Warrior Cats: SkyClan Returns #2

Chapter Thirty-Three

It had been over a quarter moon since Suntail's death. Sandystar looked over to the medicine den. Suntail had been a close friend of hers, but no cat had suffered more than Goldcloud. Swallowkit and Beekit ran up to Sandystar. The SkyClan leader flicked her ears in amusement. These kits have more confidence than is good for them.

"Can we go to the gathering tonight?"

Swallowkit pleaded. Sandystar's whiskers twitched. She wasn't surprised that the kits had asked. The gathering was all Ferretpaw and Sparrowpaw could talk about, and bragged most of all to the kits.

"Not until you're apprentices,"

Sandystar purred. The kits eyes grew large.

"Please?"

Beekit asked, tipping his head to the side. Swallowkit did the same.

"Sorry, kits. That's the warrior code,"

Sandystar said. With that, the two kits turned, disappointedly, and sulked back to the nursery. Ashleaf padded up beside her.

"We should announce the cats now,"

She suggested. Sandystar dipped her head. It was getting late, so they should be leaving soon. Sandystar called the meeting to order and waited for every cat to arrive.

"The cats attending the gathering are as follows; Ashleaf, Goldcloud, Limefeather, Robinclaw, Ferretpaw, Sparrowpaw, Mosspaw, Snowtail, Flaxclaw, Springfoot, Spiderweb, Barnfeather, Hazelpaw, Batpaw, Sleekfur, Brookshine, Hailforce, Stoneclaw,"

The cats that weren't selected looked disappointed. Brookshine padded up to Sandystar.

"I'm not going to the gathering,"

She hissed. Sandystar sighed.

"Brookshine, I know you hate it, but you must face the other Clans. And besides, you're a new warrior of SkyClan. You deserve to be there,"

Sandystar asserted, but Brookshine didn't back down. She flattened her ears against her head.

"I can't go!"

She snarled.

"I order you to go!"

Sandystar hissed. Brookshine looked as though she was going to argue, but didn't. As she walked away, Sandystar frowned. What's she hiding?

~•~•~•~

The full moon rose high above the Great Oak. Sandystar looked down at her cats, mingling with the other Clans. All except Brookshine, who hung off to the side of the clearing. Volestar called the gathering into action, reporting record numbers of twolegs by the lake. Harestar went next, announcing two new apprentices, Bumblepaw and Shrewpaw. Mintstar went next.

"We have three new warriors. Ringtail, Dewbelly and Mothpelt,"

Cheers erupted from the clearing. Sandystar was surprised as Hazelpaw's meowed raised above the rest. Perhaps she knows them, Sandystar thought. Mintstar waited for the chants to die down before continuing.

"Prey is running well. At least, it would be, if ShadowClan stopped stealing it!"

He accused. Angry yowls erupted from the ShadowClan cats.

"We haven't touched your mangy territory!"

"You're the prey-stealers!"

"How dare you?"

Ivystar's yowl cut off the arguing warriors.

"That's enough. ShadowClan has nothing report, other than that one of our neighbouring Clans are liars and thieves,"

She meowed bitterly, shooting a glance at Mintstar. ThunderClan and ShadowClan exploded in angry argument again. Harestar silenced them.

"Stop! This is a time of peace!"

He called, nodding to Sandystar as the arguing died down. Sandystar took in a deep breath.

"Suntail is dead,"

She began. Loud gasps came from the clearing.

"Goldcloud is SkyClan's medicine cat now. We also have two new warriors and three new apprentices. Robinclaw, Limefeather, Mosspaw, Sparrowpaw and Ferretpaw!"

The Clans cheered. Oh! I forgot about Brookshine! Sandystar cleared her throat.

"Actually, we have another new warrior! This moon we welcomed Brookshine as a warrior!"

Shock crossed Brookshine's face. SkyClan cheered, but shocked gasps and ripples came from the others, including the leaders and medicine cats.

"Murderer!"

"Traitor!"

"Where is she?"

"There!"

A RiverClan cat called, spotting Brookshine. A herd of cats ran toward the silver warrior.

"Exile her!"

"Kill her!"

"Stop!"

Harestar called once again. The cats stopped.

"It's up to Sandystar what happens to that cat. I take it she doesn't know. But if she is caught on another Clan's territory,"

He said, baring his teeth at Sandystar.

"She will be killed,"

"But that's against the code!"

Snowtail called, lashing his tail.

"That rouge violated the code more times than is possible!"

Volestar hissed.

"The gathering is over!"

Mintstar called. Sandystar dipped her head and swiftly lead SkyClan away, head pounding. I knew I couldn't trust Brookshine! Did I really let a murderer join my Clan?