Warrior Cats: Rising Smoke

Chapter 8

Sparrowflame padded over to Thruspelt who was lounging in the last of the days sunlight by himself. Thrushpelt had always been a very quiet tom who kept to himself and didn't mingle with the other warriors in his free time. He never complained and always helped defend and feed Moonclan, but he never seemed to have any friends besides his old clanmate Pinebrush. The tawny tom had a large scar across his neck from his past life as a Treeclan warrior and Sparrowflame wondered if he had been more interesting when he lived in Treeclan.

"I'm happy you are coming with Switshine and I to the new clan." he announced as he sat down next to the senior tom. Thruspelt opened one eye and nodded.

"It will be nice to be in my home territory again. Although Moonclan has been very welcoming and like a second home."

"Have you thought about what we talked about?"

"About me being a leader?" Thrushpelt shook his head. "I don't know about that."

"Think about it though." Sparrowflame insisted. "It makes sense a former Treeclan cat leads the new clan in the old Treeclan territory. You know it better than anyone else."

"I'm surprised you don't want to be leader." Thrushpelt sneered. Sparrowflame had to hold his composure and stop himself from agreeing with him. He knew nobody would follow a brand new warrior, and as much as he hated it, it did make sense for a Treeclan cat to be leader, for now.

"Starclan showed Ivybranch a thrush sitting next to the other leaders at the Gathering. She thinks it represents you being the leader of the new clan." 

Thruspelt sat contemplating for a few moments. "I never considered it before, but I could be a good leader I guess."

"Yes you would be."

"When are we leaving for this new clan?"

"At the Gathering tonight we will see if the other clans have come up with their volunteers. If they have the cats ready, then I don't see why we can't head back to Treeclan tonight."

"I never thought I would be back in Treeclan." Thrushpelt said softly. "I had let that place die in my memory." Sparrowflame rolled his eyes but tired to pretend to be understanding.

"Yeah yeah. I'm happy for you. See you later." he turned and padded off before Thrushpelt could bore him with more sad stories about his past life. He looked around camp and noticed how cats were calm and quiet, either sharing tongues, eating, or relaxing. His paws were itching with anticipation and excitement to get out of boring Moonclan and start the process of one day being leader of the new clan. It would take some time and he would have to be patient, but he would be leader one day. His clan would be the strongest, most powerful, and most feared of all the clans in the forest. Nobody would dare cross his borders or try and steal his prey. Even after he had long since died his name and his legacy would forever be imbedded within the clans as his kits continued to rule on after him. Yes. Thrushpelt would be leader and would get the new clan organized and settled within the territory, but he would be in the shadows whispering ideas and thoughts into the leaders ear. 

"Moonclan," Dawnstar addressed her clan. "Tonight is a very important Gathering. We may come home without three wonderful warriors who have volunteered to go help rebuild the fourth clan. Please take a moment to to say goodbye to Thrushpelt, Sparrowflame and Swiftshine." Sparrowflame groaned as the other cats came to touch noses and whisper their goodbyes. "Moonclan will grieve the loss of three mighty warriors but we are proud of what you will accomplish. I also want to thank Cloverdusk who will be leaving after the Gathering on a journey to find some cats outside the forest to join the fourth clan. We wish him speed, safety, and success in his travels. Moonclan looks forward to his return home." Sparrowflame glanced over to see his brother eating up all the love an attention he was getting. He sneered in distain as he watched Brightmist cry at the announcement that Cloverdusk would be leaving. She didn't cry when she heard he was leaving. "Let us head to the Gathering."