Warriors: The star lake fanfiction

Chapter 31

Proudstar finally returned after two days with Blackpool.
Blackpool looked a little tired and weak from the journey. Proudstar looked stronger than before.
Blackpool dashed into the medicine-cat's den first, while Proudstar went to look for Fawnheart. Smokestorm wanted to meet up with him first.
"Hey, Proudstar. Can we talk?" She asked.
He nodded silently and led her to his new den.
Smokestorm needed to tell him about Hollowfang meeting up with Heatherpelt. She knew she'd promised she wouldn't tell anyone, but Proudstar needed to know. She knew he wouldn't freak out like Hoverstar would've. Besides, Proudstar wasn't just Hollowfang's new leader, he was also his father.

Smokestorm told him about the incident.
"He said it would be their last meeting, but I would still talk to him about it. I know you probably have a lot of stuff to do now that your leader, but, as his father, I think you should talk with him personally." she concluded.
Proudstar stayed silent, thinking about something.
"I'll get Tawnyshade to talk with him." he said simply.
"I know she's his mother but I think It'd mean more coming from you."
"I don't have time to talk with him. I have important things to do. He's a full grown warrior." Smokestorm could tell he was hiding something.
"Why won't you talk to him? Is it because he's Tawnyshade's kit and you're still in love with Redstar?" She asked quietly so nobody outside could hear.
Proudstar gave her an angry look.
"Smokestorm. I understand that you're not used to me being leader yet, but this is no way to speak to me. I deserve your respect. Do not bring Redstar and I up again. It's because of another reason."
Smokestorm bowed a little bit, realizing that she was being disrespectful.
"What's the reason?"

"...When I became mates with Tawnyshade, she was already with kits. Apparently a WindClan warrior named Brakenface is the father. I told her that I would raise them as my own. I sometimes just feel a little uncomfortable around my sons. They aren't actually related to me and...I don't feel romantic attraction to she-cats. I became mates with Tawnyshade because I felt like I had to in order to cover up the truth, so I don't feel like I should be a father and those three aren't even my kits. I still love them very much, but I don't feel like it's my responsibility to have serious talks with them." He explained.
StarClan, everything was secrets with this cat.
This also meant that Hollowfang, Spiderclaw and Darkpaw were all half-clan cats.
"Proudstar, you're leader now. I believe that it's the leader's responsibility to have important conversations like these with their clan. If you won't do it as a father, do it as a leader." She said.
Proudstar hesitated, but nodded.
"You're right. I haven't adjusted to this quite yet. Thank you, Smokestorm."

After that, Proudstar asked Smokestorm to take Hollowfang's apprentice with her for training and took Hollowfang on a stroll out of camp.
Smokestorm woke Sparrowpaw and Spottedpaw.
"Rise and shine. Spottedpaw, you'll be training with us today."
"Cool! What are we going to do today?" Sparrowpaw asked.
"We're going to practice fighting." she replied.
They walked out of camp and found a secluded space. Smokestorm told both of them to try and pin her. They both took a step back and crouched a bit, then launched at her. She easily moved out of the way. Sparrowpaw landed awkwardly, while Spottedpaw landed on her side.
"You both need to be faster. You need to crouch lightly and not take a step back. You know what happens when you do that? You're just saying 'I'm going to pounce on you. Come and get me!'. You need to be fast enough and powerful enough that you can pin me before I have time to react. Try this technique."
She taught them how to do it properly. She tried to slow her reactions; she could have them at a normal pace when the two were more experienced.

The whole day, she couldn't help but think about what Heatherpelt had whispered to Hollowfang.
Were they going to secretly meet?
Were they going to run away together?
A strong gust of wind nearly knocked Smokestorm over.
"...You know what? Let's go hunt. If you two can catch two prey each, we can go back to camp early." she said.

...

Another half-moon passed, and it was time for another gathering.
Proudstar allowed Lightpaw and Gingerpaw to attend the gathering, while the other three stayed behind.
Gingerpaw was a little nervous to see WindClan after what they did, but Smokestorm told her that she'd stay by her the whole time.
They arrived at the fourtrees a little late, a snow storm had delayed them.
Smokestorm noticed that Halfstar, RiverClan's leader, looked quite sour, something definitely went wrong. Jaggedstar was also acting strange. She wasn't her usual calm self, but looked like she wanted to be respected.
Proudstar stepped up with the leaders.
Smokestorm offered for Lightpaw to stay with her and Gingerpaw but he declined, saying he wanted to experience this thing by himself.

Smokestorm saw Hollowfang walk over to Heatherpelt and ask quietly "Are you sure?"
Clearly, the thing she'd told him wasn't planned. It was a surprise to him. But what was it?
Smokestorm introduced Gingerpaw to Bluespirit, the two seemed to get along well. After a short while, the meeting begun. Redstar started.
"Our clan is doing fine for the most part. Two of ShadowClan's warriors have passed on due to greencough." That was all of the news Redstar had. After him, Halfstar spoke.
"WindClan cats have murdered my deputy, Cobrascale. My new deputy is Lionmane." He said, glaring viciously at Jaggedstar. Proudstar spoke next.
"WindClan cats murdered Hoverstar, I am now the leader. My deputy is Fawnheart." He tried not to glare at Jaggedstar alongside Halfstar.
Jaggedstar cleared her throat.
"We must make sure that ThunderClan and RiverClan know not to mess with me. As long as you do not cross our borders again, we will not have an issue." She said.

The gathering was shorter than usual, but Lightpaw said that he'd met a few apprentices from other clans.
Smokestorm had a bad feeling about the tension between the clans. She knew war was coming.