Lost In The Stars (Book Two)

Chapter Two- Cloudpool

Memories of her daughter's broken and bloody body danced in Cloudpool's head. She pressed closer to her mate, Coldwind, hoping to find comfort in his fur. Instead, her fur bristled, reminding her of his striking resemblance to Bloodshed. He looked just like the cat that was stalking towards the leaders on the gathering tree. The cat that killed my daughter.

Bloodshed stopped at the edge of the river, his grey ears flat against his head. "Greetings, Stripedstar." The bitterness in his voice was poorly hidden.

"What do you want?" Stripedstar spat, fluffed up to nearly twice her side. Coldstream was calm beside her, hardly moving at all.

"I come to make an announcement. I have created a new clan." Bloodshed said. "We will be known as ShadeClan. I am leader, and Blurrypelt is deputy. We have many warriors.. But I come to ask you to join. Any cat who joins our clan will have their life spared when we take over."

Cloudpool glanced cautiously at Coldwind. He had been born as one of Bloodshed's followers. Would he return to Bloodshed now, if enough cats left?

But Coldwind's expression was unreadable. He sat up straight, his tail curled neatly around himself. Cloudpool noticed guiltily that he had noticed her staring at him, glaring in her direction. "I would never leave MudClan." He growled.

She nodded quickly. "I'm sorry."

He didn't reply. She looked to see a MudClan cat step forward. "If no cat is going to start this, then I will. I am joining Bloodshed. Who's with me?" It was Minnowleap, a warrior of MudClan. Beside her, Gingerstripe stepped forward. But instead of agreeing with her, she spat at her.

"How could you?" Gingerstripe growled. "Are you serious? You?" The she-cat looked heartbroken.

Something like regret flashed in Minnowleap's eyes, but she ignored it. "I know where I belong." She growled.
"Mouse-brain!" Gingerstripe yowled.

Minnowleap lashed out, hitting the ginger she-cat in the head with a loud crack. Gingerstripe collapsed to the ground, blood trickling from her ear. She did not get up again.

"Who will join me, then?" Minnowleap turned to the rest of MudClan. "Any of you?"

The cats stared in terror at her. They shook their heads quickly. Minnowleap glared at them, "You'll regret this. Now, who's with me?"

"GreenClan," Coldstream announced, ignoring Minnowleap. "I am sorry. I must join Bloodshed.. For the sake of our clan. Please.. Join me?"

The GreenClan cats shuffled uncomfortably. "I will!" Spoke a black tom.

"Me too! And Tallflower, right?" Called a she-cat. Several cats claimed to be leaving, until GreenClan only had a handful of warriors. Cloudpool felt a pang of pity for Firepaw when her sister, Wavepaw, told Bloodshed that she would join ShadeClan if he made her a warrior.

Bloodshed looked Wavepaw up and down. "Very well. You will be known as Wavepelt."

Wavepelt looked happily at Dawntail, who looked horrified. Neither cat spoke as she went to stand beside the other warriors of ShadeClan.

"I can't believe this." Coldwind breathed. Cloudpool nodded her agreement.

"Very well." Bloodshed spoke when the cats fell silent. "Any other cat that does not wish to die?" No cat answered. Cloudpool was glad that her friends stayed loyal to MudClan; especially Coldwind. "Very well." Bloodshed growled. "You will regret this. Go back to your pathetic little clans now.. But be sure to sleep with one eye open tonight." He smirked.

One by one, ShadeClan disappeared into GreenClan territory. Cloudpool felt relieved to be in MudClan; she'd be horrified if ShadeClan was on her territory.

"We must move camp." Stripedstar said quickly to MudClan. "Somewhere that Bloodshed won't find us. Any ideas?"

"The mooncave!" Owlflight called out. "StarClan will protect us there."

Stripedstar nodded slowly. "Good idea. Let's go there!"