Clans of the Forest:1: Stone and Silver (COMPLETE)

Chapter 21

Silverpelt pricked his ears when he heard the commotion outside. "What is it?" He asked Powernow, who was leaning out of the den, curiosity written all over her all over her face.

"The patrol is back," Powersnow mewed excitedly. "And they have catmint!"

Silverpelt felt joy inside him. Bluestar had insisted that she return to her den, so Silverpelt was staying in the medicine den now. He was adjusting to not being able to move again, but he was recovering. He didn't want to sit still much longer though. Instead, he bounded out of the medicine cat's den and touched noses with Stonevoice. "How was it? Are you okay?" He asked.

"There is so much to tell!" Stonevoice purred. "I can't wait to share it all with you. But first, Moonbeam says we should rest."

"Okay!" Silverpelt mewed, beginning to follow her to the warrior's den, but then remembering his injury. "I'll be just a moment," He muttered to Stonevoice and, and padded up to Powersnow. "Can I sleep in the warriors den with Stonevoice tonight?"

Powersnow considered it. "Okay," She finally mewed. "Go ahead."

Silverpelt purred and ran back over to Stonevoice. "Let's go!" They headed into the warriors den, curled up together, and slept.

. . .

"Silverpelt! Wake up!" A voice tingled around near his ears somewhere, but he didn't bother. He was having a wonderful dream about flying over the hills and lakes, splashing in the waters and all her contentedly curled up even more and blocked out the voice, going back to the dream.

It was like he was a bird! He could fly to the ends of the earth, he soar to the tops of the highest trees, he could fly over rivers and fields and lakes and forests and--even a weird giant hot place! He excitedly twisted in the air, it swirled around him and he chuckled quietly to himself. A wind blasted him in the face and he was blown backwards but quickly regained his balance. He felt so happy and free.

"SILVERPELT!" The voice said louder, but Silverpelt shrugged it off. Instead of doing anything, he flew along a river, leaning down to splash in its watery depths. 

Suddenly, something shook him hard and he jerked awake, sitting up quickly in his nest. "What?!?" He yelped, frightened. Above him, someone snorted. 

"Bluestar called a Clan meeting, fur-brain." A familiar voice called. It was Stonevoice. Slowly, the world came into focus. Silverpelt gazed around. The full moon shone eerily down into clearing, bathing the rocks and grass with a strange white light. Stonevoice and Wishpool were beside his nest, both looking slightly annoyed, especially Stonevoice, who was rolling her eyes. Silverpelt got to his feet in stepped out of the nest. It was full moon already? True, it had been awhile since Stonevoice, Wishpool, Moonbeam, Rainstorm, and Icetail had returned from getting the catmint. Since then, Bluestar had started on a speedy recovery, and Clan life had gone mostly back to normal. For the most part.

Despite their help during the catmint issue, BlizzardClan had been strangely quiet during the past moon. There were no threats on patrols, no attacks, nothing out of the ordinary. This made the past moon out of the ordinary, if that had made any sense. ForestClan had thanked BlizzardClan for the catmint on their last patrol meet, but the enemy Clan had shrugged it off like it had never happened, quickly bidding goodbye and heading away.

"Silverpelt! Quit standing there and get a move on!" Stonevoice's mew jerked him from his thoughts. He dipped his head in apology and followed her and Wishpool outside into the moon, where the Clan was waiting impatiently. Silverpelt felt shame burn his pelt, and he tried his best not to wince with shame and guilty ness.

"Finally," Bluestar sighed, leaping down from the Hightstone. "Rivereye, Barkclaw, Silverpelt, Stonevoice, Icetail, and Moonbeam. You will be attending the gathering. Let's set out now and not waste moonlight. The other Clans will be waiting for us."

She led the patrol of cats out the entrance, and Silverpelt felt excitement bubbling inside him. Stonevoice bounded up to them. "I can't believe that last time we went to a gathering, we were only apprentices. Imagine what the other Clans will think of us now!" 

"Well, last we went was the same day as our warrior ceremony," Silverpelt pointed out. "We were nearly warriors,"

"Oh, who cares," Stonevoice rolled her eyes and bounded up in front of him.

The gathering hollow came into view, and Silverpelt followed the rest of the Clan down into the ditch and watched Bluestar leap onto her rock. As Silverpelt observed the area, he couldn't help noticing that instead of Wonderstar, or even Shineleaf, on the BlizzardClan rock, Wickedcone stood there instead. Curiosity bubbled inside. I guess I have to wait for them to announce their news. 

Sure enough, Questionstar called everyone together. "I will start this gathering," She rasped, dipping her head to the other leaders. "MysteryClan has little to report this moon. Our warriors drove a fox away towards the Echo Lands, we see anything of him any time soon. The water system was cut down temporarily due to beavers making a dam farther upstream, but we fixed the problem and are as good as new. Wickedcone, would you like to speak?"

"Yes," The brown tom replied softly. "You may be wondering why Wonderstar and Shineleaf are not here with us tonight." He swiviled so he could have every cat's gaze. "The answer is here. They have left us, but they told me not to tell you why. Youngtooth and Sunpaw went shortly after, disappearing mysteriously without a trace. After they were gone, Lightfoot visited the Moonstone and StarClan told her that I could be the next leader. I have received nine lives and appointed Daffodil as deputy. BlizzardClan is as strong as ever." He stepped back.

"I will speak next," Trashcan said, moving forward. "Nothing worth saying has been going on, we are strong and healthy." She moved back.

Bluestar took her place, leaping off of the Forest Rock and onto the Star Rock. "We are happy to announce new warriors, Barkclaw, Stonevoice, Silverpelt, Wishpool, and Summerfruit!"

Cheers rang around the clearing, and Stonevoice leaned into Silverpelt. ""I will always be here. Through storm and sand, I will always be at your side." She mewed. Silverpelt felt his heart warm.

"We are not done though," Bluestar continued. "We are also reporting that, as usual, prey and water are running well. That will be all. May StarClan light your path."

"And yours." Trashcan responded.