Through the Loss

Chapter One

The mumbles and murmurings of cats were everywhere. It seemed all the cats in the group were whispering to the one next to them. This was odd behavior, as the group was usually loud and boisterous while on their way to the gathering.

"Careful. Watch your step." The first clearly spoken words came from a large brown tom, the leader of the group. He was addressing a much smaller she-cat, who had stumbled in the mud.

"Something doesn't feel right about tonight, Jaystar." Another female, this one full grown, approached the leader from the side and fell into step with him. She spoke what most of the other cats were thinking.

Jaystar gave a nod. "Look at the sky. The moon is covered tonight. We know that's never a good sign, Snowflower."

"I fear BreezeClan may be planning an attack."

Jaystar gave her a sharp look. "The clans are at peace. There has been no tension over resources. Whatever happens tonight, it will not be an attack."

"If you say so, Jaystar." Snowflower murmured. "But something's not right."

---

The rest of the walk to the gathering place was eerily silent, the uneasy chatter having died down.

Jaystar was the first from FlameClan to step foot into the hollow. The gathering place was a wide open area, nearly directly in between the two clans, but on neither's territory. To the right of both clans was a patch of unclaimed forest. The gathering place sat directly on the border. Trees grew all around the hollow, forming a near perfect ring. No cat knew why no trees grew in the hollow, the soil seemed fertile as the grass was lush. It was just by StarClan's will that the hollow remained unobstructed, they supposed.

BreezeClan had already settled in for the gathering, their cats milling about as they waited, as FlameClan began to arrive.

"FlameClan! About time!" A good natured voice rang across the hollow, originating from the center.

The gathering place had no natural high spots, so long ago the cats had created two dirt mounds in the center for the leaders. These spots were still used.

Jaystar's eyes narrowed. "Patchheart. Where is Webstar?" Instead of BreezeClan's leader, the deputy was perched on the dirt mound.
Jaystar took his place on his dirt mound, and his clan began to socialize, taking their chance before the gathering began. Patchheart leaned over slightly, a piercing gaze focused on Jaystar. "Webstar is very ill. He's stayed back at camp."

Jaystar was slightly unnerved by the other tom's stare, accrediting it to Patchheart's ghostly blue eyes. His pelt grew hot. "Send him my well wishes."

"Of course, Jaystar." Patchheart dipped his head respectfully and turned his gaze to the two mingling clans.

"Webstar has a request for you and your clan, Jaystar." Patchheart's voice was low and his eyes didn't move.
Jaystar's ears pricked and swiveled in the BreezeClan deputy's direction.

"And that is?"

"I'll announce it once we have both given our reports."
Jaystar gave a quiet huff. "Alright..."

---

A short while passed before Patchheart spoke again. "I believe it's time to bring socializing to an end, Jaystar. We need to start before it gets too late."