Warriors: Burnttail's Regret (Complete)

Chapter 6

 Burntpaw padded after his Clanmates, the full moon floating above them on the night sky. Burntpaw was feeling a little better, and he could open his left eye now, but the wound still hurt and he could feel it even when he was just resting. He let out a growl. Snakepaw said the scar would make me look fierce, but I think she was just saying that to make me feel better. She doesn't know how I feel! I didn't even do anything wrong, I was just trying to catch a stupid squirrel! Jaggedriver didn't have to attack me, he could have just sent me off with a warning!

 Burntpaw's ears twitched as he followed his Clanmates through the tunnel that led under the Thunderpath. He hated walking there, but it was way safer than travelling on the Thunderpath, and it got them to the other side safely. Bumblestar flicked his tail and padded out of the tunnel, then he turned right and led them toward the Fourtrees.

 Burntpaw blinked as his Clanmates stopped. He pushed forward and looked down, excitement flooding through him. He loved Gatherings, and enjoyed talking with cats from the other Clans. The cats stopped at the top of the large, circular hollow. The four trees were positioned in a circular manner, with one tree in each corner of the hollow. Two cats were sitting on the Great Rock situated near the center, although Burntpaw couldn't recognize them due to being too far away.

 Bumblestar raised his tail after a few heartbeats, allowing his cats to scatter around. Burntpaw rushed toward the gathered cats, flicking his tail. This was only his second Gathering, and although he still felt weird being surrounded by cats from all the other Clans, he enjoyed talking with them.

 Burntpaw looked around and hissed when he saw Jaggedriver talking with another cat. Snakepaw approached him and followed his gaze. ''Is that him? Jaggedriver?''

 ''Yes.'' Burntpaw growled, lashing his tail and taking a step toward him. 

 Before he could reach him, however, Needlerose ran toward him and stepped in front of him, blocking his path. ''Stop! This is a Gathering, not a fight! There's a truce tonight, remember?''

 Burntpaw rolled his eyes. ''I know, but I don't think he deserves to be here.''

 ''ThunderClan doesn't know what he did yet,'' Needlerose explained with a sigh. ''But they will find out soon and hopefully scold him. You can head off now, but try to stay away from Jaggedriver. I don't think it would be good if he spotted you.''

 Burntpaw nodded and turned around, padding back to Snakepaw. His friend looked surprised. ''Woah, he really upset you.''

 ''You think?'' Burntpaw snapped and sat down, resting his gray tail over his light ginger paws and looked at the leaders. Bumblestar dipped his head to Frecklestar, RiverClan's leader, although he was avoiding Snailstar's gaze. The ThunderClan leader tilted his head, confused.

 Soon, Burntpaw heard more paw steps from behind him. He turned his head and saw Fernstar leading his Clan toward them from the direction of the moor. Burntpaw looked at the scrawny cats before they scattered around the clearing. Fernstar jumped on the Great Rock and dipped his head. ''Greetings.''

 ''Greetings to you too, Fernstar.'' Frecklestar meowed, then looked at the sky. ''Perfect, there are no clouds tonight. And it's rather warm. I think we should wait a bit before starting the Gathering.''

 ''I agree.'' Snailstar meowed and rested his black-and-brown tail over his brown paws, looking at the gathered cats. 

 Burntpaw looked at Snakepaw and lowered his voice. ''What do you think Snailstar will say when he finds out what one of his warriors did?''

 ''No idea, but I hope he doesn't take it as a threat.'' Snakepaw whispered. ''Hopefully Jaggedriver will be punished.''

 ''Who will be punished and why?''