into you, so it’s my fault. I’ll go get the herbs, okay?” She suggested.
Mintpaw seemed to consider it for a moment before shaking her head. “Shellstar would never be okay with that, it’ll just be better if I go get them myself,” she explained.
Splashpaw bounded over to her. “I’ll get them, they’re green leafy stuff, right?” She asked, vaguely remembering what Mintpaw had been holding as she ran into her. “Just, cover for me until I get back,” she called back, already sprinting away.
She hadn’t given Mintpaw much time to argue, and only slowed down once she was nearing the gathering spot again. Splashpaw did feel guilty about it all, and plus…Maybe she wasn’t ready to prove to her mother that she was brave enough yet, but she could prove to Mintpaw that she was, this would surely get her on her good side.
Splashpaw trotted over to the water’s edge, searching for the herbs when two voices caught her attention.
“Suspicious? I’m GrassClan’s medicine cat apprentice, I have more reason to be here than you,” came a voice she only slightly recognized and Splashpaw ducked behind the large rocks that the leaders sat on, peering past them to see who was talking.
It seemed to be two apprentices, one was that rude black apprentice from SwampClan, and the other was that GrassClan apprentice that knew Archwhisker and Copperspots. She had met them both briefly earlier that night. But why were they out here?
The black one…Bugpaw, flattened his ears. “I already told you, I heard something suspicious and decided to investigate, and then I found you, maybe my suspicions were correct after all-“
The GrassClan cat…Ryepaw, scoffed. “Your suspicions? That doesn’t even make any sense!” He snorted, looking about ready to dive into an annoyed rant when Bugpaw’s ears shot up, flicking his tail at Ryepaw.
“Shh, do you hear that?” He questioned, and after a moment of silence, Bugpaw started pushing Ryepaw towards the rocks. “Hurry, we can hide behind these-“
“You know…I don’t actually like getting wet, the water sticks to my fur and-“
“Oh for StarClan’s sake, just get behind those rocks!”
Just then, there was a splash and Splashpaw turned to see that the two cats had crashed into the water beside her. She blinked, letting out a quiet, unsure hello.
The two paused and looked over at her, then after a moment, Bugpaw rolled his eyes. “Great, another one. Both of you be quiet, if any warriors find us out here this late, we’re definitely getting it trouble,” he explained to the both of them.
Luckily, all three fell quiet and simply took to watching instead as a few different cats began to pad back from their territories and form a circle in front of the rocks.
Going by smells, there was at least one cat from GrassClan, two from SwampClan, and…Splashpaw paused, one from ReefClan.
She tilted her head to the side in confusion. Why were they meeting here right now? The gathering was over…
At first, the cats just shared simple greetings, which didn’t last very long, and then it went back to silence. Then, after a few minutes, came another cat, walking through the sand as she neared the others.
They all waited for her as she took a seat on the sand, staring each of the four cats over. This cat didn't smell like any of the clans, yet there was something about her that commanded respect, and then, she spoke.
“I’m glad to see you all could make it. Now, let’s get started, shall we?”
