Warriors - The Leopard's Apprentice

-Chapter 7 - Death Sentence-

Smokepaw was less than two moons toward becoming a warrior and Leopardwillow still didn't think he was ready. Timberheart and Shadowpaw often came with Leopardwillow and her annoying apprentice every training session, Timberheart had said it was so Smokepaw and Shadowpaw could learn two ways but Leopardwillow knew it was because he always wanted to be by her side. "Very good Smokepaw! We're very impressed" Leopardwillow praised as Smokepaw finally had caught a squirrel, Timberheart nodded his approval at Leopardwillow and then praised Shadowpaw for her catch. Smokepaw's eyes glittered with what Leopardwillow thought was gratefulness but she didn't know for sure; she never knew with him. "Leopardwillow can we try battling again." Smokepaw's insistent meow pleaded, she looked at him in annoyance "what did I tell you your very first day as an apprentice?" she reminded. Smokepaw thought for a second before groaning "but I'm way better at fighting!" he whined. "Clan life is much more than just fighting and hunting you need to care for your clan in anyway possible we're glad we don't have any battles right now it's not just about the fact of how good you are at it." Timberheart put in.

Leopardwillow shot her mate a grateful glance before nodding "Smokepaw we're battle training tomorrow so I'd expect you to be on your best behavior your assessment is coming up in a few moons." As the four of them headed back to camp, Timberheart began discussing the gathering, "I can't believe Sprucestar actually is considering going they murdered Junipercloud in cold blood!" Leopardwillow growled "he says that Flamestar wouldn't fight when there's a truce but I'm still not sure about that she's already shown she has zero respect for the warrior code." Timberheart agreed. "One thing is for certain if we go it will be a death sentence." Leopardwillow said coldly, "I can't risk my sister and her kits lives when Sprucestar is leaning on a gathering truce." she growled. Timberheart nodded "father has always been kind of harsh and a stickler for the warrior code but he's our leader, the word of a leader is law and it's my job to enforce it." he shrugged.
After Leopardwillow got back to camp she went to sit with Fallenbranch and Foxbristle, "how are the kits?" she asked. "Busy" Foxbristle laughed "they've been keeping me up at night for some reason." she said with a smile. "How's your mate? Any kits yet?" Fallenbranch asked, Leopardwillow shook her head "that's a no we agreed we don't want to worry about kits in a war." she said with a sigh, "that's a shame I'm ready for some company in the nursery." Lilypad said from her place outside the nursery watching her kits. "Lily, I didn't get to ask what's up with you and Timber?" Foxbristle asked. Lilypad stiffened "I guess he just doesn't approve of me having kits." she said quickly, "I know this is kinda personal but who's the father?" Leopardwillow couldn't help blurting out. Lilypad hissed and walked towards the golden she-cat menacingly, Leopardwillow felt herself backing up she unintentionally felt the light brown fur of her mate.

Timberheart growled "take one more step Lily and I swear." he growled curling his tail protectively around Leopardwillow. Lilypad thought for a moment before walking off coldly her tail swishing angrily. "Ok Timber you really have to tell me what's going on." Leopardwillow whispered into her mate's ear, "Lily and I used to be best friends-" she said with a sad sigh. Timberheart licked his mate's head in affection before whispering back "She's mates with a Lakeclan cat." "What?!" Leopardwillow couldn't help blurting.

Timberheart looked at her with a stern expression "that's why she's so cold nowadays I didn't approve of her mate and disowned her." he said, the guilt slightly glimmering in his eyes.  "Timber it's okay I just hope she comes to terms with this by herself." Leopardwillow mumbled burying her face into Timberheart's fur "Is that why she went to stay in the nursery when she first found out she was having kits?" Timberheart nodded, "Leopardwillow can I ask you something?" he asked wanting to change the subject. Leopardwillow nodded "are you okay with coming to the gathering? Sprucestar asked me to ask all the cats he wanted coming to make sure no one had any high tensions." Leopardwillow nodded "I'd be fine with coming- I don't want Smokepaw coming though he's been acting odd lately and I need to find out why." Timberheart looked confused but nodded "Cats coming to the gathering are: Timberheart, Leopardwillow, Dovesong, Ivyspirit, Shadowpaw, Fallenbranch, Silverlake, Darkhollow, and Burntpaw." the two cats heard right as they finished their conversation.

Foxbristle waved her tail towards the leaving cats as they made their way to the gathering. They crossed the lake that separated the two clans and made it to a lone island in the middle of the lake, it was decent sized and the agreed upon gathering spot. Flamestar and Lakeclan was already there,  Sprucestar leapt onto a tall boulder, and Timberheart followed stepping onto a lower boulder next to his leader, the medicine cats and medicine cat apprentices stood directly beneath the Double Boulder. "I will start since Sprucestar arrived late." Flamestar began flicking her tail in annoyance. "Lakeclan is doing well - we have an abundance of prey perfect for the beginning of Leaf-fall. I do want to point out one of our warriors was gravely injured during a border skirmish." she said dismissing the matter with a flick of her tail.

Leopardwillow grinned as she saw Flamestar's left eye had a large scar over it making the eye blind. Thank you Junipercloud she thought to herself as she prayed to Starclan. Sprucestar growled "Forestclan has dealt with the murder of our leader Bearstar and one of our warriors was killed during that little border skirmish." he snarled. "Are you accusing Lakeclan of your leader's murder?" Flamestar questioned. "My cats are loyal" Sprucestar growled. Flamestar scoffed at his remark but didn't say much else. "If your done whining about your leader we can continue." she said with a sneer. "How dare you Bearstar was more of a leader than you could ever be!" Leopardwillow growled from the ground. She looked to see Timberheart's pleading gaze but ignored him, Flamestar grinned a crazy looking smile that made Leopardwillow's blood run cold "Oh really." she said leaping down from the Double Boulder. All the cats hastily scattered as Flamestar approached Leopardwillow "Ah now I remember you, your that cat that failed at saving your little friend."

Flamestar's one amber eye shone in the moonlight; the moon soon disappeared from within the clouds. "I did not fail Junipercloud." Leopardwillow spat, "you should know not to kill warriors during things so ridiculous as border skirmishes Starclan doesn't want us to kill each other." By now her fur stood on end but Flamestar looked terrifyingly calm. "I suppose but the way I see it there should only be one clan not two. How ridiculous our ancestors decided it." Flamestar said with a curious tone. "I shall make this short before we depart young warrior - I'd watch my back from now on if I were you." the orange she-cat said thoughtfully. Timberheart leapt off the boulder "Is that a threat?!" he growled. Flamestar thought her words over "Maybe. Lakeclan to me!" she yowled before either of them had time to respond. A death sentence just waiting to happen Leopardwillow thought sadly. Dovesong was right; A war was on the verge of happening and not even Starclan could stop that.