Overshadowed

Final Gathering

Snakestar sighed; he had made a big decision. The clan was going to attend the gathering, but all of them. He didn't want to risk another huge attack on the camp like before. Even the meager amount of the while clan was small enough to look like a gathering patrol. He raised his tail, and meowed solemnly, "Before we go, I will need to appoint a new deputy." He locked gazes with someone in the crowd, "Firestorm, will you do the honor of being our new deputy?"

Firestorm raised his head, the shock clear in his gaze. He rumbled, "I accept, thank you for the offer." The large ginger tom bounded up to him, despite the heavy limp in his leg. The clan set off, all following a good few tail-lengths back. Firestorm lowered his head, and spoke to Snakestar in a hushed voice, though it was still deep, "Why did you pick me, of all cats? After what I did to her."

Snakestar replied, to question didn't startle him, he was expecting it, "I chose you because you are strong and loyal, the other clans will see that at a sign that we aren't weak."

What surprised him was Firestorm's response. The big tom let out a sigh, "You had a good mate Snakestar, I can at least say once I did like that she-cat." His eyes had a pained expression, "Every time I tried to convince myself I wasn't and I started to act aggressive. Every time I hurt her, it just brought more pain, and when you announced you were going to be a father, took all my anger out on her, and I regret every bit of it." The tom's voice cracked, "Even when we all questioned her loyalty, she never faltered, every time she snapped back at me I found myself trying to stay quiet and do it less often. But then, then the border skirmish, when I killed Embercloud, s-she had never attacked me so savagely before, it was so startling. I still hate myself for doing it." Snakestar watched as the tom spilled out everything to him, then he reached the end, "And now she's dead, and I couldn't do anything to stop it.."

Snakestar flattened his fur, and then spoke, "I hope this is a relief to you actually, being able to tell a cat everything that happened, and how you really felt. I have a respect for you, Firestorm. Be glad." They had reached the hollow during their talk, and he flicked his tail for the clan to stop. He faced the clan, "The kits and queens will go to the shelter of the bushes, make sure no-one from MarshClan sees the kits. Windheart and Blackstream nodded, quickly ushering the kits over to the heavy thicket of bramble bushes. Snakestar flicked his tail, and the cats of his clan rushed into the clearing, almost immediately mingling with friends from other clans. Snakestar bounded up to the giant rock where the leaders announced the news. Leafstar and Icestar were there. Soon, a loud yowl sounded and Mossystar joined them.

The young she-cat dipped her head to Snakestar, and then mewed "Where is Robinstar?"

Snakestar dipped his head to her as well, "Robinstar has gone to join our ancestors." Mossystar touched his shoulder with her tail in sympathy, then faced the crowd.

Snakestar made the first move, his voice loud, "Let the Gathering begin!"

He let Mossystar go first.

The she-cat spoke, "ThunderClan is doing well, the night are getting colder, but prey still runs well in our territory. We have two new apprentices, Brightpaw and Lionpaw!"

Chanting filled the clearing, but then died down.

Snakestar stepped forward, ready to announce the solemn news, "Prey is running well in our territory, and kits are to be apprenticed soon, but there is bad news. During an attack on our camp at night, we lost many warriors. Dovefeather, Morningmist, Flinteyes, Moonlight, Robinstar, and one other I don't want to mention." He felt a pang in his chest, "Care to explain, Icestar?"

The white tom stepped forward, defeat in his gaze. The tom rasped, "Many of our warriors hd fallen corrupt to the Dark Forest, I did not plan this attack. All who were guilty in leading the attack were exiled. The only way we would have know if it weren't for the ones who turned away from that StarClan-forsaken forest!" Then his blue gaze flicked over to Snakewhisk, "Who was it you didn't want to say. I think we deserve to know."