Warrior Cats: SkyClan Returns #2

Chapter Eighteen

Sandystar pushed her way through a clump of ferns. A large brown tabby was waiting for her.

"Who exactly are you?"

He growled. His breath smelt of fish, but Sandystar didn't wince or turn away. Instead, she held her chin high, trying not to show her fear. I shouldn't have lead my cats here! What was I thinking? Lemonpelt died for nothing, and it was all my fault! Sandystar blinked the thought away. She looked around. The clearing was packed with cats, too many to count. She held in a gasp.

"My name is Sandystar, leader of SkyClan. And who, may I ask, are you?"

The elderly-looking tabby didn't look surprised. Instead, he turned to an old light brown tabby and white tom.

"You were correct then, Mallowstem. Not bad, for a WindClan cat,"

Mallowstem dipped his head.

"When have I ever been wrong before, Volestar?"

Volestar turned back to Sandystar.

"I am Volestar. I am the leader of RiverClan. This is Ivystar of ShadowClan,"

Volestar dipped his head to a dark silver she-cat, who was perched on the branch of a huge tree. She remained completely still, not even acknowledging Sandystar.

"And Mintstar of ThunderClan,"

A light grey tabby seated next to Ivystar dipped his head in greetings.

"And Harestar of WindClan,"

A light brown tom on the branch swished his tail.

"Mallowstem is Harestar's medicine cat. He foresaw you arriving,"

Volestar continued.

"But not all cats are happy about it!"

A black tom called from beneath the tree.

"You'll have to excuse Needlewhisker. He's the ShadowClan deputy. ShadowClan weren't happy to hear you were coming,"

Mintstar meowed, leaping down from the tree. He walked up to Sandystar.

"We thought you would like a space of territory behind ThunderClan and ShadowClan land. ShadowClan, however, don't take well to new neighbours, as we soon learnt,"

Needlewhisker hissed as Mintstar continued.

"But it is the will of StarClan, and even ShadowClan dare not interfere,"

"Shall we continue?"

Harestar suggested from the tree.

"SkyClan can join. It will be their first gathering,"

Harestar meowed. Mintstar dipped his head.

"Good idea. Sandystar, you will join us on the branch. Deputies and medicine cats sit at the roots. Your other clan mates can join ours,"

He said. Sandystar nodded, following Mintstar and Volestar to the branch. Volestar scrambled up the trunk, followed by Mintstar. Sandystar leapt from the ground to the branch in one jump. Mintstar looked impressed. Harestar began to speak.

"Prey is running well this greenleaf. We recently had to chase a badger off our territory, but I don't think it will be coming back anytime soon,"

He nodded to Mintstar.

"Sadly, one of our elders has recently joined StarClan. Firesky will be missed,"

He said. Shocked and sorrowful murmurs echoed around the clearing. Ivystar begun talking.

"I'm sorry to hear about Firesky. He will be missed. However, there is to be new life in ShadowClan soon. Foxnose is expecting kits!"

Once again, murmurs echoed through the clearing. This time, they were happy ones. Sandystar noticed a dark ginger she-cat licking her chest with embarrassment. Ivystar dipped her head to Volestar.

"RiverClan have three new warriors, all of whom are here tonight. Congratulations to Swanpelt, Cloverdawn, and Lakepool!"

"Swanpelt! Cloverdawn! Lakepool!"

The cheers exploded through the crisp night air. Volestar nodded to Sandystar. She was all of a sudden nervous. What do I say?

"The journey here was hard,"

Sandystar begun.

"We lost two of our clan mates, Duststorm and Lemonpelt. However we hope to settle down here, and live a normal Clan life, like our ancestors before us,"

She finished. Mintstar called for the gathering to end.

"Come on. I'll lead your Clan to your territory,"

Mintstar offered.