Ghosts of the Clans

Chapter 18

"Phew! I'm exhausted," Redwillow commented to Olivenose as they padded out of camp for the Gathering. The night before, Hawkfrost had made him, Ivypool and Sunstrike do a practice bout, and not let them leave until every cat bore the marks of their opponents' claws. Redwillow's flank was still stinging from a well-aimed swipe from Ivypool, and was limping slightly due to a bite from Sunstrike.

His sister eyed him, looking concerned. "Are you okay? You only led a hunting patrol in the morning, and went for a border patrol in the afternoon." "Yeah, I'm fine." Redwillow brushed his tail along her spine. 

"Come on, Redwillow! You're getting left behind!" Shrewfoot called out from where she was at the rear with her brother, Owlclaw. Flicking an ear in reply, Redwillow hurried to catch up, wincing at the pain in his leg. Slowing to match the pace of Tigerheart, he remarked quietly, "You haven't been in the Dark Forest lately. Where are you?"

The young dark brown tabby tom stared at him, amber eyes wide with what looked like alarm. "Did Tigerstar or any other cats ask about me?" Redwillow detected a trace of panic in his voice. "No. I'm just wondering, because I haven't seen you around lately."

Tigerheart's shoulders relaxed, and he purred, "Well, you don't have to worry about me. I'm still alive, aren't I?" He quickened his pace to catch up with his mother, Tawnypelt, at the front. He didn't answer my question. Redwillow narrowed his eyes at the dark brown tabby tom. Something was off about him.

Soon, they arrived at the Gathering. Cats were milling about the island; ShadowClan was the last one to get there. Redwillow exchanged an almost friendly glance with Breezepelt, his fellow Dark Forest Clanmate, and sat down beside Applefur.

"Cats of all Clans, let the Gathering begin! From RiverClan, prey is running well..." Redwillow hardly listened to the news, stifling a yawn. How boring it was, to be gathered here with nothing exciting happening.

"... ThunderClan has two new apprentices, Cherrypaw and Molepaw." Firestar finished, and Redwillow snapped back to attention. A ginger she-cat with amber eyes sat beside a large cream-and-brown tom, whose chest was puffed out proudly. The ginger she-cat, Cherrypaw, looked enthusiastic- a little too enthusiastic, in his opinion. Probably going to be a blabbermouth if she goes to the Place of No Stars.

The other cat, Molepaw, looked solemn, but he looked like the typical ThunderClan type- always following the warrior code to the death. No spark of rebellion in his amber eyes at all. Sighing, Redwillow tore his eyes from the two apprentices.

"ShadowClan warriors fought a battle with the two kittypets at the Twoleg nest. We won't be having more trouble from them for a while." It was Blackstar's turn to speak. Redwillow let out a yowl of agreement, glancing at Tawnypelt and Toadfoot. The two cats had been the ones to fight with the kittypets, and Toadfoot's eye was still swollen from a blow Jacques, a black-and-white tom, had given him. Beside him, Redwillow noticed that Applefur kept silent, glaring at Toadfoot with unmistakable envy in her green eyes.

"Also, we have three new warriors: Pinenose, Ferretclaw and Starlingwing. ShadowClan is strong." As the Clans acclaimed the three cats, Redwillow twitched his tail, impatient to get moving. He wanted to talk to his Dark Forest Clanmates.

At last the Gathering broke up, and Redwillow stretched, arching his back until his tail trembled, and padded towards Breezepelt and Furzepelt, with a new apprentice, a pale brown tabby she-cat that Redwillow didn't recognise. "This is Larkpaw," Furzepelt introduced her apprentice. "She's going to the Dark Forest soon, Shredtail told me," Breezepelt hissed into Redwillow's ear. 

Immediately, he felt a surge of welcome for the new apprentice. "Congratulations on being an apprentice, Larkpaw! I'm sure that you'll enjoy it with Furzepelt as your mentor," he purred warmly. Larkpaw blinked bravely at him. "Thanks..." "I'm Redwillow," Redwillow filled in her words, and she nodded. 

"Come on, ShadowClan!" Rowanclaw yowled, summoning all the ShadowClan cats over. "Bye, I've got to go," Redwillow told Furzepelt. "See you later," Breezepelt meowed, drawing a paw over his ear.

As he raced off to join his Clanmates, Redwillow silently wished that all the Dark Forest trainees could be in one Clan. But yet, an idea began to form in his mind...