𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗘𝗧

> Eight <

The next days passed in a blur; Acaciapaw had no more prophetic dreams about Azrael and Silverstreak. By the night of the Gathering he was sure the murderer of two cats was Silverstreak - what other cat had such pale, mesmerising blue eyes?

Apricotstar approached him just as he was finishing a plump mouse. "Good evening, Acaciapaw."

"Apricotstar." He sat up sharply and dipped his head on respect. "What is it?"

"Would you like to stay in WhisperClan?"

Acaciapaw's eyes widened. He would be safe - safe from Silverstreak, from all of the taunts of being the main suspect's son, from bullying. But he would lose Applepaw, Koipaw and Aloepaw, never again hunt with Cedarfrost, leave Acaileaf and Cherrydusk alone, and never tell Olivestar about Silverstreak's identity. It was too much of a risk - his loved ones could die, and it would be his fault. "No. BrineClan is my home and will always be."

Apricotstar's eyes flickered with pain, only to be replaced with respect. "That is your decision. You may join the Gathering patrol." Why would she be hurt that I want to leave? Acaciapaw stared after Apricotstar as she padded over to Sedgebriar and Haildrip.

The Gathering patrol - Apricotstar, Haildrip, Sedgebriar, Poppysnow, Carpwhisker, Pochardfoot, Sandstone, Fempaw and Acaciapaw - were preparing to leave. Acaciapaw felt the wind in his pelt as he raced after Fempaw, who was already heading out of camp. He could feel Coniferpaw's glare on his back, but caught up to her just as Apricotstar gave the signal to leave.

With Sedgebriar on one side and Fempaw on the other, for a heartbeat he felt a sense of belonging. No! BrineClan is where I belong. He squashed the feeling and focused on not slipping in the dew-moist grass.

Apricotstar soared over the river, Haildrip just after her. Acaciapaw ran without stopping and leapt forward. Fear rose in his belly as his paws skidded on the damp grass, but luckily Sedgebriar was there to steady him.

Every cat crossed safely, and Apricotstar led the way into the Gathering hollow. The Star Tree glittered beneath the full moon as cats swarmed beneath it. Acaciapaw stared; it wasn't his first Gathering, but the Star Tree always mesmerized him. It was huge, dark and majestic.

He sat down beside Fempaw, who was next to Sedgebriar. His heart lurched when he saw Olivestar run towards the Star Tree and launch herself upward to sit beside Grapestar, the MurkClan leader.

"Acaciapaw!" Applepaw rushed towards him. Her purr died in her throat when she saw him, reeking of WhisperClan, sitting close to Fempaw. "Oh."

"Applepaw, wait, let me explain." Acaciapaw led her to a quieter area of the hollow and explained everything. "No, I haven't joined WhisperClan, I promise."

Relief flooded Applepaw's eyes. "Thank StarClan, you had everyone worried." She lowered her voice, and Acaciapaw leaned closer to hear her. "Olivestar took it the worst. She said it was her fault; if she hadn't appointed Embercloud your mentor, he wouldn't have died, and you wouldn't have been with WhisperClan."

"It's not her fault." Acaciapaw glanced up at the Star Tree, where Volestar was taking his place above the other leaders. Olivestar's expression was guarded.

"Let the Gathering begin!" After a brief word with Apricotstar, Grapestar let out a yowl loud for his age. He turned to Apricotstar. "Would you like to begin?"

"Of course, thank you." Apricotstar stood up, wrapping her tail around the branch for balance. "A moon ago, the BrineClan apprentice Acaciapaw was saved by my warriors Sedgebriar and Pochardfoot. He healed with us, but is at the Gathering tonight." She glanced at the BrineClan leader; Olivestar's eyes lit up at once. "Olivestar, will you take him back?"

"Of course." Olivestar purred, scanning the crowd. "Prey is running well in BrineClan, but we recently lost Embercloud and Ashwhisper." There were murmurs of grief. "Hornetpaw is now a full medicine cat with the name Hornetswirl."

Grapestar stepped forward next. "Prey is also running well in MurkClan."

Volestar dipped his head. "All is fine with SplashClan, too."

Olivestar seemed eager to leave. "Let's end this Gathering, then." She half-leapt, half-slid down the Star Tree and shared a few words with Cherrydusk, who was waiting at the roots with Acaileaf.

When he saw his parents, Acaciapaw pushed through the crowd until he reached them. Acaileaf let out a cry of joy and wrapped around him, purring. Cherrydusk gave a mrrow of amusement and pressed his muzzle to Acaciapaw's.

Olivestar watched them with a warm look in her eyes, and touched her nose to Acaileaf's muzzle. Acaciapaw reflected that his mother was the leader's sister; it must be why Olivestar had been so depressed by his disappearance. She must have felt like she let Acaileaf down.

"Let's go home, then." Olivestar meowed. "Cedarfrost is fully healed. I'm sure you'll be back to training soon."

Feeling happy and content, Acaciapaw turned away, with the pelts of Cherrydusk and Acaileaf brushing both his sides.

A/N
I know this is a shorter chapter xD.. but what do you think of Olivestar's worry over Acaciapaw? Is Silverstreak really the murderer of Piperstorm, Pearwhisker, and Ashwhisper? What about Azrael? Leave any feedback in the comment!