✧ Devious Fates ✧ | COMPLETE WARRIOR CATS FANFICTION STORY |

// Chapter Twenty Seven

"I shall not risk attending tonight's Gathering," Vinestar addressed to his cluster of warriors. Spottedpelt felt a flare of shock go through her at the tabby's words. The assigned WindClanners whisked away and started towards the barrier: Brokenpaw, Amberstripe, Embergaze, Molefang, Littlefoot, Lionrage, and Buzzardsong.

Spottedpelt had ventured back to her nest inside of the warriors' den, her mind racing as she contemplated every problematic situation. Could ShadowClan find WindClan weak as their leader nor deputy attended the Gathering and make a time for an attack of vengeance? She remembered the rage and sorrow that glowed in the ShadowClan cats' eyes.

But maybe it wasn't that bad she wasn't there. Maybe she was a terrible deputy. She was still left confused. She lifted her gaze to the stars. She prayed to StarClan for guidance. Maybe she should just retire to an elder. That way, her Clan could have a better leader. But wouldn't she be seen as dishonorable? She was still quite young, and had a long time to serve her Clan.

As she received no answer from the stars, she lowered her head, a slight headache coming upon her. She had barely received any sleep for two days. And as she tried, her mind just seemed to race faster and faster. Eventually, she seemed so exhausted that she started to doze off.

Something sharp awoke her; like a paw in the ribs. She was jolted out of her sleep, her ears ringing as she heard the roar of thunder split the air nearby. She quickly arranged onto her paws. She could hear the hiss and patter of raindrops on the stone roof, partnered by large bolts of lightning.

The sky was shadowed with dark clouds that crackled with thunder. Somehow, the moon still hung in the sky, surrounded by a nest of dark grey patches. As Spottedpelt had just emerged from the warriors' den, her pelt was already drenched. The sand below her was soggy and stuck together, scrunching underpaw.

She scrutinized the clearing, searching for her fellow warriors as the storm intensified. Wind pelted her coat, followed by the herds of rain and hail that nibbled at her skin. Grasspaw, Rockpaw, and Frostpaw scuttled towards her, their eyes squinted to protect them from the violent storm. Spottedpelt yowled out to them, pointing her tail towards the warriors' den.

The three apprentices made their way towards her, Grasspaw shrieking and her fur sticking out as lightning struck at what looked like only dozens of fox-lengths away. Finally, the three shapes arrived beside Spottedpelt in a panicking huddle, darting into the protection of the warriors' den.

Tigertail followed, too distracted to even shoot a suspicious glance to Spottedpelt. Cinnamontail and Darkpool shuffled behind him, their hearts pounding and their green and copper eyes wide. Webshine, Tallear, and Tansybranch traveled slowly to join them, Tallear leaning on Webshine's shoulder.

As they grew closer, Spottedpelt quickly breathed, "What happened?"

It took a few heartbeats for them to answer. Spottedpelt could see Webshine's mouth slightly moving, but it was blocked out by another boom of thunder. They hastily trekked on, collapsing into the den and huffing out in relief. Tallear clenched his teeth in pain as Webshine went to lay on some moss. Her belly had started to enlarge. She would join the nursery soon.

"He scraped his leg on one of the boulders at the entrance," Tansybranch answered. "He and I were on patrol, and when the storm started, we had a hard time coming back. It was hard to see."

"Do you need me to fetch Willowheart?" Spottedpelt anxiously mewed to the black and brown tom. Tallear shook his head.

"No," he responded quickly. "She's safe in her den. The storm's getting worse, we m-musn't go back out until it's gone."

Spottedpelt nodded. Gingertail, Cloverpatch, and Copperfrost started to stir, their heads lifting as the night grew louder with thunder. Spottedpelt stuck her head out of the den, immediately being stung by the needle-like downpour. She spotted Fiercetalon guiding Beavertail with an ear flick, a frail Twoclaw limping beside him.