Default Title - Write Your Own

Chapter Five

She settled down next to Lizardclaw, allowing Softpaw, Silverflake, Ashfire and Gorsepelt to sit a short distance away.

"Palestar, would you like to start?" Moonstar turned to Mistyheart's mother.

"Yes, please!" Palestar answered. Turning to the gathered cats, she mewed, "ShadowClan is doing great. Prey is running well and the entire Clan is healthy. Lakeleap has given birth to a she kit. We also found two kits in our territory, with no scent on their parents on them. We will raise them in ShadowClan, unless any of you have lost any kits recently?"

Cloverstar's eyes widened. "We found some kits in our territory too, two she cats and a tom. What if they're all part of the same litter?"

"It's possible," Palestar answered. "How old were they when you found them?"

"Pretty much newborn," Cloverstar answered. "They all had their eyes closed."

"The kits we found were newborn too!" Palestar gasped. "They must be littermates! Oh, great StarClan, and to think they were separated!"

Cloverstar mewed in agreement, "That's horrible. You had better give those kits you found straight over to us."

"What?" Lakeleap called out. "Why should we? Those kits are being raised in ShadowClan! It should be their decision where they stay now!"

Cloverstar glared at the ShadowClan warrior. "Three of the kits are in RiverClan, only two are in ShadowClan. It makes sense for them to come here. It's nothing personal, just logic."

It does make sense, but these kits have only ever known ShadowClan! They probably don't even remember their littermates!

"These are ShadowClan kits!" Hollyberry called out. "They have only ever known ShadowClan, and I'm pretty sure they don't want to join a bunch of strangers!"

Palestar looked doubtful. "But kin should stay together," she murmured. "Maybe we should just give those kits to RiverClan."

"What?" Hollyberry screeched. "But ShadowClan is their Clan! They opened their eyes in our camp! Songflight will look after them now!"

Seedheart called out. "All of the kits should stay in the Clan they were brought to!" looking up to Cloverstar, she added, "RiverClan has gained more from this than ShadowClan has anyway. It's fine."

All of ShadowClan turned to glare at Seedheart. "What's she doing here?" Archdrop yowled.

Seedheart glared at him. "I didn't feel as though I belonged in ShadowClan anymore. I'm a RiverClan warrior now."

"Where's Swiftpaw and Olivepaw?" Lizardclaw asked, glancing at Mistyheart worriedly. Oh StarClan, let Swiftpaw and Olivepaw be okay!

Seedheart snorted. "Calm down, they're fine, they just didn't want to join another Clan, and there's nothing wrong with that," she smirked a little. "They might still be in ShadowClan if rules weren't strict."

Palestar looked shocked. "Have you got a problem with following the Warrior Code?"

Seedheart shook her head. "Of course not, but ShadowClan is meant to show more pride. They've become soft."

Cloverstar sighed. "This isn't about Seedheart. Palestar, hand over those kits. There's plenty of time for them to get used to RiverClan."

Hollyberry was staring up at Palestar, desperation in his eyes. Palestar turned to look at him, smiling sympathetically.

"For now, ShadowClan will keep these kits. They can still meet their siblings at Gatherings."

Cloverstar smirked. "I had a feeling you would say that. Remember, they would still be enemies in battle. Is that what you want?"

Palestar froze, suddenly looking nervous. Mistyheart wanted to reach out to her mother to make her feel better, but she was too scared, so she just shuffled a bit closer to the Great Oak. She managed to catch Palestar's eye, and the two of them exchanged a smile. Cloverstar noticed, and then smiled at Mistyheart as well, though it was a different sort of smile, not the comforting smile between a mother and daughter. Oh StarClan, what was that about?

"I will ask the kits what they want," Palestar decided. "But unless they really want to go to RiverClan, we will never give them up."

Cloverstar looked angry, but he didn't say any more. "Talonstar, you can speak next." He growled irritably.

Talonstar looked a little nervous considering the disagreement between Palestar and Cloverstar. "ThunderClan's doing fine. We drove a badger off of our territory, but apart from that, very little has happened."

Maybe it was the same badger who took Songflight's kits. Oh StarClan, I hope no one else is harmed by badgers!

Next, Cloverstar spoke. "As I already explained, RiverClan found kits in their territory too, and we have no intentions in giving them up," he paused. "Well, actually, Seedheart found them. Our camp was closest, so she brought the kits there. We have given them to a queen to nurse, and Seedheart has also decided to stay with RiverClan. It's her own decision, and I suggest you all accept it."

"But Seedheart belongs with ShadowClan!" Mistyheart could hear the sadness in Peartail's mew as he spoke of his former apprentice. "She was born here, and she was always loyal to us!"

Cloverstar snorted in amusement. "If she was loyal to you, why did she leave you for us?" He stepped back, looking towards Moonstar, who was yet to speak.

Moonstar had been listening carefully. The WindClan leader seemed rather intelligent and observant, and had been watching the entire Gathering with interest. "WindClan is doing fine. We saw a dog wandering on our territory, and it managed to take the lives of two of our apprentices, Grasspaw and Ashpaw. May they walk safely with StarClan now. We chased the dog off our territory."

Dogs and badgers? Oh StarClan, protect us!

Moonstar continued, "We have two new warriors, Thornpelt and Silverflake."

"Thornpelt!" The gathered cats yowled out Thornpelt's name confidently, but were more hesitant when it came to Silverflake.

"Silverflake!" The majority of ShadowClan and RiverClan called out. There were some growls from ThunderClan and RiverClan. They found out about the relationship between Silverflake and Ashfire.

With the Gathering concluded, Lizardclaw and Mistyheart quickly made for the fallen tree, eager to leave. There was obvious hostility between ShadowClan and RiverClan, and it seemed to be making ThunderClan and WindClan uneasy too.

As the walked back, Palestar mewed, "When we get back, we'll make sure to ask Tallkit and Yellowkit what they want."

"And what if they say they want to leave?' Lizardclaw asked worriedly.

Palestar frowned. "I don't know, I just hope that they know their loyalties should be to ShadowClan."