A Sacrifice for All | A Warriors Fanfiction [TEMPORARY HIATUS]

Prologue

A brown-and-white she-cat headed up the rocks to the Gathering, followed by a mostly white she-cat, a large white and ginger tom, a small cream tabby, a fawn tabby, and four warriors. The warriors were leading five kits up the rocks, making sure they didn't stray too far. One of the kits, a small white she-cat let out a confused squeak as the ForestClan cats grew closer to where the three Clans gathered under the full moon. It was almost time for the activity that came once every full moon. The brown-and-white she-cat paused as they reached the clearing where the other two Clans, BirchClan and HollowClan, were gathered. She waited a moment before leading her Clan into their designated area for the Gathering. The kits with the ForestClan cats let out confused and excited gasps as they padded with the warriors.

"Now that Eaglestar is here," a large ginger tabby began, "we may begin the Gathering. HollowClan has been well, and we have the kits with us. We have two new warriors, Icewillow and Goldenhaze." The HollowClan leader meowed.

The cats cheered for the new warriors, eager to get to the part that most cats who firmly believe in StarClan looked forward to. The brown-and-white she-cat waited until it was quiet before she spoke up. "ForestClan's hunting has been quite good. We have no news to share other than that we have our kits with us." Eaglestar smiled.

"BirchClan's hunting has been swift and well, and we have a new medicine cat, Thistlerain. We mourn the loss of Junipertail, but hope that StarClan accepts our sacrifices in return for honoring her." A lithe silver tabby purred eagerly, a glint in his eyes as the excited chatter began.

"Silence!" The HollowClan leader hissed, lashing his tail. He waited for the cats to be quiet before chuckling. "Now, which Clan shall go first?"

"As we were the last to arrive, I believe we should offer up our kits first." The mostly white ForestClan deputy offered.

The large ginger tabby nodded. "Very well then, I'll begin the sacrifices."

A large pure brown tom and lithe gray tabby brought two kits to the HollowClan tom, a sandy-furred she-kit and fawn tabby tomkit. "Here you are, Raggedstar." The lithe warrior purred, stepping back towards the ForestClan cats as Raggedstar unsheathed his claws.

"StarClan, we offer you these kits. Perchkit, the daughter of a traitor, and Breezekit, the son of an honored warrior. May their blood strengthen the future warriors of ForestClan." Eaglestar dipped her head, glancing at the grass as the blades were stained red. This is for StarClan, she told herself. Another cat had brought forward the small white kit, waiting for the HollowClan deputy to step forward. Once she did so, Eaglestar spoke once more.

"Littlekit, the daughter of an honored elder. May her blood strengthen those who come after her." More red splattered the grass as a small shriek was heard from the kit.

The brown-and-white molly let out a quiet, shaky sigh. Next up was Nettlekit and Poolkit. "Finally, we have the last kits. Nettlekit, the son of Foxrunner, and Poolkit, the son of Lizardflame. May their blood strengthen the generations to come after them." More blood stained the grass, though these deaths were quicker than the last two.

Now for the HollowClan sacrifices, which would be done by BirchClan's cats. Eaglestar didn't remember much of them, but she remembered a small tabby kit. She didn't remember their name, or their gender, but the pain in the kit's eyes shook the ForestClan leader to her core... Why did they have to be so cruel? But before she knew it, HollowClan's sacrifices were done, and now BirchClan's kits were left to be sacrificed. A dark-furred tomkit was dropped in front of Eaglestar's paws, and she waited until the BirchClan leader was done speaking before quickly snapping the kit's neck. She thought it would be better for the kit to go out painlessly and quickly. The rest of the sacrifices went by quickly, and soon the Gathering was dismissed.

She could never tell the rest of her Clan what she believed about the sacrifices. Not now, not ever. She just hoped that she wouldn't be tormented by nightmares tonight...