Whiteriver's Truth

Chapter 13

   Almost 5 moons had passed since Whiteriver had received her warrior name. That night was the full moon gathering. Whiteriver and Bravepelt walked beside each other with Robinpaw walking behind them with his mother. Brightwhisker was now in the nursery with her two kits, Shadowkit and Patchkit.
Goldenstar stopped them with a flick of his tail until he decided it was safe to join. The cats flowed down into the clearing and Goldenstar joined the three other leaders on the Great Rock. The three leaders looked slightly hostile as the ThunderClan leader joined them.
   Whiteriver turned to Bravepelt. "Is it just me or do the other leaders seem upset that Goldenstar had finally joined."
   Bravepelt looked up to the Great Rock. He turned back to Whiteriver and opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, someone called from the rock declaring the start of the gathering.
Mossstar flicked her tail towards a new ginger leader that sat near the back. She said something, but it was too quiet for Whiteriver to hear. Then the cat walked forward and she realized it was Fireleap. Has she become the new leader? She asked herself.
"Fogstar had lost his last life." She declared solemnly, lowering her head. "He had passed away just last night and I haven't had the time to go to the moonstone. I will be leaving tomorrow." She explained. Murmurs started arising in the crowd of cats. Whiteriver could hear the cats around her making both grieving and relieved comments about the ShadowClan leader's death. They were quickly shushed again and Fireleap started talking again. "I have chosen Blackstorm as my deputy." She nodded towards a black tom near the base of the rock that Whiteriver could only see the outline of him because of the moonlight shining down. Fireleap backed away nodding to Mossstar to let her go next.
   After the RiverClan and WindClan leader spoke, Goldenstar stepped forwards. The clearing stayed quiet, but Whiteriver could tell that there was a difference in the atmosphere.
   "Prey is running well in ThunderClan." He spoke. "We now have two healthy kits in the thriving in the clan." He meowed.
   Whiteriver heard one of the WindClan cats near her make a comment. "Those murders have more kits now! Just to make more murders I assume."
  She felt the fur on her neck bristle, but she tired to ignore them pretending that she didn't hear what they said.

***

   One the walk home, she kept thinking about what had happened at the gathering. "Did you hear what that WindClan warrior said about us?" She asked Bravepelt as they made their way into the camp.
   "No. Why? What did they say?" He stopped and turned to her waiting for her to explain.
   "They called us murders." She scoffed, digging her claws at the ground.
   "Why would they say that?" He questioned turning away with a thoughtful look.
   "I don't know. Don't they remember that we were the ones who helped them defend their camp when RiverClan attacked." She hissed as they continued walking towards the den.
   Before they could enter the den, Brightwhisker came over to them. "What happened at the gathering?" She asked.
   Whiteriver licked Bravepelt's muzzle. "Go to bed. I'll be there in a bit."
   "Okay." He nodded and then entered the den.
   "So?" She pressed.
   Whiteriver sat down and Brightwhisker joined her. "Well there is nothing new for RiverClan and WindClan, but Fogstar had passed away." She started.
   "So Fireleap is now the leader?" Brightwhisker asked.
   Whiteriver nodded. "But she hasn't earned her leader name yet. She will be going tomorrow she said."
   "Okay. Is that all?"
   "No." She paused looking down at the ground. "I noticed something when we got there. The three leaders seemed to be more hostile towards Goldenstar when we arrived and when he mentioned your kits, I heard a WindClan warrior call is murders." She explained.
   "O-oh." She looked down at the ground and scraped her one paw on the ground. She then sighed. "Well I better get back to my kits." She stood up and walked away.
   Whiteriver could see the sadness in each of her steps. Whiteriver then went into the warrior den and laid down next to Bravepelt.
   "How is Brightwhisker?" He asked as she got comfortable.
   "She seems good, but tired." She responded closing her eyes.
   "Makes sense. Those kits seem to be quite a hassle." He chuckled slightly. He rested his head down next to hers and wrapped his tail around her. She could feel his heart beat against her back and felt his breath against her ear. He let out a big breath. "I can't wait until we have our own kits." His voice became quiet.
   She felt her body go flush at his comment and didn't respond, but she felt the same way and with the purr that rose from her throat let him know that. "Me too." She responded.
Eventually she felt Bravepelt's breaths become more steady letting her know that he had fallen asleep. It made her feel safe and comfortable, making her slowly drift into her own peaceful sleep.
She then opened her eyes and looked around. She was no longer in the warriors den and instead was in a field surrounded by trees. The sky above was dark and the moon casted a sliver glow along the land. She stood up and yawned and then looked around trying to figure out where she was. Then a familiar scent washed over her, one that she hadn't smelled in many moons.
"My dear Whiteriver." The she-cat's voice was calm and compassionate.
Whiteriver turned around to face a cat that looked so similar to her except for the grey stripes that covered her back and head. "M-mom." She stuttered out.
Riverleap wrapped her tail around her daughter as she sat down. "I am proud of you. I always have been. I'm sorry I had left you so soon." She meowed touching her nose to her forehead.
"It's okay. I understand." She whispered back. They pulled away from each other's embrace. "Why have you brought me here?" She asked.
"I think you should go. Meet Harley. You need each other in your lives." She urged.
"B-but I can't. I have to be here for my clan." She paused, her voice went softer. "For Bravepelt."
"He will be with you always." She meowed. Then she slowly faded away into the silver glow of the dream forest. Her scent lingered for a moment longer before she woke back up in the den beside the cat she loved.